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Our Mission Statement

We of Joy Lutheran Church foster 
grace-filled relationships with Christ
through worship, fellowship, and service.
Notes of Joy - Week of March 7, 2021
Gospel: John 2:13-22
The third covenant in this year’s Lenten readings is the central one of Israel’s history: the gift of the law to those God freed from slavery. The commandments begin with the statement that because God alone has freed us from the powers that oppressed us, we are to let nothing else claim first place in our lives. When Jesus throws the merchants out of the temple, he is defending the worship of God alone and rejecting the ways commerce and profit-making can become our gods. The Ten Commandments are essential to our baptismal call: centered first in God’s liberating love, we strive to live out justice and mercy in our communities and the world.
Sunday, March 7 Worship
In-person and Online

Third 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.


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 vaccine but we still need to follow safe practices for us and them. The 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.  If you are uncertain of this location, meet in the front parking lot at Joy by 2:45 and we will caravan from the church.
  
  • 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 Zoom information is below.

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. 
Zoom Information
Topic: Joy Lutheran - Pastor Sean Meet & Greet
Time: Monday, March 8, 2021 06:30 PM Alaska

Join Zoom Meeting with this link:

Meeting ID: 810 3241 9421
Passcode: 669947
Sunday School this week will begin at 10:30AM
(rather than 10:15) and will be a shorter class. We wanted to give our teachers an opportunity to stay and hear from our pastoral candidate Sean Avery. 
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."
Thank You!
Thank you to the many people who offered airline miles to cover Pastor Sean and Becky's air travel. We also received the offer of a vehicle, contributions toward gas and meals, and gifts for a gift basket. 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.
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
Easter worship plans are in the making and will be announced soon.
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 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.
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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.
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
The next Church Council meeting is
Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 7:00pm