Atonement Lutheran Church Newsletter - The Messenger

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November 10, 2009 - Volume 30, #42

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

  Have you signed up to get the Messenger Online?

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

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• Onondaga Civic Symphony Orchestra Returns - November 3, 2008
  

  We are thrilled to announce that The Onondaga Civic Symphony Orchestra will be performing once again in our Sanctuary - on Sunday, 11/15, at 3pm. The Onondaga Civic Symphony Orchestra is made up of a diverse group of amateur and professional musicians organized for the purpose of performing symphonic music. Led by Conductor Erik Kibelsbeck, this concert will feature Ken Grand (on Basset Clarinet) and Lindsey Burdick (Soprano).

  Tickets are available at the door for $5.

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• Annual Crafty Ladyes Sale is Here....

  

  The Crafty Ladyes bazaar, in the fellowship hall, will include crafts, attic treasures, soup and sandwich lunch, and baked goods.

  As part of the bazaar, the Crafty Ladyes are raffling an afghan crocheted by Barb Lasky, an afghan donated by the Kennedy family, and a fleece throw made by Pam Haumann. See a Crafty Lady and get your ticket! Donations are $1.00. The drawing will be on November 14.

  Every year, the Crafty Ladyes use proceeds from the bazaar to fund special projects. So please stop by and please be generous!

  Note: the crafts from the bazaar will be available only for two days (November 14 and after church services on November 15), so if you see something you like, get it then.

  The Crafy Ladyes also need your help...

  • setting up for their sale. They will start at 9am on November 13th.
  • making baked goods. They can be dropped off either Friday, 11/14 or the day of the sale.
  • packing up after the sale, on Monday, 11/16.
   

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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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• Thanksgiving Baskets
  

  We are gathering the necessary items for Thanksgiving baskets and need your help. Our food pantry, like so many others, is running low, as are donations. Please help where you can. Contributions are always welcome. Last year, filling out the baskets, after sorting through the donations, cost almost $400. Any help is appreciated. We can use all the usual food pantry items plus for Thanksgiving baskets -

  We are gathering the necessary items for Thanksgiving baskets and need your help. Our food pantry, like so many others, is running low, as are donations. Please help where you can. Contributions are always welcome. Last year, filling out the baskets, after sorting through the donations, cost almost $400. Any help is appreciated. We can use all the usual food pantry items plus for Thanksgiving baskets -

  • Turkey Stuffing mix
  • Boxed mashed potatoes
  • Canned beans and corn
  • Canned cranberry sauce
  • Quick bread mixes
  • Soups - especially chunky type
  • Pumpkin pie filling (not plain pumpkin)
  • Evaporated milk
  • Pie crust mix
  • Jell-O and pudding mix
  • Coffee/Tea

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• Elizabeth of Hungary - November 17
  
  

  Being a teenager has never been easy. Not only does one have to figure out all that growing up stuff, but the constant pressure to fit in with the right crowd, and wear the right clothes and see the right movies and not be too weird all at the same time can wear anybody down.

  Being a teenager and a committed Christian is especially difficult. There is so much out there today that is completely contrary to Christ's teachings that's it's easy to get swamped in all the hype and lose site of our faith and life in Jesus Christ.

  This week's traveler knew something about staying true to Christ even as a teenager. Elizabeth was the daughter of a king in an age (the 13th century) where women's roles - especially among the nobility - were very, very strict. She faced tremendous social pressures to conform to the world around her and not to Jesus. Yet despite this, Elizabeth stayed faithful to what she knew Jesus asks of all Christians. She used her money and status in society to help the poor and needy when she could have just bought things for herself. Now that's cool.

  ~ Shalom y'all, Vicar Christine

  For more information about Elizabeth see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elisabeth_of_Hungary

   

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• 

  Thank You....

  ...to the 40 families who have made pledges for 2010 in the amount of just over $73,000!

  That's a great start, but we have a long way to go. We set an aggressive goal for the year to pay all the routine church bills from regular giving. If those we have not yet heard from match the giving of the 40 ÒPace SettersÓ we could reach our goal.

  SO, if you have not turned in a card yet, please do so as soon as possible. You can either mail it to the church office or drop it in the box at the back of the Sanctuary.

  Didn't get a pledge card or lost yours? Please call Laura in the church office (492-9065), she'll see you get a new one!

   

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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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• Blanket Sunday - November 22
  
  

  For $ 5.00 YOU can provide comfort and hope to children and adults in the United States and in countries around the world. BLANKETS provide warmth as a bed cover, as a wrap around someone's shoulder, even used as a shelter like a tent.

  On Sunday Novemember 22, for $5.00 you can purchase a warm blanket by using the envelope which will be in your church bulletin. If you cannot be in church you may send a check (made out to Women of the ELCA) to the church for the number of blankets ($5.00) each you wish to send to someone in need.

   

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• Bible, Baked Goods, and Beverage
  
  

  BBB will meet on Saturday, November 21st in the Coffee Shop beginning at 9am. Our Romans bible study will have us looking at Chapter 5 in which Paul explains why having been put right with God by Jesus' faithfulness changes our lives forever. Anyone needing a ride call Karen at 492-9347. Note: A thank offering will be received at this meeting.

   
• Congratulations John!
  
  

  Congratulations to John Dunston on becoming an American Citizen!

  Originally from Jamaica, John has worked at Atonement for the last four years. He has done various jobs, from custodian to bus driver. We are all proud of the work he has done to earn his citizenship and celebrate with him!