July 2007

Newsletter of Atonement Lutheran Church,

Rev. Tina Koenig Ray, BCC, Pastor

Waiting, we do a lot of that it seems. We wait in line for groceries, for the public bathroom (sometimes at home too!). We wait in line at restaurants and even for communion! Pattye waits a lot for me to finish newsletter article leads!

My husband Billy hated to wait. It’s safe to say that’s the one thing he disliked the most. Most people don’t like to wait. Some people are obnoxious waiters, while other people are more gracious about it. Either response doesn’t make the line go faster though, does it?

As we wait we shift from foot to foot; we cross and cross our arms. If we’re sitting, we cross our legs and jiggle one foot and then cross the other way and jiggle that foot. Oh yes, sighs are very important. Big heavy sighs. It helps if you roll your eyes and purse your lips a bit.

OK, yes, I know you’ve been waiting to see where I’m going with all this haven’t you? (hee hee)

In Isaiah, chapter 30, verse 18 we read, "Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you; therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for the Lord."

Imagine the Lord of the Universe, the Creator of all, waiting around for you and me! God tarries for us, waits for us to catch up. Interesting thought. While we are busy wondering what we are doing with our lives or wondering where God is in our lives, God is there, waiting for us to catch up or perhaps to catch on.

Meanwhile, we are blessed if we rest in expectation of God. God tarries for us and we rest in expectation of God. Perhaps God waits for us to rest? Waits for us to stop the madness and simply rest in Him or Her. (We all know God has no gender, right? God is simply God, beyond our human definitions.)

How might this waiting look? One might be sitting in a chair with eyes closed and hands resting in one's lap. One might be sitting in a traffic jam or waiting in line at the doctors or waiting for the waiter to bring one’s check.

You see it doesn’t really matter what you are doing as you rest in expectation of God. You can be blessed all the time as you wait expectantly for God. I have a feeling though that if you are waiting at McDonalds in a line that is 12 people deep and there’s only one clerk, and you are waiting expectantly for God, you wouldn’t be scowling or complaining to the person next to you or shifting your feet in impatience. Perhaps you’d be humming a hymn aloud or under your breath or praying for the people around you, especially the clerk.

Waiting on the Lord puts the world in a whole new perspective.

The Annual Church Picnic will be right after the service on June 24 at South Beloit Park. Boneless pork chops (donated by David Daniels from Best Events) will be provided, and a sign up sheet is being circulated for dishes to pass.

May adults/youth

June adults/youth

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Total income for May $ 7,628.00

Total expenses for May - $ 8,072.18

Net income (May 2007) $ - 444.18

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.

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

Confirmation begins on 09-19-07 probably with a parent and student meeting here at church. Class will be held on Wednesdays 7:00 – 8:30 P.M. The last class for the year is on 05-28-08.

There are 30 90-minute sessions in the first year; 32 90-minute sessions in the second year and 5 2-hour sessions in the last ½ year. Confirmation for the pilot class of 7^th Graders is 10/24/09, 9:00 A.M.

If you are interested in having your 7^th grader participate in the confirmation program and Pastor Tina hasn’t contacted you, please contact Pastor at 608-362-8216 by the end of July.

Formal Confirmation class begins in the fall of the 7^th grade with confirmation being in the fall of the 9^th grade. Each student/family is asked to contribute the money necessary to purchase The Lutheran Handbook and it’s workbook for each student. Currently this is $13.99 (5/17/07)

Parent(s) and student must covenant with Pastor Koenig Ray and Atonement Lutheran Church to fully participate to the best of their abilities in the confirmation program as approved of by the church council.

Each student is given access to the online student resource available at: www.herewestandconfirmation.org

-Attendance at Atonement Lutheran Church Sunday worship

-Attendance at special worship services: at least 3 of the midweek Lenten services, at least 1 of the Holy Week services sponsored by Atonement whether they are held at Atonement or not

-3 Sermon notes a month

-Acolyting at Sunday worship and other special services

-Participation in Adopt a street Program at least 3 times during the year

-Participation in Hands of Faith Program at least 1time during the year

-Participation in opportunities for services as they arise and are discussed with Pastor

-Participation in ‘fun events’ as scheduled throughout the year

At various times parents may be asked to participate in class or in an activity or to provide transportation. Ample lead-time will be given to parents or guardians to allow for planning.

Eternal Candle: The Eternal Candle for July is from Isabel Crowley in memory of loved ones.

Altar Guild: Isabel Crowley & Carole Doubleday

Flowers: Isabel Crowley in memory of husband and sister Nancy

Bread of Heaven: Cheryl Ramczyk

Fellowship: Cheryl Ramczyk

Acolyte: open

Bread of Heaven: Lloyd & Shirley Jero

Fellowship: open

Bread of Heaven: open

Fellowship: open

Acolyte: open

Flowers: open

Bread of Heaven: open

Fellowship: Dick & Janice Mitchell

Flowers: Alyssa Garvey for her 16th birthday

Bread of Heaven: open

Fellowship: open

7/4 Gary Cole 7/21 Richard Wallace

7/4 Carolyn Kalk 7/22 Marjorie Reynolds

7/4 Janice Mitchell 7/27 LaVaughn Kunny

7/7 Susan Anderson 7/29 Curtis Reynolds

7/6 Susan Anderson 7/17 Duane Ottow

7/8 Richard Mitchell 7/21 David Schneider

7/13 Florence Buchholz

Richard Baller May 2007

Jack Kalk has moved to:

Fair Oaks Health Care Center

Room #10

1515 Blackhawk Blvd

South Beloit IL 61080

There is a destiny that makes us family,

no one goes his or her way alone;

all that we send into the hearts of others,

comes back into our own.

You say: "It’s impossible."

You say: "Nobody really loves me."

You say: "I can’t go on."

You say: "I can’t figure things out."

You say: "I can’t do it."

You say: "I’m not able."

You say: "It’s not worth it."

You say: "I can’t forgive myself."

You say: " I can’t manage."

You say: " I’m afraid."

You say: "I’m always worried and frustrated."

You say: "I’m not smart enough."

You say: "I feel all alone."

Avoid negative people * Feed the birds *

Recognize the importance of unconditional love * Prepare for the morning the night before * Avoid tight-fitting clothes *

Avoid relying on chemical aids * Set appointments ahead

* Don’t rely on your memory...write it down

* Practice preventative maintenance * Make duplicate keys

* Say "NO" more often * Set priorities in your life * Use time wisely * Repair anything that doesn’t work properly * Ask for help with the jobs you dislike * Look at problems as challenges

* Look at challenges differently * Unclutter your life * Smile *

* Be prepared for rain * Tickle a baby * Pet a friendly dog or cat * Don’t know all the answers * Look for the silver lining * Say something nice to someone * Schedule play time into everyday * Take a bubble bath * Be aware of the decisions you make

* Believe in yourself * Visualize yourself winning * Develop your sense of humor * Stop thinking tomorrow will be a better day * Have goals for yourself * Dance a jig * Read a poem * Say hello to a stranger * Ask a friend for a hug * Go to a ballgame and scream * Look up at the stars * Learn to whistle a tune

* Do a new thing * Watch a ballet * Find support for others

* Listen to a symphony * Read a story curled up in bed

* Ask someone to be your vent partner

* Pay attention to your appearance * Work at being cheerful and optimistic * Do everything in moderation * Strive for excellence, not perfection * Stretch your limits a little each day * Look at a work of art * Hum a jingle * Maintain your weight * Have a plan B * Learn a new doodle * Be responsible for your feelings

* Learn to meet your own needs * Know your limitations and let others know them too * Tell someone to have a good day in Pig Latin * Plant a tree * Practice grace under pressure

* Throw a paper airplane * Get to work early * Quit trying to fix other people * Talk less and listen more * Remember that stress is an attitude * Go on a picnic * Play patticake with a toddler * Exercise every day * Buy yourself a flower *

On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence. One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts.

"One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me," said one boy.
Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence.

Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery. He slowed down to investigate. Sure enough, he heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me."

He just knew what it was. He jumped back on his bike and rode off.
Just around the bend he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along.

"Come here quick," said the boy, "you won't believe what I heard!
Satan and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls."

The man said, "Beat it kid, can't you see it's hard for me to walk." When the boy insisted though, the man hobbled slowly to the cemetery. Standing by the fence they heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me."

The old man whispered, "Boy, you've been tellin' me the truth. Let's see if we can see the Lord."

Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything. The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord.

At last they heard, "One for you, one for me. That's all. Now let's
go get those nuts by the fence and we'll be done."

They say the old man made it back to town a full 5 minutes ahead of the kid on the bike.

Following the fellowship on the designated Sunday mornings we will be picking up our portion of Milwaukee Road. It only takes about an hour from the time we leave the church and return. The more hands the better! Wear or bring your old/work clothes to church. Jeans or shorts are appropriate and expected. Bring a pair of gloves and wear comfortable shoes. Following the pick up those who are able can go to a restaurant for a well earned breakfast!

July 15th September 16th August 19th October 21st

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The Sisterhood will meet here at 1 PM, Tuesday, July 3. Arlene Ruegger will be the hostess, and Pastor Tina will conduct a Bible Study with the group.

Hands of Faith guests will be here the week of July 15-22. The clothesline of needs is hanging up in the hallway, and the sign up sheet for Overnight Hosts and Dinner Hosts is in the Klingberg Chapel. Please consider giving of your time and resources to this program.

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Taking Care of You: Powerful Tools for Caregiving is designed for family caregivers of elders or persons impacted by serious illness or injury. Whether you are helping a spouse, parent, friend, someone who lives at home, or in a nursing home, it doesn’t matter. What is important is that you are interested in learning some tools to help YOU in your caregiving role. You will learn tools to help you reduce stress, relax, take care of yourself, reduce guilt, anger and depression, make tough decisions, set goals and solve problems and communicate effectively with other family members, your doctor, and paid helpers. The total cost for all seven classes is only $10 and includes a How to book to accompany the class content. Classes meet for 2 1/2 hours each week. Scholarships covering the cost of the classes are available, as well as transportation to the classes and respite care for your loved one while you are attending classes. To register, call 758-8455.

Upcoming sessions are:

Date: 9/11/07-10/30/07

Time: 9 AM -11:30 AM

Held at HospiceCare, Inc., 3001 W. Memorial Dr., Janesville

Date: 10/1/07-11/12/07

Time: 1 PM- 3:30 PM

Held at 2nd Congregational Church, 657 Bluff, Beloit