• Presiders: Pastor Sean Avery
• Assisting Minister: Hanna H.
• Children's Message: Pastor Sean Avery
• Readers: Hazel S. & Trudi P.
• Pianist: Kathy H.
• Communion Assistant: Hanna H.
• Altar Care: Judy R.
• Acolyte: Rebecca L.
• Cross-bearer: Peter W.
• Gifts-bearer: Wyatt J.
• Ushers: Lois L. & Becky A.

Thank you for serving in worship. Your faithfulness and heart for God help create a space where His presence is felt. Our Sundays are truly blessed with servants like you.

Join us right after worship for a laid-back, potluck-style brunch. Bring a dish if you’d like—or just bring yourself! There’ll be plenty of good food and great company. Everyone’s welcome, so come hang out and enjoy some tasty bites with us!

**Please note that there is no Sunday School or Confirmation class on Brunch Sundays

Do you enjoy knitting or crocheting? Come be part of a welcoming group that meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month to create cozy cold-weather gear and heartfelt prayer shawls for those in need.

We gather once a month at the church (attendance is flexible!) to share fellowship, lift each other up in prayer, and use our hands to bring comfort and warmth to our community. Whether you're an experienced crafter or just curious, there’s a place for you here.

Contact Laura R. for more information—we’d love to have you join us!

Youth from all over the Alaska Synod are coming to Joy for a weekend of fun and fellowship January 16-18. Would you be willing to help staff the kitchen for breakfast, lunch, or dinner on Saturday? Kids will help do the cooking and cleaning but it's helpful to have an adult leader help supervise. Plus, you get to eat with a fun group of students! Please let Pastor Sean know if you're willing to help! 

As part of our Strategic Planning process, we are holding focus groups to intentionally listen to the voices of our congregation. These conversations are an important way for us to understand why the survey results are meaningful to you, what you value most about our church, and where you feel God may be calling us next. We thank you for being willing to participate and share your time, thoughts, and experiences—your input truly matters.

Each focus group will begin with prayer, grounding our conversation in faith and reminding us that this work is about discernment, not decision-making. The goal is to create a safe, respectful space where participants can speak openly and honestly. We will ask guiding questions and, when helpful, invite you to go a little deeper by asking follow-up questions such as “Tell me more” or “What does that mean to you?” This helps us better understand not just what you think, but why you feel that way.

As we listen, we may rephrase questions or adjust the flow of conversation to ensure clarity and comfort. Notes will be taken carefully, using your words as much as possible, so that the feedback shared reflects the true voice of the congregation. Those facilitating the focus groups are there to guide discussion—not to share personal opinions—so the focus remains on listening and learning. Together, these conversations will help inform thoughtful, prayerful planning for the future of our church.

Focus Groups will be held on 1/11, 1/18 and 2/1 after service. There will also be Tuesday groups on 1/20 and 1/27. Please sign up on the sheets in the Narthex, contact Strategicplanning@joy-lutheran.com or simply click the SIGN UP HERE button below. There will be options for Zoom meetings if there is interest. 

The 2025 Giving Statements will be emailed by the end of January. Please take a minute to check the email address listed in your Elvanto profile. You can log into your account at Joy.elvanto.net. Please make corrections to your profile or email Ericka in the office with any changes.

If you are wanting to use offering envelopes they are located on the counter under the TV in the narthex. 

Our bathroom-cleaning superstar, Betty V., will be taking a well-deserved break for the month of February. While she’s away, we’re looking for a brave (and awesome) volunteer to help keep our bathrooms clean, fresh, and happy.

The bathrooms are cleaned once a week, and the timing is totally flexible—whatever works best for you! If you’re ready to step into this heroic role and keep things sparkling, we’d love your help. You can either connect with Betty or contact Ericka in the office and we will get you set.

We celebrate with Hazel S who has earned the Gold Award from the Girl Scouts! According to her Scout Leader, only 1-2 girls achieve this award each year in all of Alaska! This is a BIG deal! Hazel's Girl Scout troop meets here at Joy on Sunday afternoons. They have provided us with a box in the narthex to add our congratulations and good wishes. Please stop by on Sunday to write her a note and place it in the box. It is located directly adjacent to the TV. 

Congratulations, Hazel! 

Christ Lutheran Church Prayer Update:

In January, please join us in prayer for our prayer partner congregation as they focus on Project Homeless Connect in their community on January 27. They are also preparing for a youth trip to our congregation and ask for prayers for their newly installed Council. Like many Alaskans, they experience challenges with darkness and cold during this season, so they especially request continued prayers for mental health and well-being.

See flyer for upcoming Grief Support Groups sessions at Providence Alaska Medical Center.

As we prepare (because it's never too early) for our Annual Ministry Celebration in February, we’re gathering photos from the past year to showcase the amazing moments and memories from our church family!

If you’ve captured pictures from any ministry events, gatherings, or special occasions, please share them with us. 

Submit to: admin@joy-lutheran.com (please include a short note as to what the photo is about)

Let’s celebrate all that God has done through our ministries this year—together!

Ages toddlers through 5th grade are invited to Sunday School after worship in Brause Hall. We use 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.

*Reminder that Sunday School does not meet on Brunch Sundays (2nd Sunday of each month)*

Confirmation Class for youth in grades 6 and up begins on Sunday, September 7th! Please register using the link below. If you have any questions, reach out to Pastor Sean.

*Reminder that Confirmation Class does not meet on 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. You can donate online via our webpage. 

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.

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 Christ Lutheran (Soldotna), our January Prayer Partner.
• Corrine F.  (for strength)
• Zoe D. (Kathy Huntington’s niece diagnosed with AML-Acute myeloid leukemia. Prayers for healing, strength, and peace)
• Judy (Christy Dailey's mom for strength and healing)
• Gina S. (strength while enduring brain cancer and difficult life decisions)
• 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.)
• Justin Dailey (Chris Dailey’s brother, for continued strength and healing)
• 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.

We wanted to share a quick update—both Ericka and Pastor Sean have new email addresses!

Pastor Sean: pastorsean@joy-lutheran.com.

Ericka Stotlenberg (Church office): admin@joy-lutheran.com.

Thank you for staying connected and being part of the Joy community!

Blessings,
Pastor Sean & Ericka