Joy Lutheran Staff have moved into our Summer Office Hours.

Please note the deadline for Notes of Joy and Bulletin annoucements is now on Wednesdays. 

• Presider: Pastor Sean Avery
• Assisting Minister: Ray K.
• Readers: Hazel S. & Henry H.
• Pianist: Kathy H.
• Altar Care: Judy R.
• Communion Assistant: Ray K. 
• Acolyte: Jack S.
• Ushers: Mona M. & Karen J.

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. 

Dear Members of Joy, 

We hope you are well and enjoying spring time in Alaska.

JCDC has hired a director and looks to open June 1 with limited children and staff. They have been working hard to make improvements to the center including repairs, cleaning, and staff training.

One major upgrade was new flooring throughout the entire center. This was paid for entirely from JCDC funds and has made a significant improvement to the space. In 2024, we as a congregation approved to assist in the cost of new flooring in the amount of $7,500. We did not, however, approve that expenditure in the 2025 Ministry Spending Plan as JCDC was closed and we were unsure of their future. Any spending amount above $5,000 must be approved by the congregation.

Council would like to invite you to a brief congregational meeting just prior to the June Church  Brunch on Sunday, June 8, immediately following service to approve a $7,500 reimbursement towards the flooring. We feel this will be an opportunity to show our support of JCDC and their continued efforts to bring a much needed service back to the Eagle River community.

With best wishes, 

Joy Council

We’re excited to announce that, following the congregation’s approval at our Annual Ministry Celebration, we are officially launching our partnership with LEAD to develop a strategic plan for our community. This marks the beginning of a meaningful journey of communal discernment—listening deeply to one another, engaging with our neighbors, and imagining the future to which God is calling us.

We’re delighted to introduce our LEAD consultant, ELCA Deacon Jessica Noonan, who will be guiding us through this important process. Take a moment to watch her message and get to know more about the work ahead.

As we form our Strategic Planning Team, we invite you to consider applying or recommending someone you believe would bring valuable insight and passion to this effort. Recommendation and application forms are available now through the Notes of Joy and on our website: joy-lutheran.com/news.

Let’s dream boldly together asking the Holy Spirit to guide us!

Exciting Opportunity: Be Part of Joy Lutheran Church’s Strategic Planning Team!

Joy Lutheran Church is stepping into a season of visioning, listening, and faithful imagination—and we want you to be part of it! We are forming a Strategic Planning Team and are currently accepting both recommendation forms (to nominate someone else) and applications (if you feel called to serve yourself). This is an exciting chance to help shape the future of our ministry and our connection to the community around us. Submissions will be accepted through Sunday, June 8th, and Joy’s Church Council will thoughtfully discern the final team members.

We are looking for six to eight individuals who bring a mix of gifts, faith, and passion to this work. Ideal team members will embody:

• A growing faith and a curiosity about the movement of the Holy Spirit
• A learner’s mindset when it comes to our church’s neighborhood and context
• Big-picture thinking, with a heart for innovation and imagining new ministries
• A collaborative spirit that values teamwork and honors diverse perspectives
• Open-mindedness and the ability to ask good, thoughtful questions
• Knowledge of our local geography and a respected presence in the community

Team members will commit to the following:

• A 12-month commitment (beginning with a June meeting, followed by a break until mid to late August)
• Two meetings per month—one as a team and one with our LEAD consultant via Zoom
• Helping to facilitate and participate in listening sessions with both the congregation and our neighbors
• Supporting the implementation of the plan we co-create together

The first team meeting with our consultant, Jessica, is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, June 18th at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom (there is flexibility if this date and time does not work for you). After that, the team will reconvene in mid to late August to begin its regular rhythm.

This is an energizing moment in the life of our church—one filled with possibility, purpose, and hope. If you feel a spark of interest, or know someone who would be a wonderful fit, we invite you to take the next step.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please reach out to Pastor Sean.

RECOMMEND SOMEONE TO SERVE

I WANT TO APPLY TO SERVE

Pentecost is coming—Sunday, June 8th! This special day, celebrated 50 days after Easter, marks the moment the Holy Spirit came rushing in like wind and fire, forming the Church. It’s often called the Church’s birthday, and this year we want to celebrate with color, creativity, and community!

We’re inviting everyone—kids, teens, adults—to create a piece of art to help us decorate the sanctuary for Pentecost. Use your imagination to reflect the Spirit’s energy and movement! Let the Spirit inspire you! We have supplies like markers, watercolor, canvas, and poster board available after worship in the narthex over the next few Sundays. You can also make something at home with a different medium – whatever inspires you!

Be sure to drop off your artwork by Saturday, June 7^th. Then on Pentecost Sunday, we’ll fill the sanctuary with your creations as a joyful celebration of the Spirit among us. Let’s celebrate the Church’s birthday in vibrant, Spirit-filled style!

This summer let’s celebrate our baptism using the waters of Alaska! Grab a container from church and collect water from your travels: rivers, lakes, harbors, or the ocean. Label it with your name and location, then return it to Joy. We’ll filter it and, in the fall, pour each one into our baptismal font—reminding us that though we come from many places and stories, we are one in Christ. Let’s make a splash of connection and faith this summer!

Pick up your “little Jesus” figurine at Joy and take him along on all your summer adventures! Each Wednesday, beginning on May 28th, Joy Lutheran will post a fun photo of Jesus somewhere new on our Facebook page—and we want to see where he’s gone with you too! Whether you’re camping, fishing, hiking, working, or just relaxing, snap a photo with Jesus and share it in the comment section on our post. If you don’t have a Facebook account, text or email us your photo and we’ll share it. It’s a fun way to stay connected and remember Jesus is with us everywhere we go! Be sure to like our Facebook page and follow along this summer.

Please consider supporting our refreshing of  the Center with new and age appropriate toys by donating one of the selections on this Amazon Wishlist. 

We'd like to have these in time for our Open House on May 17, but especially for our reopening date of June 2.  Questions can be directed to Scooter Bentson.

Thank you for your consideration.

Unfortunately, we've learned that some of our Notes of Joy emails have been landing in spam folders—or not arriving at all.
If you don’t see it in your inbox, don’t worry! You can always find the latest Notes of Joy on our website.
Just check the graphic above to see where to find it on a computer, if using your phone it will be located under the menu tab. 

 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.

All are welcome to join us after worship for a time of fellowship.

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.

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

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 

• Kaela W. (strength and courage for on-going treatment)
• Mark S. (strength during cancer treatment)
• Alicia R (healing and strength)
• 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)
• 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)
• 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 Linds family (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.