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Our Mission Statement
We of Joy Lutheran Church foster
grace-filled relationships with Christ
through worship, fellowship, and service.
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This week's text:
I Corinthians 13:1-13
People too quickly identify Christian teaching using language of "eternal life" with "life like this but going on and on and on after we die." Christianity as life-after-death insurance. Here the measure of being "alive" and being "dead" are quite different. The measure is love. Living in love means being alive. Living apart from love is counted as being dead. Maybe for some time we need to stop using "eternal life" and use instead language like "abundant life", "fullness of life". The good news of Jesus is not a rejection of this life and offering instead insurance about the "next life". The good news of Jesus is about abundant life now, love now, fullness of life now, God with us now. Certainly a love and life that not even death can destroy - in fact that transforms and is fulfilled in death.
Eternal life, abundant life, fullness of life is this: to love God, self, others.
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REMINDER: Please bring a soup to share for this
Sunday's "Souper" Potluck
This Sunday is our annual congregational meeting. It is also an opportunity to enjoy one another's company while sharing and sampling all the delicious soups!
Please consider bringing a soup to share. If you are not able to provide a soup, you may want to contribute bread, crackers or other items...I'm sure an egg casserole or fruit plate or even a few chocolates would be a welcome addition. But most importantly, please join us whether you're able to bring food or not!
*You* are the most important ingredient!
(For more information about the meeting, see the section below.)
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Congregational Meeting &
Souper-bowl Sunday Potluck | January 31
Joy's congregational meeting will take place after worship this Sunday, January 31. As a wink at Superbowl Sunday that follows in February, our annual potluck will feature soup and we ask you to
bring a can of soup or two for the Chugiak-Eagle River Food Pantry.
Our meeting is the time to celebrate what's been accomplished and to look ahead at what's to come. Also on the agenda will be discussion and a vote on the 2016 budget, the election of new members to the Joy Lutheran Church Council, and the election of representatives to the Synod Assembly in April.
Wayne Rush and Nancy Daugherty have spearheaded Council nominations. If you're asked, please prayerfully consider their request. The opportunity to serve on Council is a wonderful experience to learn and grow in faith and fellowship.
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Weekly Worship Assistant Schedule
We have a lot of openings in the schedule. Please help!
If you'd like to volunteer to serve in any one of these, please contact the office at 694-9601, or [email protected]. You may also add your name to the schedule on the
Opportunities bulletin board in the narthex.
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This Week's Calendar
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This Week:
Sunday, Jan. 31
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9:30 AM
10:45 AM
6:30 PM
6:45 PM
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Worship
Annual Congregational Meeting & Potluck
Narcotics Anonymous
Boy Scout Troop 219 Bowling Night - Meet at Eagle River Bowl
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| Monday, Feb. 1 |
6:30 PM
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Narcotics Anonymous |
| Tuesday, Feb. 2 |
1:30 PM
6:30 PM
6:30 PM |
Theroux Music Student Group Session
Narcotics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous |
| Wednesday, Feb. 3 |
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Thriven Social Security Workshop - Brause Fellowship Hall
Narcotics Anonymous
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Thursday, Feb. 4
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12:00 PM
6:30 PM
6:30 PM |
Banner Babes
Alcoholics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous |
| Friday, Feb. 5 |
6:30 PM |
Narcotics Anonymous |
| Saturday, Feb. 6 |
5:00 PM
6:30 PM
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Alcoholics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
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Next Week:
Sunday, Feb. 7
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Worship
Boy Scout Troop 219
Narcotics Anonymous |
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Report on the Joy Wedding Policy
Discussion held on January 17th, 2016
Approximately 35 people gathered after church to discuss the wedding policy of Joy. In light of the fact that same sex marriage is now legal in the state of Alaska, Bishop Shelley Wickstrom asked each congregation to update their wedding policy to guide and inform the pastor on making decisions based on the will of the congregation. There were three options:
- Pastor may marry all couples who are committed and monogamous.
- Pastor may marry same sex couples but only outside the sanctuary.
- Pastor may not marry same sex couples.
The discussion was begun by reading scripture from Ephesians and Philippians about being the family of God. Our premise was that we could have a respectful, mature and fruitful discussion on a topic where we have differences of opinion yet stay one in the mind of Christ. We agreed to listen to one another fully, speak honestly and not judge. We discussed the ministry implications and the relatively minor liability possibility.
We lived into that commitment to be one in the mind of Christ beautifully. Differing opinions were expressed in an atmosphere of trust, understanding, honesty with both laughter and tears. Notes on each person's opinions were written down, and although not fully complete, give a glimpse of the discussion. We ended as we hoped we would - aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit among us.
At the end of the meeting, many wanted to have a final vote, but it was decided that we want to be sure that all who would like to speak to this issue would have another chance. A final meeting is set for Sunday, February 21
st at 11:00am following the church service, and will be facilitated by Pr. Marcia Wakeland.
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Alaska Synod Assembly is April 22-24, 2016
at St Mark Lutheran Church, Anchorage
Under the theme "Rooted and Built Up in Jesus," from Colossians 2:6-7, the Alaska Synod Assembly will focus on growing as disciples. Registration is available on the
synod website and due March 14th.
Danger Close:
Alaska Veteran and Civilian Writing Events
Danger Close is a two-day workshop - February 6 & 7 at the The Boardroom in Anchorage - for civilian and veteran writers. Participants will learn about journalism in unsafe places and take part in workshops featuring their own writing. The event kicks off on the evening of February 5 at the Anchorage Museum with a moderated panel called, "Who Owns the Story?"
For more information and registration, visit
www.49writingcenter.org or look for the posters on the bulletin boards in the narthexes.
More Information & New Member Opportunities
If you would like to join Joy Lutheran, or just want to know more about our congregation's life, beliefs, and actions, please sign up on orange sheet on the bulletin board in the narthex (lobby). You can also call Pastor Martin: 223-0519 if you have questions.
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Joy of Reading Book Club
The Joy of Reading Book Club invites everyone who loves talking about books to our monthly meetings. The meetings take place on the 3
rd Monday of the month. February's meeting will be at the home of Nancy Hemsath and she will be providing a dessert.
Please note start time of 7:00 pm.
Here is our upcoming book schedule:
February 15 -
The Race for Paris by Meg Waite Clayton
March 21 -
The Elephant Whisperer: My Life with the Herd in the
African
Wild
by Lawrence Anthony and Graham Spence.
April 18 -
Find the Good by Heather Lende
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What Happened at the Last Council Meeting?
From the Thursday, January 14, 2016 Meeting
Here are the highlights of the council meeting on January 14th. Council meets the 2nd Thursday of the month.
JCDC Report - JCDC incurred a loss of $11,600 due to the bathroom remodel, new doors and playground upgrades. They were able to absorb this loss.
Boy Scouts - A Boy Scout Sunday is planned for February 21st.
Stewardship Committee - Simply Giving has increased by 30%. She has been involved in the areawide committee and is thinking about doing it again next year.
Treasurer's Report - We ended the year in the BLACK! The council voted to pass the suggested 2016 budget. The budget review for the congregation will be January 24 and the vote will be at the congregational annual meeting.
Pastor's Report -
- He is thinking about possibly sponsoring another intern in the future.
He thinks the cost is about $30,000/year in a typical situation
- He may be asked to go to Seward to do a service there
- Marcia Wakeland will be leading a discussion on our church's wedding
policy.
- The website is UP AND RUNNING! A notice will go out to ask members if they do not want their photos on the site. The JCDC website still needs to be updated.
- The congregational meeting is coming up on January 31st. The theme is Souper Bowl. Menu is soup and we will ask for soup donations for the Food Pantry.
- We will be looking for new council members to be voted in at the annual meeting. Wayne Rush and Nancy Daugherty are the call team for this.
- We would like to have a team of people who understand what is needed from Joy when there is a funeral. We will ask Marcia Hegna for help with this.
- Additionally, we think it might be a good idea to have an "events team" to help plan fun stuff for our congregation
- The council voted to allow our building to be used by the 49 Writers - a writing workshop for veterans.
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Love INC Annual Bowl-A-Thon Fundraiser
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WHEN: Saturday, March 5, 2016 1:00 - 4:00 P.M.
- WHO: Bowlers of all ages! $3.50 per game to bowl. Please register at http://vols.pt/GohzrE and commit to a minimum pledge of $100. Need teams of 5.
- WHY: To raise funds for Love INC to assist our neighbors in need in the Eagle River Community.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! DEADLINE FEBRUARY 27, 2016
FREE REFRESHMENTS AND DOOR PRIZES
Have A Great Afternoon of Family Fun!
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STAY CONNECTED:
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Joy Lutheran Church
10111 E. Eagle River Loop Rd.
Eagle River, AK
907-694-9601
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