Mrs. Betty Etta Eberhardt 1928—2011
Betty Etta (nee Alhberg) Eberhardt was born on February 22, 1928 in North Braddock, Pennsylvania. She was the third of the four daughters born to Irene Clotilda (nee Boyle) and John Alhberg. She was baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection and attended a Swedish Lutheran church that her grandfather helped to found.
She came with the family to Elyria when she was a sophomore in high school. The family became members at Emmanuel Lutheran and Betty was confirmed under Dr. Jussen L. Urich in the class of 1942 (a picture of that class is in the hallway leading to the office area). She graduated from Elyria High School in 1945.
Already during high school, Betty worked at a restaurant and after high school at General Industries during the war. It was at the restaurant at age 15 that she met Charles “Chuck” Eberhardt.
Chuck enlisted in the army and served in the Mediterranean. He was captured in Italy, became a prisoner of war, and was liberated at the end of the Italian campaign.
Betty and Chuck were married on February 8, 1947 at Emmanuel in a double wedding along with her sister Hazel. It was a double wedding because her very traditional mother, Irene, would not let Betty get married until her older sister Hazel got married first, and so Betty talked Hazel into getting married at the same time too.
Together Betty and Chuck had four children: Richard, Charles, Kevin, and Sandy. They established a home in Amherst where Betty lived for 57 years. Chuck worked at Bendix as an engineer, then did tree trimming (despite having been shot in the foot during the war), and finally ended up working as a rigger at American Ship Building Company in Lorain, Ohio.
Betty stayed at home and raised the children. She regularly attended worship at Emmanuel, taught Sunday School, and in her later years took on the special ministry of caring for the cradle roll. She kept an eye on every child at Emmanuel from birth to age three. As she often put it, "I love babies."
Betty was a member of Emmanuel's senior fellowship group, the Golden Buckeyes. She enjoyed cooking, baking, playing cards (Canasta), and spending time with her grandchildren, great- grandchildren, and her tiny lap dog "Penny" of 14 years.
Betty died peacefully in the company of her family at the Amherst Retirement Community on October 11, 2011.
Betty is survived by her sons, Richard "Rick" (wife Chris) of Stafford, Virginia, Charles "Chuck" (wife Chris) of Scottsdale, Arizona, Kevin (wife Ann) of Sheffield Village; daughter, Sandra "Sandy" of Amherst, Ohio; eight grandchildren, seven great- grandchildren; and sister Ruth (husband George) of Summerfield, Florida.
She was preceded in death by her husband Charles Eberhardt (1993) and two of her sisters, Emilie Gage and Hazel Foster.
Betty will be buried at Brookdale Cemetery in the certain hope of resurrection to life everlasting.
posted 01 Nov 2011
Facebook Page Launches
The Communication Ministry would like to announce the integration of Facebook into our repertory for church communication. Emmanuel Lutheran's Facebook Page
We ask members of the congregation that have accounts to post church related thoughts, pictures, and events. We would like to see Facebook become another avenue for church communications.
If you like art, talking to people, or have ideas for improving church communication please join communication ministry. We can really use your help!
Dustin Bunch, Communication Ministry & Webmaster
posted 30 Oct 2011
Mrs. Sandy Bell 1948—2011
Emmanuel’s beloved preschool director and lead teacher, Sandy Bell, entered her eternal rest on Saturday June 18, 2011 at University Hospitals in Cleveland. Sandy has been with us since 1998 and was particularly known for teaching the 4 & 5 year old children in our four-day morning program. All the children and her colleagues absolutely adored her.
Sandy exuded a soft-spoken and calm warmth, gentleness and kindness. She had an outstanding faith in Christ and cheerfully expressed her hopeful confidence in God’s loving grace and goodness through all challenges both big and small. And she deeply loved all children...and all children knew it.
Sandy was born in Beckley, West Virginia and was an Elyria resident for most of her life. She is survived by her husband of 42 years Laird, three daughters, one son, eight grandchildren, and one brother. Memorial contributions may be made to the Make a Wish Foundation, 4742 North 24th St., Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85016-4862. Rest eternal, grant her, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine on her.
Emmanuel Hosts Latino Mission
Emmanuel is hosting a Latino mission to be developed by Pastor Miguel Acosta. Pastor Acosta is a native Cuban living in Lorain. He was ordained in the Anglican Orthodox church and is in the process of becoming rostered in the ELCA through the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and Lutheran Puerto Rican seminary.
Pastor Acosta will be using a room for bible study during the week and space in another room for an office. Once his contacts reach a critical mass, he will initiate a worship service in Spanish in our sanctuary Saturday evenings at 6 pm. We are excited about the new possibilities this presents and hope that you will soon have a chance to meet Pastor Acosta. He is a gift from God and a sheer delight. By the way, Hispanics have two great contributions to the Christian Sabbath: fiesta & siesta! Ole!
Martin Luther on YouTube
Some clever group has put a snappy 3-minute music video on YouTube which offers a quick history of Martin Luther to the tune of “Manic Monday” by the Bangles, a 1980x pop group. Check it out at http://youtube.com/watch?v=rZ3AFZXXX-k. Why didn't they have stuff like this when we were taking confirmation?
Elyria Recycling Center
Elyria has a recycling center in the former Elyria Flea Market just north of East Broad on South Abbe. The center accepts batteries, paint, solvents, fertilizers, herbicides, computers, TVs, monitors, tires and fluorescent light bulbs. It does NOT accept medications, appliances, use motor oil, non-fluorescent light bulbs, large tires, or curbside recyclables (plastic, metal, glass, paper and cardboard. Used motor oil may be taken to Advanced Auto Parts (1057 East Broad St), Auto Zone (103 2nd St) and a number of other auto stores. Most places limit you to 5 gals/day. For more information go to www.loraincounty.us/solidwaste.
Position Available: Family & Youth Ministry Director
Our Education Ministry is looking for a Family and Youth Ministry Director. This is a part time position with an annual stipend of $1,500. The primary duty of the Director is to engage parents and children in the life of Emmanuel Lutheran church through their participation in worship, learning and service. Communication and developing personal relationships with families is essential to this effort. As a related duty, the Director will work as a facilitator in support of the Sunday School (for children and youth age 3-18), Kids of the Kingdom, Vacation Bible School and the Youth Group. Each of these ministries is an established program that needs support and assistance in attracting and holding participants, organizing special events, leadership support and training, etc. The position is directly responsible to the Education Ministry. The full job description and the application form are on the table in the Gathering Area. And further information is always available from the chair of our Education Ministry, Jackie Kokai.
Loans for Lutheran Students
Lutheran students who need financial assistance and who will be enrolled full time in a four-year undergraduate program in any accredited college or university are eligible to apply for an interest-free loan through the Pierstorf Memorial Loan Fund administered by our good friends at Messiah Lutheran in Fairview Park. Applications are taken annually. For forms and more information go to www.pierstorf.org.
ReStore & Helps Habitat for Humanity
ReStore raises funds for Habitat for Humanity by recycling and reselling materials that typically get thrown away during the course of home renovation or sits unused for years in attics, basements and garages. Buy a tool from their list, clean out your basement or empty your garage to help keep Habitat for Humanity on the Job. They take kitchen cabinets, fixtures, windows, doors, lumber, tile, tubs, sinks, furniture, tools, etc. For a complete list of what is available, visit www.clevelandrestore.org. The store is located at 2110 W. 110th Street in Cleveland. The phone is 216.429-1299.
Hot Off the Press: Lutheran Study Bible
The Lutheran Study Bible (New Revised Standard Version) is now available in both hardcover and paperback. It is designed to invite readers to experience the bible and its message through background material, Lutheran insights and faith reflection. It's part of the Book of Faith iniative of the ELCA and Augsburg Fortress to increase bible literacy and fluency for the sake of the world. Order from www.augsburgfortress.org; 800-328-4648; hardcover $34.99, paperback $24.99.
Master Builders Bible for Men, 2nd Edition
Another good bible alternative for men is the Master Builders Bible for Men designed for Lutheran Men in Mission. This New International Version Bible features the Men's Ministry Leaderes Supplement and 20,000 study questions written into the text that assist participants to get to know each other as they get to know God. It also features six courses for men each with six beginner and six advanced sessions. The courses include: Masculinity: Will the Real Jesus Stand Up?; Accountability: Beyond Football and the Weather; Discipleship: Being a Man After God's Own Heart?; Attitude Adjustment: Down But not Out; Men at Work: Performance Anxiety; For Men Only: issues Men Face, 200 Bible Stories with study questions and much more. Order from www.augsburgfortress.org; 800-328-4648; hardcover $20.00
Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA
Earn interest while you build the church. The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA offers a number of different investment products at competitive rates. Some work like CDs. Others like a money market checking account. Through your investment, the Fund provides loans to new mission congregations for purchasing land and the initial construction, and to established congregations for renovations, additions and relocations. Call (877) 886-3522 or visit www.MissionInvestmentFund.org for the current rates and offerings.
Pronouncing Biblical Words
Are you having a tough time pronouncing biblical words as a reader during worship. Visit the Netministries web site to HEAR pronunciations of those unfamiliar words or names.