Atonement Lutheran Church Newsletter - The Messenger

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September 29, 2009 - Volume 30, #36

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

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

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• Special Days at St. Paul's Fabius
  October will see something different and special every week!
  
  Sunday, October 4, 9am - Blessing of the Animals
  The Fabius worshiping community will gather for a blessing of the animals. October 4 is the day we commemorate the life and work of St. Francis of Assisi. He has been remembered for his conviction that the Christian life is one lived without material possessions and with strict personal self denial, but also one that is filled with joyful friendship and fellowship, a strong sense of humor, and gladness in God's creation. Francis has been memorialized in many statutes and paintings showing him with birds and animals in forest, field or garden. The animals in our lives, our pets, bring great joy and unconditional love into our lives. This joy and unconditional love reminds us of the joy and love that God has for us - in creation and in God's creatures we have at hand, God's wealth and gracious abundance given for our use.

  We will celebrate with worship, song, Holy Communion, and at the close of the service, will gather to bless the creatures that enrich our lives and, with their faithfulness, become part of our families. All animals must be on leads, leashes, or in crates, carriers, or covered baskets. Your animals are welcome indoors for the worship if the number of people and other animals will not be too upsetting. Otherwise, we ask that your pet remain restrained out of doors or with your vehicle until the end of worship. Worshippers are encouraged to dress informally as there will be lots of fur, fuzz, and hair to be had! Questions may be directed to Pastor Rodgers @492-9065. All are welcome!

  

  Sunday, October 11 - No service at St. Paul's
  "Durkee's Bread for Schools Run" is the morning of October 11. The run will be closing Rt 80 at about 9am and the St. Paul's Parking Lot will be used for participant parking. Please consider joining your friends at Atonement in the City where service will be held at 8:30am and 10:45am. Or consider participating in the Bread for Schools Run and help support. Information is availabe online at http://www.breadforschoolsrun.org/ . We will celebrate with worship, song, Holy Communion, and at the close of the service, will gather to bless the creatures that enrich our lives and, with their faithfulness, become part of our families. All animals must be on leads, leashes, or in crates, carriers, or covered baskets. Your animals are welcome indoors for the worship if the number of people and other animals will not be too upsetting. Otherwise, we ask that your pet remain restrained out of doors or with your vehicle until the end of worship. Worshippers are encouraged to dress informally as there will be lots of fur, fuzz, and hair to be had! Questions may be directed to Pastor Rodgers @492-9065. All are welcome!

  

  Sunday, October 18 - No Service at St. Paul's
  ...but join your friends at Atonement in the city! There will be one festive service for the entire Atonement/St. Paul's Community at 10:00am in the sanctuary on West Glen Ave, Syracuse. Bishop Marie Jerge will be the preacher. Pastor James Jerge will present our congregation with the "Philadelphia Seminary Excellence in Ministry Award." The service will end with a dedication for recent renovations and new church bus. The service and dedication will be followed by dinner in the Fellowship Hall, beginning about noon. You are cordially invited to share in the festivities. The seminary award is for you too!

   
  

  Sunday, October 25, 9am - Festival of the Reformation & Anniversary Celebration
  Join us at 9am at St. Paul's for a service celebrating the Festival of the Reformation and the annual Fabius Worshipping Community Anniversary. Following the service we'll gather for food and conversation about future options for our ministry together.

   

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• Massie Kennard October 10
  
  

  The motto of the ELCA is "God's work. Our hands." This week I'd like you to meet someone whose life embodied that truth, The Rev. Massie Kennard. Until very recently Rev. Kennard shared the road of faith with us - his death was in 1996. Rev. Kennard was an African-American, Lutheran pastor, a native of Chicago and a tireless crusader for racial and ethnic inclusiveness in the Lutheran church. This was a bold thing to do considering he was ordained in 1958 at a time when parts of this country did not see black people as fully equal with white people. Today the ELCA honors his life-long work by giving him the title "Renewer of the Church" a title which is only granted to few people including Martin Luther himself. The life and work of Rev. Kennard reminds us that the Holy Spirit is always actively guiding the church even and especially during rocky times. My prayer for us this week is that all of us will hear the Spirit's whisper and know that we and our church family are always in God's hands.

  ~ Shalom y'all, Vicar Christine

   

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• Annual Crafty Ladyes Sale is Coming....

  

  The Crafty Ladyes ask that you please be patient in bringing your donations for their annual sale. They are waiting for some space in the storeroom to store your treasures.

  Remember to mark your calendars for their sale on November 14th and we'll keep you posted on when you can start bringing in your donations.

   

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• Happy Anniversary!
  
  

  October Anniversaries
  3   Elizabeth Mae & Jeffrey Russell Cathy & Ralph Kelley III
  6   Eric & Heather (Kniffin) Welling
  5   Ilona & Andrew Sapoznikov
  13  Kelley & Christopher Farren
  14  Robert & Carolyn Adams
  18  Wilfred & Laureen Batsford
  25  Anne Mackenzie & Frank Girardi
  26  Deborah & David Pridgen

   

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• Happy Birthday
  
  

  October Birthdays
  1   Donald R. Hamilton, Mark Richer, Ruth Holbrook, Debra Doerle
  3   Pamela Hipius
  4   Matthew Timian II, David Casler, Nathanial Woods
  6   Zachery Westcott
  7   Frank W. Fitzgibbon
  8   Linda Rauch, Jordan Baum, Emily Anne Brown
  9   Kenneth Johnson, Paul Waters, Frank Girardi
  10  Susan Niebuhr, Susan Walters
  13  Kristi Kelley, Trevor Martineau
  14  Luke Irwin, Dale Aske, Tyler Dennison, Hannah Hillenbrand
  15  Michael Pauls, Leland Gaetz
  16  Ewan Siddall
  19  Helen Osgood, Thomas Phillips, Jr., Paul Doerle, Audrey Boname
  20  Kent Bradshaw, Shannon Baum, Virginia Simmons
  21  Joann Contos, Sharon Monds, Donna Whedon
  22  David & Sarah Wentworth, Cassandra Presutto, Susan Scharoun
  23  Jessica Girard
  24  Michael Breedlove
  26  Eric Quackenbush, Pamela Brynien, Merikay Harper, Meghan Dwyer
  28  Kevin Beck
  29  Reva Kieffer, David Brown, Erik Nelson
  30  Kanischa Miller
  31  Amanda Pauls

   

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• Youth Group - Hold these Dates!
  
  
  • October 18 Crop Walk
  • November 20-22 Retreat at LCLC
   

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• Support Our Youth Group
  
  
   
  

  The annual ALYO Apple sale will be on Sunday, October 4th. This year's price for apples will be five pounds of apples for $5. Those who want apples but will not be in church that day should to contact Pastor Rogers to reserve a bag (or two!) for themselves.

   
  

  Atonement youth will be collecting donations for CROP Walk between services on Sunday, October 11 and Sunday, Oct. 18. Please be generous to this good cause.