“We bring the hope

we share in Christ to

all!”

JULY 2012 VOLUME 56—ISSUE 7

W e exceeded our Catch the Vision—Share

the Hope capital campaign goal of

$650,000. Congratulations to the entire

Congregation of Atonement Lutheran Church!

As of the week ending June 23, we had pledges

totaling $668,530. With the success of the

capital campaign, we will be Building the Hope

in 2012!!

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held

Sunday, July 15, at 2:00pm at the High Sierra

site to kick off the construction of our new

home. The event will include a short service

followed by a ceremonial groundbreaking and

ice cream social.

There are still several hurdles to clear before

being able to sign a contract with Fisher

Construction; however, we are confident those

details will be completed shortly. With the

success of the campaign, the Finance Committee

was able to update and submit a final loan

application to Mission Investment Fund. While

the actual loan amount has yet to be determined,

we are very hopeful that sufficient financing can

be obtained, allowing the entire building

(including the commons area) to be constructed

in this initial phase. We hope to hear back from

Mission Investment Fund any day now.

The Project Planning Team is also working with

St. Johns Lutheran Ministries and Harvest

Church to develop the final phasing plan for

street improvements. These improvements

consist of completing the street in Sierra Granda

Boulevard (to the north of our property) and the

construction of the new Siesta Avenue (to the

south of our property). These improvements will

be constructed outside of Fisher Construction’s

contract. The final plans for these street

improvements are being completed, and the

project will be put out for bids soon.

Blessing to each of you as we move into this

long awaited opportunity to expand the mission

we bring to Billings, and as we grow our

partnership with St. Johns Lutheran Ministries.

Catch the Vision—Share the Hope Groundbreaking Set for Sunday, July 15!

W ith the reality of our new home so close, the Sweat Equity/Labor of Love team will be

generating ideas and opportunities for the entire congregation. When asked, please be generous in giving your time and talents.

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 2

Dear Friends at Atonement,

The Apostle Paul begins his letter to the

Philippians this way:

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

I would echo Paul’s words to each of you. I am

thankful for your sharing in the gospel with me

from the day I arrived at Atonement until now. My

thanksgiving overflows because of the way you

have responded to the urging of the Holy Spirit

regarding our capital campaign and our building

for the future. As I write today, it is the official

closing of our capital campaign and as of June 20,

we have received $668,530.00 in one-time gifts

and three year pledges—well over our $650,000

goal! You have been generous in sharing the

blessings God has given to you. While we have

“officially” ended our capital campaign, you still

have the opportunity to give if you have not done

so. Every gift and pledge we continue to receive

makes a difference in how much money we will

need to borrow to complete our project.

While we haven’t received final word yet

regarding our loan, from our conversation with

Mission Investment Fund last week, things look

hopeful that we will receive the amount we have

requested. Given the success of our capital

campaign, the Church Council has voted

unanimously that we proceed with groundbreaking

for our facility. We have set the groundbreaking

for Sunday, July 15, at 2:00pm. The

groundbreaking ceremony will be followed by an

ice cream social. This will truly be a momentous

day in the life of our faith community. While I

know that it is summer and a time of year full of

many activities, I hope you will make it a priority

to join us for this occasion.

As we step out into a new future for Atonement,

the Church Council has also approved the

following new logo/brand for Atonement. Amy

Severson and a graphic artist friend have been

working on the design. It has already been added

to the banner of our website. As we use up our

current supply of stationary and envelopes you will

also be seeing this logo. It will also be

incorporated into the new signage once our new

church building is completed. I’d like to give Amy

a big “thank you” for her time and effort on this

project.

These are exciting times! While I’m sure there are

still challenges ahead of us as we work toward the

completion of our new building, we can now see

the light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks be to

God!

The starting of school and the busyness of the fall

season will be upon us before we know it. I pray

that you will all have an enjoyable and safe

completion of the summer. Don’t forget our

Wednesday worship services at The Little White

Church if you aren’t able to attend worship on

Sundays. These services will continue through

August 15.

God’s Peace and Blessings to you all,

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 3

American Lutheran Church of Billings, MT is a vibrant ELCA congregation of more than 900 members seeking a part-time Director of Worship and Music. The position is responsible for the cooperative

planning of worship and the musical life of the congregation. Full job description can found at the church website www.amluth.org or by e-mailing a request to pastorelizabeth@amluth.org. Application due by July 31, 2012.

Prayers 4 Our

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.

July 1: Jay & Joan Schaaf; Kent, Tia, Zachary & Anthony Schacht; Lil lian Scheafer; Scott, Stephanie, Ashley, Alyssa & Makayla Schelm

July 8: Buck Schneider; Michael & Jahna Anderson, Dejahn & Deyonte; Jenni Schulte, Tessa Martinez & Presley Robinson; Alice Senechal

July 15: Daren, Amy, Shaun. Lane & Erika Severson; Carl, Joyce, Kayla & Kelsey Shammel; Jim & Edele Shannon; Randy, KayDel, Sam & Tessa Shelton

July 22: Kent, Mary, Cari & Heidi Sielbach; Joan Siemers; Lorna Simmons; Dorothy Simonsen

July 29: Steve & Donna Slater; Jim & Kathy Slehofer; Lois, Dakota & Colter Smith; Curtis & Shirley Solem

Love Offering

envelopes can now be

found on the two tables at

First English Lutheran Church has an opening for a part-time Parish Secretary. Great working environment, flexible hours. Experience preferred, but will train the right person. If interested, send cover letter and resumé to FELC, 1231 N 31st St., Billings, MT 59101, c/o Dennis Anderson or call 245-4933 for more information.

Montana State Prison (MSP) has not had a resident chaplain for a number of years. To address this unmet need for pastoral care, the Montana Synod Council of the ELCA appointed a task force in 2008 charged to lay the ground work for establishing a prison congregation at MSP open to all inmates. With much excitement, we are pleased to announce that Freedom in Christ has a pastor! So with great fanfare, we’d like to introduce Pastor Rob as the new pastor for the Freedom in Christ prison congregation. We now enter a new phase of the Freedom in Christ Prison Congregation project – setting up the congregation! We are dependent upon you, the body of Christ. Freedom in Christ would not exist without your support, and it will not continue without your continued support.

July Love Offering…

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 4

WELCA

July ~ Cold Cereal

Lectors

8:00 AM 9:45 AM

July 1: Marva Drain Sandi Gonzalez

July 8: Bertha Olsen Betty Jo Furstenberg

July 15: Lora Pederson Dot Erickson

July 22: Pat Zellar Marilyn Franklin

July 29: Marva Drain Linda Michaelis

Communion Preparers

July 1: Kathy Slehofer July 8: Ed & Rita Reeve

July 15: Karen Underwood July 22: Eleanor & Julie Andersen

July 29: Bill & Judy Belden

Communion Bread

July: Gwynn Pederson August: Julie Leno

Giving Our Time & Talents to God - Page 1

Hospital Visitation

July ~ Dale Cunnington

August ~ Joyce Nitschke

Sharing Flowers for Worship

July 1: Marlon & Julie Leno

July 8: Dan & Kathy Cypher

Rane Paulson

July 15: Doug & Marlehna Harper

July 22: open

July 29: Darrell & Marilyn Franklin

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 July 1:

8:00 a.m. Haley Roedocker

9:45 a.m. Logan Rodacker

July 8:

8:00 a.m. Cierrah Simmons

9:45 a.m. Brianne Malchow

July 15:

8:00 a.m. Abby Quinn

9:45 a.m. Bryce Mikkelson

July 22:

8:00 a.m. Arielle Tommerop

9:45 a.m. Briana Guse

July 29:

8:00 a.m. Kara White

9:45 a.m. Abbie Roe

Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk! We are preparing to begin weekly walks from

407 Wicks to our new home on the hill! It is

2.8 miles from Atonement to the door of the

Little White Church. Join us on Monday

mornings @ 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

Common Grounds

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 5

8:00 AM Ushers

July 1: George & Shirley DeMars, John & Bertha Olsen

July 8: Lora Pederson, Dale Molyneaux, Ed & Rita Reeve

July 15: Clarence Robinson, Del & Rose Steiner, Debbie Goodheart

July 22: Vicki Leatherberry, Marjorie Stewart, Bette Wolff, Jo Bott

July 29: Dwile & Bekki Weagel, John & Bertha Olsen

Van Drivers

July 1: Stan Newton 245-8456 July 8: Kyle Johnston 256-1980 July 15: Todd Koepp 256-1569 July 22: Mark Jennings 248-8044 July 29: Marlon Leno 248-5359

CANTORS

July 1:

8:00 a.m. Gary Dunmeyer

9:45 a.m. Becky Lujan & Debbie Heyd

July 8:

8:00 a.m. Elinore Quander

9:45 a.m. Sono Me Praise Band

July 15:

8:00 a.m. Becky Lujan

9:45 a.m. Maria Martin & Sara Hull

July 22:

8:00 a.m. Kay Rossow

9:45 a.m. Charlie & Louis Plaggemeyer

July 29:

8:00 a.m. Marilyn Franklin

9:45 a.m. Emma Quinn & Elinore Quander

Piano Schedule ~ 9:45 a.m. Worship

July 1: Kay Rossow

July 8: Vicki Evans

July 15: Elinore Quander

July 22: Debbie Hedrick

July 29: Kay Rossow

9:45 AM Ushers

July 1: Kelly & Linda Michaelis, Joyce Nitschke, Louis & Charlie Plaggemeyer, Joan Siemers

July 8: Daren, Amy, Shaun, Lane & Erika

Severson, Kyle Johnston

July 15: Steve & Donna Slater, DeeDee Stanich, Janette Tulimaiau, Tyler Westrope

July 22: Jack & Vivian Beals, Gene & Stacey Arneson, Ed & Clara Baker

July 29: Craig & June Canfield, Maggie Beler, Janelle Berry, Kay Bollinger, Joe Conard

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 5

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 for Junior and Senior High School students will meet Sundays at

6:00 PM:

July 1st, 8th, 15th & 29th (no meeting July 22nd—NYG)

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 6

TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED TO MAKE THE PLANT SALE SUCCESSFUL!!

……to those who organized it……to those who were the “runners” to the greenhouse……to those who “set it up” and “took it down”……to those who donated awnings, tables, trailer, etc.……to those who worked Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the following 2 Sundays……to those who potted leftover plants to sell the following 2 Sundays……to those who donated perennials, painted rocks and the beautiful “Tickled Pink” wall hanging……to all who came and purchased plants, rocks and raffle tickets…..

Lynda Nugent was the lucky winner of the “Tickled Pink” wallhanging—CONGRATULATIONS!

It is fun and exciting when everyone works together to make it very successful. . . $4,348.57 in profits goes directly to help us build and “move

up the hill.”

INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK: Thanks to all of you who helped with IHN in June.

We had 3 Moms and 7 children, ages 1 through 12.

None of these families had been our guests before,

so it was an exciting week. They all

loved Atonement and one mom said" I

don't want to leave. Can't I stay with this

church?" Atonement should feel grateful

that we can share a certain portion of

the lives of those trying so hard to

improve themselves.

We also had a first birthday party for our youngest

guest. She laughed and laughed as she ate her

cake and ice cream. Many, many thanks to all who

helped. I know that many things are happening in

the lives of Atonement at this time… put August

26th on your calendar for the next visit from our IHN

guests. Blessings!

Betty Jo Furstenberg

To Pat Bellinghausen, the Care Team, and the Congregation:

What a thoughtful Care Basket of a prayer shawl, chocolate almond goodies and beautiful pink mum. All of the great support of warm words, hugs, and cards helped so much during the difficult time after the passing of my mom. She will be so greatly missed, but we celebrate God’s promise to her of eternal life with Him.

Jack and Vivian Beals

Mid-week worship continues at the Little White Church at 7:00PM through August 15th. Please note: there will be no Wednesday worship July 4th. Have a safe holiday.

The Commentator — Atonement Lutheran Church Page 7

Friendship Club July 11, 2012

11:30am

Visit The Crossings in Laurel (SJLM’s independent & assisted living community)

Lunch hosted by the Crossings

(carpooling can be arranged)

JOY Bible Study

The JOY Bible Study is a

women’s study group that

meets every Wednesday at

6:30am at Atonement.

Financial Report May 2012 Income $ 29,631.29

May 2012 Expenses $ 38,403.55 Net Income (loss) for month ($ 8,772.26)

Net Income (loss) for year ($ 1,728.61)

May 2012 Offerings & Income

June 03, 2012 $ 5,199.25

June 10, 2012 $ 5,048.00

June 17, 2012 $ 4,337.40

June 24, 2012 $ 4,608.20

Simply Giving through

06/21/2012 $ 5,255.00

Total as of 06/21/2012 $ 24,447.85

Thursday Bible Study ~ 9:30am ~ Novak Room

Reading through the Old Testament—currently reading Nehemiah and

Esther.

Baptism:

06/24/2012 Savannah Odessa Rieger

Funerals:

06/23/2012 Sara Corrine Loch

06/27/2012 Dwaine W. Beckman

Wonderful Wednesday! July 11th @ 6:00 PM Bull Mountain Grille

2376 Main St.

Marvelous Monday! July 23rd @ 6:00 PM

MacKenzie River Pizza

405 Main St. All are welcome!

Food For The Poor Guest Pastor at Atonement July 22nd

Founded in 1982, Food For The Poor is an interdenominational Christian ministry working to end the suffering of the poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. Rev. Robert Lee Berger will speak at both worship services.

Atonement Staff

Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark R. Morgenstern Associate in Ministry . .. . . . . Kathy Slehofer Office Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . Joann Estal Organist . . . . ... . . . . .. . . Gwynn Pederson Chapel Choir Director . . . . . . Kay Rossow

Atonement Lutheran Church

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

www.atonementbillings.org pastormark@atonementbillings.org

kathy@atonementbillings.org

joann@atonementbillings.org

Non Profit Organization

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Billings, MT

Permit #904

407 Wicks Lane ▪ Billings, MT 59105

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