Atonement Lutheran Church Newsletter - Messenger

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March 26, 2008 - Volume 29, #13

• Appleseed Presents

  

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• Devotional

  Second Sunday of Easter - Psalm 16

  Psalm 16 is a typical psalm about trust and security in God rather than in idols or things that are false. My eyes are drawn to the 4th verse of Psalm 16. The line about Òthose who choose another god multiply their sorrows.Ó Now, I think that when we think of idols, we think of a golden statue of some kind, which people make sacrifices to. Martin Luther makes the statement that Òwhatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God.Ó So itÕs what you trust in; what you depend on. So idols can be things like money, drugs/alcohol, and power. And when you think about it, v.4 is right: sorrows are multiplied when we live our lives devoted to these sorts of things. We cannot quite satisfy ourselves; our idols turn against us, use us.

  And so, opposite of this, is to trust in God, and recognize the faithfulness of God. I think one of our main opportunities in life is to see what controls us, what our idols are, and to see how we can let them go and recognize their unfaithfulness to us. They can never care for us, and they can never love us. By letting these go, we can find the confidence that the Psalmist has. It reminds me that the Easter story is to remind us of the love that God is willing to give us, especially in comparison to all those things that Òmultiply our sorrows.Ó And that despite our reliance on other gods, the Lord God stays faithful.

  Let us pray,

  Life-giving God, rather than difficulty and struggle, you give life and love. We ask that you help us to see the idols in our life, so that we can turn from them to you. In the name of the crucified and risen Lord, Amen.

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• Easter Plant Memorials

  Easter Plants Were Given in Honor or Loving Memory....
  Loved Ones: Roberta Mettler
  Ruth Simmons: Family of Ruth Simmons
  Molly Carey & Joanne Berman, Ana Koslowsky & Angel Ackerman: Dave, Jackie & Emma Koslowsky Loved Ones: Dorothy Phillips
  George Soroka: Thelma Soroka & Family
  Julia Vook: Richard Vook & Family
  Loved Ones: Paul & Joanne Claeys
  Polyanna Geis, Mr. & Mrs. John H. Geis, Mr. & Mrs. Austin P. Owens: John & Linda Owens
  My Wife Edith and Loved Ones: Walter Galaska
  Mr. Maurice M. Alexander: Tyo & Griffin Family
  Our Parents: Bob & Pam Haumann
  Our Son Kenneth & Our Parents: Ken & Jeanette Greig
  Elsie & Walter Barr, Joyce B. Rause & Helen K. Barr Carole Barr, Bruce Barr, & John Baker Jerry T. Nelson & Katie Marie Nelson: Tom & Barb Nelson
  Loved Ones: Craig Miller
  Marie Ott: Eleanora Ott & Family & Jeannette Ott McKeachern & Family
  Gerda Bohler: Emilie Bachman
  Loved Ones: Fay Delaney
  Donald F. Smith & Alfred J. Mrozek: Kevin G. Smith & Donia K. Mrozek
  Maria & Mr. & Mrs. Christian Harfmann: Chris & Violet Harfmann
  Loved Ones: Charlie & Robyn Scharoun
  Margaret Wheeless: The Wheeless Family
  In Honor of Mary Hyde & Earl Hyde: David & Alisa Bleichert
  Louis, Anna & Walter Heins & Dorothy Pauls: The Pauls Family
  All My Loved Ones: Audrey E. Hill Kent
  Bill & Joan Spinks, Carl & Ina Austin: Barbara Spinks
  Katherine Wilson & Irene Galvin: Jon, Natalie & Addison Wilson
  Loved Ones: Ruth Akins
  My Mother Margaret: Andrea Loehr
  Loved Ones: Will & Alice LaFountain
  Gerald& Eileen Moritzer, Don & Helen Riker: Craig & Peg Riker
  Jane House: Dick House & Friends
  Mom: Gary Stensland
  Family: Richard & Madelyn Boynton
  Family: Horst & Linda Koslowsky
  Robert McKeon & Aunt Catherine Hanson: The McKeon Family
  Katherine Daragan, Remingia Bayer & Gene (Daddy) Cross: The Hill Family
  

  Additional Memorials...
  The Red Eternal light candle, that burns in the sanctuary, is given in loving memory of Joyce Rouse by Carole Barr & Bruce Barr

  The Paschal Candle that burns in the sanctuary during the Easter season is given in memory of our Grandfathers, Richard Bollman, Earl Parsons, Frank Leone, and Hiram Arther by Brad and Beth Arthur, Christopher, Melissa, and Nicolas.

  Holy Week bulletins and the Easter Sunday special music were given given in memory of Marie Ott by Eleanora Ott and Family

  Easter Sunday bulletins are given in loving memory of Pastor Henry Cornish by Mrs. Ruth Cornish and her daughters Jennifer and Candace.