Ebenezer is a warm faith community located between the towns of Byron and Oregon Illinois. We have a rich history of over 150 years of serving Christ here in NW Illinois; you can read more about that in our history section. Today our mission as a faith community is this: Love God, Love Others, Serve The Community.

Mission: Love God, Love, People, Serve The Community

Love God:
One of the main ways we show how we love God is by joining together each Sunday in worship. At 9am each Sunday we have Sunday School for all ages (adults too). Sunday School is a valuable time when we can come together and study God’s Word more fully as a community. Then at 10am each Sunday, we join together for our worship service. There are both traditional and contemporary aspects of worship, a reformed liturgy of confession of sin and assurance of pardon, alongside a blend of organ and praise band music. Each week God’s Word is read, taught, and applied to our lives. Come as you are. Some folks dress up, but most wear casual clothes. We care more about you, not what you are wearing.

Love People:
There are many opportunities to connect with others here at Ebenezer Reformed Church. We have a fellowship time after the service where we can get to know each other better. There are also fellowship groups for a variety of different life stages. We hope you can find one you can connect and grow in community with us. You can find out more about these under our ministry tab.

Serve The Community:
Throughout the year, we serve the community in differing ways. From helping at the Rockford Rescue mission to having a trunk or treat or putting on a soup supper to raise money for area ministries, we reach out to serve those in our community.

Vision:

Remaining dedicated to sound biblical principles and teachings – being committed to caring for all – staying focused on serving, rather than being served.

Values: Family, Fellowship, and Charity

Family: At Ebenezer Reformed Church, we deeply value Family.

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” – Ephesians 2:19-20

The church is God’s family; we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. At Ebenezer, as a smaller community of faith, we have the unique ability to be a close family of Christ-followers. We live out this value in our faith community by walking alongside each other through difficult times, inviting others over for dinners or spending time together, and celebrating one’s life milestones together. We work hard to know your name and have you become a part of God’s family in this place, no matter who you are. You are welcomed here!

Fellowship: If you have stuck around after the service for our time of fellowship, you know, at ERC, we take it seriously. We join around tables for cookies, coffee, and conversations with our Church family.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25

Our fellowship after the service is only one of the many ways we connect with others. A key element of our life groups (small groups) is meeting together, usually with food. Also, Christian Fellow-Shippers is a group of seniors who get together regularly for a time of food and fellowship. We hope that you find a way to connect with fellow believers here at ERC.

Charity: We may be a small community of faith, but we are a generous congregation.

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – Acts 20:35

As a congregation, we support many different local and international organizations. From food pantries to missionaries and everything in-between, we support those at the frontlines of God’s work in our community and around the world. When we see a need in our church or our community, we step out in faith and help those around us with prayers, time, talents, and financial gifts.