Atonement Lutheran Church Newsletter - The Messenger

The Messenger is published weekly, except for holiday weeks and an abbreviated schedule over the summer. If you prefer a copy of the Messenger that you can print, click on the link below:

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July 13, 2009 - Volume 30, #28

• Save a Tree, Save a Stamp, Save some Money!

  Have you signed up to get the Messenger Online?

  To sign up for electronic "delivery" complete the online form at: http://www.alcsyracuse.org/mailinglist.php

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• Summer Messenger Schedule - Next Messenger will be 7/27

  As it was last year, the Messenger will be printed every other week during the months of July and August. Each issue will have the weekly events and assisting schedules for two weeks. If something critical arises and we need to get the word out, we will publish a "special" issue.

  The planned publication dates are: July 13, July 27, August 10, and August 24. The regular weekly schedule resumes with the September 7 issue.

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• Joint Worship Service

  Joint Worship Service Continuing our tradition, we will join our brothers and sisters at Onondaga Valley/South Presbyterian Church (275 West Seneca Turnpike) for a common worship of Jesus Christ on Sunday, July 19. The service will begin at 10am. Gather with us, friends and neighbors, for prayer, song, and worship in Word and Sacrament.

  Note: The Atonement 8:30am and the Fabius 9am services will go on as scheduled, but there will be no 10:45am Service at Atonement.

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• Renovations Update

  The re-configuration of the rear parking lot entrance (red doors) to the church has begun!

  But it's not going to happen without some disruption. Effective Monday, July 13, and lasting about two weeks, we will not be able to use the red door entrance.

  During this time you may enter the church building through the Kiesewetter Center or through the main front doors on Glen Ave - details below:

  The Kiesewetter entrance will be available whenever the church office is open, on Sunday for worship, and at other times when there are events in the church building. Note: During the week, 10am - 3pm, the Kiesewetter entrance is locked - but there is a buzzer/intercom next to the door. When you buzz for admittance, the door will be unlocked remotely.

  The front entrance will be open only on Sunday morning. However, if you need to come through the front door during regular office hours - Monday through Friday, 9am - 3pm, ring the bell next to the door and some one will come to let you in.

  We know this is confusing and disruptive. If you have any questions, call the church office at 492-9065 and we'll try to answer.

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• Word [WURD] of the Week
  

  camp [kamp] - a place set apart As a former camp director, I have a pretty clear definition of camp in my mind. Clearly, camp means Bible Camp or Church Camp. It's the church outside where the Holy Spirit is crazy busy shaping future church, community and world leaders. Right?

  Well, the longer I've lived here in Syracuse, I've discovered that there is a new definition to this word I had all figured out. Initially when I heard people talk about "going to camp" I just thought they had a strong relationship with their local Bible/Church camp. But after a while, hearing so many use the word camp so commonly, I finally inquired: "When you say 'camp' what do you mean?"

  Translated into Northern Minnesota-speak, people here in Upstate New York were saying they were going to their cabin/house/spot on the lake/river/pond/forest. Northern Minnesota folks would say they were "goin' to 'da lakes" or "upaddalake."

  By the time you're reading this, I will have just returned from the Bible/Church form of camp (Vanderkamp) with 75 kids and preparing to head to LCLC in another week, so this camp word is on my mind.

  I think I can find some common ground between the 2 different versions of this word: they are a place set apart. Camp (however you define it) is a place where you go to have a different experience of life. It is a place where people intentionally gather together. And I venture to say that it is a place where you can have experiences centered around God and the life we are called to lead through our faith in Jesus Christ.

  Who knows, maybe I'll see you at camp this summer, whatever that means...

   

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• Crocodile Dock - aka Vacation Church School
  

  Crocodiles? Alligators? Who lives where? Crocodile Dock is set in a bayou—one buzzing with fun and a few friendly crocodiles. So hop on a flat-bottom boat and drift on lazy, hazy waters under tall cypress trees - until the adventure begins.....

  Vacation Church School
  August 3-7
  6pm to 8:30pm
  Kids entering 1st to 6th grade

  Please plan on joining your friends in this vacation church school adventure. Save your spot by filling out a registration form on the table near "Jacques the Croc" near the Coffee Shop or by calling the church office at 492-9065. Are you an adult? You can still participate as a volunteer! Contact Pastor Rodgers at 492-9065

   

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