Dear Friends and Family,

It is with great joy and thanksgiving I share this wonderful news! This August 19th, I will undergo a donated live kidney transplant from my cousin Mike Weiss. Mike and I have been close friends our entire lives, he's always been very giving, and one of the good ones. We are so grateful for Mike and his wife Cindy. The outlook for our transplant is very bright.

In March I asked for help with my health issues. Karen and I were totally blown away by the positive response we received by so many wonderful people. As news of my health needs were shared by many of you, we even started receiving offers of a kidney donation from across the country, including from people we've never met. They offered because they knew you and their love for you turned into grace for me.

Our entire family was lifted up by your prayers, calls, visits, texts, emails, cards, and love. This has all been overwhelming and emotional, and we don't feel we can ever do justice in showing our appreciation.

We are asking for continued prayers for a successful surgery and healthy recovery for my cousin.

To each and every one of our awesome family and friends, we love you and forever THANK YOU!

Sincerely,

Tom and Karen Swanson and Family

All women of the Prescott Area Churches Association are invited to join our ecumenical sisters from the other churches in Prescott for the annual summer Bible Study Retreat. This year it will be held on Tuesday, July 30th, 8:30 A.M. to 12:00 Noon in the Joy Lutheran Church Fireside Room. Join with other Christian women in our community for the annual Summer Bible Study. All women are welcome!

 

The subject of this Bible Study is "For Such a Time as This -- Lessons from Esther." In this summer study, we'll explore the book of Esther-one of the latest writings of the Old Testament. While reflecting on the life of this young queen, her experiences in a king's court, and the challenge issued her by her adopted father, Mordecai, we will consider how God may be calling us to use our own voices "for such a time as this." We will be discussing about how our culture may challenge our faith, how God might be reminding us of our need to find our voices as we live out our faith, and how we can use our voices in our present circumstances.

 

Bible study leaders will be Mary Wolfe (Prescott UCC), Cheryl Demuth (St. John's UCC) and Diane Meyer (Joy Lutheran). Morning coffee and refreshments will be provided by Wilma Timm.

 

This Bible study was written by Kay Ward, a bishop of the Moravian Church who lives at Marquardt Manor, a Moravian retirement community in Watertown, Wisconsin. She continues to serve in ministry as a pastor to pastors and intercessor for the church. Before retiring from the staff of Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, she served in team ministry with her husband, Aden. Kay was the first woman to be elected a bishop in the 541 years of the Moravian Church.

The church is not a building, it is the people of God, wherever they are.  For many of us, our lives are more mobile and family commitments may find us traveling on the weekend.  So we have collected some resources to help you worship and be the church where you find yourself.

If you have access to WiFi the lots of resources available at your fingertips.  If you are trying to unplug and get away from electronics you just need to prepare a bit ahead of time to print some resources.

One size does not fit all.  If will be different if you have young kids or are on your own, so use what is helpful and adapt.  Worship doesn't have to be an hour on a Sunday morning, it can happen when you are gathered around a meal table, or around a campfire at the end of the day, but a few minutes of focused attention can make a big difference.

This summer we are trying a new weekly home devotion that you can view online or download to take with you.  It is called   Faith Formation Journeys  check it out

  Church to Go

Joy's Ernie Schultz is "Pedaling to build a cycle of hope", as he participates in the Habitat 500 Bike Ride.  The Habitat 500 is a fundraising event aimed at increasing awareness about the need for decent and affordable housing.  

Way to go Ernie!

 

was a huge success thanks to many, many dedicated volunteers. What a blessing to be able to share the proceeds from the sale. Here is how it breaks down:

 

                 Joy Memorial Garden  $1700 

                 Women of Malawi         $1500 

        Prescott Food Pantry   $1000 

Our Neighbor's Place    $954

We would like to get the first phase (the walkway and labyrinth/patio area of the Memorial Garden in this summer.  To do that we need your help. In the picture each step represents a gift of $30. Donate by indicating "Memorial Garden".

 

2017 : 60 Action Team projects receiving $15,000 plus $3,093 Choice Dollars for a total of $18,093

2018 : 65 Action Team projects receiving $16,250 plus $4,018 Choice Dollars for a total of $20,268

2019 YTD : 35 Action Team projects receiving $8,750 plus $2,009 Choice Dollars for a total of $10,759

 

We are on pace to finish this year a little below last year and above 2017 levels with both Action Team projects and Choice Dollars. Summer months are always quite slow in both areas (as is giving in general) and all should pick-up starting in September. There are changes in Thrivent and Joy procedures that I would like to discuss with a brief meeting after the July28th service. I invite all Thrivent members and Joy members who are interested in Thrivent membership to spend a few minutes with coffee and pastries in the fellowship hall after the July 28th 9:30 service. Thank you, Jim Flatz