Atonement Lutheran Church Newsletter - The Messenger

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November 3, 2009 - Volume 30, #41

• 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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• Veteran's Day
  
  

  As our nation celebrates Veterans Day on November 11th we will add our prayers at the regular Wednesday Church Night service - 6:15 PM. We'll be specifically praying for the current members of the Atonement family serving in the armed forces. If you can't join us at church for the service, please take a moment that evening to remember those who serve. Their names are listed every week in the Messenger. Or, how about dropping one or more of them a card or letter letting them know we are thinking of them. Drop them off in the church office and we'll get them mailed to the correct address.

   

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• All Saint's Day
  
  

  On Sunday, November 1, those of our church family who have died in the past twelve months were remembered. Above, a photo of the candles and crosses that were part of the remembrance service.

   

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• Atonement Youth Group Volunteers....
  
  
  

  Atonement Child Care's Halloween open house. The teens volunteered to do face painting for the day-care kids and at the same time handed out the Atonement brochures to the adultsÐalong with some Halloween candy. Looks like a good time was had by all!

  

   

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• Annual Crafty Ladyes Sale is Coming....

  

  The Crafty Ladyes are accepting 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!

  And be sure to get a raffle ticket or two from your favorite ÒcraftyÓ for the handmade afghan or throw!

   

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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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• Martin of Tours - November 11
  
  

  As I was filling out my stewardship card, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Martin of Tours is joining our spiritual road trip. Martin lived in the 4th century and was a Roman soldier by training if not temperament. There is a famous legend about how an unplanned act of generosity revealed his true colors. On a frigid winter day, while wearing his full Roman uniform which included a very well-made cloak, Martin came upon a beggar who was half frozen. Without hesitation and most likely against regulations Martin cut his cloak in half, and gave it to the poor man. Later that evening Martin had a dream. In it he saw Jesus himself wearing the half cloak that Martin had given the beggar. Very soon after that incident Martin was baptized and became a Òsoldier of Christ.Ó He could no longer serve Rome but only wanted to serve God. Centuries later on November 10th 1483, a baby boy was born in Eisleben, Germany and baptized the next day. Following the custom of the time, the young boy received the name ÒMartinÓ after Martin of Tours. We know him better these days as Martin Luther.

  ~ Shalom y'all, Vicar Christine

  For more information about Martin of Tours see: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_of_Tours
  and
  Matthew 25:31-40

   

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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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• 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 Jon!
  
  

  At the Syracuse Area Live Theater Youth (SALTY) Awards ceremony on June 6th, Jon Wilson was awarded the SALTY Lifetime Achievement Award for the 2008-09 season. This award is presented to honor an adult (educator/director/etc.) who has made outstanding contributions to further youth and Theater in CNY.

  For more info on the SALTY Awards, see www.appleseedproductions.org/saltbio.html#salty.

   

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• Church Basement Ladies In Ithaca
  

  State Theater in Ithaca is presenting ÒChurch Basement LadiesÓ on February 9th, 2 & 7:30 PM only.

  If you are interested in attending, call the church office at 492-9065 and leave a message for Vicar Christine. If enough people want to go, we'll see if we can get a group rate on tickets.

  This is also a reminder that Church Basement Ladies II is at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Auburn Oct. 13-30 2010. Mark your calendar! We will definitely be planning a Òsecond helpingÓ of their delightful adventures!

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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