• Presiders: Jim Hemsath
• Assisting Minister:  Hanna H.
• Readers: Sarah D. & Corrine F.
• Pianist: Nancy W.
• Communion Assistant: Hanna H.
• Altar Care: Nancy W.
• Ushers: Kathy H.  & Scooter B.

As we continue our month-long food collection for the Homestead Weekend Food Program, we're excited to welcome the Student Leadership Council from Homestead Elementary School this Sunday, September 20th, for a special presentation following worship. 

This will be a wonderful opportunity to hear how the program began, learn what goes into preparing food for students each week, and ask questions about the impact this has in our community.

We hope you'll stay after worship to hear from these young leaders and learn more about  the program we're supporting throughout the month. 

For the second year, we are grateful to partner with Homestead Elementary School to support their Weekend Food Program.

Many students and families rely on free school meals throughout the week. Homestead Elementary has identified approximately 100 students who may not have reliable access to enough food over the weekend.

The Weekend Food Program helps bridge that gap by providing these students with food to take home, helping ensure they have something to eat until they return to school on Monday.

Together, we have an opportunity to make a meaningful difference for children and families right here in our community.

Items we are collecting:  Individual oatmeal packets, Packages of Top Ramen (square packages), Boxes of Macaronie and Cheese, Granola bars/Protien bars, Applesauce/Fruit cups, Canned tuna/chicken, & Plastic grocery bags. 

Each weekend bag will contain: 2 oatmeal packs, 2 packages ramen, 2 boxes macaroni and cheese, 2 granola/protien bars, 2 cups applesauce/fruit cups, and 1 can of tuna/chicken. 

Monetary items can also be collected: Checks can be made to Joy Lutheran church memo: Homestead food bags or by donating using the button below.

Items at Joy can ONLY BE COLLECTED on Sundays'. We are unable to collect items during the week. 

Bring your pet(s) or a stuffed animal to receive a blessing on Sunday October 4^th at Eagle River Town Square. We give thanks to God for gifts of our pets who reflect God's love and the harmony of all creation. Together, we will hear a reading from Genesis and say a prayer. Then Pastor Sean and Pastor Elsa will extend individual blessings to every pet and their caretakers.

We have partnered with Paws for Purple Hearts - a non-profit organization who trains service dogs for veterans. They will be on-site to talk about their organization and how you can support their work. They are another example of how pets bless us in so many ways!

 All are welcome!

Are you new to Joy and learn more about our congregation? You're invited to join Pastor Sean for two informal gatherings after worship! This is an opportunity to connect with others over food and beverages, learn more about Joy and our Lutheran tradition, and explore what it means to be part of our community. Each gathering will cover something different, so you are encouraged to attend both but if you're not able please come anyway!

Bring your questions and come as your are! Whether you're wanting to become a formal member or simply want to connect, these gatherings are for you!

For me, it starts with unrelenting love. Somewhere in all our conversations about purpose and values, I kept coming back to one verse: nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Not our doubts, not our mistakes, not even our fear of getting this plan wrong. I think of it, half-jokingly, as the theology of The Runaway Bunny — that no matter how far we run, or how long we've stayed away, love simply relocates to wherever we are. That's not a comfortable verse. It's a demanding one. It means we don't get to hide behind our failures, because our failures were never the thing standing between us and God to begin with.

That's the piece I hope carries into how we live out this plan. "Free to grow, free to dream, emboldened to engage" only works if we actually believe the freedom part — that we can try something new at Joy and have it not work, and still be exactly as loved as we were before we tried. I've watched enough committees, mine included, quietly avoid an idea because failing at it in public felt too risky. I don't think God is asking us to be reckless. I think God is asking us to stop being afraid, which is a different thing entirely, and honestly a lot harder.

So when I read our purpose statement now, I don't just hear a mission — I hear permission. Permission to plant something small and unproven, the way you'd sow a mustard seed, and trust that whatever grows from it is not what earns us God's love, only what we get to do because we already have it. I'm grateful to have been part of this process, and I look forward to watching what Joy is brave enough to plant next.

We are moving into the ACTION phase of our journey through strategic planning. We look forward to having conversations with the congregation on September 13th during brunch. Please click the link below to read the update from our team!

- Henry, Betty, Laura, Erica, Jim, & Pastor Sean

The Bible can sometimes feel like a collection of disconnected stories, characters, and events. But what if it is really one story—God's story of love, mercy, and faithfulness that continues to shape our lives today?

Join us for Manna and Mercy, an adult Bible study based on Daniel Erlander's beloved introduction to the biblical story. Through engaging conversation, Scripture, and Erlander's memorable illustrations, we'll journey from creation to the prophets, from Jesus' life and ministry to the birth of the church, discovering how each chapter reveals God's unwavering commitment to humanity and all creation.

This study is designed to be approachable for everyone. Whether you've spent a lifetime in church or are exploring the Bible for the very first time, Erlander's simple illustrations and engaging storytelling make it easy to follow the larger story of Scripture.

More importantly, this is a space for honest questions, respectful conversation, and genuine curiosity. Faith grows through wondering, listening, and learning together—not by having all the answers. Bring your questions, your experiences, and an open heart as we discover where God's story meets our own.

Everyone is welcome!

Please sign-up by September 20th so that we can order books for everyone. We will order extra, so if you forget - please still come! 

Each month, Joy will pray for another ELCA congregation, as part of the Synod Prayer Partner mission. 

It’s simple, and it’s powerful. We lift up their joys, their challenges, their ministries. In this way, we remember that God’s work doesn’t stop at our doors. We are part of something bigger: a church that stretches across towns, states, even countries, united in prayer and love.

We invite each of you to join in. Let’s be faithful in holding our partner congregation before God, trusting that God is holding us in return. This is our prayer for one another, and for the world God loves.

Every week in Sunday School kids learn about God's stories in the bible. Join us after worship at 10:40am for Sunday School in Brause Fellowship hall. Our model for teaching kids is Godly Play - a montessori based curriculum that involves engaging kids in storytelling and lots of "I wonder..." questions that help them explore the mystery of God's presence, listen for God, and authentically respond to God's call in our lives.

Parents are invited to attend with their kids or grab some coffee and talk with other parents in the "church living room" outside the hall.

**Please note there is no Sunday School on Church Brunch Sunday**

If you have not already connected with Pastor Sean please do so to recieve text notifications and to put in your coffee order!

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. You can donate online via our webpage or by clicking the link below.

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 as we crochet projects for a good cause. We are now meeting on the First Sunday of the month right after Worship. Projects include prayer shawls for those in the hospital or extended care settings, hats for the Jump for Joy Kid's Closet, or other projects for our community. For Questions reach out to Hazel S.

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

Thank you so much for your help stocking our size 5 clothes.

We are currently in need of boys and girls size 7/8 (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. 

Confirmation for our middle school students will begin Sunday October 4^th  and will meet on the 1^st and 3^rd Sunday. Dinner will be from 5-5:45pm and our lesson will be 5:45-7:00pm

We gather on the second Saturday of each month to take care of various tasks around the church. All are welcome to lend a hand—no experience needed! Coffee is ready by 9:00 AM, so come early, pitch in, and enjoy some fellowship.
For more information, please contact Nancy H.

Join us for a potluck-style brunch! We gather for brunch immediately after worship. All are welcome to join us for delicious food and fellowship. This is one of the ways we build community with each other. There is no Sunday School or Confirmation class - this way everyone can join! 

 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.

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

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) CLICK FOR PRINTABLE FLIER

Narcotics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous 

• For those struggling with mental health and anxiety.
• For Kinging Lutheran Church, Wales, our September Prayer Partner.
• Randy (Corrine's son-in-law, prayers for healing and recovery from complications due to heart surgery)
• For the Allen Family, as they grieve the loss of their beloved daughter, Katie.
• Ami S. for healing and strength
• The family, friends, and congregation of Pastor Rich Mauer (ELCA pastor in Delta Junction) as they grieve.
• Derek (Corrine’s granddaughter’s husband) has stage 3 colon cancer.
• Swain-Kotlarchuk family as they mourn the loss of Donald, Kristi's father.
• Corrine F.  (for strength)
• Judy (Christy Dailey's mom for strength and healing)
• Clarke H. (prayers for continued healing)
• The Hegna Family (as the mourn the passing of Marsha’s brother, Mark)
• Kaela W. (strength and courage for on-going treatment)
• Layli (Trudi's granddaughter, for good decision making)
• Dave Mitton (for strength)
• Kent & Victoria Rush, Wayne’s brother and sister-in-law (Kent is fighting cancer again.)
• Diana Flaherty (for pain and healing)
• Stella Scamman (Kristi Swain’s aunt)
• For all those who continue to grieve the loss of loved ones.
• 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.