Atonement Lutheran Church Newsletter - The Messenger

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October 26, 2009 - Volume 30, #40

• Save a Tree, Save a Stamp, Save some Money!

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  To sign up for electronic "delivery" complete the online form at: http://www.alcsyracuse.org/mailinglist.php

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• It's time!
  
  

  It's time to set your clocks back - Sunday, November 1.

   

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• All Saint's Sunday
  
  

  All Saints' Sunday is the church "Memorial Day." It is a time to remember all of the faithful who live with God in his eternal kingdom. On Sunday, November 1, those of our church family who have died in the past twelve months will be remembered:

  Norma Bennett
  Nathan Romano
  Linus Ressler
  Leonard LaLonde
  Arlene Kilian
  Alexander Rott
  Michele Curtis
  Roberta Frigon
  Audrey Kent
  Irene (Snider) Schultz
  Curth Wilber
  Fay Delaney
  Ingrid Smith
  Allan "Bud" Farley

  We will observe the regular worship schedule: 8:30am and 10:45am at Atonement and 9am at St. Paul's (Rt. 80) in Fabius.

   

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• Letter to Parents.... 2009 Atonement Lutheran Church Christmas Eve Pageant
  
  
  Dear Parents:
  It's time to begin planning the annual Atonement Christmas Eve Pageant, which takes place during the 7pm Family Service at Atonement Lutheran Church. All Atonement youth, from age 3 through grade 12 are invited to participate in our pageant. This year, we are doing a musical, Shepherds, Sheep and a Savior.

  While there are some speaking and non-speaking roles, much of the story is told through music. That means there is lots of new music to learn! All of those who want to participate in the program (nursery through high school) will learn two new songs. We are also hoping that youth from grades five through 12 will help us form a special youth choir, which is at the heart of this year's pageant.

  We want to start learning the new music beginning the week of November 8, continuing through "show time." There will also be one Saturday rehearsalÑtentatively scheduled for Saturday, December 19, from 9 to 11 a.m. that all children and youth are expected to attend if at all possible.

  It is very important that you let me know if your children can participate in our pageant. It is also important that your children attend Sunday School or Wednesday Kids' Church as much as possible during the months of November and December so that we can work with them to prepare for this very special celebration of Jesus' Birth.

  Please call me by November 20 (673-9393 after 6 p.m.), send me an email (ewholmes@windstream.net), or let Pastor Rodgers know whether your children can participate.

  God's Peace,
  Judy Holmes

   

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• Speaking of Christmas....
  The Lutheran Homes Foundation Needs your Help

  As they have in the past, LutheranCare is requesting donations of items for those living at the center in Clinton NY. Please consider donating the following:

  • personal care items such as unopened boxes of tissue, hand cream & hairbrushes
  • books (hardcover and audio)
  • afghans, throws and comforters
  • puzzles
  • slippers, slipper socks
  • hats, gloves, and mittens
  • candy
  • artwork
  • tote bags for walkers

  They ask that donations be delivered to them by November 23, so they are able to share the items at their Christmas party.

  If you have questions, please contact Karen Anne Ostinette at 315-235-7104 or kostinett@lutherancare.org

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• John C. Heyer - November 7
  
  

  Satchel Paige, one of the greatest baseball players of all times once asked, "How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?" That's the question for the week as we meet John Christian Frederick Heyer, husband, father, Lutheran pastor, medical doctor, seminary professor, chaplain and missionary. When the average life expectancy in the 1800's was around 37, C. F. Heyer (1793-1873) was sent by the Lutheran church in America to be its first foreign missionary when he was 48. If he had been born today, given how much longer people generally live, he would have been closer to 61 when he started his evangelical work in India! Today, the church he helped to found in Andhra Pradesh is one of the largest Lutheran churches in Asia with over 1 million members. It only goes to show that for God, age is no barrier to spreading the gospel. So if you've ever wondered whether the church still has a need for your own special road skills just because your spiritual odometer registers enough miles for a trip to the moon and back, be comforted and inspired by the example of C. F. Heyer where God-given "maturity" translated into mission! See you out on the road,

  ~ Shalom y'all, Vicar Christine

  For more information about C. F. Heyer and the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, see:

  http://www.popnj.org/excerpts/tr_22.htm
  http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Global-Mission/Where-We-Work/Asia/India.aspx

   

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• Yes, It's That Time Again!

  At Atonement, we surely embody "God's Work, Our Hands."

  And while it is true that we are fortunate in having an endowment that allows us to go beyond the "norm," it is also true that we have a strong core that is just as vital to our mission as the endowment - it enables us to do all that we do.

  And, that core: worship, baptism, fellowship (including salary for a pastor, building maintenance expenses, administrative office support, and those things that everyone expects a "typical" church to provide.), all depends on you and your contributions. It takes about $200,000 to run that core ministry.

  Stewardship packets have been mailed. Please return your pledge card as quickly as you can, so we can get the 2010 budget into place. If you didn't receive a packet, please call the church office at 492-9065 and we'll get one to you!

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• Annual Crafty Ladyes Sale is Coming....

  

  The Crafty Ladyes are ready to accept donations! Just bring them by church on Sunday or during regular business hours during the week. Remember to mark your calendars for their sale on November 14th!

   

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• It's time to start paying the fuel bill...
  
  

  The 2009 Offering Envelope boxes contain a "special" envelope for the week of October 25 for Energy needs. As the fall weather settles in (can winter be far behind?), we are reminded that, even with the new furnace, the fuel costs for heating Atonement add up quickly! Please consider a generous extra mile gift to help us get the bills paid.

   

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• Congratulations Beth!
  

  The Syracuse Pulp and Paper Foundation, Inc. recognizes Beth Ann Arthur as the 2009-2010 Herman Louis Joachim Graduate Fellow. Having exemplified the qualities that Dr. Joachim most valued: Excellence in management, entrepreneurial skills, and outstanding leadership. Having met these requirements, sincere congratulations are offered to the recipient from the PBE Faculty Chair and SPPF President.

  ...and that's not all...

  Beth was also awarded the Sandy and Dr. Bill Holtzman Scholarship on October 8, 2009.

  Way to go Beth!

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• To the Atonement Church Family,
  

  What a joy to be with you this past Sunday and share in a wonder-filled worship service! It was exciting to be in a place where you can actually see ministry happening in almost every corner of the property!

  It was also an honor to be the one to present you with the 2009 Excellence in Ministry Award which you have so profoundly earned. Thanks, too, on behalf of the whole Seminary community, for your generous gift. I will pass it on!

  In His Love,
  Pastor Jim Jerge

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• Vanderkamp Center Retreat for Women - November 13-15
  

  Join Pastor Jen Dyer Boyd for a weekend of pampering, fellowship and spiritual growth, and consider women of both the Old and New Testaments who are often seen as "bad girls." We will reflect on their faith as well as their sins, and discover how they guide us in our own lives of faith.

  Additional information and registration is available by contacting Vanderkamp at 315-675-3651 or by email at vkcenter@localnet.com