Called by God to serve and witness to all in

Rev. Tina Koenig Ray, BCC, Pastor

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"Time Passes By", sung by Kathy Mattea is such a wonderful song. I believe the words are, "Time passes by, people move on. In the blink of an eye they’re gone." These words have new meaning for me as I begin the year without my crazy, loving, tender, maddening, handsome, wonderful husband by my side. I’m sure that many of you who are reading this have been in similar situations. If you haven’t, let me tell you, it stinks. But time marches on, the sun comes up and the sun goes down. We need to figure out how we are going to live in the in-between time.

I’m sure I could find a country song that would fit what I’m thinking . . . hmm, of course, the one that Garth Brooks sings, "The Dance". "I could have missed the pain, but then I’d had to have missed the dance." We really don’t want to miss this dance. Jesus tells us that he is the Lord of the Dance and he calls us to boogie. Whether we dance a mournful dirge or a joyful polka, we are called to dance to the tune of life, yea, even New Life. When we are thoughtful, when we are playing, when we feel sad or happy, we are called to waltz. "Dance then, where ever you may be. I am the Lord of the Dance said he. And I’ll lead you all wherever you may be, yes I’ll lead you all in the Dance said he."

So let us dance to the wonderfully sacred Gospel tune. Let our lives be a holy and sacred gift to our Creator. We may limp, we may run or crawl; we may mis-step, oh wait, no, there are no mis-steps in this dance; we may dance in a wheel chair or for a while we may have to have others dance for us. But Dance we must. We are called by Christ, the Dancer, to follow his lead and to dance to a tune that is different than that of this world. Whatever verses we may put to the song, the chorus is always the same, "Love your neighbor as yourself and God with all your heart." It matters not if the tune is an Irish Jig or a Latin rumba; an orchestra or a sweet simple flute could be playing. The urge to dance the Dance of Life is world wide and heartfelt.

As another favorite singer of mine puts it, "If you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance."

From the Council President ...

A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like. The Lord led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in.

In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water. The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.

The Lord said, "You have seen Hell."

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew, which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.The holy man said, "I don't understand."

"It is simple," said the Lord, "it requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other. The greedy think only of themselves."

Date Attendance General Fund Maint. Cans

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ëNovember Council Minutes

Our annual meeting is set for January 29, 2006 following church. Please bring snacks or finger foods to share with everyone. Coffee , juice and water will be provided.

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Acolyte: Austin Anderson

KidsKorner: Andrea Garvey

Flowers: open

Y.A.G. host: Jan & Dick Mitchell

Flowers: open

Acolyte: open

Flowers: Maggie Janke in honor of her mother’s birthday.

Acolyte: open

Y.A.G. host: open

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January Birthdays (not just 70+ anymore!)

1/2 Carole Doubleday 1/23 Ruth Smith

1/5 Bob Brauns 1/24 Robert Anderson

January Baptism Anniversaries

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Thank You!

We are so grateful for the way the community has joined with Caritas in the collection and distribution of Thanksgiving meals to families in need. There were 546 families who signed up for Thanksgiving groceries and as I write this the last of the meals are going out to those in need.

It has been an extremely busy season for Caritas and the hard work of all our volunteers helped to make it a joyful experience. Each team of workers provided support as together we shared a bounty of food with families who struggle for the basic necessities of life. I wish to thank everyone who cooperatively made this a true season of Thanksgiving in Beloit’s Stateline area. It is a privilege to share that a spirit of love, cooperation and service is rendering an impact on many families whose life struggles are difficult. Thank you for what you have given to others.- Judith Petree, Executive Director

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I would like to thank Pastor Tina and everyone at Atonement who visited me while I was in the hospital and recovering in the nursing home. Thank you so much for your many cards and prayers. May God bless you all real good! -Genese Bolender

I received this email on THANKSGIVING Day from Pastor William [his timing was absolutely perfect in my estimation]. Would you please share this with the Atonement community. - Deena

Hello Deena;
There is light in Liberia and in my house. More over, we have just ended our general and presenditial election. Liberia has the first female president in Africa, she is a wonderful lady. She is called Ellen Johnson Serlief, very qualify woman with long years of experience. We started the generator and it worked very well. On the first day, I had over one hundred persons watching video at my place. I will send you picture next time. Many thanks to you and the Beloit Lutheran Church for bringing lights in my home and community in this part of our world. Thanks, your friend-Pastor William Boymah

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The concrete front entrance steps are beginning to deteriorate and need to be replaced. The original concrete steps were restored several years ago with a 2 inch topping which is now wearing off and becoming a safety hazard. The best quote for the work is $4,400. We will set up a separate account to finance this priority project and anyone wishing to contribute can do so by placing a marked envelope in the offering plate at worship. We plan on having the work completed in early spring.

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For Sale: dark green electric lift chair in good shape, asking $250, will deliver to your home. Contact Don Reedy (362-3518).

On Saturday, December 24th, at Noon, The Overflowing Cup will be serving a Christmas Eve dinner with Ham and all of the trimmings. Anyone wanting to help cook, serve or cleanup is asked to contact Pastor Kathy Price, Coordinator for this event, Vickie Chase or Diana Fogderud. Another way you could help The Overflowing Cup would be to donate ham, turkeys, supplies and other food items appropriate for a Christmas dinner. We are honored to serve you and ask that you please call 365-0365 and leave a message as to how many will be attending. We ask that everyone remember those less fortunate in our community and reach out to the lonely and depressed.

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Remember: You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.

February 10 – 12, 2006 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Brookfield, WI.

A Marriage Encounter Weekend is an opportunity for a husband and wife to spend a weekend away discussing issues of marriage without the daily distractions of jobs, children, the telephone, etc. During the weekend, four couples (3 lay and 1 clergy) address day to day needs common to any marriage relationship and teach a technique of communication intended to enhance a relationship. Additionally, each couple participating will have time alone to explore their unique areas of interest with one another in the privacy of their rooms. There is NO group interaction. Participation in the weekend is non-denominational. The emphasis is on the couple relationship and is designed to make a good marriage better. The weekend begins on Friday night and concludes late in the afternoon on Sunday. Advanced registration is $45.00. There is an additional opportunity for contribution on the weekend as a confidential donation.

For further details about registration or for further information, please call Mark and Kathy Williams at 608-846-0716 or visit the Lutheran Marriage Encounter website at www.ilme.org.

Program includes Irish jokes by a guest, Cloggers with dancing, corn beef and cabbage lunch, Irish traditions, and Bible Study on St. Patrick.

Program includes emphasis on Church traditions and the old ways of doing things, a guest speaker on Christian faith, and a guest choir or musician.

Program includes exploring ancient tradions of Spring (May Day, etc.), clowns, square dancers, suggestions for Summer activities, and greetings from Area Event Coordinators.

A single guy decides life would be more fun if he had a pet. So he went to the pet store and told the owner that he wanted to buy an unusual pet. After some discussion, he finally bought a talking centipede, which came in a little white box to use for his house. He took the box back home, found a good location for the box, and decided he would start off by taking his new pet to church with him.

So he asked the centipede in the box, "Would you like to go to church with me today? We’ ll have a good time." But there was no answer from his new pet. This bothered him a bit, but he waited a few minutes and then asked him again, "How about going to church with me and receive blessings?" But again, there was no answer from his new friend and pet. So he waited a few minutes more, thinking about the situation. He decided to ask him one more time; this time putting his face up against the centipede's house and shouting, "Hey, in there! Would you like to go to church with me and learn about The Lord!?"

A little voice came out of the box.....................

"I heard you the first time! I'm putting on my shoes."