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: John 6:24-35
Apparently not satisfied by Jesus' feeding of thousands, some who were there press him for a sign of his power; perhaps it is daily manna they want. As always in John's gospel when people want a sign, Jesus offers himself. He is the bread come from heaven to give life to the world. He calls us to come to him and believe in him, and through that relationship to know the one who sent him.

The waiting is over... Please take our survey
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Dear members and friends of Joy,

Building on our June 10 congregational conversation, the Council would like to learn more about what matters to people about Joy, what we like and don't like, what we should continue doing and what we should change. This short anonymous survey is a first step at gathering more information. Please take a moment to let us know what you think. Thank you!

Sincerely,
Henry Huntington, on behalf of the Council

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The survey was emailed on Monday entitled, "We want your opinion - What matters to you at Joy Lutheran." It contains 10 questions, and takes an average of 4 minutes to complete.  Your responses are anonymous.

Because it was a mass email, please check your spam folder if you cannot find it in your inbox.  The emailed survey will say it is from  joylutheran@gmail.com via surveymonkey.com. 

You may also take the survey by clicking this link: 


Please share it with anyone who would like to participate, including other family members who use the same email address - you're encouraged to each complete it, and are not limited to one reply per household.

Other Joy-full News...

New Ideas for Joy
On July 29, we had our first "Fifth Sunday" service day, clearing brush and stacking firewood at the Eagle River Nature Center. The Nature Center was very happy, visitors will enjoy clear views of the beaver pond and easier walking along the Albert Loop Trail, and the firewood will stay nice and dry in the woodshed. Many thanks to all who took part!
The next Fifth Sunday is Sept. 30. We will clean up litter from the roadside in the area around Joy, followed by lunch back at church. There are a few new bright orange t-shirts still available, so please help make us visible in the community as we do our work!  And if you have ideas for future Fifth Sunday projects that you would like to organize, please see Pastor Martin or Henry Huntington.

In addition to the Fifth Sunday activities, we will also try a new approach on First Sundays and Third Sundays. On First Sundays, starting Oct. 7, we will have a Children's Worship Service (name to be determined) at 11:00 am, following the regular 9:30 service. The children's service is aimed at families with young children, for whom it is often difficult to sit through the regular service. The feast day of St. Francis of Assisi is Oct. 4, so the Oct. 7 children's service will feature a Blessing of the Pets. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Pastor Martin.

On Third Sundays, starting Aug. 19, we will try an alternative format for the worship service. Aug. 19 is also the Blessing of the Backpacks day, as we all get ready for the beginning of school. There are many ways to celebrate our relationship with God and with one another, and we hope that exploring some of those other ways will help us all renew the joy we share in God's grace.

Blessing of the Backpacks Sunday - 
August 19
Even though we are busy enjoying our Alaskan summer, it won't be too long before school begins again.

This year, we will start the school year off right with a "Blessing of the Backpacks" on Sunday, August 19.  We invite all students to bring their school backpacks to church that Sunday and we will have a time to bless them and pray for our students as they begin a new school year.  There will also be prayers for our teachers, administrators, and all other school staff members, so please bring your briefcase, lunch bag, or tote bag.

Love INC Backpack Giveaway - August 11
Rev. Gracie Jackson is looking for volunteers to help during the annual Backpack Giveaway at Eagle River Missionary Baptist Church (16050 Lesmer Court) on Saturday, August 11.  If you'd like to help organize and distribute school items for this event, please call Rev. Gracie at 250-1735.

The Spitfire Grill
Branching out from opera a bit, Pastor Martin has been busy this month rehearsing for a musical at Cyrano's. "The Spitfire Grill" is a musical adaptation of the 1996 film of the same name. It centers around Percy Talbot, a recent parolee from prison who seeks to escape her troubled past by traveling to Gilead, Wisconsin, a little town she saw in a magazine while she was in prison.  What she finds is a town not as idyllic as it might seem, but a place in need of a new hope and healing.  



They're  heeeere...

Our new t-shirts have arrived! And don't they look awesome?
 If you'd like to get one, the  shirts will be available in the upper narthex after worship.  They are $20.

We made it!  Goals met (exceeded)!

Love INC Annual Backpack Giveaway
Joy Lutheran Church is a partner with Love INC and 17 other area churches in the Eagle River's Annual Backpack Giveaway.

Each church is given a collection wish list.  Please deliver any contribution to Joy Lutheran by Sunday, August 5.  We are also looking for a volunteer to deliver our gifts to Eagle River Missionary Baptist Church on Wednesday, August 8, or Thursday, August 9. 

School Supply
Goal Received
Backpacks 15 *22*
Tissue Boxes 15 *30*
Boxes of Crayons
25
*33*
Packets of Loose Leaf Paper 20 *45*
3-Ring Binders
10
*11*
Composition Notebooks (stitched)
100
*100*
Pencil Pouches 25 *54*
Pens - 84
Pencils - 112
Scissors - 10
Highlighters - 24
Glue Sticks & Liquid Elmers - 43
5-tab Dividers - 22
Pocket Folders - 130
Erasers - 109
Wire Spiral Notebooks - 16
Staplers - 3
Colored Marker Sets - 2

Coming Week's Calendar
Sunday, Aug. 5
9:30 AM
10:45 AM
6:00 PM
Worship
Faith Family Breakfast - hosted by Paula J. & Bell Choir
Boy Scout Troop 219
Monday, Aug. 6 6:30 PM
Narcotics Anonymous
Tuesday, 
Aug. 7
Noon
6:30 PM
Narcotics Anonymous - Upper Narthex
Alcoholics Anonymous
Wed., Aug. 8
6:30 PM
Narcotics Anonymous
Thurs.,
Aug. 9
Noon
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
Narcotics Anonymous - Upper Narthex
Alcoholics Anonymous
Dave Anderson & Roger Walck Concert - JLC Sanctuary
Friday,
Aug. 10
6:30 PM
Narcotics Anonymous
Sat.,
Aug.11
8:00 AM
6:30 PM
The Breakfast Club - monthly church maintenance  All Welcome
Narcotics Anonymous
Next Week:
Sunday, Aug. 12
9:30 AM
10:45 AM
6:00 PM

Worship
Faith Family Breakfast - hosted by Rush, Weimer, Veldhuis Team
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!

The Joy of Reading Book Club


We meet the 3rd Monday of the month for a light dinner and book discussion. Meetings start around 6:30PM.

Here are our upcoming books:

August 20 - A Chance in the World by Steve Pemberton.  This will be at the home of Kathy Burek Huntington.

September 17 - This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel.  Our meeting will be at the home of Kathy Howell.

October 15 - The Book That Matters Most by Ann Hood.  Meeting at the home of Karen Johnson.

Everyone is welcome, even if you have not read the book!


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