HOLY HUMOR SUNDAY is this coming Sunday, April 20th! Be sure to bring some good, clean jokes with you and together we all will laugh as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave! For centuries in all Christian faith traditions, it was observed by the faithful as “days of joy and laughter.” The custom was rooted in the reflections of early church theologians (like Augustine, Gregory of Nyssa, and John Chrysostom) that God played a practical joke on the devil by raising Jesus from the dead. It’s a great time of laughter- brining unity and humor for hard times.

GIVE UNTO THE LORD– “BRING THE WHOLE TITHE INTO THE STOREHOUSE… AND I WILL POUR OUT FOR YOU A BLESSING UNTIL IT OVERFLOWS!” MALACHI 3:10 ATONEMENT’S FINANCIAL CAMPAIGN began last Sunday, April 13 with the Financial Chairperson, Walter Erbenich’s announcement. Atonement’s finances have been in decline. It is understandable with the present economy and inflation, money is tight for many in our congregation. Yet, by faith and standing on the Word of God, the Finance Team is asking for the 151 “giving units” of Atonement Church to give an additional $5.00 per week to your regular offering. Also, we will restart the use of Passing the Offering plates during worship, hoping to generate additional giving. In taking these steps, we will generate approximately $40,000.00 within a year. Walter will be giving updates in the coming months.

KNEEL FOR ISRAEL is one of Atonement’s ministries of prayer that is critically important at this time. We need praying persons to sign up! With the Middle East engulfed in wars for over 500 days, now is the time the Jewish nation needs prayer coverage. Pray for God to provide for their dire situations including threats of annihilation. Israeli’s need protection and help from loss of life, homes, and everyday necessities. Visit the display in the “red sofa area” to learn more. Ask at the Welcome Center, if you need help.

DOOR OF HOPE SPRING FUNDRAISER: Baby Bottle Benefit May 4 – June 1 Learn more at their website, nicole@adoorofhope.org . Monetary donations can be put in the large water bottle in the Welcome Center or in the collection jar at The Branch. Checks are welcome to the Door of Hope. Free bracelets and stickers.

QR CODE – Atonement now has a QR Code that will make giving to the church easier. Aim your camera on your phone on the code and it will take you to Atonement’s Giving Page on our website. And then, continue to follow the prompts. No App necessary!

A Word of Goodness…from the Pastor
Receive God’s Word into your heart:
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (1 Chronicles: 16:34)
“Good and upright is the Lord.” (Psalm 25:8)
“The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are all over His works.” (Psalm 145:9)
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6)
Dr. David Jeremiah writes, “ …that God longs to bring joy and blessing to all His creatures.”
“The goodness of God is His infinitely generous attitude towards us.” The Bible presents goodness as a core quality of our God and what it means to our lives. WE KNOW our God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good! We have tasted God’s goodness. We have seen God’s goodness with our own eyes. We have felt God’s goodness. In the beauty of the earth and sea, in all of creation- God is revealing His goodness to us. And God’s ultimate goodness is God’s gift of a Savior, His one and only Son, Jesus. To God, Easter means that God is satisfied with Jesus’ death in our place. Jesus suffered for sins…so that Jesus would bring us to God. In His loving-kindness and goodness, Jesus opened up the gates of heaven. Oh, happy day when God washed our sins away! To the believer…Easter is God’s promise of everlasting life. Ever lasting life, forever, we will know all the joys of heaven. To us: Easter is a challenge to believe what Jesus truly told us! Jesus said, I AM THE RESURRECTION, AND THE LIFE; HE OR SHE THAT BELIEVES IN ME….SHALL NEVER DIE! JOHN 11:25-26.
Your Pastor, Amy

Happy Birthday April!
APRIL 22 – Tom Sterling
APRIL 24 – Earl Pullman
APRIL 24 – Philip Komorny
APRIL 25 – Jane Anne Weist