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 January 10, 2021
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Gospel: Mark 1:4-11
Our re-creation in baptism is an image of the Genesis creation, where the Spirit of God moved over the waters. Both Mark’s gospel and the story in Acts make clear that it is the Spirit’s movement that distinguishes Jesus’ baptism from John’s. The Spirit has come upon us as upon Jesus and the Ephesians, calling us God’s beloved children and setting us on Jesus’ mission to re-create the world in the image of God’s vision of justice and peace.
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Sunday, January 10 Worship
In-person and Online
Baptism of Our Lord
We will be meeting for worship at 9:30am.
Our Sunday worship will be available LIVE on the Facebook app only beginning at 9:30am; the recorded service can be viewed on Facebook any time after 10:15am.
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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This week!
Holy Communion
Sunday, January 10th
at Worship 9:30 am
and
Drive-up 11:30 am - 12 Noon
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Star Words - This Sunday
Wednesday was “Epiphany,” the day the Church celebrates that the 3 Magi from far away lands arrived to the place where Jesus lay after following the Star in the sky. Sunday we have an opportunity to choose a “Star Word” and let it be a word we follow, ponder, reflect and “chew” upon in this coming year of 2021. Please consider joining in. As you come forward for Holy Communion, take a “Star” that is placed on the tables. There are also Star Words for younger folk (well marked). If you would like Pastor or Jan to draw a word for you and send it, please let us know.
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OUR ANNUAL MEETING IS JANUARY 31st AND IT WILL BE ZOOMED!
Per our constitution, we hold an annual meeting on the last Sunday in January. This year due to Covid restrictions and concerns, we will conduct the meeting over Zoom on January 31st. We will miss our traditional potluck meal but we can do this! More information will be forthcoming but we wanted to give you a heads up. In order to keep the meeting streamlined, agenda and reports will be sent out prior to the meeting in electronic form. If you want a hard copy packet mailed to you, please let us know by calling or emailing the office.
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JOIN THE TEAM!
VOLUNTEER FOR JOY COUNCIL
We are beginning an exciting chapter at Joy as we look toward calling a new full time pastor sometime this year. What better time to consider joining the Council and being a part of this next chapter in our history! Our constitution allows for up to 12 council members and we will vote in new members at the annual meeting on January 31st.
We currently have 7 members and only my 3-year term is ending. I’m throwing my name back in the pool for another term, why don’t you think about joining me?! We meet once a month for approximately 2 hours to conduct the business of the church. It is important work and with a new pastor coming on board sometime this year, it is an exciting time. If you have questions, would like more information or would like to be considered, please talk to Pastor Karen or any council member.
-- Sue Weimer, Church Council President
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Our First Outdoor Christmas Eve Services
Over 60 people attended our outdoor worship and 40 people attended our indoor worship on Christmas Eve. Special thanks to:
- Dave and Mona Mitton family who brought the Fire ring and wood
- Laura Storrs and Roy Corral who led singing with guitar (not easy in the dark)
- Many people who made luminaries (some froze theirs in their freezer since temps reached 37 degrees that week)
- Everyone who set and cleaned up
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The Work of Christmas
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among others,
To make music in the heart.
By: Howard Thurman
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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.
The first Sunday of each month is First Fruits Sunday. We give special thanks for the gift of food and bless our offerings before they are delivered to the Chugiak Eagle River Food Pantry by the Soellers family.
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Adult and Youth Readers
This year as a way to include more ages, we will be aiming for 2 Readers per Sunday - one adult and one youth. Does your young person like to read? Consider signing up! Lately we have had some fantastic readers - young and old! The sign-up Worship Assistant Schedule is on the Opportunities bulletin board in the upper narthex.
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ADDITIONAL WORSHIP SERVICE RECORDERS NEEDED
We would like to increase our pool of people willing to record our Worship services LIVE. Please let us know if you are willing.
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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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2021 Offering Envelopes Are Here
Offering envelopes for 2021 are available Sunday or stop by the office after the new year.
(We order 40 packets per year for those whom request them and have envelope numbers 1-40. Those whom give online generally choose not to get giving envelopes. We have extras so let us know if you'd like a box.)
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Joy of Reading Book Club
January’s Book club meeting will, once again, be a ZOOM Meeting.
Marty and Lori Atrops will be sending out the ZOOM information. The date will be Monday, January 18 and will start at 6:30 PM.
Our book for January is Jimmy Bluefeather by Kim Heacox.
Please bring any recommendations you have for books as we make our reading plans for the new year.
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The next church council meeting is Tuesday, January 12, 2020 at 7:00pm. |
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