DISCOVER GOD S LOVE Page 1 October 2011 GOD S LOVE. October Office: (813) Fax: (813)

Transcription

1 DISCOVER DISCOVER GOD S LOVE Page 1 October 2011 GOD S LOVE October 2011 The newsletter of ATONEMENT LUTHERAN CHURCH Wesley Chapel Florida Office: (813) Fax: (813) office@be-at-1.org First day of Sunday school

2 DISCOVER GOD S LOVE Page 2 October 2011 Discover God s Love is the monthly newsletter of Atonement Lutheran Church State Rd. 54 Wesley Chapel, FL Office: (813) Fax: (813) office@be-at-1.org SUNDAY WORSHIP: 10am Pastor Scott Lindner Choir Director Ruby Agnir Office Coordinator Kay Edwards Keyboard Player Kenneth Hanks Newsletter Editor Carol Reams MAIN SITE MULTIMEDIA YOUTUBE PICTURES FACEBOOK on the web: be-at-1.org atonementlutheran.net The youth group hoses off August 28 after a messy game with a shaving cream filled wiffleball.

3 DISCOVER GOD S LOVE Page 3 October 2011 Jan Gerle and Bitsy (left) welcome everyone to Sunday school on opening day, September 11. Carol Reams helped with the class (top) and Fred Agnir (above) shared the Children s Moment in worship. Does God Care? worship/sermon series continues... Unemployment, riots and revolutions, crime and injustice, hurricanes and famines. Many people wonder these days if God just might be busy somewhere else. Does God care? is a question many sincere believers ask when their own lives seem to be falling apart. So what is the evidence of God s love how do we KNOW He cares? October 2 God cares about CREATION bring your pets to church at 9am to receive a special blessing to celebrate God s care for creation October 9 God cares about YOU maybe the most amazing thing of all is how much you matter to your heavenly Father

4 DISCOVER GOD S LOVE Page 4 October 2011 a chat with the pastor I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. John 10:14 Apart from being beautiful, what do you do for a living? I hope you know CPR, because you take my breath away. You must be lost, because heaven is a long way from here. Are you from Tennessee? Cause you re the only 10 I see! OK, so maybe we don t need to use cheesy pick-up lines to let people know we like them. But when we come to church, we re on God s turf. It s our job as God s people (and we are God s people, aren t we?) to make sure God s welcome is shared with everyone. We want each visitor to know without a doubt they are surrounded by people who will care about them, welcome them, and are ready to become new friends. Worship is not quite like anything else we experience in life these days. When you go out to a restaurant, you normally don t peer into the booths on either side of you to introduce yourselves to other diners. At a movie, you probably keep to your family and friends and rarely strike up conversations with other moviegoers. These are the usual daily public experiences where we go about our business and do our own thing. But worship isn t about doing our own thing it s about doing God s. In worship we experience and share the gifts of God here on earth. Jesus wants so much for us all to know him, he came into this world and spent a lifetime loving people God s way. He was so desperate that Carl and C.J. Haberland, united with Christ through baptism in death A confirmation class of four boys and one girl (Heather Patten, not pictured) begin a new year of instruction in Christian faith and discipleship. Students receiving a special blessing along with their parents on September 11, from left to right: Vito Chiaramonte, Bendji Balthazar, Matthias Williams, and Sam Zummo. Thanks to this year s adult confirmation helpers Laurie Chiaramonte, Carla Haberland and Jean Jakes.

5 DISCOVER GOD S LOVE Page 5 October 2011 we all would know him, he was always reaching for a new image to explain it: I am the gate, he said, the door, the light; the way, the truth, and the life; the Good Shepherd, the vine and the bread I am the resurrection and the life. He said it in so many different ways because there are so very many ways to share Jesus. A smile, a kind word, a moment learning a stranger s name these all can mean a lot to someone who is seeking God in their life. So keep your eye out for when a new person or family enters the sanctuary on a Sunday morning. If they sit near you, don t look away and keep talking to your friend in the seat in front of you take a moment to introduce yourself and say, Good morning, glad you re here! When you share the peace, scan the room for that new person standing all alone, silently watching everyone else around them greeting just their friends. Then make your way toward them through the crowd, on a mission from God to make a new friend. Everyone we see Sunday morning is beautiful all perfect 10 s in the eyes of God, all needing a warm, safe place to rest and hear the Good Shepherd s voice. If we take them as they come and embrace them with the love of Christ, not only do we give joy to God, we make new friends. Peace, Pastor Scott a chat with the pastor is online at: Mary Nevsimal (below) brought her grandsons along when she came and sang at Atonement in August. On September 6, 9 month old Jacob John (right) received an emergency baptism at All Children s Hospital in St. Petersburg before his successful heart surgery.

6 DISCOVER GOD S LOVE Page 6 October 2011 Special dates World Communion Sunday, October 2, 2011 Columbus Day Observance, October 10, 2011 Reformation Sunday, October 30, 2011 Reformation Day, October 31, 2011 Attendance & Offering Sept $ Sept $ Sept $ Sept $ SUNDAY SCHOOL Have you checked out the Sunday School bulleting board? It changes each week. See what our little ones are doing in Sunday School. They are having fun, while learning about Jesus. Jeanine Hansen sang Sept. 25 with Ruby Agnir.

7 DISCOVER GOD S LOVE Page 7 October 2011 WORSHIP SIGN UP October 2 Greeter: Bev Pearsall Reader: Pat Weil Communion Assistants Macie Anderson, Ruth Wieise Ushers: Carol Rothgeb, Jean Lyle, Salli Stupp Conover Laurie Chiaramonte Fellowship: Ann Davis, Donna Kaufmann, Julie Kaufmann Jean Lyle Acolyte: Jean Zabel October 9 Greeters: Carol Erlwein & Jean Zabel Communion Assistants Trudy Headrick & Carolyn McKinney Ushers: Walt Frank, Joe Yankofski, Nils Lenz, Willie Escribano Acolyte: Patti Santoro October 16 Greeters: Ruth Wiese & Mary Krug Reader: Kay Edwards Communion Assistants: Doris Watts & Barbara Colacurcio Ushers: Bill Anderson, Trudy Headrick, Terry Martin, Walt Frank Acolyte: Anthony Santoro October 23 Greeters: Kay & Duane Edwards Reader: Mary Jane Foster Communion Assistants: Carolyn McKinney & Jean Zabel Ushers: The Ungerer Family Acolyte: Dominic Santoro October 30 Greeters: Youth Reader: Mathias Heather (Psalm) Communion Assistants: Bendji Balthazar Ushers: Sam Zummo, Vito Chiaramonte Acolyte: Youth

8 DISCOVER GOD S LOVE Page 8 October 2011 MINISTRY CONTACTS Pastor Scott Lindner MUSIC Choir Director Ruby Agnir Keyboardist Ken Hanks COUNCIL President Fitzroy Williams Vice President Suzi Morgan Secretary Cassie Lenz Treasurer Joe Zummo Member Bill Anderson Member Caitlyn Ungerer Member Frank Reams Member Fred Lyle Member Detlev Aeppel Member Scott Giesking Office Manager Kay Edwards Financial Secretary Donna Averill ATONEMENT MINISTRY TEAMS Women's Group (WELCA) Barbara Turner Christian Education Jan Gerle Youth Brenda Lenz Fellowship Mary Bleakney Cotta Ungerer Outreach Detlev Aeppel Property Bill Anderson Stewardship Time and Talent Donna Averill Worship and Music Suzi Morgan Acolyte Coordinator Marcia Weil Social Concerns Jean Jakes Caring Team Jean DeNardo Parish Nurse Fran Loomis Technology Team Scott Giesking Helping Hands Food Pantry Carla Haberland Yvette Williams Newsletter Carol Reams

9 DISCOVER GOD S LOVE Page 9 October 2011 Altar Guild Barbara Craig Thrivent Deb Kretchman Relay for Life Paul Bartell Construction/Future Building Frank Reams PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS Resurrection House Margarita Romo Christian Social Services Jacquie Petet Boy Scout Troop 2 Dennis Weston Cub Scout Pack 148 Jason Lambert Overeaters Anonymous Beth Mazzei Alcoholics Anonymous Dave Fraley Vince Topored East Pasco Jr. Women's Service Club Angie Carter Kindermusik Audra Eldridge HISPANIC CONGREGATION: First Unity Church of Pasco Pastor Enrique Amoros Baez He Knows The Way What is God s will for me? Everyone asks that question at one point or another, especially during decision-making times. People try to be very conscious of God s will because they fear disappointing him and missing his blessings. God s will is for you to be close to him that you are confident what he is always leading you. True, the way may sometimes seem confusing or obscure. But God knows the way the best way to take you. Today, listen to God and he will make his will known to you. Then obey him as he reveals the path. You may find that you are already walking in it. Dear God, thank you for teaching me your will. Help me to be so close to you that I always know I am doing what you want. Amen

10 DISCOVER GOD S LOVE Page 10 October FROM JANUARY 1, 2011 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2011 WE HAVE SERVED 5608 FAMILIES CONSISTING OF INDIVIDUALS A TOTAL OF OVER 186, POUNDS OF FOOD. WITH YOUR HELP 245 KIDS WERE ASSISTED WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES. HELPING HANDS PANTRY We continue to see the need for the pantry in our community with new families weekly. Some recently losing their jobs, some single parents just having trouble stretching the income to cover monthly bills and food for the kids. With increase in costs it is hitting all of us thank you all for your continued support. With schools back in session The Academy of the Lakes Giraffe Club is planning their activities for this year with the pantry starting with their food drive. In addition, the kindergarten class of the Garden Montessori School on Boyette has adopted the pantry. They visited the pantry on their first field trip one Tuesday the beginning of September. They were so cute and full of questions. They are holding their first car wash and bake sale to raise money to donate to buy turkeys and planning a food drive for October. The youngsters from both schools get so excited to help with the pantry. It is nice for them to have the experience and we enjoy working with them. Quail Hollow Animal Hospital recently had another food drive for the pantry. Our local businesses continue to support us. Don t forget when shopping at SweetBay on Old Pasco, Bagelicious, Walgreens on 54/Bruce B Downs, and now Town Center Produce on Wesley Chapel Blvd (recently donated 4000 bags) to tell them Thank You for helping your pantry. This goes a long way. This month we found out that Bridgewater (one of our biggest cash donors) is not having their fall festival this year. However, Deb Kretchman with Thrivent and Frank Reams are planning their Stock Our Shelves (SOS) food drive and pancake breakfast again this year. The people can stock dropping off non-perishable foods starting with the Trunk Or Treat event and end on the date of the Pancake Breakfast Extravaganza which will be held Nov. 12. Thrivent has designated $1500 of matching funds for this event. Our goal is to raise enough money to purchase turkeys for the registered recipients of the pantry. We will be adding some fun activities for the kids. Event is still in the planning stages as this is being written. Keep your calendar open for Nov. 12 and watch for further details. As usual, Thank You so much for your help and prayers. None of this would be done without all of you. God Bless you All. Carla God Bless You All for your support and prayers to this special ministry of Atonement. Matthew 25:40 And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me.

11 DISCOVER GOD S LOVE Page 11 October THE MUSIC CORNER Fall has arrived the most beautiful season of the year to me, when God splashes His some places of His world with vibrant colors, like an artist who creates landscapes favoring vivid rather than pastel paints. If I miss anything of New England, our home for 30 years, it is Franklin County, Massachusetts, which was allegedly written of by a Frenchman who described it in a Paris newspaper as the most beautiful place on earth in the month of October. The mountains of the region do not look like regular mountains. Rather they look like mounds of covered with dabs of gold, orange, brown, tangerine, and scarlet punctuated by the green of the pines. Driving on a highway bounded on both sides by flames of maple and sumac leaves, made me always sing Great Is Thy Faithfulness and How Great Thou Art. October is also the month when everything and everyone says goodbye to summer and scurry home to be in time for the beginning of things. Yes, the Celebration Choir members who went up North and elsewhere have started to come back, refreshed, re-energized, and ready to SING! With the rehearsals resumed on Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 7:30 p.m., there is a choral anthem for the very first Sunday. And then on to the succeeding Sundays. We are back to our usual routine of singing TO and FOR the Lord as we worship Him. For the last Sunday of October, however, I am organizing the youth of the church to form a youth choir. They will sing the anthem then, which is Youth Sunday. It is also Reformation Sunday, and it is a great idea that the young people take over most parts of the service, for they are the ones who are the future church leaders. Martin Luther thus expressed what he believed is the responsibility of adults, when he wrote: Fathers and mothers are apostles, bishops, and pastors to their children as they raise them in the knowledge of the holy gospels. Martin Luther was also outspoken in his ideas about the relationship of music and religion. He wrote: I have no pleasure in any man who despises music. It is no invention of ours: it is a gift of God. I place it next to theology. Satan hates music: he knows how it drives the evil spirit out of us. Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us. For the beautiful music Luther refers to as God s gift to us, I will need to have all the members of the choir past and present to come together and prepare to perform it. I would also extend my invitation to those who did not join the choir before but can and love to sing. We rehearse at 7:30 on Wednesday evenings. Do come and serve the Lord with us. Ruby L. Agnir Choir Director

12 DISCOVER GOD S LOVE Page 12 October WHO ARE YOU???? Who are you? Do you know the name of everyone sitting in worship with you on Sunday morning? You may know those that you always sit with but do you know the names of the people sitting across the room from you? Do you think- geez I should know who that iswhat s your name again? Do you assume that everyone knows your name just because you have been a member since Atonement started? Think again. When visitors come thru our doors, we d like them to make a name tag so we know their names. Why do we do this you ask? We d like to make visitors feel at home with us. Don t you know the names of everyone in your home? I imagine you like to be called by your name instead of- hey you? Who are you? It s a friendly way to introduce visitors into our Atonement family. Many of you have made a clip on name tag that hangs on the board in the narthex. When was the last time you wore it? We re getting into the time of year when our families from up north return for the winter, friends and family members visit for the holidays. Now is a great time to dust off your tag and get back into the habit of wearing your name tag again. The name tag board will be outside the front door and someone will be there to help you find your name tag or if you don t already have a name tag- you can make one to keep on the board. As you leave worship we will have a basket set out for you to put your tags in and they will get put back on the board for you. That way you can t forget to bring it back the next week!!! We would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation. This is a great part of our hospitality ministry here at Atonement so, if you would like to help out with the name tags (helping others find their tag, making a tag for those who don t have one yet or helping put the tags back onto the board) please let us know. Thanks Again- Su Lindner, Detlev Aeppel Oct. 1 George Lindner Oct. 3 Cotta Ungerer Oct.5 Barbara Hvizdos Oct. 5 Sheridan Becwar Oct.6 Harold Conover Oct 9 Kay Edwards Oct.10 Anthony Jacob Oct.11 Hannah Ungerer Oct.14 Zachary Schlicher Oct 14 Diana Bacheller Oct 19 Arden Hanks Oct 21 Scott Orville Oct 22 Donna Kaufmann Oct 22 Brenda Lenz Oct 31 Mary Koehnon Oct 2 Chad & Jennifer Campbell Oct 6 Gus & Sherry Alexakos Oct 8 Donny & Renee Kimray Oct 23 Richard & Jan Gerle Oct 30 Paul & Pat Weil Sorry If we missed your birthday or anniversary, please notify the or

13 DISCOVER GOD S LOVE Page 13 October Atonement WELCA invites all ladies of the church to participate in our upcoming events. We will begin WELCA Sundays again on October 2 nd. Greeters, readers, communion assistants, ushers, and fellowship donations will be needed. October 8: WELCA meeting to finalize plans for the Reformation Dinner. Meeting at 10 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Please plan to attend. October 15: Baby Shower 10 AM Rez House, Dade City Join us to provide a baby shower for expecting and new migrant/farmworkers mothers. It s a rewarding day. See Jean Jakes for additional info. October 30: Reformation Dinner following the service. Plan to support the dinner which benefits the Al & Bea Bidwell Scholarship Fund for our graduating seniors who apply. We ve been giving $500 scholarships and $200 for books. Join the fun to celebrate our Lutheran Reformation with delicious food and entertainment. WELCA is an active group here at Atonement. We encourage more of you ladies to join us and get involved in our ministry. For more information, contact team leader Barb Turner at turnerfcrv@yahoo.com or Many hands are needed! There is so much to do! Also, the fellowship of this group is wonderful!

14 DISCOVER GOD S LOVE Page 14 October

15 DISCOVER GOD S LOVE Page 15 October EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA UPDATE: HORN OF AFRICA DROUGHT Two years of sporadic rain and the driest year since 1951 have devastated the Horn of Africa. Crops have failed and drinking water is scarce, putting the lives of over 12 million people at risk. As a result, more than 3,000 refugees are flooding into refugee camps each day seeking food and water. As a church that is called to do God s work in the world, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is already helping to provide enriched porridge for small children and safe water to all of the 500,000 people living in these camps. Thanks to the generosity of ELCA members like you, ELCA World Hunger has helped protect African families living in drought for over a decade. Each year, over a million ollars of aid has brought relief to people in droughtvulnerable areas of Africa. And thanks to special gifts of members to ELCA Disaster Response, an additional $1.25 million has been committed to help those impacted by this crisis. Your gifts now to ELCA World Hunger support long-term sustainable solutions to hunger and poverty. Your additional gifts to ELCA Disaster Response, designated for Drought Relief, will be used in full 100 percent in response to this disaster. Thank you for your generous offerings of prayer and financial support. AUGUST After two years of crippling drought, over 500,000 people, primarily from Somalia, have migrated into Kenya searching for food, arriving at a rate of 1,200 per day to Dadaab refugee camps. Earlier this week, hundreds of new refugees were settled into tents in a new complex at IFO, one of the Dadaab camps. The Lutheran World Federation is the primary camp manager for the Dadaab camps in Kenya. Half of the ELCA s distribution of emergency funds will be used to respond to the immediate needs of Somali refugees arriving at the Dadaab camps. These needs include tents and tarps for shelter, clothes, shoes and sanitary kits. The funds will also be used to educate the local staff allowing them to provide the best care possible for the refugees. The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, a companion church of the ELCA, will implement $100,000 of the funds in Ethiopia. Beginning in August, this money will ensure food security to 26,000 hungry individuals for three months and Famix, a corn-based supplement, for 9,100 malnourished children and elderly that are too weak to eat solid food. Through generous contributions to the undesignated ELCA Disaster Response fund for international disasters, this urgent distribution has been made possible, said Bradfield. The ELCA is accepting donations to continue relief efforts in the region; 100 percent of contributions designated for the Horn of Africa Drought Relief will be used for continued response in the region. Information about the Horn of Africa drought is at on the ELCA website. To donate online to the East Africa drought relief effort, go to page.aspx?pid=679 on the ELCA website. You can also donate by calling , or by mail to ELCA Disaster Response, Treasury Center, Chicago, IL Please write Horn of Africa Drought on your check s memo line.

16 DISCOVER GOD S LOVE Page 16 October SOCIAL CONCERNS BABY SHOWER -- The Baby Shower will be on October 15th at 10 am in Rez Park in Dade City. This is the 22nd Baby Shower -- The beginning of an 8th year at providing mothers-to-be in the farmworkers/migrant/low income area of Dade City with a little extra something for them and their babies; and knowledge that someone else loves and cares for them. We have a little party with cookies, cake and drink, then games as we hand out gifts to the mothers-to-be. Blankets, afghans, baby booties and other items are handmade by concerned people. Others buy items for the diaper bags; powder, lotion, pacifers, etc. And we try to provide a package of diapers for each mother. And new clothing and other new items. Plus, many lightly used items are donated from clothing, portable playpens, high chairs, infant seats, strollers, cribs and toys. All these are greatly needed and appreciated by the mothers. By 11:30 or so we are packing up to go home, so this is not a long activity for those who might like to attend. Maps will be provided and everyone is welcome. WE NEED DIAPERS and items for the new baby diaper bags we have. Baby powder, lotion, baby wash, pacifers, bottles, and anything you can think a mother would want to be able to grab out of the diaper bag to take care of her baby. Just bring them in and put them with everything else at the front of the Church. If you have something larger that needs toted in, call Jean at :30]. The new diaper bags will be packed after the WELCA meeting on October 8th [approx. punch cookies

17 DISCOVER GOD S LOVE Page 17 October There will be a Youth meeting after service after service October 2 nd, We will begin with our music practice. Please be sure to bring your instruments and any music you have that you want to be considered. We will be working on a calendar of fun events, meetings and fundraisers. The ELCA National Youth Gathering will be July 18-22, ( for more information.)this will be for students now in eighth grade through graduates of There is a $150 nonrefundable deposit due at time of registration. Registration opens October 9, 2011 and will close once 39,000 have registered or by December 9, Therefore we cannot wait till January to begin this registration process. Flyers were handed out for review to see if this is something that you/your student would be interested in. Students and parents are asked to make an early decision on this moving experience. We will be accepting donations for sending youth and leaders to the ELCA National Gathering. Thank you for your yard sale donations. We had a successful yard sale and will be planning more fundraisers in the near future. Thank you to the Santoro family for coordinating September s fellowship.

18 DISCOVER GOD S LOVE Page 18 October Youth are still selling merchant discount cards: See one of the Youth to get your discount card today! Each card is $20 and is valid thru June 15, 2012! You can enjoy these discounts in Zephyrhills and Wesley Chapel over and over again! Future event: Winter Jam 2012 January at the St Pete Times Forum $10 and can of food for 1 night for many Christian bands and speakers.

19 October 2011 DISCOVER GOD S LOVE Page 19 October 2 9 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Blessing of the Blessing of the Ani- Animals 9:30 9:00 Worship 10 AM Worship 10 AM Confirmation Class: Our Father 11:30am Worship 10 AM Worship 10 AM Healing Healing Service Service following 11: Worship 10 AM Worship 10 AM Confirmation Class: Kingdom Come Thrivent night at the Bucs Worship 10 AM Worship 10 AM Trunk Fall Festival or Treat Worship 10am Worship Reformation 10 AM Dinner Deacon Class 7PM Jesus and the Gospels Overeaters Overeaters Anonymous Anonymous 7:15 PM 7:15 PM A.A. 7 PM A.A. 7 PM Columbus Day Worship And Music 11 am A.A. 7 PM A.A. 7 PM A.A. 7 PM F P setup 9-1 Kindermusik 9:30 AM F P setup 9-1 Kindermusik 9:30 AM Outreach 7PM F P setup 9-1 Kindermusik 9:30 AM Council 7pm F P setup 9-1 Kindermusik 9:30 AM Registration for Youth Gathering on the 9th Food Pantry 10-2 Access 10-1 Boy Scouts 7 Food Pantry 10-2 Access 10-1 Boy Scouts 7 Food Pantry 10-2 Access 10-1 Boy Scouts 7 Food Pantry 10-2 Access 10-1 Boy Scouts 7 PEO silent auction/craft show 10-2 On the 15th Overeaters Anonymous 7:15 PM Overeaters Anonymous 7:15 PM Overeaters Anonymous 7:15 PM Annual Deacon Retreat, Our Savior Tampa Hispanic Service 6:30 PM WELCA 10AM Hispanic Service 6:30 PM Deacon Retreat Baby Shower 10am Dade City Hispanic Service 6:30 PM Fall Festival 5-8 PM Hispanic Service 6:30 PM 28 29Pack 148 Space Derby 9-1 Hispanic Service 6:30 PM