Our Mission Statement We of Joy Lutheran Church foster  grace-filled relationships with Christ through worship, fellowship, and service. 

Notes of Joy - Week of July 19, 2020

This Week's Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30 It is an age-old question: why is there evil in the world? In the parable of the wheat and the weeds Jesus suggests that both grow together until the harvest. With Paul, we long for the day that all creation will be set free from bondage and suffering. Having both weeds and wheat within us, we humbly place our hope in the promises of God, and from the Lord’s table we go forth to bear the fruit of justice and mercy.

Sunday's Worship This week's worship will be in person. Parts of the service will be available LIVE on our Facebook page Sunday at 9:30am. CLICK HERE TO GO TO FACEBOOK CLICK HERE for July 19 Sunday Bulletin You can still view our Facebook page, even if you do not have a Facebook account. Click the link above.  (Ignore the bar at the bottom when it opens asking you to sign-in or create an account. You are still able to scroll down through our page. You need to click "not now" on the pop-up page when it again asks you to sign up, then it will go away - - hope that helps!!) :-) 

This is an important step to calling a new pastor! Sunday, July 19 after worship and on Zoom Congregational Conversation The Ministry Site Profile (MSP) team is working to create a description of  our congregation and the qualities we are looking for in a pastor. Potential candidates will be looking at this document to gain an understanding of who we are, where our passions lie and what type of leadership we are looking for, to see if he/she might be a fit. Right after service this Sunday, the MSP team along with the Church Council, will be inviting you to share your thoughts.   We want to keep the conversation focused on three areas: Our Primary Goals Our Energy (What is our congregation really excited about right now?) Our Partnership (How do we see ourselves as an active participant in ELCA?) Please give these topics some thought.  We are happy to have an in-person conversation going! And we look forward to completing the MSP and moving on to the next phase of calling a pastor for Joy Lutheran.  -Your MSP Team (Jim Hemsath, Kristi Swain, and Betty Veldhuis) Participate via ZOOM The following is the complete invitation for zoom participation/observation on Sunday - we will only be able to take comments via the chat window. To join zoom meeting, click the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2826210862 Meeting ID: 282 621 0862 And only via computer/internet (including access via iPhone or iPad)

We had a lot of VBS fun!

Our first virtual VBS was a big success. We prepared 25 VBS packets, but needed 33 so made more! Thanks to all who made this fun and educational. Could this be a model for Sunday School this year? The virtual VBS link will be available for the rest of the summer. You can access it HERE!

Thanks to all the VBS helpers: Nicole & Pat Simasko, Gina Stephenson, Laura Storrs, Kelly Mullin, Emily Mullin, Katie Lanehart, Debbie & Ty Quiroz, Jan Deering, Elaine Pfeiffer, Sue Weimer, Karen Johnson and Pastor Karen.

Thank You for the Masks! “Yes we received the box of face masks. It was a wonderful surprise and we will be using them for church services, washing and reusing. We have a funeral service tomorrow so the timing was perfect. Please convey our thanks to the Joy sewing group and Congregation.  Pastor Brian and Ginger Crockett Brevig Memorial Lutheran Church Brevig, Alaska “

Upcoming Events in July July 19 - Discussion after worship on Joy's ministry strengths & priorities in preparation for calling a new pastor July 26 - Confirmation Sunday. We will confirm 3 young people

Congratulations! Pablo and Elise Sonray Ramirez were blessed with a daughter this morning! Elise is the daughter of Pastor Karen and husband George Sonray.

Council Notes Your council met on July 7 th . We want to keep you informed and in the loop on the church business, especially during these unusual times. Here are highlights from our meeting. JCDC has around 20-25 children attending and expect their numbers will continue to increase. The center has paid their monthly reimbursement to the church every month and we commend them on their solid financial management. The first phase of the playground upgrades is mostly completed and they look great.  Earthquake repairs are moving forward once again. The project manager assigned to our claim by FEMA/SOA has prepared a draft Request For Proposal for our review. We are in the process of reviewing it. Please give Wayne Rush and Jan Deering a big thank you for all their work on this never ending project. Speaking of never ending projects, the MSP group is diligently working toward gathering input from each of us about our church, congregation, community and most importantly our goals. Please help them by responding to survey requests etc. so we can move a step closer to finding our permanent pastor.  We are close to securing a janitorial service. We cancelled our janitorial service when the building closed due to the Covid 19 outbreak. The Mullin family has volunteered to clean for the last few months but as we slowly open up the building we once again need a janitorial service. Thank you again to the Mullin family! A Finance/Treasurer report will be included in a later Notes of Joy however I wanted you to have a quick snapshot. Our General Offerings have been consistent over the last 6 months and we are current on all our expenses, including our benevolence payments. During this time of so much uncertainty we are very grateful for your faithful giving.  Vacation Bible School is scheduled for next week. We have not had VBS for a few years and it is wonderful that we are able to start again even with the current virus challenges. Your council welcomes your input and suggestions. Please let us know of ways we can continue to stay engaged as a congregation and church family. Thank you for all your support and prayers. Stay safe and stay well.  -Sue Weimer, Council President

Devotionals The latest "The Word in Season" pocket devotionals are here. We order 20 per quarter - they're first come, first serve, so if you're interested you can pick one up by the mask tree weekdays or at worship on Sunday.

Still Needed: Calling all Joy Lutheran members & friends... Do you have a favorite Bible Verse? We would like to include them in one of the gifts we are giving to the 2020 Confirmands. Please email the church office with a bible verse! joylutheran@gmail.com

Prayer Concerns & Requests Gina & Seth Stephenson (expecting baby in Aug.) Skip Lange, Debby Bird's father Roland Tarbox (friend of Bob & Carol Munk) Eunice Vrem Paula Johnson (now in Great Falls, MT) Kathryn Schwyn Audrey Fredeen Jonny Hegna Nancy Olson Eric Hall's Mother Erin Soellers, currently deployed These people might especially appreciate a phone call. Wear a mask if you bring something to anyone.

In Memoriam Pete Johnson, beloved husband of long-time member Paula, died on Monday, July 6th. He taught Industrial Arts for many years at the King Career Center and supported Paula's involvement here at Joy. He and Paula recently moved to an Assisted Living Home in Montana. He is survived by Paula, daughter Molly and grandson Tyler. Any cards will be much appreciated and can be sent to: Paula Johnson 2320 15th Ave. South Room 14 Great Falls, MT  59404

Joy of Reading Book Club  The Joy of Reading Book Club meets the 3rd Monday of every month and gets started around 6:30 PM. Even if you haven’t read the book of the month you are still welcome to join us. It’s a fun evening of discussion, sharing of ideas and respectful listening. And lots of socializing and laughter!   No Book Club meeting in July   – time to go out and enjoy Alaska!   Our August book is  The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life  by David Brooks.  Sue Weimer will be hosting this.

Volunteers Needed A big thank you to these people who have already helped with lawn mowing: Sue Weimer, Mona & Dave Mitton, and Wayne & Judy Rush. We can use some more volunteers!  It's that time of year again! Joy Lutheran Church is seeking volunteers for weekly lawn care for the summer. The church has 2 push power mowers. We do not have a weed trimmer or leaf blower. If you'd like to use those, you will need to bring your own. If you plan to mow after hours/weekends, you will need to pick up the shed key from the office in advance or have your own key to access the building. Lawn Rangers Signup

Music! We would like to have special music at worship, especially since we miss singing so much! Can you volunteer?

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Joy Church Council Members Sue Weimer - slweimer@gci.com Scooter Bentson - sbentson55@gmail.com Tom Bird - tbird@mtaonline.net Debby Bird - debbybird@me.com Corrine Finnie - corrinefinnie@hotmail.com Kelly Mullin - mullinkm260@comcast.net Heather Slocum - heather_slocum@yahoo.com Clarke Hemphill, Treasurer - mrs_mousie@hotmail.com Interim Pastor: Karen Sonray - ksonray@gmail.com Cell: (907) 434-1862 -this is a Nome cell phone number, so be sure to dial the "907" first The next church council meeting will be Tuesday, August 4 at 7:00 pm. Note: Pastor Karen will be on vacation Aug. 10 - Sept. 4, 2020.