Atonement Lutheran Church Newsletter - Messenger

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April 15, 2008 - Volume 29, #16

• Syracuse University's Lutheran Campus Ministry presents Second Annual Central Crossroads Conference Festival of Music April 20
  

  Bill Wheeless (yes, our Bill Wheeless!), will be honored during Lutheran Campus Ministry's Second Annual Central Crossroads Conference Festival of Music, Sunday, April 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. in SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's (ESF) Nifkin Lounge in Marshall Hall. The Festival will feature performances by the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Adult Choir; our Atonement 10:45 ensemble; a flute solo by Shannon Kane, a senior in SU's College of Visual and Performing Arts; soloist Robert Dominick Lloyd, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences; and a variety of other student performers. The Festival will also include the annual basket silent auction fundraiser with baskets provided by area churches and individuals. The Festival is free and open to the public.

  Pastor Peter Suarez will open the LCM festival with a presentation honoring Bill's dedication to promoting the arts in the Central New York Lutheran community. The highly popular six-week Easter Festival of the Arts (that Bill chaired through its entire history) ran from 1975 to 2002 and was supported by Lutheran Brotherhood (now Thrivent). In addition to music and a silent auction, the festival will include raffles and light refreshments. Free parking will be available on the ESF campus (parking passes will be distributed at the festival). Further information and driving directions are available by calling SU's Lutheran Campus Ministry at 443-2439.

   

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• Thank You Thrivent!

  Thanks to Thrivent Financial For Lutheran Central New York Fraternal chapter for their recent donation of hot cups and $75 to help us defray the cost of the Sunday Coffee Hour. This gift helps, but your continued generosity is still needed. In recent weeks we have been receiving in the donation box just a little less than the Coffee Hour actually costs. So we just need a little more to keep that gathering time going! By the way, if you have not dropped in for coffee between services on Sunday, please do so! Coffee and donuts are served every Sunday in the meeting room next to the parking lot entrance to the church.

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• 2008 Summer Campership Fundraiser Market Baskets of Pansies
  
  • Sale Date: April 20 & 27
  • Delivery Date: May 4 (between 8:30 & 10:45 services)
  • Cost: $15 per basket prepaid
  • Payment: Cash or Check payable to Atonement Lutheran Church
  Questions: See Janet Holmgren, Pastor Rodgers, or Judy Holmes

  A perfect gift for Mother's Day!

   

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• Sponsor a Camper

  Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center is not just a summer camp. The LCLC staff are disciples of God who share their faith and inspire the lives of campers of all ages. For several years now, we have been blessed by the generosity of this congregation that has allowed Atonement's kids to experience LCLC. We believe, as does LCLC, that no one should be denied Christ's love at LCLC for financial reasons.

  If you would like to make a cash contribution to the Campership Fund, please deliver your check, payable to Atonement Lutheran Church with the information below, to the Church Office. Any amount is welcome, but we encourage you to consider sponsorship of an individual camper for $75.00.

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• Devotional

  Fifth Sunday of Easter - Psalm 31: 1-5,15-16

  My eyes are drawn to the images in verses 2 and 3, where God is described as a "rock of refuge", "a strong fortress", and "my refuge". An image always comes to mind of a place called Skellig Michael, which is off the coast of Ireland. It is a giant rock sitting in the middle of the choppy, icy water, and on top of it, monks have lived, worked, and prayed since 588 AD. It is hard to reach, where the waves can batter approaching boats, and it is also hard to live on, with the howling wind racing over it. But here in this water, this giant rock sits, unmoving despite the efforts of the forces around it.

  That's how I think of God our rock and our refuge. There are those forces battering those who try to approach God, forces that say that there are more important things to trust than God. There are forces that blow against us when we have found God, that try to sweep us away, forces which want to pull us away from what the rock that we have found. But God stands still, and gives us a foundation for standing against the waves and wind. God provides a refuge from those people and forces that wish to hurt us. So let us always remember the Rock in the midst of turmoil, which stands simply because God loves us.

  Let us pray, Our Refuge and Redeemer, you give us a safe place where we can escape from the dangers of this world. Remind us to always trust in you, despite the other dangers. Amen.

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• Vanderkamp Spring Cleanup Days

  Saturday, April 26 and Saturday, May 3

  Vanderkamp Center is looking for a few good men, women, youth, and children to help with their spring clean-up. They have plenty of projects for everyone: carpentry, painting, yard work etc. Good fellowship and lunch is provided!

  If you are interested, please contact them at 315-675-3651 or at vkcenter@localnet.com.

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• Sauerbraten Dinner at St. Paul's Liverpool
  • Saturday, April 26 - 4pm-7pm
  • $10/adults, $5/children under 12
  • Kids under 5 eat free!

  Sauerbraten beef and gravy over egg noodles with all the trimmings! Don't like sauerbraten? They will also serve baked ziti.

  Proceeds from the dinner benefit the Makuva Lutheran Church and School in Zimbabwe. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will contribute an additional $1 for every $3 they collect.

  St. Paul's Lutheran Church is at 210 Hazel St in Liverpool (corner Vine and Hazel St.)

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• Making the Lord's Prayer Our Own

  One of the few and perhaps the only passage of scripture that we can quote from memory is the Lord's Prayer. But because we can "quote it" doesn't mean we "know it." You are invited to be a part of the adult discussion series entitled "Making the Lord's Prayer Our Own." Beginning on Wednesday, April 16, the series will run for 6 weeks, led by Pastor Peter. Each Wednesday, there will be two identical sessions, one at Noon and the other at 7pm. All sessions will meet in the coffee shop.

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• Summer Camp 2008 at Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center
  LCLC providing an opportunity for our kids to explore their faith while building relationships with God and others.

  It's that time again! Atonement will be providing both transportation to and from LCLC & camperships for Atonement members.

  August 3-9 Youth Camp (completed grades 3-8) - Missy Wilber will be volunteering at LCLC this week.
  The best of everything! Swimming, canoeing, sailing, hiking, crafts, nature studies, campfires, sports, & great counselors.

  August 3-9 Sailing Camp (completed grades 6-8)
  Learn how to rig and sail Sunfish, Puffer, Lightning, and Hobie sailboats.

  July 27-August 2 Senior High Week (completed grades 9-12) - Judy Holmes will be volunteering at LCLC this week.
  A program like no other. Choose from faith challenging workshops, experience unconventional worship and over-the-top weekend activities.

  Deadlines
  Registration: May 1 Registration Fee: $65
  Balance Due: July 1 Balance Due: $80-Youth Camp, $90 Sailing Camp, $100 Senior High Week

  Atonement camperships pay the remaining camp tuition. Transportation is provided from church to camp and back.

  If you are unable to afford the registration fee or balance due, other camperships are available. LCLC says that: "No one should be denied Christ's Love at LCLC due to the lack of money. LCLC camperships are available for those unable to afford the whole camp fee after discounts are applied and congregational camperships are awarded."

  See Pastor Rodgers for campership funding information. See Janet Holmgren for registration forms and registration information