Joy in Christ Lutheran Church

We have just entered the long, green season of the church: the time after Pentecost. It is called, ordinary time...not because it isn’t special or exciting, but because the Sundays are numbered in order: Pentecost 3 or 13 or 23; Lectionary 8 or 18 or 28. And it’s green because that is the liturgical color of these “ordinary” days. Gone are the exciting reds of martyrs and the Holy Spirit...gone is the brilliant white of feast and resurrection...gone is the blue of hopeful waiting and the purple of penitence and passion.

Some worry about boredom and losing track of the numbers as we count off these “ordinary days” for six months (yes, June through November this year). Others (the altar guild, for example) enjoy the simplicity and regularity of all those weeks with the same green altar cloths (broken only by the feast day of Peter & Paul and the Reformation that break in with bright red). Others hardly notice as the great outdoors and summer vacations beckon, one week sliding all too quickly into another.

I love this green season...this season of growing and ripening...this season of deepening and enriching. I love the way each day adds a new dimension to our life together... to our growth as disciples...to our understanding of the Word of God planted within us.

Do you remember the wonderful box of Crayola Crayons...the big 64? That crayon box was always a Christmas stocking treat in my family. It was filled with greens: yellow green and blue green, sea green and pine green, olive green and forest green and spring green. Each one brought to life a different aspect of the world: the willow tree and the lake, the ocean and the woods, the moss and the leaves, the vegetables and the fruits. One could draw a growing plant or a blooming tree from first blade and bud to full blossom and leaf just by changing crayons.

This year, as we listen to the scripture readings for the time after Pentecost, we get the opportunity to grow along with the disciples again as they walk with Jesus, learning and teaching, healing and serving, washed in the spring green of new life. We see the first tender and tentative disciples grow like summer trees, asking questions, debating answers, using different strengths and following different paths until the tree stretches to include gentiles and Judeans, men and women, rich and poor, neighbors and distant nations...until they are formed into the people of God – the Church – just as we are today.

We at Joy in Christ have been planted for more than a half century, but just like the trees sprouting willow-green leaves outside my office window, we are once again ready to be renewed after a time of winter. Let’s tend to our ministry of growth this season, listening to God’s word...serving others in need...raising joyful voices in worship...seeking justice...acting in kindness...welcoming others...and learning more about the One who colors our life with love.

The council met on Thursday, May 15, 2008 with all members in attendance. Pr. Carolyn opened the meeting with the following poem by Ann Weems to remind all of us of why, who and what we are:

Flyers have been attached to the Contemporary Worship Services binders asking that the members and friends of Joy in Christ complete them listing favorite hymns, as well as something we like and something we might suggest for that Service. Flyers will be included in the Traditional Worship Bulletins requesting the same information.

The Sunday School celebration will take place in June with the children and confirmands assisting during the worship service.

The Mission Assembly was held on April 26^th. Pr. Carolyn explained that the Synod is attempting to hold workshops locally where different congregations can gather to discuss their joys and concerns and learn from each other. It was reported that the workshop on Stewardship was interesting and helpful. The one thing that really stood out was that stewardship needs to be talked about continually and that tithing is our responsibility; anything after that is our joy.

Special Meeting of the Congregation

June 15, 2008

11:15

in the Sanctuary, following worship

The main panel of the Fire Alarm System that warns occupants of our building and notifies the Fire Department no longer functions and is not reparable. Replacing the unit is mandatory and requires an update of all components in the building to the current fire code. Many additions have been made to this code since the original installation. The cost for the design and implementation of a new system is expected to run between $10,000.00 and $15,000.00.

The Congregation Council moves that we authorize the design and replacement of the current system, borrowing the funds from our Investment Account, in an amount expected to be between $10,000.00 and $15,000.00.

Further, the Congregation Council recommends that each member and friend of Joy in Christ consider an appropriate gift or pledge in addition to regular giving, in order to repay this amount to the Investment Account, which is needed to balance our current budget and maintain the ministry of Joy in Christ.

It is important that all voices be heard and all votes counted in this matter. Your presence on June 15^th is important, as are your prayers for wisdom in decision-making, safety in our building, and for the ministry of Joy in Christ.

Gracious God, Send your Holy Spirit to deepen our worship life. Open our hearts to

the gifts and cultures which surround our church. Open our hearts to the people who are different from us. In Jesus' Name. Amen

Join us as we celebrate this year of learning and begin the summer recess for Sunday School and Confirmation!

Help us to review the songs we sing in worship. During the month of June you will find a survey sheet for each of our music books: LBW (green), WOV (blue), Contemporary (white). For each one, tell us your five favorite songs...one thing you really like about the worship from that book...and one suggestion for that worship style. Responses can be placed in the basket on the piano or in

Look for “listening days” this summer...listening to music, that is...times to share tapes and cd’s of worship songs you like and the new songs and liturgy arrangements in the ELW, the new red Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal from the church. Bring your favorite tapes and hear those of others.

Book Discussion During June two groups will finish the discussion of Anita Diamant’s “The Red Tent.” If you have a suggestion for a book to read and discuss over the summer or in the fall, send it along. Plan to join a group...and bring a friend!

Have your read something in the newspaper or a magazine that raises a question or concern? Do you wonder how we might respond to the news of the world in light of our faith in Christ? On the first Sunday of each month, beginning in July, we will look at the clippings and stories that folks bring and talk about current events in the light of our faith. If you get the article to Pastor before hand we can advertise the topic...if not, come and be surprised. After worship...in the Sunday School hall...bring your coffee!

Toys, dishes, house wares, clothes – be sure all items are clean and in good condition. They may be brought to the Sunday School hall at church on or after June 21^st.

If you are interested in helping to plan, host or participate in any of these events, let Pastor or a church council member know.

Despite logistical challenges and limited humanitarian access, Lutheran World Relief is providing assistance for the people of Myanmar (Burma) and China through its international partners in the global alliance. Our partner, Action by Churches Together International (ACT) is providing clean water in Mynamar and relief supplies (rice, water, quilts, and medicines) in China.

If you wish to support these efforts you may send contributions to Lutheran World Relief, P.O. Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21298-9832. You may include “Myanmar/Burma Cyclone” or “China Earthquake” in the notation line.

Gifts may also be given through ELCA International Disaster Response, PO Box 71764,
Chicago, IL 60694-1764, 1-800-638-3522 and http://www.ELCA.org/disaster/idrgive on the Internet.