YOUTH! YOUTH! YOUTH! MUSIC! MUSIC! MUSIC!

“We bring the hope

we share in Christ to

all!”

AUGUST 2012 VOLUME 56—ISSUE 8

YOUTH! YOUTH! YOUTH!

MUSIC! MUSIC! MUSIC!

Atonement will have a youth choir IF we have a group of young people who are committed to coming to weekly practices and singing in worship once a month. Kay Rossow, Chapel Choir Director, will meet with interested youth on Thursdays from 6:00-6 : 4 5 P M b e g i n n i n g S e p t e m b e r 6 t h .

This choir will be for all 2nd - 6th graders.

Please call Kay Rossow at 245-9042 to express your interest and ask any questions.

Singing in a youth church choir is an opportunity for music education and experience that is as important in a child’s growth and development as any other activity. I will make the commitment to your child if you both will make a commitment to me and the choir. This could be an exciting adventure!

What: Chapel Choir Potluck

When: August 26 @ 4:00 PM

Who: Chapel Choir members, family and friends

Where: Larry and Kay Rossow’s—3141 Conestoga Way

Please bring your favorite main dish, salad, or dessert and a lawn chair in case you may want it. Utensils, iced tea, lemonade, and coffee provided.

Chapel Choir practice will begin on Thursday, September 6th at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary. Please plan to relax and enjoy yourselves while we learn music to sing for worship. Leave your stress at home!

Farmer’s Market & Country Fair

@ Atonement Monday, Sept. 3

9:00 AM ~ 2:00 PM

Arts & Crafts, Basket & Quilt Raffle, Garden

Produce, Canned Goods, Jams, Jellies... and MORE

Many volunteers will be needed ~ please help as you

are able.

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 2

Dear Friends at Atonement,

Can it really be August already? Yes it can! That

means that summer activities are going to be

winding down and the activities of fall are going to

be starting up. For Atonement, this August will be

the time that we will be starting some of our usual

“beginning of the school year” activities and it will

also be the time for starting some new activities.

Of course, one of the most exciting new activities

that will begin sometime in August is the

construction of the new church building. We had a

wonderful groundbreaking ceremony on July 15th

and now we are finalizing the loan with the Mission

Investment Fund. As soon as that is done, we will

sign our contract with Fisher Construction and the

work will begin! We expect that will happen before

the end of the month.

August will also mark the beginning of the

internship program at Atonement. Jenna Pulkowski

will begin her internship here and at St. John’s

Lutheran Ministries on August 13th. Jenna will be

splitting her time between St. John’s and

Atonement. We will set up a schedule as to when

she will be at Atonement. We do know that she will

be with us on Sundays for worship and Sunday

School and for Confirmation classes. We will let

you know her full schedule once that has been lined

out. I, for one, am excited for Jenna’s arrival and

ministry with and among us.

We are in the process of planning for Sunday

School and Confirmation. Students in grades 6

through 8 will be receiving information in the mail

about confirmation. That should arrive in a couple

of weeks. For now, you might want to mark August

29th on your calendar as the date for our

Confirmation Orientation meeting. Sunday School

Rally Day will be September 9th. We are looking

forward to another great year of Sunday School.

Anyone who has an interest in helping with Sunday

School that we have not contacted, please let Kathy

or myself know and we will get you involved.

As I’m writing this letter, we have had six young

people and one adult leader leave for the National

Youth Gathering in New Orleans. I am sure that this

trip will be quite an inspirational experience for

them. We will have them share their experience

with us during worship sometime before the end of

August. The Montana Synod is hosting two new

youth events this fall and I would encourage our

youth to mark these dates on their calendar and plan

on attending. There will be a Middle School Fall

Retreat at Christikon on September 28-30. This

event is for youth in grades 6-8 and the retreat will

be focused on the Reformation. There will be a

High School Fall Retreat on October 18-19 (MEA

Weekend –Thursday to Friday) in Bozeman. It is a

follow-up to the National Gathering with featured

hip-hop Artist: AGAPE. Be watching for more

information.

Please be safe as you enjoy the remaining days of

summer and begin preparing for the beginning of

the new school year and all the increased activities

that the Fall Season brings both in the secular world

and here at Atonement. God’s blessings to you all!


The Keeping you informed and inspired with

what's new, changing and coming up. Building Brief

W ow! The groundbreaking

ceremony on July 15 has been a

long time in coming. What a

great event with over 90 members of our congregation

participating in this ceremony. The ground breaking

ceremony represents a significant milestone! Literally

thousands of hours have gone into turning our Vision

into reality. During this journey, every member of our

Congregation has participated in a meaningful way to

get to this milestone.

Because of the success of our capital campaign,

Mission Investment Fund has tentatively indicated

they will be able to increase the loan from $1.2 million

to $1.625 million. In considering our application, MIF

took into account many considerations, including

Atonement’s ability to repay the loan without

impacting our future mission and vision. MIF is truly

looking out for Atonement’s best interests. While the

increase in financing does not completely close the

financial gap necessary to construct as much as we

would like, it will allow Atonement to proceed with

construction in August if the loan can be finalized.

Based on the funding available, the Guiding Team is

recommending Atonement move forward with several

reductions in the scope of the project. The primary

reductions will eliminate the Commons and reduce the

amount of paved parking. Fisher Construction is also

evaluating several other minor cost reductions that

would help close the financial gap and create a

contingency in the project budget. Assuming these

cost reductions meet MIF’s approval, the Finance

Team will complete the loan documents and finalize

Fisher Construction’s contract.

In order to add the Commons, Atonement would need

to secure an additional $200,000.00 in funding. The

Guiding Team evaluated several options for securing

the additional funding. The option discussed the most

was to sell lots 1D and 1E, which are located east of St.

John’s Wyndstone project. It has been suggested the

lots could be sold to St. John’s, however, St. John’s has

indicated they are not in a position to purchase the

lots at this time. Given this, the general consensus of

the Guiding Team was that Atonement needed to

retain the lots as assets which can be utilized in the

future.

All the Building the Hope in 2012 teams are striving to

get the final details of this project in place so that

construction can begin in August.

Prayer/Meditation Labyrinth

Diane Cunnington is looking for ideas on the design of

a prayer/meditation labyrinth on our new campus.

You might be asking yourself “exactly what is a

prayer/meditation labyrinth?” A prayer/meditation

labyrinth is one of the oldest meditative tools in

existence. It is composed of paths which circle around

and leads to the center of the circle. A labyrinth

symbolizes the journey of life and walking one can

give you sudden glimpses of

your life’s purpose and

provide a calm place for

prayer and meditation. Look

for more details in the

coming weeks on the

planning of the prayer/

meditation labyrinth.

http://www.unitync.net/images/labyrinth1.jpg


INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK

Our guests will be arriving August 26th and will be with us until 7 a.m. Sept. 2.

We will have a full house and one dad with his son will be among the guests.

Please mark your calendars for these dates and when the pink boards are passed

around, check the columns that you would like to help with….there are

several....These guests are trying to get their lives straightened out and are

working very hard to do so. Put yourselves in their places….moving from church

to church every 7 days, getting up at 5-5:30 to catch the bus to the day center,

attending their classes, working and raising children. They have nowhere else to

go and are very thankful to sleep on an air mattress...If you are unable to

volunteer, there is a special column marked "Pray"….perhaps you could include

these families in your daily prayers. I wish all of you could listen to these little

ones when we "pray" before we eat....it would bring tears to your eyes. The pink

boards will be passed around starting July 29th. Blessings to all of you!

Betty Jo Furstenberg

Atonement Lutheran Church

Vacation Bible School 2012

70 children spent the week of June 25-29

going deep into the ocean and deep into God’s

Word. Through daily Bible stories, they

learned to Depend on God, Dare to Care, Claim

Jesus, Choose to Follow, and Change the

World. Many thanks to. . .

Skit Characters: Mark White as “Dive Chief,” Tessa & KayDel Shelton as “Ocho the Octopus”

Bible Characters: Diane Cunnington, Eric Hansen, Amy Severson

Music: Kay Rossow, Colie Evans, Alie Evans

Crafts: Emma Quinn, Abby Quinn, Angela King

Office Support: Joann Estal

Teachers: Tia Schacht; helpers Julie Leno & Corby Barron Janet Morgenstern; helpers Jackie Clemo, Kara White, Karen Underwood

Dive Guides: Shaun Severson, Bobby Hilson, Lane Severson, Dayton Willoughby, Logan Rodacker, Dylan Chirrick, Ben Higgins, Haley Roedocker, JoAnn Martin, Jessica Meeker

Camp Song Leaders: Aaron Morgenstern and Emilie Christman

Shane Weinreis of Montana Dive Tech for demonstrating diving equipment

Kitchen: Shirley Jennings, Betty Jo Furstenberg, Kay Sather and all who donated snacks

Decorations: Daren, Amy, Shaun, Lane, Erika Severson, Diane Cunnington, Emma & Abby Quinn

Daily Devotions, Photographer, Grillmaster: Pastor Mark Morgenstern

Kickoff Barbecue: Pr. Mark, Joann Estal, Marlon Leno, Todd & Erin Koepp (Wilcoxson’s Ice Cream), Tia Schacht, all who helped clean up

The Congregation: for your prayers and

generous support of VBS at Atonement.


Time & Talent List

August ~ Canned Fruit

Lectors

8:00 AM 9:45 AM

August 5: Janet Rubich Terri Porisch

August 12: Lora Pederson Marilyn Franklin

August 19: Bertha Olsen Elinore Quander

August 26: Pat Zellar Shaun Severson

Communion Preparers

August 5: Janelle Berry August 12: Shirley Jennings August 19: Tammy Johnston August 26: Elinore Quander

Communion Bread

August: Julie Leno September: Janelle Berry

Giving Our Time & Talents to God - Page 1

Hospital Visitation

August ~ Joyce Nitschke

September ~ Tammy Johnston

Sharing Flowers for Worship

Aug. 5:

Aug. 12: Dan & Kathy Cypher

Aug. 19: Fraley & Fred families

Aug. 26: Todd & Erin Koepp

The 2012 Flower Chart is on the table outside the office at the back of the sanctuary. The cost is $25.00 per Sunday for two bouquets given in honor or memory of a loved one.

Acolytes

August 5:

8:00 a.m. Briana Guse

9:45 a.m. Kenna Hofer

August 12:

8:00 a.m. Ben Higgins

9:45 a.m. David Hull

August 19:

8:00 a.m. Hailey Johnston

9:45 a.m. Bryce Mikkelson

August 26:

8:00 a.m. Arielle Tommerop

9:45 a.m. Dawson Mangels

Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk! We are preparing to begin weekly walks

from 407 Wicks to our new home on the

hill! It is 2.8 miles from Atonement to the

door of the Little White Church. Join us

on Monday mornings @ 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

Common Grounds


8:00 AM Ushers

Aug. 5: Bill & Judy Belden, Karen Underwood, Dale Molyneaux

Aug. 12: George & Shirley DeMars, Ed & Rita Reeve

Aug. 19: Clarence Robinson, Del & Rose Steiner, Debbie Goodheart

Aug. 26: Lora Pederson, Bette Wolff, Marjorie Stewart, Jo Bott

Van Drivers

August 5: Stan Newton 245-8456 August 12: Kyle Johnston 256-1980 August 19: Todd Koepp 256-1569 August 26: Mark Jennings 248-8044

CANTORS

August 5:

8:00 a.m. Becky Lujan & Debbie Heyd

9:45 a.m. Sono Me Praise Band

August 12:

8:00 a.m. Gary Dunmeyer

9:45 a.m. Kelly & Linda Michaelis

August 19:

8:00 a.m. Marilyn Franklin

9:45 a.m. Maria & JoAnn Martin

August 26:

8:00 a.m. Gary Dunmeyer

9:45 a.m. Nicole & Alie Evans

Piano Schedule ~ 9:45 a.m. Worship

August 5: JoAnn Martin

August 12: Elinore Quander

August 19: Kay Rossow

August 26: Vicki Evans

9:45 AM Ushers

Aug. 5: Dale Cunnington, Kathy Cypher, Cindy Dunmeyer, Betty Jo Furstenberg, Bob & Shellie Ehrmantraut

Aug. 12: Jesse & Sandi Gonzalez, Bob Holloway, Kyle Johnston, Kelly & Linda Michaelis

Aug. 19: Mark & Shirley Jennings, Todd & Erin Koepp, Dennis & Donna Newell

Aug. 26: Joyce Nitschke, Louie & Charlie Plaggemeyer, Joan Siemers, Steve & Donna Slater


Giving Our Time & Talents to God ~ Page 2

2012 Atonement Lutheran Church Council

Tyler Westrope, President 670-3878

Lance King, Vice President 656-1183

Gary Dunmeyer, Treasurer 724-986-2973

Vivian Beals, Secretary 248-7930

Mike Rubich 248-3484

Linda Lange 245-4766

Linda Fiene-Quinn 259-2689

Dave Mangels 256-2029

Barry Hammond 861-5285

Sara Hull 245-6414

Debbie Rensvold 259-2485

Doug Harper, Alternate 373-6384

Marissa Delser, Youth Rep.

YOUTH GROUP for Junior and Senior High

School students

will meet Sunday

August 5th @ 6:00 PM


Prayers 4 Members

Pray for blessings, health, safety and general well-being of these members of Atonement. Give thanks for all who are workers with us in the mission we share.

August 5: Marianne Sorensen; DeeDee Stanich; Clint, Ashley, Brennar & Brilee Stapp; and Del & Rose Steiner

August 12: William Stenson; Marjorie Stewart; Perry Stichman; and Robert & Connie Stone

August 19: Terry & Patty Struck; Harry & Lorraine Theurer; Sione, Janette, Danara, Jerry & Samuel Tulimaiau & Brandon Leikam; and Karen Underwood

August 26: Don, Jermaine, Olivia, Addison & Chloe Unruh

& Kennedy Robbins; Charles Vanderpas & Marion Richardson; Shane, Elecia & Lillian Vigus; and Vicki Wagner

August Love Offering…

A child dies from malaria every 60 seconds.

Today we are in a special moment where we could

turn this around. Working though Lutheran churches

in Africa, the ELCA Malaria Campaign is uniquely

positioned to provide mosquito nets, insecticides,

medication, health care, education and more to help

eliminate deaths from this disease—for good.

Love Offering

envelopes can now be

found on the two tables at

the back of the sanctuary.

1 blunt scissor

1 box of 24 crayons

1 pencil sharpener

4 - 70 sheet spiral notebooks of paper ( 8 ” X 10.5” wide or

college ruled).

1 (30 cm.) ruler (inches may be on one side)

5 unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers

5 ballpoint pens (no gel ink)

1 eraser approx. 2 1/2” long


All third graders will receive Bibles during the 9:45 worship on Sunday, September 9th as part of Atonement’s Growing Faith confirmation program.

Pastor Mark will meet with third graders and their parents Sunday, August 26th at 2:00 PM. He will tell you more about this special occasion and about Bible Buddies!

The following students are listed as third graders in our records:

Lily Gushwa Lauren Rodacker

Brendan Kelly Jenna Salveson

Brady Lehner Ashlie Schelm

Devon Lovelace Bryton Simmons

Paige Mayhall Olivia Unruh

Ava Williams

If your name is not listed, please contact the church office at 245-7004 or attend the meeting August 26th at 2:00 PM.

Congratulations to all 3rd graders!

Thank you to the Donna Parytka Memorial Fund for providing the SPARK Bibles given to 3rd graders and SPARK Story Bibles given as baptismal gifts.

3rd Graders Receive Bibles A l l s t u d e n t s —

preschool through

high school and even

college—bring your

b a c k p a c k t o

CHURCH Sunday, August 19th. There will

be a blessing (at both the 8:00 and 9:45

worship services) for you and your

backpack and for teachers and school

workers before you head off to the

classroom. The congregation blesses and

supports you and prays for you as you

begin a new school year.

Students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades and Parents,

please mark your calendars:

Confirmation Orientation

Wednesday

August 29th

6:30 PM

The first day of Sunday School is approaching and we will soon be recruiting teachers and helpers for the school year. If you would like to be part of the leadership team, a teacher or a helper for a month or for the year, or for special projects, please contact: Kay Rossow, Kathy Slehofer or Pr. Mark.


GRACE BIBLE STUDY Next meeting will be in September

For more information, contact

Tina Williams @ 256-7761

Friendship Club

will not meet in August

JOY Bible Study

The JOY Bible Study is a

women’s study group that

meets every Wednesday at

6:30am at Atonement.

Hope Circle Hope Circle does not meet in June, July

or August. The next meeting will be Thursday, Sept. 20 at 9:30am.

Financial Report June 2012 Income $ 24,790.54

June 2012 Expenses $ 29,362.86 Net Income (loss) for month ($ 4,572.32)

Net Income (loss) for year ($ 6,271.32)

August 2012 Offerings & Income

July 01, 2012 $ 4,846.10

July 08, 2012 $ 4,134.50

July 15, 2012 $ 3,082.00

July 22, 2012 $ 2,632.81

July 29, 2012 $

Simply Giving through

07/22/2012 $ 5,775.00

Total as of 07/22/2012 $ 20,470.41

Thursday Bible Study ~ 9:30am ~ Novak Room

Reading through the Old Testament—currently reading Nehemiah and

Esther.

Wonderful Wednesday! August 8 @ 6:00 PM

Shanghai Buffet

Marvelous Monday! August 27 @ 6:00 PM

Applebee’s

All are welcome!

Thank you to all the “Operation Overboard” divers who brought cold

cereal for the Billings Food Bank.

You DARE TO CARE!

Atonement Staff

Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark R. Morgenstern Associate in Ministry . .. . . . . Kathy Slehofer Office Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . Joann Estal Organist . . . . ... . . . . .. . . Gwynn Pederson Chapel Choir Director . . . . . . . Kay Rossow Seminary Intern . . . . . . . . Jenna Pulkowski

Atonement Lutheran Church

406-245-7004 Fax: 406-245-6951

www.atonementbillings.org [email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Non Profit Organization

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Billings, MT

Permit #904

407 Wicks Lane ▪ Billings, MT 59105

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YOUTH! YOUTH! YOUTH! MUSIC! MUSIC! MUSIC!