“We bring the hope

we share in Christ to

all!”

DECEMBER 2012 VOLUME 56—ISSUE 12

WELCA CHRISTMAS DESSERT To: The Women of Atonement - All Ages Welcome

Date: December 3, 2012

Time: 7:00 PM

Where: Atonement Lutheran Church

Dessert provided by: WELCA board members

Entertainment by: "Checkpoint"

Please join us for what has become the traditional kickoff to the Advent season—

a relaxing evening of fun and fellowship with the women of Atonement. Meet our new board members for 2013 and hear the entrancing sounds of Checkpoint

in what promises to be one of our most memorable events.

Prayer Partners for 2012 will be revealed.

“Catch the Christmas Spirit”

Sunday School

Christmas Program

Saturday

December 15, 2012

4:00 PM

[rehearsal at 10:00 a.m.]

additional information on page 4

2013 Prayer Partners The WELCA Board is pleased to announce a new program for prayer partners in 2013. This year we are going to eliminate "secret" prayer partners and use this as an opportunity to

grow in relationship with one another and God. With that in mind, those individuals wishing to participate will be paired up with another interested person. Over the next 12 months you will be encouraged to become better acquainted, chat, have coffee, share your joys and sorrows with your prayer partner and grow in the grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

Anyone wishing to have a prayer partner but who is unable to attend the Christmas Dessert may sign up on the clipboard at the back of the church.

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 2

Hello and greetings from your Council President. In

lieu of Pastor Mark’s monthly letter, I would like to

provide you with an update from Council and the

Executive Committee.

As I am sure you are aware, Atonement will be having

guest preachers help us out for the next couple of

weeks. After Pastor Mark announced his decision to

leave, the Executive Committee contacted the Bishop

asking for help. The Bishop (and Associate Bishop)

started the search for an interim pastor for Atonement.

Atonement has had a couple interim pastors in the past,

and their goal is to not only bridge the gap between

when Atonement will call permanent pastors, but also

to help heal any wounds or conflicts from when the

outgoing pastor left. While the Bishop’s office searches

for a suitable interim pastor, Atonement needs to find

supply preachers who will preach until the interim

starts.

Please know that the Bishop’s office, St. John’s and the

other Lutheran churches in Billings have graciously

offered their support and we have found enough supply

preachers until the interim begins. Please help me in

welcoming these guests; their support and generosity

throughout this busy Advent season is greatly

appreciated!

In late October the Bishop’s office put out a region-

wide call for interim pastors. The Bishop’s office has

given Atonement the name of a pastor whom they

highly recommend (Pastor Philip Reitz), who the

Executive Committee is currently in negotiations with.

As you may remember, Pastor Reitz was the director of

our very successful capital campaign and preached at

Atonement a couple times throughout that process.

Pastor Reitz is very excited to join Atonement and his

knowledge and background will not only help

Atonement through the pastoral transitional period, but

also as he led our capital campaign, he will be able to

calm fears people may have regarding our new church

home. Pastor Reitz is anticipated to begin work at

Atonement in mid- to late January. His presence and

talents will be needed, welcomed and appreciated.

In the absence of Pastor Mark, a number of individuals

have admirably volunteered their time to keep the

ministries Atonement supports running. Their support

cannot be thanked enough. If you would like to help

with any activities or ministries Atonement provides,

please contact any Church Council member and they

can help point you in the right direction.

Transitions are always tough, and this one will be no

different. Your Council takes this task very seriously

and is working hard keep Atonement strong. I wish you

and your families the best during this holiday season!

Blessings,

Tyler Westrope

Council President

A s many of you know by now, I will continue serving at Atonement for the remainder of my

internship! One of the questions I've been asked by many of you is if I am the interim pastor.

Meaning, will I be serving as the pastor until a new pastor is hired? The answer is No, I'm still just the

seminary student intern! My role will remain the same as it has been for the past few months--preaching,

teaching 7th grade Confirmation, and participating in the various committees.

Another question I've been asked is whether I'm the youth director or youth pastor. I want to learn as

much as possible about the role of a pastor within a parish (church) context, so my participation will be as

varied as possible. So, while I am greatly enjoying working with the youth group--and will continue to do

so!--I am not in charge of the youth. We have an amazing group of parents who are rocking out youth

programming, and are doing a far better job than one person could ever do on their own. I expect we'll see

some fantastic things over the next 6 months as they continue to grow, both in size and in faith.

Now, as we enter the season of Advent and then Christmas, I can't wait (no pun intended!) to experience

these church seasons with you all. It is my hope that it will be a time of growth, deepening relationships,

healing, and great joy as we await the birth of the One who makes the whole world right. Thanks be to

God for this miraculous reminder!

Peace,

Vicar Jenna

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 3

Time & Talent List

December~ PLEASE see holiday listing on page 5

Lectors

8:00 AM 9:45 AM

Dec. 2: Bertha Olsen Linda Michaelis

Dec. 9: Marva Drain Marilyn Franklin

Dec. 16: Lora Pederson Betty Jo Furstenberg

Dec. 23: Pat Zellar Dale Cunnington

Dec. 30: Bertha Olsen Randy Shelton

Communion Preparers

December 2: Shirley Jennings December 9: Tammy Johnston December 16: Elinore Quander December 23: Ed & Rita Reeve

December 30: Eleanor & Julie Andersen

Communion Bread

December: Stacey Arneson January: Gwynn Pederson

Giving Our Time & Talents to God - Page 1

Hospital Visitation

December ~ Cindy Dunmeyer

January ~ Kathy Slehofer

Sharing Flowers for Worship

Dec. 2: Louis & Kim Plaggemeyer

Dec. 9: open

Dec. 16: open

Dec. 23: Julie Andersen

Dec. 25: open

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

Dec. 2:

8:00 a.m. Nicole Hammond

9:45 a.m. Kara White

Dec. 9:

8:00 a.m. Kenna Hofer

9:45 a.m. Briana Guse

Dec. 16:

8:00 a.m. David Hull

9:45 a.m. Ben Higgins

Dec. 23:

8:00 a.m. Dawson Mangels

9:45 a.m. Hailey Johnston

Dec. 30:

8:00 a.m. Abby Quinn

9:45 a.m. Angela King

Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk!

Meet other walkers in the church

parking lot at 10:00 a.m. on Fridays.

We walk to Lake Elmo and back.

Common Grounds

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 4

December

Love Offering…

IHN Christmas Party Check your calendars if you can help with

the IHN Christmas Party: Saturday,

December 15th at American Lutheran

Church from 4-7pm. For the past 4 years,

Atonement members (youth and adults)

have been helping make a wonderful

evening for our IHN “graduated” families

with the children “shopping” and wrapping

gifts for their parents, doing crafts,

decorating cookies, getting special

Christmas pictures taken, and then eating a

wonderful meal cooked by the IHN Board

of Directors. We have opportunities to

help in the following places: Shopping

Room, Wrapping Room, Christmas Pictures,

Cookie Decorating, and several different

crafts. We will also need donations of gift

items (perfume, jewelry, knickknacks,

lotions, soaps, pictures etc.) for the

children to choose for their parents, as well

as gift wrap, bows, tags, boxes, and plain

sugar cookies. In addition, we have a table

for gently used Christmas decorations that

we can pass on to families who may have

nothing. Finally, Atonement is again buying

presents for 2 special IHN graduate families

and cash donations are appreciated. Please

call Janie Fitch Meszaros at 861-9349 if you

can help with any of these Christmas

ministries.

Love Offering

envelopes can now be

found on the two tables at

the back of the sanctuary.

From Interfaith Hospitality Network Mark your 2013 calendars for Sat., February 2 at the Depot for IHN’s second annual Beach Blizzard! We are looking forward to another evening of fantastic food and fun that benefits IHN families, and we are encouraging IHN congregation members to reserve tables early. Tables of eight are $1000, so gather a group of friends and call the IHN office at 294-7432 so we can save you a table!

Adela Awner

IHN Executive Director

We are very excited to be working as a team to co-chair as the Sunday School Superintendents. We have had a great year so far and really enjoy getting to know each of your wonderful children. We have been blessed with a great team of Sunday School teachers and musical assistants and thank each of them for all they do.

The Christmas Program is scheduled on Saturday, December 15th at 4pm, so please mark it on your calendars— the Sunday School Children love a crowd. We will practice during Sunday School on December 2nd and December 9th, and a final practice on Saturday, December 15th at 10am. We hope everyone is able to attend.

With the Holidays, questions are often raised about whether there is Sunday School. The only Sunday we will not have Sunday School is December 23rd.

God Bless,

Stacey Arneson and Janette Tulimaiau

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 5

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.

December 2: Suzanne & Tyler Beauregard; Carroll & Doris Beise; Bill & Judy Belden; Maggie & Brooks Beler

December 9: Vonnie Bell; Jay, Janelle, Jared, Jacob & Jessica Berry; Todd, Joni, Brittany &

Landry Bertsch; James & Delores Bice

December 16: Jensen, Hilary & Haylie Waldron; Kay Bollinger; Lynn & Mildred Boothe; Charles, Jo & James & Angela Bott & Caleb Tonning

December 23: Randy, Jeni, Easton, Saige & Kole Boyles;

Marlys Brasel; Gordon, Brigitte & Jay Brown & Sarah Fischer; Steve, Debbie, Brock, Brea & Paige Brownlee

December 30: Joy Bruder; Conrad & Phyllis Burns; Craig, June, Matthew & Sarah Canfield; Trudy Chester

Sack lunches, holidays are Food

Bank focus

Because of the high volume of sack lunches being prepared, the Billings Food Bank is in need of sandwich makings: meats, cheese, sandwich bags, snack items, sliced fruit and veggies, large jars of peanut butter and jellies, and anything individually packed for sack lunch.

Plans are also underway for the holidays. The list for Thanksgiving food baskets is as follows:

10-12 lb. turkeys/hams stuffing

noodles/macaroni green beans

canned fruit soup

milk (canned or dry) margarine

potatoes (5 lb. or dry) cranberry sauce

breakfast cereal macaroni & cheese

pumpkin pie mix bisquick or flour

peanut butter/jellies jello

PLEASE do not leave perishable items in the Food Bank barrel at Atonement. If possible, deliver hams/turkeys to the Food Bank @ 2112 4th Ave N.

Dear Members of Atonement,

I would like to thank you for the reception on my last Sunday and the gift of the getaway at the Pollard Hotel in Red Lodge. Maryann and I will certainly enjoy that soon.

Thank you for all the cards and gifts of appreciation. I would especially like to thank the Handyman Ministries for the gift certificate to Cabela’s, the Worship Committee for the gift certificate to Fuddruckers (it will bring back memories of meetings) and the Prayer Shawl ministry and Tina Williams for the prayer shawl.

You continue in my prayers. God’s blessings to each of you!

Pastor Mark

Thanks to my Faith Family at Atonement for all the comforting words, cards, memorials, flowers, and phone calls when my dad, Bob Fitch, died in October. In times like these I appreciate even more our connections, and when my faith is wavering, you build me up. It is the faces I see each Sunday, and in all the ministries we do together at Atonement, that gives me a feeling of belonging and knowing that I am never alone. Janie Fitch Meszaros

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 6

8:00 AM Ushers

Dec. 2: Mike & Janet Rubich, Del & Rose Steiner Dec. 9: Mike & Janet Rubich, Ed & Rita Reeve Dec. 16: Mike & Janet Rubich, Dale Molyneaux, Karen Underwood

Dec. 23: Clarence Robinson, Bill & Judy Belden, Jo Bott

Dec. 30: George & Shirley DeMars, John & Bertha Olsen

Van Drivers

Dec. 2: Todd Koepp 256-1569 Dec. 9: Mark Jennings 248-8044 Dec. 16: Marlon Leno 248-5359 Dec. 23: Stan Newton 245-8456 Dec. 30: Kyle Johnston 256-1980

CANTORS

December 2:

8:00 a.m. Marilyn Franklin

9:45 a.m. Sono Me

December 9:

8:00 a.m. Chapel Choir

9:45 a.m. Lisa Hammond & Emma Quinn

December 16:

8:00 a.m. Gary Dunmeyer

9:45 a.m. Kelly & Linda Michaelis

December 23:

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

9:45 a.m. Terri Porisch & Marilyn Franklin

December 30:

8:00 a.m. Gary Dunmeyer

9:45 a.m. Kelly & Linda Michaelis

Piano Schedule ~ 9:45 a.m. Worship

Dec. 2: JoAnn Martin

Dec. 9: Stephanie Gushwa

Dec. 16: Elinore Quander

Dec. 23: Sara Hull

Dec. 30: Elinore Quander

9:45 AM Ushers

Dec. 2: Joyce Nitschke, Dennis & Donna Newell, Louis & Charlie Plaggemeyer, Janette Tulimaiau

Dec. 9: Daren, Amy, Shaun, Lane & Erika

Severson, Joan Siemers

Dec. 16: Tyler Westrope, DeeDee Stanich, Gene & Stacey Arneson, Maggie Beler, Janelle Berry

Dec. 23: [ushers being recruited]

Dec. 30: Jack & Vivian Beals, Cindy Dunmeyer, Bob & Shellie Ehrmantraut, Betty Jo Furstenberg

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 6

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 724-552-6693

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 Junior and Senior HS students

Dec. 1st ~ 9:00—noon service project at the Billings Food Bank

Atonement Lutheran Church Youth

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 7

GRACE BIBLE STUDY meets Tuesdays at 7:00PM

at Atonement

For more information, contact Tina Williams @ 256-7761

Friendship Club

(Friendship Club will not meet in December)

JOY Bible Study

The JOY Bible Study is a

women’s study group that

meets every Wednesday at

6:30am at City Brew

(710 Main Street).

Hope Circle Hope Circle will meet Thursday,

December 20th at 9:30am. at Atonement (room 2).

Financial Report October 2012 Income $ 27,610.53

October 2012 Expenses $ 30,047.18 Net Income (loss) for month ($ 2,436.65)

Net Income (loss) for year ($ 8,227.97)

November 2012 Offerings & Income

November 04, 2012 $ 5,169.60

November 11, 2012 $ 4,961.80

November 18, 2012 $ 3,140.58

November 25, 2012 $

Simply Giving through

11/23/2012 $ 4,065.00

Total as of 11/23/2012 $ 17,336.98

Thursday Bible Study

~ 9:30am ~ Novak Room

Reading through the Old Testament—currently reading

Psalms.

Wonderful Wednesday! December 12

6:00PM @ Bull Mountain Grille

Marvelous Monday!

No Marvelous Monday in December

All are welcome!

Atonement has two new facebook pages— “Building Brief” and “Atonement Youth.”

Go to Atonement’s website www.atonementbillings.org, scroll to the

bottom of the page and click on

On facebook, click “like” for each page. You will receive an alert when the pages are updated.

This is a convenient way to watch the progress of the building construction as new photos are added

and to stay informed about Youth activities.

Atonement Staff

Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . Associate in Ministry . .. . . . . Kathy Slehofer Seminary Intern . . . . . . . . Jenna Pulkowski Office Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . Joann Estal Organist . . . . ... . . . . .. . . Gwynn Pederson

Atonement Lutheran Church

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

www.atonementbillings.org kathy@atonementbillings.org

joann@atonementbillings.org

vicarjennap@gmail.com

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