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

Notes of Joy - Week of February 28, 2021

Gospel: Mark 8:31-38 The second covenant in this year’s Lenten readings is the one made with Abraham and Sarah: God’s promise to make them the ancestors of many, with whom God will remain in everlasting covenant. Paul says this promise comes to all who share Abraham’s faith in the God who brings life into being where there was no life. We receive this baptismal promise of resurrection life in faith. Sarah and Abraham receive new names as a sign of the covenant, and we too get new identities in baptism, as we put on Christ.

Sunday, February 28 Worship In-person and Online Second Sunday in Lent Sunday School and Confirmation are after worship at 10:15am. Our Sunday worship is also available on the Facebook app at 9:30 am., or online any time after 10:15am. CLICK HERE TO GO TO FACEBOOK Link to Sunday bulletin

Wednesday Lenten Services Midweek Lent Services will be provided virtually every Wednesday at 7:00pm. A link to the service will be sent out each week in a special "Notes of Joy."

Pastor Sean Avery’s Visit Our pastoral candidate, Sean Avery, is coming for a “meet and greet” March 5-10. This will give us a chance to meet him and his wife Becky, and they can meet us and see our beautiful corner of the world. We are trying to provide multiple get-together opportunities to accommodate a variety of schedules and COVID protocols. Both Sean and Becky have received their COVID vaccines but we still need to follow safe practices for us and them. The tentative schedule is: Outdoor drop-by gathering (weather permitting) Saturday, March 6 at the parking lot by Brigg’s Bridge (the picnic area in the summer by the river) from 3-4pm. There are trails by the river if anyone is up for a short hike.    Regular Sunday morning indoor worship March 7 at 9:30. Pastor Sean will not preach* but there will be a Q&A opportunity at the end of the service.  Zoom meeting Monday, March 8 at 6:30. The invitation will be forthcoming. * NOTE: Our Synod does not ask pastoral candidates to preach at their visit. However, there are previous sermons recorded online. Should you desire to watch one, we can direct you accordingly.

Gift Basket for Averys & Thank You! Thank you to the many people who offered mileage to cover Pastor Sean and Becky's air travel . We also received the offer of a vehicle and contributions toward gas and meal costs. If you would like to contribute beyond your regular giving, please note "Pastoral expenses" on you check. Any donations not used for this visit will be earmarked toward pastoral moving expenses.   We are renting an Airbnb in Chugiak for the Avery's lodging. We would like to put together a Gift Basket. Do you have something to contribute ex. snacks, beverages, gift certificate for coffee or food)? Just bring them by the Church Office or contact Scooter Bentson.

A Message from Pastor Karen “We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord.  Trusting in His word, He’s never failed us yet.”   These are words from a familiar Gospel Spiritual. I think of them after God has brought us through one-year in the Covid-19 pandemic and as we begin to see light at the end of the Pandemic Tunnel.  I know we still need to be cautious.  And we will be for the sake of our neighbors and selves.  I also think perhaps we can celebrate a bit too.  Celebrate and give thanks to God that scientists worked in rapid speed to discover and manufacture vaccinations; celebrate that those vaccinations are getting distributed and put into the arms of eager recipients; celebrate that more and more people have received vaccinations. I keep hearing conversations like this, “I got my first vaccination today. “  We pray for all countries to receive this opportunity and that we can help that happen.  We continue to see a few more people at our in-person worship. This is exciting too!  This month a family who had not been able to attend for one-year, worshipped with us!   We invite those of you who feel comfortable, to consider joining us on Sunday mornings.  We continue to follow our Covid mitigation policy and will do so for some time I am certain.  We are keeping services to 45-minutes, masking, sitting 6-ft. apart and there is no physical contact.    You are in my prayers.  I ask you to read the LINK below which was shared with me by one of our members who is a nurse. It provides some good insights as you consider movements after your vaccinations.   -  Pastor Karen Sonray Then Samuel took a stone....and called it his Ebenezer, for thus far God has helped us.  1 Samuel 7: 12  Click here for article on vaccination

In Case You Are Wondering: In case you missed it, our Office Manager position went from full time to part-time on February 1st. We are so lucky that Jan D. has remained in the position. You will still see her smiling face in the office, just not as often.  Office Manager: Tues. - Wed. (10-5), Thurs. (10-4) Pastor Karen in Office: Mondays and Thursdays  **New deadline for "Notes of Joy" and Sunday bulletin announcements: Wednesday by 4:00 pm

Joy of Reading Book Club Joy of Reading Book Club meets the third Monday of every month at 6:30 PM.  Our next gathering is Monday, March 15. Recently our meetings have been ZOOM meetings, but we would like to meet in-person for our March meeting if everyone feels comfortable with that. We will wait until a week before to make a final decision on whether it will be ZOOM or in-person, leaving our options open. The book for March will be Lab Girl by Hope Jahren. It is a botanist’s memoir - in the Science section! Sue Weimer will lead the discussion. We hope you can join us even if you don’t get a chance to read the book.

Children's Message - Saturday at Noon Pr. Karen records a 3-5 minute message for young people each week. The Children's Message is available on Facebook every Saturday at noon. Click the Facebook link above.

Library We have a Church library filled with children and adult books on the West side of the building. Free lending.... take one home and return after you have finished reading.

Food Pantry Donations Needed!  This can be a very difficult time for families. Bring your food donations to church on Sunday or you’re welcome to call ahead to drop them during the week.  Special need: empty egg cartons

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The next Church Council meeting is Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 7:00pm