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Thanking and Reporting 2019-2020

Dear friends of Atonement,

For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21

Happy New Year Brothers and Sisters in Christ! As we close out the year 2019 and begin 2020, I find myself amazed at the faithfulness of our Lord. We have been so blessed to be able to witness and care for 52 school families and 72 children this year. As we see in God’s words above, every family in heaven and on earth is named. What a powerful statement! We believe that wholeheartedly! Every family is named and is precious to our Savior.

This year has been exceptionally insightful and exciting as we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the church. What amazing work the Lord has done through the people at Atonement over the past 40 years of ministry! I look at the changes the school, in particular, has gone through over the years and two words come to mind; responsive and faithful.

It is not easy to keep a Christian school running. There are so many challenges to work through as we work to teach the message of our Savior to a world that does not want to hear it. When I look at 40 years of history of Atonement, I am proud that the school has been a major part of that history. I see how the people of Atonement have been responsive to the needs of its people and the community. First, by adding a preschool and then by extending education all the way to 8th grade. There was a need and with the help of the Holy Spirit Atonement responded. What a blessing!

The second word that comes to mind is faithful. It takes a lot of faith to operate a Christian school. There are a lot of uncertainties throughout the year. Will we have enough students? Will we balance the budget? Will we have the right teachers? Will the students and parents be receptive to the teachings of the Gospel? It takes faith and conviction to persevere through uncertainty. So why do we do it? Why do we strive daily to come to school ready to share our faith and care for these little ones? We do it because of this verse.

So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Atonement has a school so that Christ may dwell in the hearts of our children and that they may be filled with all the fullness of God. Is there a greater desire than this for us to have for our children? What greater gift can be given than faith in Christ? This faith is breathed into our children every day through the work of the Holy Spirit here in our school.

It has been my honor to serve for a third year as Principal and Preschool Director here at Atonement. I continue to thank the Lord for a wonderfully supportive community who prays for us, generously gives of time and talent, and loves us through thick and thin. I am continually humbled to be working with an amazing group of teachers and staff. We have 10 amazing people who love the Lord and love to serve His people with their talents. It is astounding to me as I work with these individuals to see how the Lord has placed them at exactly this place and time serve His purpose for the kingdom.

2019 highlights and improvements thanks to your support:

One to one laptops for all middle school students

Two full-time teachers in the middle school grades

Promethean boards (donated by Shepherd of the Desert) in two classrooms

Updated curriculum for K-8 science and social studies/history

Continuing education and professional development for teachers through the attendance of the Lutheran Educators Conference

$21,000 raised in donations for our Ball Field Fundraiser

The addition of a robotics program for middle school and lower elementary

A science lab makeover with fresh paint, new microscopes, Promethean board, new tables and chairs

2 school kids baptized and 6 school kids in confirmation

Our lives can often get hectic and dizzyingly busy. I know I find it hard to slow down long enough to reflect on how amazing our Lord is at bringing all of us together at this place and time to care for one another, to spread the Gospel, and to further His kingdom. When I do, I am amazed by His handiwork! Thank You very much for your support. Your giving and your goodwill are treasures to us. You are our witnesses, not to the great things we are doing, but to the mighty works of the Lord.

May Christ richly bless you!

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