From Pastor Zac . . .

The only things missing were tongues of fire! On Sunday, September 10, many of us witnessed a historic and Spirit-filled event as the members of Atonement overwhelmingly voted to call Pastor Jordan Stone as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. The voting turnout was the highest we have had in years for a congregational meeting (and I mean years). 95% of the vote was in favor of calling Pastor Jordan. I am excited to have Pastor Jordan on staff here, officially, and look forward to many years of ministry in partnership with her and the rest of the staff.
Pastor Jordan will oversee our Caring Ministries (Stephen Ministry, Bread of Life) and Grief Support Ministries. She is excited to expand Caring Ministries to include all ages at Atonement. She will also faithfully proclaim the Word and administer the Sacraments, and we will give her space to continue to grow and develop her unique gifts for ministry here.
May the Holy Spirit continue to guide our ministry! And it is fine the tongues of fire did not show up . . . they would likely scare us anyway!
In Christ's Service,
Pastor Zac

From Pastor Jordan . . .
Join me in celebrating my ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the ELCA on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30th in Dell Rapids at my home church, Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids! Clergy are invited to vest and process, and all are invited to wear the color red! Refreshments will be served following the service.

Anyone is welcome to be a part of the choir that will sing during the service. Music can be found in this link - https://cmed.ku.edu/PVHS/Lutkin.pdf or in the attachment. A Livestream link will be made available for those who cannot attend in person. An event has been made on Facebook and can be found at https://fb.me/e/1ex1umvl5.

There will also be a Watch Party for her ordination on September 30th in the Gathering Place; we ask that those who wish to attend arrive by 2:45pm for the 3:00pm service. Questions? Please email Kaye Dalbec.

A very special thank you to all who have walked alongside me through this journey.
I look forward to celebrating with you!
"Diversity, Sexuality, and the Scriptures:
A Both/And Approach"

These days we hear much about diversity, inclusion, and human sexuality. During these three sessions he will share a Biblical basis for his approach to these questions and ask some provocative questions himself. Join Pastor Zac in the Gathering Place for these fall sessions; each monthly session will be offered at three different times.

Session 1: "Genesis and Jesus: The Tension Between Creation and Reality"
Wednesday, September 13th, 6:00-7:30pm AND Sunday, September 17th, 5:00-6:30pm

Session 2: "Biblical Birds and Bees: Sexual Ethics in Scripture"
Wednesday, October 11th, 12:00-1:30pm & 6:00-7:30pm AND Sunday, October 15th, 5:00-6:30pm

Session 3: "More Vegetables Please: A Case Study on How the Early Church Navigated the Tension of Diversity"
Wednesday, November 8th, 12:00-1:30pm & 6:00-7:30pm AND Sunday, November 12th, 5:00-6:30pm
More Adult Education Opportunities

Sunday Morning Offerings
September 17th - McKenna Parker from The Good Faith Network, Johnson County's Justice Ministry, will join us to provide an update on last year's successes and help kick off our 2023-2024 GFN activities!

September 24th - Keith Mundy will join us to provide information about our Atonement Foundation. Come learn about the benefits of continuing God's work in the world.

October 1st - Did you hear Bishop Maahs when he spoke to us last spring on the Beatitudes? Dick Hopkins will provide a follow-up as we take a step further into the discussion on the Beatitudes.
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Wednesdays in the Word - 12:00noon-1:00pm
Join others in the Gathering Place for conversations about the coming weekend's scripture lessons!


KFaM - Kids & Family Ministry



Visit the Kids & Family Ministries web page for information on how we can grow, connect, and serve together. What's happening soon?
  • 9/17 9:45am Funday Sunday cereal bar
  • 9/30 6:00pm Parents Night Out
  • 10/8 9:45am 3rd grade Bibles class
  • 10/15 9:45am 3rd grade Bibles class
  • 10/14 6:00pm Fun for all kids / BBQ
  • 10/22 9:45am Funday Sunday - Mummies
  • 10/28 6:00pm Parents' Night Out
  • 10/29 11:00am 3rd Grade Bibles Presentation
There are numerous things on the calendar but we need amazing volunteers for those things to become part of our ministry! See the list on our website.

Anne Stichnoth will be at the east entrance each Sunday to check kids in or to help get your kids registered. Check with Anne or the screens in the lobby for class locations.

Parent's Night Out
Need a date night, girls night out or just want some quiet time? The nursery will be open from 6:00-9:00pm, Saturday, September 30th, for your 0-K age children. RSVP to here.

Questions? Email Boo!

YFaM
Youth & Family Ministry


Sr High Service Project - This Sunday, September 17th, 9:45-10:45am.
We'll meet in Charter Hall to fill 500 sack lunches to be distributed by MLM!

High School Hang Time - This Sunday, September 17th, 6:00-8:00pm.
Come join Drew in the narthex/lobby for a short devo, and a time of fun and games!

Middle School Hang time - Monday, September 18th, 6:00-8:00pm.
Join Drew in the Youth Room (104) for a short devo, and a time of fun and games!

Collective Hayride & Bonfire - Sunday, September 24th, 5:15-7:00pm.
Meet Drew at Shawnee Mission Park for a Hayride/Bonfire! Email Drew to sign up
or call him at 509-607-7118. Cost is $10/person to cover the event costs.
Caring Ministry

New Program!
Grief Support Group will take place on the second Saturday of every month at 9:00am starting in October. Grief Support Group is a place where grieving individuals can come together, share their experience in a safe atmosphere, and know that they are not alone. Utilizing the book "Understanding Your Grief" by Alan Wolfelt, our group will both share personal experiences and learn tools that can be used during the grief journey.

Please consider joining us Saturday, October 14, at 9:00am for our first session. For more information or questions, email Pastor Jordan.

Outreach Ministry

"Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly" - Micah 6:8

Click on the image to the left for information on how you and your family can make a difference in the lives of our neighbors!


Many Thanks to All who participated in our "God's work Our Hands" events this fall! Over 100 people shared their time and their efforts by:

  • filling 10,000 meals for families in Kansas City through Something to Eat, a program of Youthfront;
  • donating to our "Feed the Need" food drive benefitting the student food pantries at JCCC and KU Lutheran Campus Ministry;
  • making hygiene kits and sack lunches for those served by the volunteers with Bessie's Mission;
  • working at Heart to Heart International making 450 hygiene kits to be sent to under-resourced communities and disaster areas
  • making 500 sack lunches to be distributed by MLM (Metro Lutheran Ministries)

Fall "Community Conversations"
To Begin Soon!

Our fall "Community Conversations" for our Johnson County Justice Ministry will be held from late September through October; a variety of dates and times will be available for you to participate. These gatherings are opportunities for you to hear the progress being made and work yet to be done on our focus issues of Homelessness; Mental Health Crisis Care; and Affordable Housing. Watch for dates and times in the bulletin insert and the next eNews! Questions - email Ros!

Small Group Ministry

Our fall small group activities are ramping up! Click on the image to see what's happening this month!

Atonement's Third Annual "Grace and Gratitude Fall BBQ"
Saturday, October 14th, 6:00-9:00pm

Plan to join us for food, fun, and games for children, youth, and adults of all ages! The BBQ will feature our special recipe, "Atonement Pulled Pork," and will kick-off our 2024 Stewardship Emphasis.
Worship & Music Opportunities for YOU!

Our Vocal and Handbell Choirs resume rehearsals in September; reach out to the director for details on each!

Sanctuary Choir is open to teens through adults and meets on Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30pm in the choir loft. New voices welcome! Dr Ray Feener

Adoration Handbell Choir meets Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:00pm in the choir loft. Julie Assel

Youth Handbell Choir is open to 3rd-12th graders and meets Sunday afternoons in the choir loft. Julie Assel

First Saturday Choir meets the 1st and 3rd Saturdays from 4:00-4:30pm in the Sanctuary and sings the 1st Saturday of each month. Rick Deasley

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Worship Participants
Each weekend we welcome YOU to serve . . . as a communion assistant . . . a worship assistant . . . a reader of the lessons or prayers of the people . . . an acolyte or crucifer . . . a member of Atonement's Altar Guild . . . an usher . . . and more! If you would like more information about how you can serve, please contact the church office!
And Please Note: The worship coordinators will no longer be wearing yellow shirts on Sunday morning; they are now wearing name tags to identify themselves. They will be standing in the lobby by the sanctuary doors behind the Baptismal font. Please check in with them if you are scheduled to be a worship participant at either 8:30am or 11:00am worship.
Atonement Church Council Update

Click here for minutes of the July Council Meeting. You may contact Council President
Tina Boutelle with questions.
Atonement Office Hours

Monday-Thursday: 9:00am-3:00pm
Friday: 9:00am-12:00noon
Central States Synod of the ELCA www.css-elca.org
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America www.elca.org