“We bring the hope

we share in Christ to

all!”

FEBRUARY 2013 VOLUME 57—ISSUE 2

WELCA Valentine Luncheon

All women are invited to join us on Saturday, February 16th

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM for our Valentine Salad Luncheon. Stacy Dreesson from the Family Tree Center will be our guest speaker and an offering will be taken to support the work of this wonderful organization. This is an occasion when we invite women from other area churches to join us also. Atonement members are asked to bring a salad. Come with a friend and enjoy great food, entertainment and fellowship!

Theology on Tap with Vicar Jenna is BACK!

Are you interested in meeting up for good food, good fellowship, and maybe a good pint or two? Well then, Theology on Tap is for YOU! Due to many (and I mean MANY) requests that the group be expanded, the only age limit is that I ask that you please be 21 years old. OK, here are the details for you then:

When: Friday, February 15 at 6 PM

Where: Mackenzie River Pizza in the Heights (right by Target on Main St.)

Who: Anyone 21 and up

Why: You have lots of questions, and would like an opportunity to ask them. Or, you just want to get to know Vicar Jenna a little better. Or, you’re looking for additional fellowship opportunities. Or…well, you get the point.

***Disclaimer: I only ask that you bear in mind that this is NOT a time to argue, disrespect different beliefs and points of view, or treat this as a time to convince everyone that your particular belief is the one and only way to believe.***

All questions and queries: vicarjennap@gmail.com

February 13 at 7:00 PM Ash Wednesday

worship includes imposition of ashes and Holy Communion

Feb. 20, 27, March 6, 13 and 20 6:00 PM ~ Soup Supper

6:45 PM ~ Teaching/Learning Event

“Meet the Un-Forgiveables!” God finds ways to work with almost anyone! Join with Confirmation youth and others during Lent and meet this cast of un-Forgiveables! Hot dogs, soup and faith-time with friends starts on Wed., Feb. 20 @ 6:00pm. “Meet the un-Forgiveables!” includes song, discussion, and prayer. This is a Youth & Family event

with everything ending by about 7:15 pm.

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 2

A Note from Your Pastor for the Interim

God brings us together again! As your pastor for the interim my work with you will focus differently, yet with the same intent to serve the Lord of the Church. Together we are pledged to discerning God’s vision for your ministry at Atonement Lutheran Church as you prepare to call your next settled pastor. May God bless the ministry we share in the months ahead.

You don’t know everything that will happen in the days ahead and neither do I. There will be lots of dialogue, lots of questions, lots of work and I hope a good measure of fun. I am certain there will be times of grief, times of puzzlement, times of disappointment and perhaps even times of anger. I expect there will also be times of laughter, silliness, and especially times of thankfulness: thankfulness for the leadership whom God has used to shape and enrich you and the ministry at Atonement. All of these feelings are understandable and have their place in the life of this community.

The ministry that you and I have together during this interim time will require as much of you and me as any regular settled ministry would. Ministry doesn’t take a vacation during the interim time. We will pray for wisdom in discerning God’s mission for Atonement. We will study God’s Word and your patterns of ministry and mission. We will welcome each other in lively worship all the while reflecting on the deep longing and hunger of those who are not yet in a living relationship with Jesus. You and I will be invited by God to give from our best in wisdom, creativity, money and service in this church.

Let us pray for one another, that God equip us with grace, an open ear, a willing heart and a quiet perseverance to hear God’s call to mission in this place. I will keep you in prayer. I ask that you remember me in your payers.

One of my first tasks, with your leaders, will be to organize a team of leaders who will serve as your Transition Team. Their work will include involving the whole congregation in the tasks of the interim. I expect that at every step of the way there will be open communication about the specific tasks the team is working on and a clear invitation to all of you as to how you may participate in the work.

The time of interim can be a wonderful opportunity for a congregation to assess its strengths and ponder the ministry priorities

through which the Holy Spirit will birth the next chapter of its life.

In addition to the specific steps the Transition Team will be leading, I invite and look forward to conversation with as many of you as possible. I want to listen as you talk about how God has led you deeper into your faith through the ministry of Atonement. I want

to engage you in reflecting on the mission you believe God is

preparing for Atonement Lutheran Church in the days ahead. How is God shaping you to reach out in Jesus’ name to your community, a community that is changing in so many ways - ethnically, culturally and generationally?

Let’s enjoy and give thanks for this opportunity to walk together during the months of this interim. Thank you for your openness and trust as we begin this ministry together!

Sincerely,

Pastor Reitz

“You and I will be invited by God to give from our best i n w i s d o m , creativity, money and service in this church.”

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 3

February: fruit & pudding cups;juice boxes;

ziploc sandwich bags

Lectors

8:00 AM 9:45 AM

Feb. 3: Marva Drain YOUTH

Feb. 10: Tina Williams Vicki Evans

Feb. 17: Lora Pederson Marilyn Franklin

Feb. 24: Pat Zellar Todd Koepp

Acolytes

Feb. 3:

8:00 a.m. Deyon Dixon

9:45 a.m. David Hull

Feb. 10:

8:00 a.m. Trisha Johnson

9:45 a.m. Nicole Hammond

Feb. 17:

8:00 a.m. Julia Mulkey

9:45 a.m. Kenna Hofer

Feb. 24:

8:00 a.m. Armani Murrell

9:45 a.m. Dawson Mangels

Communion Preparers

February 3: Elinore Quander February 10: Rita Reeve

February 17: Julie Andersen February 24: Bill & Judy Belden

Communion Bread

February ~ Julie Leno March ~ Tammy Johnston

Giving Our Time & Talents to God - Page 1

Time & Talent List

Hospital Visitation

February ~ Betty Jo Furstenberg March ~ Erin Koepp

Sharing Flowers for Worship

Feb. 3: open

Feb. 10: open

Feb. 17: open

Feb. 24: Nancy, Angela & Amanda King

The 2013 Flower Chart is on the table outside the office at the back of the sanctuary. Cost is $25.00 per Sunday for two bouquets given in honor or memory of a loved one.

Van Drivers

Feb. 3: Kyle Johnston 256-1980 Feb. 10: Kyle Johnston 256-1980 Feb. 17: Mark Jennings 248-8044 Feb. 24: Marlon Leno 248-5359

Common Grounds

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 4 The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 4

Greetings Atonement!

As we head into our Lenten season, some of us may begin to think about something we will give up for Lent. Some of us will give up sweets, chocolate, soda, or something of the like. Some of us may joke about giving up coffee when all we drink is tea. Others of us will choose to add a spiritual practice into our daily/weekly lives—maybe committing to the mid-week Lenten fellowship each Wednesday, or a daily devotional with a Lenten focus. Whatever you may or may not decide to do, I hope that it is intentionally and prayerfully decided, and that you use this season of our church year to prepare yourself for our commemoration and celebration of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

My practice this year will include a book study, and I invite anyone interested in having a real and honest, scripturally focused conversation around the role of faith in our daily lives. Reclaiming the “L” Word: Renewing the Church from Its Lutheran Core by Kelly Fryer is for those who wrestle with the questions of “Who are we? What DOES it mean to be a Lutheran today, anyway? And, why does it matter?” If any of these questions seem familiar to you, or you want to learn more about how our faith impacts our daily lives, then this is the place for you.

We will be meeting each Sunday during Lent (February 17, 24, March 3, 10, 17, and 24) at 12 PM for a potluck and small group discussion. Depending on how many of us sign up, we may have to expand our locations, but for now it will be at my house! More information to come soon—watch your bulletin announcements!

Sign-up sheets will be out in the sanctuary each Sunday leading up to the study, and you can always email or call me to sign up. I hope you’ll prayerfully consider joining me and your fellow churchgoers. I’m looking forward to our intentional time together!

Peace and blessings,

Vicar Jenna

The Love Offering for February~

Christikon Camper Scholarships

Ed & Rita Reeve have championed the Lenten Backpack drive at Atonement for a number of years. This year, Ed & Rita would like to pass the torch to new champions who share their compassion for children in Yellowstone County. Please contact the office if you can help. This is a ministry that provides valuable support to the community.

Love Offering

envelopes can now be

found on the two tables at

the back of the sanctuary.

Soup Luncheon

& Wellness Series Wednesdays @ 12:00 pm

February 13th – March 20th

Remarkable Retirement Living for the Heights

Little White Church

1260 Sierra Granda Blvd

The Six Week Lenten Wellness Series Includes a FREE Soup Luncheon

and Valuable Informational Speakers Focusing on the Dimensions of Wellness.

For more information and to reserve your spot, please call:

Lisa Sorensen at 655-7700.

Needed: Someone to be in charge of

Atonement’s tree for the

Festival of Trees 2013. This

is a great opportunity to let

your creative side shine—as

well as help families in crisis.

Please call Judy at 259-9934

for details.

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 5

Prayers for Members of our

Congregation 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.

Feb. 3: Bob & Robyn Cummings; Dale, Diane,

Doug & Dan Cunnington; Ryan & Vy-Dana Curtis; and

Dan & Kathy Cypher

Feb. 10: Trevor, Jennifer, Bailee & Carter Dahlman;

Marjorie Damschen; Don & Maria Davidson; and Adam, Stephanie, Ethan & Preston

Davis

Feb. 17: Betty Day; Stacey, Marissa & Sage Delser;

George & Shirley DeMars;

and Alex Donnes

Feb. 24: Laura, Michael &

Stephanie Drager; Don & Marva Drain; Carl, Shelley, Christopher, Matthew & Taylor Dunbar; and Norma

Duncan

Elections at the Annual Meeting

Church Council Members:

Vivian Beals (2nd term)

Kim Plaggemeyer

Jesse Gonzalez

Don Richard ~ alternate

Council Youth Representative:

Alie Evans

St. John’s Delegates:

Eleanor Andersen

Maggie Beler

Amy Severson

Lutheran Center:

Steve Slater

Finance Committee:

Current Members: President, Vice President, Treasurer & Marlon Leno - 2013; Tammy Johnston - 2014

Bob Holloway

Nominating Committee:

Linda Fiene-Quinn

Judy Belden

Vicki Evans

Synod Assembly Delegates:

Diane Cunnington

Erin Koepp

Todd Koepp

Christikon Delegate:

Current Members: Lora Pederson - 2013; Nancy King - 2014

Sara Westrope - 2015

Personnel Committee:

Current Members: Immediate Past President, President, Vice president & Lisa Hammond - 2013

Bill Belden - 2014

Thank you to all members who allowed their

names to be placed in nomination.

My family and I “thank you” for all your prayers, memorials, food, visits and beautiful cards you gave us during Curtis’s passing. We also thank you for your prayers and the beautiful cards that were sent to me

during my recent illness.

God’s Blessings,

Lillian Scheafer & family

These young people of Atonement are SAINTS. They are helpers for IHN. When you see them,

THANK THEM!!!

Shaun, Lane & Erika Severson; Emma, Ian & Abby Quinn; Haley Roedocker; Haylee & Nicole Hammond; Arielle Tommerop; Angela & Amanda King; Kara White; Eric Hansen; Sage Delser; Dawson Mangels; Erin Barta; Olivia Manning; Annika Peterson

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 6

8:00 AM Ushers

Feb. 3: Mike & Janet Rubich, Bill & Judy Belden

Feb. 10: Mike & Janet Rubich, Dale Molyneaux, Jo Bott

Feb. 17: George & Shirley DeMars, John & Bertha Olsen

Feb. 24: Mike & Janet Rubich, Karen Underwood, Marjorie Stewart

CANTORS

Feb. 3:

8:00 a.m. Elinore Quander

9:45 a.m. Sono Me Praise Band

Feb. 10:

8:00 a.m. Chapel Choir

9:45 a.m. Becky Lujan & Gary Dunmeyer

Feb. 17:

8:00 a.m. Kelly & Linda Michaelis

9:45 a.m. Terri Porisch & Sara Hull

Feb. 24:

8:00 a.m. Gary Dunmeyer

9:45 a.m. Nicole & Alie Evans

Piano Schedule ~ 9:45 a.m. Worship

Feb. 3: JoAnn Martin

Feb. 10: Elinore Quander

Feb. 17: Stephanie Gushwa

Feb. 24: Elinore Quander

9:45 AM Ushers

Feb. 3: YOUTH

Feb. 10: Kelly & Linda Michaelis, Daren, Amy, Shaun & Lane Severson

Feb. 17: Jack & Vivian Beals, Linda Lange, Francesca Lees, Kelly & Linda Michaelis

Feb. 24: Dale Cunnington, Cindy Dunmeyer, Betty Jo Furstenberg, Kyle, Hailey & Ben Johnston

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 6

Giving Our Time & Talents to God ~ Page 2

2013 Atonement Lutheran Church Council

Tyler Westrope 670-3878

Lance King 656-1183

Gary Dunmeyer 724-552-6693

Vivian Beals 248-7930

Linda Lange 245-4766

Dave Mangels 256-2029

Barry Hammond 861-5285

Sara Hull 245-6414

Debbie Rensvold 259-2485

Kim Plaggemeyer 860-0365

Jesse Gonzalez 698-7709

Alie Evans - Youth Representative 896-0310

Don Richard - Alternate 248-9934

Wonderful Wednesday!

No Wonderful Wednesday meal as Feb. 13 is Ash

Wednesday

Marvelous Monday! Feb. 25 @ 6:00PM

Applebee’s

All are welcome!

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 7

GRACE BIBLE

STUDY meets Tuesdays at 7:00 pm

at Atonement. For more information, contact

Tina Williams at 256-7761.

Did you know that today in Yellowstone County, 350 children are placed out of their homes because they have experienced abuse or neglect? Are you a compassionate individual that wants to make a difference in the life of a vulnerable child? Yellowstone CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is looking for new volunteers. Yellowstone CASA trains everyday community volunteers to be advocates for the abused and neglected children in the court system. Do you have 5 to 15 hours a month to donate and the desire to change a child’s future? Volunteers must commit to a child for the duration of a case (approx. 22 months), serve as the investigative arm of the court, write reports, and advocate for the child’s best interest in the

courtroom.

Be that difference to a child. Be an advocate. Training

starts March 5th and is completed in 3 weeks (30 hours).

Call today for further information about Yellowstone CASA or about becoming a volunteer and making a difference in the life of an abused child in your

community. Please contact:

Jen Daniels, Volunteer Coordinator

406-259-1233/ jen@yellowstonecasa.org

Friendship Club

February 13, 2013

11:30AM

Speaker: Mark Cassel Program: ~ information about shingles ~

JOY Bible Study

The JOY Bible Study is a

women’s study group that

meets every Wednesday at

6:30 a.m. at City Brew.

Hope Circle Hope Circle meets Feb. 21st @ 9:30 a.m. @ Atonement. The Bible study is from Gather magazine (formerly Lutheran Woman Today).

Financial Report

December 2012 Income $ 32,498.54

December 2012 Expenses $ 21,323.75 Net Income (loss) for month $11,174.79

Net Income (loss) for year ($ 9,304.73)

January 2013 Offerings & Income

January 06, 2013 $ 5,354.95

January 13, 2013 $ 3,326.55

January 20, 2013 $ 3,960.87

January 27, 2013 $

Simply Giving through

01/23/2013 $ 4,040.00

Total as of 01/23/2013 $ 16,682.37

Thursday Bible Study ~ 9:30 a.m. ~ Novak Room

Reading through the Old Testament—currently

reading Psalms.

Baptisms:

Funerals:

Marriages:

Atonement Staff

Interim Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Philip Reitz Intern. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .Jenna Pulkowski Office Manager . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . Joann Estal Organist . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . Gwynn Pederson Chapel Choir Director . . . . . . . . . . Emily Prouty

Atonement Lutheran Church

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

www.atonementbillings.org

reitzpl@msn.com

joann@atonementbillings.org

vicarjennap@gmail.com

Non Profit Organization

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Billings, MT

Permit #904 407 Wicks Lane ▪ Billings, MT 59105

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