A Word From "PJ"

P.J.'s February 2012 Blog

2012-01-27T11:30:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

Greetings to you in the powerful name of Jesus the Christ!

“Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!” Philippians 4: 4

It is time to Celebrate! “Celebrate! Celebrate God’s Love! Celebrate Shout and Sing! Celebrate! Celebrate God’s Love! Declare It Joyfully!” Yes now is the time to Celebrate! Even though Christmas has come and gone – Now is the time to Celebrate! Even though we are in the middle of winter with short days and long nights – Now is the time to Celebrate! Even though the Green Bay Packers did not make it to the Super Bowl – Now is the time to Celebrate! What am I talking about? It is time to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the very first worship service at Atonement Lutheran Church. It was a cold winter day with a fair amount of snow on the ground when over 278 people gathered to Celebrate! The date was February 25, 1962. There where people from Calvary, Trinity, Grace and other Lutheran Churches in the area that joined us on that special day to Celebrate the start of a new ministry!

It is time to gather once again to celebrate what God has done in the past and to look forward to the future and what God will continue to do in and through the Atonement community. You are invited to come to a special Party to Celebrate our 50th Anniversary on Saturday – February 25th at 6:00PM. This is going to be a party! Come ready to CELEBRATE! There will be food and drink and story telling and prayer! Yes it is time to have a Party to give thanks for all that God has done!

REJOICE IN THE LORD!! See what good things God has done and continues to do at Atonement! See you at the Party on Saturday – February 25, 2012!

In Christ,
Pastor Jim Gerth (P.J.)

Pastor's January 2012 Blog

2011-12-28T11:12:00.002-06:00

Dear Friends,

Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ!

This has been a wondrous Christmas! It all began on Christmas Eve at about noon. Word came to Jim that Jessica’s water had broke and they were on their way to the hospital. Jim was making final preparations for the three Christmas Eve Services and the one on Christmas Day. Karen was at St Vincent Hospital as the day & night chaplain. Everyone was waiting for the word that Charlotte had been born – but just before the first Christmas Eve Service at 4:30 pm Jim called to see how things were progressing. Charles answered and mentioned they were all settled into a room and things were moving forward.

Just like we had been doing with Advent we continued to WAIT with a growing amount of anticipation. But no word came from Troy as the second Christmas Eve Service was getting underway. This was the Spanish service and the children helped Jim tell the Christmas story. By the end of this service it was close to 8:30 pm and still no word about the birth of Charlotte.

The last service was to take place at 10:00 pm and included the Atonement Choir sharing the Christmas Story through readings and music. Charles did call to say it was going to be soon. WOW! The waiting was almost over. I gave my cell phone to one of the ushers asking they take the call for me.

The 10:00 pm service had just begun and I saw the usher step out of the worship area. I looked to see where he was and noticed he was standing in the hallway. He saw that I was looking and gave me the thumbs up that all was ok and Charlotte had been born. It was at about this time that Karen arrived from the hospital for worship and found out from the usher that we were grandparents! WOW! Praise God! It was at about 11:30 pm after worship that we finally talked with Charles and found out that Charlotte Elaynne Gerth had been born on Christmas Eve at 9:45 pm at Anderson Hospital. 5# 13 oz. and 17” long.

It was after Christmas Day worship that we (Karen & Jim) got into our car at about 12:30 pm and drove 514 miles to arrive at Anderson Hospital around 8:15 pm to see and hold our very first Granddaughter! What a joy to see this little one that God has created and blessed us with on this Christmas Eve. It was a joy to also see how excited Jess & Charles are about their first baby.

Karen & I had breakfast with Charles & Jess & Charlotte on Monday morning as we spent time holding and taking pictures of Charlotte. We went over to the house to see the nursery and then stopped back at the hospital to see Charlotte and the blessed parents one more time. We then drove to Chicago to see Nathan & Laura as Nathan was to be in the air going back to Russia on Tuesday morning for another 5 months.

Yes – this has been a remarkable Christmas! We thank God for all the blessings of this Christmas time as we see the wonderment of God’s love and creative grace in our Granddaughter!

In Christ,

Pastor Jim Gerth (P.J.) and Karen

PJ's December Blog

2011-11-22T12:07:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9: 6

I was reading the Letters To Santa in the Daily Journal from 2003. It amazing me what children are hoping for this Christmas. Here are just a few of them:
Dear Santa: I want Barbe, I want a clok. I want a pal. Love, Maribel (age 6)
Dear Santa: I hope you come to me. I wesh for a cat. Hav a happy new year you are my favorite Santa. From, Samantha
Dear Santa: I hope you git me lots of toys. I hope you com my way. Mary Crissmiss. Nic

These are some of the sort of things you might expect a child to write in a letter to Santa. But then I came to these short yet powerful letters.

Dear Santa: I want My family to be Happy and I want My family to Hav food and I Love My family and My family love me. Love, Lolita (age 6)
Dear Santa: Please I was good I wish my family could get back together, So we could be the happiest family we would go to Kmart. Takeyah (age 6)
Dear Santa: Will my mom have a happy Christmas? Will my Puppy Get? Kan I Git Nomkos? Love, Megan

There is no doubt in my mind that there are countless children who are hoping for something of love this year. Not a love that is found in gift wrappings but a love that is found in a child – the Christ Child. Megan and Takeyah and Lolita are hurting. They are hoping for joy and peace to come to their families. How about you? What are you hoping for this Christmas?

Maybe we should encourage our children to write a letter to Jesus this Christmas. I wonder what the children would ask Jesus for this Christmas. What would you ask of the son of God, the Prince of Peace, the Alpha and the Omega, the great I am?

It is Jesus Christ who said to his followers in the upper room after His death and resurrection – Peace be with you. Wow! What a gift Jesus bring to a world that is hurting. This is my prayer for all the hurting children and adults this Christmas:
“Dona nobis pacem, pacem. Dona nobis pacem.” It means – Grant us Peace! Grant us Peace! It is Jesus who is the one and only Prince of Peace!

In Christ,

Pastor Jim Gerth (P.J.)

PJ's November 2011 Blog

2011-10-26T11:47:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends,

Greetings to you in the powerful name of Jesus the Christ!

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” Isaiah 40:31

I recall as a young child always looking forward to the arrival of the Sears Christmas catalog. The day it would arrive in our home my older brother and I would page through the toy section dreaming about what might be under the Christmas tree. It was our hope book. What do you hope for this Christmas? The people of God that we meet in the Old Testament were hoping for the coming of a new time – a new kingdom – a new King. They also had their hopes about how life might be different. What are you HOPING for this Christmas?

I invite you to join us on Wednesday evenings during Advent as we explore the question – “What do you HOPE for this Christmas? The first Wednesday Advent Soup Meal & Service will be November 30th. The evening will begin with a Soup meal that will be served from 6:00- 7:00PM. During the meal time you will have the chance to make an ADVENT DECORATION that will remind you just what we HOPE for this Christmas. The meal time will be followed by a Service of Light & Darkness with Holy Communion. These services will be held in the parish hall. Let us join the prophet Isaiah as he reminds us to place our HOPE in the Lord!

I am looking for four or more people who would be willing to share what they are HOPING for this Christmas as part of the Wednesday evening service. The offering on Wednesday evening will go to the Malaria Campaign. In Africa, a child dies every 45 seconds from Malaria. Our gifts during Advent can help bring HOPE and make a healthier future possible. These gifts will provide mosquito nets, spray homes and provide necessary anti-malarial medication, support water treatment projects and help raise awareness about how to prevent, diagnose and treat malaria.

What do you HOPE for this Christmas? See you the Mid-Week Services as we explore that question.

In Christ,

Pastor Jim Gerth

Pastor Jim's October Blog

2011-10-06T09:07:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends,

Greetings to you in the powerful name of Jesus the Christ!

“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 3: 10-11

It was on a Sunday afternoon in October of 1961 that a group of people gathered to celebrate the Ground Breaking for Atonement Lutheran Church. Pastor Obert Lowe from Calvary Lutheran Church gave the invocation. Pastor Henry Kurtz, Pastor T.S.Hanson, Pastor Roland Hansen and Pastor Clarence Solberg read from scripture on that special day in Atonement’s history. The sermon was given by Pastor Dean A. Kilgust from Grace Lutheran Church. It is very clear that Atonement had it’s beginning because area churches came together to help it become a reality. We are so thankful for those pastors and charter members who followed where God was leading in starting a new congregation.
Now it is time to celebrate and dream about where God is calling Atonement to continue to grow in mission and ministry. You are invited to come and join in this special celebration on Sunday / October 23rd and Monday / October 24th.
Sunday / October 23 9:00a.m. Worship Celebration with Holy
Communion & United 2 Serve Offering
Sunday / October 23 10:00a.m. Dessert Feast & Booyah Sale
Sunday / October 23 11:15a.m. Esperanza para todos with Holy Communion &
United 2 Serve Offering
Monday / October 24 7:00p.m. The Luther College Concert Band Concert at Resch Family Auditorium Preble High School – The Concert is in Celebration of Atonement Lutheran Church 50th Anniversary.
Come and join us on Sunday October 23rd and Monday October 24th as we celebrate and praise God for the blessing of 50 years of Mission & Ministry and look to the future with Hope!

HELPERS are needed in preparation for this celebration. What follows is how you can help:
*Lodging is needed for the Luther College Concert Band on Monday night. They are lodged in groups of 2 or more.
*Ushers & Greeters are needed at the Concert at Preble.
*Prepare and serve the meal for the Concert Band on Monday at 5:15p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church.
*Clean-up crew for after the meal and the Concert.
*Send out invitations for Sunday Worship & Dessert Feast and Mondays Concert.
*PR for the Concert to area schools, churches, & media.
*Do fall cleaning inside the church the week before Sunday October 23rd.
*Set up displays & create power point about what the ground breaking was like.
*Plan the Sunday morning Celebration & invite special guests.
MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL – I ask that all be in prayer for these days and for Atonement’s future. God is not done at Atonement. Like Paul said in Philippians: “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.”

God is Great!

Pastor Jim Gerth

PJ's September Blog

2011-08-23T10:57:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends,

“Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 40:5

What a joy it has been to see so many gather on Wednesday evenings during the summer around these amazing stories of faith This last week our attention was focused on the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. He once said, “The churches should be the first to champion the cause of the oppressed, but they fail to support the oppressed until it becomes fashionable to do so.” Is that still true today? Are we ready to pick up the cross and follow where Jesus is going? I wonder – just what is Jesus’ dream for Atonement? Just what is Jesus’ dream for the neighborhood around Atonement?

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said this about a dream he had for all people:
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all people are created equal’.”
“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.”
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
“I have a dream today.”
“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.”

Do you see how God is bringing this dream into reality here at Atonement? The walls that divide because ethnic background are coming down as the Holy Spirit brings us together as one people. WOW! Last Wednesday evening was one such time when people who came from so many different ethnic backgrounds came together around the table of the Lord. It did not matter if we were German, Irish, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, or _______. In God’s eyes we were brought together around the table of grace and forgiveness! The dream is coming true! Praise God!

In the months to come the Atonement Family will look different on the surface from what it looked like 50 years ago when the ground was broken and this church was started. But – have you noticed how the neighborhood has changed? Yet with all that is different the message we proclaim is the same. It is a message of grace and forgiveness for all people. Do you see what God is doing? The dream of Isaiah and of Martin Luther King Jr is starting to become a reality! Praise God!

In Christ,

Pastor Jim Gerth

Pastor's August Blog

2011-07-26T08:44:00.002-05:00

Dear Friends,

“When He saw the crowds, he had compassion for them.” Matthew 9:36

What do you see when you look at our neighbor? What do you see as a person of faith? We read in Matthew 9 that Jesus saw a people in need and was filled with compassion. It was a deeply felt compassion that moved him into action. What do we see? Let me share with you a story about how our eyes need to be opened to see what Jesus sees.

“I remember a mini-paradigm shift I experienced one Sunday morning on a subway in New York. People were sitting quietly-some reading newspapers, some lost in thought, some resting with their eyes closed. It was a cal, peaceful scene. Then suddenly, a man and his children entered the subway car. The children were so loud and rambunctious that instantly the whole climate changed. The man sat down next to me and closed his eyes, apparently oblivious to the situation. The children were yelling back and forth, throwing things, even grabbing people’s papers. It was very disturbing. And yet, the man sitting next to me did nothing. It was difficult not to feel irritated. I could not believe that he could be so insensitive as to let his children run wild like that and do nothing about it, taking no responsibility at all. It was easy to see that everyone else on the subway felt irritated, too. So finally, with what I felt was unusual patience and restraint, I turned to him and said, ‘Sir, your children are really disturbing a lot of people. I wonder if you couldn’t control them a little more?’
The man lifted his gaze as if to come to a consciousness of the situation for the first time and said softly, “ Oh, you’re right. I guess I should do something about it. We just came from the hospital where their mother died about an hour ago. I don’t know what to think, and I guess they don’t know how to handle it either.” Can you imagine what I felt at that moment? My paradigm shifted. Suddenly I saw things differently, and because I saw differently, I thought differently, I felt differently, I behaved differently. My irritation vanished. I didn’t have to worry about controlling my attitude or my behavior; my heart was filled with the man’s pain. Feelings of sympathy and compassion flowed freely: ‘Your wife just died? Oh, I’m so sorry! Can you tell me about it? What can I do to help?’ Everything changed in an instant.”

I invite you on a journey that will help open our eyes to see the world around us the way Jesus does. It is a 40 Day Journey that will change the way you live. Sign up today! It will take only 10 to 15 min a day & a weekly gathering at church with others who are on this 40 day journey! Our goal is to have 50 people participate in this exciting adventure! This is one of the ways we are gearing up for the 50th Anniversary of Atonement!! THE JOURNEY WILL BEGIN SEPTEMBER 11, 2011. In Christ, Pastor Jim Gerth

July 2011 Blog from Pastor Jim

2011-06-22T10:08:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends,

Greetings to you in the powerful name of Jesus Christ!

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1: 8

DO YOU REMEMBER????
“In 1960 plans were laid for the establishment of one new congregation in each of the 19 districts of the proposed new American Lutheran Church. The Preble area of Green Bay was chosen as the site for the new Jubilee Congregation in the Northern Wisconsin District. Each of the 19 new mission congregations were named Atonement Lutheran. A church site was chosen and purchased, and building plans were drawn and approved. A parsonage was built on the corner of Deckner and Danz Avenue.
Ground breaking took place on Sunday, October 22, 1961. Construction began on the church building in the Fall of 1961. When Pastor and Mrs. Hjemboe and family arrived in January of 1962 the parsonage was ready for occupancy, but the church building was far from completion.
The winter of 1961-1962 was very cold and brought with it a near record snow fall complicating the building of the church. On the day of the first service snow was bull-dozed away to provide for parking and access to the building.
When Spring arrived it became impossible to drive into the area planned for parking. It was necessary to park on the streets and walk to the building on sections of crates and on planks.
The first service was an especially significant day in the life of Atonement. Two congregations, Grace and Trinity, arranged for their choirs to attend the service and to sing. With limited seating, it became necessary for one choir to leave the sanctuary before the second choir could be seated. “

Each month there will be more of what we remember about those early years of Atonement Lutheran Church. If you have a story to share about what the Holy Spirit was doing in those first 5 to 10 years please send it to me at james.gerth@yahoo.com I would imagine that there are many stories to be told. I also want to encourage you to join us for the 50 days of prayer that begins on August 24th. I am looking for at least 50 people to pray about what future God has in store for Atonement Lutheran Church. Each participant will have a Prayer Journal as a guide for this amazing 50 Days. Be sure to sign up now on the bulletin board outside the church office. Also – remember that I am looking for more stories to share about those early years of Atonement!

Yes, the Spirit of God continues to call us to share the Good News about the kingdom of God!
In Christ,
Pastor Jim Gerth (P.J.)

PJ's June 2011 Blog

2011-05-20T11:57:00.002-05:00

Dear Friends,

Greetings to you in the name of Jesus the Christ!

It is time to CELEBRATE! It is time for a PARTY! Did you hear the news? Atonement is gearing up to celebrate it’s 50th Anniversary! Yes, it was 50 years ago that people of faith gathered together to start a new worshipping community on the east side of Green Bay.
“in 1960 plans were laid for the establishment of one new congregation in each of the 19 districts of the proposed new American Lutheran Church. The Preble area of Green Bay was chosen as the site for the new Jubilee Congregation in the Northern Wisconsin District. Each of the 19 new mission congregations were named Atonement Lutheran. A church site was chosen and purchased, and building plans were drawn and approved. Ground-breaking took place on Sunday, October 22, 1961. Construction began on the church building in the Fall of 1961. When Pastor and Mrs. Hjemboe and family arrived in January of 1962 the parsonage was ready for occupancy, but the church building was far from completion.”
The winter of 1961-1962 was very cold and brought with it a near record snow fall complicating the building of the church. On the day of the first service snow was bull-dozed away to provide for parking and access to the building. When Spring arrived it became impossible to drive into the area planned for parking. It was necessary to park on the streets and walk to the building on sections of crates and on planks.”
Wow! What an amazing time that was 50 years ago as the Holy Spirit was calling and gathering people together to form a faith community called Atonement. So much has taken place over these 50 years as God’s Holy Spirit has called people together to celebrate – baptisms, weddings, confirmations, new members, funerals, calling of Pastors & Youth Workers & more. I wonder what the future holds for Atonement?
I find it amazing that as we are about to celebrate the birth of Atonement that God is giving birth to something new once more in “Hope For All”. We had always hoped & prayed that some day we would have a Bilingual Worship Service - since the neighborhood around Atonement is now 30 to 35 % Hispanic. But the vision for this seemed to be nothing more then a dream. But then Holy Spirit stirred and sent us Paul and then Jairo and then Bethany and then…? What was God getting ready to do? It was clear now as I look back that God was bringing together all that was needed for that Monday evening when an Hispanic Family stopped at Atonement looking for a church family. WOW! Praise God!
Now some months later we have an average of 20 to 25 people gathering for worship on Sunday morning to hear in English & Spanish the Good News of a loving God that has come for all people. But the Holy Spirit was not done yet for it was just last week that 12 children celebrated their first communion (9 are Hispanic). Now the families are asking about instruction for confirmation. WOW!
There is so much to give thanks to God for as we look back over these 50 years and as we look forward to the next 50 years. I trust that the Holy Spirit will continue to call & gather people together to hear the Good News of a God who so loved the world that he gave his only Son Jesus Christ!
If you have any questions about “Hope For All” please share them with me.
“I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:3-6

COME HOLY SPIRIT – COME!
Pastor Jim Gerth (P.J.)

PJ's May 2011 Blog

2011-04-28T12:22:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends,

Greetings to you in the powerful name of Jesus the Christ!
“And then they remembered”. Luke 24: 8
So how is your memory? It seems that there are some days that I have no problem remembering people’s names, appointments, special dates and so forth. But I have noticed as time marches on and more gray hair appears on my head that remembering has become more challenging.
This is the season to remember! It is time to pause and realize that God does not forget like you and me. God has acted once and for all by raising Jesus from the dead. He lives! The tomb is empty!
Yet this fulfilled Easter promise seemed hard for those early followers of Jesus to believe. Death is death! They saw him carry the cross out to Golgotha to be crucified! They saw the soldiers nail his hands and feet to that cross! They saw the spear go into the side of Christ! They saw him breath his last. So it is understandable that on that Easter morning it was going to take some time before this truth would sink in and they would remember. They would remember what Jesus said to Mary and Martha as they grieved the death of Lazarus – “I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me though he die yet shall he live. And who ever lives and believes in me shall never die.” They would remember that Jesus said he would rebuild the temple in three days. They would remember that Jesus had come for just this reason.
Yet – like the disciples we seem to live as though we have forgotten the promise of Easter morning. We live as though death has the final word and that is that. We seem to live as though seeing is believing. Well, I am here to say that believing is seeing. I believe that the tomb is empty and that truth changes the way I live today! I believe that Jesus is the resurrection & the life! I believe not because I see but because of what God promised!
We live at a time that seems to be driven by fear and not by hope. It is time that we as people of faith start to remember! Recall what Paul wrote in Romans 6 – “Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” WOW!! A New Life!
Do you want to know what that New Life in Christ is like? Then come and join us as we explore together “A LIFE WORTH LIVING”. We will explore together how it is possible to live the Christian Life positively, practically and joyfully. It is time to remember what Jesus said and did! It is time to REMEMBER!!

In Christ,

Pastor Jim Gerth

March 2011 Blog

2011-02-25T11:14:00.002-06:00

Dear Friends,

Greetings to you in the powerful name of Jesus the Christ!

The Church season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 9. Lent is a season which prepares us once again to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Easter. Lent is a time for us to remember the passion and death of Jesus and to reflect on our lives and our need for the Savior. This year at Atonement Lutheran Church we will be conducting a series of services called CROSS/PEACE.
At the Sunday morning worship service on March 6th, each family will receive a twelve inch tall wooden cross. This is the beginning of your CROSS/PEACE display. At each of the mid-week services, each family will receive an additional piece of the CROSS/PEACE display. Each piece will serve as a reminder of the central message of the mid-week service and be a reminder of some portion of the Passion History. At the end of the six week series, you will have a completed and attractive CROSS/PEACE display which you will be proud of and will be able to use as an evangelism aid in sharing the Gospel.
Many members of our congregation are working together in an effort to make this Lenten season and our CROSS/PEACE series a most memorable and inspirational season for you and your family. Be sure to check out the display at church and volunteer to help with our Lenten Services. Make every effort to attend every service. And pray for our congregation and all of our families, that during this special holy season all of us will move closer to Jesus.
Remember that our youth and their families are serving a Lenten Soup & Sandwich Meal each Wednesday evening from 6:00 – 6:45p.m. A free will offering will be taken to help with our youth ministry!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Jim Gerth (P.J.)

PJ's February Blog

2011-01-31T09:24:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

Greetings to you in the powerful name of Jesus the Christ!

What QUESTIONS do you have about Salvation, Prayer, The End Times, Angels, Sin, God, etc? During Lent (which starts in March) I will preach on the questions you ask. You may have noticed that there is a question box outside of where we worship. Write down your questions and place them in the box.

Some of the questions I have heard people wonder about in the past were:
*How does God Work?
*Why do we do things we know we shouldn’t do?
*How are we saved?
*If we’re saved, why do we still sin?
*Should Christians be involved in the world?
*Can we make a difference in the world?
*If I die tonight, can I be sure of where I will spend eternity?
*How many times do I really have to forgive?
*What am I doing here on earth?
*Why did Jesus die?
*How do we hear God speak?
*Why is there so much suffering in the world if God loves us?
*How does God Guide us?
*What does it mean to be born again?
*Does God heal today?
*How can I make the most of the rest of my life?
*What does God say about……
Do share your questions about faith and life as we explore together what it means to be God’s people. This will be a six week sermon series that will start the first Sunday in March. Questions can be placed in the question box at church or you can e-mail them to me at james.gerth@yahoo.com

Remember one of the question Jesus asked was: Who do you say that I am? What would you say?.

God is Great!

Pastor Jim Gerth

P.S. God is doing something new!! Do you know what it is? Be looking for information to come out about Esperanza Para Todos. It is coming to Green Bay! It is coming to 2132 Deckner Ave. It is coming in March. If you are wondering about what this is all about ask Bethany or Jairo! Yes God’s Spirit is giving birth! Come and see! Come and see what God is doing!

PJ's January Blog

2011-01-06T10:30:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

Greetings to you in the powerful name of Jesus the Christ!

Do you recall ALPHA? ALPHA gave us the opportunity to explore the meaning of life. We dealt with questions such as:
*What is the point of life?
*What happens when I die?
*What relevance does Jesus have for our lives today?
*How do we deal with guilt?
*How can I make the most of the rest of my life?
You may recall that we did not complete our journey. There where a number of QUESTIONS about the Holy Spirit that we did not explore – yet we had planned to have a one day Holy Spirit retreat. The time has now come for the retreat! It will take place on Saturday – January the 29th from 9:30 – 4:30p.m. ALL ARE INVITED!! Even if you did not attend any of the sessions last Lent you can come for this one day – YOU WILL BE BLESSED!

The day will follow this timetable:
9:30a.m .Arrive & Welcome!!
9:45a.m. A short introduction to the weekend (John 15: 26)
10:30a.m Coffee / Tea Break
10:45a.m. “Who is The Holy Spirit” (John 14: 16-17a)
12:00 noon Lunch (provided)
12:45p.m. “What Does The Holy Spirit Do?” John 3:5-8
2:00p.m. “How Can I Be Filled With The Holy Spirit?” Ephesians 5:18
2:45p.m. Coffee / Tea Break)
3:00p.m. “How Can I Make The Most Of the Rest of My Life?” Romans 12:1
4:30p.m. Worship w/Holy Communion
Be sure to bring your Bible, some paper, something to write with and an item of food to share with the group. Lunch will be soup, salad and something sweet.

COME! Come and be part of a day that will be life changing. Remember what happened after that first Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the early followers of Jesus? Let us pray for this day and for Atonement that God would continue to pour out the Holy Spirit and set us on fire for Jesus.

Be sure to sign up so we know how many to prepare for! Come Holy Spirit – Come! Call us together so that we might grow in faith and passion for sharing your love!

In Christ,

Pastor Jim Gerth (P.J.)

PJ's Christmas Letter

2010-11-19T11:12:00.002-06:00

Dear Friends,

Greetings to you in the name of Jesus the Christ!

Christmas is a time to tell stories. Let me share with you one of my favorite Christmas Stories by Louis Cassels.

Once upon a time, there was a man who looked upon Christmas as a lot of humbug. He wasn’t a Scrooge. He was a very kind and decent person, generous to his family, upright in all his dealings with others. But he didn’t believe all that stuff about an incarnation which churches proclaim at Christmas. And he was too honest to pretend that he did.
“I am truly sorry to distress you,” he told his wife, who was a faithful churchgoer. “But I simply cannot understand this claim that God became man. It doesn’t make any sense to me.”
On Christmas Eve, his wife and children went to church for the midnight service. He declined to accompany them.
“I’d feel like a hypocrite,” he explained. “I’d much rather stay at home. But I’ll wait up for you.”
Shortly after his family drove away in the car, snow began to fall. He went to the window and watched the flurries getting heavier and heavier.
“If we must have Christmas,” he reflected, “it’s nice to have a white one.”
He went back to his chair by the fireside and began to read his newspaper. A few minutes later, he was startled by a thudding sound. It was quickly followed by another, then another. He thought that someone must be throwing snowballs at his living-room window.
When he went to the front door to investigate, he found a flock of birds huddled miserably in the snow. They had been caught in the storm, and in a desperate search for shelter had tried to fly through the window.
“I can’t let these poor creatures lie there and freeze,” he thought. “But how can I help them?” Then he remembered the barn where the children’s pony was stabled. It would provide a warm shelter.” He quickly put on his coat and galoshes and tramped through the deepening snow to the barn. He opened the doors wide and turned on a light. But the birds didn’t come in.
“Food will bring them in,” he thought. So he hurried back to the house for bread crumbs, which he sprinkled on the snow to make a trail into the barn. To his dismay, the birds ignored the bread crumbs and continued to flop around helplessly in the snow. He tried shooing them into the barn by walking around and waving his arms. They scattered in every direction – except into the warm, lighted barn.
“They find me a stranger and terrifying creature.” He said to himself, “and I can’t seem to think of any way to let them know they can trust me. “If only I could be a bird myself for a few minutes, perhaps I could lead them to safety.”
Just at that moment, the church bells began to ring. He stood silently for a while, listening to the bells pealing the glad tidings of Christmas. Then he sank to his knees in the snow. “Now I do understand,” he whispered. “Now I see why you had to do it.”
“And the WORD became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” John 1: 14
JOY TO THE WORLD THE LORD HAS COME!!
Pastor Jim & Karen Gerth

Pastor's Blog for November

2010-10-29T09:03:00.002-05:00

Dear Friends,

in the powerful name of Jesus the Christ.

“Come and see!’ John 1: 46b Come and see what God in Christ has done for you! Come and see that Jesus is the way the truth and the life. Come and see that the Holy Spirit is at work comforting us and giving us a new reason to be a people of hope. Come and see that the promises Jesus had made can be trusted! COME AND SEE!

That is my invitation to you that you COME & SEE what God has been doing, is doing and will be doing in the future at Atonement Lutheran Church. A special CELEBRATION is being planned for Sunday November 7th. COME AND SEE!
The CELEBRATION will be one centered around the Word & the Sacrament as we realize what God in Christ has done for us. It is the Good News of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that compels us to recommit our lives to serve Christ by caring for others.

Be sure to bring with you the completed TIME, TALENT & FINANCIAL COMMITMENT SHHET to worship on the 7th. During worship we will place them on the altar as an expression of gratitude for what Christ has done. It is our hope that each member of Atonement will take on in faith the Growth Giving Challenge. The challenge is that each member will increase their giving by 1%. Be sure to take time in prayer using the resources sent to you to consider how you will use the gifts of time, talent and treasure to the glory of God.

We will also be welcoming new members into the Atonement Lutheran Church family on November 7th. Come and see who they are and reach out with the love and grace of Jesus the Christ!

Yes – COME AND SEE what God in Christ Jesus is doing! Philip could not keep the news about Jesus Christ to himself! We also have GOOD NEWS to share and will be doing just that has each home of members of Atonement are visited by the STEPPING OUT TEAMS. Each team will deliver a plastic bag filled with news about what is going on at Atonement Lutheran Church! If you would like to help deliver these bags of GOOD NEWS talk with Sharon Schneider or Pastor Jim.

So do COME AND SEE and be sure to invite others to also COME AND SEE what God is doing!

In Christ,

Pastor Jim Gerth (P.J.)

2010-10-01T09:13:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends,

Greetings to you in the powerful name of Jesus the Christ!

Why am I alive? Why was I born? As Christians, we believe wholeheartedly that we are here for a reason, and that our existence is not a random act of biology or circumstance. But where do we turn to really and truly discover the answer to such questions? The only satisfying answers are found in God. Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly.” We were created: to be loved by God and to find my purpose by getting to know God, who created me. “It’s not about me…it’s all about God.”

The Bible is clear that God considers 40 days a spiritually significant time period. Whenever God wanted to prepare someone for his purposes, he took 40 days:
*Noah’s life was transformed by 40 days of rain.
*Moses was transformed by 40 days on Mount Sinai.
*The spies were transformed by 40 days in the Promised Land.
*David was transformed by Goliath’s 40-day challenge.
*Elijah was transformed when God gave him 40 days of strength from a single meal.
*The entire city of Nineveh was transformed when God gave the people 40 days to change.
*Jesus was empowered by 40 days in the wilderness.
THE NEXT 40 DAYS WILL TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE.
During September & October the Sunday Celebration will guide you into that week’s conversation and study in one of the many small groups.
Week One “What On Earth Am I Here For?” Colossians 1: 16
Week Two PURPOSE #1 “You Were Planned For God’s Pleasure” Isaiah 61: 3
Week Three PURPOSE #2 “You Were Formed For God’s Family” John !5: 5
Week Four PURPOSE #3 “You Were Created To Become Like Christ” Colossians 2: 7
Week Five PURPOSE #4 “You Were Shaped For Serving God I Corinthians 3: 5 – 6
Week Six PURPOSE #5 “You Were Made For A Mission Proverbs 11:30

Be sure to join us on Sunday – October 24th for the MISSION & MINISTRY FAIR at Atonement. This will be held in the fellowship hall during the Sunday School hour. Come and see what is going on at Atonement and the ELCA as the Good News of Jesus Christ is proclaimed! Come and see how you can be a part of what is going on in ministry and how you can be a part of these many ministries. COME & SEE!!

CELEBRATION SUNDAY will be on November 7th. You are asked to bring to worship your completed Time & Talent Sheets and your financial pledges for 2011. We will place them on the altar as our gift to God in response to what God has done for us.

Please contact me by phone 920-468-0713 or by e-mail james.gerth@yahoo.com so I know how you would like to help!
Join us as we explore the question: What on earth am I here for?
In Christ,

Pastor Jim (P.J.)

July Pastor's Letter

2010-06-28T10:19:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends,

Greetings to you in the Name of Jesus Christ!

“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” John 20:21

I am not sure what this next week will be like. I have never gone on a trip like this one. I am not certain what I will find as I join a group of four other men to go fishing in

Canada

. I must admit I am excited! I am excited about having some time with my son and some good friends. I am excited about seeing the beauty of that part of the world. I am excited about coming home with some great fish and or fish stories. But – having never been to this lake with this group before I do wonder – how will it go?

Looking to the future can be difficult to do. The followers of Jesus who were gathered in that room with the doors and windows all closed were not too sure about anything – and that includes the future. They had just gone through the most difficult week in their lives – Jesus being arrested, Judas betraying Jesus, Jesus sharing the last meal with them calling them to be servants, and then seeing Jesus die on the cross. What were they to make of all that they had seen and heard with Jesus over the last year and certainly over the last week.

But did you notice what happened? “Peace be with you.” What? How can that be? Their world had been turned upside down – peace. Yet that is just what Jesus brought them and brings us. “Peace be with you.” It was about a year ago that we gathered in a room (parish hall) wondering about the future and what God was calling us to do at Atonement. But even though we had our questions, look how God has blessed us with peace as we have moved forward into mission together. Remember what Jesus said to his followers, “As the Father has sent me so I send you”. Yes we are sent! Sent into the neighborhoods around Atonement to BE THE PEOPLE OF GOD who are not afraid but rather filled with the PEACE OF CHRIST!

I remember that worship services used to end with these words – “Now the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in CHRIST JESUS”. The followers of Jesus did not stay in that room and we at Atonement have not stayed in the parish hall. We have been sent to BE THE CHURCH – TO BRING THIS REMARKABLE GIFT OF PEACE TO THE WORLD. I am not sure how it will all work out but I do know that the Prince of Peace – Jesus Christ) is leading the way! Praise God!

In Christ,

Pastor Jim (P.J.)

(P.S. .Ask me about my fishing trip!)

2010-05-07T12:03:00.000-05:00

“And Who is My Neighbor?”

Luke 10: 25-37
25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
26"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
27He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.’"
28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
36"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Although it is easy to see the moral of this parable as simply “the one who does the good deed is my neighbor,” it is important to note that, historically, Samaritans and Jews did not get along at all. Jesus did not just choose a random class people to use in His parable, He specifically chose the priest – one of the holiest of peoples – and the Samaritan – one of the most looked down upon of peoples by the Jews at the time. But when the priest passed up the wounded man on the road and the Samaritan was the one who showed compassion, Jesus was indeed saying to this ‘expert of the law’ that even the Samaritans are neighbors to the Jews! Not just the people of our church, the people in our suburb, the people that we are comfortable being around.

In my experience living abroad in Jerusalem/Palestine for a year, I could very well insert [Arab] where Jesus used Samaritan. At first, I was very uncomfortable – after all, the U.S. was at war with several of their sister countries and I clearly stuck out as a white American/European. But guess what, Jesus does not always call us to be comfortable in our ministries. On the contrary, He says the gate to life is small and the path is narrow and arduous. So with this in mind as I ventured out into the streets of Palestine, I had a very skeptical idea of ‘who my neighbor is’ but God granted me the strength and courage I needed to do his work and I was willing to keep an open mind. I soon found to my surprise that, like the wounded man on the street, I was shown more hospitality by these complete strangers than I ever received here in the United States. I was taken in and given three course meals fit for a king that I knew they could not afford, but it was of the utmost importance that their guest, even an American, be honored in this way. I was deeply humbled by their kindness and generosity.

Probably the most important thing I learned by living abroad is that the most rewarding ministry is oftentimes the most challenging. It is true that God calls me to go to Rollercoaster parks for a day with Atonement’s youth, and I gratefully accept this as an important part of God’s work. However, as I look around myself to all of the “narrow and arduous” roads of ministry, I realize that God may have more challenges set out before me than I’d like to admit. As it is a difficult working progress in my life, I would like to encourage everyone to be willing to step out of your comfort zone when the opportunity to perform God’s more challenging ministry arises. Be willing to ask yourself “who is your neighbor?” because someday you may find yourself wounded in the streets and your Samaritan may be the one who comes and feeds you, bandages your wounds, and brings you to the hospital.

Paul Kacynski
Interim Youth Director

April Letter from PJ

2010-04-15T19:17:00.002-05:00

Dear Friends,

Greetings to you in the powerful name of Jesus the Christ!

There seemed little reason for celebration and joy that Sunday morning after Good Friday. The women who went to the tomb early in the morning were still finding it hard to believe that their son, their friend, their Jesus was dead. No doubt they were recalling the many times they had spent together. Times like when Jesus changed the water into wine or when he was also overcome with grief at the death of his friend Lazarus, or when he calmed the storm or…. So many memories and so many hopes of what could have been had Jesus not died. But was God done? Was death to have the final word?

God was not done! God acted on that Sunday morning and brought life where there was death. God acted and brought joy and wonderment where there was grief and dispair. God acted and now we have a reason to CELEBRATE!! God acted and has touched our hearts in such a way that we can not be silent! Friends it is time to CELEBRATE and it is time to invite others to the CELEBRATION! This is what the women did that first Easter.

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but he has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again. Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this…” Luke 24:5-9

They could not keep it to themselves! They had to share what it was that they had seen and heard! What have you seen? What is your story of how God is still at work in your life and in the lives of all people? “I love to tell the story of Of unseen things above, Of Jesus and His glory, Of Jesus and His love.” Let’s be like those women on that first Easter morning and invite people to come and see. Come and see that the tomb is empty – Christ lives! Come and see that death does not have the final word! Come and see that Jesus is ALIVE! Come and join the CELEBRATION!!!

In Christ,

Pastor Jim (P.J.)

P.S. Starting in April I will be visiting members of Atonement in your homes, at your places of work, at the church or some other location. I will start with those who noted they would like a visit on the United 2 Serve question sheet and then work through the membership list starting with the A’s. These visits are for several reasons: to get to know you better, hear from you about your hopes for Atonement’s future and talk with you about our 50th Anniversary Celebration. See you soon!

In Christ,

Pastor Jim (P.J.)

Christmas Eve Service

2009-12-17T17:36:00.000-06:00

Come and join us for Christmas Eve Service at 4:30p.m. and then at 10:00p.m. Let us gather together to celebrate the Birth of Christ!