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

Notes of Joy - Week of September 6, 2020

This Week's Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20 Conflict is a part of relationships and life in community. Jesus’ words in today's gospel are often used in situations having to do with church discipline. The prophet Ezekiel tells of warning the wicked to turn from their ways, and Paul reminds us that love is the fulfilling of the law. We gather in the name of Christ, assured that he is present among us with gifts of peace and reconciliation.

No In-person Worship Sept. 6 Our Sunday worship will be available on Facebook beginning at 9:30am.   CLICK HERE TO GO TO FACEBOOK Link to this week's 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!!) :-)

Labor Day In recognition of Labor Day, the church office and Joy Child Development Center will be closed Monday, Sept. 7.

From Our Pastor... Dear Joy Lutheran members and friends, “For everything there is a season, a time and purpose for everything under heaven...“ (Ecclesiastes 3:1) My family is thankful for the time we had away. We went to our cabin in NW Montana- an annual tradition since I was a child growing up.  There by the lake, we hunkered down and enjoyed a time of renewal.  This Sunday, look for our Worship service online! We will also be discussing reopening in-person worship at our next Council meeting.  I will be following Covid-19 Travel protocol and should hopefully receive a negative test result soon. Until that time, I will be quarantining.  I appreciate all you have done while Ive been on vacation.  Thank you to our worship preachers, musicians, recorders and leaders!  I have been concerned about people in their time of pastoral needs in my absence, and thankful for your response to them.  -- Pastor Karen

Results of the Advisory Vote Regarding Earthquake Repairs Thank you to everyone that responded to the Advisory Vote regarding the Request For Proposal (RFP) for the repairs caused by the November 2018 earthquake. We received 39 responses out of 82 emails sent. To recap, FEMA/SOA are funding the project 100% with disaster relief funds, however Joy Lutheran Church is required to be the sole signatory on the contract once it is awarded. A Congregational approval is not required for Pass-through funds however your council wanted your input before we proceeded. The Advisory vote was unanimous that we should proceed and we will instruct our project manager to release the RFP.  To address a couple of questions that were raised: Do we have estimates of the total cost from will-recommended contractors? We will not know the exact cost until bids are received thru the RFP process. We should be sure contractor is bonded, is satisfactory to JLC, and warranties his work for 1-5 years. Joy Lutheran will be part of the review and selection process for all bids received under the RFP. It is a requirement that all contractors are licensed and bonded and special considerations will be made regarding the safety of JCDC staff and students. Again, I want to thank Wayne Rush and Jan Deering for their countless hours on this project.  Sue Weimer Council President

Call Committee We are getting close to forming a Call Committee for a new Pastor! Members will need to be available for meetings to consider Candidates to serve as our Pastor.  This commitment will last until a Pastor says yes to our Call (anywhere from 3 - 9 months). Together the committee will prioritize the Candidates whose profiles are given to them, interview them long-distance and prepare for a Visit on-site. Each Call Committee member is asked to have the best interests of the entire congregation and Joy's goals and needs in mind.  Joy's Constitution states that the Church Council will appoint six (6) members for the Call Committee.  If you have someone you would like to recommend, please let the Council or Pastor know. Be aware:  some people who are recommended may not be on the committee, simply because we are so limited in numbers (6 members only). Our goal is to have wide representation: each generation, members who have joined recently and those who have been here a number of years, those with children, those without, representation from both male and female. The Ministry Site Profile Draft will be released soon for your commentary and edit suggestions. Thanks goes to the MSP Team and your input!  Things are moving as we approach Fall! -- Pastor Karen Sonray

Food Drive Sunday, September 13th Plan to participate and ask your neighbors and family to participate also. GOD’S WORK, OUR HANDS COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE Drive-By      Drop-Off   JOY LUTHERAN CHURCH PARKING LOT to benefit Chugiak Eagle River Food Pantry   SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 10:30 AM TO 2:00 PM

Children's Bible Stories on Amazon Prime Did you know that if you (or your parents) have Amazon Prime, you can watch episodes of Whirl for free? Whirl is a Bible-based cartoon series. In each episode the kids tackle a different theme central to Christian values. And while the issues dealt with are relatable, the solutions these kooky characters find are mostly... unconventional. Kids of all ages will be laughing while they're learning! Check it out! Click here!

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!   Here are the books we came up with for the next few months.   A whole new season of reading! September – Caste: the Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. This meeting will be at the home of Lois Lester and she has promised social distance. October – The Dragons, the Giant, the Women by Wayetu Moore November – The Rent Collector by Camron Wright December – Last Days of Rabbit Hayes by Anna McPartlin January – Jimmy Bluefeather by Kim Heacox

JCDC is Hiring Joy Child Development Center is hiring. Teacher: Toddler room teacher. Experience preferred but not necessary. Cook: Experience preferred, but we will train. Background checks are required. Please contact Robin O'Mara at 694-2755 if interested. Must be 18y.o.+

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The next church council meeting will be Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 7:00pm.