Atonement Weekly
Coronavirus Update
March 17, 2020
A Note from Your Pastors
Dear Everybody,

Since we've NOT pastored people through a pandemic before, we don't have much experience or any answers. But, we're paying attention to science and praying for wisdom. Together we'll take courage, be patient, consider " the least of these," and press onward while loving our neighbors. We invite you to join us.

Your Pastors,
Tim & John
Coronavirus Update - ALL Gatherings Suspended
Ministry at Atonement will continue, but in the new reality of living in a pandemic, ministry takes on new forms. The Executive Team of the Church Council and the pastors have decided that the most prudent and loving action to protect the health and well-being of the entire community is to suspend ALL public gatherings at Atonement, including worship, for the foreseeable future. In the meantime, the staff will work diligently to provide online worship and devotional resources. Additionally, the pastors are available for phone consultations. 

For the foreseeable future face-to-face gatherings of any size will NOT take place at Atonement. This includes Quilting, Committee Meetings, and Bible Studies, NA & AA groups, TOPS group, CoG Worship & meetings, Singing Saints, St Cloud Chamber Music Society, etc.
Worship & Devotionals Online
Mid-week Lenten Worship, with Guest Speakers sharing their Faith Stories, will be posted on Wednesday afternoons. 

A modified Worship/Devotional will be posted Saturday afternoons on Facebook, the Atonement Web page, and emailed via Constant Contact. 

Please interact in the comments, check-in, and share the stream with your friends.
Youth & Adult Faith Formation
Wednesday School and Sunday School will transform to an ONLINE format with resources provided via Facebook , the Atonement Web page , and emailed via this format (Constant Contact).  Confirmation Mentoring is encouraged to continue with Mentors & Confirmation Students having conversations over the phone or video conference.

Faith Formation Resource List for Youth & Adults :

  • Your pastors recommend that families practice The FAITH 5 Steps. These were developed by a Lutheran colleague named Rich Melheim. There are a good daily practice for families of any size and make-up.
  • K-12 graders consider the Bible App for Kids. This website has stories kids can read or have read to them and matching memory games. Parents can stream or download 30-minute "Bible App for Kids" video episodes! Parents can also download free companion resources like coloring pages and activity sheets. The YouVersion of the Bible App for Kids will direct you on how to install the Bible App, Bible Lens, & the Bible App for Kids on your smart phone or tablet.
  • Parents consider studying Luther's Small Catechism with your children. Luther wrote it for parents to use. Augsburg Fortress provides a free mobile version of Luther’s Small Catechism, which is available on the App Store and Google Play. The pastors have been in the Catechism with the confirmation students.
  • Mockingbird is an excellent web page resource of adults. It has useful meditaions on parenting and being a Christian today.
Financial Well-Being of Atonement
It becomes even more critical to maintain financial support of Atonement’s ministries when we are not gathering in person for worship.

There are several ways to donate:
  • Drop off your offering at church
  • Mail a check to 1144 29th Ave N, St Cloud MN 56303
  • Visit the Atonement Web page to set up a recurring or one-time electronic gift from your bank account or credit card.
  • Join our online community to manage your giving via the Realm powered “Connect-Our Church Community” App for your smartphone. To do this respond to the invite you’ve been emailed or contact the church office (or call 320-252-6203) to receive an invitation
  • You can also use Text to Give: Text Atonement (and a number of any amount you wish to donate, Example Atonement50 to give $50) to 73256 to give to General Fund using your text messaging
  • Scan the QR code above and it will bring you automatically to the egiving form to donate
  • Jan McDonnell
  • Bill Bard
  • Craig Bucher
  • Louise Lenzmeier
  • Craig Bucher
  • Joyce Pappenfus
  • Kathleen Schell
  • Steve Raatikka
  • Cari Nelson
  • Robert Mader
  • Maggie Hanson
  • Charles Renken
  • Elvin Erickson
  • Lainey Matuska
  • Terry Steinmetz
  • Duane Smart
  • Dawn Schenk
A Different Kind of Virus - Laughter...
HS Youth
!! FREE !!
Breakfast
High School youth join a pastor for breakfast
Send YOUR kid. First time it's FREE!
Atonement Lutheran Church
1144 29th Ave N St Cloud, MN 56303
320-252-6203