Hope is vulnerable and can feel like a tremendous risk, especially if you’ve experienced loss or trauma. But Mary shows us a resilient hope that takes risks—she risks her body to bear a son who will become the hope of her people. Similarly, Joseph makes a risky choice to stay with Mary; dismissing her quietly would have kept him safe. But instead, he chooses hope. He chooses to trust the angel, and it makes all the difference. It can feel safer and easier to be a cynic, but the world doesn’t need more cynics. It needs people who say, “It can be better” and make it so.

• Presider: Pastor Sean Avery
• Assisting Minister: Jim H. 
• Readers: Jim H. & AbieLiz L.
• Pianist: Nancy W.
• Altar Care: Sue W.
• Communion Assistant:  Becky A.
• Acolyte: Peter W.
• Ushers: Sue W. & Scooter B.

*Bold and underlined names are unconfirmed volunteers

The Advent Community Mural was completed earlier this week! It will be revealed in full on Christmas Eve in the sanctuary! 

Earlier this week, Pastor Sean announced to congregation members news about his recent cancer diagnosis. The prognosis is positive and he is expected to make a full recovery after chemotherapy treatment. In an effort to preserve privacy - because the Notes of Joy is received by many outside Joy - we are not providing more details in this announcement. Pastor Sean will continue to update congregation members about his progress. 

The Mutual Ministry Team (Pastor Marcia, Kelly, Scooter, and Wayne) will be working with Pastor Sean to identify was we can support him and Becky during his treatment. 

Please keep him and Becky in your prayers as he begins treatment after Christmas.

It's truly amazing how many crosses have been added to Joy''s walls since Thanksgiving - 8! - bringing our total to 157. Latest additions come to us from Texas, Ecuador, Mexico, Tucson, New Orleans, China, and Tanzania. 

The latter came from former member, Janet Boyer, who traveled to Tanzania in July with her grandson, Wesley, as part of the Northwest Inter-mountain Synod of Idaho. Janet included this message: "I had intended to hang it at my church in Kendrick, ID; however, they don't have a cross wall started...It brings joy to my heart knowing this cross will be among the many you have at Joy. I remember my years there with great fondness, and I miss my family and friends there. Our door is always open and the invitation is always there for anyone who wants to visit us here. May God continue to bless you all."

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

Come join us for Christmas Eve!

The 5:30pm service is a full service with lots of engagement for kids, including costumes and helping tell the Christmas Story.

The 8pm service is a brief service outside around a campfire with singing. 

Both services will have candlelight and battery-operated candles for kids.

Note: 50% of our offering this night will be split between the In Our Backyard Project and the Boys and Girls Club of Eagle River. 

Come join Pastor Sean for a pancake breakfast and a sing-along beside the Christmas Tree! 

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. 

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

 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. 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.

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)

• 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.

With the holiday season approaching and the text/email scams that come with it. We wanted to remind you that Pastor Sean, Ericka and Joy Lutheran Church will never email or text you asking for money, gift cards, or favors. Please take caution during the holidays and every day!

Blessings,

Pastor Sean & Ericka