There is something about turning the calendar that invites us to be open to new possibilities.  So the question Vision Board has been asking is "How will Joy Lutheran be more Relevant, Hopeful and Generous in 2017?  Here is what we are thinking:

Relevant
   We will continue to offer high quality, creative and imaginative worship and education
   We will be more present in the community

Hopeful
   We will be more intentional about our hospitality, follow up and integration of new members
Generous
    We will continue to build financial stability and spirit of generosity
    We will address the needs of the building, both present (furnaces and finishing the basement)
            and future (long range maintenance and outdoor space use)
    We will engage more volunteers and be better about thanking and appreciating those we have

We will talking about them and modifying and adopting them at our annual meeting/party which is coming up on Sunday Feb. 5 ( save the date).  So be thinking and praying about what 2017 will look like at Joy.

Join us each Sunday 9:25-10:05
for a time to grow in faith

Pastor's Class:   Intro to the gospel of Luke   (meets in the Fireside room)
Cross Gen Class:   Exploring the Baptism of Jesus  (led by Christy in the Blue Room)

Faith U:   How to be part of a Thrivent Action Teams

Via de Cristo is a Spanish phrase meaning "Way of Christ."
Via de Cristo is a highly structured three-day weekend designed to strengthen and renew the faith of Christian people and bring them to a new awareness of living in God's grace. It is a combined effort of lay people and clergy toward renewal of the church.

Via de Cristo weekends are scheduled at Bethel Lutheran Church in Hudson WI.  Men's weekend is Jan 12-15, and the Women's weekend is Jan 19-22.  Prayerfully consider dedicating 1 weekend entirely to God and see what He can do in your life.  Contact Tom Swanson or ask around Joy for other members who have attended a Via de Cristo for information.

Seniors - You are invited to join your friends, those you know and those you don't , at the Grand Opening of a place just for us.   The Gathering Place is the new senior center opening on January 17,2017 with an open house from 10:00am to 3:00pm.    

The Gathering Place will be open beginning on the 17 th from 9:00am to 3:00pm,  three days each week, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, in room G5,  lower level, Door 5, at the Intermediate School (old high school) While some  scheduled activities are still in the planning stages these are some of the upcoming events planned for January.  Questions, call Cheryl Demuth, 715-425-6623.

• The women of the church will be serving the Birthday Party at the Prescott Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Wednesday, January 18th.  Please sign up to bring cakes and ice cream or indicate your willingness to help serve. Sign up sheets will be in the narthex.  Thanks for your help!
   
• Have you registered yet for the Tenth Triennial Gathering of the Women of the ELCA?  "Early-bird registration" closes January 6th but one can register up until the gathering time.  The Gathering is July 13-16, 2017 in Minneapolis.  This Gathering of thousands of women will never be closer so don't miss this opportunity for inspiration, fellowship, education, worship, conversation, prayer, laughter, music, and affirmation.  Our own JWELCA will make some funds available to those Joy women who'd like to attend the Triennial Gathering.  Contact Emilie Horken or Marcia Lindseth for more information.  Let's get a BIG turn-out from Joy!  Check out the bulletin board in the narthex hallway for additional information on speakers, registration procedures, or go online at www.welcatg.org to learn more about this wonderful opportunity for you.
   
• Have you checked out the library in the Fireside Room recently? JWELCA maintains our church library.  There are many terrific resources for you in the library.  If you need some good devotional reading materials, see the bulletin board in the church hallway and check these items out in the library.  You won't be sorry!

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.

It would be helpful for us to know who in the congregation are members of Thrivent.  
Please click on the link below to let us know

Click Here

The Joyful Quilters will begin making quilts again on Wednesday, January 11th, 9:00 A.M. in the Fellowship Hall.  They will meet every Wednesday through March 15th.  During the fall quilting months, almost 30 quilts were made and given to Lutheran World Relief for distribution to people in need throughout the world. Our quilts bring comfort and promote good health---and even more than that --- we provide an item that let people in their darkest hour know that they are not alone.    

All women are invited to join the Joyful Quilters.  No experience necessary!  Come every Wednesday morning to make quilts and enjoy the fellowship of the quilters.  For more information, contact Karen Lundgaard at 715-273-5848 or Joan Schaack at 715-262-5476, co-chairs of the Joyful Quilters.  Everyone is also invited to donate 3-5 yard pieces of fabric for our quilters

Our story this week is the baptism of Jesus

click here to watch video

God's Story...Our Story

5 simple steps to help bring your household closer to God and each other. 

Joy is now offering alcohol-free wine for Communion. In the past we have offered grape juice as well as wine in the cup, in order to be sensitive to those who prefer not to consume alcohol.  But in doing so we loose the sense of unity of sharing a common cup.  So we are going to try offering alcohol-free wine for all.  Special thanks to Scott Calton for creating the beautiful common cups we will be using.  We will still  be offering gluten free wafers for those who need to avoid gluten.

Wednesday Night Suppers at Joy!

January Menu

Jan. 11th ~ Fajita Chicken over Rice

Jan. 18th ~ Stroganoff

Jan. 25th ~ Chili

Wednesday Suppers are a free will donation and all are welcome to Joy to enjoy delicious food and wonderful fellowship.  Supper time is 5:15 ~ 6:30 PM.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO JOY

 

BREANNA'S NEW WALK OF LIFE

 

Words cannot express the gratitude for your out-reach to Breanna and her family.

The food, gifts, love, and prayers were felt and appreciated.

The coming together to help others has always been the focus of the church and will continue to be its strength for years to come.

As Bre said, "Something good will come of all this!"

It's a new beginning to start all over in life. Just as every crisis in our church has been a new beginning to come back bigger and stronger than ever.

I'm sure the family of Joy joins our family in wishing her all the very best for her new life...and the life of the church.

The will of God will prevail regardless of how much we do to mess it up.

It is the "Power of Prayer" that will make it all right with God, who in turn makes it all right with us.

It is not for us to know WHY when we cry out for His love and mercy in taking care of Breanna.

 

We Love You All-

 

Ken and Loretta Knight

Here are some digital links to help with you estimate of giving

Hopefully you received a letter in the mail asking you to consider making a prayerful estimate of giving for the coming year.  It is a great spiritual discipline to help us be more intentional about our giving, as well as a helpful tool for our congregation in its stewardship of the resources God has given us to manage.  (If you didn't get a letter, let the office know so we can update our records)

The letter had paper versions of the estimate of giving card and a form for setting up or modifying your electronic giving, like we have done for many years.   If you would rather work digitally here are the links:   Estimate of Giving    Set up or manage my electronic giving

If you 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

Obviously we have an email address because you are reading this. But in many cases we have more than one email address so we need to know which one you want to use to manage your account . So if you have not already done so please reply to bookkeeper@joy-church.org as soon as possible to let us know.