LOVE joyfully! CONNECT deeply! SERVE generously!
WE EXIST THAT ALL MAY KNOW JESUS CHRIST & BECOME HIS FULLY DEVOTED FOLLOWERS.
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The Baby Ministry is always an important monthly ministry throughout the year, but as we prepare for the birth of the Newborn King it feels all the more important. As we care for each of these babies it is as if we are caring for Baby Jesus himself. In the picture above, this man is grateful to be picking up needed diapers for his toddler and soon to be newborn who will arrive before the next distribution, maybe a Christmas baby? |
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PRAISE WORSHIP
*LIVESTREAM IN-PERSON WORSHIP 9:30 am*
CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP
4:30 pm*
CHRISTMAS DAY PJ BRUNCH WORSHIP*
9:30 am
THRIFT SHOP
Open every Saturday and Monday
9am - 12 pm
Volunteer-only days
Wednesday 9-12 pm
CLOSED Sat 12/24 and Mon 12/26
** Volunteer Work Day CANCELLED **
Donations accepted when open
BABY PANTRY
Every 1st Saturday of the Month
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EDUCATION & SMALL GROUPS
Confirmation for Middle Schoolers
Tuesday 6:30-8 pm
Bible Study with PSY
Thursday at 10 am on Zoom.
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December 16 - December 23, 2022
THIS WEEK'S LESSON:
Matthew 1:18-25
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Curious about this week's meme? It generally has some connection to the weekly reading, which is: Matthew 1:18-25
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Dec 16 - Dec 23
FRIDAY
Acts 17:28
SATURDAY
Psalm 66:8-9
SUNDAY
Exodus 4:11
MONDAY
2 Corinthians 5:17
TUESDAY
Luke 18:8
WEDNESDAY
Psalm 34:4
THURSDAY
Luke 1:40-41
FRIDAY
1 Timothy 3:16
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A Message from Pastor Sara
I often like to put myself in the shoes of the different characters of a story. I just finished a neighborhood book club book. This book at a prologue, which caused the reader to assume we would know something about the ending of the story. There was of course a twist, but I looked at all the characters differently throughout the book, knowing something about the end of the story.
I wonder if that is how we look at the Christmas story too? Which of the characters do you like or dislike in the Christmas story? Or maybe which ones do you identify with? Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, the angels, the Wisemen?
I have to be honest, knowing how little he is part of the rest of the story, I have not given much attention to Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. This week, we will take a rare look at Joseph. I hope you'll join me onsite or online as we enter the Christmas story.
God's Peace,
Pastor Sara
PS. Let’s have a Pastor Pop Up! I have a goal of doing 8 more before the end of 2023. Schedule one with me soon.
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Join others for a daily bible verse and conversation each day through social media. Click here to sign up for "FAITH5 with PSY" on Facebook!
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Need the Joy Reigns app? Click here to download it today!
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Christmas Worship Times
Christmas Eve service will be at 4:30pm. This will be a candlelight service (with battery candles available for children).
Christmas Day service will be a Pajama Brunch worship starting at 9:30am If you are interested in helping the planning team to bring needed brunch items, please sign up here.
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Christmas Decorating
Please join after worship this Sunday 12/18 to help trim the trees and prepare the worship space for Christmas Eve! The more the merrier and the faster the work will go. TIA!
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New Year Day Rose Parade Inspired Worship
Ring in the new year, with a flower inspired prayer activity in worship on Sunday January 1st at 9:30 am. We will use flower pedals and other organic materials, to create individual prayer cards inspired by the process of creating floats at the Rose Parade. All ages are welcome to participate. There will be an alternative prayer option available for online worship participants as well. To help with the planning team, please contact Pastor Sara. |
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ELCA Good Gifts Christmas Tree
Pigs and chickens and goats, oh my! The traditional Joy Reigns Angel Tree has a new look! Why not give something unexpected this year and share God’s love with others by giving an ELCA Good Gift. ELCA Good Gifts are a fun, meaningful way to honor friends and family with Christmas gifts that go on to make a difference in the world. Choose from gift-giving options that have the ability to make real, lasting change in the life of someone in need. Just choose an ornament from the Good Gift Tree, go to ELCA.org/GoodGifts, and place your order. You can even give in honor of someone special and can print, mail or email a card to let them know. This Christmas, give the gift that makes a difference!
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Get your Script Gift Cards
See Yvette in the back of the worship space after service to purchase gift cards which directly help raise money for Joy Reigns!
Use them for purchasing your Thanksgiving groceries, during your holiday shopping, or check off the gift cards on your gift giving list! Many $5 and $10 options for many locations, as well as higher denominations.
Get them what they want with this year's Scrip Gift Cards! The deadline for online orders has passed, but you can still see what we have on hand after worship!
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Have You Added Joy Reigns Lutheran Church as Your Amazon Smile Charity?
Dear shoppers, AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support Joy Reigns every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the church. To shop at AmazonSmile, simply go to smile.amazon.com on your web browser or activate AmazonSmile on your Amazon Shopping app on your iOS or Android phone (found under settings on your app). Choose Joy Reigns Lutheran Church in the options box. Every dollar counts, and we thank you for your support!
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Property Team Volunteer Projects - Could You help with one?
Would you be willing to help with one of these fall property projects?
- Weed Front Bed
- Organize Youth Room for Shared Community Group Meetings
- Power Wash Sidewalks
- Drywall Patching
- Gutter Clean Out (once leaves are down)
- Hang Artwork at Journey to Joy
- Hang Artwork in PSY's office - THANKS TO JACK PARLON!
- Touch Up Paint on PSY office doorframe
- Empty and Defrost Kitchen Freezer
- Branch Clean Up at Treeline
- Winterize Playground
- Weed Removal in Front of Storage Shed - THANKS TO BOB YATSUK!
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Joy Thrift Service Day Moved
Joy Thrift workday is cancelled for December as we take time to decorate the worship space in preparation for Christmas. Our next opportunity to serve in Joy Thrift will be in January, day TBD. Thanks to all who give their time to make Joy Thrift a thriving and wonderful place!
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Joy Thrift CLOSED 12/24 and 12/26
Joy Thrift will be closed for shopping and donations on Saturday 12/24 and Monday 12/26. It will be open again for both shopping and donations on Saturday December 31, from 9am-12pm. If you have some time please feel free to join us volunteering!
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Youth and Family Ice Skating
While school is closed on Monday January 16th, come ice skating with Danielle Killian,
Joy Reigns Youth and Family Director! All youth are invited to come to Quiet Waters
Park on January 16th from 12:30-3:30 PM. Cost is $10 for ages 12 and above, and $9
for children under 12. All elementary age youth or younger will need an adult
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Baby Pantry Donations Needed
The next baby pantry is January 7th and we need diapers and wipes! Diaper pantry could use size 4, size 5 or size 6 of diapers, and individually packed wipes, or if you prefer a monetary donation can be made HERE. Want to volunteer? Email Dee.Thoren@gmail.com for more details! |
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Online Moderators Needed
We need a few people to be a part of our regular online moderators to help greet and provide information to those watching live on our YouTube channel. You can do this while worshiping in person or while you are also watching online. If you are interested in helping please contact Tina in the office for more information on training and getting started!
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PRAYERS
As we prepare for the fullness of Christ's presence, let us pray for a world that yearns for new hope.
GOD OUR SHEPHERD, let your Spirit move with power throughout the church. Give discernment and wisdom to our bishops, pastors, deacons, and lay leaders. Take away our fear, so that we serve and love, confident that you are guiding us.
GOD OUR SOURCE, awaken us to the beauty of the earth and the marvelous variety of life. Unite humankind in repairing and caring for your creation. Protect creatures and habitats in peril due to rising seas and warming temperatures.
GOD OF VISION, raise up leaders in every nation who dream of freedom and justice for all people. We pray for the work of international organizations that promote peace and human rights, especially Amnesty International
GOD OUR HELPER, come to the aid of all who cry out to you. Shelter migrants, refugees, and those fleeing war and famine. Bring relief to individuals and families experiencing hunger, homelessness, or impoverishment. Comfort any who are isolated or lonely.
GOD OF EMMANUEL, you are with us in our life together. We give you thanks for gathering us in worship and fellowship, and we remember those who cannot be present. Watch over those who travel. Heal the sick and speed their recovery.
God of our longing, you know our deepest needs. By your Spirit, gather our prayers and join them with the prayers of all your children now.
HEAR OUR PRAYERS FOR:
...Prayers for Dawn Baker, Kenneth Graham's mother, who has been diagnosed with brain tumors and undergoes surgery on Friday.
...Prayers of Thanksgiving for the life of Donna Smith who crossed over this week after a short battle with cancer.
...Prayers of comfort for Freddie Bell and strength for his family as he enters Palliative Care with Stage 4 cancer.
Prayers from the Joy Thrift Prayer Wall:
...Prayers for Thrift customers that they can find what they need this Christmas season
To have your prayer included in this list, please add it to the mobile app or contact the church office.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
AA/NA MEETINGS
Looking for a meeting?
Call 410-268-5441
for virtual NA meetings
for a list of virtual AA meetings.
FRIDAY December 16th
AA Meeting
5:30-6:30pm
SUNDAY December 18th
Livestream In-person Worship
9:30am
MONDAY December 19th
ACA Meeting
7-8:15pm
TUESDAY December 20th
Confirmation
6:30-8pm
WEDNESDAY December 21st
Band Practice
6:30-8pm
THURSDAY December 22nd
Women's AA meeting
6:30-7:30pm
FRIDAY December 23rd
AA Meeting
5:30-6:30pm
SATURDAY December 24th Christmas Eve Worship
4:30 pm
SUNDAY December 25th
Pajama Brunch Worship
9:30 am
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Deadline for Additions to the Weekly
All information to be included in the Weekly must be received by Wednesdays at 12pm, or it will not be included in that weeks Weekly. If you have information to include in the weekly, please email Brittany.
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JOY REIGNS LUTHERAN CHURCH
AT JOY REIGNS WE ARE CALLED TO...
LOVE joyfully
Joyfully embracing each person, as beautifully created in the image of God, we accept and affirm all with the love of God!
CONNECT deeply
Seeking deep connection to Jesus and each other, we strive to be transformed through our questions and relationships with all ages!
SERVE generously
We are called by the Holy Spirit into generous service to bring hope, joy, peace and justice to the world!
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JOY REIGNS is a congregation of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) that is empowered by God’s grace. Liberated by the good news of Jesus Christ, we are sent by the Holy Spirit to love and serve others and to work boldly for justice and peace.
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For more ELCA news visit:
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