JOY TO THE WORLD
Joy Lutheran Church, Richmond, TX
Vicar Logan’s Log
Disciples of Joy,
Holy Week is approaching! One of the summits of the Christian calendar. It’s
a week that runs a curious gamut of emotions. Opening with shouts of “Hosanna!,”
the week devolves into shouts of “Crucify Him!” You have to wonder. What sort of
figure could evoke such conflicting responses? We know the answer, of course. Jesus!
A truly singular person if there ever was one. Man of sorrows and man of ten
thousand charms. To this day Jesus’ provocative way about him continues to beguile
and bewilder those who enter his orbit. The one response Jesus doesn’t leave open to
us is indifference.
On that note, let’s take a selective survey of how Holy Week conveys the
singularity of Christ. For starters, consider Palm Sunday. The day the Son of David,
rightful heir to the throne and peaceable king, reenters the royal city. This scene
illustrates the character of the Kingdom of God Jesus has been in the business of
inaugurating. Jesus won’t be the kind of king we want; he will be the king we’ve been
too blind to see we needed.
Skipping ahead a few days, consider also Maundy Thursday. “Maundy” is
thought to derive from the Latin mandatum, which also happens to be the source for
the English word “mandate.” This day commemorates the new commandment Christ
issues in John 13:34: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.
Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” In this verse’s context,
Jesus has just finished washing his disciples’ feet. That’s how he loved his own. He is
the king who “emptied himself, taking the form of a servant” (Phil. 2:7). But the week
isn’t close to finished yet, and neither is Jesus’ supply of love.
Then there’s Good Friday. The day the Good Shepherd laid down his life for
his sheep. Our hymnody has already said best what there is to say about this day:
“See, from his head, his hands, his feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e’er
such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown? ... Love so amazing,
so divine!”
Finally, while technically the first day after Holy Week, I hope I can be
excused a comment or two on Easter Sunday. When reflecting on the resurrection of
Christ, theologian Robert Jenson once asked, “What is the basic difference between a
living person and a dead one?” His answer: “the decisive difference between a living
person and a dead one is that the former can surprise us as the latter cannot…That
Jesus lives means that his love, perfected at the cross, is now active to surprise us.” So
watch out! Easter Sunday proclaims that Jesus is still on the loose. Wild as ever, he
will continue to elude capture. And now no one (“no angel or ruler, no thing present
or future, no power, no height or depth, nor anything else in all creation”) can stop
him from loving you as only he—the singular Jesus—can.
Your Vicar,
APRIL 2017
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
2 Prepare for Worship
3 Up Coming Events
4
On Going Events
5 Building/Renovations
6 Thank You Notes
7 Joy Life
8-9 FDIC
10 New Disciples
11 Big Heart Orphanage
12 Prayers
Logan
Joy Lutheran Church, 717 FM 359, Richmond, TX 77406
Office Phone: 281-762-3310 Office Fax: 281-232-2899
E-mail: offi[email protected] and [email protected]
Web site: www.joyrichmond.org
PREPARE FOR WORSHIP
Prepare for worship each Sunday by reading through the assigned lesson prior to worship. Take some time to pray
and reflect upon what God might be seeking to say to you in worship.
LENT 5
April 2
Ezek.37:1-14
Psalm 130
Romans 8:6-11
John 11:1-45
SUNDAY OF THE PASSION
April 9
Isa. 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Phil. 3:4b-14
Matt. 26:14- 27:66
SATURDAY VIGIL
April 15
Job 14:1-14
Psalm 31:1-4,15-16
1 Peter 4:1-8
Matt. 27:57-66
EASTER
April 16
Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Col. 3:1-4
John 20:1-18
MAUNDY THURSDAY
April 13
Exod. 12:1-4(5-10)11-14
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
1 Cor. 11:23-26
John 13:1-17,31b-35
EASTER 2
April 23
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Psalm 16
1 Peter 1:3-9
John 20:19-31
GOOD FRIDAY
April 14
Isa. 52:13-53:12
Psalm 22
Heb. 10:16-25
John 18:1-19:42
EASTER 3
April 30
Acts 2:14a,36-41
Psalm 116:1-4,12-19
1 Peter 1:17-23
Luke 24:13-35
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
OFFERINGS
FEBRUARY
GENERAL FUND:
26,461.44
(AVG. WEEKLY GENERAL FUND
4/7 Allen & Vickie Schoppe
38 yrs
4/17 Ewald Lopata & Joyce Hopkins 18yrs
4/18 Bruce & Kim Hong
29 yrs
4/29 Gaylord & Eva Randel
51 yrs
OFFERING FOR FEB.)
6,615.36
INVESTMENTS:
228,465.7
TOTAL MONTHLY GIFTS
from all funds:
30,420.44
NALC WEBSITE
For information for the NALC Newsletter visit their website at www.theNALC.org. If you have not been receiving
the emails please notify the church office at: [email protected]
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JOY TO THE WORLD
UPCOMING EVENTS
Holy Week Worship Schedule
Sunday of the Passion April 9
Maundy Thursday, April 13
Good Friday, April 14
Easter Vigil, April 15
The Resurrection of our Lord, April 16
Purchase your Easter lily in
honor/memoriam of a loved one to brighten our
sanctuary during Easter Services! Cost is $10.
Checks are to be deposited in the envelope at
the time of sign up. The signup
sheet is in the Narthex. Deadline
is April 9th.
Lenten Offerings - The Parish Planning Board has
designated the lenten offerings to go to ‘Water
Missions International’, an NALC sponsored charity
that helps provide clean, safe water to 50 countries.
WORSHIP TRAINING SESSION
We are going to hold a mandatory Worship Training
session for all persons involved in worship
leadership. (Yes, “Mandatory! We know that is “Law”
speaking in a church anchored in “Grace”, however we
are way overdue to tighten up our worship leadership,
train new folks and provide continuing education for our
whole worship leadership team.) It will be an efficient
one day event on Sunday, April 23rd from 1p-2:30p.
Eat lunch prior. This includes Assisting Ministers,
Ushers, Acolytes, Lectors, Children’s Message, Choir
Leadership, musicians, Praise Band and Audio. If unable
to attend, it is imperative that you contact Pastor
Christ. The Walk - April 29th
Registration 7:30 am Step Off 8:00 am
George Ranch Historical Park
JOY TO THE WORLD
Save the Date! When: May 9th, 7 PM
Where: Pat Shipp’s house
What: a Gathering of Joyful Women!
We gain inspiration from many sources. Do you
have a devotional or a book that touches your
heart? Bring a copy with you to this Joyful
Women’s Gathering to share with others in our
group. It could be a whole book that you would
like others to know about or it could be just a
reading that “spoke” to you. This will be a very
informal get together to share with each other.
And, of course, we will have dessert to go along
with the good fellowship! A sign up sheet will be
put out closer to the event so we can get a
head count for dessert. Make plans to attend
and enjoy time together. Grab a new member
and get them to come too! Summer plans: We are planning on continuing
our tradition of summer brunches. Specifics are
still in the planning stage. If you would like to
open your house to the group, please let Vickie
Schoppe know. We usually have between 20-30
ladies and everyone brings something to eat, so
if you are the hostess all you really have to do is
open your home!
Joy will be responsible for providing meals to
homeless families on the week of April 16th April 23rd. You may sign up to cook meals or
give monetary donations. For more information
contact Shirley Morris 281-744-7974
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ON-GOING EVENTS
Plan your Funeral! Yes Really!
In light of Ron Light’s sudden passing, several folks have already asked me about planning their funerals. I
encourage such planning and am available at your convenience to assist, not only with planning of the actual
service, but also with information that will assist you in having all of your affairs in order for the benefit of your
family. Nothing is ever “set in stone” and can be changed or updated as circumstances warrant. Let’s schedule a
time to visit to talk about the faith you desire to share as your legacy, as well as the practical matters, whose
preparation is an act of love and care for those who will survive us. Pastor Tim.
Meets every Thursday evening at 7:30pm.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Ministry group meets every Friday at
10:00 a.m. @ Mugs Coffee Bar on FM 359. This
wonderful ministry brings comfort and support to those
who are experiencing illness, trials, etc. They are
symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving God.
All are welcome to join our group!
SHADE TREE MINISTRY
We encourage you to sign-up for the Luther
Reading Challenge. Read and Discuss Luther’s
theology in preparation for the Reformation
Jubilee in October 2017, which marks the 500th
Anniversary. To join, just go to the website,
https://www.lutherreadingchallenge.org, create a
Shade Tree provides food for the day laborers in Richmond
and Rosenberg on Tuesday and Friday mornings. If you would
like to help distribute food, contact Doris & James Goates.
Sandwiches are prepared Monday and Thursday
evenings at 6:00 (5:45) in the fellowship hall @
Joy.
Temporarily Suspended.
log in, and begin reading. It’s free of charge!
For Church repairs, maintenance or anything
that might need fixing in or around Joy, please
call or e-mail the church office
at [email protected]
or 281-762-3310.
We will put our skilled,
(& unskilled) handy men on the
Altar Guild is in need of Helpers to assist with
Holy Communion. We need a few people to ,set up
at early service and clean up after late service.
Couples are welcome to team up. If you are
interested in helping out, please contact Kathy
Faucett at 281-460-1040.
job!
JOY TO THE WORLD
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Building Project for Everyone at Joy
Let’s all do something really fun and creative!!
Don Sattler shared a very interesting way to get
everyone at Joy involved in our building project. Someone told him about their church which was
also under renovation and that before they put down the flooring everyone grabbed a marker/
Sharpie and wrote down their favorite Bible verse, a special devotional message that was meaningful
to them or any other possibilities that will honor and glorify God. Checked this out with Pastor Tim
and Accurate Construction and everyone thinks it is a great idea. John Guy said he had seen this
done before and noticed several of the construction crew taking time to stop and read. Don said in
his friend’s church members of the congregation know their special spot where they wrote their
verse and still go to that spot after the flooring was down and project completed. What a cool way
to do sort of a time capsule ‘snapshot’ of all of us at this point in time. So….. grab your Sharpie
(or we will have some available) and on Easter Sunday before or after the service you attend please
write!!
Building Expansion/Remodel Update I was reading some scripture for another Bible study I do and Ephesians 4:1-­‐6 jumped out at me as we wait for this project to come to compleCon. I feel very sure the Holy Spirit was speaking to me and telling me to use this passage. Verse 2 says, “with all humility and gentleness, with paCence, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” I think I am most concerned that maybe we are geOng down about the delays and as we grumble and grouse it seems it is a way for the evil one to try and wedge his way in and make us forget that we did pray for this expansion, God lead us to this construcCon firm and I am confident God has great plans for Joy with this project. So, my request is that we conCnue to pray and maybe use those words in Ephesians to help us all stay unified in the final stages. Maybe instead of using our words to complain (wow, Lenten service on the 22nd was extremely convicCng for me – how do I use my tongue?), we can use our voice and energies to discuss among ourselves some of the following: 1. What new ministry or expanded ministry might be possible with this new fellowship space? Where is God leading us? What ideas, passions do you have for ministry op4ons? 2. The prayer garden will need some updates/possible change in locaCon – what ideas do you have? 3. FDIC has had a project in mind for a couple of years of an outdoor worship space – could this possibly be combined with a new prayer garden locaCon away from hustle and bustle of the entrances–what ideas do you have? 4. That whole area from the exisCng wheelchair ramp to the new porch entrance needs to be landscaped and made a focal point as people walk into Joy – what ideas do you have? 5. We sort of laid low on flower bed maintenance knowing roofing would be happening, but those beds are calling us all now –what ideas do you have? Come join us March 27th and/or April 1st to implement them….. With much love for all of my fellow Joy disciples, Corinne JOY TO THE WORLD
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THANK YOU NOTES
Helping Hands - We received your generous gift of $526.00 and want to thank you so much for support of our general
operations.
Big Heart Orphanage - Thanks you for your generosity, faithfulness, prayers and support!
Cross Trails Ministries - Thanks you for your generous expression of support of $263.00. It is because of gifts from
congregations like yours we are able to continue that we provide!
North American Lutheran Seminary - Thanks you for your gift of $526.00 Your gift will assist us in continuing to pursue our
goal, financially, and will also support our efforts to educate NALC Seminarians and to form Pastors who are driven by our core
values.
Joy Lutheran Church,
I wanted to let you know how the funds that your church donated were used. I have attached a
couple of photos of some of the kids that you helped during our motel week. The photo of the three
boys is the Linzy family, and you helped with transportation to and from school that week. The
other photo is a member of the Virgil/Evans family. You helped get a new tire for the family
vehicle. Our other family was the Titus family. You helped with putting an application down for
an apartment for the family as they were getting ready to transition out of level 2 and into
permanent housing.
Gift cards for food were also
purchased for the families to
use during that motel week.
Thank you so much for all that
you do,
Brenda Foster
Housing Navigator
Fort Bend Family Promise
4645 Cartwright Rd.
Missouri City, Tx. 77459
281-403-3923
Mike Posey would like to thank Joy for the
donation of $200 to assist Love One with
sock donations for Houston’s homeless.
With the $200 we were able to donate 282
pairs of socks for this event. On 3/25 Love
One went to the streets and was able to
pass out 1000 pairs of new socks and a
little compassion to the Houston homeless.
lovefortheone.org
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JOY TO THE WORLD
Joy Life
We would like to get a group from Joy together to
attend a few Skeeters games! If this is something you
or your family would be interested in please call the
Church office at 281-762-3310 or Paula Curry at
713-515-7197, and we will begin planning!
OLIVE GARDEN’S PASTA E FAGIOLI
ALL MEMBERS OF JOY ARE
INVITED TO SUNDAY
LUNCH BUNCH!
Please join us on May 7
right after 2nd service at Rudy’s BBQ in
Richmond. A sign up sheet will be in the
narthex so we will have an accurate count!
We hope everyone will come along for lunch
and fellowship.
Soup recipes Since we were unable to hold our annual
soup suppers we would like
to share a soup recipe. If
you have a recipe you
would like to put in
contact Tammy Soward or
Paula Curry!
JOY TO THE WORLD
2 Tsp Olive Oil
1 lb ground beef
1 lg onion, chopped
2 cups each, diced carrots
& celery
Hot Water
1/2 cup instant Bouillon granules
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 to 3 tbs fresh chopped parsley
1 tsp hot red pepper sauce
6 cups chunky pasta paste
1 (15 to 16-ounce) can each, drained and rinsed: red
and white kidney beans
2 cup cooked pasta (macaroni or small shells)
Heat oil in large skillet or soup pot over medium-high
heat. Add beef and sauté, stirring to break up, about 5
minutes, or until beef loses pink color. Add onion,
carrots and celery, simmer 10 minutes. Place 1 cup hot
water in small bowl and add bouillon granules to dissolve.
Stir bouillon mixture, oregano, black pepper, parsley,
pepper sauce into skillet. Simmer 10 minutes. Add 1
quart water, or enough to reach desired consistency;
stir and simmer about 30 minutes. Stir in beans. Stir in
pasta just before serving. Makes about 1 gallon.
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FDIC
Easter Candy for the Easter Egg hunt is needed. Please place in the basket in the narthex. Candy should be individually wrapped. Please bring by Sunday, April 9th at the latest. Thanks for your parCcipaCon!! Our annual Easter Egg Hunt is done by the Jr and Sr High SS classes. They fill and hide the eggs for our younger SS kids and our guests on Easter Sunday. The Easter Egg Hunt will begin at about 9:30 aher a short Easter devoCon. Children should bring their own Easter baskets. Mark your calendars!!
Easter Breakfast
Tacos to Go! Since we are unable to have our annual Easter
Breakfast with the fellowship hall under
construction, we will instead
serve breakfast tacos from
Rudy’s BBQ in the Gathering
Place. You can stop in and
pick up a few or sit and eat!
Camp Joy is back!!
Camp Chrysalis counselors will be here on site with
us the week of July 30th – August 4th. Please make
every effort to plan your summer events around this
week. We encourage you to start
talking now to friends,
neighbors, grandkids, nieces,
nephews, etc. to invite them to
a great week. Registration and
more details will come in the
May newsletter
Summer Sunday School 2017– What is your passion? Where is God leading you to Serve? FDIC team has been hard at work brainstorming and making plans for Joy. Summer Sunday School has tradiConally been a way for us to try to give our awesome regular Sunday School teachers a break. We have discussed several opCons for this year and have decided we would like to bring back “Summer of Service” with a likle bit of a twist. We would like everyone in the congregaCon from kids to adults to think of their passions – what speaks to your heart? Pastor Dick sort of got the ball rolling when he asked if he could use a Sunday to talk about the Prison Ministry he does. We know there are many of you who volunteer or are involved in all kinds of projects/ministries that are your passions. Would you please consider sharing with our Sunday School this summer? If you are not totally comfortable taking the total lead one of our FDIC team would be happy to be there with you. Please pray about this to see if God is leading you to take part with us in Summer Sunday School this year. Please call or email Corinne to discuss your ideas/passions or quesCons at [email protected] or 281 773-­‐4518
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JOY TO THE WORLD
SUNDAY SCHOOL FUN!
JOY TO THE WORLD
Page 9
MEET JOY’S NEW DISCIPLES
On March 26th Joy received new Disciples through Affirmation of Baptism! Steve & Deborah
Alley, & The Ray Family, Bryan, Samantha, Rylee, Brennen & Tate. We welcome them to Joy!
JOY TO THE WORLD
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JOY TO THE WORLD
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We Remember in Prayer
Prayer is one of the Marks of discipleship. We invite everyone to grow in your
prayer life. These persons and concerns have been lifted up in the prayers of
the people of the people of Joy over the past few weeks.
Our NALC Staff: The NALC, Bishop John Brodosky; General Secretary Mark Chavez; Mission Director Pr. Gemechis
Buba; Assistant to the Bishop Pr. David Wendel; NALS President Rev. Dr. Amy Schifrin, STS; South Texas Mission
District Dean Tim Christ
Our Sister Congregations & Synods: Church of the Living God (Chinese), Pr. Joshua Ong; The Oromo Evangelical
Church, Pr. Kamiso Boru - Houston; Iglesia Lutherana de Christo Rey, Bishop Bezaleel Hernandez - Reynosa, Mexico;
The Ethiopian Church, Mekane Yesus
Congregational Members
- On-going Concerns:
Duane Boenig
Taylor Garrou
Lindsay & Stephen Lacy
Mike & June Meyer
Doris Bosse
Lou Gross
The Light family
Helen Pittard
Gail Frankevich
The John family
The Metze family
Milton Richards
James Goates
Darleen Kastner
Betty McDow
Relatives & Friends
Camryn Adkison & family
Trey Duhon
David Gardner
Judd family
Margaret Murray
Marilyn Bucoy
the Swisher family
Michelle Garcia
Savannah & Ruth Lerman
Anne Marie Rodrigues
Craig family
Justin & Erin Felker & Lillie
John & Betty Garrou
Steve Levering
Ester Salazar
Penny Diegelmann
Joyce Franklin
Komel Grover
Anthony Lopez
Fred Tonn
Ward Delcomyn
Skylar Hastedt
family of Paula Johnson
Cynthia McConathy
Larry Wittle
John Duffy
Mindy Hoo
Stan & Kathy Kubelka
Chuck McFadden
In Sympathy: To the families & friends of Jocelyn Chavez, d. 6/6/17 & Malaquias Sanchez, d. 3/17/17, & Joann Jares, d.
3/22/17, & Paula Johnson, d. 3/24/17.
Military: Joseph Malsey, & David Kelley lll
Our Values: Faithful - Family - Friends - Fun
Our Vision - Joy to the World!
Our Mission: Called by God, we reach out joyfully to share Jesus Christ with all people
by building healthy relationships with God and one another.
Parish Planning Board - Bill Bray (Vice-Chair.),Rick Curry, Doris Goates (Chairperson), Lori Hamner, Susan Krabbe, Larry Mikeska, &
June Tesch.
Joy Administrative Staff - Tim Christ, STS-Pastor; Logan Wilmoth, Vicar; Paula Curry - Administrative Assistant; Beth Horstman
- Treasurer; Denyse Bray - Evangelism; Laura Cabato - Social Ministry; Paula Curry &Tammy Soward - JoyLife; Corinne Light & Betty
Chirst - Youth & Family Ministry; Bill Bosse - Communications; Lou Gross - Worship
Joy Ministry Leaders & Teams - Darin Mielke - Choir Director; Carol Boenig- Organist & Accompanists; Tammy Canterbury, Rick
Curry, Jeanette & Milton Richards - Praise Band; Vickie Schoppe- Joyful Women & Women’s Bible Study; Mike Meyer - Men’s Bible
Study;