an electronic newsletter of Joy Lutheran Church,  Prescott, WI
www.joy-church.org    715-262-5800    office@joy-church.org
Relevant + Hopeful + Generous                          December 23-30, 2018

Upcoming Events at a glance (and quick links)
  

Christmas Worship Times

Dec. 23   9:30am followed by caroling

Dec. 24   3pm  with Bells
                5pm  with Choir (candlelight)
                9pm with Guitar (candlelight)
                            "Christmas around the world"
Dec. 30   9:30am

A Blessed Christmas to you all from the staff at Joy!

To Our Congregation, The first two sentences of our Staff Covenant read as follows: "We promise to pray, alone and together, to thank God and to ask for God's help in our lives and in our work for our church, and we promise to listen to God's answer to us. We promise to value our ministry in our staff positions to our congregation as a team and to offer our support and loyalty to that team."
We take that promise seriously and gladly live it daily.  
Thank you for allowing us to serve Christ and you, our congregation.  
We wish you a Christmas and New Year filled with peace and God's love.
A guide to choosing which 
service to attend...

Some people will choose a service based on what time it is offered and how it works with your family traditions, which is great.  But those with some flexibility, here are your options:
 
3:00 and 5:00 are our traditional services with all the traditional carols, bells, choirs and brass, making them festive.  The 3:00pm will feature our Joyful Bell Choir. Historically the 3:00 has been the most crowded so come a little early if have a large group that wants to sit together.
 
By the 5:00pm service it is dark enough so we can have a candlelight service.  So if you want that experience join us at 5:00 (there will be electronic candles for little ones who can't handle real flames).  The Joy Choir will be providing a musical message.
 
The 9:00pm worship has a whole different feel.  It is more quiet and reflective.  It is a candlelight service with an "unplugged" feel. The lights are low and it it is accompanied by a couple of guitars.  The theme is "Christmas Around the World" and will include Christmas songs, (new and old) from all around the world as well as some of the old favorites.  

Remember we only have one worship service at 9:30am on both  Dec. 23  and Dec. 30.   This Sunday we will share the video of all our nativity scenes and go caroling after worship .   On the 30th we will celebrate the end of the year with a "Watch Night" service.

 
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, Christmas Message 2018
a Christmas message from our Presiding Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton
Wednesday Night Supper

Bring your friends and neighbors to Joy for a new year of Wednesday Night Suppers!
A vegetarian option or hot dogs and chips are also offered.  We appreciate a free will donation.  All are welcome at Joy's table. Suppertime is 5:15 to 6:30.

26th ~ NO WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER

January Menu
2nd ~ Beef Stew
9th ~ Baked Potato Bar
16th ~ Taco Hotdish
23rd ~ Chili
30th ~ Spaghetti

Offering Envelope Changes

In an effort to be better stewards of the resources you entrust to Joy, we making a change to the way we use offering envelopes in 2019.  We can save hundreds of dollars by not having to buy envelopes that don't get used.

We will be "recycling" unused envelopes (we have blocked out the date and number so they can be used by anyone, on  any date.  Because it will not be restricted to any one envelope number, it will be important that you put your name on the envelope to ensure that you get credit for your gift (especially if you give cash). 

Just pick up envelopes from the information desk as you need them. If you have questions or concerns about this, visit with the office and we can customize envelopes for you or if you would like assistance with moving to electronic giving we can help with that as well.   Thank you for your generous support of our ministry.

Please have any gifts to Joy Lutheran that you wish to be credited to the 2018 giving year into the church office by Monday, December 31st. 
Thank You for Decorating Joy for Advent and Christmas!!
Craig & Tammy Orf, Lee & Joan Northouse, Ken Roen, Jim & Bobbie Flatz. Our church looks beautiful!!
 
Pampered Chef Fundraiser
Kelly Poff's Pampered Chef fundraiser for Joy Lutheran was another success this year. $256.65 worth of Pampered Chef items were purchased and Kelly Poff matched that number plus $20 for a grand total of $533.30 in donations for the Wednesday Night Supper fund! Every year, Kelly puts on this fundraiser to help keep the costs of Wednesday Night Suppers at Joy the same and also for the cost of Sharing and Caring Hands Events!
JWELCA 2018 Alternative Gift Fair
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2018 Alternative Gift Fair, sponsored by JWELCA. Forty-four families "purchased" good gifts through our Alternative Gift Fair, a total increase of seven families from last year. A total of $4285 was given by those who purchased a variety of gifts. (This amount was $700 more than what was contributed last year!) That money was sent to the ELCA "Good Gifts" program for disbursement, mainly through Lutheran World Relief, ELCA World Hunger, and Lutheran Disaster Response. The most popular gifts "purchased" were chicks (30), piglets (26), goats (19), roosters (9), water filters (10), fruit-tree seedlings (11), mosquito nets (22), food for refugee families (13), school fees and uniforms for girls (8), and clinic visits for a child (9). Other gifts that were purchased were farming tools, school supplies, blankets for refugees, vaccinations for children, stocking of a health clinic, Bibles, and stocking backpacks with food for children. A donation of $100 was given to the Prescott Food Pantry so we were even able to support our local charities. The Women's Bible Study group and JWELCA both bought good gifts with their donations and others bought good gifts in honor of loved ones or their families, or even their working colleagues. We are grateful that our gifts from the Alternative Gift Fair will carry God's love to others, making a meaningful difference in their lives and in the world! 
Prescott Food Pantry at new location

The Prescott Food Pantry has relocated to the building next to the Philanders and the hotel...come around to the back side of the building to get to the entrance.  Thanks to many in the congregation who helped with the transition.  The new location is about 3 times the size and will allow for some expanded ministry.  Remember that gifts of cash are always welcome to help supply the needs that are not donated.  Come check out the new location.

Does It Look Brighter In Here???

This week, all of the 40 yr. old fluorescent light fixtures in the Fellowship Halls 16' ceiling were updated.  A HUGE thanks to Ernie Schultz, Marv Lindseth and Larry Schaack for all their hard work.  The Fellowship Hall looks AMAZING!!
Amazon Smile

If you shop on Amazon, please consider supporting Joy Lutheran Church by shopping at Amazon Smile! When you shop at  smile.amazon.com, Amazon donates to your favorite charitable organization!

Smartphone?

If you enjoy the convenience of a smartphone there are a couple of apps you may want to consider;

One is the Give+ app (which is a free download wherever to get your downloads) w hich allows you to make a electronic gift from your bank account instead of swiping a credit card (the handlin g charges are significantly less, so more of your gifts gets to us).  You can us it for one time gifts or managed giving, and it is all integrated into your regular electronic  giving to Joy.  click here for instructions.

You also now have the ability to set up a member portal with our church database.  This portal can be made into an app so you can have instant access to your data (with the ability to make changes and give permissions, view the church photo directory, and
see and print your giving statement whenever you want). To create a portal, click here.  If you want to make your login into an app just check with the office.



WELCOME TO JOY!

Oh Look! The chair is empty at the Information Center! We would love to have folks volunteer to staff the Center at each service. It's easy! There is a sign up sheet at the desk. If you have questions, check with Pastor Steve or Hope Olson.  
Thank You!!
Joy Vision Council Meeting Minutes

To read the minutes from the latest Vision Council Meeting, please
CLICK HERE.   The minutes can also be found in Joy's web page under 'Leadership'.
Who is that?

It continues to be important that we wear name tags to help us get to know each other.
We have disposable stick on name tags available, or sign up to have a more permanent name tag made for you.


2020 Passion Play Tour

Join Elizabeth Bartsch, Assistant to the Bishop of the NW Synod, and travel to Germany and Austria. See Martin Luther sites, concentration camp, Sound or Music sites and the Passion Play. To see the complete itinerary and more info go to Joy's information desk or click here.  (This 11 day incredible trip has a March deposit deadline.)

Youth

JOY YOUTH
Church Directory
**Updated as of August 2018, 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. 
**If you would like to update or add your picture, please send it to the office at any time.  It will be included in the next print!**

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.

Did You Know... Joy's Worship Services are broadcast live on 88.7 FM??? If you are having trouble hearing the service as it happens or just want to listen along, you can bring in a small radio with a headset or ear buds. Or, please feel free to speak with Lee Northouse, we have them available for use at Joy!
If you miss a sermon...

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.                   

Worship Attendance

Date
8:15 AM Traditional
10:15 AM Contemporary
10:15 AM Sunday School
TOTAL
November 18

52
153
24
205
November 25
40
53

93
December 2
33
57
25
90
December 9
48
77
22
125
December 16
58
84

142


WEEKLY GIVING



Week Of
Regular
Electronic
Total
Other
November 18
$2,267.65
$5,203.25
$7,470.90
$870.10
November 25
$1,673.00
$1,157.00
$2,830.00
$225.00
December 2
$3,178.20
$8,292.75*
$11,420.95
$1,079.95
December 9
$2,115.00
$2,019.00
$4,134.00
$281.45
December 16
$2,805.30
$5,087.00
$7,892.30
$562.00
N/A=Not Available     *=Updated Information
Updated Thrivent Numbers...Year End Thrivent TOTALS!...
Action Teams-65 projects, totaling $16,500 and Choice Dollars-$4,018
ELCA Estate Planning & Giving  
 
Mr. Tim Knutson, of the ELCA Gift Planning Foundation, was here at Joy and gave an informational program on Gift Giving & Estate Planning. He is still available for any questions or information you may want. He can be reached by mail, email or phone:
Tim Knutson, 2625 N. 65th St., Wauwatosa, WI, 53213. (414) 477-9979. Email: Timothy.Knutson@elca.org
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

WiFi Joy Guest Password:  WelcomeToJoy!73  
Worship Leaders for December, 8:15, 9:30 and 10:15 AM Worship Services  
worshipleaders
GREETERS
READERS
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS
USHERS-All Month
December 23
9:30 AM

Ken & Linda Wilson


December 23
9:30 AM
Kathy Sommer
December 23
9:30 AM
Diane Meyer, Kathy Sommer, Krista Mitzuk

December 23
9:30 AM
Jim & Bobbie Flatz, Pete French and/or The Kleinschmidt's
Christmas Eve Worship Helpers 
3:00 PM-Ushers: Dick Hoffmann, Dave and Nick Swanson.  Greeters: Kris Swanson and Kim Krause.  Communion Assistants: Jim & Bobbie Flatz and Phyllis Hoffmann.
 
5:00 PM-Ushers: Jim Flatz and Krista Mitzuk.  Greeters: The Ernie Schultz Family.  Communion Assistants: Bobbie Flatz, Ken Roen and Craig Orf.
 
9:00 PM-Ushers: Jim & Bobbie Flatz.  Greeters: OPEN.  Communion Assistant: Carol Peterson
 
Coffee Cup Helpers:  23rd-OPEN, 30th-OPEN

weekWeekly Calendar 
 
23 Sunday
9:30am Blended Service-Caroling following Worship 
10:30-10:45am Fellowship Time
 
24 Monday
Prescott Winter Break-School Closed December 24-Jan 1 
Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship
3 PM-Joyful Bells-Nursery Professionally Staffed 
5 PM-Joy Choir 
9 PM-Guitar
 
25 Tuesday
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Joy Office Closed  
 
26 Wednesday
NO ACTIVITIES or WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER
 
27 Thursday
1:30-2:30 Joy Cleaning Crew
 
28 Friday
 
29 Saturday
7:30-8:30am Men's Bible Study
 
30 Sunday
9:30am Blended Service
10:30-10:45am Fellowship Time
 
31 Monday
New Year's Eve
 
JANUARY
1 Tuesday
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Joy Office Closed 
 
 
 
 
 
Joy Lutheran Church  1435 St Croix St. Prescott, WI 54021
715-262-5800   office@joy-church.org   www.joy-church.org
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