December 2013

Dear Friends, Greetings to you in the powerful name of Jesus the Christ! “It is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” I Corinthians 4:2 You are encouraged to attend the LAST “We Say Yes” gathering to be held during Sunday School on Sunday – December 1 in Herbie’s Café! We will talk about what we will say yes to in Mission & Ministry at Atonement for 2014. Each member of Atonement will be given the opportunity to make financial commitments and to share how you will use your Time & Talents in our shared Mission & Ministry! This is a very important time to pause and consider together what our next step will be in staffing for the continued growth of Atonement! As you know Bethany Thier has accepted a full time position at St Norberts and our Director of Youth and Family Ministry - Jolyn Helgeson will be stepping down as of the end of December. Because of these changes in staffing it will be very important to consider together how we will staff for our continued growth in mission & ministry in 2014 and beyond. Your input is very important!! Sunday – December 1 10:00-11:30a.m. During this time of change in staffing which in packs our mission & ministry together I would ask the following of you: 1. Be in prayer about our future and also for me your pastor, staff and church council! 2. Volunteer to help! There are a number of ways you can be of help to me your pastor so that I do not over do it. I am still recovering from major surgery which means working shorter days so I can do self care therapy. A list will be posted very soon of some of the ministries you could volunteer to help with. 3. Stop in to visit with me about any questions and or concerns about our ministry together with limited staff. Your input at this time is very important and I welcome your suggestions and support! 4. Attend a We Say Yes Gathering in November! This is a very important time to come together as we consider where God is taking this church in Mission and Ministry! 5. PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! This is so very important for us to do as a congregation. Unbinding Your Soul has reminded me of the power of prayer to not only give us direction but also renewed energy. Come to our prayer gatherings on Friday evenings at 6:00p.m. See you at one of the “WE SAY YES” GATHERINGS!! In Christ, Pastor Jim Gerth

PJ's November 2013 Blog

Dear Friends, Greetings to you in the powerful name of Jesus the Christ! “It is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” I Corinthians 4:2 You are encouraged to attend one of the “We Say Yes” gatherings to be held during the month of November at Atonement. We will talk about what we will say yes to in Mission & Ministry at Atonement for 2014. Each member of Atonement will be given the opportunity to make financial commitments and to share how you will use your Time & Talents in our shared Mission & Ministry! This is a very important time to pause and consider together what our next step will be in staffing for the continued growth of Atonement! As you know Bethany Thier has accepted a full time position at St Norberts and our Director of Youth and Family Ministry - Jolyn Helgeson will be stepping down as of the end of December. Because of these changes in staffing it will be very important to consider together how we will staff for our continued growth in mission & ministry in 2014 and beyond. Your input is very important!! Sunday – November 3 10:00-11:30a.m. Sunday – November 3 4:00-5:30p.m. Tuesday – November 12 11:30-1:00p.m. Wednesday – November 13 6:00-7:30p.m. Thursday – November 21 11:30-1:00p.m. During this time of change in staffing which in packs our mission & ministry together I would ask the following of you: 1. Be in prayer about our future and also for me your pastor, staff and church council! 2. Volunteer to help! There are a number of ways you can be of help to me your pastor so that I do not over do it. I am still recovering from major surgery which means working shorter days so I can do self care therapy. A list will be posted very soon of some of the ministries you could volunteer to help with. 3. Stop in to visit with me about any questions and or concerns about our ministry together with limited staff. Your input at this time is very important and I welcome your suggestions and support! 4. Attend a We Say Yes Gathering in November! This is a very important time to come together as we consider where God is taking this church in Mission and Ministry! 5. PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! This is so very important for us to do as a congregation. Unbinding Your Soul has reminded me of the power of prayer to not only give us direction but also renewed energy. Come to our prayer gatherings on Friday evenings at 6:00p.m. See you at one of the “WE SAY YES” GATHERINGS!! In Christ, Pastor Jim Gerth