Joy-Filled News for the Week of March 10, 2019
Our Mission Statement

We of Joy Lutheran Church foster 
grace-filled relationships with Christ
through worship, fellowship, and service. ï»ż
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These forty days called Lent are like no other. It is our opportune time to return to the God who rescues; to receive the gifts of God’s grace; to believe with the heart and confess with the mouth the wonder of God’s love in Jesus; and to resist temptation at every turn. This is no small pilgrimage on which we have just embarked. It is a struggle Jesus knew. It is a struggle Jesus shares. The nearness of the Lord, in bread and wine, water and word, will uphold and sustain us.
Joy-full News
Spotlight on Council Members: Clarke Hemphill

Clarke is originally from Montana, moved West, then North to Alaska in 1981 with his wife (died 2010) and 2 boys. He moved to Eagle River, Iditarod Circle, the same day the 1988 Iditarod dog sled race started. He is retired from 30 plus years with the Corps of Engineers (Engineering Brigade), Alaska District. During his tenure he had the opportunity to spend 3 months with the MEG of the 1MEF during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, including a month in a little place mentioned in history called Babylon.

His interests are four-wheeling and snowmachining. He currently resides with Corrine Finnie, 2 cats, and seven shelties.
Lent, Holy Week, and Easter at Joy
 â€œHearing God’s Word”

Our Lenten journey together focuses on listening to God’s Word for us, highlighting key moments in the biblical witness that connect to key moments in our relationship with God. We gather each Wednesday for a meal (6:15pm) and for worship (7:00 pm) using Holden Evening Prayer and hearing God’s Word for us in our lives. 

March 6 Ash Wednesday – Remember and Return to God

March 13 “Where Are You?” – the God who Searches - Genesis 3

March 20 “I will be Your God” – the God who Promises - Genesis 17

March 27 “I will be with you” – the God who Remains - Exodus 3

April 3 “I have called you by name” – the God who Claims - Isaiah 43

April 10 ‘I will Forgive Their Iniquity” – the God who Restores - Jeremiah 31

April 18 Maundy Thursday – “Love One Another” – the God who Serves - John 13

April 19 Good Friday – “Father, forgive them” – God who Saves - Luke 23

April 21 Easter – “He is not here, he has risen.” – the God who Lives - Luke 24
Wednesday Lent Soup Supper & Pianist Sign-ups

The sign-up sheets to volunteer to bring soup or bread for Soup Supper and to be the Lent worship pianist are up on the Opportunities bulletin board. 

Soup Suppers start Wednesday, March 13 at 6:15pm.
The Breakfast Club Meets Tomorrow Morning
Please join us tomorrow morning (Saturday, March 9) at 8:00am for breakfast, followed by some church building maintenance projects around 9:00am. Everyone is welcome and no special skills are required. You're also welcome to bring a breakfast food to share, but that too is not required! See you there!

New Member Sunday - March 31
We welcome eight new members into the Joy faith family on Sunday, March 31! Come and help us celebrate the inclusion of our newest members as we welcome:

Ruth Barndt
Steve O’ Donnell
Nicole Simasko
Hazel Simasko
Jack Simasko
Heather Slocum
Dina Torres
Isabelle Torres

What better way to celebrate our newest members than by having cake? Even during Lent, cake is the proper way in which to have a welcome party!  Instead of buying a cake, we are inviting our talented bakers to bring a cake of their own making.  It will be a “ SmörgĂ„sbord of Cakes!”

JCDC is Hiring
Joy Child Development Center is hiring preschool teachers.  FT/PT positions available in regular classrooms and for their summer program.  Must be 18 y.o. or older.  Experience preferred but not required. Contact Robin O’Mara at JCDC, 694-2755.

JCDC is Seeking Board Members
Joy Child Development Center is seeking volunteer board members for its governing board.  The board meets once a month. Parents, church members and community members all welcome. Contact Robin O’Mara at JCDC, 694-2755. 
Worship Assistant Schedule
Joy of Reading Book Club
The Joy of Reading Book Club is going strong and meets the 3rd Monday of every month. We have a light dinner and then great conversations about the book and people and life. We read a wide variety of books to keep us on our toes! The meeting starts around 6:30 PM. 

Since the February meeting was cancelled, The Old Man and the Sea will be discussed at our next gathering on Monday, March 18, along with the March book Becoming by Michelle Obama. Nancy Hemsath will be our host.

Upcoming books are:
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
Educated by Tara Westover
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Varina by Charles Frazier
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We will sort out remaining months and hosts at our next meeting. Lastly, please mark your calendars for June 7 th for the 9 th Book Club Anniversary at the beautiful lake home of Gerry Norene. It is a sleepover for those who can stay.
It’s Time to Think About Coats!
As February comes to an end, local retailers are closing out their winter products. This is the time when winter coats for kids can reach some of the cheapest prices of the year. Those values help us gather more coats for kids for next fall’s back-to-school outreach! Every year, we at Joy help our community give warm coats and other school necessities to children who need some extra help. If you are able, please check out the deals at Walmart, Target, Fred Meyer, J.C. Penny’s, and Costco to see if you can grab some kids’ coats and great prices. 

We will gather what you bring and present it to our local Love INC (Love In the Name of Christ) organization. They coordinate our community back-to-school outreach.