October 2007

Newsletter of Atonement Lutheran Church,

Rev. Tina Koenig Ray, BCC, Pastor

Wow! That doesn’t sound much like the words in that beloved hymn, "Have thine own way, Lord!" These words are comforting and contemplative.

Verse 11 sounds harsh and callous, "Thus says the LORD: Look, I am a potter shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, all of you from your evil way, and amend your ways and your doings." It sounds cautionary and prohibitive. It shouts at us YIELD, or else!

I pray that the yield signs that we see each day may be reminders to us.  Every time we see one, let us think about slowing down and let us think about how important praying is--yielding to God.

Why don't you do that right now? Put down this newsletter for a minute, close your eyes for a minute, because that helps us slow down and focus on God. Then pray something like this: "Dear God, thank you for the yield sign; thank you for giving us little signs on the way that remind us that we need to slow down and pray and ask you for directions. Amen."

———————————————————-

PRAYER CHAIN & PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH ETIQUETTE. Please remember that when we pray for people during worship or through the prayer chain that we are praying, not gossiping. We need to prayerfully respect people’s privacy and not discuss specific situations with other people outside of church. Even within our church family we must remember that we are praying not sharing news. Judgements or commentary about a prayer request is tacky.

If someone says to you "Hey do you know anything about ‘John Doe’?" A simple ‘No, why don’t you ask John Doe how he’s doing’, will suffice. Or perhaps someone pulls you aside at a community function and asks, "Hey I heard that you’re praying for Mary Doe, what’s wrong with her?" Try responding with something like, "Yes we are. I’m sure she’d appreciate a call and you can ask her."

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. ..Be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ

Jesus for you."

————————————————————————-

At the end of September we will have the opportunity to decide how we want to spend a large sum of money that we have had in a CD for a while now.

Our furnaces at Atonement are approximately 25 years old and are beginning to show a great deal of rust. If we consider this past years’ service calls we find that there were none. However, last year was the exception, not the rule.

According to the Property Committee, 25 years, even with a very well maintained furnace, is more than a great return on investment. And we are already on borrowed time for our heating needs.

So I ask you to prayerfully consider our Church’s need for new furnaces this month.

Bruce Johnson

Aug adults/youth

Sept adults/youth

————————————

Total income Jan 07-Aug 07 $ 69,880.13

Total expenses Jan 07- Aug 07 -$ 75,407.17

Net income (Jan 07-Aug 2007) $ -5,527.04

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 Lutheran Course

Starting September 23^rd we will be offering The Lutheran Course at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. The sessions are described below. This course is for all who would like to become an official member of Atonement Lutheran Church AND for any other member who would like to come. For new members you would be received into membership November 11^th.

Jesus illustrates the economic laws of God with this story of the rich man who permitted a servant to be the steward of a portion of his wealth. However, one day the master called the steward in and announced that soon his stewardship would end. As the man thought over his situation, three definite facts became clear to him and to each of us.

Eternal Candle: The Eternal Candle for October is from Ed Schneider in memory of Joyce

Altar Guild: Sue & Don Grade

Flowers: Bob Kristianson in memory of his brother

Bread of Heaven: Doris Betz

Fellowship: open

Acolyte: open

Y.A.G. Host: open

Bread of Heaven: Doris Betz

Fellowship: open

Bread of Heaven: Irene Baker & Phyllis Steele

Fellowship: Irene Baker & Phyllis Steele

Acolyte: open

Flowers: open

Bread of Heaven: Cheryl Ramczyk

Y.A.G. Host: open

October Birthdays (not just 70+ anymore!)

10/2 Evelyn Herkis 10/12 Brooks Mitchell

10/3 Rollyn Affeldt 10/14 William Hoefer

10/7 Erika Hoefer 10/24 Janice Adney

10/8 Robert Kilday 10/31 Ezekiel Wheaton

10/9 Doris Betz

10/14 David Rounds 10/17 McKenna Davies

10/16 Rollyn Affeldt 10/19 Ken Affeldt

10/17 Kim Davies 10/27 Richard Berner

10/17 Kiarra Davies

——————————

OCTOBER is coming! You knew that didn’t you? Did you also know that October is Stewardship month?

I would like all of us to begin now, in mid September, to prayerfully consider what we will give to our church. Every morning try to pray the following prayer:

Most Holy God, everything I have is from you. May your Holy Spirit show me ways to serve you today. Order my priorities around you and show me how I can give more to your mission through Atonement Lutheran Church. In your son’s name, Amen.

Mother Teresa was once asked, "How do you measure the success of your work?" She thought about the question and gave her interviewer a puzzled look, and said, "I don't remember that the Lord ever spoke of success. He spoke only of faithfulness in love. This is the only success that really counts."

And now we express heartfelt gratitude for the many expressions of sympathy and love given to us in the sudden death of our beloved father and son, David A. Archie, on July 14. David was a loving, caring and devoted father to David and Maria since the death of their mother in 1991. May your continued thoughts and prayers help to sustain our family circle with courage and hope.

—————————————

The last day this year for Adopt a Street is Sunday, October 21st. 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!

My husband will be having double knee replacement surgery on Monday, October 22. I will be out of the office that day and possibly the next as well. There may also be an odd day occasionally in the weeks to follow, and some days could be on very short notice.

If anyone is interested in watching the office from 9 AM to noon, please call me at 362-8216 or 362-3488. No computer work is involved, just answer phones, greet any visitors, and maybe sign for and take in a package from the Post Office or UPS. Ray will be in from 8 AM til 11 AM, so he can let you in and will be in the building for most of the morning. The outer doors are kept locked as well as the door at the top of the stairs.

————————————————————-

Jailbirds wanted! The Rock on the River is holding a fundraiser for Muscular Dystrophy on Wednesday, October 3. Pick an hour from 10 AM to 3 PM, sit in "jail", and call everyone you know to raise your bail. If you’re interested, please contact the office. More information will be coming to us in the mail.

——————————————————-

The missions and ministries that we do together through mission support/benevolence giving to the synod and Churchwide ELCA will be the focus of five "In Mission Together" gatherings this fall. Congregational leaders are invited to hear stories of our ministry through seminaries, campus ministry, lay school of ministry, and other ministries that we do together through our mission support.

Attendees will gather to:

· Receive thanks for supporting synod and Churchwide missions

· Hear a message on stewardship from Bishop Bruce Burnside

· Hear personal stories from people who have been touched by

specific ministries

· See examples of how we make a difference in the world—in our synod, nationally and globally.

Congregational officers, stewardship chair people, clergy, lay associates and interested members are encouraged to attend.

The 20th Annual Beloit Senior Fair will be from 10 AM- 2:30 PM, Tuesday, October 30th at Central Christian Church, 2460 Milwaukee Rd. Admission is free, and Beloit Transit is providing free bus rides. Come and see over 60 exhibits, receive flu and pneumonia shots, health screenings, and enjoy door prizes and food! If you would like to volunteer to work at Atonement’s booth, the sign up sheet is in the Klingberg Chapel.

Congregational leaders, pastors and evangelism teams are invited to attend the Outreach event Saturday, Nov. 3, 8:30-3:30 at the Kalahari Resort and Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells. The title of the event is "Growing Life-giving Communities of Faith."

The keynote presentation will be offered by Pastor Greg Meyer from Jacob’s Well church in Minneapolis, and will focus on new ways of "being the church" in order to involve more and new people in the life-transforming journey with Jesus Christ.

Throughout the day we will explore how we, as Christians and congregations, can be more missional in our communities. Author Dan Kimball has said, "Being missional means we serve our communities, and that we build relationships with people in them, rather than seeing them as evangelistic targets."

In addition to exploring being missional from the message of Jacob’s Well church, breakout sessions will be offered on the following:

· Visionary Evangelism

· Java, Jazz and Jesus

· Spiritual Leadership

· Contemporary Worship in a Traditional Setting

· Preaching: There Is No "Box"

· Connecting the Gospel with Younger Men

· Natural Church Development

· Alpha Course: Basic Training

Congregations are invited to register a team of three people for $50; single registrations are $20. To register, call the Synod Office at (608) 270-0201. For questions on the workshop content, contact Rolfe Nervig at (608) 270-0201, ext. 106.

OPTIONAL: Participants may choose to enjoy relaxation before or after the workshop by staying at the Kalahari Resort on Friday, Nov. 2, or Saturday, Nov. 3, at a special rate of $99 on Friday or $129 on Saturday (includes admission to the water park). Individuals must make their own reservations by calling (877) 253-5466 before Oct. 3 and indicating they are part of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin.

————————————