Atonement Lutheran Church Newsletter - Messenger

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February 5, 2008 - Volume 29, #6

• Onondaga Civic Symphony Orchestra Returns
  
  
  
  We are thrilled to announce that Onondaga Civic Symphony Orchestra will be performing in our Sanctuary on Sunday, 2/10, at 3pm. This is the first of two performances this year (the second will be on April 27).

  The Onondaga Civic Symphony Orchestra is made up of a a diverse group of amateur and professional musicians organized for the purpose of perfoming symphonic music.

  Violin soloist Mary Coburn will perform the Wieniawski second concerto and the orchestra will present Beethoven's Sixth Symphony. Conductor is Erik Kibelsbeck.

  There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door.

  Please come hear these wonderful musicians!

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• First Sunday in Lent - Devotional
  First Sunday in Lent
  Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7

  What a reading! Look at what we have: Adam and Eve living in paradise, talking snakes, eating forbidden fruit: what a story! This is a text that has been used many times throughout Christian thinking to describe how human beings and creation became evil- commonly called the Fall (a small note to anyone interested: Jewish thinkers see Genesis 6 as the Fall story, not this one.) For many Christian thinkers, the temptation of Eve and Adam is the first act of disobedience against God. Therefore, temptation is what is seen as the great sin of humanity: our desire to ignore how God wants us to live and behave, and instead pursue what would make us important, what would make us "like God".

  This text has also been used to point out the "weakness" of women; that women are easily tempted, easily manipulated, and will also corrupt men. There is also temptation in making judgments like this. In deciding who is better, who is strong, and who is closer to God. And who is the only one who can decide who is close to God? Only God. This story tells us the danger of temptation, and to beware of being tempted to judge others.

  Let us pray, Redeemer of all Life, you find us tempted to do our own will and not yours. You find us judging one another. Forgive us our sins, and guide us along the way of your Son, the way of love and reconciliation. In your name we pray, Amen.

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• Renovation Update

  This is the first in a series of reports to keep you informed on the proposed church building renovations that were presented at the Annual Meeting on January 27th.

  If you haven't seen them, or want a closer (i.e. larger) look, the architect's sketches are available in the Narthex at church for your review and comment.

  Thanks for all the comments and suggestions we have been receiving. On January 28th we met with the architect and contractor to review comments from the Annual Meeting. Some changes are already being implemented or researched, based on those comments.

  We do have one answer to a question raised about the roof and falling ice:

  The plan for replacement of the roof over the office wing already contains built in deflecting panels to insure ice falling from the upper sanctuary roof does not damage or puncture the new roof.

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• Souper Bowl Sunday
  
  Thank you to everyone who contributed Souper Bowl of Caring. The ALYO collected $122. This offering will be split between the ELCA World Hunger Fund and our local pantry.
   

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• Volleyball Marathon News
  
  The annual volleyball marathon is at Syracuse University on March 7. If you are planning on participating, please make sure you have registered and paid your $10 registration fee by February 10.

  Also, remember that the marathon is a fund raiser for Lutheran Charities and you should be collecting from family and friends in addition to signing up for the donation table at church.

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

   

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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.

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