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IN THIS ISSUE:

Fellowship Opportunities at SOJ

Coffee with Council

Winter Clothing Distribution Day

Lenten Season Planning

John Gesick Celebration of Life: February 8

Bluegrass Sunday: March 2

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Fellowship Opportunities at Spirit of Joy:


As was shared in the Annual Report, Jennifer Ehlers has volunteered to assist with fellowship events this year. BUT, before we introduce new events, she would like to remind everyone of what SOJ is already doing on a regular basis...


Refreshment Time Before and After Sunday Morning Worship:

If you haven’t enjoyed the “goodies” brought by my fellow members, this is the year to do that. If you have been enjoying them, I encourage you to introduce yourself to someone you might not know during this relaxed, informal time. Or take the opportunity get to know someone a bit better!!


Early Morning Weekly Bible Study:

7:00 a.m. on Wednesday mornings in the backroom of El Ovido Mexican Restaurant, members gather for breakfast while they read and discuss the “Wired Word”. The lessons reflect on showing how the Bible is alive today by relating it to current news events. Currently it is mainly men that attend, but ALL are welcome. The early morning time can fit working folks schedules. Check with Mike Peters for more details.


WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) Monthly Bible Study:

2:00 p.m. on the third Tuesdays of the month, usually in La Casita, women gather to enjoy refreshments and discuss the monthly “Gather” Bible lesson. The “Gather” is a publication of WELCA, that includes articles related to the printed study. Check with Karen Wallock for more details.


Christian Cupboard Teams:

8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the first and third Saturdays of the month, teams from SOJ gather to open the Christian Cupboard to those in need of food who cannot make it during the week. Contact Karen Clark for more information or to volunteer to join a team.


Choir:

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. up in the front of the sanctuary, members with varying musical experience (but who enjoy singing) gather to work on the anthems for Sunday morning worship. Luke Leverett is our fearless leader. A long-standing tradition is for any who are interested to gather after practice for supper at a local restaurant.


Lawn and Building Maintenance:

OK, cleaning the church or mowing the yard might not be everybody’s idea of “fellowship”, BUT it can be. Working together to accomplish a shared outcome can be uniting. And by members coming together to get this done, SOJ saves a lot of money! Contact Arlynn Hartfiel for yard maintenance information and Chris Frels for cleaning/inside work.


And in closing, please share with me any ideas you might have about new Fellowship events you think would work well for our Spirit of Joy family. Jennifer Ehlers Email: ehlers@gvec.net Phone: 830-305-1352

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Coffee with Council:


The next Coffee with Council will be held on Sunday, February 2, right after the worship service concludes.


Congregation members are invited to visit with council members to get information and ask questions about the issues affecting Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church.


Come share your thoughts and ideas over a cup of coffee with our NEW Council Members on Sunday!

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Winter Clothing Distribution:

Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church will be distributing cold weather clothing again at 416 Dolle Avenue (Dolle at Medlin Street) from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 4. 


Everyone who needs warm clothing for the remaining cold months is welcomed! 


For more information, please call the church office at 830-272-0040.

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Worship Planning Meetings:


*We will be planning our Lenten theme on Monday, February 3 at 1:30pm in the Gathering Room for anyone interested in helping plan the Lenten season.


*We will be selecting hymns for Lent on February 20, from 9am to 10:30am in the Gathering Room for anyone interested in helping.

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Celebrating the Life of John Gesick:

A funeral service will be held at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church on Saturday, February 8, at 10:00am. 


Please keep John's family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.


CLICK HERE for John's Obituary.

SCHEDULE TIME WITH PASTOR MEGAN:


You may now use the following link to schedule a meeting (personal or business) with Pastor Megan.


This links directly with her schedule, so no worries about duplication. Contact Chris with any questions.

CLICK HERE

SAFE CAMPUS

NOTICE:


Spirit of Joy is a welcoming and inclusive community. For everyone's safety, our campus is gun-free, smoke-free, and drug-free both inside and outside of all buildings.


The use of alcohol is restricted and permitted only with prior Council permission.


VISIT

US:


Monday through Thursday:

9:00AM to 4:00PM


Friday: by appointment only.


Worship is held Sundays at 9:30am in our Worship Center.

SOJ WEBSITE

Prayer Requests:


Government and Elected Officials


MEMBERS:

Duane Flink

Kaz Shellard

Lynna Kraus


MILITARY:

Jordan Kranda (Grandson-in-Law of Craig & Lorna Wagner)


FAMILY OF MEMBERS:

Martin Jendrush (Ex-Husband of Janene Jendrush), Alan Jendrush (Ex-Brother-in-law of Janene Jendrush), Karen Craig (Niece of Jeanette and Cousin of Stephen and Nathan Doerr), Payton Szczepinski (Granddaughter of Cynthia and Calvin Points), Pastor Emeritus Rusty Campbell and Randy Campbell (Brothers of Robin Shellard), Sue Palmer (Mother of Mark Shellard), Jan Gordon (Sister of Chris Frels), Lloyd Randall (Cousin of Denise Crettenden), Emily Ongstad (Granddaughter of Lynna Kraus), Michele Buckley (Sister of Patty Buckley), Mary Lee Alexander (Aunt of Denise Crettenden), Nolan Petrosky (Grandson of Mary Petrosky), Jennifer Bulgerin (Niece of Bobbie Maddox), Judy Semmler, (Sister of Chris Frels), Amie Calhoun (Niece of Nancy Kempf and Lynna Kraus).


FRIENDS OF MEMBERS:

Glynn Ann Felsing (Friend of Sharon Frels), Shirley Shortridge (Friend of Mary Ruby), Janine Moltz (Friend of Martha Rinn), Sam Vrooman-Johnson (Friend of Karen Wallock), Scott Bailey (Friend of Kathy Yandell & Sharon and Armando Villalpando), Jeanna Black (Friend of Alfrieda Leiter), Justin Force (Friend of Alfrieda Leiter), Alma Dominguez (Lynna Kraus’ Friend and Helper), Megan Neville (Friend of Denise Crettenden).


If you would like to add any name, please send an email to chris@spiritofjoylc.com. We will include all individuals with health, emotional or family/work issues for a period of two weeks. At the end of that period, their name will be removed if a call/email has not been received regarding their continued inclusion.

SUNDAY WORSHIP LIVESTREAM LINK:


Can’t make it to Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church for worship?


THE 9:30AM Service streams LIVE every Sunday on YOUTUBE.

CLICK HERE

BREEZE:


Having issues accessing your BREEZE account? Stan Meyer is here to help!


Email Stan if you want to change something in your profile, or update your password.

SOJ

CALENDAR:


Want to know what’s going on at SOJ this month?


Click on the link below to access our PUBLIC calendar.

CLICK HERE

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE:

February 2:


Assisting Minister: Helen Mycue

Lay Reader: Leah Matocha

In-Person Greeter: Cathy Cordes

Online Greeter: Beth Bronk

Ushers: Mike Peters, Dave Legore

PrayGround and Dieter Duty: Kristen Haener, Toni Winters

Altar Setup: Nancy Hartfiel, Heidi Franzen

Communion Assistants: Calvin and Cynthia Points, Karen Wallock

Worship Slide Technician: Diane Lippe

Flowers: Becky Geinzer

Refreshments: Chris and Sharon Frels

Kitchen Manager: Nancy Doerr

Council Members Lock-Up: Mark Shellard

Council Member Count Money: Martha Rinn

February 9:


Assisting Minister: Grace Mueller

Lay Reader: Stan Meyer

In-Person Greeters: Keith and Helene Stadtmueller

Online Greeter: Mark Shellard

Ushers: Rodrick Shao, Chris Frels

PrayGround and Dieter Duty: Jennifer Ehlers, Patti Buckley

Altar Setup: Nancy Hartfiel, Nancy Doerr

Communion Assistants: Pam and Craig Sagebiel, Alfrieda Leiter

Worship Slide Technician: Sharon Frels

Flowers: Larry and Diane Lippe

Refreshments: Larry and Diane Lippe

Kitchen Manager: Nancy Doerr

Council Members Lock-Up: Need Someone

Council Member Count Money: Need Someone

YARD MAINTENANCE:

*Friday, January 31, from 7:30am to 11:00am

(GROUP 2)


*Saturday, February 1, from 7:30am to 11:00am

(GROUP 2)

*Friday, February 14, from 7:30am to 11:00am

(GROUP 3)


*Saturday, February 15, from 7:30am to 11:00am

(GROUP 3)

ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES:


Caregiver Cafe: 3rd Sunday of the month at Emanuel’s in the Family Life Center at 2:00pm.

SOJ Women’s Circle: Every 3rd Tuesday at 2:00pm.

Location: SOJ La Casita

Wednesday Morning Bible Study: 7:00am, Location: El Olvido Hacienda Restaurant, 623 E. Kingsbury Street

Pastor’s Bible Study on Zoom: Wed. afternoon at 3:00pm

(Contact Pastor Megan for link).

Choir Practice in the SOJ Worship Center: Wed. evening at 6:30 pm

Yoga in La Casita: $5.00 per class—Bring your

mat. (See calendar for schedule)

2025 SPIRIT OF JOY COUNCIL:


Tim Clark: President

Bruce Clark: Vice President

To Be Determined: Treasurer

Martha Rinn: Secretary


Members:

Sandra Moline

Mark Shellard - newly elected

Karen Jones - newly elected

Helen Mycue - newly elected

Eleanor Crettenden - newly elected

CONTACT US:


REVEREND MEGAN D. ELLIOTT:

Cell: (614) 353-4270

EMAIL PASTOR MEGAN


ADMINISTRATOR: Chris Vogt

EMAIL CHRIS


MUSIC DIRECTOR: Luke Leverett


AV COORDINATOR: Tim Clark

MINISTRY TEAM LEADERS:

Hospitality: Patti Buckley

Worship & Congregational Life: Rebecca Clark

Faith Formation: Diana Ball

Mission and Outreach: Grace Mueller

Finance Team: Cathy Cordes, Heidi Franzen, Jim Germann


FACILITY TEAM LEADERS:

Facilities: Tobin Hoffmann

Facility Use: Patti Buckley

Grounds: Arlynn Hartfiel

Maintenance: Chris Frels, Helen Mycue


2025 SWT SYNOD ASSEMBLY VOTING MEMBERS:

Kristen Haener, Toni Winters


CHRISTIAN COUNSELING CENTER BOARD:

Pam Sagebiel, Karen Clark

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