Caritas Food Shelf...Once again we have been invited to participate in the Food Shelf ministry of Caritas in September by providing volunteers to assist clients in selecting groceries.  Several times are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  The sign-up sheets are located in the narthex, so stop by and pick your shift!  If you have questions, please call Kris Lehman at 252-6203.

Meals on Wheels….There are still several slots available to sign up for home delivered meals the weeks of September 6-9 and 12-16!  This is one of Atonement’s longest established ministries and is so important to our friends in the community who depend on these meals.  Please consider being a driver or assisting a driver.  Sign-up sheets are available in the narthex, or call Sally Atkinson  for information. "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.  John 1:17

Custodial Concerns….Randy Thompson has been hired as our new part-time custodian (that’s not the concern!).  We are all impressed with Randy and appreciate his energy and dedication to his new job. Randy’s work hours during the school year will be Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 1:45 pm.  This is the time Randy is available because his full-time job begins at 2:00 pm at Cathedral High School.  This leaves the evenings without a custodian and security and lock-up person.  This is problematic with our current building use policies because even when staff is in the building in the evening, they are involved in meetings or programs and thus not available for security leaving the building virtually unattended with people coming and going.  Those evenings when a staff person is the last to leave there is a security issue, especially with our female staff.

The Admin Team is looking at options to cover these evening hours (second part-time custodian) but have not found anyone to fill our needs at this time.  We are therefore looking for volunteers who would at least help with security for the next month while we try to resolve this issue.  We are looking for persons who could be present at the church from 6:00-9:00 on evenings, Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend events needing to be covered.  You would be responsible for locking the building after the evening groups are gone.  Please contact the church office at 252-6203 if you are able to help and also the evenings that you might be available.

New Member Orientation….Are you interested in learning more about Atonement or would like to “officially” join our faith community?  You are invited to a get-together on Thursday, September 8, at 7:00 pm to talk about Atonement and its many ministries.  We will receive new members on  Sunday, September 11, at all services.  If you would like to attend, please call the church office at 252-6203.

Welcoming Ministry….People with ideas, energy, or time are invited to help develop a welcoming ministry for prospective and new members.  If this describes you, please call Sharon Litzau, Molly Olson, or the church office at 252-6203.

Thursday Noon Bible Study..."Signs of Belonging"   We will be reading "Signs of Belonging, Luther's Marks of the Church and the Christian Life" by Mary E. Hinkle.  If you are interested in attending, please call the church office at 252-6203.  The study begins at noon, but bring your lunches and eat at 11:30!

Pictorial Directory Sign Up…..Don’t forget to sign up to have your pictures taken for the “Friends and Family” Directory – you do not have to be a member to have your picture in the directory.  Remember that if you have your picture taken you will receive a free directory and an 8x10 picture.  You may also purchase other pictures if you wish.  Photo dates are  August 25, 26, 30 & 31, September 1 and October 4-8.  Times are 2:30-9:00 pm except on  August 26, and October 8 when session times are 10:00 am – 4:30 pm. 

Volunteer Opportunity:  You only need a couple of hours, lots of smiles, and the ability to read and write!  Want to spend a couple of hours with a friend or your spouse?  Why not sign up to help greet and register people together for the Pictorial Directory.    Sign up sheets are located on the narthex bulletin boards.  We would appreciate your help!

The Great Paper Towel Challenge….returns to Paper & Plastic in September.  It’s September and time to go back to school for more reading, writing, and ‘rithmatic.  This month Paper & Plastic is “counting” on you to read this notice and write yourself a note to pick up paper towels to donate for the Great Paper Towel Challenge!  The number to beat is 374 rolls.  Let’s start the school year out right by setting a new record and restocking the shelves at Place of Hope!  We’ve got our calculators ready, so bring those paper towels to church on September 18 (or drop them off any time in September).  Questions?  Call Phil  Sturlaugson.

Cookbook Update!!….We have extended the deadline for contributing recipes for the new Atonement Cookbook!  If you enter them online yourself, the deadline is September 15.  If you bring them to the office, the deadline is September 10.  You may also email them to Babsbo@aol.com or pbooth6216@asound.net, by September 10.   Instructions for entering them on-line are available on the ushers stand or at the Book Nook desk.  We would like to have the cookbook for sale at the Advent Tea.  Proceeds from the sale will go to the National Youth Gathering 2006 in Houston, Texas!  Questions?  Please contact Barb Bolz, Patty Booth or Paula Dobbertin.   They can be entered on-line by following the directions below:

  Questions?  Please contact Barb Bolz, Patty Booth or Paula Dobbertin.

Calling All Servants...to nurture our children by showing God's grace and love for them!  Rotational Sunday School was a success last year.  Our children loved it!  To keep it going we are inviting anyone interested in helping us in various areas.  No planning is needed.  Feel free to sign up in the narthex for areas such as getting supplies for food, art, helping out with games, decorating rooms, music, computers, etc.  Please contact Karen Vann at 252-6203 or karenva@atonementluthern.org for more information.  Our theme for this year is "Surprised by God's Grace".  We will learn how God's grace brings hope and love in Bible stories about the women at the well, Noah, Philip, on the road to Emmaus and the first Passover.

Mission and Ministry Fair...On Saturday and Sunday, September 10 and 11, as part of our Fall Kick-off, we will be having a Mission and Ministry Fair, highlighting all of Atonement's missions, ministries, small groups and Bible studies.  Other events happening that weekend include registration for Sunday School and guest preacher, Dr. David Anderson of ;the Youth and Family Institute.  Mission and Ministry Fair will also feature popcorn, cotton candy and M&Ms!  On Sunday, the Senior High youth will be selling grilled hamburgers and brats.  Watch for more details in the September newsletter.

Items Needed for M&M Fair….Small silk or crepe paper flowers, ribbon, and green florist tape are needed for a project for the Mission & Ministry Fair.  If you can donate any of the above items, please leave them in the church office or contact Nancy Sturlaugson.  Thanks!

Visitors from South Africa!  Three people from our Companion Synod in South Africa will be visiting Atonement and some of the other churches in the Great River Conference later this month.  We are fortunate to have them worshiping with us at Atonement on August 20 and 21.  It will be a blessing to have them among us.

School Supply Drive...We are once again collecting school supplies to donate to local charities.  Please deposit your purchases in the designated box in the narthex.  Several area stores have lists of school supplies for each school in case you would like some idea of items needed.  Thanks for helping our area children get a good start in school!

ALPHA is Coming!  We are excited to be able to offer two Alpha courses this fall, beginning the week of September 12.  One group will meet Thursday evenings from 6:00-8:30, and the other on Friday mornings from 9:00-11:00.  So, what is Alpha?  It's a practical introduction and renewal of the Christian faith...an excellent way to meet new friends, learn the basics of Christianity, get your questions answered, or give your faith a boost.  If you'd like to find out what Alpha is all about, plan to attend the Celebration Dinner on Monday, September 12, 6:00 pm.  RSVP to Ann Erickson at 252-6203 by September 9.  To register for either course, please call or email Ann at anne@atonementlutheran.org .

Youth Ministry... Check out the Youth page for breaking news!

Youth Express CAN-do Attitude Toward Fundraising...  Is your house or storage area becoming overrun with aluminum pop CANS?  We CAN help! The youth are resurrecting their CAN collecting to raise money for the many activities they are planning.  A container is available in the parking lot to accumulate the CANS on an on-going basis.  Start saving your CANS and watch for the grand opening of the "CAN"tainer!

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On line since Sept. 3, 1998
Last update August 29, 2005