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:  Matthew 21:23-32
Jesus' parable about two sons who don't do what they say reveals surprises in the reign of God, such as prostitutes and tax collectors going before others into God's kingdom. In the reading from Ezekiel the people question whether the ways of the Lord are unfair; instead they are to repent and turn to the Lord. Paul urges us to look to Christ as a model of humility, looking to the interests of others above our own. Nourished by the broken bread and shared cup, we offer our lives for the sake of our needy world.


Reformation is Sunday, OCTOBER 29TH

Two Local Events to Commemorate the 
500th Anniversary of the Reformation

LUTHERAN-CATHOLIC COMMEMORATION OF THE REFORMATION - 2 PM
Anchorage-area ELCA Lutherans and Catholics will join in a prayer service on October 29, 2pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Anchorage, 3900 Wisconsin.  We'll use From Conflict to Communion, the liturgy being used around the world and the one used at our synod assembly last April in Juneau.  Archbishop Etienne and Bishop Wickstrom will preach.  Lutherans will provide the reception.  

Joy has been asked to supply:  three volunteers, each to make some hors d'oeuvre to serve 15-20 folks. The service is a 2pm and we have a nice kitchen to use at Our Lady, so folks could drop things off before heading to the service.

BACH CANTATA - 4 PM
The Anchorage Lutheran Concert Series is presenting a very special event this October. In acknowledgement of the 500th Celebration of the Reformation, we are inviting community members and choirs from around the region to join in singing a Bach Cantata BWV 140, Wachet auk, rift runs die Stimme ("Sleepers Awake") with Baroque Ensemble. We are so lucky to have the conductor of the Anchorage Concert Chorus, Dr. Grant Cochran, conducting this event!  October, 29th. Featured soloists are Kate Eagan, soprano, and Martin Eldred, bass-baritone. 4 PM at Anchorage Lutheran: 1420 N Street, Anchorage.

Socktober

Friends of Joy,

During October we will be collecting socks to donate to children and adults in our community.  Not much is cozier than a fresh pair of socks, especially as we head into chiller days.  Can we raise 500 socks as we lead into the 500th anniversary of the Reformation?  I think so!

If you have any questions, please contact Scooter Bentson.

Children's Chapel Help Needed
One of the more important ministries we offer is "Children's Chapel."  During the sermon-time at worship, our younger siblings can go and enjoy an age-appropriate sermon while their big people can enjoy the Sermon.  We need volunteers to make this happen.  Families, couples, high schoolers - all could help out.  We have some curriculum that is available if you would like to help.  The new three weeks are all ready to go! 

Talk to Cynthia Oistad if you would like to be part of this essential part of our ministry together!
Intern Corner


October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
While it might seem like this isn't a problem for anyone at Joy, statistics on domestics violence in the United States and in Alaska indicate otherwise. The cover story of the May 2012 issue of The Lutheran was titled, "1 in 3 is harmed by domestic abuse: How churches can create a point of grace." After this article came out, I learned from a long-time church member that she had survived years of abuse from from her now ex-husband, while sitting with him in the pews every Sunday. It wasn't news to her that abuse was happening among "good church-going people," but because it wasn't talked about, she didn't know how not alone she was.

The Bible contains a lot of violence, and much of it is directed at women and children, sometimes told in graphic allegory (e.g.: Hosea 2), and often dealing with women as sexual property (e.g.: Deut. 22:13-30; Gen. 16:1-16; 21:9-21). We have inherited patriarchal understandings of God and the world and the fallout of that inheritance harms everyone, not only women and children. One of the ways we can start to dismantle harmful patriarchy is to stop asking, "Why doesn't she just leave?" or "What did you do to deserve this?" We can start teaching our kids how to be kind with their bodies and words, and how to be in healthy, consenting relationships. We are made in the image of God. Believing everyone bears the face of God means violence against another is violence against God. Likewise, when we teach kids (and adults) to love others as God has taught us we ought to love, we are loving God.

Abuse takes many forms, including physical, verbal, emotional, and financial. No one deserves to be abused, and no one has the right to abuse. Abuse is not a cross to bear or suffering to endure. Abuse is not in keeping with God's design for the world or desire for any of us. If you or someone you care about is in an abusive relationship, their (and any children's) safety is number one. More information and help can be found at the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233), www.ndvh.org. 

- Intern Pastor Kate Drefke
 

Intern Office Hours
Intern Pastor Kate will be at Joy Lutheran Wednesdays and Thursdays each week, as well as alternating 2 Sundays here, then 2 Sundays at Lutheran Church of Hope.  She will start holding "office hours" at Jitters on Thursday afternoons from 2:00-5:00PM.  

Join her for conversation about whatever is going on with you, "help" on your homework, or to help her with her sermon writing (or to go over how you thought the last one went).  

Don't be fooled by her introvert shield (computer), she does want you to sit and talk!  Stop in and say 'Hi!'

This Week's Calendar
Sunday,
Oct. 1
9:30 AM
11:00 AM
6:30 PM
Worship
Adult Bible Study 
Boy Scout Troop 219
Monday, Oct. 2
 6:30 PM
Narcotics Anonymous
Tuesday, 
Oct. 3
6:30 PM

Alcoholics Anonymous
Wed.,
Oct. 4
5:30 PM
6:30 PM
Confirmation Class
Narcotics Anonymous 
Thurs.,
Oct. 5		 2:00 - 5:00 PM
6:30 PM
Intern Pastor Kate's Open "Office Hours" at Jitters
Alcoholics Anonymous
Friday,
Oct. 6
6:30 PM
Narcotics Anonymous
Sat.,
Oct. 7
6:30 PM
Narcotics Anonymous
Next Week:
Sunday, Oct. 8
9:30 AM
11:00 AM
6:30 PM
Worship
Adult Bible Study 
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!

Joy of Reading Book Club

The Joy of Reading Book Club meets on the 3rd Monday of every month.  Everyone is invited to come join us for a light dinner and inspiring book discussion.  October book is The Hidden Kennedy by Kate Clifford Larson.  Karen Johnson has volunteered to host.  The meeting will be Monday, October 16 and starts at 6:30 PM.  You are welcome even if you didn't get a chance to read the book!

Upcoming books are:

November - News of the World by Paulette Jiles.  This will 
be at the new home of Lois Lester.
December - A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman 

Help Support Joy Lutheran Church's Mission 
Thru Giving Opportunities Online

-www.joy-lutheran.com
Your regular contributions can be made online. You can make a one-time gift or set up a donation that will process automatically on a recurring basis. Recurring donations are convenient and provide our church with much needed consistent support throughout the year. It is quick and easy to sign up. Go to our church's website www.joy-lutheran.com and click on the Donate button on the bottom of the home page. 

-There's an APP for that!
Of course there is now an "app" for online giving! Go to your App Store and download the free app to your phone or mobile device. Search for the Give plus Vanco app and then find Joy Lutheran Church in Eagle River AK. You can make recurring or one time donations.

Charitable Link Programs
-Fred Meyer Community Reward Program
Joy Lutheran Church is a registered non profit under the Fred Meyer Community Reward Program. Choose Joy Lutheran Church as your designate non profit and every time you use your rewards card, our church will earn a donation. This does not reduce your reward points in any way. Go to www.fredmeyer.com and click on the rewards link and find "community rewards" to register.

-Amazon Smile
Amazon Smile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. However if you shop through www.amazonsmile.com, and designate Joy Lutheran Church as your charity of choice, Amazon will donate .5% of the price of your eligible purchases to our church. Go to www.amazonsmile.com to register.

Beer & Hymns Sunday, October 8


The next Beer & Hymns fundraiser to benefit Lutheran Social Services is Sunday, October 8, from 6:00-9:00PM at O'Brady's on Huffman in the Huffman Carr's mall.  Come & enjoy fellowship and song while supporting LSSA.

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