In worship we have  begun a new journey through the Bible using the Narrative Lectionary! We began in Genesis, which literally means “beginning”. Over the next few months, the Old Testament stories we will read reveal a God of promise, relationship, mercy and new life. God’s faithfulness will shine through the rocky relationship with God’s covenant people. Even when promises are broken, God renews the promise again and again.

As we get closer to Advent, we will hear readings from the Old Testament prophets who look back on the history of Israel’s relationship with their Creator and forward toward the coming of the Messiah. God is then shown to us fully in this promised Messiah – Jesus – through whom comes hope for a redeemed world.

The Narrative Lectionary reading schedule helps the church see the arc of God’s unfolding story of love and redemption in Christ Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit across generations in the people whom God calls.

• Presider: Pastor Sean
• Assisting Minister:  Marica W.
• Readers: Karen P. & Sarah D.
• Pianist: Nancy W.
• Altar Care: Nancy W.
• Communion Assistant: Marica W.
• Acolyte: Arden P.
• Ushers: Sue W. & Becky A.

*Bold and underlined names are unconfirmed volunteers

• Presider: Pastor Sean
• Assisting Minister:  AbieLiz L.
• Readers: Lois L. & Hazel S.
• Pianist: Kathy H.
• Altar Care: Sue W.
• Communion Assistant: Marcia W.
• Acolyte: Jack S.
• Ushers: Sue W. & Nancy D.

We are always looking for volunteers, if you are called to serve in any way please contact Ericka at joylutheran@gmail.com for more information.

*Bold and underlined names are unconfirmed volunteers

Pastor Sean and Pastor Marcia will be offering a time of prayer to prepare for worship. We will meet in the sanctuary by the candle-lighting station. We will be using the meditation practice of Centering Prayer.

Please join us at 8:45am-9:15am and see how the Spirit moves!

Upcoming dates are:  October 20th, November 17th and December 15th

You are invited to join us for a thoughtful and enlightening 4-part workshop series titled Death & Dessert. This unique gathering is designed to encourage open and honest conversations about end-of-life care, death, funeral planning, and estate planning. 

Details: 

Each Sunday in October

12pm-1:30pm

Joy Lutheran Church Narthex

The bible is complicated. We are going to explore some of the most common questions about the bible: Where did it come from? Who wrote it? Why are there so many translations? Why is it so complicated? Why do people interpret what the bible says differently? 

If you have these questions - you are not alone! This group study is for you. Come and join us. 

We are seeking a Director for our Joy Child Development Center (JCDC) who is responsible for ensuring effective and efficient operations of the center. JCDC provides quality education and childcare services for the local community and maintains an excellent reputation among local elementary schools. Come join our team!

If you want to learn more, click the link below and download the job description.

The R.A.I.S.E. group invites all to join us for pizza and a movie in the narthex on Friday, Oct. 25, starting at 6 pm. We will watch “Coco,” as All-Saints Day/Día de Muertos is approaching. We will also show a short documentary video about Stonewall, in honor of LGBTQ+ History Month.

Please RSVP so we have enough food, and let us know any pizza preferences.

Pajamas welcome!

Do you have  photos from events/minstries from Joy in 2024?? 

We would love to share your photos in our ministry packet. You can email them to:

pastorseanavery@gmail.com or joylutheran@gmail.com

You may have seen the posterboards and pens in the hallway leading past the Sanctuary and up to the Narthex. Please add the ways in which you Respect, Advocate, Inspire, Support, and Educate to welcome those who may doubt that they are welcome, in our society and in churches.

We want to recognize and acknowledge how much we are already doing, individually and together. Then we will continue a congregational conversation about how what it means for Joy to be welcoming, and how we share that welcome in our community.

The impact of this election year has been heavy for many of us. There is so much division in our communities. Join us for a time of prayer, singing, and hearing God's Word on election eve. We come together remembering our trust is not in any political system or figure but in the unwavering love of God which brings strength, comfort, and hope. 

Come and take a moment to simply be, to take a deep breath, pray and be in community with others. After the service, the sanctuary will remain open for silent prayer.

Help us reach our goal of 500 socks!!

We are collecting socks through the month of October to be donated to local homeless shelters. Socks go very quickly and are in high demand. Look for the donation bins in the narthex. 

CURRENT COUNT: 82 socks

Our neighbors at the United Methodist Church of Chugiak (UMCC) is wanting to host a Community Alternative Gift Market in November or December. These markets are like craft bazaars but instead feature hand-made gifts from artisans in developing nations. This market will also feature local non-profit organizations which support people in our communities. Purchases support the livelihood of the artisans in these countries or local non-profits. 

UMCC is inviting people from Joy to help plan and host this event as partners. If you'd like to learn more, email Pastor Sean. This is a great opportunity for churches to work together!

What is PGD Time? A twist on the familiar PFD, PGD is a “Personal Giving Decision”. What if each of us made a personal decision to give of ourselves to make the world a better, kinder place? This can take many forms.

• Giving our time. Many times, this is the hardest thing to give. Whether young or old, there are so many demands for our time. But giving your time is the most valuable and rewarding things we can do. We have numerous opportunities right here at Joy to give of your time. Could you help on Sundays with Worship, cleaning the church during the week, Saturday Work Group, etc.? More information is right here in Notes of Joy. But also look for opportunities in our community that promote kindest and understanding.
• Giving our talents. Time and talent seem very interconnected. You can’t give one without the other. Talents range from changing a lightbulb during the Saturday work group to providing music on Sunday morning, helping string Christmas lights on the trees out front or promoting the food bank. Our talents are as varied as we are, please share them willingly.
• Giving our resources. Sharing our resources with our church and beyond. Your monetary gifts keep our church functioning and further our mission. Our building is a community outreach hosting support meetings, boy scouts, serving as an election site and many more. We want to continue to be that place where people feel welcomed, included and safe.

Make PFD time your “PGD” time and make your own Personal Giving Decision. Thank you.

Sue Weimer, Treasurer

Central Lutheran Church is looking for volunteers to help with the Emergency Cold Weather Program (ECWS). The ECWS program is designed to provide a warm and secure location for sober people who have no other place to stay for the night. The shelter program is designed exclusively for families with children.

Central Lutheran currently hosts the families that stay at the 2121 E 73^rd Avenue location on Wednesday evenings from the first week in October to the end of March.

Would you be interested in helping?

The Central Lutheran team could use additional volunteers to work from 5 p.m. – 8 a.m. on Wednesdays to help coordinate meals, transportation to and from work and school, and create a warm and caring environment for the adults and children staying at the facility.

If interested, please contact Steve Lambert, Central Lutheran Council President

salambert53@outlook.com

Joy Lutheran Church will be the host site for the 2024 Annual Thanksgiving Blessing!

As a congregation we will be collecting canned peas begining in November. Volunteer information coming soon!

Please note that on Church Brunch Sundays there is not Sunday School (2nd sunday of each month)

Confirmation is a three-year program equipping young teenagers to engage more fully in their faith and say "yes" to God's good work in them. Students will study scripture and reflect with the pastor, youth leaders, and other adults in the congregation, learn about the Lutheran perspective on Christian faith, engage in service projects, and learn more about worship practices. 

At the end of the three years, students have the opportunity to affirm their baptism before the congregation  and then we throw a party to celebrate God's work of love and grace in their lives!

**Please note that there is no Confirmation on Church Brunch Sundays (2nd Sunday of each month)

Holy Grounds is a weekly gathering of high school youth at Jitters Café with Pastor Sean and other adult youth leaders. It’s an opportunity for fellowship, peer support, and faith formation before school hours over beverages at no cost to youth.

Please consider supporting this ministry with prayer and donations to cover the cost of beverages. 

Holy Grounds follows the ASD calendar, if there is no school on Monday, Holy Grounds does not meet. Please see the EVENTS page for up to date meetings. 

Join us after worship for our church wide brunch following worship. All are welcome!

Join us for the whole time or only part! Giving your time helps keep our building clean, organized, and functional for our ministries within the congregation and for our community. 

Take part in Joy's newest group, Knit's of Joy, to knit and crochet much needed cold weather gear as well as prayer shawls for those who are sick or recovering. We will meet once a month (not mandatory) at the church to pray together and create beautiful items for our community. Annoucements will be made as to the date and time, as well as monthly themes.

If you have any questions click the Contact Laura button and she will reach out to you.

Open on the first Sunday of each month 1-3pm.

We are currently in need of boys and girls size 5 (pants and shirts) and any Halloween costumes!  Thank you all for your donations and help serving our community in this way, you are a huge part of the success of our ministry. 

 Visit our website for information about our book club, including book titles, a full list of dates and locations.

Please join us!

Please contact the office on 907-694-9601 if you would like any more information.

A NAMI Family Support Group (FSG) meets at Joy Lutheran on the 4^th Saturday of each month 9:00 – 10:30. This is a hybrid meeting (in person and online). NAMI, which stands for National Alliance on Mental Illness, is a national organization with support, education and advocacy for those suffering from mental illness and the loved ones that support them. NAMI Family Support Group is for any adult with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.

These support groups are led by people who’ve experienced these issues themselves, who have been trained using a structured model through NAMI. These are free of cost to participants. All meetings are confidential. More support groups happen online. Sign up for them on the NAMI Alaska website https://namialaska.org/. A similar support group, “Connections” for those to experience mental illness themselves is also available through this site. You can also sign up for classes, including Family-to-Family, which is an 8 week course for family members.

• Dave Mitton (recovering from surgery)
• Kent and Victoria Rush, Wayne's brother and sister-in-law (Kent is fighting cancer again)
• Hegna Family (as they grieve the loss of Jonny)
• Julie Meyer (facing the uncertainty after suffering a stroke)
• Justin Dailey (Chris Dailey’s brother, for continued strength and healing)
• Bentson family (as they grieve the loss of Al Bentson)
• Eric & Margie Hall & family (as they grieve the loss of Erics dad John)
• Reimer & Oistad family (as they grieve the loss of Gary)
• Lai Ming Reimer (as she recovers from a successful kidney transplant)
• Diana Flaherty (for pain and healing)
• Trudi (for healing, wisdom for doctors)
• Lisa Lind (healing, friend of Kristi Swain)
• Dick Prien and family (as they mourn the passing of Sharon)
• Stella Scamman (Kristi Swain’s aunt)
• Margie H. (for healing and recovery)
• Corrine Finnie (healing)
• Gwendolyn Roth (peace of mind and that she will know God is with her)
• Tom Clark (healing)
• For our active-duty military personnel, especially those serving in Alaska and our veterans.

Online: To sign up visit joy-lutheran.com/give

Cash/Check: You can place cash or check into the offering plate or send by mail.

Text-to-Give: Text "Give" to: (833) 685-5023

Joy Lutheran App: Coming Soon

Fred Meyer Community Rewards: Fred Meyer Community Rewards - Non Profit Organization BV101 Joy is enrolled in Fred Meyer's Community Rewards Program. You can link your Rewards Card to donate to Joy at www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards. Link your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to Joy Lutheran Church to earn a donation from Fred Meyer. If you do not have a Rewards Card, you can sign up for one at the Customer Service Desk of any Fred Meyer store.