An Electronic Newsletter by the Community of Christ known as Joy Lutheran Church

Our Mission Statement

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



Gospel: Mark 3:20-35
A house divided against itself cannot stand. Jesus makes this observation in light of charges that he is possessed. He is possessed, not by a demon, but by the Holy Spirit. We who have received the Holy Spirit through baptism have been joined to Christ's death and resurrection and knit together in the body of Christ. Those with whom we sing and pray this day are sisters and brothers of the Lord. With them we go forth in peace to do the will of God.

From Our Intern


Many of us imagine summer with long, warm days, breezy nights, and care free, fun activities, especially on the weekends. Sure, the lawn needs to be mowed, but fresh cut grass is one of summer's essential scents, right next to fresh Alaska salmon on the grill. For those of you with no cares, no worries, and no griefs this summer- just fun, festivals, and travel, God loves you. Go, and enjoy creation which God has made for our living, our caring, and our growing. You can skip the rest of this article (but maybe tuck it away for another time). For the rest of you, the ones who are concerned with bills, worried about what you see/hear in the news, and grieving the loss of loved ones, God loves you. "For I am certain that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, neither heights nor depths- nor anything else in all creation- will be able to separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus, our Savior" (Rom. 8:38-39*). As you are out in the world, or hidden away, this summer, or any other time, I'd you like to remember these words from St. Paul. In the eighth chapter of his letter to the Roman Christians, he teaches us about God's love for us as shown through the Son and the Spirit, and in the last weeks before Ordinary Time, we had a couple of selections (v.22-27 for Pentecost, and 12-17 for Trinity Sunday) from it that I'd also like you to remember. The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We don't know how to pray as we ought, "but the Spirit expresses our plea with groanings too deep for words." And God who knows our hearts, knows what the Spirit is saying (v.26-27). When I read these words, these portions of this chapter, I feel the reassurance of God who knows all my needs, even those groanings and sighs which are too deep for words. My prayer for you this summer, when you struggle to feel inside the brightness of the Alaska sun, is that you, too, will be reassured of the Spirit pleading for you even when your groans and sighs are too deep for words, and that God knows your heart perfectly.
 
*Scriptural quotess copied from the Inclusive Bible, because "the best Bible translation is the one you'll read" (Pr. Julia, Lutheran Church of Hope).

The Joy of Reading Book Club


The next book club meeting is our 8th anniversary party! 
  
The book club/celebration will be Friday night, June 8th at the beautiful Willow lake home of Gerry Norene (Phone number 907-227-6260).  For those who can stay overnight, the celebration will continue at breakfast the next morning.  How to describe it?  It's like a retreat/sleepover/great food/quality campfire time/in-depth book discussion and all around celebration of friendship time.

The book is Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck.

No Book Club in July, as we are out and about enjoying those great Alaskan summer days.


The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club meets this Saturday, June 9.  Please join us for breakfast at 8:00AM, or come at 9:00AM when we start our projects.  No experience needed, just show up and lend a hand!

Summertime at Joy!
We have many opportunities to get involved at Joy Lutheran this summer with the vegetable garden, lawn care & Sunday breakfast.

Grow vegetables! Our raised beds will need planting, weeding, and harvesting. 

Tend the lawn! The grass around the church will need mowing on a regular basis and other TLC. 

Have breakfast! Our Sunday Faith Family Breakfasts will begin after Memorial Day. Each week we need someone to prepare breakfast to be shared after worship (anything from muffins and coffee to where your imagination takes you), as we enjoy the meal in fellowship.

If you are interested, please sign up on the sheets in the narthex. If you are interested in being the coordinator for any of these activities (this does NOT mean doing it all yourself!), please contact Jan in the church office, Pastor Martin or Henry Huntington, our Council president. Many thanks! 

Other News...


A Special Opportunity -
Sunday, June 24 During Worship
Join NPR featured guest speaker and National Cathedral countertenor singer, Mikah Meyer, as he shares about his world record, 3-year road trip to all 417 National Park Service sites. Hear how being a Lutheran pastor's kid inspired it, and the huge, unique role Alaska plays (*hint, it has to do with bush planes!). Mikah's journey has also been the subject of a recent story on NBC's, "The Today Show."

Mikah has been living in a cargo van while traveling across the U.S. for the past 26 months becoming the youngest person to visit the entirety of the National Park System--using the media and platform to share a message of carpe diem, hope, and acceptance for LGBT Christians. To keep this project going, he "sings for his supper" and receives donations to fuel him to the next park. Come hear him speak/sing, learn more about his ministry, and ask your questions in person.

Mikah is also the son of the late, Rev. Larry Meyer, who was internship supervisor for Pastor Martin and over 25 other Pastoral interns.  His journey is one way in which he is honoring his father's legacy, ministry, and love of travel. Mikah will sing with us and share his story of faith and acceptance. 

Coming Week's Calendar
Sunday, June 10
9:30 AM
11:00 AM
6:00 PM
Worship
Faith Family Breakfast & Talk Time Hosted by Church Council
Boy Scout Troop 219
Monday, June 11 6:30 PM
Narcotics Anonymous
Tuesday, 
June 12
Noon
6:30 PM
Narcotics Anonymous - Upper Narthex
Alcoholics Anonymous
Wed., June 13
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
Narcotics Anonymous
Church Council Meeting
Thurs.,
June 14
9:00 AM - Noon
Noon
6:30 PM
Intern Pastor Kate's "Office Hours" at Jitters
Narcotics Anonymous - Upper Narthex
Alcoholics Anonymous
Friday,
June 15
6:30 PM
Narcotics Anonymous
Sat.,
June 16
6:30 PM
Narcotics Anonymous
Next Week:
Sunday, June 17
9:30 AM
11:00 AM
6:00 PM

Worship
Faith Family Breakfast Hosted by TBA
Boy Scout Troop 219


Weekly Worship Assistant Schedule
Please take a moment to consider serving in one of our 
Worship Assistant positions.   
Thanks for your service throughout the year!

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