This weekend marks the 2 year anniversary of my start as pastor at Joy.  It has been a wonderful 2 years, but it almost didn't happen.  The factor that made me pause, was the fact that Joy had Sunday School at the same time as worship.  It has been my experience that if families are not worshiping together, it is very hard to pass on the value that worship is important.  For me, the presence of kids in worship is vital for the health of congregation.  I came to serve Joy with the idea that we would be in conversation about " kids in worship'.

Traditions don't change easily, so as a small step in the direction of families worshiping together we made a change in the worship schedule for the late service last year.  Instead for starting Sunday School and worship at the same time, we had everyone begin in worship, and after 15 minutes we excused the kids for Sunday School. They would have a lesson based on the same Bible lesson we were focusing on in  worship and then rejoining us so they could take part in Holy Communion.

As an experiment we used a process called Faith5 to shape those first 15 minutes of worship.  Faith5 is a simple flow of worship ( Share-Read-Talk-Pray-Bless) designed to be used anywhere, especially when at home or when you can't be with the congregation for worship on a Sunday.  But it order to help teach it, we decided it might be helpful to model it in worship, so people could practice it and become comfortable with it.  It is very intentionally interactive and cross generational. 

As part of worship using the Faith5 model, we encourage conversation (which is different from how many of us were brought  up).  When I was growing up, the emphasis was for me to sit still and keep quiet, which didn't necessarily help me engage and participate in worship.  The goal is to help facilitate conversations about faith for our families. 

For those who are not worshiping with family however, I realize that the dynamic of visiting with those around them might feel a little awkward and uncomfortable.  I get that.  I am an introvert, I don't particularly like talking to my neighbor. The 4 words that make me cringe are "turn to your neighbor".  That is not what I look forward to in worship and I would rather not, but then I have to remind myself that this is not about me; it is about the greater need of the congregation.  

So here is the deal:  If you don't want to talk to anyone, you don't have to.  It is only an invitation.  If it isn't helpful for you, you don't have to do it and you can use those few moments in another way.  On the other hand if you take the risk and seek out others, it might help you get to know others that you would not otherwise get to know.

So that is the thinking behind "why" we are doing Faith5 in worship.  But sometimes there is a difference between intention, perception and reality.  So after a year of trying this, we want to find out if it is working as we had hoped, or whether we need to make some changes.   We need your help to figure that out.  

Click Here to fill our a brief survey about how you feel about the Faith Five  segment of our 10:15 worship

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.

This week, we learn about Moses in the Wilderness (Exodus 14-24)

Click Here to watch the video

Saturday, October 28th at 10 AM. Kelly Poff, JLC resident Chef, creates wonderful meals for us every Wed. She is holding her annual fundraiser for this important ministry on Oct. 28th. Pampered Chef donates 15% of the sales and Kelly matches that from her commission so the total of all sales that benefit Joy is 30%! You can view catalogs and place orders directly at Joy or online at https://pamperedchef.com/go/joylutheranchurch . Please share this with friends and family, the more the merrier and better for Joy!

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

Joy is looking for the donation of a couch for the newly expanded youth area.  Color is not important but it should be clean and in good condition.  Please let the office know if you have a sofa, loveseat, couch or ottoman that you would like to donate to Joy.  Thank You!

WELCA Worthy . . . . . . .

Note these dates for noteworthy JWELCA activities coming this fall . . . .Plan to participate!

• Quilting has begun again - join the quilters each Wednesday, 9 AM - Noon, in the church Fellowship Hall. All are welcome, regardless of skills! Contact Karen Lundgaard or Joan Schaack for more information.
• All of October - Fall Mission Project - Start buying items for the Operation Christmas Child Gift Boxes.  Contact Hope Olson for more information or look for information to come soon.
• October 10 & November 14 - Fall Bible Study on The Apostles' Creed, 1:30 P.M., Fireside Room. Contact Emilie Horken for more information. Join us for inspiring and informative study.

October 11, 6:30 p.m., at St. Philip's in Hastings. Sonja and Johan Hinderlie do their story of Martin & Katie Luther in full costume of the era. Their performance is especially engaging. It's a free event and there will be refreshments before and after the performance.

The 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.   

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.

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.                   

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