Atonement Lutheran Church Newsletter - Messenger

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February 12, 2008 - Volume 29, #7

• Soujourner Storytelling
  

  A special community event we urge you to attend:
  

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• Devotional

  2nd Sunday of Lent
  Genesis 12:1-4a

  We continue in our season of Lent where we hear about God's promise and blessings. In our reading, the Lord speaks to Abram (soon to be Abraham) about a promise for land and children. But the Lord asks something of Abram first: leave your father's house, leave your country, leave what you know and have lived with, and go somewhere new and scary. God does give a blessing, but even the journey towards it will not be easy.

  As someone who has left family in Texas, left a job, and uprooted my wife, in order to follow a call from God, Abram's story resonates with me. In his story, I can see how difficult a faith journey can be, but how God continually works in our lives. Has there been a time of transition or change when you've wondered where to go next? Maybe a job change, a change in living situation, or a family circumstance? God's blessing and love has been offered to us in Jesus Christ, but it does not mean our lives will not be filled with difficulty. We can only continue to follow as Abram did, continually looking for what God was showing him.

  Let us pray. God of blessing, you call us to paths that we do not know, to choices that we struggle with. Guide our paths despite the difficulties that are there, and keep us always focused on the promise that came, died and was resurrected. In your name we pray, Amen.

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• Renovations Update
  

  Progress continues to be made on following up on questions from the Annual Meeting:

  1. One question was about insulation for the office wing and how we know it will make a difference. There are two components to this portion of the work:
     • The roof insulation is quite interesting. The actual insulation is custom designed (on a computer) to provide exactly the correct thickness and pitch of the material for every inch of the roof. The "new roof" is then factory built and delivered in pieces much like a giant jigsaw puzzle and fused together in place. This also allows for a new properly pitched roof without adding significantly to the weight pressing down on the existing structure.
     • Side wall insulation and window replacement is a complex issue. The proposal, as presented, calls for replacing the large window panels with new, smaller, high-energy windows and "in-filled" insulated walls - much as what was done on the south side of the sanctuary, but without stained glass. One suggestion from the meeting was that larger windows be retained to provide maximum light. This is being researched and a "thermal study" will be provided by the contractor, at no cost to us, allowing us to see exactly where heat is escaping so whatever we do can have maximum energy impact.
  2. Another question was about the Furnace. The original proposal called for providing heat and air conditioning in the office wing through new forced air furnaces, properly zoned. This plan would leave the sanctuary and fellowship hall on the old boiler. We are revisiting this issue, leaning toward replacing the existing boiler with a modern high energy efficient furnace. The cost may be a bit higher initially but should provide "pay back" thorough fuel savings, in as little as 3 years. The new furnace would be at least 75% efficient - dramatically better then the existing furnace.

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• Don't Forget the Parking Lot!
  
  As explained in the annual report, the parking lot was repaved (as part of ongoing maintenance) during the Joslyn Court II construction because the cost savings to do it then rather than later was significant. We do, however, still need to pay for the work.

  The Church Council approved using the Atonement Renewal Fund envelopes for this purpose. Please use your envelopes and help us cover those costs.

   

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• 2008 Volleyball Marathon - March 7th-8th at Syracuse University
  

  Our Youth Group members will be participating in the 29th Annual Volleyball Marathon - 12 full hours of volleyball, fellowship, worship and fun - all to benefit Lutheran Charities.

  Please help them with this community service project by pledging whatever amount you can. Youth Group members will be taking your pledges between and after services on February 17, 24, and March 2.

  Questions? Please contact Pastor Rodgers (492-9065) or Janet Holmgren (677-3846).

   

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• Cold Enough for You?
  

  Even though it has been, so far, a "comparatively" mild winter, it is still cold enough that we need to run the furnace! Therefore, we need everyone to be especially generous with contributions to the "Fuel and Heat" offering envelope in your envelope box. Please prayerfully consider what you can do for this "extra mile" effort that comes around every heating "season."  

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• Special Activities for Lent
  • Mid-Week Bible Study
    Two identical classes will be offered by Vicar Richter. Both will be held in the Coffee Shop - at 12:30pm (following the morning prayer service and fish dinner) and at 7pm (following Wednesday Evening Eucharist) : Tales from the Madhouse is a video study that tells the story of mysterious characters who had an encounter with Jesus of Nazareth in some way, but failed to recognize the significance. The study will dwell on the Biblical and historical background of these characters, and how their stories can touch and inform our experience of the sacrifice of Jesus.

  • Mid-Week Services & Dinner
    Each Wednesday in Lent there will be a brief Prayer Service held in the chapel beginning at 11:30am followed by a Fish Dinner in the Fellowship Hall. The cost of the meal this year will be $6.00 and reservations in advance are required. Each week we will have fish and two side dishes (that will be different each week). Make your reservation at worship on Sunday or by calling the church office at 492-9065, no later than noon on the preceding Tuesday.