Joy Lutheran Church, 717 FM 359, Richmond, TX 77406Office Phone: 281-762-3310 Office Fax: 281-232-2899

E-mail: office@joyrichmond.org and pastor@joyrichmnd.orgWeb site: www.joyrichmond.org

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

2 Prepare for Worship

3 Up Coming Events

4 On Going Events

5 FDIC

6 Camp Joy

7 Joy Graduates

8 Big Heart Orphanage

9 Thank You Notes

10 In Memoriuim Betty Christ

12 Prayers

JOY TO THE WORLD Joy Lutheran Church, Richmond, TX

JUNE 2018

What do you say, when there’s honestly, nothing that can be said?

Words are woefully inadequate to express my gratitude for the support which this faith community has provided, not only for me, but for so many others before me. But as all of us who have walked this path are aware, all too quickly, life goes on … for everyone else. But for us whose lives are forever changed…

Well, it wasn’t supposed to be this way. We were supposed to grow old together. We were approaching the age when retirement was in sight and the freedom to spoil grandkids and have adventures together was in view on the horizon. She was the healthy one, who exercised faithfully and ate and cooked wisely. If anyone should have gone as a result of lifestyle and bad habits it was me. But life is obviously not fair. I sometimes wonder if anyone who hasn’t faced significant trials and suffering will ever get the message that “life isn’t fair” through their thick skulls? We’re not in charge, no matter how much we try to convince ourselves we are.

And so, the good Lord called my beloved Betty to Himself and left my life silent and empty. She was my anchor, my rock, my conscience and the governor on living. I do not know what lies ahead. And you want to know something? Right now, I really don’t care.

Throughout my ministry I’ve often seen a spouse die shortly after the death of a spouse. The old-timers always referred to the cause as, “They died of a broken heart.” I get it. I’m not saying that is going to be my story, but I get it. And if, for some reason it should be my story, right now it’s okay with me.

I have hurt, deeply, throughout my ministry, even though many folks thought I was pretty heartless! I’m well aware, particularly as an introvert, that I have subjugated my own feelings and can appear to be fairly heartless. And, unfortunately in ministry, there are times when heartless is necessary because the sinfulness of people must be confronted by God’s Law and what is often called “tough love”. It goes with the pastoral territory.

But I would never have comprehended hurt this deep, this high, this wide. Maybe it will make me a better Pastor. Maybe it will make me an iconoclastic old curmudgeonly hermit. I don’t know at this point.

What I do know is this: at no point in my life up to this point has my faith been as tested as now. The promises of God in Christ had better be TRUE! Not for me. For my dear Betty. I don’t care about myself. The “faith” that seemed the norm for most folks and for me, the faith I strive to proclaim, entered into a dimension for me that was previously unknown and unexplored.

These folks who glibly offer comfort by saying, “Betty’s fine,” or “she’s watching over you,” just don’t have a clue! I, we, have no choice but to finally place our loved ones in the hands of Jesus the Christ. But no amount of philosophical imagination is sufficient to ease the challenge of true faith. No facts, no evidence, save for the witness of twelve glorious cowards and a few others, that resurrection is even possible. We bury our dead in the “hope” and “promise” of resurrection to life eternal catch that: “hope” and “promise”, period. Anything less is not faith but mere pious and ultimately deadly speculation.

My prayer right now is simple: “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!” And my request of you is also simple: grant me patience, forbearance and time.

Pastor Tim

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

OFFERINGS MAY

GENERAL FUND: 26,525.96

(AVG. WEEKLY GENERAL FUND

OFFERING ) $6,631.43

TOTAL MONTHLY GIFTS from all funds:

31,971.35

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: office@joyrichmond.org

Page 2 JOY TO THE WORLD

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.

PENTECOST 2 PENTECOST 3 June 3rd June 10th Deut. 5:12-15 Gen. 3:8-15 Psalm 81:1-10 Psalm 130 2 Cor.4:5-12 2 Cor. 4:13-5:1 Mark 2:23-3:6 Mark 3:20-35

PENTECOST 4 PENTECOST 5 June 17th June 24th Ezek. 17:22-24 Job 38:1-11 Psalm 92:1-4,12-15 Psalm 107:1-3,23-32 2 Cor. 5:6-10(11-13),14-17 2 cor. 6:1-13 Mark 4:26-34 Mark 4:35-41

Summer Children’s Message

We will not have the Children’s Message during

worship services this summer. We encourage

parents to have the children follow the service, learn the Lords Prayer and songs and

actively participate! Sitting near the front helps children stay involved in the

service.

6/5 Dan & Kathy Strode 42 yrs

Dr. David and Mrs. Martha Willis Scholarship for Higher Education.

Graduating Joy Lutheran Church High School Seniors are encouraged to apply for one of two $500 scholarships to be awarded on July 1st.   Application forms and submission instructions will be available on the table in the Narthex. Completed applications, essays and two letters of recommendation are due June 1st. 

2018 LUTHERAN WEEK, NALC CONVOCATION

NALC Lutheran Week will be held August 13th - 17th, in Denver, Colorado. Susan Krabbe will be attending as a delegate for Joy along with Pastor Tim. Larry & Melissa Mikeska & Beth Horstman are also planning to attend the Convocation.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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VIA DE CRISTO 4th Day Community

Will Meet on Sunday, June 17th, from 4-6pm

“BABY BOTTLE BOOMERANG”THE PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER WILL BE COLLECTING DONATIONS FROM MOTHERS DAY

THRU FATHERS DAY!

TAKE A BOTTLE FROM THE NARTHEX, FILL IT WITH CASH OR CHECKS

MAKE CHECKS OUT TO PRMC.BRING IT BACK BY FATHERS DAY!!

BOB VOGLER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Information is on the bulletin board in the

Narthex. Deadline is July 1st.

Father’s Day is June 17th!

CAMP JOY PLANNING MEETING Please join us Thursday, June 7th at 7:00pm in the fellowship hall to continue planning Camp Joy VBS. Everyone is welcome to come and join us!

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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.

Men's Bible Study will break for summer and resume in September. Men’s Bible Study

normally meets on Thursdays at 7:30 in the Gathering Place.

ON-GOING EVENTS

SHADE TREE MINISTRY

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

Sandwich making is temporarily suspended until the new kitchen is ready. We will begin again at that time!

Joyful Women Bible Study We will take a break through the summer, The Joyful Women Bible Study is normally held on Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm.

2018 FLOWER CHART

The 2018 Flower Chart is up on the bulletin board in the narthex. Please sign up for the Sundays you would like to bring altar flowers in the new year! Be sure to list memorial/celebrations you would like acknowledged in the Toolkit.

For Church repairs, maintenance or anything that might need fixing in or around Joy, please call or e-mail the church office at office@joyrichmond.org or 281-762-3310.

We will put our skilled handy men on the job!

4th Day Community Will Meet at Joy on Sunday, 17th, from

4-6pm.

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FDIC

Baccalaureate Celebration

We will celebrate our graduates today at the 10:30 service. We will have a reception in the Fellowship Hall during the Sunday School hour and continuing after 2nd service. Kennedy Wilson is graduating from Travis High School, and Kristen Curry graduated from the University of Houston.

Celebrate All Who Help with Children and Youth at Joy on Sunday, June 3rd.

Along with celebrating our graduates, we would also like to recognize and say thank you to all who help with our youth. Many thanks to Tracy and Mike Posey and Chris and Laura Cabato for teaching our High School students; to Mary Budd and Denyse Bray for teaching our upper elementary and middle school students; to Corinne Light and Tammy Soward for teaching our lower elementary students and to Tammy Soward, Judy Ronning, Helen Celeketic, Kathy Faucett, and Aryn Rieder for their work with the Toddler students and classroom prep work. Especially a huge shout out to Richard and Helen Celeketic for getting the room painted and prepped! Also, a big thanks to willing subs like John and Cheryl Garrou and Matt Lyons. This is also a good time to recognize our Children’s Message volunteers: Kathy Strode, Tracy Posey, Doris Goates at 10:30 Worship. Even though we haven’t been having Children’s message at early Worship lately our volunteers who faithfully served here are Laura Parnell, June Tesch and Tammy Soward. Special thanks to Darwin Marvin and Fred Kunzler, our property guys who do such a good job taking care of our Sunday School rooms!

Please join us Sunday, June 3rd immediately after first worship till around 9:30 and then from 10:00 – 10:30 for cake and punch. From 9:30-10:00 please come to the Sanctuary to hear more about the Holy Land journey.

Confirma(onCampJune17-22

PleasekeepouryouthgoingtoConfirma(onCampatChrysalisinyourprayers.CorinneLightwillbeadultsponsorwithMichaelBray,BrandonBudd,AidenandJackLyons,KaiaSenn,GraceGoatesandAvaLightaIending.

SummerSundaySchool–SummerProjects

WewilltakeabreakfromregularSundaySchoolforchildrenandyouth.StaytunedfordetailsofRallyDayandSundaySchoolfornewschoolyear.ThenurseryisalwaysavailableforToddlersduringSundaySchoolhour.ElementarythroughHighSchoolyouthcanalsoalwaysa?endtheadultSundaySchool@me.

OurspecialserviceprojectforJunewillbeaJrHighClassroomcleanoutonThursday,June7th.Pleasejoinusaround9amandwewillhelpmovestufftothekitchen,helpShadeTreemovetheirthingsanddoareallygoodcleanoutofthatroomsoitisreadyfornextyear.We’llhavepizzaforlunchandthengobacktoCorinne’shouseforswimmingwhenwearefinished.Allagesarewelcome–includingadults!!!!

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CampJoyatJoyLutheranChurchtogetherwithCrossTrailsMinistrycounselors

717FM359Richmond,TXJuly15th4:00–7:00PMSPLASHDAY

July16th–19th5:00–8:30PM

Joy LutheranChurch is excited tohostCamp Joywhich is a combina(onof tradi(onal campac(vi(es inamoreVBSformat. Cross TrailsMinistry is located in Kerrville, TX and we contract with them to send counselors to lead theelementaryagedkids(enteringK–star(ng5thforthe2018-2019schoolyear).Joyvolunteersalsoprovidea‘minicamp’forkidsaged2-4asofJuly1,2018.Wealsohaveanadultstudycomponent.Dinnerisprovidedeacheveningforall.

SCHEDULE(maybeadjusted)

Sunday,July15th4:00–7:00SplashDay–wear/bringswimsuits,towelsandsunscreen.Waterslides,etcwillbeonsite.Wewillhaveadinnerofhotdogs,chips,andfruitwiths’moresbythecampfireajerourkickoff

worship.

Monday–Thursday5:00–8:30(withadjusted(mesforminicampers.)

5:00–5:20Register/Openingsingalong5:20-5:50Dinnerprovidedeachevening

5:50-7:50Ac(vityrota(on(Biblestudy,crajs,games)7:50-8:15Allcampac(vity8:15–8:30ClosingWorship

ThursdayeveningweinvitealltostayforanIceCreamSocialajerWorship.

Registra)onbeginsMay1standislimitedtofirst30elementaryagedkidsand10minicampers.Feeis$40.00forfirstchildinafamilyand$30.00foreachaddi)onalchild.Feeincludesachildtshirt.Registra)onforms/

paymentshouldbereturnedtotheJoyofficeopenMon,WedsandThurs.from9am–2pm.Call(281)762-3310oremailoffice@joyrichmond.orgforques)ons.

Tenta)veDinnerMenu:Monday–Tacos;Tuesday–PizzaCasserole;Wednesday–HamandCheeseSandwiches;andThursday–DominosPizza.Eachdaywewillhavefruitandpickles.HotDogswillbeavailableeachdayifkidsdo

notliketheabovechoices.Waterandlemonadeeachday.

CampJoyServiceProject2018–schoolsuppliesforBigHeartOrphanageinReynosa,Mexico

JOY TO THE WORLD Page 7

Kennedy Grace Wilson Age: 18 High School Graduating From: William B. Travis High School Summer Plans:  work, volunteer, and, dance. College you plan to attend: Wharton County Junior College- Sugar Land Chosen Major: Nursing Extracurricular Activities:  HOSA(health occupational students of

America) and Travis Belles dance team Baptized: 3/26/16 Joy Lutheran Church Confirmed:  Joy Lutheran Church

Any experiences in your life that have shaped who you have become that you are willing to share: When I was younger I was involved in girl scouts and I honestly learned so much about myself and learned all about life as well as, becoming an independent woman. Another experience that has shaped who I am now is, being a chaplain for my dance team. I grew stronger from each prayer I prayed for the team and my relationship with God has blossomed into the person I am now.

Kristen Curry Age: 22

Graduating From: University of Houston Summer Plans: Relax and enjoy my time off before beginning work on July 2nd. Chosen Major: Bachelors of Science - Chemical Engineering Extracurricular Activities:  During college I spent most of my time

studying, lol! I look forward to getting back to quilting and reading now that I am done with school. Future Plans: Begin working with Baker Hughes a GE Company with the chemicals team in Sugar Land.

Baptized: 10/10/1995 at St. Philip Lutheran Church

Confirmed: 10/29/2009 at Joy Lutheran Church

Any experiences in your life that have shaped who you have become that you are willing to share: My faith in Christ which has always kept me grounded. I have the most supportive family, and church family in the world! They always had unending faith in me even when I didn’t think I could do it, and I am excited to begin this new chapter in my life!

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THANK YOU NOTES

Helping Hands - We received your generous gift of $531.72 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 $223.00. 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 $531.72 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.

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INMEMORIUM

(SiXnginarockerlastsummeratgrandparentcampontheporchofacabinatCampChrysalis,Kerrville,TX.Her“favoriteplace”!)

BettyAnn(neeSachs)ChristwasbornonAugust16,1955inFriona,TexastoMelvinGilbertandEstherMeta(neeKrueger)Sachs.ShewasbaptizedintothedeathandresurrectionofJesusChristonSeptember4,1955atImmanuelLutheranChurchintheRheaCommunity,ruralParmerCounty,Texas,withPastorE.J.Stellingpresiding.HerGodparentswereheraunts,IreneGoberandAlmaGoetz.SheafRirmedherbaptismalcovenantintheRiteofConRirmationandreceivedherFirstCommuniononMarch30,1969atRedeemerLutheraninFriona,TexaswithPastorOttoKretzmannpresiding.BettygraduatedayearaheadofherclassfromFrionaHighSchoolin1972.SheattendedConcordiaUniversity-Austin,SouthPlainsCommunityCollege,Levelland;TexasTechUniversityinLubbockandTexasLutheranCollege(nowUniversity)inSeguin;andcompletedherdegreeworkatSangamonStateUniversity(nowUniv.ofIllinoisatSpringRield)inSpringRield,Illinoisin1978receivingaBachelorofArtsdegreeinChild,FamilyandCommunityServices.WhiletravelingwiththeLutheranYouthEncounterMinistryTeam“Hosanna”shemetB.A.“Tim”ChristinSpringRield,Ill.TheywereunitedinmarriageonSeptember3,1977atFaithLutheranChurchinSpringRieldwithPastorWellingtonWitkoppresiding.Theirunionproducedthreechildren.

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Betty’spassionwaseducation,especiallyChristianeducationandformation,havingbegunteachingSundaySchoolattheageof14.Retiringfrompubliceducationin2013,shehadtaughtatBurtonISD,AldineISD,WallerISD,LamarISDandAliefISD.ShealsotaughtatSacredHeartAcademyinCrosby,andafterretirementfromthepublicsector,forthelastRiveyearsatWestlakeChristianPreparatoryAcademy(LCMS)inwestHouston,goingondisabilityasaresultofcancer.ShealsoservedforaperiodoftimeasaRieldrepresentativeforAugsburg-FortressPublishinghouse,servingChurchesandChristianBookstoresinsixstates.Betty’slifewasactiveintheChurchwhereverhusbandTimwasservingasPastor,includingEmmanuelLutheran(Greenvine),Burton,TX;AtascocitaLutheran,Humble,TX;ZionLutheran(Zionsville),Brenham,TX;andforthepast18-yearsatJoyLutheraninRichmond,Texas.ShealsoservedatDistrictandSynodicallevelsinChristianEducation.BibleCampwasalwaysnearanddeartoherheartandshewasinvolvedincampingministryatCetaGleninPaloDuroCanyon;CampLoneStarinLaGrange;CampLutherhillinLaGrange,andmostrecentlywithCrossTrailsMinistryandCampChrysalisatKerrville,especiallyenjoyinggrand-parentcampwithhergrandchildren.Afterayear-longbattlewithcoloncancer,BettywascalledfromtheChurchMilitanttotheChurchTriumphantwhileathomewithherhusbandTim,sonJoshuaanddaughterJessicabyhersideonMay7,2018attheageof62-years,8-monthsand21-days.Bettyissurvivedbyherhusbandofnearly41-years,PastorBernardAugustus“Tim”Christ,STS;twosons;TimothyDavid(Betty)ChristofSanAntonio,TX;JoshuaDaniel(Shannon)ChristofGeorgetown,TX;andone-daughter,JessicaRachael(Sergio)Christ-RoblesofKaty,TX.Sheisalsosurvivedbyfourgrandsons:KalebMelvinChristofSanAntonio;KeatonAugustusandAsherDanielChristofGeorgetownandNicholasEvanChrist-HoodofKaty.Inaddition,Bettyissurvivedbyher96-year-oldmother,EstherMetaSachsofPahrump,Nevada;two-half-brothers;Charles(Glenna)WagnerofPahrumpandSteve(Georgia)WagnerofBrighton,Colorado.Sheisalsosurvivedbyonenephewand2niecesandtheirfamilies.Inaddition,Bettyissurvivedbynumerouscousinsandmany,manyfriendsandcolleagues.Bettywasprecededindeathbyhergrandparents;herfather,MelvinGilbertSachs;4-auntsandtwouncles.Bettycarefullypreparedherrequiemworshiptoproclaim“JesusasLord”inthepromisedhopeoftheResurrectionoftheBodytolifeeternal.AtimeofremembranceandcomfortwasheldonWednesdayevening,May16that7:00p.m.intheparishhallatJoyLutheranChurch.TherequiemworshipwasheldatJoyLutheranChurchonThursday,May17that11:00a.m.withthethreeVicarswhotrainedatJoyLutheranleadingworship:Pr.TonyaBrittain,STS;presiding;Pr.ChrisMetze,assisting,andVicarLoganWilmothpreaching.AreceptionfollowedtherequiemworshipintheParishHallatJoyLutheranwiththefoodprovidedby“It’sthePits”CookersandJoyfulWomen.InurnmenttookplaceattheRheaLutheranCemeteryinruralParmerCounty,TexasonSaturday,May19that10:30a.m.ThefamilyrequestsnoRlowersbutrathermemorialsmaybemadetoCrossTrailsMinistry,391UpperTurtleCreekRd.,Kerrville,TX78028;orJoyLutheranChurch,717FM359,Richmond,TX77406.

✠Resteternalgranther,OLord,andmaylightperpetualshineuponher.✠

We Remember in PrayerPrayer 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 Bradosky; 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; Director of Communications, Pr. Mark Ryman 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 Leaders: especially our Pastor, Parish Planning Board & Staff

Congregational Members - On-going Concerns:

Christ family Darleen Kastner Mike Meyer Betty McDow

Gail Frankevich Lou Gross Walt Mueller Helen & Sean Pittard

Beth Horstman Joyce & Ewald Lopata Chris ParnellRelatives & Friends

Camryn Adkison & family Joshua Garcia Judd family Mary Ramirez Vera Family

Vic Allen Tom Gerber Aamer Kahn Les Rhineheart Drew Willis

Luke Barrington Rhett Gray Mark Kastner Kathy Romeo family

Craig family Donna Hackett Abraham Kurien Gary Rossler

George Duarte Darlene Hoffman Jack Lacy Jerry Russell

Christian Drescher Ronny Huckabee Taylor Lipani Ryan Smith

Diana Evans Jessica Kauldon Ochs Kaitlyn Torres

Our Values: Faithful - Family - Friendly - 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 - Rick Curry (Vice-Chair.),Mike Gann (Chairperson), Lori Hamner, Susan Krabbe, Larry Mikeska, & June Tesch. Joy Administrative Staff - Tim Christ, STS-Pastor; Paula Curry - Administrative Assistant; Donna Rae - Treasurer; Denyse Bray - Evangelism; Laura Cabato - Social Ministry; Paula Curry &Tammy Soward - JoyLife; Corinne Light - Youth & Family Ministry; Bill Bosse - Communications; Joy Ministry Leaders & Teams - Darin Mielke - Choir Director; Susan Terry Organist and accompanist; Tammy Canterbury, Rick Curry, Susan Krabbe, Ben Taylor & Jeanette & Milton Richards - Praise Band; Vickie Schoppe- Joyful Women & Women’s Bible Study; Mike Meyer - Men’s Bible Study

In Sympathy: To the families & friends of our congregational member and wife of Pr. Tim, Betty Christ d. 5/7/18. Military: Joseph Malsey