Small Groups
We have Small Group Ministry so that people who meet during the week can experience authentic relationships on a regular basis with God and each other. Groups have an opportunity to commit to sharing life together, praying for one another, studying Scriptures, serving locally and lovingly challenge one another to grow as they follow Jesus. Some groups are setup for fellowship, activity, or ministry preparation, each having opportunity to connect for Jesus and each other all while transforming lives through:
Being a Caring Community
Through the building of life-giving relationships in the context of community, with an emphasis on the loving nurture and support of one another in the daily challenges of life.
Spiritual Transformation
Ebenezer’s small groups are focused on fostering spiritual growth and discipleship in such a way that people’s lives are transformed into the likeness of Jesus. This happens primarily through Bible study, prayer, and fellowship, and is dependent on the Holy Spirit’s activity in changing hearts.
Compassionate Outreach
In today’s culture, “outreach” has many different meanings, and this core value encompasses two in particular, each carried out with a servant’s heart of kindness and compassion: Reaching out to others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through words and deeds; sharing the Good News that Jesus came to provide a way to have a relationship with God forever, and Reaching out to our world in practical acts of service in the name of Jesus.
Prayer Ministry
Make prayer requests known by calling the church office at 757-238-2359 or by email request.
Names of those for whom prayer is requested are listed in the weekly bulletin.
Join us for intentional prayer (silent or verbal) on Tuesday afternoons from 1:00-2:00 PM in Room 5 of the main building and on Wednesday mornings from 6:00-6:30 AM in the Sanctuary. This is a time to lift up prayers for individual and congregational concerns, pray for the church as a whole and pray for our local and national leaders.
Anointing and prayer are available every Sunday at the end of our worship services. Pastors are also available to pray with you and your family in times of surgery, hospitalization, or other times of crisis or tragedy.
Special times of prayer, prayer vigils and other prayer events are held throughout the year.
Women of Ebenezer
Women need a place to just “be”…a place to connect with other women, to laugh, learn and share life’s joys and struggles. Join us as we create that safe environment of acceptance for everyone, “where they are”, recognizing that we are all God’s beloved children even when our journeys are different.
Reach out/build relationships
Encourage/affirm one another
Adore God/be accountable
Learn & laugh together
Your R.E.A.L. Team
Sydney Garner
Meredith Hammonds
Cheryl Lee
Sheila Smith
Liz Stoddard
GriefShare
GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.
GriefShare is intended for people grieving the death of a loved one. Many other life situations bring deep grief, such as separation and divorce, a loved one who is dying, estrangement, loss of custody of a child through divorce and more. If you are struggling with a loss not due to a death, GriefShare is not designed to meet your grief needs for healing. We encourage you to ask your pastor or a church leader for guidance in finding a support group or counselor.
GriefShare seminars and support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help. You’ll gain access to valuable GriefShare resources to help you recover from your loss and look forward to rebuilding your life. Each GriefShare session has three distinct elements:
Video Seminar With Experts
Support Group Discussion With Focus
Workbook-based Personal Study & Reflection
It may be hard for you to feel optimistic about the future right now. If you’ve lost a spouse, child, family member or friend, you’ve probably found there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel. This can be a confusing time when you feel isolated and have many questions about things you’ve never faced before.
GriefShare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life.
The Compassionate Friends
Meetings are the 2nd Thursday of each month from 7-9 PM, in Room 127 – FLC
For questions contact Patricia Seal at 757-238-2671 or patsyanded@charter.net
When a child dies, at any age, the family suffers intense pain and may feel hopeless and isolated. The Compassionate Friends provides highly personal comfort, hope, and support to every family experiencing the death of a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister, or a grandchild, and helps others better assist the grieving family.
We need not walk alone. We are The Compassionate Friends. We reach out to each other with love, with understanding, and with hope. The children we mourn have died at all ages and from many different causes, but our love for them unites us. Your pain becomes our pain, just as your hope becomes our hope. We come together from all walks of life, from many different circumstances.
Stephen Ministry
If you or someone who you know could benefit from talking to a Stephen Minister, please fill out a Stephen Ministry referral form below.
Stephen Ministry is a one-on-one ministry to someone who is hurting. It is quiet, confidential, compassionate, and provides a listening witness to the caring presence of Christ and His community.
Stephen Ministers are lay Christians selected, trained and supervised to provide effective Christian Care. After an initial 50 hours of training, Stephen Ministers are assigned a Care Receiver with whom they meet once a week for about an hour. Stephen Ministers also meet twice per month for supervision, support and continuing education. This is done in an environment of complete confidentiality. The names of Care Receivers are never mentioned.