Notes of Joy for the Week of August 4, 2019
Our Mission Statement

We of Joy Lutheran Church foster 
grace-filled relationships with Christ
through worship, fellowship, and service. 
Luke 12:13-21
Today’s texts offer instruction and encouragement for all who are occasionally overwhelmed by the “unhappy business” of life. Jesus urges us to take care and be on guard against all kinds of greed. We who have died with Christ in holy baptism have also been raised with him and are encouraged to elevate our thinking, seeking the “things that are above.” To that end we seek the sustenance of the Lord’s supper and the encouragement of God’s word.
Make a Joyful Noise!
By Scooter Bentson

Last Sunday, in between ushering duties, I was noticing the stoles hanging from the center of the sanctuary. They belonged to a beloved member of Joy who’d been a pastor in one phase of his life. Gordon Bordine would go on to be a printer, but never stopped having an influence on the spiritual lives of those of us around him. He relished being a guest preacher for Pastor Martin, or Pastor Ottum before that. Both of those men can sing, right? One of the attributes we’ve loved most about them is their wonderful leadership through the morning’s hymns. They’ve carried me many times through new or challenging hymns.

Gordon’s singing, however, was a different story! He would always preface his days leading worship with the caveat that he did not have the pipes of those men. One of his favorite Bible verses was Psalm 98:4 “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.” Gordon’s singing did not follow the tune nor the pitch, but his joy was contagious and he made you want to sing just as loud and with as much feeling as he did. I miss him.

Music has always been an important part of worship at Joy and we’d love to hear from the wonderful musicians in our midst! We invite interested people to participate in a Sunday morning service by singing or playing a special piece of music during the collection of the offering. Simply let the worship leaders or the church office know you have a song in mind! We can’t wait to hear you!
Love INC Annual Backpack Giveaway
Joy Lutheran Church is a partner with Love INC and other area churches in the Eagle River's Annual Backpack Giveaway for local families who need a little help with their school supply list.

Each church is given a collection wish list. If you'd like to participate, please deliver school supplies to Joy Lutheran by Wednesday, August 7. We are also looking for a volunteer to deliver our gifts to Harvest Christian Fellowship Church.

They are also holding a  Backpack Giveaway Car Wash  to raise funds, on August 3, 1:30 pm - 5: 00 pm (at Harvest Christian Fellowship).     
You're welcome to show up to volunteer for the Backpack Giveaway
Friday, August 9, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 
Saturday, August 10, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
We also need two licensed barbers to serve!
These are our collection goals:
Backpacks - 15
Tissue Boxes - 15
Boxes of Crayons - 25
Packets of Loose Leaf Notebook Paper - 20
3-Ring Binders - 10
Composition Notebooks (stitched) - 100
Pencil Pouches - 25
Friends of Joy Picnic

Sunday August 11, 2019
after worship service (10:30ish)

If you would like to join us for worship, we begin at 9:30AM.

ALL ARE WELCOME!!

If you come to Joy Lutheran Church for meetings, day care, music lessons, scouts, to walk our labyrinth, or just walk your dog, you are welcome to join us.

There will be food, games, and an opportunity to say hello to others.

We look forward to meeting you!
Blessing of the Backpacks Sunday, August 18

Even though we are busy enjoying our Alaskan summer, it won't be too long before school begins again.

This year, we will start the school year off right with a "Blessing of the Backpacks" on Sunday, August 18. We invite all students to bring their school backpacks to church that Sunday and we will have a time to bless them and pray for our students as they begin a new school year. There will also be prayers for our teachers, administrators, and all other school staff members, so please bring your briefcase, lunch bag, or tote bag!

Volunteer Opportunities

Host a Faith Family Breakfast!
This Sunday is available to host a Faith Family Breakfast.  In the summer we gather for breakfast after Sunday worship. Each week a family or group volunteers to host and provide breakfast - it can be as easy or elaborate as you’d like to make it - anything from cold cereal and milk or donuts, to full hot breakfast with eggs, hashbrowns, pancakes or biscuits and gravy! The sign-up sheet is on the Opportunities bulletin board in the narthex.

Lawn Rangers Needed
Love the gentle purr of the lawnmower? The tidy lines in a well cut lawn? Love to serve your church with some physical labor? We are in regular need of volunteers to mow the lawns at church. You’re welcome to provide your own mower, or you can use the church one. You’re also welcome to bring a weed trimmer and leaf blower if you like to really manicure a lawn!

Worship Assistants Sought
Our Worship Assistant Schedule is extremely empty.  Please take a few moments to consider if you can help with future worship services. It’s hard to scramble at the last minute to fill openings. There are many positions and training is available if you have never volunteered or it has been awhile. Just add your name to the schedule on the Opportunities bulletin board in the narthex. Contact the office if you’d like training.  THANK YOU!
Weekly Worship Assistant Schedule
Joy of Reading Book Club
The Joy of Reading Book Club meets the 3rd Monday of every month and gets started around 6:30 PM. We share a light dinner and discuss the book of the month with open minds. We have learned a lot!  

  • August 19 – Marcia Hegna is hosting and the book is Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
  • September 16 – Lois Lester hosting and the book is Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
  • October 21 – Betty Veldhuis is hosting; the book is Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

All are welcome, even if you haven’t read the book. We will enjoy your company!
Joy Church Council Members
Sue Weimer
Scooter Bentson
Ami Soellers
Clarke Hemphill
Richard Dana
Tom Bird
Debby Bird


The next church council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 28.