an electronic newsletter of Joy Lutheran Church,  Prescott, WI
www.joy-church.org    715-262-5800    office@joy-church.org
Relevant + Hopeful + Generous                        December 10-17, 2017
Joy Lutheran Church office hours will be limited the week of Christmas.  Please call before you come to make sure the office is open.  THANK YOU!
The code for the key box on the side door by the kitchen has been changed. If you need the code, please call the church office.

Upcoming Events at a glance (and quick links)
  

Check out...
  Faith5 home devotional resource God's Story Our Story 
Waiting is hard

We will be talking about waiting at worship on Sunday and what makes the difference between waiting that is good  and productive, and waiting that seems like a waste of time.
Check out this video on waiting to prime the pump.
                                                          Just for fun...the Bethlemian Rhapsody
Mark Your Calendars:  
Joy's ALTERNATIVE GIFT FAIR will be held on SUNDAYS, DECEMBER 10TH AND 17th!  Join the "Advent Conspiracy" and purchase a meaningful gift through the ELCA's Good Gift program.  Plan to purchase a pig, goat, farming tools, school supplies, a blanket, mosquito net, food at a soup kitchen, or another useful gift for people in need throughout our world.  Do this in the name of your loved ones.  Let us take this opportunity to "re-direct our hearts, away from the desperate consumption of the season towards the values and rhythms Christ cares about as we remember His story."
Advent and Christmas Worship Opportunities
 

Dec. 17 "All Ages Christmas Program" and Christmas Cantata "Hope!" - both 8:15am and 10:15am

Dec. 24 "Drawn to the Light" a "live" painted sermon by Pastor Steve - one service at 9:30am

     Christmas Eve Worship - 3:00pm  (musical message by the Joy Choir)

     Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship - 5:00pm  (musical message by the Joyful Bells)

      "Around the World" - 9:00pm  (a candlelight worship led by guitars, featuring music                                                                              from around the globe)

Dec.31   New Year's Eve Worship - one service at 9:30am



Before you know it we will be moving into Christmas preparations and once that gets started it is hard to step back and get perspective.  So here is my recommendation...sit down with loved ones now at thanksgiving, and talk about how we can keep Christmas from getting crazy.  There are some things we do because it makes Christmas more meaningful, there are other things we do simply because we have always done them.  For a great resource on how to design a more meaningful Christmas check out the Advent Conspiracy Family Guide 

Check out these videos to help inspire you Dear Friends and Family   Upside Down Christmas


d
Weekly Home Devotion Resource

God's Story...Our Story

5 simple steps to help bring your household closer to God and each other. 
Click here  for this week's home devotion.
CTCT-20171116_125948_0
ALL AGE Christmas Program at JOY Church!!
Sunday December 17 at 8:15am or 10:15am Worship service. Do you want to be an Angel, or maybe a donkey. Just show up, pick a costume and be ready to join in on the Christmas story. Kids, parents, Grandma and Grandpa, neighbors, and friends... join us for this unique experience.
No Rehearsals. No Hassle.  Show up and pick a costume!
Order Your Poinsettia Plants Now
If you would like to purchase Poinsettia Plants to help decorate our sanctuary this year, there are envelopes available in the Narthex.  Look for the "Poinsettia Flowers" sign on the table. Please fill the envelope out in full, place your check or cash inside and either place in the offering tray or return to the office by Sunday, December 17th.  If you wish to dedicate your Poinsettia in honor of or in memory of a special loved one, please make sure to indicate that on the order envelope in the space provided.  Your Poinsettias may be taken home after the Christmas services to further brighten up your holidays!  Cost is $10.00 per plant.
Sharing and Caring Hands
Joy will be preparing and serving a noon meal to 250 to 300 homeless people in Minneapolis on Tuesday,   January 2nd, 2018.  We need people to help with serving, people to make Jell-O in ice cream pails (10 buckets, each made from 3 large boxes), people to make cakes (15 to 20), and people to drive. There are sign up sheets in the Narthex. All donations need to be at the church by 9:00 a.m. on serving day. Joy volunteers will be leaving Joy at 9:30 a.m. and returning by 2:00 p.m. ALSO, help is needed on Monday, January 1st to prepare the food. Please contact Kelly Poff at 715-262-4281 or Jim and Bobbie Flatz with any questions.
Wednesday Suppers  

DECEMBER MENU
13th ~ Beef Stew
20th ~ Chow Mein
27th ~ NO WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER

All are welcome to enjoy a delicious meal and wonderful fellowship at Joy. Supper time is from 5:15 to 6:30 pm.
A vegetarian option or hot dogs and chips are also offered as an alternative at each meal.  A free will donation is appreciated, but not necessary if you are not able to contribute.
Bring your friends and neighbors to the table and experience JOY!
Did You Know... Joy's Worship Services are broadcast live on 88.7 FM??? If you are having trouble hearing the service as it happens or just want to listen along, you can bring in a small radio with a headset or ear buds. Or, please feel free to speak with Lee Northouse, we have them available for use at Joy!
All Women Invited to Advent Bible Study
All women are invited to attend the Advent Bible Study on Tuesday, December 12th in the Fireside Room at church. This month's Bible Study is entitled "Joy to the World." Through the use of four meditations, written by leaders in the Women of the ELCA, the theme of "Joy" will be examined. When the Christmas season approaches is joy your first reaction? When you hear the Christmas story, are you overcome with hope and wonder? Christmas can be a complicated season-filled with many emotions, not all joyous, but some of grief and sorrow. Join us on December 12th and reflect on the meaning of this season of joy.
A Message from Joy's Library Committee

The Library committee would like to remind everyone that the library has several movies and books with Christmas themes for all ages.  Please view the bulletin board and check out a move or book to enjoy!
Live Generously

Thank you for your generosity.  As our treasurer, Kristen Tibayan mentioned a couple weeks ago we have a little catching up to do in order to repay the borrowing we have done internally, in order to keep our ministries thriving. We have made some good progress* but we only have 6 weeks before the end of the year. Your generosity will make all the difference as we make our plans for 2018.

We adopted a very challenging budget and also had a capital appeal where we raised over $32,000 this year. 
The line between getting by and boldly being able to move forward is a thin line.  For most of us, $5 a week would not make or break our budget, but multiplied by the whole congregation it would make all the difference.

I encourage you consider making an increase in your giving this coming year. Hopefully you received a letter in the mail this last week asking you to consider making an estimate of your 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.  Please contact the church office if you have questions of need assistance. If you would rather work digitally on your own visit our Giving page on the website or click on the links here:

Electronic Estimate of Giving Form   Why Give?    Set up or manage my electronic giving

*balance of what we borrowed from ourselves was $10,303 at the end of Sept and by the end of October we had reduced it to $7,477
Be part of a Thrivent Action Team

UPDATE...
As of Dec. 1st, we have 60 applications approved for 2017 and 55 completed. The remaining 5 will be completed during December so our year end total of Thrivent Action Team contributions will be $15,000. It was a good year! 

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". 
  
Be sure to check  Thrivent page on our church website for more information.

Books & Bells: Family Event Combines Stories and Seasonal Music

Enjoy family-friendly stories and seasonal tunes at Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center on Saturday, December 9, at 11:00 a.m. when Bells of the Bluffs Handbell Ensemble comes to the center for an hour of storytelling and fun musical selections for kids of all ages.
Children attending the event will be eligible for random drawings for free books related to the music. All will be invited to sing along as we enjoy familiar Disney tunes, holiday and winter songs and more performed by Bells of the Bluffs. Refreshments will be provided. The event is co-sponsored by Thrivent.
Bells of the Bluffs is devoted to igniting passion in handbells. The 14-member group, under the direction of Marilee Anderson, is a community handbell ensemble based in Red Wing, Minn. Learn more at bellsofthebluffs.org  and find Bells of the Bluffs on Facebook and YouTube.
Joy's own Robyn Keyport, Joan & Lee Northouse perform with the group!

Youth

JOY YOUTH
dcSign up sheets for the New Year are  posted in the Narthex!

Our Wednesday Night Supper is one of our ministries that is at the core of what we are about.  We are blessed to have a great cook to prepare the food (thank you Kelly) but preparing the food is only part of providing a meal.
We also need people willing to help with the set up and clean up.

This is where we need your help.   Many hands make light work.  If we can get 8 dish team organized, then no one would need to work more than once a month for 1 1/2 hour.  We are looking to have 2 shifts (early 4:30-6:00 and late  6:00-7:30). Teams would be 3-4 people and could be families or any kind of group.  You can form your own team, or indicate your willing to help and we will form the teams.   Thank you for your support of this important ministry.       
  click here to indicate your willingness to help
FAITH FORMATION

Faith Formation is a life-long process that we approach in a number of ways. First and foremost the home is the primary place where faith formation happens. The home is where priorities and values are modeled and reinforced. As a worshipping community we want to help support the work that you are doing at home.  

One of the ways we do that is to provide a resource for home devotional use called
"God's Story Our Story" . It explores the theme that we focus on at worship each week and is available as a bulletin insert (also available on our web page).
 
We also offer a resource we call Sunday School each week at 10:15. Sunday School starts in worship because it is important for our young people to have the experience of worshipping with family. During this time we model the devotional Faith5 time the bulletin insert is there to encourage.   Then the youth (preschool- 5th grade) go to a class to focus on learning and applying faith to life, returning to worship for Holy Communion and time with their families.

Another option for
Faith Formation is offered between the worship services (at 9:25-10:05) to provide an educational experience which is separate from worship, so parents who want to worship the whole hour as families have that opportunity.

There are two elements: The first element is
Faith U (faith university) which is geared for adults. We are never too old to learn something new and you can't pass on a living faith if you are not nurturing it in yourself. There will be a variety of topics offered, dealing with both life application, as well as Bible and theology topics in short series.  The other element is a Cross Generational Class designed for both adults and kids. Having these two options allows parents and kids to have separate focused classes if they wish, or they could attend the cross generational class together as whole families to enhance their faith formation.
 
In addition we offer two opportunities on Wednesday nights. For our 6-7th graders we have a pre-confirmation program called Shift 67 and for our 8-9th graders our Confirmation ministry.
 
Questions ? Talk to Christy or Pastor Steve.
Church Directory
**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.

If you miss a sermon...

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.                   
Worship Attendance
Date
8:15 Traditional
10:15 Contemporary
TOTAL
Nov 12
46
97
143
Nov 19
55
133
198
Nov 26
60
57
117
Dec 3
50
156
206

Weekly Giving Summary
 Week Of:  Regular Giving Electronic Giving Offering Total    Other Income
O 29-N 4  
$2,390.00   
 
$1,115.00      
 
  $3,505.00         
$628.07
 
  Nov 5     
 
$3,039.00  
$8,252.75   
       
$11,291.75    
     
   $874.00     
Nov 12      $2,276.00             $5,473.31          $7,749.31          
$834.05
 
Nov 19      $2,826.70        $1,107.50             $3.934.20                  $366.55        
     Nov 26         $2,629.00       $1,167.50              $3,796.50                 $606.00  
Dec 3  $2,276.00 $5,473.31 $7,749.31    $834.05 

Average Offering Income to meet projected expenses  $5966
An additional  $641 is needed each week to address the budget shortfall
*=UPDATED, +=NOT AVAILABLE  
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

WiFi Joy Guest Password:  WelcomeToJoy!73  
Worship Leaders for December, 8:15, 10:15 & Christmas Worship Services  
worshipleaders
GREETERS
READER
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS
USHERS-All Month
December 10
8:15
Craig & Tammy Orf

10:15
The Nawrocki Family



December 10
8:15
Carol Peterson

10:15
Tom Peterson


December 10
8:15
Carol Peterson, Phyllis Hoffmann, Russ Jensen

10:15
Shawn Bernick, Krista Mitzuk, Ed Glaubitz
December
8:15
Jim & Bobbie Flatz and Pete French

10:15
The Kleinschmidt's

December 17
8:15
Mike & Pauline Volkman

10:15
The Schultz Family


December 17
8:15
Diane Meyer

10:15
Diane Meyer

December 17
8:15
Diane Meyer, Al Klein, Joan Northouse

10:15
Diane Meyer, Krista Mitzuk, Hope Olson

8:15
Jim & Bobbie Flatz,
Pete French

10:15
The Kleinschmidt's

December 24
9:30 AM
Ken & Linda Wilson

3:00 PM
Jim & Jana Lawton

5:00 PM
The Schultz Family-Ernie, Patti and Ella

9:00 PM
Craig & Tammy Orf

December 24
9:30 AM



3:00 PM
Tom Peterson

5:00 PM
Ken Roen

9:00 PM
Carol Peterson
December 24
9:30 AM
Carol Peterson

3:00 PM
Diane Meyer, Tom Peterson, Ken Roen

5:00 PM
Jim & Bobbie Flatz, Joan Northouse

9:00 PM
Carol Peterson
9:30 AM
Jim & Bobbie Flatz

3:00 PM
Richard Hoffmann, Kris, Dave and Nick Swanson

5:00 PM
Norm Johnson

9:00 PM
Jim & Bobbie Flatz
weekWeekly Calendar 
 
10 Sunday
8:15am Traditional Worship Service
9:25am Faith Formation
10:15am Contemporary Worship Service
10:15am Sunday School
4-8pm Amy Pieper Piano Recital
 
11 Monday
NO SCHOOL-Professional Development Day
5:30-7pm Cantata Rehearsal
7-8pm Joyful Bells Rehearsal
 
12 Tuesday
1:30-2:30pm JWELCA Women's Bible Study
6-7pm Executive Team Meeting
 
13 Wednesday
NO Joy Unlimited & Sing 4 Joy Rehearsal
5:15-6:30pm Wednesday Night Supper
5:30-6:30pm Cantata Rehearsal
6:30-7:45pm Shift 67
6:30-7:45pm Confirmation Class-Workshop #10
7-8pm Joy Choir Rehearsal
 
14 Thursday
9-11 Joy Cleaning Crew
7pm Spirit of Joy Band Rehearsal
 
15 Friday
 
16 Saturday
7:30-8:30am Men's Bible Study
 
17 Sunday
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
8:15am All Ages Christmas Program & Christmas Cantata "Hope!"
9:25am Faith Formation
10:15am All Ages Christmas Program & Christmas Cantata "Hope!"
 
 
 
Joy Lutheran Church  1435 St Croix St. Prescott, WI 54021
715-262-5800   office@joy-church.org   www.joy-church.org
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