Author: Atonement

Atonement’s News

MISSION
Atonement Lutheran Church is a Christ-centered congregation that cares for the whole person with the Good News of Jesus Christ
VISION
To be a strong leader of our community in caring for its needs with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
CORE VALUES
Witness
We are God’s redeemed people who bear witness to Jesus Christ
Mercy
We are God’s redeemed people who show mercy to those who have physical needs
Life Together
We are God’s Redeemed people who gather together around the life giving Word and Sacraments and have fellowship with one another.

2015

A Monthly Publication of Atonement Lutheran Church

We live in a culture that loves a good story. A good story that stands the test of time, whether a movie, television show, a novel, or a parable of Jesus, is one that identifies with the human condition. It identifies with our true human experiences. It rings true!
The Bible is a good story that rings true. There is a recent version of the Bible called The Story that has tried to pick up on this idea of the Bible as one complete story by presenting it that way. The Bible is the true story of God, our Heavenly Father, the creator and recreator of the heavens and the earth, working within human history through his Son Jesus Christ to redeem an entire creation that has fallen from grace and is separated from him. Biblical Christianity is God’s true “life organizing story” that accounts for the human condition in a way no other story does.
God has brought us into his story of redemption and restoration of all of creation by using people to introduce us to Jesus. We have met the Jesus who saves us. Our ears have heard the saving message of the Gospel. Our eyes have read the story of God’s salvation in the Bible. Our mouths have prayed the prayers and sung the songs of God. Our bodies and souls have been washed clean with the waters of Holy Baptism. Our tounges have tasted and seen God’s forgiveness, life, and salvation in the Lord’s Supper. We have met Jesus. We believe and trust in him. We have been brought into God’s story of salvation through Christ.
On Sunday mornings we are brought into God’s story continually through the liturgy. At Atonement we “embrace the traditions of the Church and re-present them for this present time.” The liturgy of the Church is a story in which we participate and are rooted firmly in Christ through Word and Sacrament—the ways God gives us his eternal, spiritual gifts of life, forgiveness, and salvation in the present. Through the liturgy of the Church we meet Jesus and receive his gifts of forgiveness, eternal life, and salvation. We grow in our faith and become more firmly rooted in Christ as we live our lives the other six days of the week.
So How do we witness to others and tell this story? How do we bring others to meet Jesus and experience God’s story of salvation?
Well, if it is true that everyone loves a good story, perhaps we can start by listening to their story. What are their struggles? What are their difficulties? What are they trusting in above all else to meet their needs and to help them through struggles and difficulties? What are they looking to for meaning in their lives? What are they looking to for their identity? What are they looking to for security? Will those things ultimately satisfy or will they experience inevitable disappointment that will leave them stuck in hopelessness?
Then we can relate our story. How has being a part of God’s story of redemption and recreation in Christ given us true peace and hope that can be found in nothing else? How has being a part of God’s Story of salvation helped us through the difficulties, struggles, and trials of life?
After listening to their story and relating our story we are in a better position to share God’s Story. We can proclaim the story of redemption and recreation in Christ. We can proclaim the Gospel. We can proclaim a loving Heavenly Father who longs to have all people back in his heavenly household as soon as possible. We can proclaim the truth that this Heavenly Father has found a way to forgive the greatest of human offenses that separate us from having an eternal place in his house. We can proclaim that this Heavenly Father wants to adopt all people as his own holy children through a rebirth in the waters of Holy Baptism. He wants to unite all people to Christ and his death for the forgiveness of sins and resurrection to new, eternal life.
People love a good story. God’s story of redemption and restoration in Christ that the Bible reveals for us is a true story. And the great news is that he has found a way to bring you into his story through Word and Sacrament. He has found a way to continue to root you firmly in that story through the Divine Service on Sunday morning. And he wants to use you to proclaim that story for others.
In Christ,
Pastor Josh

FINANCIAL SECRETARY REPORT

For the month of January receipts totaled $9,650. To meet the approved budget, we need $10,768. Fiscal year to date, receipts total $87,908 vs budget of $94,220 which puts us $6,312 behind budget. A total of $465 has been received through January for Advent folders that will be given to Lutheran Border Concerns Ministry.
Contribution statements have been placed in your mailbox for the year 2014. If you have any questions, please call me at 619-729-2931.
Ann Duggan

BOARD OF FELLOWSHIP

Please remember that donations to the ‘kitty’ help fund our Sunday morning fellowship snacks and coffee.

BOARD OF LAY MINISTRY

Peter’s Denial
During the Last Supper, Jesus’ trusted disciple Peter claimed he would suffer prison or even death for his Master. But Jesus predicted that before the rooster crowed in the morning, Peter would deny three times that he even knew Jesus. That night, after Jesus’ arrest, Peter followed at a distance. Warming himself by a fire, Peter encountered three people who swore they had seen him with the arrested Jesus. Peter vehemently denied knowing Jesus and after the third time the rooster crowed. “So Peter went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:31-34, 54-62). All four Gospels tell this sad tale.
The Eye of the Needle
“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:25). When Jesus said this He knew His listeners were familiar with the bulk of the camel (as opposed to the smallness of a needle’s eye). While Jesus made it clear that it was possible (but rare) for the wealthy to enter heaven, the New Testament consistently states that people in love with possessions cannot be in love with God.
The Widow’s Coins
Jesus valued heartfelt generosity. Once in the temple He saw rich people making a show of giving large amounts to the temple treasury. He saw a poor widow dropping in two copper coins and realized that, in proportion to what she had, she was giving generously. He told His disciples. “This poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury” (Mark 12:43).

BOARD OF STEWARDSHIP

Why does giving seem so difficult? In reality, it isn’t. But we make it difficult. We make it difficult because we’re afraid. We’re afraid that it isn’t worth the investment. We’re afraid that what we give to the church might be wasted, or that we could use it for something better, something more enjoyable, something more real, more tangible, more immediate, even more important, something more important than God and His gifts.
The point is this: We struggle with giving because we don’t believe as we should. We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things. And so we fail to give because we don’t love God with our whole heart, soul, and mind. We fail to give because we don’t fear Him more than we fear other things. We fail to give because we don’t trust Him more than we trust the things we can more immediately see, taste, and touch. We don’t trust that He will give us everything (EVERYTHING!) we need to support this body and life. For if we did fear, love, and trust in God above all things, we would see and know that all the other things that vie for our time, our talents, and our treasures pale in comparison to the joy of the real, tangible, immediate love God has showered upon us in the proclamation of the forgiveness of sins on account of His Son’s death, resurrection, and ascension.
The only proper response to this is repentance: to confess our sin, our stinginess, our lack of fear, love, and faith in God’s promises, and to trust in Him to help us bring our desire to do better to fruition. For God is not holding out on us. He never has. He never will. For if He has given you His only Son, how will He not also give you all things? He will. It is His promise. And these promises are sure and certain.
The reality is that God doesn’t need our giving. He doesn’t need our time, our talents, our treasures. He is God. We are not. He can do all things without our help. And even what we do give, even the good and righteous things we do accomplish, these are but filthy rags, as the prophet Isaiah tells us (Isaiah 64:6). Our gifts to God and to the Church are like a child’s gift of dandelions to his mother. They are weeds, which most of us spend an entire summer trying to rid our yards of them. And yet despite the fact that they are weeds, mothers always receive them with a smile and with joy. They will even put them in vases and display them on tables and countertops. They will recount to friends and other family members how their child gave them “flowers,” just to say I love you and I’m thankful for all you do.
Our Lord, too, receives with joy and a smile the gifts we give in thanksgiving and praise of what He has done. Even though these gifts are but weeds, filthy rags, and despite the fact that He doesn’t need them to accomplish what He wills, He receives them and puts it to use for our and our neighbors good. That is the real joy of giving. He doesn’t need us. Yet He makes use of us, He employs us in His service despite it. He makes all that we do—our giving, our work, our service to our family and friends and neighbors—holy. And He blesses it for their and our good and to the glory of His name.
So is giving so hard? Nah, it’s like giving dandelions to our mothers. And when dinner is ready, when the food is on the table, she’ll gladly have a vase full of them right in the middle. The Lord has prepared a table for you. Dinner is ready. The table is set. His Body and Blood is given to strengthen and nourish you. And right there, where Christ is with us, are the dandelions we gave. He has put them to use for our good, for our forgiveness, for our life in Him.

LWML

March 16th at 6:30pm Ladies Nite Out
Watch for the Sign Up Sheet
March 22nd Spring Craft and Bake Sale
Bring crafts and baked goods for sale
Proceeds will be going to our Society’s on going support of Missions!
Our Society here at Atonement supports a Mission of the Year and a Mission of the Month. Our Mission of the Year for 2015 is the LBCM – Breakfast program. They will be receiving $50 every month for an entire year. Our Mission of the Month is separate from the Mission of the Year and they also get an addition $50 per month. To date our Mission’s of the Month are: January – East County Pregnancy Center; February – Orphan Grain Train; March – Sharp Hospital’s Hospice Care. The money that we raise from our twice yearly Craft and Bake Sales go toward these Missions. Thank you for all your support!
AED – Automated External Defibrillator
At our Super Bowl Sunday Junk Food Sale we raised $320 to go toward the purchase of the AED. At the Fat Sunday luncheon we raised an additional $338 for a total of $658 to go toward this purchase. There are still additional donations coming through so the final total is not complete. Stay tuned!!
Reminder – Watch for the LWML table on the 2nd Sunday of the month after church during the coffee hour! Bring your Mites!
Women’s Bible Study: Our study of the Book “Pew Sisters” will continue after Easter on Wednesday’s at 6:30pm.
Check out and LIKE our Facebook page at:
Atonement Lutheran Church: Women's Ministry
Page

Hiking Club
The Hiking Club will be going to the Crestridge Ecological reserve is a relatively new park area. There are a number of trails in the area used by hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. It's relatively easy hike with some scenic views in places. Dogs OK on a leash. There is more than one starting location. For a hike close to San Diego this one had very few people.
http://www.earthdiscovery.org/crestridge-ecological-reserve
Directions: In El Cajon: From I 8, south on Greenfield, left on La Cresta, left on Mountain View and left on Horsemill Rd. Address closest to parking 1171 Horsemill Rd
They will be meeting up at Atonement at 9:00 to carpool.

4
5
7
12
19
21
24
27
29
30
Joanne Luther
Todd Martens
Talitha LaFeve
Bobby Riess
Brandon Contreras
Sandee Boelter
Dart Moody
Melissa Smith
Dave Moody
Dusty Ferreiro
Kristin Brann

There is still space to sign up for flowers in 2014. The suggested donation is $30 and the flower chart is hung in the narthex.

17
26
Steve & Rhonda Nelson
Ludi & Janet Graf

March
Lay Ministers Acolytes Flowers
1 Don Geisinger Junior Betancourt
4 Jim Dysart Rebecca Moody
8 Larry Betancourt Phillip Brann The Cruz’s Grandaughter
11 Jim Dysart Rebecca Moody
15 Jim Dysart Junior Betancourt Dave & Dart Moody’s Birthday
18 Robert Bryant Vanessa Contreras
22 Larry Betancourt Sheree Moody Bill & Jean Vandewalker
25 Don Geisinger Rebecca Moody
29 Robert Bryant Phillip Brann Melissa Dysart’s Birthday
Usher: Manfred Luther Asst. Usher: James Contreras

2014—2015
Officers and Board/Committee Members
Executive Board
President Todd Martens
Secretary Shenoah Riess
Financial Secretary Ann Duggan
Treasurer Nancy Riley
Board of Lay Ministry
Chairperson Manny Cruz
Member Don Geisinger
Member Jim Dysart
Member Robert Bryant
Member Larry Betancourt
Board of Stewardship
Chairperson Judy Dysart
Member Lynn Chiaravalle
Member Kathy Martens
Member Jenny Moody
Board of Properties
Chairperson Art and Beth Puls
Member Manfred Luther
Member Bobby Riess
Member Dave Brinchman
Member Bob Imig
Board of Fellowship
Chairperson Jennie Green
Member Donna Hurd
Member Carol Hernandez
Board of Education
Chairperson Seth Heidtbrink
Member Gloria Ollhoff
Board of Outreach
Chairperson Sandee Boelter
Member Bob Karo
Member Remi Tufts
Flowers Carol Hernandez

ATONEMENT LUTHERAN CHURCH
10245 Loma Rancho Drive
Spring Valley, CA 91978
(619) 670-7174
Rev. Joshua LaFeve, Pastor
atonementspringvalley.org
atonement.sv@gmail.com
Weekly Service
Sunday at 9:00 am
Bible Study
Sunday at 10:30 am
Tuesday at 6:00 pm (Men’s)
Wednesday at 10:00 am
Wednesday at 6:00 pm (Women’s)
[On Break during Lent, resumes April]
Thursday at 6:30 pm (Young Adult)
Sunday School
Sunday at 10:30 am
Confirmation
Tuesday’s at 5:00 pm
Choir Rehearsal
Tuesday’s at 7:00 pm
Atoner’s Bell Ringers
Tuesday’s at 6:00 pm
Hiking Club
Last Saturday of each month. Location and times to be announced

SUNDAY	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY
1 / 9:00 am Divine Service / 10:30 am Bible Study / 10:30 am Sunday School	2	3 / 9:00 am Al Anon / 5:00 pm Confirmation / 6:00 pm Bells / 6:00 pm Men’s Group / 6:30 pm Scouts / 7:00 pm Choir	4 / 10:00 am Bible Study / 6:00 pm Meal / 7:00 pm Service	5 / 11:00 am Lay Ministers / 11:30 am Better Life / Together	6	7
8 / 9:00 am Prayer/Preaching / 10:30 am Bible Study / 10:30 am Sunday School / 11:00 am Social Ministry Meeting	9 / 6:00 pm Church Council	10 / 9:00 am Al Anon / 5:00 pm Confirmation / 6:00 pm Bells / 6:00 pm Men’s Group / 7:00 pm Choir	11 / 10:00 am Bible Study / 6:00 pm Meal / 7:00 pm Service	12 / 11:30 am Better Life / Together	13	14 / 2:00 pm Youth Outreach
15 / 9:00 am Divine Service / 10:30 am Bible Study / 10:30 am Sunday School	16 / 6:30 pm Ladies Night Out	17 / 9:00 am Al Anon / 5:00 pm Confirmation / 6:00 pm Bells / 6:00 pm Men’s Group / 6:30 pm Scouts / 7:00 pm Choir	18 / 10:00 am Bible Study / 6:00 pm Meal / 7:00 pm Service	19 / 11:30 am Better Life / Together	20 / 7:00 pm Game Night	21
22 / 9:00 am Prayer/Preaching / 10:30 am Bible Study / 10:30 am Sunday School	23	24 / 9:00 am Al Anon / 5:00 pm Confirmation / 6:00 pm Bells / 6:00 pm Men’s Group / 7:00 pm Choir	25 / 10:00 am Bible Study / 6:00 pm Meal / 7:00 pm Service	26 / 11:30 am Better Life / Together	27	28 / 8:00 am Work Party / 9:00 am Hiking Club / 10:00 am Al-Anon Business Meeting
29 Palm Sunday / 9:00 am Divine Service / 10:30 am Bible Study / 10:30 am Sunday School	30	31 / 9:00 am Al Anon / 5:00 pm Confirmation / 6:00 pm Bells / 6:00 pm Men’s Group / 6:30 pm Scouts / 7:00 pm Choir	1 / 10:00 am Bible Study / 6:00 pm Meal / 7:00 pm Service	2 / 11:30 am Better Life / Together	3	4