Wednesday Worship 6:30 p.m. 

Sunday Worship 9 a.m.

Worship Notes...

The Fourth Sunday of Advent is the last Sunday in the season of preparation for celebrating the first advent (coming of bayb Jesus) and anticipating the second advent (apocalypse, second coming).

The gospel story reveals the identity of Jesus. The way Matthew introduces the birth of Jesus with the genealogy signals that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom God will bring about the Realm of God. The birth of Jesus, for Matthew, is an apocalyptic event, the first step in the transition from the old age to the new. This means that we are first and foremost a community of the new age whose purpose is to point to the new in the midst of the old.

In this week's gospel, Mary and Joseph were betrothed, not yet fully married. An angel, points out that Mary’s pregnancy is the work of the Spirit and admonished Joseph to embrace his role as Mary’s husband. Joseph responded positively to the admonition.

The birth of Jesus, signals that the end-time transformation is underway and that we can remain faithful even in the face of conflict and chaos because the transformation takes place under the aegis of God. 

Adopt - A - Family

The Mission Committee has three families from the Lutheran Social Services "Adopt-a-Family" Christmas gift program. Tags are on the trees by Jacob's Well. If there are no tags remaining we have other wish-list items that can be added or gift cards are always welcome. All items need to be put in the box in the church office by noon on Monday 12/19!

Thank you from Mylie

Mylie, a Junior Volunteer at the St. Cloud Hospital and Atonement member, recently put out a request for fleece to replenish the supply to make LUV blankets. The blankets are given to children and vulnerable adults in the Emergency Trauma Center. About 25 blankets per week are given out. Atonement responded by donating over 20 of yards of fleece and over $400.

God's Global Barnyard

Update: So far the kids have collected $650.00!!! Help break the cycle of hunger and poverty in the world, by helping support the Sunday/Wednesday School students collect enough money to purchase 2 farms. Each farm costs $715 and a family will receive a cow, goats, pigs, chicks, farming tools, seeds. This will give a family the opportunity to escape poverty. Please join with the youth to make a better life for a family. We will be collecting money through December 31st. Please indicate on the memo line God's Global Barnyard.