Remember that time?

Both Cathy Cordes and Nancy Hartfiel are among the tried and true Believers who, through trials and triumphs, formed the family of Spirit of Joy over the last 15 years. They each share their personal observations and stories here…

I’m sure many people’s first wonderful memory of our church was our first worship service in the Mosaic Church and we opened with the hymn “All Are Welcome”. I looked around and soon realized I wasn’t the only person crying. That was such a powerful moment and I’ll always remember that feeling. It was a defining moment for looking ahead.

Months went by, (years?) and Pastor Tim, who had so courageously led us out of the darkness, decided to move on and we were ready to hire Pastor Megan. I think all that was left was to vote and make our call official but first we were to hear her preach. We were at the Silver Center (that must've been thrilling for her). It was her "birthday party children’s sermon" that sticks with me most and I think the lesson is the backbone of this congregation. That lesson is that no matter our faults (and we have many), with God, we know we are always invited to the party. 

A couple years later when we were ready to start looking at property, I obnoxiously pushed myself onto the building committee. I had no construction or building experience but I had lots of opinions. I’m so glad I did that. I was able to work with such great people and I learned so much from everyone. Purchasing this property and refurbishing this building has set us apart in the community in many positive ways. The work days were awesome too. Finding hardwood floors under 2 or 3 layers of linoleum was especially thrilling.

Right around the time we were voting to approve the architectural designs, my husband, Loren, passed away. I think if I hadn’t been babysitting my first grandson that year and hadn’t had the building committee to keep me busy I would have gone completely nuts. Jump ahead a couple of years and I’m with Nancy Hartfiel in her sewing room and we’re putting together the banners that currently hang in our sanctuary. Almost every strip of fabric in those banners has a prayer on it because that was one of Pastor Megan’s projects where we go up during the service and write down a prayer request. As Nancy and I are working I look down and see the words “be with the Cordes family” and I see that prayers for my husband and my family are being woven into the banners. I came across a couple other strips with the same message. What a gift for me to see those prayers!

I am so thankful for this church family - I’m talking “fall on my knees” thankful. I’m thankful for the members that were here back then but I am also claiming new members and members who join in the years to come as my family. The original group bonded through a rough emotional time and then a huge building project among other things. There will be new challenges ahead and new relationships and new projects for sure. I can’t wait to see what the next 10 years bring.

With Joy in my heart,

Cathy Cordes

PHOTO: Cathy Cordes has not hesitated to jump in where she sees she is needed. She and grandson Lake share a close bond with their Spirit of Joy family, and they are ever-ready contributors.



Fifteen years ago a group from Faith left everything, our church family and our church home to follow our beliefs.  We felt God was calling us in a different direction.

Since then I have seen amazing things. I’ve seen us spread through the community doing outreach when we had no building. I saw us travel like nomads for years, sometimes packing all our belongings into a trailer after every service.

I have worshiped online and left communion wine and bread outside the Synod Office for people to pick up. I have seen members spend hundreds of hours searching for a church home, researching and talking to city officials.

I still can’t believe we pulled off a Capital Campaign during COVID and raised pledges for more money than we hoped for. I have marveled when members did the complete demolition on Juan Seguin including the electrician and plumbing, taking out floors and ceilings.I was there when we all came together to move in chairs, put together furniture, and set up a kitchen.

We have become a community with a location we can be proud of as well as one continuing to expand our outreach. I see God doing wonderful things through the members of Spirit of Joy. I am humbled to be a part of it. Fifteen years ago I could never have imagined the incredible things a community of people of faith can do. Pat yourself and each other on the back, you are amazing.

Nancy Hartfiel

PHOTO: You might say that Nancy Hartfiel has left her mark on Spirit of Joy. There are many “touches of Nancy” at SoJ, not the least of which is Joy Squirrel who greets all coming to church, tending to the raised beds or taking a run or walk along Seguin’s hike and bike trail. 

COLLEGE KIDS' CARE PACKAGE:

Six Dozen Cookies are needed! Packed by the dozen in Ziploc bags.

Thanks to your generosity, these boxes will be sent to our college kiddos on December 3.

Please note: We only need six dozen cookies because that’s about all that will fit in the space that is left.

CALLING FOR AN SOJ FACILITIES CO-MANAGER:

We are actively searching for a second person (one has volunteered) to assist managing our infrastructure preventative maintenance program. Our original crew are stepping down after four years of dedicated service. Duties include HVAC filters, drain traps, water softener salt, fire suppression inspections, flat roof scupper drain clean out, quarterly pest control and general monitoring of our buildings (no custodial or yardwork). These tasks can be scheduled/completed via a spreadsheet and at your convenience.

Co-managers would act as point-of-contact for issues. All technical maintenance would be addressed by a contracted company. Easy fixes can be coordinated via our many handy congregation members. We anticipate a two-year commitment, hopefully with overlap time as a familiarization period.

Contact Bruce Clark for more information or to step-up. Sounds dry yet extremely important to the success of our SOJ operation!

Salvation Army Kettle Campaign 2025:

It is that time of year again!!

Time to sign-up to ring for the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign. The enthusiastic support of Spirit of Joy for the campaign through the years is so heartwarming. We will once again be ringing two different days; one earlier in the season and one after school is out so hopefully more families can ring.

Our days:

Friday, December 12th, 9:00am to 9:00pm (Walmart Home & Pharmacy Doors)

Monday, December 22nd, 9:00am to 9:00pm (Walmart Home & Pharmacy Doors)

There are sign-up sheets on the resource table. The first part of the day the shifts are 1 hour; they progress to two hour shifts after lunch.

Questions? Contact Jennifer Ehlers at 830-305-1352

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.

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.

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.

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.

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE: