💜 Notes of Joy for the Week of March 15, 2020

Notes of Joy for the Week of March 15, 2020

Our Mission Statement

We of Joy Lutheran Church foster

grace-filled relationships with Christ

through worship, fellowship, and service.

Gospel: John 4:5-42

In this week’s gospel the Samaritan woman asks Jesus for water, an image of our thirst for God. Jesus offers living water, a sign of God’s grace flowing from the waters of baptism. The early church used this gospel and those of the next two Sundays to deepen baptismal reflection during the final days of preparation before baptism at Easter. As we journey to the resurrection feast, Christ comes among us in word, bath, and meal—offering us the life-giving water of God’s mercy and forgiveness.

From Our Pastor

"When anxiety is high in our culture, worship continues to be a primary location for the proclamation both of the good news of Jesus Christ and of the continuing compassion and care of God in the midst of our humanity. It is a place where we can find solace and reassurance in the midst of our fears. Great care should be taken to continue this central ministry of the church, especially in these times. Congregations are advised to use common sense and intentional action with regard to preventing the spread of pathogens while continuing to gather around the means of grace." (from Worship During Public Health Concerns, ELCA)

We will be:

Refraining from handshaking (as we have since March 1st)
Refrain from offering the Common Cup
Having a "stationary" pedestal for the Offering rather than passing it around
Use common sense (wash your hands well, cover coughs, etc.)
Encourage the frail to refrain from public worship
Wiping common surfaces w/ cleanser more frequently
Re-evaluate the offering of Communion at worship as situations change

God bless you,

Pastor Karen Sonray

Shopping Needed?

If you need assistance shopping, we might be able to help. A couple of our members are willing to do grocery shopping for vulnerable folks trying to avoid germ exposure during the COVID-19 onset.

Please let the church office, Pastor or Kathie Adams know if we can assist you!

Thank you.

The Church Council at its last meeting decided to refrain from offering communion using the common cup until further notice. In addition, we will continue to refrain from handshaking until further notice.

Thank you for not forgetting your church during vacation time or during Covid19 .

2020 Alaska Synod Assembly has been postponed until October 9-11th.

Click here to read letter from Bishop Shelley Wickstrom

Exchange of Peace

The Peace of the Lord be with you!

During this time of being careful due to flu and COVID-19, we ask people to refrain from shaking hands, and instead exchange peace with a peace sign, wave, elbow bump, bow.

There will be no Confirmation Class

Sunday, March 15 ^th

Join us for Midweek Lenten Services!

When: Wednesday evenings

Theme: Jesus is a Rock in a Weary Land

6:15 pm Soup Supper

7:00 pm Worship (using Haugen’s Holden Evening Prayer Service)

CHANGE FOR CHRIST during LENT

Bring your coins to church during Lent!

We will be collecting them to go toward FOOD for the hungry. Let's restart this great way to include children in the Offering!

Church Shopping List

* Case of legal size paper

* Toilet paper

* Roll of First Class stamps

* AA and AAA batteries

* Bleach

We'd be grateful if you're out shopping and would be willing to pick up one or more of these items. You may bring the receipt to the office for reimbursement.

* * *

Lutheran Youth Retreat on March 20-21 Has Been Cancelled

* * *

Children’s Ministry Planning Discussion

When: Sunday, March 15th after Worship

What: Discussion on

1. Starting a Children's Education Ministry

2. Planning a Vacation Bible School this summer

Thank You...

for your outreach, especially to the Chugiak Eagle River Food Pantry!

JCDC Playground Equipment Fundraiser

Joy Child Development Center has a GoFundMe.com account now.

They are in need of new playground equipment! This center has served the Eagle River and Chugiak community since 1979, providing quality care for children. It is one of few centers/ preschools offering healthy meals to children and is constantly working to improve the early education experience for our kids. Unfortunately, the playground equipment had to be removed due to safety concerns and the kids need and deserve a new source of play and exploration! We all know the importance of play and would appreciate very much your investment in this playground that in turn directly affects youth!

JCDC Playground Equipment Fundraiser at GoFundMe.com

OR , write a check to JCDC (for “playground”), and we will make sure it gets there!

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!

March 16 – Akin by Emma Donoghue. Sue Weimer will host this one.
April 20 – The Ungrateful Refugee by Dina Nayeri. Karen Johnson is hosting.
May 18 – We are Called to Rise by Laura McBride at the home of Mona Mitton
June 5 – Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. This is also Book Club’s 10^th Anniversary Celebration! Once again our anniversary party/sleepover will be at the beautiful lake home of Gerry Norene on Nancy Lake.
August 17 – Overstory by Richard Powers