At our annual meeting we started a brainstorming process to think about how our property, as well as our building, could be a way we connect with the community and do ministry.  We will meet in the fireside room this Sunday (Feb 4) at the faith formation time (9:25- 10:00) to further the conversation.  Please join us.

Creating a long range plan for our property was one of the goals we adopted at the meeting.  Lots of ideas have already been brought forth including:  memorial garden, butterfly garden, outdoor patio, campfire worship space, picnic shelter, improved playground, amphitheater, prayer labyrinth, community gardens, columbarium, pizza oven...  Help us dream and prioritize!

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 14 (1 1/2 weeks from now).  Plan on joining us Wednesday evenings at 6:30 for a 45 minute midweek worship experience.  Our theme this year will be "The Many Faces of Jesus".  Remember we have a wonderful Wednesday dinner available every Wednesday night starting at 5:15pm

This year our midweek Lenten offerings will be designated to a special appeal from our NW Wisconsin Synod called Bold Generosity to enhance 6 key ministries beyond our walls.  Check out the details at Bold Generosity.  If you want to make a special gift in support of this appeal just designate that when you give it.

If you missed the 2017 in Review Video that was premiered on at the party (either because you missed the party or you were busy batting around the balloons in celebration) you can view it here.

We adopted a mission plan (budget guide). There are still copies of the annual report in the wall rack in the narthex if you want to take a look.

We elected 4 new vision council members: Josh Pender, Renee Braun, Krista Mitzuk and Peter Gray  as well as Marv and Marsha Lindseth as voting members to the Synod Assembly and Dennis and Georgia Freidel as delegates to the Luther Park.

We are always working to be better stewards of the financial gifts that you entrust to the congregation for it's ministry.  As a best practice for financial accountability the ELCA recommends that we separate the duties of Financial Secretary (managing the income of funds) from the Bookkeeper (managing the disbursement of funds).  In the past Sue Hood has graciously done both these jobs and we are very thankful for the work that she has done on behalf of our congregation. 

Moving forward we will be separating the duties.  Sue Hood will be our Financial Secretary. 
So if you have any questions regarding your giving please contact Sue at the church office or email: [email protected].  As Parish Administrator, Shannon Clarke will be taking on the bookkeeping duties. So if you have questions about expenses, bills or reimbursements contact Shannon ([email protected]).

 Take time to go down and look around and this transformed ministry space.  Special thanks to: 

This week, we learn about when Jesus met a Samaritan woman by the well.  Jesus was different from other people on earth. He was kind to the woman at the well even though she didn't have many friends. Jesus loves everyone, and He came to give people a free gift: salvation from sin.

Click HERE to watch the video!

God's Story...Our Story

Click here  for this week's home devotion.

Are available in the narthex. If you would like to switch to electronic giving  you can easily do that from the online giving tab on our web page or the church staff would be happy to help you.

Joy has a great movie library.  Why not share a movie or two as a family during this frigid time of year.  Check out the bulletin board for some ideas.  These and additional movies are found on the library shelves. Also, numerous books to cozy up with on cold days or long dark nights....The Joy Library Committee.

The monthly women's Bible Study will be held on Tuesday, February 13th in the Fireside Room at the church. Please join us as we study "Multiple Meanings: Learning from Other Interpretations." This study is written by Dr. Mark Alan Powell, New Testament Professor at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio.   This month we will focus on meaning as both message and effect. Sometimes people find stories meaningful because of the moral or message they think the story conveys; other times they appreciate how the story affects them (emotionally or at some other level). This month's story is from Luke 3:3-17 and is called "Prepare the Way of the Lord." Join us as we explore the multiple meanings of Bible stories and discuss why people have different responses to the stories. This month's Bible study leader will be Marcia Lindseth.

 

During February and March, all people in our congregation are invited to help donate supplies to make HOSPICE KITS for Global Health Ministries (GHM). GHM is a non-profit, Minneapolis-based organization, that is committed to building partnerships that support Lutheran efforts in healthcare around the world. They work in dozens of countries by shipping, consulting and capacity-building to empower thriving community health systems. It is a volunteer powered organization. More than 2,100 volunteers make this ministry happen every year, helped by a staff of only 8! Everyone at any age can have an impact!

 

Our church can help this winter by collecting the items to make GHM Hospice Kits. These kits make their impact through Lutheran Hospice programs that reach into villages in Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Liberia, Cameroon, Nigeria and Kenya. One kit offers comfort and basic supplies to an extremely vulnerable person or family. Usually a church volunteer or Christian medical professional will deliver this kit to someone suffering from a chronic disease such as HIV/AIDS or cancer. The personal delivery is itself a concrete expression of love and this kit adds needed physical relief.

 

Please donate the following items which go into each Hospice Kit:

 

New or gently used items:

New items:

 

Please donate any of these items or enough of the items for one or more kits. Place your donations in the container provided in the narthex. Thank you for helping with this special mission project that reaches beyond the walls of our Joy church!

 

Together We Can....Help the Hands that Heal

Click HERE for Full Notice

Thousands of dollars are available for us to use projects in our congregation and community...come find out how you can be part of it. Joy has prepared a 2 page informational and guidelines document that will explain the program and ease you through the application process.  If you would like to view this  here .  Another great resource is "101 ways to spark action in your community". 

**Updated as of October 2017, directories (both picture and address) are ready to pick up...they are also available on the church web page on a password protected page (please call the office for the password).

If you have corrections please let the office know. 

**If you would like to update or add your picture, please send it to the office at any time.  It will be included in the next print!**

Name Tag s... are a great way to help people remember your name.  We are working on a system to have more permanent name tags available, but for now any time you can wear one helps the rest of us get to know you. Thank you.

and want to catch up or share it with someone who might appreciate it. We record our worship each week and post it on our web page as well as the bottom of this weekly electronic newsletter.  Just click on the YouTube button.                   

If you would like to give electronically you can do so through our web page

  Set up or manage my electronic giving

If you have a QR reader on your phone you can also access the page by scanning here

If you don't have a QR reader and still would like the convenience of working from your phone.  
We also have a church giving app called Give+  available as a free download.     How it works