JoyLink Newsletter-February 26, 2017: “Thank God for Closed Doors.”

JoyLink: February 26, 2017

“Thank God for Closed Doors.”

This Sunday we will conclude our sermon series on "All the Places to Go." We've dealt with the open doors God has placed before us. We've dealt with the choices of doors we often have. We've even discussed running away from the doors God places before us.

This final installment will address those closed doors we often face. How do we handle the "No" answer to prayer? We will discover how Jesus handled it and learn to do likewise.

You won't want to miss this. Bring a friend, come ready to worship God and find some answers. It'll be worth it.

See you then!

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (MSG)

7-10 Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,

My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

2 Corintios 12:7-10 (DHH)

7 juzgándome por lo extraordinario de esas revelaciones. Por eso, para que yo no me crea más de lo que soy, he tenido un sufrimiento, una especie de espina clavada en el cuerpo, que como un instrumento de Satanás vino a maltratarme.8 Tres veces le he pedido al Señor que me quite ese sufrimiento; 9 pero el Señor me ha dicho: «Mi amor es todo lo que necesitas; pues mi poder se muestra plenamente en la debilidad.» Así que prefiero gloriarme de ser débil, para que repose sobre mí el poder de Cristo. 10 Y me alegro también de las debilidades, los insultos, las necesidades, las persecuciones y las dificultades que sufro por Cristo, porque cuando más débil me siento es cuando más fuerte soy.

Wednesdays at 7pm

Lent Series Begins Wednesday February 22, 7pm

The God We Can Know is a 7-week study designed for the entire congregation to explore the "I Am" sayings of Jesus found in the Gospel of John. This series will help you find and form an answer to the most essential question in the Christian faith, "Who do you say I am?"
One by one, Jesus statements grab our imagination, reveal more about his identity and purpose, and connect us to the God of Moses, who spoke the first "I Am." These significant yet ordinary images (bread, light, shepherd, vine, and more) give us insightful ways to experience Jesus and point us to a God who wants to be known.
The DVD, filmed on location in the Holy Land, allows you to travel with Rob Fuquay and actually see the places where Jesus stood when he disclosed his true identity, and in what context he spoke each "I Am."

For Ages 6th Grade-12th Grade

12 Baskets Sunday has been extended to This Sunday:

Powdered Milk Packets

Peanut Butter

Grape Jelly

Cereal

Mac & Cheese

Snacks for Kids

We love it when you're here....We miss you when you're gone. Please help us keep accurate records and let us know when you are here. Simply check your name on the attendance sheet located at the front as you enter the Worship center. If you do not see your name on the list, please write it in the space provided and we will make sure you're there the next time you come.

Has your information changed?

If you need to update your information, please take a moment to complete an information/welcome card. You can find them in each row in the seat pockets. Or you may ask an Usher to provide you with a card.

Thank you for helping us stay up to date!

Joy MCC's Chili Cook Off Fundraiser is finally here this Sunday! Soooo....Bring your appetites and your wallets and join us following second service. Tables will be set up in the courtyard with different types of Chili for your enjoyment. Each Chili will be numbered and you vote for your favorite by making a cash donation. You can donate to just one or as many as you choose. All proceeds will benefit Joy MCC.

See you Sunday!

Joy's Pastoral Care Team is asking for donations of new or gently used teddy bears to be used for pastoral care purposes. If you would like to donate your new or gently used teddy bears, please drop them by the church office within the next two weeks.

smile.amazon.com

Give while you Shop!

Support JOY when you order from Amazon. Use AmazonSmile! Choose JOY METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH!

Click to Donate to the community outreach efforts related to Pulse shooting tragedy

Joy MCC Endowment Fund

The Fund provides an opportunity for you to make a lasting gift to the Church. As a separate corporation from the church, the Fund invests in long-term areas that preserve capital while providing appreciation in value and return of excess to the church.

To learn more visit the "Donate Page" of our website.

Do You Give Electronically?

If so, we will have these cards in every row for your convenience to place in the offering plate.

The food Pantry at Joy MCC will be moving to the Page House soon. Stay tuned for more information. We will be needing help with the move so be on the look out for information on how you can help as Joy continues to take the doors off the church and take the church to the streets.

Remember, your gifts in kind, (items you donate to the church) can be included in contribution statements (please provide documentation). But, there's more...you may also be able to claim some expenses incurred while volunteering for Joy on your taxes. (ie, mileage). Please consult a tax adviser for more information. Some employers my also give certain credits for volunteer hours.

Thank you to all our many volunteers!

Get Faithfully Fit in 2017!

Join Us Saturdays at 8am for FREE Workout classes. All Levels Welome!

Service on Saturdays

Beginning Saturday, March 4th

Joy has many skilled and talented people. If you've every wondered how you can share you time and talents, we have the solution. Join us on the first Saturday of each month for our "Service on Saturdays". Projects will be announced, and will include anything from gardening to cleaning to general repairs, and much more. We will first meet on Saturday, March 4th at 9am. We appreciate any and all levels of help.

Joy Book of the Month Club is Back!

LOOKING FOR NEW WAYS TO CONNECT? LOVE FOOD? LOVE TO READ? JOIN US FOR JOY’S BOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB AFTER THE SECOND SERVICE ON SUNDAY, MARCH 5TH. We will be meeting at PANERA, 296 E MICHIGAN (ORANGE AND MICHIGAN). Our first book will be Don Miguel Ruiz’s “The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom”.

In The Four Agreements, bestselling author Don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, The Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.

To purchase via Amazon (and support JOY with Amazon Smile) click the book image:

Look forward to seeing you at Panera on Sunday, March 5th!

Be the Church, Pull a Post-it

Play Your Part

If you want to help in other ways, check out our “Be the Church, Pull a Post it” board in the hall next to the Worship center. There are opportunities to donate items such as paper, office supplies, water etc.; or your time and talents such as usher team, altar team, multimedia, music, etc. Visit the board and see where YOU can Play Your Part and Make a difference!