• Presider: Pastor Sean Avery
• Assisting Minister: Jim H. 
• Readers:  Nancy D. & Hazel S.
• Pianist: Kathy H.
• Altar Care: Lori S.
• Communion Assistant: Karen J.
• Acolyte: Jasper S.
• Ushers: Mark S. & Shontelle S.

*Bold and underlined names are unconfirmed volunteers

You are invited to our Annual Ministry Celebration, a special occasion where we come together to celebrate the incredible work God has done through our shared ministry in 2024. This event will be a time of reflection, as we highlight the milestones and blessings of the past year. We’ll look back on all that we’ve accomplished together and give thanks for God’s faithfulness and direction.

But our celebration doesn’t stop there! We will also turn our eyes toward the future as we embark on a new year of ministry in 2025. Discussion items include approving our Spending Plan, electing Council Members, and affirming plans to collaborate with a church consulting firm to develop a 5-year strategic plan and vision. Your presence and participation are vital as we seek to discern where the Holy Spirit is calling us!

Come join us for Movie Night featuring The Wild Robot

Wear your PJs, bring sleeping bags or blankets, pillows, or a camp chair! We will have pizza and popcorn. The Wild Robot is a great movie about friendship and loving others who are different from us. 

From Pastor Sean- Pastrix by Nadia Bolz-Weber is on my top 10 list of books about faith. Nadia's words about her journey and faith are raw, authentic, and real. Through stories she captures what God's grace and being a Lutheran is all about. This book was formative for me as I began discerning God's call to ministry. Nadia is incredible. You won't regret reading! 

Book Description:

Nadia Bolz-Weber takes no prisoners as she reclaims the term “pastrix” (pronounced “pas-triks,” a term used by some Christians who refuse to recognize female pastors) in her profanity-and-prayer-laden narrative about an unconventional life of faith.

Heavily tattooed and loud-mouthed, Nadia, a former stand-up comic, sure as hell didn’t consider herself to be religious leader material-until the day she ended up  leading a friend’s funeral in a comedy club. Surrounded by fellow alcoholics, depressives, and cynics, she realized: these were her people. Maybe she was meant to be their pastor.

Using life stories-from living in a hopeful-but-haggard flophouse of slackers to surviving the wobbly chairs and war stories of a group for recovering alcoholics, from her unusual but undeniable spiritual calling to  pastoring a notorious con artist-Nadia uses stunning narrative and poignant honesty to portray a woman who is both deeply faithful and deeply flawed, giving hope to the rest of us along the way.

Serving on council is a wonderful opportunity to show your support for our ministry, serve our congregation and contribute to the working of the church. We need your perspectives and participation. Our constitution allows for up to 12 council members with 3 year terms.  We will vote in new members at our Annual Celebration on February 2nd.

We meet once a month for approximately 2 hours to conduct the business of the church. It is important and rewarding work. Come be a part of this exciting time at Joy. If you have questions, would like more information or would like to be considered, please talk to Pastor Sean or any council member.

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

What: Multi-day Trip to Fairbanks

When: June 23-27th

Who: Going into 5-12th grade (friends are welcome!)

Cost: $100 (initial deposit, cost may increase) (full scholarships available)

Deadline to register is Saturday, March 1st

Lutheran youth from across the Alaska Synod are coming together a fun event! We will travel to Fairbanks, Alaska for hiking, rafting, service projects, and worship. This is a great opportunity for youth to spend time together! 

If cost is prohibitive, please let Pastor Sean know. Full scholarships are available with no questions asked.

More details are forthcoming as we near the event date.

NAMI Family-to-Family is a free, 8-week educational course for family members, significant others, and friends of people with mental illness. The course provides information and strategies for supporting the person you love.
Recovery is a journey, and there is hope!

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

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. 

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

We are currently in need of boys and girls size 5 (pants and shirts)  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.

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.

Knits of Joy meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month (unless noted).  Annoucements will be made of date changes as well as monthly themes.

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

Community Meetings that take place here at Joy Lutheran Church. For more information please visit our website.

Narcotics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous 

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

• Alicia R (healing and strength)
• Bill and Penny Mans (for healing)
• Family of Linda Ernst, including David, Jessica, Donna, and Pete (Pete's aunt) who recently passed away. 
• Jeanean, Kevin, Noah & family (at the loss of Jeanean’s Mom)
• Alexis (Trudi's granddaughter, for strength for her studies)
• Layli (Trudi's granddaughter, for good decision making)
• People of Kotzebue (recovering from severe flooding)
• Dave Mitton (recovering from surgery)
• Kent & 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)
• 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)
• 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 all military members and their families, 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.