We’re doing things a little differently this summer… June 24–28 At Roar, our little ones (2yrs – K) will explore God’s goodness and celebrate a ferocious faith that powers them through this wild life. This epic African adventure engages the whole herd! Each day they’ll visit the Imagination Station, Stampede Sports, Hungry Herd Café, and Sing & Play Roar. They’ll hear 5 bible stories and learn:

When life is unfair…

When life is scary…

When life changes…

When life is sad…

When life is good…GOD IS GOOD!

Summer 2019 | Volume 10, Issue 2

Atonement Lutheran Church

in this issue

Pastor Update ................... 2

Caring Ministries ............... 4

Upcoming Events .................................... 5

Worship Life ............................................ 6

Children’s Spiritual Life ............................ 7

Pentecost & Bluegrass Sunday ............... 8

Our 1st – 6th graders will learn how to Be BOLD in their faith and discover how the Spirit is working and how God equips us to use all kinds of gifts in the world around us! We’re partnering with Camp Tomah Shinga so we’ll be blessed with a team of camp counselors who will bring the camp vibe to our week. It will be a great introduction to camp for those who have never been to camp. Here’s the nitty gritty…sign up today!

Dates for both are June 24 – 28 at Atonement

Parent & Tot – Kindergarten will be 9a – 12n

Parent‐Tot program (for children born 9/01/15 – 08/31/16) is available with a parent/guardian or for the child of a volunteer.

We are offering extended care for 2yrs+ – Kindergartners* until 3p. Spots are limited!

1st ‐ 6th grade* will be 9a – 3p

Nursery is available for children ages 0 ‐ 2 (born after 8/31/16) or for the child of a volunteer. Spots are limited!

Family picnic lunch Friday, June 28, 12:00 pm

*Based on the grade completed in May. +Children born 9/01/15 – 8/31/16.

< The congregation celebrates the unanimous vote.

Congregation president Stephanie Bartels‐Christensen and Pastor Zac Sturm. v

Atonement Votes Unanimously to Call Pastor Zac Sturm as Senior Pastor

At a special congregational meeting on May 19, the congregation voted unanimously to call Pastor Zac Sturm as Senior Pastor. An official announcement of his installation will follow at a later date.

Don’t forget the Drop‐off Spot during the summer months.

The needs never go on vacation!

Pastor Update Pastor Zac Sturm

2 | thebranch >> continued on p. 3 >>

H ow do people come to Atonement? That’s a

question I have been asking lately. Noah

and Katlin Hall found Atonement because

they went to a North Dakota State vs. KU

football game. No kidding! The usher at the stadium,

Atonement member Dean Schumacher, made a joke

about how they were “sitting in the wrong section”

because Noah had NDS colors on. This led to further

conversations at subsequent football games. Eventually,

church came up and Dean invited

the Halls to check out Atone‐

ment. Noah and Kaitlyn visited

and subsequently joined. And we

rejoiced!

How do people come to

Atonement? Boo and Bob

McCready initially visited

Atonement because they wanted

to belong to a large church where

they could be somewhat

anonymous. That did not last

long—Phyllis Jensen called Boo

weekly to check in on her during

her pregnancy. Eventually the

McCreadys joined. And we

rejoiced!

How do people come to

Atonement? I recently met with

our Spring new member class and

asked them how they found us. Many had driven by our

church many times before. Some “googled” us online.

One had a family member here. The answers vary. But

once they stepped inside, different aspects of our life

together made them feel at home. Many loved our music

and sanctuary. Many mentioned the “kind” and

“friendly” faces they met here. Many mentioned they

love our practice of open communion. As I have said

before, our communion table is the Lord’s table, not just

ours!

How do people come to Atonement? One thing all

these experiences have in common is their simplicity. We

do not have to have roller coaster theme park attractions

to bring people to Atonement. We do not need

completely out‐of‐the‐box thinking. It does not take

anything beyond our everyday capacity to encourage

someone to try a church. It takes a simple invitation. It

takes a smile. It takes a conversation, oftentimes nothing

more than we might say to a grocery store cashier. In

these small encounters are

where deep relationships

begin.

Jesus said it this way: “With

what can we compare the

kingdom of God, or what

parable will we use for it? It is

like a mustard seed, which,

when sown upon the ground, is

the smallest of all the seeds on

earth; yet when it is sown it

grows up and becomes the

greatest of all shrubs, and puts

forth large branches, so that

the birds of the air can make

nests in its shade” (Mark 4:30‐

32).

Jesus reminds us the kingdom

of God begins with small

things. Mustard seeds!

Likewise, membership also often begins with small

words. “Hello.” “Welcome.” “How are you?” We all can

say these mustard seed statements. We do not have to

be theologians. We do not have to be great public

speakers. We do not have to be hospitality professionals.

Rather, we just have simple conversation.

“My name is ___. I don’t think we’ve met. Are you

visiting today, or are you a member here who goes to a

different service than I do?”

“Do you have a church home? If so, great. If not, I

thebranch | 3

Pastor Update (continued from p.2)

SAVE THE DATES! Saturday, September 7th (daytime) Sunday, September 8th (afternoon)

This day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – one

church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

Service activities offer an opportunity for us to explore one of our most basic convictions as

Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ – every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life – flows freely from a living,

daring confidence in God’s grace.

know of a wonderful place.”

“I know you’ve told me your name before, but I forgot

it. Can you remind me what your name is?”

These are all things we can do. We all have the

opportunity to participate in bringing new people into

the Kingdom of God. I am honored to serve as Pastor

here and I understand through preaching and worship

leadership that I am the public face of this congregation.

But, my calling is not any more important than yours!

Luther believed that by baptism we are all called to be

priests. As Dr. Art Lindsey writes, “When Luther referred

to the priesthood of all believers, he was maintaining that

the plowboy and the milkmaid could do priestly work. In

fact, their plowing and milking was priestly work. So,

there was no hierarchy where the priesthood was a

‘vocation’ and milking the cow was not. Both were tasks

that God called his followers to do, each according to

their gifts.” We all have our callings here at Atonement.

Yes, my words in public are important and I put a lot of

thought into them. But, your words in the lobby are just

as important. Your phone calls are just as important.

Your jokes at a KU football game are just as important.

The Spirit works through all of us to bring new life into

the Kingdom of God! Thanks be to God for our new

members. Thanks be to God for our visitors. Thanks be to

God for those who have been members for a long time.

Join me in continuing to welcome, support, forgive, and

love one another. Sometimes we do these tasks in large

ways. More often, though, it is in small ways. Mustard

seeds. Add all these mustard seeds up, and soon you

have the Body of Christ.

4 | thebranch

Caring Ministries Director, Deacon Cherri Jestmore

Ecclesiastes 3:1‐8 1For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; 7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

These words from Ecclesiastes can provide us with a reminder of the movement of the seasons of our lives

whether it be in the midst of grief or being born to new opportunities. They are a reminder that we are each a part of something far bigger than where we might existentially find ourselves.

I invite you to re‐read Ecclesiastes 3:1‐8, and reflect on a topic below that is associated with the natural season we

are in: Spring: A season of awareness. What do you regard as sacred or holy? What gives you or has given you a sense of awe or wonder? When in your life have you felt a deep sense of joy? For what/whom are you willing to make significant sacrifices?

And if you’d like to go a step further, consider reflecting

and sharing with family or a friend. It’s a good way to

grow in relationship with each other…and to grow in our

relationship with God.

May 19 and August 11 7:30 am to 12:30 pm Blood Drive at Holy Cross Lutheran 7851 W. 119th St. Overland Park Contact: Nancy Balke Atriums Worship at 10:00 am: May 22, June 26, July 24, and August 28. Contact: Deacon Cherri cherrij@atoneluth.org Stratford Commons Worship at 2:00 pm May 22, June 26, July 24, and August 28. Contact: Deacon Cherri cherrij@atoneluth.org

Faith and Grief Luncheon June 4, July 2 and August 6, from Noon – 1:00 pm Contact: Deacon Cherri cherrij@atoneluth.org Central States Synod Assembly

June 6‐8 in Overland Park

Caring Ministries Upcoming Dates Congratulations to Tawnya Fischer and Collyn Peterson, who were commissioned as Stephen

Ministers in worship on May 19th!

Spring

thebranch | 5

Upcoming Events Mark your calendar now and check the website at www.atoneluth.org for more details.

Monday, May 27 Memorial Day ‐ Church office closed Thursday, May 30, 6:30 pm Atonement 101, part 2 Ros Thorpe rost@atoneluth.org

Saturday, June 1 – 2 Youth Music Mission Trip Julie Assel Julie.assel@asselgrantservices.com

Sunday, June 2 – 7 Camp Tomah Shinga (elementary students) Boo McCready boom@atoneluth.org

Tuesday June 4, Noon (and July 2, August 6) Faith and Grief Luncheon Deacon Cherri cherrij@atoneluth.org Thursday, June 6 – 8 Central States Synod Assembly (Overland Park Sheraton)

Saturday, June 8, 5:00 pm Second Saturdays Jazz Worship Rick Deasley rickd@atoneluth.org Sunday, June 9, 8:30 & 11:00 am Pentecost Celebration with Salsa band! Rick Deasley rickd@atoneluth.org Sunday, June 9 ‐ 15 Rainbow Trail Confirmation Camp Pastor Zac pastorzac@atoneluth.org

Monday, June 17 – 21 VBS & Day Camp (see front page) Boo McCready boom@atoneluth.org Saturday, June 29, 6:00‐9:00pm (and July 27, August 24) Parents’ Night Out Erin Neuman erinn@atoneluth.org

Thursday, June 27, (and July 25, August 22) 6:00‐9:00pm

Church Council monthly meeting Steve Aspleaf saspleaf@me.com

Thursday, June 20, (and July 18, August 15) 7:00‐8:30 pm LGBTQ Support Group Contact LeRoy Zimmerman lrzimms@gmail.com

Wednesday, June 26, (and July 24, August 28) Atriums Worship, 10:00 am Deacon Cherri cherrij@atoneluth.org Wednesday, June 26, (and July 24, August 28) Stratford Commons Worship, 2:00 pm Deacon Cherri cherrij@atoneluth.org

Thursday, July 4 Independence Day Church office closed Saturday, July 13 ‐ 20 KCLYC Youth Mission Trip Pastor Zac pastorzac@atoneluth.org

Saturday, July 13, 8:15‐11:00 am Lutheran COR Breakfast Contact Lyn Bowers lynb1012@yahoo.com

Saturday, July 13, 8:30 am – 12:00 pm Atonement Workday Erik Jertson ejertson@yahoo.com Saturday, July 13, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Kids’ Day In Erin Neuman erinn@atoneluth.org

Sunday, July 21, 8:30 & 11:00 am Bluegrass Sunday Rick Deasley rickd@atoneluth.org

Sunday, July 21, 3:30 pm Jubilee Singers Concert Rick Deasley rickd@atoneluth.org

Sunday, August 11, 8:30 & 11:00 am Blessing of the Backpacks Boo McCready boom@atoneluth.org Sunday, August 21, 6:00 pm Sunday Morning Leader Training Boo McCready boom@atoneluth.org

6 | thebranch

Worship Life Director, Rick Deasley

THANK YOU to all the instru‐

mentalists, singers, ringers, dancers,

artists, Altar Guild folks, readers, actors,

bulletin fold‐ers and

others who made Holy Week so

meaningful!

thebranch | 7

Director, Boo McCready Children’s Spiritual Life

A few weeks ago, during Time with the Children I asked our kids how pickles are made. One child knew exactly—cucumbers must soak in pickle juice for “a long time.” You can’t just dip

a baby cuke in a jar of sweet or sour juice and expect it to become a pickle. The cucumber must be immersed for 5 days! I shared that this process of change from cuke to pickle reminds me of camp and VBS! At camp and VBS, kids spend a week having fun, making things, sharing laughs…and are immersed in richness of God’s word for at least 5 days! They praise Him and talk about life with Jesus and so much more! They are sur‐rounded by youth and adult leaders who care about them, want to invest in them, and want to spend time with them.

A few days ago, I reread an article about the importance of camp that I also think applies to VBS. (I’m sorry, I didn’t make note of the source!)

Because of the rapid, dominant advancement of technology, today's kids are bombarded with information. Every day, they are wired in, spending over 7 1/2 hours with technology and interacting with at least five screens. Hundreds of messages, ads, notifications, etc. come their way every day. This creates a noise that is often difficult to break through. How are kids going to hear the still, small

voice of the Holy Spirit's working if their minds are constantly occupied by the noise? Even at church, the time is very short, and it is not easy to break through. This is a big reason why I believe it's important to take kids away to camp. You can place them in an environment for an extended period of time where they are away from the noise. And in the quietness, they can hear the voice of the Holy Spirit moving in their hearts. In the quietness,

they can make life‐changing, course‐altering decisions. While I don’t think the Holy Spirit’s voice is small, I do know there’s a lot of noise in kids’ lives. If I’m honest, there’s a lot of the same noise in my life! Maybe that’s why I

love camp and VBS so much…the noise of the world goes quiet during these weeks and my focus is on God and your kids. It’s a combination I love with all my heart. The hour we have together on Sunday mornings just isn’t enough. Consider signing your 2yrs – 6th grade kids for VBS and 1st – 6th grade for camp! If you agree that these weeks are important, and you have time to give, we need you to make VBS happen! Most parents are working and can’t take a week away from work so, our young brothers and sisters need someone other than their parents to help immerse them! Camp will be at Camp Tomah Shinga June 2–7, VBS is June 24–28. Visit our website for details at https://www.atoneluth.org/vbs

Atonement Lutheran Church 9948 Metcalf Avenue Overland Park, KS 66212‐1699 913‐648‐0595 913‐648‐0508 fax www.atoneluth.org

Atonement Staff: Pastor, The Rev. Zac Sturm, pastorzac@atoneluth.org Director of Caring Ministries, Deacon Cherri Jestmore, cherrij@atoneluth.org Director of Worship Life, Rick Deasley, rickd@atoneluth.org Director of Children’s Spiritual Life, Boo McCready, boom@atoneluth.org Director of Operations, Mitch Wyant, mitchw@atoneluth.org

Ministry Assistant, Ros Thorpe, rost@atoneluth.org Bookkeeper, Traci Johnson, tracij@atoneluth.org

the branch is published quarterly. Please direct submissions to Rick Deasley at rickd@atoneluth.org The next deadline is July 31, 2019.

Return Service Requested

Bluegrass Sunday July 21 • 8:30 & 11:00 am

Pentecost Sunday — Wear red! June 9 • 8:30 & 11:00 am

Pentecost marks the birthday of the Church, a new season of growth, and we will welcome new members and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the completion of the Sanctuary! Get your conga line shoes on with the sounds of CUBANISMS, a great salsa band! Even better, bring a friend!

In what has become an Atonement tradition, we go full Bluegrass on this Sunday in July. Always a favorite!

Second Saturday Jazz Worship June 8 • 5:00 pm

Join Dan Thomas and some of Kansas City’s finest jazz musicians for some toe‐tapping jazz that will bring a smile!