Our Blog

God is doing amazing things through the life and people of ECOB. On this page you can read devotions, stories and testimonies from our ministries, God sightings, and other events that God has used to expand His kingdom in the city of Ephrata and beyond.

Uncategorized
March 15, 2022

Ivan Horning celebrating 100!

Ivan Horning, a long time member of the Ephrata Church of the Brethren, will celebrate his 100th birthday on March 29th. Ivan served in the military during WWII.  He was…
ECOB contributor
Love1
God MomentsMinistry Update
November 11, 2021

Report for Congregational Forum Nov. 10, 2021

by Tricia Schlegel, Leadership Team Thank you all for coming tonight to our congregational forum. The leadership team is honored to host these forums twice a year. As you know…
ECOB contributor
Love1
God MomentsMinistry Update
September 23, 2021

Block Parties

Jesus in the Neighborhood! We encouraged you to have Block Parties in your neighborhood this summer and for those that took on this challenge, it was a great time of…
ECOB contributor
Love1
DevotionalGod Moments
September 2, 2021

You are loved!

A K-4th Life Group lesson I recently taught focused on Romans 8:39, which says, “Nothing at all can ever separate us from God’s love. That’s because of what Christ Jesus…
Sharon Myers
Love1
Uncategorized
August 12, 2021

Open My Eyes, That I May See

Part of my daily devotions come from "Amazing Grace - 366 Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions." One day last week, it was the Hymn, "Open My Eyes...". It states the…
Rich Bealer
Love1
DevotionalOpinion/Religeous
August 5, 2021

Be Strong and Courageous

by Tricia Schlegel Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And…
ECOB contributor
Love1
DevotionalFood for thought
July 29, 2021

The power of listening

“The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen,” says Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, author and integrative medicine professor. “Perhaps the most important thing we…
ECOB contributor
Love2
DevotionalFood for thoughtUncategorized
July 15, 2021

How deep is your faith?

How deep is your faith? Lyrics to the Bee Gees’ 1970s hit song “How Deep Is Your Love” came to mind as I pondered the “depths” of my faith. Sometimes…
ECOB contributor
Love1
DevotionalFood for thought
July 1, 2021

Child’s Play

Child's Play by Rob Eshelman Scripture Reference: Matthew 18:1-3 At that time, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He…
ECOB contributor
Love2
DevotionalOpinion/Religeous
June 10, 2021

Locusts Everywhere

Locusts Everywhere by Kim Ream This is the year when the 17-year locusts have crawled out from underground and are everywhere. My plants, grasses, and trees are covered with them.…
ECOB contributor
Love2
Uncategorized
June 3, 2021

My Grandmother’s Favorite Hymn…

I can still hear my grandmother whistling her favorite hymn, “My Jesus, I Love Thee.” In her later years, instead of humming or singing, she would whistle (Something I love…
Rich Bealer
Love3
Uncategorized
April 19, 2021

Joy During the Pandemic

This may be a strange statement, however, it is a true statement. Gerry & I are experiencing JOY through this Pandemic. Sure, there are still many things that are not…
Rich Bealer
Love4
Ministry Update
April 5, 2021

Local Missions

Baskets of Thanks for Ephrata School Staff Each month the Local Missions Team has been blessing a group of people in the community that has gone the extra mile this…
ECOB contributor
Love3
DevotionalGod Moments
March 8, 2021

Impact of Moms in Prayer

As a woman and mother that has been on quite a spiritual journey, it’s been really incredible to see how God has met me where I am and how He…
ECOB contributor
Love4
God MomentsMinistry Update
March 1, 2021

Blessing those in our community.

The Local Missions Team (LOVEPHRATA) has continued to seek ways to reach those in our community.  In January the team decided to find a group of people each month and…
ECOB contributor
Love1
DevotionalGod Moments
February 22, 2021

A Story of Trust

By Julie Rhine Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make straight your…
ECOB contributor
Love2
Uncategorized
February 11, 2021

Spirit Lead Me

Several people commented on the new song that we sang during worship on Sunday, February 7th. The song has been out for a few years, but was new to us/ECOB.…
Carol Bowman
Love0
Devotional
February 8, 2021

The Power of Prayer

-by Warren Heistand If you know me, I am one who will tell you if you have any problems to take them to the Lord in prayer. Some time ago…
ECOB contributor
Love0
Devotional
February 1, 2021

Snow Day Reflections

In celebration of our snow event, ponder these Bible verses mentioning snow:Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7Trustworthy…
Sharon Myers
Love1
DevotionalMinistry Update
January 25, 2021

What’s Your Puzzle Piece?

During covid, many of us have discovered or rediscovered jigsaw puzzles. It’s something we can do by ourselves, but it’s really fun if we can work with others as we…
Sharon Myers
Love0
DevotionalMinistry Update
January 18, 2021

Give to HIM!

I have been the Treasurer for the Ephrata Church of the Brethren (ECOB)for greater than three years. During this time, I have been amazed at the overall giving of the…
Rich Bealer
Love1
Ministry Update
January 4, 2021

Reflections

Reflections shared at Congregational Forum, November 11, 2020 Thank you for joining us tonight for our congregational forum. No one could have predicted that 2020 would bring us so many…
Tricia Schlegel
Love0
Devotional
December 21, 2020

Love

Can you imagine sending your son into a situation in which he will be maligned, misunderstood and ultimately, crucified in an excruciatingly painful way? This is the love God has…
Sharon Myers
Love0
Devotional
December 14, 2020

Choose Joy!

Are you finding it difficult to choose joy this Advent season? It would be easy to let ourselves get a little down in the dumps. We can feel depressed because…
Sharon Myers
Love0
Devotional
December 7, 2020

Peace

Now that we’ve completed our series on the Armor of God, are you still remembering to put on your shoes of peace? Our current times may make this a bit…
Sharon Myers
Love1
Devotional
November 30, 2020

Hope in Advent

What are you hoping for this Christmas? In a time when you should be focusing your attention on the celebration of the birth of Jesus, are you letting your mind…
Sharon Myers
Love1
Ministry UpdateUncategorized
November 9, 2020

A Caffeine Pep for Teachers

In September, the ECOB Local Missions Team provided coffee for each Ephrata elementary school during their first few weeks back to school. Javateas graciously took the coffee and supplies to…
ECOB contributor
Love1
Opinion/Religeous
October 5, 2020

When being “Brethren” is not really “Brethren”

About two weeks ago, on our Wednesday noon session of Cracked Pots, I spoke about the break off denomination called Covenant Brethren Church (CBC). This group has withdrawn from the…
Brian Messler
Love3
Devotional
September 21, 2020

The Trees of the Forest will Sing

by Kim Ream As I write this, I am moved to run to praise; running from all that clutters my mind and burdens my heart to press forward to praise.…
ECOB contributor
Love2
Devotional
September 14, 2020

What’s Your Legacy?

Pastor Rob recently encouraged us to think about our legacy and what we leave behind. While I don’t ever consider the ways I bless others as storing up treasures in…
Sharon Myers
Love1
Devotional
August 31, 2020

Leaving a Legacy

– by Rob Eshelman This past Sunday, I was invited by Pastor Brian to deliver the message on “Leaving a Legacy.” This was an emotional time for me since the…
ECOB contributor
Love1
DevotionalMinistry Update
August 24, 2020

Why Student Ministries?

If you would describe a vision of the next generation what would it be? A clean earth, no war…or perhaps a more negative view: a lazy, tech-focused, and self-absorbed world.…
Ryan Burkholder
Love0
Devotional
August 17, 2020

PATIENCE…It is Surely Needed NOW!

Philippians 4:6 -> “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Oh, how I have…
Rich Bealer
Love0
Devotional
August 10, 2020

Bits & Pieces

I was walking along the beach with my daughter the other day. She was busily hunting for seashells along the shore. Something must have happened with the tide, so that…
Michelle Nolt
Love1
Ministry Update
August 10, 2020

Children’s Ministry During the Pandemic

Just like the world feels like it is changing by the minute, so is children's ministry. Although the message remains the same, the way we do ministry today is drastically…
Michelle Nolt
Love0
Devotional
August 3, 2020

Waymaker

Have you ever had an ear worm, one of those songs you just can’t get out of your head? This happens to me quite a bit, especially after a church…
Sharon Myers
Love3
Ministry Update
August 3, 2020

Encouraging our local Police

We care for our local Police Department The Local Missions Team wanted to take the opportunity to show our local Ephrata Police Department that we care about them and their…
ECOB contributor
Love4
Ministry Update
August 3, 2020

Encouragement Packs for residents

In June 2020, the Local Missions Team put together an encouragement pack for the residents at Ephrata Manor and Keystone Villa. During this time of quarantine and isolation, we wanted…
ECOB contributor
Love2
Devotional
July 27, 2020

I quit

In a recent Bible Study with our young adults, led by Jenn Messler, we examined boats in the Bible. This lesson being born out of the concept that we all…
Ryan Burkholder
Love0
Ministry Update
July 20, 2020

Ministry Through Ice Cream

Remember that feeling you got when you heard the jingle of the ice cream truck making it's way through your neighborhood? Nothing brought all of the neighborhood kids together like…
Michelle Nolt
Love1
Ministry Update
July 20, 2020

No One Loves You S’more Than Jesus

ECOB Kids has been working hard at staying connected during this time. In the month of June, each family received a S’more kit. The kit contained marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate,…
Michelle Nolt
Love1
Devotional
July 13, 2020

Jesus Wept

Many of you know the story of Lazarus and his family and how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. It was a miracle. I like to think about being there…
Tricia Schlegel
Love1
Ministry Update
July 7, 2020

Sunshine Boxes – a Local Missions Team Ministry Update

Sunshine Boxes By Peg Schannauer Do you know of someone who is coming home from the hospital, struggling at home with an illness, depression, or just needs a pick me…
ECOB contributor
Love2
Devotional
June 29, 2020

Who is searching for whom?

Who is searching for whom? by Warren Heistand In this time of separation, I found myself doing more reading from the scriptures, especially the book of Jeremiah. As I read…
ECOB contributor
Love1
Devotional
June 22, 2020

Perhaps you were born for Such a Time as This!

I remember the day the world shut down. One Friday morning in March, while perusing Facebook, I started to become increasingly alarmed. Some schools in other states had been shut…
Michelle Nolt
Love2
God Moments
June 15, 2020

A God Nudge

A few months ago, I had plans to see my friend and at the last minute she cancelled. I took this free time to visit a dear friend who is…
Stacey Coldiron
Love3
Devotional
June 8, 2020

What is a Good Steward?

What is a Good Steward? by Rich Bealer The word “Steward” was introduced to me early in my childhood. My father was the Chief Steward of a UAW Local Union.…
Rich Bealer
Love1
Devotional
June 8, 2020

Loving Challenge, Take 2

      Loving Challenge, Take 2 by Sharon Myers It seems like a very long time ago that Pastor Brian challenged us to love each other in four specific ways. At first I checked things off…
Sharon Myers
Love1
Devotional
May 28, 2020

The Lord’s Prayer

There is too much to be said in just a few words about the Lord’s prayer and this could be a 5-part series and maybe in the future - but…
Ryan Burkholder
Love4
Devotional
September 4, 2018

Love – It’s That Simple…

Listen to these words from 1 Corinthians 13 - If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding…
Brian Messler
Love5