An Electronic Newsletter by the Community of Christ known as Joy Lutheran Church

Our Mission Statement

We of Joy Lutheran Church foster
grace-filled relationships with Christ
through worship, fellowship, and service.



Gospel:  John 12:20-33

God promises Jeremiah that a "new covenant" will be made in the future: a covenant that will allow all the people to know God by heart. The church sees this promise fulfilled in Christ, who draws all people to himself when he is lifted up on the cross. Our baptismal covenant draws us to God's heart through Christ and draws God's light and truth into our hearts. We see God's heart most clearly in the way Jesus shares human suffering, in an agony both the John and Hebrews readings describe.

Intern Corner

This week's global perspective on Jesus brought us closer to home, as we looked at images from Native North Americans and Alaska Natives. We heard from Rev. Dr. George Tiner of the Osage Nation. He taught at Iliff School of Theology for 35 years with a special focus on Native American liberation theology. In this short video comes from 2012 United Methodist General Conference (similar to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly), Tinker reminds us that we're all part of creation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-DoOCp5XA0   . We also heard Kaitlin Curtice, a Potawatomie and Caucasian woman who describes herself as a Native American Christian mystic and worship leader. She is on Sojourners 2018 list of Christian women to watch. In this 2015 video, she reads from her experience walking at Sweetwater Creek and being reminded of her connections to her ancestors, and seeing how she will continue with her own descendants: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DQJpj--v2E . Following, Pr. Martin led us in singing the doxology in English, and then in Inupiat. Here are the words:

(In English and Inupiat) Tune Old 100th
 
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost
 
Quyakluu God igayuutaagun, (Koo-yuk-loo God i-guh-yoo-tay-ay-goon)
Quakului uumazruat maari; (Koo-yuk-loo oo-mah-roet mah-ah-ree)
Quyakluu pakmani nunami ituaq; (Koo-yuk-loo puk-mah-nee noo-nah-me  ee-too-wok)
Quyakluu Ataatann qilunnaa ilitquziq. Amen. (Koo-yuk-loo Ah-tah-tahn  kee-loo-nah ih-lit-koo-sik. Amen)


The Season of Lent
Have you ever heard the phrase "Jesus is the reason for the season"? Maybe you heard it as a kid around Christmas. But have you ever heard it in relation to Lent? Probably not. We generally think of Lent as a season of emotional heaviness, spiritual draining, and ... maybe depression. Unlike Advent when we are preparing for the birth of Jesus, in Lent we are contemplating, reflecting, and evaluating life and death. The season begins with Ash Wednesday, reminding us of our inevitable deaths, climaxes in Holy Week which is punctuated with a triumphant ride into Jerusalem, the Passover meal, and finally Jesus' execution. We end our Lenten fasts celebrating Jesus' resurrection. Jesus is the reason for the season.

But who is Jesus?

In the West, we're familiar with a white, or fair-skinned, Jesus, with blonde or light-colored hair, and blue eyes. This Lenten season we will reflect on who Jesus is for people across the globe- what he looks like when they imagine him, and what his primary messages are in these different locations. Please join us each Wednesday for a soup supper at 6:15, followed by a worship service at 7:00 where we will learn and think about Jesus with our global neighbors.

Global Perspectives on Jesus

Feb 21      Asian- Jesus originated on the Asian continent
Feb 28      African- African locations are often named in
                Scripture
Mar 7        Latin American- where liberation theology was
                first developed
Mar 14      Native North American/ Native Alaskan- we
                occupy Native land
Mar 21      Orthodox- a return to the East, and found in the
                West



Coming Week's Calendar
Sunday,
March 18
9:30 AM
11:00 AM
6:00 PM
Worship
Adult Bible Study - Evangelism
Boy Scout Troop 219
Monday, March 19 6:00 PM
6:30 PM
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
Eaglewood Homeowners Association Annual Meeting
Joy of Reading Book Club - Home of Marcia Hegna
Narcotics Anonymous
Boy Scout Troop 219 Board of Review Meeting
Tuesday, 
March 20
Noon
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
Narcotics Anonymous - Upper Narthex
Alcoholics Anonymous
Faith & Understanding: Sexual Violence in our Community
Wed., March 21
5:30 PM
6:15 PM
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
Confirmation Class
Lent Soup Supper
Narcotics Anonymous
Lenten Worship
Thurs.,
March 22		 Noon
2:00 - 5:00 PM
6:30 PM
Narcotics Anonymous - Upper Narthex
Intern Pr. Kate's Office Hours at Jitter's
Alcoholics Anonymous
Friday,
March 23
6:30 PM
Narcotics Anonymous
Sat.,
March 24
6:30 PM
Narcotics Anonymous
Next Week:
Sunday, March 25
9:30 AM
11:00 AM
6:00 PM
Worship
Adult Bible Study - Evangelism
Boy Scout Troop 219

Weekly Worship Assistant Schedule
Please take a moment to consider serving in one of our 
Worship Assistant positions.   
Thanks for your service throughout the year!

  The Joy of Reading Book Club


The Joy of Reading Book Club meets on the 3 rd Monday of every month around 6:30 PM.  Everyone is invited to come join us for a light dinner plus fun and lively book discussion.  

Our next meeting will be March 19 th at the home of Marcia Hegna. The book for March is The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock. 

Upcoming books:

April 16 th - Salt by Mark Kurlansky.  This meeting will be at the home of Betty Veldhuis

May 21 st - The  Origin by Dan Brown

June 8 th - Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck  - This meeting will also be Book Club's 8 th anniversary party and will be held at the beautiful Willow lake home of Gerry Norene. It is a sleepover for those who can stay overnight.




We are starting a new  family and friends support group in Eagle River through NAMI - the National Alliance on Mental Illness. We will be meeting at Community Covenant Church (16123 Artillery Road, Eagle River, AK) at 9:30 am on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays.  This free support group serves family members, caregivers, and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness. Family members often play a significant role in helping and supporting a loved one who develops a mental health condition. It is important to know you are not alone. The support group helps family members gain a deeper understanding of mental illness and to develop coping and communication skills. Participants also learn how to identify and access community resources and supportive service.  More details can be found at https://www.namianchorage.org/ or you can talk to Kathy Huntington (907) 242-2566 or [email protected] .

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