Atonement Lutheran Church Newsletter - Messenger

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October 2, 2007 - Volume 28, #34

• Special Happenings at Fabius
  
  The Fabius worshipping community cordially invites you to join them for three special events in the month of October. All are welcome - this would be a great opportunity to invite friends. Additional copies of this Messenger are available in the church office for you to use as invitations or we would be happy to mail them for you. Just call the church office with names and addresses.
  • Sunday, October 7, 2006 - Blessing of the Animals
    9:00am- Pastor Rodgers will lead this service celebrating all sorts of animals. On Sunday October 22 at 9 am, the Fabius worshiping community will gather for a blessing of the animals. We will celebrate with worship, song, Holy Communion and at the close of the service will gather outside the church to bless the creatures that enrich our lives and with their faithfulness, become part of our families. (For more information on the Blessing of the Animals and its roots, see the article below.)

  • Sunday, October 21, 2006 - Service of Healing
    9:00am - Pastor Gaetz will lead a service of prayer and anointing for healing as part of the regular Sunday worship hour. This tradition in the Atonement family has become a moving opportunity for focus on health and renewal of body, mind and spirit.

  • Sunday, October 28, 2006 - Reformation/Anniversary Celebration
    9:00am - A celebration to commemorate both our reformation heritage and our ministry and mission in Fabius. Following the service you will want to stay for the famous Fabius Anniversary Dinner. There will be more food than you can imagine and lots of great fellowship!

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• Save the Date!
  
  

  Annual Crop Walk in Syracuse - October 14 - Noon-4pm
  All Atonement youth in grades 4-12 are invited to "Walk with the World," by participating in the annual CROP Walk on October 14. Last year CROP Hunger Walks raised more than $15 million to support the hunger-fighting work of local food banks around the block and of Church World Service around the world. All members of the Atonement family are invited to help fight world hunger and support our youth by donating to CROP Walk. Youth will be collecting donations after all services on Oct. 7 & 14.

  More information will be in next week's Messenger. But save the date and please let us know you are coming by no later than Oct. 10. Contact Judy Holmes (673-9393; e-mail EWHolmes@att.net), Janet Holmgren (677-3846), or Pastor Rodgers (492-9065).

   

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• Atonement Reaches Out...

  Last week, when we reported the various ways our congregation serves our community. We left our a very important group! The Men in AtoneMENt....

  • support the library at the Public Safety Building by gathering and delivering books donated by members of the congregation
  • sponsor annual Ascension Day service & soup lunch
  • support food basket project for Thanksgiving/Christmas
  • fold/stuff/address the Advent/Lenten congregational mailing
  • prepare packets for Synod Assembly delegates
  • stock the pews with "Thinking of You" cards and pencils

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• Looking for More that YOU Can Do?

  The REACH (Reading and Education At Church and Home) program at Onondaga Valley Presbyterian Church (275 W. Seneca Turnpike) is looking for tutors for the upcoming school year.

  The tutoring program serves youth ages 6-12, Monday through Thursday (one group meets Monday and Wednesday, another group meets Tuesday and Thursday), from 3:30 to 5:15pm.

  Tutors provide assistance in math, reading, and writing skills. They work one-on-one with one or two students in individual sessions. Volunteers can help from one day a week to all four days. Orientation will be provided, but basic skills are all that is needed!

  If you are interested, please contact Claudia Tompkins REACH Coordinator (479-5815) or Dorothy DePew, Onondaga Valley Presbyterian Church (469-0946).

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• Thank You
  

  Thank you to everyone who bought apples from the ALYO. The youth group picked 120 pounds of apples and $45 was added to the youth fund to help with retreat expenses.

   

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• Congratulations Ken & Jeanette Greig
  

  Jolly Dollies and Gents gathered at Dorothy Phillips' cabin to celebrate Ken & Jeanette's 54th wedding anniversary. Congratulations Ken & Jeanette!

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• You're Invited!

  Saturday, October 13, 2007

  To the Anniversary Celebration of Lutheran Campus Ministry in the United StatesÐ100 Years of Expanding Minds, Deepening Faith, Inspiring Service.

  6:00 p.m. Dinner Featuring Dishes from Around the World
  7:30 p.m. Installation of The Reverend Dr. Gail V. Riina,Lutheran Chaplain at Syracuse University & SUNY ESF

  • Welcome by The Rev. Thomas Wolfe, Dean of Hendricks Chapel
  • Bishop Marie C. Jerge Preaching
  • The Rev. Nelson Gaetz Installing
  • The Rev. Paul Bosch Giving the Charge
  • Pastors and Council Presidents Processing

  The Color for Clergy is Red. Flags of the Nations and Banners from Central New York Congregations will grace the Chapel. Music will include selections by the Hendricks Chapel Choir and Organist Student Brass and Korean Drum Group.

  RSVP by October 5, 2007 for Dinner: 315-443-2439 or lutheran@syr.edu

   

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• Blessing of the Animals
  

  October 4 is the day we commemorate the life and work of St. Francis of Assisi. He has been remembered for his conviction that the Christian life is one lived without material possessions and with strict personal self denial, but also one that is filled with joyful friendship and fellowship, a strong sense of humor, and gladness in God's creation. Francis has been memorialized in many statutes and paintings showing him with birds and animals in forest, field or garden. The animals in our lives, our pets, bring great joy and unconditional love into our lives. This joy and unconditional love reminds us of the joy and love that God has for usÑin creation and in God's creatures we have at hand, God's wealth and gracious abundance given for our use.

  We will celebrate (at the 10/7 service) with worship, song, Holy Communion, and at the close of the service, will gather outside the church to bless the creatures that enrich our lives and, with their faithfulness, become part of our families. All animals must be on leads, leashes, or in crates, carriers, or covered baskets. Your animals are welcome indoors for the worship if the number of people and other animals will not be too upsetting. Otherwise, we ask that your pet remain restrained out of doors or with your vehicle until the end of worship. Worshippers are encouraged to dress informally as there will be lots of fur, fuzz, and hair to be had! Questions may be directed to Pastor Rodgers @492-9065.

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