• Presiders: Pastor Sean Avery
• Assisting Minister:  AbieLiz L.
• Readers: Hazel S. & Corrine F.
• Pianist: Kathy H. 
• Communion Assistant: AbieLiz L.
• Altar Care: Lori S.
• Ushers: Sue W. & Karen P.

As a new school year begins, we invite all students, teachers, school staff, administrators, homeschool families, and college students to join us for our annual Blessing of the Backpacks.

Bring your backpack, school bag, briefcase, lunch box, or work bag as we ask God's blessing over everyone involved in education. During the service, we will pray for a year filled with wisdom, safety, kindness, growth, and God's guidance.

Whether you're heading to preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, college, or serving in a school, we'd love to celebrate and pray for you!

Each year we collect school supplies for our partner school Eagle River Elementary. After speaking with the school staff we are asking that donations include only what is listed. 

Dear Joy Community,

This year, we’re excited to welcome a local children’s music program that will be using our narthex during the school year, Monday through Thursday. Hannah Johnston, a former music teacher at Homestead Elementary, will be teaching group music classes for local kids and hosting an after-school choir.

This is a wonderful opportunity to share our building with local students and families, and it resonates especially with our core value of Creative Learning. By opening our doors to young musicians, our building becomes a space for nurturing a love of music, learning to play instruments, and discovering new gifts. At a time when access to music education is becoming more limited, I’m especially excited that Joy can provide a space where music and creativity can flourish. There may even be opportunities for us to enjoy concerts by these young musicians!

One important logistical note: Because music classes will be taking place in the narthex, the narthex and sanctuary will not be available for other uses from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. If you are looking for space in the building during those hours, please check with Ericka in the church office for availability.

Our building is an incredible gift that we are able to share with our community. The continued care and financial investment our congregation makes to maintain our building is one of the ways our shared generosity extends beyond Sunday morning and creates space for our neighbors throughout the week. Thank you!  

And, of course, as a church that loves to sing, we have a vested interest in nurturing the next generation of musicians! Who knows? Some of the young people learning music at Joy today may be leading music in churches and communities years from now.
What a joy it will be to hear our building filled with music throughout the week!

Pastor Sean

We are taking a new ariel photo of our congregation as we spell-out JOY in the parking lot! Join us after worship for the photo and then stick-around for brunch and conversation about ideas from our strategic plan! 

Confirmation is a time for middle school students to ask questions, grow in faith, and explore the foundations of Christianity through a Lutheran lens. Together we'll discover the story of Scripture, the meaning of worship, and what it looks like to follow Jesus in everyday life—all in a welcoming community where curiosity is encouraged. The journey culminates in Affirmation of Baptism, an opportunity to affirm God’s promises made at their baptism and their intention to continue growing and learning within the Christian community.

There are no prerequisites to participating in Confirmation. All students are welcome!

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! 

The Listening Post is offering a new volunteer training on Saturday- September 12, 2026 from 1-4pm

We listen at several locations in Anchorage. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about us: www.listeningpostanchorage.com

If you are interested in the training, please email us: listeningpostak@gmail.com for details about the training.

Please click below to view flier and information

Ladies from Alaskan ELCA congregations and friends are invited to come together to learn, share meals, worship, sing, craft, & study on the topic of Creation Care. Friday evening and Saturday, September 18-19, 2026, @ Christ Our Savior Lutheran in Anchorage.

Worship leaders and presenters include Rev. Anna Silco, Glenn Hart from the National Parks Service, a friend from Anchor Gardens, and Deb Nyquist of Christ Lutheran of Soldotna.  Our focus verse will be Genesis 1:27-31.  $20.  RSVP by Sunday 9/6 to AlaskaSynodicalWomensOrg@gmail.com and we can recommend a hotel or seek a guest room invitation for those of you from outside the greater Anchorage area. 

We do plan to live-stream the worship, Bible study, and presentation portions of the event—send us a note if you’ll want to participate from home or your travels.

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.

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. 

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 Trinity Lutheran Church, Anchorage our August 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.