Saturday, September 24, 2016. 9am-1:30pm at Immanuel Lutheran-Eau Claire, 3214 Golf Rd.

The workshop will be led by Linda Staats. Linda brings a life-span approach to congregational ministry and a focus on nurturing faith at church and in the home. Her greatest joy is bringing all ages, 3-103, together for meaningful interaction. Her hope is to engage, equip and empower all generations for serving Jesus at home and in the world. You may read her bio at www.homegrownfaith.net.

This is a fun, interactive workshop for children, teens and adults of all ages. It's a lively morning, exploring attitudes and behaviors around faith, money, earning, spending, saving and sharing. We will talk about the stuff that really matters and learn what the other generations value. This is a meaningful cross generation experience and conversation about generosity. There will be a signup sheet in the Narthex for those that are interested in attending this Cross+Gen connecting experience, designed to connect all ages and generations as stewards of God's abundant grace. The goal is to grow a spirit of generosity that overflows with abundant joy from households to congregations to ministries throughout one's neighborhood and into the world. Make and take Piggy Banks! Child Care and Lunch included!

 

Joy's Stewardship is covering all costs. Please sign up for this unique Cross+Gen experience! Deadline for signing up is September 10th.

Sunday, September 25, 2016. 5:30-8pm
at Immanuel Lutheran-Eau Claire, 3214 Golf Rd.

This workshop is again led by Linda Staats. This workshop is designed for Sunday School and Confirmation Teachers, Education Committees, Youth and Faith Formation Leaders, Adult Education Teams, Pastors and anyone interested in learning more about the philosophy and foundations of Cross+Gen ministry. You are invited to experience a Cross+Gen learning and worship event! Includes a light supper!

Joy's Faith/Education Team is covering all costs and car-pools are available. Please sign up for this unique Cross+Gen experience in the Narthex! Deadline for signing up is September 10th.

 

September 9-11. This year is a Hawaiian theme! Joy will be having a float in the parade on Sunday, September 11 th at 1:00. Tom Gujer has volunteered his wagon and tractor. We will be handing out prizes along the parade route. Hope Olson is looking for volunteers to decorate and ride/walk the float. Get out your Hawaiian shirts and get your Aloha on! Please join us and call Hope to help (715-262-3724). Thank you!

 

With renewed energy, JLC is working on a Church Directory. This will be available for all of Joy's Members both electronically and in print form. We need your help to complete this project! If you have not already done so, please submit a photo of yourself and/or your family. Be sure to include the names of everyone in the picture, in order of seating. We have already received approximately 30 photos. Please email a recent photo to office@joy-church.org . You can also bring one in to the office and have it scanned or we would be happy to take one of you at church! Joy is very excited to get this project rolling and we can't complete it without YOU!

Please call the office at 715-262-5800 with any questions. Please have your photos submitted by Labor Day. We look forward to seeing your photos very soon!

                                                                                                                        DIRECTORY 

It's time for our Quilters to begin quilting again! Quilters will be meeting each Wednesday, September 7th through November 9th beginning at 9:00 A.M. in the Fellowship Hall. All women are invited to participate, regardless of sewing skills. If you like to participate in good fellowship while making needed quilts for Lutheran World Relief, this is the group for you! If you have questions, contact Karen Lundgaard at 715-273-5848 or Joan Schaack at 715-262-5476, co-chairs of the Joyful Quilters. Donations of money for shipping the quilts and also for quilting supplies are welcomed. Contact Karen or Joan if you'd like to make a monetary contribution or if you have material or other supplies you'd like to donate. The quilters are in need of material - cotton pieces that are 4 ½ - 5 yards long to use for backing and cotton pieces in 1 yard+ sizes for making the quilt pieces for the front. Quilting is a way of celebrating and giving God thanks that is "Tied in Faith, Sent in Hope, and Wrapped in Love."

 

It's the beginning of a new year of Women of the ELCA Bible Studies! These Bible Studies will be offered the 2nd Tuesday of each month, September through May, at 1:30 P.M. in the Fireside Room at the church. (Note: There will be no evening Bible Study offered this year.) All women are invited to attend. Bible Study leaders will include Marcia Lindseth, Emilie Horken, Diane Meyer, and Pastor Steve Meyer. We will have a fall study, an Advent devotional study in December, a winter study based on the Book of Galations, and a spring study based on the WELCA Triennial theme of "All Anew." All the Bible studies can be found in the "Gather Magazine."

 

On Tuesday, September 13th, we will have the first of three Bible studies on the topic of "When God's Not Fair - Coming to Terms with a Merciful God." This study is authored by Meghan Johnston-Aelabouni, Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ft. Collins, CO, Ph.D. student and mother to three. She helps us explore biblical images of a God who acts beyond our conceptions of what's "fair." In the three monthly fall studies, (September through November), we'll explore the stories of Jonah, the Prodigal Son, and the conversion of Paul. We'll delve into what it means to worship a God who forgives the guilty, chooses the unlikely and gives to those who haven't "earned" it.

 

In our first study of this "new" year, on Tuesday, September 13th at 1:30 P.M. we will study "Jonah and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day," (borrowing the words of children's author Judith Viorst). Our text study will be taken from the book of Jonah as we look at how guilty people can become an instrument of God's mercy. Marcia Lindseth will lead this September study. Do join us!

Thank You For Your GENEROSITY!

All women in the church should be receiving soon their new Joy Women of the ELCA Directory for this coming 2016-17 year. When you receive it, please look it over carefully as it will contain information about our Programs, Bible Study, Committees, our Prayer Chain, ongoing Activities/Events of JWELCA, and our Policies. It also has information about the Tenth Triennial Gathering of the Women of the ELCA which will be held in Minneapolis next July. If you do not receive a Directory, please contact the church office or take one from the table in the church entrance. If you'd like to be involved in a committee, planning a program, helping with one of our ministries or projects, please contact Marcia Lindseth or Emilie Horken. ALL ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO SERVE!

Women of the ELCA triennial gatherings bring Lutheran women together from across the church with life-changing workshops, worship, Bible study, and more.

Women will gather in Minneapolis under the theme "All Anew" at the 10th Triennial Gathering, July 13-16, 2017. Registration opens September 6. Early-bird registration, through December 31, is $310; after that registrations are $350. Day registrations are $175.  To Register click here: welcatg.org or to request a registration packet by email, click here: women.elca@elca.org. 

Featured speakers, preachers, and workshop leaders will bring the gathering theme to life, exploring the theme verse Psalm 104:30: "Lord, send forth your spirit...and renew the face of the earth." The verse calls on God to send the Holy Spirit to renew not just God's people, not just God's church, but all God's earth---the creation that God called good.

Because the gathering falls during the observance of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in 2017, the theme resonates with reformation and transformation images. Participants will explore ways in which the Holy Spirit changes us, acknowledging that reformation and transformation have happened and continue to happen within the community of Women of the ELCA: womenoftheelca.org.

(Article from "Seeds for the Parish," Summer 2016)

 

The Northwest Synod of Wisconsin Synod Women's Organization will be holding their Fall Leadership Training on Saturday, September 17th at Central Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls, 9 AM - 1:30 PM. Any women in our church are invited to attend this special training opportunity. The training provides an opportunity to hear from the women on the Synod Board as they talk about providing leadership in our church units. We will also have the opportunity to hear Rev. Laurie Skow-Anderson, Assistant to the Synod Bishop, who will address issues related to keeping our organization healthy and viable. Lunch will be served and the day will conclude with a short worship service and communion, also led by Pastor Laurie. Any women who are interested in attending should contact Emilie Horken at 715-262-4728 or Marcia Lindseth at 715-262-3498. We will car pool to Chippewa Falls.

Preparations: Kelly Poff, Dick Hoffman, Phyllis Hoffman, Cathy Martin, Hope Olson, Jim Flatz, Bobbie Flatz, Lee Northouse, Joan Northouse, Ron Stenke, Chris Stenke, Jayde Canfield, Maxi Meuer and Ken Knight.

Providing Jell-O: Heather Seipel, Pauline Volkman, Ken Roen, Cathy Martrin, Charolette Burgeson, Sue Hood, Karen Lehman, Dan Braun, Carol Peterson, Henry Gray, Kristen Gray, Jennifer Kleinschmidtand and Rosie Culhane.

Providing Cakes: Heather Seipel, Russ Jensen, Rosemary Alexander, Mary Jonikas, Elaine Most, Vicki Bowan, Em Horken, Hope Olson, Carol Peterson, Betty Petersen, Mandy Bernick, Jennifer Kleinschmidt, Diane Meyer, Ken & Linda Wilson, Tom Peterson, Krista Mitzuk, Bobby Barksdale, Chris Stenke and Lynda Johnson.

Drivers:   Jennifer Kleinschmidt, Tom Geistfeld and Jim Flatz.

Servers: Jim Flatz, Bobbie Flatz, Mathew McCarthy, Shannon Clarke, Diane Meyer, Tom Geistfeld, Bobby Barksdale, Jennifer Kleinschmidt, Karen Lehman, Lee Northouse, Heather Seipel, Jayde Canfield and Maxi Meuer.      

Thrivent dollars ($250) were also used to help with this project. Project sponsored by Jim Flatz.

This was indeed a tremendous show of support for a wonderful event to help those in need. Mary Jo Copeland (founder of Sharing & Caring) was very thankful for Joy's involvement and we are looking forward to our next opportunity to serve again next January (date TBD).

 

THANK YOU!!!

THANK YOU to Tom Gujur for painting the bookkeeper's office.

 

THANK YOU to Ken and Linda Wilson for making the school supplies collection display and for taking the collected items to the Prescott Food Pantry.

 

THANK YOU to Al Klein and Ernie Schultz for cutting and trimming the church grounds all summer.

 

THANK YOU to Kelly Poff and others who supplied muffins and goodies after church services all summer.

 

THANK YOU to Emilie Horken, Nancy Rifleman, Karen Lehman, and Dick Hoffmann for counting the church offering each Sunday.

It's time to register your little ones for Sunday School!  Joy has a new start time this year ~ 10:15 AM.  Sunday School begins on September 18th.  Please register your children by clicking the link below. SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION

Please be our guest and use the password of:
WelcomeToJoy!73

 

There is still time to sign up for the Our Neighbors' Place Kinni River Trout Trot Race on September 10th! A delightful road and trail course running through town and the countryside outside of River Falls, Wisconsin, the Kinni River Trout Trot features a 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon, and half-mile Fun Run for kids. The event is chip timed by Gopher State Events and promises fun for the whole family! There is a 20% discount when you register 3 or more members of your household! All proceeds are donated to Our Neighbors' Place, a local nonprofit providing support, shelter, and housing services to foster self-determination. To register, please go to http://www.ourneighborsplace.org/new-events/ and click on Trout Trot link. And if running isn't your thing, we also need race volunteers! If you're interested in volunteering, please contact Taren Weyer at ourneighborsplace@gmail.com

Monday, September 19th, you and your family are invited to an open house at the new High School.  Tours and activities starting at 5:00 PM.  Ceremony and ribbon cutting at 7:30 PM.  Bring your family and friends for the official public grand opening of the new Prescott High School.  Take tours, enjoy refreshments, and connect with your fellow community members!

Beginning Thursday, September 22, 6:30pm - 7:30pm, at Prescott United Church of Christ.

Have you come into the joy and struggle of caring for a family member on an extended basis? There are days when this can absorb all your time and energy. These meetings, with support from the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Pierce County, will be a place for confidential conversation, mutual support, and problem-solving. We will address concerns like the need for respite, resources for care-giving, special issues, and self-care for care-givers in a context of grace and spiritual support. At the first meeting, on September 22, we will identify an ongoing meeting time that best fits peoples' schedules. Please contact Rev. Matt Schneider-Adams (715-262-5668) for additional information.

THANK YOU!!!  Luther Park Bible Camp had an incredible summer of ministry and growth.  This summer proved that while Bible Camp is most definitely for confirmation age campers, it is also so much more!  Campers of all ages from Kindergarten day campers through 1st and 2nd grade night campers, on to 3-5th grade week long campers and more experienced the love and community of Jesus.  Our theme of "Sailing the High C's" taught campers about the characteristics of the God we serve, Creator, Christ, Comforter, God of Community and God Who Calls.
Luther Park shared this message with 1047 campers on site as well as 919 in VBS/Day Camps.  Our 40 summer staff from 7 countries and 5 states shared the message of Christ.  Over the past 4 years, the Luther Park summer program has experienced a 70% growth in ministry.  We are deeply indebted to our partners in ministry, YOU, the local church and membership.
We can't begin to thank you enough.
Blessings,
Luther Park Staff
 

 

In a letter received from Luther Park and the Heart for Luther Park Fundraising Event, our church has been thanked for helping to make that August 13th event a very successful one. They reported that the day's income was over $23,000 which is a great amount to help them maintain the quality outdoor ministry that Luther Park is known for. They wrote: "Your donations to Luther Park helped with the overall success. You have been a blessing to Luther Park!" Many beautiful quilt s and silent auction items - from vintage textiles to hand knit garments - lots of fun gift baskets too were auctioned off or put on sale in a Silent Auction. We, at Joy, contributed items that brought in $729.00 of the total amount raised. Special thanks to Rosemary Alexander, Joan Schaack, and Linda Johnson for their quilt donations which brought in a total of $400. JWELCA, with help from a Thrivent grant, gave 11 Gift Baskets which brought in a total of $304 and Jerry Erickson donated a beautiful rosemaled candelabra which brought in $25. Thanks to all for these great donations! Thanks to everyone, also, who bought Raffle Tickets. New this year, the Raffle income exceeded $4500, which will also go a long way to help Luther Park continue their great outdoor ministry. Many people participated in this new venture, including several people from our church. . (People from Joy contributed almost $250 in Raffle Ticket purchases.) Finally, the letter states, "We want you to know that this auction wouldn't be what it is without each and every person or group who has lovingly donated their time and talents. Their donations and YOURS contributed to our success. THANK YOU!"

Saturday, September 17th from 8:00 AM to 12 Noon at the Pierce County MRF (Recycling Center), 707 N. Maple St./Hwy 65 N., Ellsworth, WI.
Clean Sweep gives residents, farmers and businesses the opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted agricultural chemicals and household hazardous wastes.  Questions?  Email recycle@co.pierce.wi.us or
call (715) 273-3092