With God's Hope~Our Journey Continues...

The new worship Space will eventually fill-in this big hole!!










Forming the curbs for the new parking spaces.

Well, as you can see, the new construction project is well underway. There’s no turning back now! Given the current state of the parking lot, there is not much “turning” at all. :-)

Please be extra patient during these times. If you are in good shape and more mobile, please be courteous and park in the outer spaces or along the streets adjacent to the Church. This will give the folks that are less able easier access. With God's Hope and everyone's patience and understanding, Our Journey will be made easier for all!

We are happy to report that we have filled the position of Director of Contemporary Worship. Please welcome Josh Carr. He is a student at Colorado Christian University, majoring in Music Ministries. This should be right up his alley! :-)



Josh was recognized and commissioned during worship services on April 2nd, 2006.

We look forward to new sounds and additional opportunities for anyone (young or old) to share their musical talents.




We would also like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Gayle Gunderson for serving in this music leadership role these last few years. We look forward to seeing her spread her wings in our music ministries.





**Note from Josh!!**
I've been asked to write a paragraph to the congregation to letyou know who I am and why I've come to Atonement. I started doing worship in my father's United Methodist Church when I was a freshmanin High School. It was there that I first developed a passionfor leading congregations in contemporary worship. Whether I was playing an instrument in the band or leading vocals, I was always involved.

Since then I've expanded my worship leading experience through many different opportunities including leading a band called Aveo Worship (meaning "desire worship"). I spent two years at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. I thought that I wanted to spend my life flying jets but realized that my calling was in the ministry . So, I left the Academy to follow God's will for my life. This, as far aS I have understood, is music ministry. It was the best decision I could have made for my life.

God has opened many doors since. One of those doors was the Contemporary Worship Director position here at church. I can promise you that I havegreat ideas that will present a fresh feel to what we call contemporary worship. My hope is that you will see the contemporary service grow during my time here and that it will be in a way that honors God.

On that note, we are still in the process of encouraging people to give praise team a shot. There can never be too many. So, if you are interested, get in touch with any of the staff and they will let me know.I am always more than willing to let you know more about me so feel free to pull me aside sometime Sunday morning or even get together with me outside the building's walls. I am very excited to be working here and can't wait for great things to happen!

Yours in Christ!
Josh Carr

Be prepared...
...for the construction excitement of the next eight to nine months. Hopefully by December 1 we will be close to dedicating the new sanctuary. Parking will be a trick for several weeks. Weekdays between 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM we ask you to please park on (southeast) the Yale and Kendall side of the church. They are planning to do the parking lot first but the construction workers ask for our patience and space. The south door of the narthex will be unlocked during the day for you to enter from the east side of the church on Vasser and Yale. After 4:00 PM we will be able to park as usual. The west entry of the church from the parking lot will be almost impossible to navigate beginning Wednesday March 28. Come expecting surprises as work progresses. We will all miss the beautiful trees that are being replaced with parking spaces even though some were dead already.

Safety First!!
Please pray for the building ministry team that will be picking colors and carpeting soon. The sheds had to be emptied and moved to the top of the hill. You are welcome to come and observe during the week but please always report to the office so that we know that you are here. Jerry, the foreman will need to know your presence also. Safety is a critical factor and A.D. Miller Construction Company will do everything possible to keep everyone safe. Sunday mornings will be an opportunity for everyone to see what has happened each week but please make certain that everyone stays behind the orange fencing. We want everyone to be safe at all times.

Come and enjoy the excitement of the construction. It is an important time. The day has finally arrived and we have begun the next hugh step of the journey for a new worship space. May God fill us with a new spirit each day so that we truly might be disciples "Living in God's Love (Resurrection) and Reaching Out With Hope!" He is Risen! He is Not Here! Go and Tell the others! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thank you to the entire congregation! We have labored long and hard following the path God put before us. During the past couple of years our capital campaign, "God's Hope ~ Our Journey, relied on the dedication of our entire family: serving on GHOJ Teams, Church Council, Building Ministry Team, song writer composing music and all members and friends prayfully "Living in God's Love ~ Reaching out with Hope".

As of March 5th, 2006 we have achieved 57% of our 3 year goal of our $906,000 pledges which started about Nov. 2004. We have come a long way but have a journey ahead of us to reach our $1.7 million pinnacle, only to see what God has in store for us next.

A special thank you to our Building Ministry Team:
Ron Lorenz, Ron Andersen, Jan Harding, Mike Lewellen, Bob Lombard, Steve Riedel, Jade Santoro, Pastor Del, Pastor Jim and Council President Joyce Fisher.

This marks the day of groundbreaking of the new Worship Space. This celebration was to occur rain, snow or shine....It Snowed!!! The ceremony was lead by Pastor's Del and Jim, each shared reflections of the past and the vision for the future for Living in God's Love and Reaching out with Hope. Ron Lorenz, chairman of the Building Ministry Team, Bob Saas and Scott Boduch of Eidos Architects also had the opportunity to share their reflections for the building to come. Everyone had a chance to break ground and throw a shovel full of dirty. This celebraton was followed by a potluck feast. This day also commemorated Atonement Luther Church's 40 years of worship and service.

Atonement Lutheran Church has a ministry for our congregation called “Just Say Hi”. The objective of this program is for families in our congregation to meet other families who live in the same general area.

As we visit with one or two families who are Atonement members we can experience the joy of coming better acquainted. At the same time, we will be able to provide better input of our interests and needs to our congregational leaders as they shape our ministries.

If you know of anyone in your neighborhood who is a member of Atonement please make an effort to give them a call to “Just Say Hi” -- to just to get acquainted. Perhaps you may want to invite them over to your house, arrange to meet them at a church service, take them out to breakfast, or just visit with them over the phone.

To assist in this effort a member of Atonement’s “Just Say Hi” program may contact you with a name of a neighbor or two that you may want to contact. Please welcome this call so that we may build our congregation into a closer faith community -- “Living in God’s Love - Reaching Out With Hope”.

I pray this ministry will strengthen our congregation and bring us all a little closer to one another and, therefore, to God.

Eldon Halingstad
God’s Hope~Our Journey
“Just Say Hi” Team

These pictures were taken Feb. 26, 2006, two weeks before ground breaking of the construction of the new Worship Space for Atonement Lutheran Church. Watch this space!!! Things will be a'changin'!!!