VOLUNTEERS NEEDED We are looking for volunteers to chair and organize the Claymont Christmas Parade for Atonement and to organize the Red Kettle drive for the Salvation Army. If interested in organizing either one of these events please call Brenda in the church office -302-798-8472.

FREE THANKSGIVING MEAL Thursday, November 27, 2025 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. This is a great way for our church family to come together to serve our community. Everyone is welcome! Keep an eye out for the sign up sheet to be posted in the Welcome Center for ways your service will be needed. Any questions please contact Laura Calzone. 302-353-2761

NEW WORSHIP SERVICE Pastor Brandon will start a midweek church service on Wednesdays. The worship times are 12 noon and 6:30 pm in the chapel starting October 29, 2025. For more information please contact Pastor Brandon at 302-229-9292.

ALL SAINTS DAY If you have had a family member of Atonement graduate to be with Jesus over the past year, please notify Brenda in the office so they can be included on November 2, 2025 All Saints Day.

VETERANS DAY on November 9, 2025 we are honoring our Veterans for Veterans Day. Please email a military picture to Brenda at atonementmc@gmail.com so they can be included in the service.

RETREAT Open to everyone – a retreat at Christ the Cornerstone Church in Elsmere, 6 North Clifton Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19805. Bible Study Topic is “Crown of Glory”. Date is Saturday, November 1, 2025. The day starts with a light breakfast at 8:30 am and lunch is provided. Dismissal is at 3:00 pm. A goodwill offering will be accepted. Contact Margaret Arlt at 302-613-9878 for reservations.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Thank you for your donations. For the month of October we are collecting 2-4 year old’s coloring books, 5-9 year old’s coloring books/stickers and 2-4 year old toys. Please put your donations in the box labeled Operation Christmas Child in the Welcome Center. All boxes must be turned in by November 8, 2025.

COUNTERS NEEDED We are in need of individuals who might have an interest in learning how to be a church counter for our weekly tithes and offerings. Please contact the church office 302-798-8472.

WALKING WITH JESUS BLOG is in need of creative writers. The blog is on the church’s website (atonementgmc.com) Linda Cobourn originated this blog and is looking for help. She will come along side you in order that you may share one of your “Walking With Jesus” stories. (610-485-5157)

3RD QUARTER FINANCIAL STATEMENT Good morning Church Family. My name is Walter Erbenich and I am the finance chairperson and authorized person on all banking accounts for our church. I gave a report on our finances after the first quarter and planned to give one on the following quarters. I missed the second quarter due to an operation and want to thank my church family for the many get well prayers. So here we are after the 3rd quarter and the news is not good. Our 2025 budget is $246,541 and so far our giving is $118,271. This is where we should have been half way through the year, not three quarters through the year. This month in October we will be discussing the 2026 budget and the news is we will have to make significant cuts to our plans for all areas of our budget. We help many organizations in Claymont and surrounding areas and, unfortunately, we will have to curtail some of this support. Some of the programs at our church will have to be curtailed if we can not reach our financial goals. This is a topic that I don’t like to shout about but this needs to be discussed. We need more help this year. Thank you for your concern with this matter. This is our church and we want it to continue to do well. Walter Erbenich

SIP AND SHARE SUNDAYS – If you have enjoyed morning snacks and sharing time with friends between worship services in the past, here is a wonderful opportunity for you to engage and volunteer. Please sign up at the coffee station to bring in treats and do the cleanup one Sunday. Treats can be anything you like to eat with your morning beverage. Cleanup is simply taking your leftover treats with you (or leave in the Welcome Center for others to enjoy during the week) and wipe the island top where the food was placed. Tom Sterling and Roberta Berger co-chair this committee. If you would like to join the team, that would be awesome. Just let Roberta Berger know. Thank you in advance. We look forward to sipping and sharing with you. PS – Let Roberta know if you would like to see a luncheon after the second service considered. Things to ponder are what types of foods and how often.

ALTAR FLOWERS: The 2025 altar flower chart is hung up outside of the nursery. If interested, please add your name and phone number to the chart or call the Church office and provide your name, the date requested and whether a side or center arrangement is requested. You will be contacted regarding the bulletin write-up closer to your sign-up date. Prices: $20/vase; $40/center. If you are requesting flowers they must be paid for at least one week in advance or your flowers will not be ordered.

Happy Birthday October!
October 29 – Amanda Armstrong