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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August 24, 2009 - Volume 30, #31

• 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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• Renovations Update
  

  We are almost done! Some painting and minor electrical work remain to be finished. The back entry is looking really great. Come see it. Sunday for worship would be good.

  As we have been finishing up we have discovered some code issues that needed attention. They were not required by our current building permit but now that we know they exist we need to address them.

  • We will be installing an additional step at the front entrance so the "rise" between steps is appropriate. At the moment the "rise" is too great. Anyone who has come in the front entrance knows how big a step up it is.

  • A railing will be installed on the west side of the porch. There has never been one there and it is now a "fall off" to the ground of almost 3 feet. Very dangerous.

  • One electrical panel that was damaged some years ago and only partially repaired will need replacing.

  All told we will be spending only about $2,000 more than budgeted for this work. However, this places even more stress on cash flow which is already tight this time of year.

  So, please try to keep your current offerings and Building Fund Pledges up to date and if you have not already made a contribution to the renovations, please consider doing one now. We need everyone's help.

  And, hold the date! A Dedication Celebration will be held on Sunday, October 18th.

   

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• Pictures Anyone?

  Were you a the Ice cream social celebrating Vicar Aase's internship with us? Did you take pictures?

  If you did, would you share them? Please contact June Quackenbush at june@alcsyracuse.org or 559-0602.

  Thanks!

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• Everything Old is New Again

  Over the years we have had a number of ways to remind people of assignments at Sunday worship.

  For some time now we have printed a monthly grid with everything on it and mailed it along with the Messenger at the beginning of each month. We have also been printing a reminder in the weekly Messenger. Instead of that reminder being helpful, it has been causing a lot of confusion, particularly in the summer when we have been publishing schedules for two weeks in each issue. If that alone wasn't confusing enough, it's even worse when human error creeps in.

  So, we are going to try something different. Ok, its only different if you have not been here long enough to remember when assisting schedule reminders were not printed in the weekly Messenger. Starting in September, we will only include the once a month calendar.

  This is about the way we did things years ago. See? "Everything old is new again." We'll give this a try for some months and evaluate as we go.

  Feel free to suggest other ways we might handle the assisting calendar. Drop a note to Gary Stensland, chair of the Worship and Music Committee (send a note to him care of church or leave one in his mailbox in the church office), speak to one of the pastors, or talk with Deacon Karen Douglass.

  You might have just the method we need and have not thought of!

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• Tangled Blue Returns
  

  On Sunday, September 27 (4:30-6:00pm) Syracuse University's Lutheran Campus Ministry will be hosting a concert by Tangled Blue.

  You might remember them from their performance at Vicar Aaron Richter's farewell picnic at OVPC last summer.

  Tickets are just $5

  In addition, starting at 2:00pm there will be reunion workshops for all area church youth. These include a reunion for those that attended the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans and the Middle School Confirmation Camp Gathering. There will also be a music workshop for all interested youth with Tangled Blue. Pizza and soda will be available.

  Reunion, workshops, and concert will be held in the Nifkin lounge on the ESF Campus.

  Questions? Call the Lutheran Campus Ministry at 443-2439

   

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• Coming Soon! - Youth
  • Sunday Church School for children 3 years old through 6th grade will begin with registration and a "kick off" event on September 13 at 9:45am. We will gather in the chapel.

  • Atonement Lutheran Youth will start their year with a pizza lunch on September 13 at noon. All youth in 7th through 12th grade are invited to join in the fun! We will eat lunch together, meet Vicar Christine Wulff, play some games, and do some planning.

  • Confirmation Classes for youth in 7th and 8th grades will begin on Sept. 20th after the joint service. More information to come... If you have any questions about Confirmation Class, please contact Pastor Rodgers.

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• Planning a September Getaway?

  If you are someone who regularly volunteers for an "Assisting at Worship" function and are planning on being away on any September Sunday, please let Karen Douglass know so she doesn't schedule you for service when you are gone. Call Karen at 492-9347 and leave her a message.

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• Atonement Women of the ELCA News

  For everything there is a season...
  At the June meeting, the Thursday night Atonement Women of the ELCA decided to disband and focus our strength on creating a stronger Saturday group.

  ...a time to build up.
  Bible, Baked Goods, and Beverage - sponsored by Women of the ELCA and led by Pastor Rodgers - will meet 9-10:30am on the third Saturday of each month (except September when we will meet on the fourth Saturday). The bible study is followed by a short meeting to update folks on events for Women of the ELCA, for those wishing to stay.

  This year's bible study topic is Paul's letter to the Romans. As written at the beginning of the bible study: "We will read some mail - St. Paul's letter to the followers of Rome. It allows us a glimpse into those very earliest years as believers gathered into little groups all around the Mediterranean world. What did Paul write? What did he think was important for the Roman Christians to hear? How do we read mail addressed to others so long ago and find strength and guidance for our own time?" Come and find out!

  On Saturday, September 19, the Fall Assembly for Women of the ELCA will meet at Our Saviour in Utica. Patsy Glista, Associate in Ministry and Upstate NY Synod Disaster Response Coordinator, will be the guest speaker. The event runs 9:30am-3pm. The cost (including lunch) is $5.00.

  Any one wishing a ride to these events please leave a phone message for Karen Douglass at 492-9347.

   

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• A New Appleseed Season!

  

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• Reaching Vicar Laura

  Many people have asked how to reach Vicar Laura now that she has returned to Minnesota. You can send mail to her at:

  Laura Aase
  Luther Seminary Box 7
  2481 Como Ave
  St. Paul, MN 55108

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• Don't Forget!

  The summer of 2009 is nearly over - and a lot of the Atonement Family have been vacationing. Unfortunately, a lot of us have also been vacationing from our financial contributions to the ministry and mission of our congregation. Remember, the bills go on all summer, even when we are on vacation. So.... Please check in your offering envelope box and if there are some unused envelopes from the last few months, please take one out, generously fill it, and bring it to church next weekend. Thanks!