Atonement Lutheran Church Newsletter - Messenger

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April 29, 2008 - Volume 29, #18

• Special Congregational Meeting

  On Sunday, June 1st at 9:30 AM there will be a Special Congregational Meeting to receive a recommendation from the Church Council about a package of renovations to the church building. There will also be informational forums as follows:

  • Sunday, May 4th at 9:30am - Following the 8:30am Service
  • Wednesday May 21st at 6: 45pm - Following the Wednesday evening Service
  • Sunday May 25th at 11:45am - Following the 10:45am Service

  A full report, including all the financial projections, will also be mailed to each household prior to the special congregational meeting.

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• Appleseed Productions Presents.....
  
   

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• Ascension Thursday

  The Festival of the Ascension always falls 10 days before Pentecost and 40 days after Easter marking the event in the Bible where Jesus leaves his disciples to return to the Father. It has become our tradition here at Atonement to celebrate this day with two services:

  • Wednesday Church Night, April 30
    • 5:30pm Dinner in the Fellowship Hall
    • 6:00pm Worship in the Sanctuary with traditional balloon launch. Pastor Gaetz preaching.
  • Thursday, May 1
    • 11:30am In celebration of the Festival of the Ascension, the Men in AtoneMENt invite you to join them in worship, in the supper of our Lord, and in a soup luncheon to follow. The service and supper will be held in the chapel beginning at 11:30am. Pastor Suarez preaching. The soup luncheon will be prepared by the Men in AtoneMENt. We hope you will join us!

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• Jim Simmons: Selected Landscapes
  

  Jim Simmons (Baxter's son) is an accomplished artist. If you have not seen his work, now is your chance. Please plan on stopping in at the Onondaga County Central Lbrary in The Galleries downtown during his exhibit.

  May 1-31: Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm
  (Tues. & Wed. until 8:30pm)

  Onondaga County Library
  The Galleries of Syracuse
  447 South Salina Street
  

  Reception May 3, 2-4pm

   

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• Devotional

  Seventh Sunday of Easter - Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35

  We continue in the Psalms this week with an interesting passage that is a psalm of praise to God for God's appearance to the people in power and victory. Much of this song revolves around the might of God, with God scattering enemies, walking and shaking the earth, and pouring rain down on the earth. In the middle of all of these semi-terrifying images of God, there is an identification of whom God is in v. 5 and 6: the father of orphans, protector of widows, and the one who leads the prisoners to prosperity.

  I think it is easy to acknowledge the God who is mighty and powerful, strong and formidable. But God does all of these things out of the love and care that God has for people. In the next passage, v.7-10, the psalmist roots God's love in the Exile (see the book of Exodus), and how God, in all God's power and might, seeks more than anything to give the people freedom.

  We may not necessarily feel like slaves to others, but we still need freedom from those forces that threaten our opportunity to have the abundant life God wants for us. There is hope. God stands before us, ready to lead us forth.

  Let us pray, Powerful and Mighty God, you declare your love for all who need you, and you ready a path for all who need freedom. Call us to seek the prosperity that comes from you, as you move us away from our bondage to sin to everlasting life. In your name we pray, Amen.

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• April Council Report

  Staff reports were approved.

  Council elected Jay Berry, Karen Douglass, and Dan Randall to represent Atonement at the Central Crossroads Spring Assembly to be held May 4th and the Upstate NY Synod Assembly to held June 8-10th in Rochester. They will be attending along with the pastors.

  The intern committee needs new volunteers. An important part of our ministry at Atonement are the vicars we have each year. To properly train them for ministry, a committee of lay people meets monthly to support and assess their learning in preparation for ministry. Please speak to either Vicar Aarron or Pastor Gaetz if you are willing to serve.

  The council voted on a proposal and financial package to present to the congregation regarding renovations. Informational meetings and a congregational meeting, to vote on the proposal, are scheduledÐsee the article below.

  - Karen Douglass Secretary

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• Congratulations Judy & Merikay!

  Merikay Harper recently celebrated her 30th anniversary working at the Upstate New York Synod office. "Her accumulation of knowledge and experience is an integral part of what keeps the synod running smoothly..." say her co-workers. Congratulations Merikay!

  Judy Holmes was recently appointed Senior Publications Coordinator in Syracuse University's College of Arts and Sciences. Judy had been a technical writing an publications specialist in the University's Office of Information Technology & Services. We all wish Judy the best in her new position.

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• Thank You All!

  Thank you to everyone who gave to the Women of the ELCA's "Bread for the Hungry" appeal. Your contributions totaled $588. The West Side Food Pantry (St. Paul's) will receive $299, and ELCA World Hunger will receive $299. Your support is very much appreciated.

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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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