Atonement Lutheran Church Newsletter - Messenger

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April 8, 2008 - Volume 29, #15

• April 13 - Music Sunday

  Back in the "good old days" every Sunday of the church year had a Latin name often based on the opening words of the Introit (Psalm) of the day. According to this method, the Fourth Sunday after Easter was "Cantate" from the words "O Sing unto the Lord a new song." As a result, many churches celebrated the day as a sort of "Little Easter" with emphasis on music.

  This year we will be reviving this custom with "Little Easter - Music Sunday" on April 13th. At both of the Sunday services - 8:30 and 10:45am - we will have guest musicians and an emphasis on Easter Celebration Music.

  There will be solos by our regular musicians and we will welcome Tiona Matthews from Syracuse University. Tiona will perform on the marimba.

  Don't miss it! See you in church.

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• Thank You Crafty Ladyes!
  

  Thanks to the Crafty Ladies for the lovely new couch in the conference room of the Kiesewetter Center. Do stop by to see it or wander in and have a seat.

   

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• Upcoming WELCA Events
  • BBB will meet April 12 at 9am in the Coffee Shop.
  • Women of the ELCA will meet Thursday evening, April 17 in the Conference Room. Pastor Suarez will be our guest speaker.
  • Conference Spring Assembly is April 19 at St. Paul's, Verona. Let Jeanette Greig know, by April 12, if you will be attending.

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• Contratulations Taylor!

  Ruth Akins, proud grandmother of Taylor Kubber, is pleased to announce that Taylor will be inducted into the Indian River Chapter of the National Honor Society on April 10. Taylor has been selected on the basis of scholarship, leadership, and character. A junior at Indian River High School in Philadelphia NY, Taylor runs indoor track and is captain of her softball team.

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• Devotional

  Fourth Sunday of Easter - Psalm 23

  I was looking at this week's devotional, and though it looked familiar. That's because it was also our Psalm on the 4th Sunday of Lent, a little over a month ago. It got me to wondering - How do we read this Psalm differently as people in Lent and now as people in Easter? In Lent, when we are thinking about our sinful lives and why we need the salvation that come through Jesus Christ, we can look at v. 4: "even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil."

  Whereas, as we stand in the joyous light of Easter, we look to v.3: "The Lord restores my soul." And to the rest of the psalm, where the table before us has been made, where our cup overflows, we can hear how God behaves. God is our provider. God restores us. God has made us whole, and gives us a place of dwelling that is close to God. That is truly an Easter message that should be shared. Even in this Psalm, which we know well, God can speak to us wherever we are, in the deepest valley or feeling restored and whole.

  Let us pray, Our Good Shepherd, you come to us, finding us when we are in the dark, and restoring us and blessing us with all good gifts. Remind us always of the home we can find in you. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

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• Congratulations Diamond!
  

  Congratulations to Diamond Brown on being selected the Rosamond Gifford Student of the Year for the City of Syracuse Schools.

   

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• WELCA Bread for Life Campaign

  On April 13, WELCA will support a "Bread for Life" collection. Half the money raised will go to local food pantries and the other half will go to the ELCA world hunger fund.

  WELCA members will hand out special envelopes for your donation at the services on April 13.

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• Coming soon...

  Watch for the 2008 Campership Fundraiser: Mother's Day "Basket of Pansies" Flower Sale

  Orders April 20th& 27th for Delivery May 4th

  Remember, Mother's Day is May 11th

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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