January 2018 Newsletter Atonement Lutheran Church 7250 Eckstrom Ave., San Diego, CA 92111 Phone: (858)278-5556; Fax: (858)751-0771 Email: atonementsd@hotmail.com Pastor Kate Schlechter (619) 916-9630 Email: Revdup2@outlook.com Website: www.atonementlutheranbalboa.weebly.com Sunday Service is at 9:00 a.m. Pastor s Ponderings... January is significant month in my own faith history. One, it is the month of my birth. I will turn 59, a landmark year, as it was in her 59 th year that my mother Peggy died. This year my birthday will be spent doing what I love: learning. The weekend of my birthday will find me studying Egyptian Religion, Islam and the philosophy of Nietzsche as I move one step closer to the completion of all my coursework before the dissertation phase of my PHd. January is also significant because it is the month I remember my brother Charles who was 15 years older than me. He would have been 74 this year had he lived. I miss his quirkiness and smile each day. He taught me how to pray. Finally, January marks the fifth anniversary of my father s death on Jan 28 th. He was the consummate teacher who barely graduated from high school, but who went on to tackle life with grit and determination. All these important people, anniversaries, and significant milestones are the tapestry who make a life of love worth embracing. Can you name the ones in your own life? Like you, I am sure, I give thanks to God daily for all that this wild and crazy life, Mary Oliver calls it, has offered me. And I anticipate more I hope you do as well. Why? Because our God is a God of life, not death. Our God is a God of Spirit and New Creation. Our God is a God of Love. The following poem from Ted Loder, I have shared with you before. But it must be offered again. For me, the poetry speaks to the poetry of God gracefilled promises to each one us, no matter what this New Year brings us. God remains with us to hold us and encourage us and to be with us into eternity. Upcoming Events January 7 10:30 a.m. Adult Bible Study January 14 10:30 a.m. Dorcas Bible Study January 21 9:00 a.m. 2018 Installation of the Church Council January 21 10:30 a.m. Annual Congregational Meeting 2018 Church Council President: Diane Molina Vice President: Elena Estrada Transcriber: Bree Buckner Treasurer: Denise Hofstetter Property Manager: Monica Molina Christian Education: Anne Reathaford Worship Coordinator: Ruth Sedlund Financial Secretary: Monica Molina Page 1 of 8
Help Us to Believe in Beginnings God of history and of our hearts, So much has happened to us during these whirlwind days: We ve known death and birth; we ve been brave and scared; We ve hurt, we ve helped; we ve been honest, we ve lied; We ve destroyed, we ve created; we ve been with people, we ve been lonely; We ve been loyal, we ve betrayed; we ve decided, we ve waffled; We ve laughed and we ve cried. You know our frail hearts and our frayed history And now another year begins. O God, help us to believe in beginnings And in our beginning again, No matter how often we ve failed before. Help us to make beginnings: To begin going out of our weary minds into fresh dreams, Daring to make our own bold tracks in the land of now; To begin forgiving that we may experience mercy; To begin questioning the unquestionable that we may know truth; To begin disciplining that we may create beauty; to begin sacrificing that we may accomplish justice; To begin risking that we may make peace; to begin loving that we may realize joy. Help us to believe in beginnings [in 2018], To make a beginning, To be a beginning, So that we may not just grow old, But grow new each day of this wild, amazing life You call us to live with The passion of Jesus Christ. Happy New Year! Pastor Kate Schlechter January Birthdays 1 Jean Offerman 6 Denise Hofstetter 9 Elena Estrada 14 Pastor Kate Schlechter 26 Ruth Sedlund Social Events Lap Robes for the Needy Wednesday, January 10th at 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Retirees Potluck and Bingo Retiree s will meeting on Tuesday, January 16 th, 12:00 noon in the Fellowship Hall. Special Event Installation of 2018 Council The 2018 Council members will be installed on Sunday, January 21, 2018. Annual Congregational Mtg The Annual Congregational meeting will be held on Sunday, January 21, 2018 in the Fellowship Hall at 10:30 a.m. Reports are Due Council Reports are due by Sunday, January 7 th. Page 2 of 8
Thank You Thank You to our outgoing 2017 Church Council members. Thank you for your dedication of the past year, in helping us in the moving forward in our Christian ministry through Atonement Lutheran Church. Educational Opportunities for 2018 Adult Bible Study We will continue to explore the Scripture readings each Sunday at 10:30am following coffee time. We start up again on 7 th. We will be meeting in Pastor Kate s office following Coffee Fellowship. Dorcas Circle meets on the second Sunday of the month in the fellowship Hall after the Church service. They will meet this month on Sunday, 10:30 a.m. January 14 th. We will be using the January Gather for Women as out Study guide. Thank You I don t know if I ll ever be able to thank you enough for all you ve done for me Your help and support have meant so much just knowing that you care made a difficult time easier, and I ll be forever grateful for your thoughtfulness. ALERT!! Hundreds of than you messages and prayers are falling on Atonement congregation from Helen!!!! Cards, calls, visits, flowers and of course the wonderful live little Christmas tree, which is the talk of the ward. (Yes! We watered it Pastor) I can t begin to show my gratitude for all the special prayers and visits which truly lifted my spirits during this challenging time God Bless you all and I ll see you soon. Helen Page 3 of 8
Celebrating the Christmas Season Special thanks to all who turned out to decorate the grounds and our sanctuary for the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany season. Christ is born among us! Go and be light for the world! A big Thank you to all who contributed to David Griffen s surprise Christmas gift! He loved everything in it, and didn t wait for Christmas to open the presents, or eat the goodies inside the bag! This was such a wonderful expression of love following our excellent Christmas Cantata. Thanks to the choir, and to Miguel for all the hard work to make our season of hope, comfort, and joy so special. Page 4 of 8
In the Community Clothing Hygiene Food CCSA Monthly Needs White SOCKS! *Men s jeans & Shorts (32-38) Men s belts Men s underwear (new 30-38) *Men s t-shirts & Sweats shirts (L, XL & XXL) Reading glasses *Children s clothing Women s underwear, jeans & shorts (18 to 24 months and 2T to size 16) Lotion/Lip Balm (all sizes) *Shampoo & Conditioner (Family sizes) Nail clippers *Soap Sunscreen *Toothbrushes Fruit (all size cans) Vegetables (all size cans) Soup *Mac & Cheese *Vienna sausage Bottle Water *The Center s Urgent Needs On the first Sunday of each month, we ask that you bring your CCSA Food Drive offering and place it in front of the altar, so that we might bless it to God s use during the service and pray for the people who will be receiving this food. CCSA can always use your donations of clothing and household goods. For more information you can see the list of items needed at www.ccsasandiego.or or you can stop by the Church Office for the Flyer and the list. Church Service Volunteer Information *2018 Flower Chart The 2018 flower chart is hanging on the glass window to the right just as you walk into the narthex. Please sign up in advance so that you can give the congregation (yourself or a loved one) the gift of flowers on Sunday morning. January 7 th January 14 th January 21 st January 28 th Pastor Kate Schlechter *If you wish to share flowers on a day with someone, please contact the Church Office, or that person directly. Page 5 of 8
January Worship Schedule Jan. 7 th Jan. 14 th Jan. 21 st Jan. 28 th Altar Duty Reathaford Hofstetter Reathaford Hofstetter Coffee Fellowship Andreasson & Molina Ushers Assisting Minister Greeson & Watson Lynn Hurst Lynn Hurst Monica Molina Monica Molina Lector Lora Andreasson Hofstetter Lora Andreasson Acolyte Hofstetter M. Reathaford Hofstetter M. Reathaford Counters Andreasson & Molina Andreasson & Molina Our Sunday worship is the center of our life together. It is the time when we all gather to worship the Lord and receive both Word & Sacrament. The December schedule sign-up sheet is in the Narthex (Entrance to the Church). Take a look at it. Now would be a wonderful time to try something new. Please sign up or call the Church Office. If you re new at it, we ll teach you. Prayer/Concern Calls We do have an active Prayer/Concerns calling list. If you have any prayers or concerns, please contact the Church Office so that we can get the information out to everyone. Pastoral Care Please let us know. When you or someone else at Atonement is hospitalized or when you schedule surgery, please call Pastor Kate at 619-916-9630, or the Church Office 858-278-5556 Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Page 6 of 8
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Article or Updates for the Newsletter If you have any updates or articles for the February newsletter, please submit them to the Church Office by January 23rd. Articles are put into the newsletter at the discretion of the council or pastor. Errors or Omissions Should there be any errors or omissions, please contact the Church Office so the correction can be made. Page 8 of 8
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