Our Mission Statement
We of Joy Lutheran Church foster
grace-filled relationships with Christ
through worship, fellowship, and service.
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Notes of Joy - Week of November 15, 2020
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This week's gospel: Matthew 25:14-30
Our readings during November speak of the end times. Zephaniah proclaims that the coming day of the LORD will be filled with wrath and distress. Paul says it will come like a thief in the night and urges us to be awake and sober. Jesus tells the parable of the talents, calling us to use our gifts, while we still have time, for the greater and common good. In a world filled with violence and despair, we gather around signs of hope—word, water, bread, and wine—eager to welcome the good news of Christ’s coming among us.
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Sunday, Nov. 15 Worship
In-person and Online
Our Sunday worship will be available LIVE on the Facebook app only beginning at 9:30am, and the recorded service will be available on Facebook after 10:15am and you can view any time.
Note: A link to our mitigation rules is below. We are wearing masks, practicing 6ft distance in chairs, and keeping services short due to COVID-19. We are being very safe - if you’d like to worship with us, please try it out!
Note: Churches are still being allowed half capacity at their gatherings, with 6 ft distance. (They are in a different category than other gathering groups both due to freedom of worship but also the infrequency of our gatherings).
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Dear Friends of Joy Lutheran Church,
You are making great progress as a congregation toward calling a new pastor! The Ministry Site Profile has been written, approved and activated. The Call Committee has been meeting, preparing questions for potential candidates. Thank you to everyone for your willingness to serve and participate in this time of pastoral transition! I should add too that you are finding ways to stay engaged thanks to fantastic volunteers– starting an active Sunday School AND planning a new Christmas Pageant MOVIE this year in the midst of COVID, and continuing creative ways to meet as Book Club, just to name a few.
I want to highlight one piece of the Ministry Site Profile. It is that section that describes what you as a congregation agreed to do in support of your next Pastor. I have shortened it, but want to encourage you to think about these commitments and how you might help them come to fruition when your new Pastor is called. We will:
- Pray for and with you. If COVID limits our in-person gathering, we will set up ZOOM opportunities so we can share prayer and connections.
- Form a Mutual Ministry Committee to provide feedback and support for you. We are also open to annual evaluations.
- Introduce you to us and the people and area of Eagle River, including schools, neighborhoods, community leaders, Boy Scouts, etc. We will put together household photos and introductory emails from congregants to forward to you.
- Invite you to experience various Alaskan wonders with us- hiking, camping, fishing, etc. as a way to get to know us and this beautiful part of God’s world!
- Partner with you to help begin ministries that make sense for us – Bible study, outreach, etc. We will show up to these new opportunities.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support for the ministry God has called us to !
-- Interim Pastor Karen Sonray
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Holy Baptism
We will welcome into God's family through Holy Baptism little Ella Leigh Stephenson this Sunday, November 15th. She is the child of Seth and Gina, and sister to John "JJ". Please keep the family in your prayers.
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CASTING CALL FOR JOY YOUTH CHRISTMAS FILM!!
COVID-19 mitigation protocols may be changing the way we present our traditional Christmas Eve Service Play, but we are so excited to announce we are teaming up with the very talented team at TBA Theatre to produce a short 15-20 minute film where the children and young adults of Joy will tell the amazing story of Jesus’ birth!! Additionally, we know that many of Joy’s youth play musical instruments such as piano, guitar or violin. If you would like to send a video of your child/teen playing a Christmas song, the audio from that file will be used as the background “score” for our film!
If your child or teen is interested in being part of this Christmas project, please reach out to Katie Lanehart so we can be sure to assign them a part! We are casting for the parts of: Narrator(s) Mary, Joseph, Lead Angel, cast of angels, sheep/animals, shepherds, 3 wise men and inn keepers! If a child doesn’t want to be in the movie, but would like to help with the movie, we could likely also use help with preparing backdrops, costume organization and set up to make this film a success!
SCHEDULE:
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Nov 8: Casting Call! Let Katie Lanehart know by November 12 if interested in participating! lanehart@mtaonline.net or 862-0518
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Nov 12: Parts and Christmas songs assigned.
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Nov 12-20: Actors practice their scenes/lines at home. Parents film musical video files of kids playing instruments at home and submit to a google drive site we will setup.
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Nov 21: TBA Theatre will be on-site at Joy Lutheran Church to film each scene. Scenes will be filmed in sections and a schedule will be released in advance so our actors can come, “shoot their scenes” and leave when their part is filmed. Please plan for one hour of filming each scene. Costumes will be provided by Joy. Filming will be done in very small groups. Face masks will be worn except during direct filming, speaking parts. Care will be taken to keep group sizes for the scenes very small (1-2 kids per scene; ideally from same household).
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Dec 5: Final editing of film by TBA Theatre
TBA Theatre is very generously donating a director, camera operator, video equipment, backdrops and editing talents to help Joy create a professional and entertaining production! If you wish to make a donation to support their organization, please visit: https://www.tbatheatre.org/donate.
The final film will be played at Christmas Eve service and likely shared on the Joy Lutheran Facebook Page/Website. (Or possibly another venue if needed)
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No Saturday Morning Work Group This Month
We’ll regroup when we know the plan for Advent and Christmas.
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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.
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There will be Confirmation Class this Sunday at 10:15am
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Craft from Sunday School last Sunday
by Callie Oistad
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Sunday School
Sunday School meets after worship beginning at 10:15am.
Needed for Sunday School project before Nov. 29:
Empty toilet paper rolls (about 55)
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Thank you for your generosity!
Your offerings are very much appreciated and needed. As the season changes our utility expenses will rise. We are also on the cusp of determining how much we can pay a Full-time pastor in the near future. THANK YOU for your generous giving. You can also give electronically (see below or on our Website) and set up giving on a monthly basis.
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Please submit your announcements for the next weekly edition of Notes of Joy to Pastor Karen and the office by 10:00am Thursday.
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Joy of Reading Book Club
The Joy of Reading Book Club meets the 3rd Monday of every month at 6:30 PM. Currently, we are meeting at the church in Brause Fellowship Hall. We are taking turns hosting a light dinner. The book for November is – The Rent Collector by Camron Wright. November’s host will be Lori Atrops.
Upcoming books are:
December – Last Days of Rabbit Hayes by Anna McPartlin
January – Jimmy Bluefeather by Kim Heacox
You are welcome to come, even if you haven’t read the book of the month. We are taking safety precautions of masks and distancing and it seems to be working well. The books and conversations are always thought-provoking!
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COMING UP:
Sunday, Nov. 15 -- Worship with Holy Baptism of little Ella Stephenson
Monday, Nov. 17 -- Joy of Reading Book Club - Brause Hall
Sunday, Nov. 22 -- Set-up for Thanksgiving Blessing
Monday, Nov. 23 -- Thanksgiving Blessing Food Distribution (Drive-thru)
Sunday, Nov. 29 -- First Sunday of Advent
Wednesday, Dec. 2 -- Wednesday Advent Service Online
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Thanksgiving Blessing 2020
Thanksgiving Blessing is going to be different this year. It will be a drive-up event in the front parking lot.
The dates are Sunday, November 22 (to assemble food boxes) and Monday, November 23 (to distribute boxes).
To volunteer through LOVE INC., go to the sign-up link below and choose your times. This event will be more outside than inside, but you will be able to work both or your choice. You will be asked to wear a mask at all times and will need warm clothing to work outdoors - gloves, hat, boots, warm coat, hand warmers, etc. Bring your own hot drinks (non-alcohol) and food. No food or drink will be provided at the event for volunteers or neighbors.
Joy Lutheran is being asked to provide a few deliver drivers for neighbors who need their boxes delivered. Must wear masks and work in teams of two. We will also need in-house hosts to help with trash/restrooms and outside sidewalk maintenance as weather necessitates.
Joy Lutheran Church is being asked to contribute up to 300 cans of green peas. You may also contribute cans of green beans or make a financial donation to Love INC for "Thanksgiving Blessing."
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JCDC is Hiring!
Joy Child Development Center is hiring.
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Teacher: Toddler room teacher. Experience preferred but not necessary.
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Cook: Experience preferred, but we will train.
Background checks are required. Please contact Robin O'Mara at 694-2755 if interested. Must be 18y.o.+
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Pastor Karen's Work Days
(She is half-time)
You can usually find her in the Office on these days. If you have an emergency, please call her any day or time, 907-434-1862.
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The next church council meeting will be Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 7:00pm. |
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