A Message from Pastor Sara - Joy Reigns Lutheran Church

WE EXIST THAT ALL MAY KNOW JESUS CHRIST AND BECOME HIS FULLY DEVOTED FOLLOWERS.
A Message from Pastor Sara
According to an extensive new
survey by the Pew Research Center
out this week, the Christian share of
the U.S. population is declining,
while the number of U.S. adults who
do not identify with any organized
religion is growing. Moreover, these
changes are taking place across the
religious landscape, affecting all
regions of the country and many
demographic groups. While the drop
in Christian affiliation is particularly
pronounced among young adults, it
is occurring among Americans of all
ages. The same trends are seen
among whites, blacks and Latinos;
among both college graduates and
adults with only a high school
education; and among women as
well as men.
It seems all the more important
then that the reading assigned
for this Sunday is about adding to
the apostles after the departure of
Judas. The job of the apostles was
to witness to Jesus’ resurrection.
And still today that is our job! How
does it look for us as followers of
Jesus to witness to the Resurrection
in the changing religious landscape
that we live in? Jesus promises that
the Holy Spirit will be given to us.
I'm energized and excited to do this
challenging work together!
Blessings,
Pastor Sara
BOWIE BAYSOX BASEBALL BASH!
Interested in spending an evening at the Bowie Baysox ball park having an
Italian buffet dinner and watching a baseball game together? We have reserved
the air-conditioned owner's suite for JRLC on Thursday, July 30th. The price is
$22 per person, $10 for ages 3-5. A minimum of 50 people is required to get
these low prices. Please email Lisa Lasfargues (lisa@llphotopub.com) or Sara
Starry (starry.saraz@gmail.com) by Sunday, May 31st and let us know if you are
interested in joining in the fun! Stay tuned for how this event will be connected
to an exciting summer preaching series.
CUSTODIAL HELP NEEDED AT JOY REIGNS BEGINNING JUNE 1
With thanks to Maddie Graham for her service, we are now looking for weekly
custodial help at Joy Reigns to begin June 1st. If you are interested in applying
or know someone who is, please have them contact Pastor Sara at 410-2665691 or by email at sarayotter@gmail.com
May 15 — May 22, 2015
THIS WEEK’S LESSON
Acts 1:15–17, 21–26
CHURCH AND OFFICE
35 Mayo Road
Edgewater, Maryland 21037
PHONE
410-266-5691
EMAIL
info@joyreignslutheranchurch.org
WEBSITE
www.joyreignslutheranchurch.org
PRAISE WORSHIP
Sunday at 9:15 AM and 10:30 AM
Nursery starts at 9:10 AM
SUNDAY SCHOOL
9:15 AM Wrap Up Party
THRIFT SHOP
Open Monday and Saturday
9 AM — 12 PM
PASTOR
The Rev. Sara Yotter
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Lenore Liller
TRANSITIONAL OFFICE
ADMINISTRATORS
Jen Mabe
Sonya Connolly
YOUTH LEADERS
Ali & Scott Purvis
JOY THRIFT COORDINATOR
Michelle Poole
Vacation Bible School June 22-26, from 9:00 a.m. to noon each day
Catch the Buzz! invites children to add their hands, their voices, their minds
and their hearts to being a part of God’s work in the world. Through Bible
stories, games, crafts, snacks, stories and songs, children will learn about
malaria and how it is affecting children around the world.
They will also have the opportunity to join in the fight to end malaria. But,
most importantly, children will learn about how much God loves them and all
of God’s children.
They will experience how God works through their hands and the hands of
others to make a real difference in the world for God’s people. “God’s work.
Our hands.”
Registration forms for volunteers and participants are now available at Joy Reigns — or just click on the links below
and download them at home. The registration fee is $25 per child (with a maximum of $75 per family) for learning
materials, snacks and supplies. Just turn in your registration package at the church office or drop it in the offering
plate on Sunday — and get ready to Catch the Buzz! VBS Participant Form
VBS Volunteer Form
Other Announcements
TECH TEAM MINISTRY
Would you like to be part of the team that creates visually appealing worship experiences? Bob Yatsuk is training this
summer those interested in joining this ministry! Contact him at 410-991-4213 or Pastor Sara if you are interested.
WORSHIP LEADER MINISTRY
Our Worship Leader Ministry is looking for some additional members, so let Pastor Sara know if you are interested in
participating in worship in this way!
BUY SCRIP FOR FATHER’S DAY!
If you need a gift idea for Father’s Day (June 21), here it is! Some new gift cards are available in stock, such as
Home Depot and Advanced Auto Parts…OR choose that perfect card for that important man in your life from a wide
variety of restaurants or stores. See the back table after church to place an order today!
MODIFIED OFFICE HOURS
The transitional office hours will be Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00 p.m. until 3 p.m.
Thursday morning and Friday morning hours will be by appointment.
Prayers
Healing prayers for Lou Saccoccio,
Rita Dunbar, Steff Linden,
and Kenneth Graham.
We also pray for those affected by
another earthquake and helicopter
crash in Nepal and those affected
by the Amtrak tragedy.
* If you'd like a prayer added to this list
please email officejrc@gmail.com.
Congregational Giving Snapshot for the Week Ending Sunday 5/10/15
General Giving received last week (Includes Matching Gift of $1,340.58)
$6,043.58
Total General Giving received in May
$10,548.58
Total needed for each month
$18,098.00
Thrift Shop received last week
Nepal Earthquake Giving
JOY REIGNS
$614.75
$420
i s an E L C A ch ur ch t h at sh ar es a li v i n g, da r i n g c on f i den ce i n
G od’ s gr ace. F or us, t h i s f a i t h come s t h r ough t h e good n ews of J esus C h r i st
an d gi v es us t h e f r eed om an d t h e cour ag e t o won der , di scov er an d b ol dly
p ar t i ci p at e i n wh at G od i s up t o i n t h e wor ld. L i b e r at ed b y o ur f ai t h , we
emb r ace ev er yon e as a wh o le p er s on — quest i on s, comp lex i t i e s an d al l.