Here We Raise Our Ebenezer

June 13, 2005

In the great old hymn, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” the second verse begins, “Here I raise mine Ebenezer”. The phrase is based upon 1 Samuel 7:12 in the Old Testament:
“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us." Samuel set up the monument as a reminder to Israel of God’s help in her battles against tremendous obstacles.

God impressed upon me that our new church sign represents a “Modern Ebenezer”. The electronic sign will be a monument, reminding thousands who pass the intersection of 33rd Street and Meade Avenue of God’s love, grace, and providential care. The excitement over the sign became evident in yesterday’s Council meeting. Several people asked, “How may I help make it a reality?”

Our commitment is to pay for the sign outside our church budget through special gifts, donations and memorials. The total cost of the double sided electronic sign is $26,000. J. M. Stewart Sign Company has approved our five year lease (with a one dollar buyout). That means for approximately $100 per week, we can “Raise Our Ebenezer” sign, begin publishing God’s gospel to passersby, and let our community know about the many wonderful ministries conducted at Christ Church and Ministry Center.

To that end, we hereby establish our “Raise Our Ebenezer” campaign. We invite our members and friends of Christ Church to give:
· Pastor’s Circle ($100 per month pledge, or one time gift of $5,000)
· Ebenezer Circle ($50 per month pledge, or $10 per week, or one time gift of $2,500)
· Herald Circle ($25 per month pledge, or one time gift of $1,000)
· Evangel Circle ($10 per month pledge, or one time gift of $500)

All donations (regardless of size) will be inscribed for permanent display. To join the campaign, all you have to do is reply by email, phone me or the church, write or speak with Gretchen Mitchell (Ebenezer Project Chair), David Stump, Art Slatten, Sonya Gomez, Phyllis Evans, Charlene Savage or me. We will have commitment cards next Sunday. Checks should be made out to Christ United Methodist Church and marked Ebenezer Sign Project. We will list those who make commitments in our weekly E-Vangel Newsletter (unless you request to remain anonymous). I expect we will have folks from all over the USA (and perhaps the world) supporting this missionary project in San Diego.

Send me an email or call me, and I will send you the “Raise Our Ebenezer” packet with pledge card.

Finally, a personal note: This is one of the few times you will hear me appeal for funds via the E-Vangel Newsletter. I do so here without apology or reservation. This is an exciting project that will help transform the ministries at 33rd and Meade. Help us raise our Ebenezer message: “Christ, in the Heart of San Diego!”

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