Joy-Filled News for the Week of Jan. 6, 2019
Our Mission Statement

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

Epiphany means “manifestation.” On this day we celebrate the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles—that is, to all nations. Some Christian traditions celebrate three great epiphanies on this day: the magi’s adoration of the Christ child, Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, and his first miracle, in which he changes water into wine. The word and sacraments are for us the great epiphany of God’s grace and mercy. We go forth to witness to the light that shines brightly in our midst.
From Our Pastor...
I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:3-6

The Apostle’s words to the church in Philippi mirror my own feelings as I am mindful of the tremendous faithfulness and generosity I have witnessed among the saints here at Joy Lutheran. I am truly thankful for the work and witness you have demonstrated over the past year. It is a testimony to our community of the great hope we have in Jesus’ enduring presence and unending grace. Thank you all for what we have done together in his name.

Thank you also for your financial support to Joy Lutheran. Your regular and faithful giving allows us as a congregation to do what we do as we share God’s love for all people and it enables us to continue to be a positive force in our area.

  • Thank you for once again supporting our ministry of food for our neighbors. The Chugiak Eagle River Food Pantry continues to assist many who live with chronic food insecurity. The Thanksgiving Blessing project provided meals for approximately 235 households this year. Your food and financial donations make a tremendous impact.
  • Thank you for making it possible for us to sponsor Troop 219, our Boy Scout group as they work with and train up young people to be mature and responsible leaders both for today and in their future vocations. 
  • Thank you for providing – six nights out of seven – a safe space for 12-Step groups to meet as men and women work with one another and their High Power to put their lives back in order and stay safe for another day from a progressive terminal disease. 
  • Thank you for Joy Child Development Center, still one of the area’s most respected child care centers and a place where good learning happens throughout the week.
  • Thank you for the various community groups that are able to find an occasional place to host meetings, recitals, and other events.

Thank you for your gifts of time and financial support.  As we enter 2019, may God’s joy and love continue to strengthen and keep you.

In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Martin
Other Joy-full News
Taking Down the Greens

Happy New Year! It's time to take down the tree and Christmas decorations. It's always sad to lose the extra lights, but the increasing daylight will soon make the difference. 

Please join us this Sunday, January 6, after the 11:00 AM  children ’ s service to offer helping hands to take down the Christmas tree and decorations. Lots to do, and those nimble and willing to scramble up ladders are particularly welcome!

Faith & Understanding Lecture Series
Our “Faith and Understanding” lecture series is back beginning Monday, January 7th at 7:00 pm .  On the first Monday evening of each month, January through May 2019, we will explore a different topic.

The first topic is: “Understanding Mental Health in our Community.”  We have invited our local chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) to give us an overview of some of the key topics and issues facing our community in regards to mental health. The presentation will feature a panel of folks with varying ties to the mental health community who will share their insights and help us begin a conversation together. We will be discussing brain function and dysfunction, some statistics on mental health in our community and a brief description of NAMI resources for finding help, pamphlets on specific illnesses and outreach materials. The majority of the time will be reserved for open discussion on mental health issues. Come learn and share about this important topic in a welcoming and open environment.  

Pancake Breakfast - January 13
Join us after worship on January 13 for a Pancake Breakfast “just because” we miss you and our summer breakfasts together! Mona and Betty are coordinating the food and volunteer efforts. Grab some breakfast and join in the Church Council meeting and annual budget review before the annual congregational meeting on January 27.

Joy Budget Discussion
To get ready for the annual congregation meeting, anyone interested in the details of the budget is invited to join the Finance Committee for a discussion after worship on Sunday, January 13, 2019 . As in past years, the idea is to identify and resolve any problems in the draft budget so that a clear version can be provided to the congregation for the annual meeting. 

Joy Annual Congregation Meeting
Our annual congregation meeting will be held on Sunday, January 27, 2019 , after the worship service. We will have a potluck meal, review the past year, set the 2019 budget, elect Council members, and more. An information packet will be available the week before the meeting. See you there!

Calling All Bakers!
As an extra bonus at the annual meeting on January 27 , we will have a bake sale/auction at the same time. We welcome anything from simple cookies to favorite pies to the most extravagant display of culinary talent. Please bring your goodies and your sweet tooth to the annual meeting!
Joy of Reading Book Club

Book Club meets the 3rd Monday of the month for a light dinner and book discussion. Our next meeting is January 21, at the home of Sue Weimer. The book is Still Life by Louise Penny. Our meetings start around 6:30 pm.

February’s book is The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway. This was Hemingway’s final book published (1952) in his lifetime. It won the Pulitzer and the Nobel Prize.  

Another upcoming book is the new Becoming by Michelle Obama.

Book Club reads a wide range of books to keep our minds and our souls kindled and stimulated. Discussions are casual, fun and stress free.  

All are welcome.
Worship Assistant Schedule
Greetings - we're experimenting with a new Constant Contact layout. They'd like us to upgrade to one of their new formats from our old one. I have yet to figure out how to put a table in for the weekly calendar, and haven't added the "Donate" button yet...so please be patient with me! As always, you can find links to the calendar and a donate button on the home page of our website. That linked button is below.

Warm Regards,
Jan