Atonement Tidings. April CANDLELIGHT VIGIL Stand For Change Pray For Peace

Transcription

1 Atonement Tidings CANDLELIGHT VIGIL Stand For Change Pray For Peace April 2018 JOIN US th On March 14 thousands of students around the nation walked out of classes at 10:00 AM for 17 Minutes one minute for each of the seventeen victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that took place in Florida on the 14th of February. This national school walkout was both in honor and solidarity for the victims of this tragedy, and a call for our government to take action. With hashtags such as #enough and #neveragain this is a call for change. Mass shootings have been allowed to be a reality for too long, and it is something our communities should no longer need to fear. Atonement joined in this movement by holding a candlelight vigil on the evening of March 14th acknowledging that prayer is a powerful force. However, sometimes the answer to our prayer is the inspiration to take action. We have joined in prayer, praying for peace and an end to gun violence. But what comes next? As people of God, how will we take action? -David T Wilkinson (Admin. Assistant) EASTER SUNDAY CONTINENTAL COFFEE HOUR April 1st 10:45 AM We invite you and your family to join us Easter Sunday immediately following Worship for a Continental Coffee Hour. Your donations of fruit, coffee cakes, breads or other sweet treats are welcomed. Coffee and juice will be provided. LET IT SHINE: TIME AND TALENT SUNDAY April 15th How do we serve God and God s people with our time and talent? And why does it matter? Join us for this interactive worship service and the opportunity to consider new ways to practice sharing your light.

2 WELCOME TO GOD S TABLE SPRING CONFIRMATION CLASSES God s blessings to Connor Rose and Adeline Smith who received First Communion on March 4. Spring Confirmation Classes for our 6 th and 7 th grader youth begin Sunday, April 8 at 10:45 AM. Please see Pastor Gail for more information. FIRST WEDNESDAY NOONDAY WORSHIP ADULT FORUM Wednesday, April 4 12:00 12:30 PM Join us on the first Wednesday of each month for a 30 minute service of song, prayer and Holy Communion. This informal service will be followed by Lunch & Laughter, combining worship + fellowship + community. Need a ride? Please call the church office and we will provide transportation! April 1 April 8 April 15 April 22 April 29 Sundays at 10:45 AM Easter Sunday (NO CLASS) Identifying Our Spiritual Gifts: Yes! You DO Have Them! (Avis Hooper) What Does the Church Say About Gambling? (Pastor Gail Swanson) Faith Climate Action Week (Margy Peet) What Does the Church Say About Capital Punishment? (Pastor Gail Swanson) FELLOWSHIP LUNCH & LAUGHTER Wednesday, April 4 at 12:30 PM following Noon worship Come to our potluck lunch and celebrate spring! Bring a dish to pass and join in on the friendly conversation. We ll provide beverages, hot and cold. Sign up on the narthex bulletin board (this helps with our planning), but if you forget to sign up, come anyway. There is always room for YOU at our table. Set-up or clean-up help is always appreciated. If you need transportation, call the office at and we will help secure you a ride. 2

3 PRAYER MINISTRY MORNING PRAYER Wednesday, April 11 at 9:00 AM in the Prayer Room As always, our half hour or so together will include readings, prayer, and quiet reflection. Join us to welcome spring, give thanks for our many blessings, and lift up prayers for our community and our world. A gentle and centering way to begin your day. DISCIPLESHIP BRIGHTON FOOD DEPOT For the month of April, we will collect cereal, spaghetti and sauce for the BFD. Please remember - regular size packaging only. Thank you for your continued support of this important ministry. The donation cart is located in the Recycling and Donations Center; see an usher if you need assistance on Sundays. CROP WALK The CROP walk to help fight hunger will be Saturday morning May 5 th on Newark. If you would like to walk with us and fundraise, contact Bob or Susan Touhsaent. We will fundraise the two weeks before the walk. RUMMAGE SALE Look ahead and save your unneeded items for the May 3 rd - 5 th rummage sale! WANDS FOR WILDLIFE Please take note of a new collection box in our recycle center at the back of Founder's Hall. Addie Smith is collecting old (cleaned) mascara wands to send to The Appalachian Wildlife Refuge. Old mascara wands are used to remove fly eggs and larva from the fur of wild animals. They work great because the bristles are close together and gentle enough for even the littlest of orphaned wild animal babies. Addie has decided to host this 'Wands for Wildlife Wandraiser' to support her love for God's creatures and our beautiful planet. MOTHER S DAY PROJECT BUILDING BABY BUNDLES Last year's collection of baby items for Bethany House was met with an enthusiastic response from Atonement members. We have chosen to repeat the project this year, and the staff at Bethany House is happy to, once again, be the recipient of these Baby Bundles. Beginning on Sunday, April 8, you will see a display in the Narthex of collection bins and signage to inform you of this project. We will collect the following items: onesies and sleepers - size 3-6 months, baby bath wash and lotion, baby wash cloths, socks - size 3-6 months, and receiving blankets. Our goal is to create 25 bundles. We have received a generous grant from Thrivent Financial for this project and will purchase additional items to pack into the bundles. We will meet on Mother s Day, Sunday, May 13, following Worship, to assemble the bundles. The bundles will be delivered to Bethany House and then distributed to new mothers throughout the year. 3

4 INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP POTLUCK DINNER Sunday, April 29 from 4 PM to 6 PM 12 Corners Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall Our first dinner in January, called the Refugee Welcome Fellowship Dinner, was a resounding success! More than 130 people of all ages attended including members of Atonement, 12 Corners and South Presbyterian churches, Catholic Family Center, and our many guests from Afghanistan, Somalia, Syria, Burma/Myanmar and Nepal who now make their homes here in Rochester. All agree that these gatherings should continue as an ongoing outreach ministry. So mark your calendars for Sunday, April 29 at 4:00 PM for our next International Fellowship Potluck Dinner. A special treat will be a brief performance by musicians and dancers from Nepal. Space is limited for each congregation (20 adults PLUS their young children.small children are not included in the count) and reservations are required. Please bring a dish to pass that will serve at least 8 to 10 people. Because many of our guests are Muslim, dishes with any kind of pork should be avoided. Electric outlets for crockpots are very limited, so try to bring your dish as warm as possible, or able to wait in one of the warming ovens. Additional spaces are available for volunteers. Volunteers are needed for setup, cleanup, hospitality and greeting, parking lot, kitchen and buffet table management. Watch for details and signup sheets on the bulletin boards in the Narthex and by the office entrance, as well as in the Sunday bulletin. Come and join us at the table, share a meal, be a welcoming and healing presence for people who have suffered and given up so much.come and love our new neighbors. For more information, contact Avis Hooper, Pastor Gail, or Margy Peet. 4

5 PASTOR S PAGE April is the Cruelest Month Winter is hard in many places. Light abandons the sky, people shut themselves indoors, everything remains frozen. Spring has its hardships, too; mud and damp, waiting for the sturdiest of plants to pull through. Resurrection is not easy. April is the cruelest month, T. S. Eliot wrote, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire. The same could be said of time spent in Holy Week. Memory and desire mingle. We recall the last moments of Jesus life: a washing and a promise of love, the cup and the bread, a betrayal, a beating. Acknowledging our own sins nailed to the cross along with Christ, and preparing to meet the risen Lord of Easter. And yet without the cruelty of a Holy Week, Easter never arrives. The story unfolds in chapters and every chapter needs to be told. Which means each spring, God invades us once again, nudging us from within to move through the dead land not around it - towards the light and fresh air waiting for us. Good news waiting for us. And even if it seems as though you ve been stumbling through a vast graveyard, the gift of this Good News will not go away; and cannot be taken away. Jesus died to enter our deaths, large and small; to get inside and break up the hard ground of our hearts. And then it always takes us by surprise one day the mud and damp and frozen air vanish, and the sturdiest of plants pull through. Life pulls through. Resurrection! In Christ, Pastor Gail Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4 Easter Plants in celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus are Given By: In recognition and appreciation of our Atonement Church, all its members and friends, and our dedicated and conscientious leadership teams In memory of Aunt Dee and Uncle Don Johns; together again In memory of Darrell Vangellow, your Atonement Family In memory of Courtney, your friends/family at Atonement In honor of our children and grandchildren Happy Easter, Makki and Bapa In memory of son, brother, and uncle Robert F. Heinig Ted Bennett in memory of Virginia Bennett John J. Condemi in memory of Carol Condemi John J Condemi on honor of Children/Grandchildren Phyllis Fleming in memory of Laura and Fran Fleming Barb Goodrich in memory of Vern Goodrich Mrs. Goody in honor of The Young Families Group Harlan and Barb Granger in memory of our brothers Avis and Terry Hooper in memory of Carlton and Elsie Wagner Jan Hunt in honor of grandchildren Will and Emily Hunt Jan Hunt in memory of parents Bill and Ivy Imeson Judy and Norm Karsten in honor of Peg and Jack Judy Lazenby in honor of this Atonement Family Judy Lazenby in memory of Gary Judy Lazenby in honor of Jack, Aidan, Melinda, Olivia, Hudson, and Graham The McGill Family in honor of Grandma & Gandpa Schaefer Barbara Sanko in memory of my father, Marvin Myers Barbara Sanko in honor of my family Joanne Scanlon in memory of Joyce Scanlon Joanne Scanlon in memory of Peggy Haase Joanne Scanlon in honor of Ray Scanlon Joanne Scanlon Ferdinand Haase Pastor Gail and Pastor Craig Swanson in honor of our congregations The Thompson Family in honor of Barbara Fekote Tom and Karan Thompson in thanks for Benjamin, Rebecca, and Kevin John and Elaine Vangellow in memory of Darrell John and Elaine Vangellow in honor of our Swedish cousins Dorothy, Susan and Family, Tom and Family in memory of Tom Haelen 5

6 FYI FAMILY ~ YOUTH ~ INTERGENERATIONAL MINISTRY YOUTH GATHERING: HOUSTON 2018 YOUNG FAMILIES It s 91 days and counting until 7 members of Atonement travel to Houston for the ELCA National Youth Gathering. Fun Facts: Houston is a great city: diverse, multicultural, lots of young people, the flight control center for all of NASA s manned space missions, a hub of the energy industry with a thriving performing arts and sports community, over 55,000 acres of green space AND a strong presence of Lutherans! This year s theme: This Changes Everything. based on Ephesians 2:8 By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God. Activities include interactive learning..exciting guest speakers.worship.service projects in the Houston area.and a Synod Day to gather with Bishop Macholz and youth and adults from the Upstate New York Synod. UPCOMING: BOWLING! What: When: Where: Why: Young Families Bowling Event TBD in April from 4:30 until 6:00 PM. L and M Lanes: 873 Merchants Rd, Rochester, NY It will be so fun!!! (We will have the whole second floor reserved just for us!!) Please let Lindsay Lazenby know if you are interested in coming to a super fun family event! (and have not already done so) YOUNG FAMILIES EASTER EGG HUNT On March 25th the Young Families had an Easter Egg hunt. Fun was had by all and a special visitor even joined the festivities. Check out the Youth Gathering bulletin board for more information about this unforgettable event. IT S ALMOST TIME FOR SUMMER CAMP AT LCLC Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center offers a wonderful opportunity for children and youth to explore their faith in a fun place! All programs include opportunities for outdoor games, hiking, swimming, sailing, kayaking, arts & crafts, campfires & singing.as well as becoming friends with other great kids. The camp is located on beautiful Lake Chautauqua near Bemus Point, NY. Brochures are available on the table in the front entrance to the church and on the LCLC bulletin board in the hallway. 6

7 MUSIC MINISTRY DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRIES SABBATICAL LEAVE CHORAL MUSIC MINISTRY - UPCOMING DATES All members of Atonement are invited to join the adult choir to sing for these upcoming dates: No prior experience necessary! Wednesday, March 28 Rehearsal 7:00 8:30 PM Sunday, April 1 The Resurrection of our Lord Sunday Worship (Rehearsal) 8:30 AM THE CAROL AND JOHN CONDEMI GIFT OF MUSIC FUND The Carol and John Condemi Gift of Music Fund has generously provided for the participation of guest musicians at these upcoming services of worship: Sunday, April 1, Service of Worship The Resurrection of Our Lord Shogi Hayes, Trumpet Rachel Sanguinetti Soprano Last fall our Director of Music Ministries, Joshua Brown, submitted a proposal to the Board of Ministries requesting a period of Sabbatical leave during the 2018 calendar year. The Board unanimously approved this request. Mr. Brown now plans to begin his sabbatical leave on June 11, 2018 and return to work on August 28, To further his ability to serve Atonement Lutheran Church, Mr. Brown s educational plans during the sabbatical include working with the organ builders and technicians at Parsons Organ Builders in Bristol, NY. He hopes that this will help him better maintain the church s organ and better address occasional small maintenance needs. According to guidelines from the Upstate New York Synod, Congregations and other organizations are strongly encouraged to provide for and grant their rostered leaders and/or professional workers a sabbatical or renewal leave of three consecutive months after every seven (7) years of service in that setting. As of the fall of 2018, Mr. Brown will have for served 10 years at Atonement and 17 years in ELCA Churches. Jon Madden, a member of The Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word, and a music major at St. Olaf College will serve as organist for Atonement Lutheran Church during Mr. Brown's sabbatical. Mr. Madden is currently working toward a degree in composition and studies organ with Jamie Bobb. SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES SING IN WORSHIP The elementary school aged Sunday School classes (Grades 1-5) will sing in worship on Sunday, April 22 at the service of worship. Please plan to have Sunday School students at church by 9:00 AM on Sunday, April 22 for warmups and rehearsal. 7

8 BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES April Birthdays 1 Susan Lee 2 Jean Seager 4 Marco Betti 5 Judy Karsten 7 Joe Smith 8 Eloise Smith, John Nicosia 9 Jenna Sanko 15 Pat Hanson 16 Amy Betti, Tom Haelen 17 Karen Goodyear 19 Graham Lazenby 20 Pat Brady 21 Kevin Nicosia 22 Michelle Laraby 24 Helen Pearson, Wally Short 27 Bishop John Macholz 28 Hudson Lazenby 30 Vi Price April Anniversaries 7 Amy & Michael Schrlau 9 Jim & Linda Krapf 10 Skip & Diane Waterstreet PRAYER CONCERNS AND JOYS Members: Phyllis Fleming, Eloise Kress, Nancy Templeman Friends and Family: Barb Macholz Grimaldi, Jeff, Richard Kress, Judy Price, Mark, Erika Sun April 1 CALENDAR Choir Rehearsal 8:30 AM Festival Easter Worship Continental Coffee Hour 10:45 AM Wed April 4 Noonday Worship 12:00 PM Lunch and Laughter 12:30 PM Sun April 8 Worship Sunday School/ Confirmation Class/ Adult Forum 10:45 AM Chime Choir 11:30 AM Wed April 11 Morning Prayer 9:00 AM Sun April 15 Worship Sunday School/ Youth Class/ Adult Forum 10:45 AM Chime Choir 11:30 AM Tues April 17 Board of Ministries Meeting 6:00 PM Wed April 18 Worship Planning Committee Meeting 11:30 AM Sun April 22 Sunday School Choir Practice 9:00 AM Worship Sunday School/ Confirmation Class/ Adult Forum 10:45 AM Chime Choir 11:30 AM Sun April 29 Worship Sunday School/ Youth Class/ Adult Forum 10:45 AM Chime Choir 11:30 AM Asbury Dining Ministry 11:15 AM Rummage Sale Set-up 11:30 AM International Fellowship Dinner at 12 Corners Presbyterian Church 4:00 PM 8

9 April 2018 Easter Sunday April 1 April 8 April 15 April 22 April 29 Assistant Minister David T Wilkinson Joanne Scanlon Matt McGill Joanne Scanlon David T Wilkinson Communion Assistant Vi Price & Judy Lazenby Wally Short Judy Lazenby Vi Price Betty Middlebrook Reader Kathy Heinig Samantha Hauck Susan Touhsaent Linda Krapf David Irish Children s Moment Pastor Gail Swanson Karan Thompson Elizabeth Dollhopf-Brown Andra Smith & Alyssa Jones Pastor Gail Swanson Acolyte Rebecca Thompson & Kevin Thompson& Eva Condemi Faye Domroes Eva Condemi Alexa Howe Shannon Howe Greeter Ann Patterson Jean Seager Barb Goodrich Barb Sanko Diane Christianson Usher Skip Waterstreet John Tokoli Tom Thompson Bob Heinig Jack Teter Coffee Host Barb Sanko Jan Hunt Judy Lazenby Bob Heinig Barb Sanko Assistant Financial Sec. Bob Touhsaent John Kruidenier Bryan Howe Jeff Fisher Norm Karsten Counter Jack Teter Tom Thompson Stew Stover Amy Irish Nancy Heise Altar Care Karen Goodyear & Barb Goodrich Karen Goodyear & Barb Goodrich Karen Goodyear & Barb Goodrich Karen Goodyear & Barb Goodrich Karen Goodyear & Barb Goodrich 9

10 1900 Westfall Road Rochester NY April Westfall Road Rochester, NY Return Service Requested Dated Material MISSION STATEMENT Atonement Lutheran Church is a gathering of God s people in Christ called to: Invite all people into the presence of the living God, Prepare for ministry in daily life, Go into the world as disciples ATONEMENT LUTHERAN CHURCH 1900 Westfall Road Rochester, NY Pastor: The Rev. Gail Swanson Director of Music: Mr. Joshua Brown Telephone: office@atonementrochester.org Website: Facebook: Sunday Worship and Holy Communion: Christian Education: 10:45-11:30 AM Office Hours: Mon/ Wed/ Fri 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM Pastor s Day Off Monday 10