December 2006

Newsletter of Atonement Lutheran Church,

Rev. Tina Koenig Ray, BCC, Pastor

For Christians, the first week of December is when we begin to contemplate the celebration of the advent of our Lord in human form. We begin singing our wonderful advent songs, such as ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel’. Soon we will celebrate and honor the birth of Jesus with songs like, ‘Away in a Manger’. We have an appropriate song for every season.

But what about the season that I’ll call ‘We Really Don’t Believe the Kingdom is Here Now, It’s Still to Come, Because We Don’t Live Like It’s Here Now’? We talk a lot about Jesus bringing us new life, abundant new life, but we usually think of it as new life in the hereafter.

When Jesus told us that the kingdom of God was near, he didn’t mean next week, or when we die. Jesus meant right ‘near and now.’ Standing right next to you, eating with you, laughing with you, crying with you. Jesus is the kingdom of God with us. Remember Emmanuel? Well Emmanuel is here! We need to live like we believe that.

God is present with us now, the Holy Spirit is within us now, Christ is saving us now. How would that kind of current, living belief transform our mundane, same old same old, fearful lives?

Yes, let’s keep singing all of our seasonal songs, but let’s remember the songs that celebrate life here and now and Jesus with us near and now.

It’s sung from a completely different perspective, but Lonestar has a wonderful song, "I’m Already There". Would that we would feel the words as a love song from Jesus to us this season.

I’m already there.

Take a look around.

I’m the sunshine in your hair.

I’m the shadow on the ground.

I’m the whisper in the wind.

And I’ll be there to the end.

Can you feel the love that we share?

I’m already there.

Atonement will not be in the position of offering our worship space or looking for office or educational space for Espiritú. Thus we have no need to worry about extra costs, etc. IF/when we receive requests for the use of our facilities, we should consider a reduced fee as a way to help this burgeoning ministry. Otherwise we would treat any request for the use of our facilities as we do any other request for a party of function, o a first come basis with Atonement ministries having priority. Of course flexibility is a wonderful attribute.

Greetings Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Terri asked her Sunday School class to draw pictures of their favorite Bible stories. She was puzzled by Kyle's picture, which showed four people on an airplane, so she asked him which story it was meant to represent. "The Flight to Egypt," was his reply. Pointing at each figure, Ms. Terri said, "That must be Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus. But who's the fourth person?"

"Oh, that's Pontius - the pilot!"

Total income for October $ 9775.68 Total expenses for October -$ 9673.45

Net income (Oct. 2006) $ 102.23

Oct adults/youth

Nov adults/youth

Due to the new privacy laws regarding health information, the hospital will not release the names of patients. So if you are going into the hospital, or know someone who is hospitalized, please call the church office, or let Pastor Tina know.

——————-—————

The following items are posted in more detail in the Klingberg Chapel or the hallway bulletin board:

The Christian church has long been rich with symbols. We use not only words to convey our message, but bread and wine, water and incense, music and art.

Starting in 2007 we will be offering a service of healing during our normal service of Holy Communion. The first service of laying of of hands for healing and anointing with oil will be on January 28th, 2007. Our plan is then to have this service every 5th Sunday of the year.

Historically in many cultures the Laying on of Hands is the method used to bestow a special Divine blessing or a special form of recognition. It can be a formal family/public announcement or blessing
relating to a point of honor, or a special spiritual request. The "laying
on of hands" is the method used by families to confirm a birthright and
protection (Gen.48:14-18; Mat.19:15). And it is used to convey a special blessing, or it could infer a transfer of authority (Num.27:18-20).
The "laying on of hands" was also performed on newly baptized
persons (Act.8:16-19). Leaders and missionaries of the church were
consecrated to service by this Rite (Act.6:6, 13:2-3; 1Tim.4:14, 5:22). The Holy Spirit was stirred . . ., through the "laying on of hands" (Deu.34:9; 2Tim.1:6-7). Power given by prophecy with the "laying on of hands" (1Tim.4:14).

*HEALTH BENEFIT: For thousands of years the Bible described the
"laying on of hands" being performed on the sick to restore health
(Mat.9:18; Mar.16:15-18; Act.14:3). Today polls show over 80% of people believe in the healing power of personal prayer and faith. Even for those who are dying, prayer means you are not alone. Yesterday's modern and enlightened thinker - dismissed religious mysticism as "infantile helplessness," and as a "regression to primary narcissism." Today, grudgingly, the modern scientific medical community is finally discovering what Believers have always known, that the spiritual power of faith can heal. Studies conducted under stringent laboratory conditions clearly show that prayer benefited patients and brings about significant changes in a variety of physical conditions. If the medical technique being studied had been a new drug or surgical procedure instead of prayer it would probably have been heralded as a new breakthrough.

————————————————————

Atonement Lutheran Church is now having its’

stewardship drive and would like members to fill out a

contribution form and return it to the church either by mail or place it in the offering plate.

Our goal is $95,000 in contributed money.

already turned in a form, thank you, and please

disregard this form. Please prayerfully consider your gift to God and His Church for our

continued work and return it to the church.

Don Reedy

Stewardship Chair

Approximately every 20 years the Lutheran church updates and renews our worship resources. We have been using the green LBW for 28 years so the time has come to introduce and use a new resource.

On Saturday, October 28th, five people from Atonement attended a workshop at Faith Lutheran in Janesville where the new resource was introduced. Those attending were Pastor Tina, Charleta and Rollyn Affeldt, Carole Doubleday and Cheryl Ramczyk.

From 8:30 until 3:30 was spent exploring all areas of the service. We were lead through each section with both explanation and participation. We found the hymns much easier to sing and they have included the settings that we are very familiar with. It was stressed upon us that this resource is to be used in all Evangelical Lutheran Services whether in Beloit, Madison, or visiting in Sweden. The object is for all worshippers to feel welcome and to be able to participate in the service.

After discussing this among those that attended the workshop and with our church council on Monday, November 13, it was voted to order the new books.

We will need 125 Pew Editions @ $20 each, 2 Books for the Organist @ $55 each, 1 Pulpit Edition @ $140, and 1 Desk Edition @ $40, which totals up to $2,790.

We have received money for 75 Pew Editions, a total of $1,500. I would like to propose to you the congregation the opportunity to purchase a book or books in memory or in honor of a loved one.

Eternal Candle: The Eternal Candle for December is from Doris Betz in memory of loved ones.

Altar Guild: Irene Baker & Phyllis Steele

Flowers: Pastor Tina

Bread of Heaven: Diana Schneider

Fellowship: Kaylee Garvey for her 11th birthday

Acolyte: open

KidsKorner: open

Bread of Heaven: Cheryl & Russ Ramczyk

Fellowship: Cheryl & Russ Ramczyk for Adeline Swain’s birthday & their anniversary

KidsKorner: open

Bread of Heaven: open

Fellowship: Marcy & Don Reedy in honor of their 30th anniversary

Acolyte: open

KidsKorner: Judy Gundry

Flowers: Cheryl & Russ Ramczyk

Bread of Heaven: open

Fellowship: open

Flowers: open

Bread of Heaven: open

Fellowship: open

KidsKorner: open

12/4 Charles Marvin, Sr. 12/17 Gene Sanda

12/4 Adeline Swain 12/26 Larry Luety

12/5 Duane Shanbarker 12/30 Peggy Johnson

12/8 Kiarra Davies

12/12 WIlliam Hoefer 12/26 Larry Luety

12/15 Doty Goff

12/5 Atonement Rejects @ Trinity Packers

Trinity Eagles @ Atonement Rebels

12/12 Our Savior’s Vikings @ Atonement Rejects Atonement Rebels @ Trinity Mighty Darts

Dartball resumes on January 2, 2007

Habitat for Humanity collection -Our jug and pocket change totalled $217.56. Yeah! Added to our previous donation of $108.00, our total donation to Habitat for Humanity/Thrivent Builds is $325.56!

Hi, Gang!

Great news!!!!!!!! Our house is just about finished. We are doing many last minute finishing touches to prepare for the blessing; dedication.

The blessing will take place this Sunday, Nov. 19 at 3pm. The open house will be from 3-5pm. There will be many people there who helped make this dream come true for the Halley's, whom by the way, are expecting a new baby son any day now.

Please come and see the home that we, together with God's help, built. Many hands did indeed make light work of a difficult task. I hope to see you all at 837 Oak Street this Sunday, Nov. 19 from 3-5pm.

God Bless,
Kathy Swain
—————————————————-

The communal Thanksgiving Eve Service will be held at 7 PM, Wednesday, November 22 here at Atonement.

Sponsors for this service are Atonement Lutheran, Calvary & Pella Lutheran, Our Lady of the Assumption, Common Grounds Ministry, Pella Lutheran and Espiritú de Esperanza.

The Sisterhood of Atonement Lutheran Church would like to thank the people of the greater Beloit community who made our October Quilt Show and raffle a success: Beautiful quilts of all kinds were shared for the display; delicious desserts and coffee/tea tempted those who attended; Charleta Affeldt assembled the Cross and Crown quilt for the raffle; individuals used their special talents to create the array of door prizes available; people set up the display and later cleaned up; many women served the dessert and washed dishes; raffle tickets were purchased by people in the community; and last, but certainly not least, all those who attended this event.

The raffle winners were:

1st: Cross & Crown queen-size quilt - Rose Wilson

2nd: Badger Football tickets - Sara Gorrell

3rd: 8 Quilted Placements by LaVaughn Kunny - Jodi Landis 4th: Afghan by Freda Leeder - Anna Daniels.

Thanks again. Carole Doubleday and Pat Sauser, Co-Chairs

The Sisterhood will sponsor a Mitten Tree again this year. Donated mittens & gloves will be divided between Caritas, Salvation Army and The Sparrow’s Nest. We are told the need is great so please help us fill the tree in the Narthex of the church.

David Ramsey is looking for some people who enjoy singing, and would be willing to be in a Christmas choir. There will be only three rehearsals, and all are after services for about 25 minutes on November 26th and December 3rd and 10th. Choir will sing at the December 17th service. The music isn't hard, but it would be great to have extra voices for harmony in the hymn. Please let David know if you can help in making a joyful noise for Christmas. If you don't see him at church you can contact him by phone...608-931-5585.

upcoming holiday season beginning November 6. Volunteers are needed for interviewing families for holiday baskets, bell ringing, serving Thanksgiving dinner, sorting food for baskets and basket distribution, and finally toy distribution on December 19th & 20th. If you are interested in helping, please call Cris Hornagold at 365-6572 , ext. 12.

The Sisterhood will meet Tuesday, December 5th @ 11:30 Am for lunch at Cafe Belwah. All women are welcome. Come and bring a friend. To make your reservation, call Isabel Crowley @ 364-0057 by December 3rd.

We will pack cookies for the Shut-ins on Sunday, December 10th after the service. Please remember our Shut-ins when baking, and bring cookies to the church for them.

Pastor Tina will conduct services on Wednesday, December 13th @ 2:30 PM at Premier Care and at 3:15 at Beloit Health & Rehab. We invite you to join us at either facility to participate with her in the service.

The W.O.W.’s will be lunching at The Firehouse in Roscoe at 11:30 AM, Thursday, December 14th.

——————————————-

The 4th Annual Chili/Soup Cookoff has been tenatively set for Saturday, February 3rd, 2007 from 4-7 PM. Last year was a huge success, and we hope you’ll consider being involved in this fundraiser. Cook, or come and eat...it’s fun!

Have a joy-filled, simple Christmas!

A Sunday school teacher asked her class, "What was Jesus' mother's name?" One child answered, "Mary." The teacher then asked, "Who knows what Jesus' father's name was?"