Atonement Lutheran Church Newsletter - Messenger

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November 20, 2007 - Volume 28, #41

• Advent 2007
  

  The First Sunday of Advent this year will be December 2nd and you are encouraged to include church in your Christmas preparations:

  8:30 &10:45 AM Festive Service of Holy Communion featuring lighting of the Advent Wreath and Childrens Time.
  Come enjoy the service and have a meaningful Advent.

  Other special events in Advent will include:
  Sunday, December 16
  * Annual Youth Group Pasta Dinner following the 10:45 AM service
  * Hanging of the Green following the Pasta Dinner

  Wednesday Adult Bible Class - Noon and 7pm
  * "Mary's Story: Fact, Faith or Fiction?" (see below)
  * Four Advent Wednesdays starting on November 28th. See details below.

  Please don't forget to use your Advent Coin Folders that are in the process of being mailed. If you do not receive one or would like an additional one, please contact the Church office at 492-9065.

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• Wednesday Night Church Night in Advent
  You are cordially invited to four special evenings in preparation for Christmas. The first Sunday of Advent is December 2nd, so we'll be marking Wednesdays in "anticipation" of the upcoming Sunday starting with Wednesday, November 28th. That will also allow us to celebrate all four weeks and we'll have some suprises featuring the characters in the Christmas Story to make these service special in preparation for Christmas.

  Dinner will be at 5:30pm in the Fellowship Hall, followed by 6:15pm Worship in the Sanctuary and class and recreation at 7:00 pm..

  A variety of options are available following worship, including a new adult class: "Mary's Story: Fact, Faith or Fiction?" The sessions, led by Pastor Peter, will be held each Wednesday, at Noon and repeated again at 7:00pm. Choose which ever time best fits your schedule and join us as we become better acquainted with Mary, whose child we worship as Son of God and Savior of the world.

  Finally, On December 26th the Christmas festivities will continue with Christmas Dinner at 5:30 PM and A service of Lessons and Carols at 6:15 PM followed by the annual "Lights on the Lake" outing. Be watching future Messengers for more information about this festive evening.

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• ...and speaking of song!
  
  We need voices for our Christmas Choir. We have a wonderful and enthusiastic group in the choir already and would love to include you. If you are interested, please contact Kathryn Woods. Call the church office at 492-9065. Leave a message (including a good time to call you back).
   

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• Jeremiah 23.1-6

  This week's devotional, written by Vicar Aaron Richter.

  The book of Jeremiah is an interesting book, but, unlike the Psalms, this is a different kind of writing. Jeremiah is a prophet, people who throughout the Old Testament proclaimed God's word to the people, usually telling them what they were doing wrong and God wants them to get it right. Jeremiah speaks during a special time in Israel's history: during his time as a prophet, the nation of Israel is taken over and the people are cast out into exile by Babylon.

  To understand our passage, we have to begin several chapters before. Since chapter 21, the Lord has been talking about the evil kings who have mistreated and scattered the flock of Israel. While this is judgment on those rulers, God is also describing what a king or a ruler should be: a good shepherd. A shepherd is supposed to watch over the flock, protect them, keep them together and in order, and make sure that those who are hurt are taken care of. God tells us how God really is: a shepherd who loves the flock, and will works tirelessly for it.

  Let us pray, Loving God, you have lifted up for us your Son, Jesus Christ, who is our Good Shepherd, and who cares and protects us, even to the point of death. We thank you that you have gathered us up and take away our fear.

  Amen.

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• You are cordially invited....
  
  ...to attend a holiday reception hosted by Syracuse University's Lutheran Campus Ministry on Sunday, Dec. 2, prior to the Hendricks Chapel Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration, featuring the Hendricks Chapel Choir and Hand-bell Ringers, and the SU Brass Ensemble.

  Please join us for homemade soup, cookies, and conversation as we welcome the Advent Season. Hosted by students, alumni, and friends of Lutheran Campus Ministry of Syracuse University and SUNY ESF.

  Where: The historic Syracuse University Lutheran Campus Ministry parsonage, 100 Berkeley Dr.

  When: Dec. 2, 2007, from 5 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

  Please R.S.V.P. to 315-443-2439

  For more information, call 315-443-2439 or visit our website: hendricks.syr.edu/lutheran

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• Food Pantry - Thanksgiving
  
  
  We are gathering the necessary items for Christmas baskets and need your help.

  We need at least 6 turkeys for Christmas. If you are able to contribute a turkey, please put your name on the list in the vestibule just inside the red doors. If you can buy a turkey, but do not have freezer room to hold the bird till Nov 19th, let us know (call the Church office at 492-9065); we know where there is space.

  ..and don't forget we also need hats and gloves for men and boys!

  Contributions are always welcome. Last year, filling out the baskets, after sorting through the donations, cost almost $900.

  Many of our families have children who are off from school and need to be fed the two meals that they usually get at school. At Thanksgiving and Easter we feed at least 12 families and at Christmas we do at least 12 baskets plus meat for about 30 additional families. Any help is appreciated. We can use all the usual food pantry items plus for thanksgiving baskets

  Please bring:

  Peanut butter and Jelly Mac and cheese - boxed Hi C or other fruit juice drink (with vitamin C) Cereal Jell-O and pudding mix Coffee Turkey Stuffing mix Boxed mashed potatoes Canned beans and Corn Canned cranberry sauce Quick bread mixes Canned fruit - peaches, pears or mixed fruit Holiday candy

  Spaghetti Sauce Spaghetti (36 pounds) Soups - especially chunky type Cans of stew, spam, tuna or other canned meat Raman noodles Pumpkin pie filling (not plain pumpkin) Evaporated milk Pie crust mix Seasonal funfetti cakes and icing Cranberry sauce

  Thank you for your generosity!

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• Fabius Community Holiday Bazaar - 11/24

  Annual Christmas Bazaar, Bake Sale & RaffleÐSt. Paul's Community Church

  Saturday, November 24, 2007
  9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

  Fabius Community Center, 7786 Main Street (Rt. 80) Fabius, New York

  Crafts, Raffles, Baked Goods, Lunch, Christmas pictures with "Mr. and Mrs. Santa" (1-3) and much, much more! Don't miss it!

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• Appleseed Presents....
  

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