March 2017 Community of Joy Lutheran Church 110 Balboa Road Hot Springs Village, AR 71909 501-915-9569 Church E-mail: cofjoy@sbcglobal.net Office E-mail: office.cofjoy@sbcglobal.net http://www.community-of-joy.org VOLUME 14, ISSUE 3 Stewardship is - taking care of God s creation! Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Living in God s amazing grace Pastor Bill Sappenfield From the Pastor On March 1, Ash Wednesday begins the Season of Lent, the ancient season of austerity that is based on Jesus forty-day fast in preparation for his public ministry. The early church used the forty days prior to the Easter celebration to prepare candidates for baptism and to call the faithful to commitment and renewal. The traditional practices of Lent study, prayer, self-discipline, and charity are calls to repentance that will make way for a new life. The season of Lent offers a chance to change. Lent is not just one more self-help program. This holy season is an ancient attempt to convince ourselves that self-help is not particularly helpful. Help is from God. We will keep Lent with mid-week worship throughout the season. Ash Wednesday will feature the Imposition of Ashes as you hear the ancient words of God, Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return. The service will be at 5:00 p.m. On following Wednesdays, we will have a soup supper at 5:00 followed by worship. The sermons will emphasize the themes of The Reformation: Salvation by Grace, The Priesthood of All Believers, The Authority of Scripture and other principles that guide our church. The Pastoral Candidates for Community of Joy and Christ Lutheran are coming! Come meet the candidates to serve the two ELCA churches in Hot Springs Village. This clergy couple will come to our community to lead worship services on Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March 19. They will also meet the people of Christ Lutheran. Take this opportunity to participate in this important part of our Call Process.
Page 2 VOLUME 14, ISSUE 3 Worship & Music Donna Wright COMMUNION CARE VOLUNTEERS Please see the bulletin board in the Narthex for a complete list of Saturday and Sunday Worship Leaders and Communion Care Volunteers. Please remember to find a replacement if you are unable to serve on an assigned date. COMMUNION CARE There s room for more assistants to help in preparing the communion elements and vessels. We are always seeking volunteers women and men. Consider making a husband and wife team for Communion Care. Please consider this as part of your ministry to the congregation on either Saturday or Sunday. Contact Patty Ninke (Coordinator) 501-226-5190 if you are willing to serve in this way. ALTAR FLOWERS The cost of altar flowers is $44.00 for two (2) vases or, if you are sharing the date with another member, each vase is $22.00. Remember: Check the Flower Folder (in Narthex by the front doors) for the number of vases you are donating before placing your contribution in one of the special envelopes which are in the sign-up folder. If you prefer to have both vases in honor or memory of a loved one, sign your name in both columns. Direct any special flower orders to Barbara Woodman 915-0989 or email her at bswoodman@sbcglobal.net Please take your flowers home after the Sunday Service. You may also pick them up on Monday. WORSHIP NUMBERS WE RE COUNTING ON YOU The Attendance average for weekends in JANUARY 2016 was: 93 Everyday Evangelism Eileen Miller - Evangelism Chairperson Listed below are some ways God gives you an opportunity to witness your faith to another person. IN THE COURSE OF YOUR DAILY LIFE Say, I will pray for you when someone shares a personal concern or difficulty with you. Respond Thank God or God is Good when someone shares an uplifting story with you. Share a smile and personal greeting with a stranger. Before the service, talk to each other. During the prelude, talk to God. During the service, listen to God. After the service, talk about God. FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE LENTEN SOUP SUPPER Lenten Soup Suppers sign-ups sheets are out. These Wed. suppers go from March 8th thru April 5th. We need you to sign-up for soup, bread or crackers. Our next Fellowship meeting is Monday, March 6 at 9AM. This is an important meeting as Joyful Loving Care is now under our Fellowship committee. We also need to discuss our Easter Brunch. Thank you, Sue Fisher Adult Bible Study The ancient season of Lent is a time rich in history and symbolism. Keeping a faithful Lent can be a time of renewal of faith and depth of discipleship. Come gather for a discussion of this season of preparation. In March we will meet for Adult Bible Study on Thursday, March 2, and Thursday, March 23 the first and fourth Thursdays of the month. We will discuss Lent, its history and symbolism and the inspiration it can be for us today. Join us at 9:00 a.m. for the discussion. Pastor Sappenfield
VOLUME 14, ISSUE 3 Page 3 King s Korner Good March! Ash Wednesday is March 1, and we begin the season of Lent. Our soup suppers begin on Wednesday, March 8 and continue through Wednesday, April 5. Suppers and Lenten services start at 5:00 pm; good soups and bread, as well as great fellowship! Thanks to Sue Fisher and the Fellowship Committee for organizing these suppers. As always, Pastor Bill is doing a wonderful Lenten series, this year on the highlights of the Reformation! He is also leading Bible studies on the first and fourth Thursdays at 9:00am. Come see what that s all about! Animate Bible Study series begins another series on Wednesdays in March. The dates are March 15, 22, & 29 from 9:00 to 10:30 am. General Fund Treasurer s Report Through JANUARY 2017 Budgeted Expense $ 18,237 Actual Expense $ 15,779 Actual Income $ 16,833 Difference $ 1,054 Rob Kasten - Treasurer General Fund Contributions JANUARY 2017 2016 $ 15,000 2017 $ 16,801 Change in 2017: $1,801 The call committee continues with the call process, asking each member of COJ to keep us in your prayers; we will keep you informed of any progress. Don t forget there is a wonderful garage sale the first weekend in October needing a couple or two individuals to spearhead the effort. Just let me know who you are!! First day of Spring is Monday, March 20. Let s all do some spring cleaning in our hearts, and clean out anything which keeps us from being the loving people God wants us be! Thanks to each member for being you! See you in church! Anne King COJ Council Chair OUR MISSION TO BE A FAMILY OF LOVING, CARING DISCIPLES - BOLDLY SERVING GOD WITH JOY SINGLES GROUP The Singles group met on February 8 at Charlie s Pizza Pub. There were 15 of us and we were in the room with the No Refund Band. The place was packed to the walls and there was whooping and singing and clapping and a good time was had by all. Singles Group will meet TUESDAY, March 7th at Raffaella Rose Restaurant at Cortez Golf Course due to the Lenten service being at church on Wednesday, March 8. Hope to see you there! Sally Johnson
Page 4 VOLUME 14, ISSUE 3 From the Business Service Committee Many thanks to Glenda Baker, Neala Gunderson, Corinne Kucera, Cheryl Klich, Donna Wright, Carla Olson and Linda Griffin for handling the office duties while Sheryl was away for two weeks enjoying her vacation. We are grateful for your assistance in keeping the office running while she was gone. The Business Service Committee also wishes to remind our members that help is available for those having computer issues. Information regarding people to contact for assistance can be found on the Community of Joy website at the bottom of home page. Mary Orman Chair - Business Services JOYFUL LOVING CARE Task Force Meeting There will be a Joyful Loving Care Task Force meeting at the church on Wednesday March 8 th at 9:00 am. Anyone that signed the Time & Talent sheets to assist JLC, or is just interested is also invited. The purpose of this meeting is to look at our communication and any possible changes we can make to assist our congregation when needed. Please think about it and remember, all ideas are important. I am looking forward to seeing you there. Men s Breakfast The men of Community of Joy and of Christ Lutheran will get together for b r e a k f a s t, f e l l o w s h i p, a n d conversation. Come at 8:00 am on Tuesday, March 28th to Debra s Restaurant, 198 Carmona Road. See you there! Thank you, Linda Griffin HUMMINGBIRDS It s that time of year when our little feathered friends return from Central & South America. Traveling approximately 350 miles a day, they will need a boost of energy. They should arrive the first week of March. If you make your own sugar water, it s 3 parts water & 1 part sugar. Be sure to boil mixture for a couple of minutes. Happy Birding, Sheryl Pierce
VOLUME 14, ISSUE 3 Page 5 WOMEN OF JOY Notable Arkansas Women Dr. Nancy Hendricks, awardwinning author of the acclaimed new book Notable Women of Arkansas: 100 Names to Know will appear at the Community of Joy Lutheran Church s Women of Joy meeting on Tuesday, March 14, at 9:45 a.m. Community of Joy is located at 110 Balboa Road in Hot Springs Village. Visitors and guests are welcome. Hendricks will present stories of local Arkansas women who shined in the national spotlight. One Arkansas woman was singlehandedly nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award, and three Grammys, while another was killed by her costume. Hendricks plans to include a special surprise for Women of Joy members, and will be available after the program to sign copies of her book. Says Hendricks, Each of the 100 Arkansas women in the book has her own story. Seeing them together really spotlights their impressive legacy. These Arkansas women made their mark on the national stage, with names as well known in Fort Worth as Fort Smith. Hendricks is an award-winning author whose book Senator Hattie Caraway: An Arkansas Legacy was named by Cosmopolitan magazine as one of the Twenty Political Books All Women Should Read. She is a founding member of the National Women s History Museum in Washington D.C., and is the recipient of a Pryor Award for Arkansas Women s History, Arkansas Governor s Arts Award, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Women in American History Award, and the White House Millennium Award. Joyce Hochreiter Animate Series Bible Study The Animate study will continue with a series on The Bible. This is a series of three sessions that explore different aspects of the Bible: History, Testaments & Gospels. During the session we watch a video, (presented by a noted theologian) spend some time on personal reflection, journaling, and if desired, share ideas with the group. We will explore 3 topics from this series on Wednesday, March 15, 22 & 29 at 9:00-10:30 a.m. Please put these dates on your calendar. You are invited to attend one or all of the sessions but we need a count of the number of attendees because books need to be ordered. Journals will be available to all and a free will offering would be appreciated to offset the cost. Please sign up or call the church office. All are invited to this exciting opportunity to explore The Bible. If you have any questions or would like to attend, please c o n t a c t L y n d a G r a s s e a t Lynda.grasse@gmail.com or 915-3303.
Page 6 VOLUME 14, ISSUE 3 March Scripture and Prayer The familiar words of Paul s letter to the Philippians, in the second chapter: If there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard on another as more important than himself. Dear Lord and Father, Forgive our foolish ways. Lead us to be united in purpose as we pray for your Spirit to be here among us, guiding our thoughts and actions that the world will know that we are Christ s followers by our love and compassion for others. We pray for patience as the Call process moves along at your pace. Uphold and encourage the members of the Call committee as they work to accomplish your will among us. Bless Pastor Bill and his ministry here. Keep him safe on his journeys each week. Give direction to the Council and the committees that they will lead this congregation to serve you by serving others in the world. We ask this in Jesus precious Name. Amen Reminders about Prayer About 2 years ago, Bishop Mike came to Community of Joy to meet with the Council and go over the process of transition as Pastor Ross prepared to retire from full time ministry and we began the process of calling a new pastor. His first recommendation was to assemble a prayer team that would lead the congregation in prayer through this transition time. Prayer times for the congregation were set up over the first few months, but those were soon stopped when no one came to participate. Instead, the prayer team included in each monthly newsletter a short scripture passage and prayer for the use of the congregation in their devotions and for committees to use in their meeting s devotions. At the beginning the feedback was positive and the prayers were used, but lately that does not seem to be the case. We would like to remind the congregation that prayer is a very important part of this process of calling a new pastor. We strongly encourage you to spend time in prayer for the Call committee, Pastor Bill, and the pastor God has chosen for our congregation. Your help in this matter is greatly appreciated.
VOLUME 14, ISSUE 3 Page 7 BIRTHDAYS Diane Bunch March 11 George Whitney March 12 Jim Warren March 16 Shelby Niebergall March 18 Rob Kasten March 20 Chris Hanses March 21 Tom Gunderson March 23 Larry Mylan March 24 Mary Kilker March 27 Ann Ludder March 28 Karen Sterzik March 28 Bonnie Kierstyn March 31 Community Fair 2017 The Hot Springs Village Community Fair will be held on Wednesday, April 5 th, at the Coronado Community Center. Over 150 clubs, organizations and churches have been invited to participate. The Fair will run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The E -Team of Community of Joy will have a booth at this year s Fair, and we invite the entire congregation to come and see our display, as well as those of others in the community. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase and door prizes will be given away. We hope to see you there at the 11 th Biennial Community Fair on April 5 th. MARCH ~ MAHJONG TUESDAYS: March 7, 21, 28-9:30 am at Community of Joy. First / Third FRIDAYS: Home Hosted - March 3-17 ~ 9:30 am ~ Watch E-Blast for hostess. SAVE the DATE Fundraiser Picnic Community of Joy is having a fundraiser picnic at church for Living God s Abundance. The date will be on Friday, April 28 th. Join us for fellowship and food. More information will be forthcoming. For questions, call Corinne Kucera at 922-6811 or Eileen Miller at 915-9473. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Bob & Pat Sievert March 27 Mike & Mary Orman March 29 Lynda Grasse
March 2017 Office Hours Monday- Friday 10:00-2:00 501-915-9569 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 ASH WEDNESDAY 2 Adult Bible Study 9:00 am Missions 10:30 am 3 Home Hosted 4 Coffee 4:30 pm 5 Coffee 8:45 am Worship 9:15 am 6 Fellowship Meeting 9:00 am Property Meeting 3:00 pm 7 Finance Meeting 10:00 am Singles Group Cortez G.C. 5:30 pm 8 Joyful Loving Care Meeting 9:00 am Soup 5:00 pm Worship 5:45 pm 9 Council Meeting 8:30 am 10 11 Worship Committee 10:30 am Coffee 4:30 pm 12 Daylight Saving Time 13 14 Women of Joy 9:00 am 15 Animate Bible Study 9:00-10:30 16 17 St. Patrick s Day 18 Newspapers Meet & Greet Coffee 8:45 am Worship 9:15 am Soup 5:00 pm Worship 5:45 pm Home Hosted Coffee 4:30 pm 19 Newspapers Meet & Greet 20 Spring Begins 21 22 Animate Bible Study 9:00-10:30 23 Adult Bible Study 9:00 am 24 25 Coffee 8:45 am Worship 9:15 am Soup 5:00 pm Worship 5:45 pm Coffee 4:30 pm 26 Coffee 8:45 am Worship 9:15 am 27 28 Men s Breakfast at Debra s 8:00 am 29 Animate Bible Study 9:00-10:30 Christian Education Mtg. 10:30 am Soup 5:00 pm Worship 5:45 pm 30 31 Community of Joy Lutheran Church 110 Balboa Road Hot Springs Village, AR 71909