The Church Still Gathers

The Church Still Gathers

The Church Still Gathers Following the death of Jesus his followers were full of fear and anxiety. News of his resurrection didn’t go viral at first – it’s not like the people had Twitter or Facebook to stay atop the latest religious or political news. They were afraid and dejected,...

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"The Jews" did not kill Jesus

“The Jews” on Good Friday

"The Jews" did not kill Jesus Christians have a bad history when it comes to how we speak about, treat, and honor our Jewish sisters and brothers. For centuries Jews have suffered at the hands of Christians in religious and civil authority, scapegoated for everything from plagues to economic crises....

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Zoom for Ministry

Zoom Meetings for Ministry

Dear Partners in Ministry Download the Zoom Instructions Below are some guidelines to help improve our experience of fellowship when using Zoom, and to avoid possible hacking of calls with inappropriate material. This is especially important for all New Joy leaders who may host a Zoom call for church …...

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Home Communion Guidelines

Coronavirus Home Communion Update

Order for Sharing Holy Communion During Social Distancing March 25, 2020 Download the Instructions If you are unable to join in the livestream service: Live on Sundays at 9:30 am, or an archived recording of the service at a later time – use this order of prayer together with the...

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Holy Communion during the coronavirus outbreak

Holy Communion Amidst the Coronavirus Disruption

Holy Communion Amidst the Coronavirus Disruption The coronavirus has ushered us into a time of disruption. Our homelives are disrupted. Schools are disrupted. Business and the economy are disrupted. And most certainly, the medical community is disrupted. The church, too, is disrupted. We’re scattered in our homes, unable to come...

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Governor Holcomb announces a stay-at-home order

COVID-19 Update 03-24-20

Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ, On Monday at noon Governor Holcomb addressed the state announcing a "stay at home" order for all residents for the next two weeks. In his announcement he praised the efforts of medical professionals to safeguard our public health and care for the sick. We...

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Worship Suspended due to COVID-19

Worship Suspended

Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ, For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under the sun ... a time for embracing and a time for avoiding embraces. Ecclesiastes 3:1,5 New Joy Worship Services Suspended New Joy Lutheran Church is suspending worship services in response to the...

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Addressing the Coronavirus from Bishop Elizabeth Eaton

Addressing the Coronavirus By ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton ELCA presiding bishop addresses concerns about COVID-19 Originally posted 3/6/2020 at elca.org/News-and-Events/8025 ​In 1527 the plague returned to Wittenberg, Germany. Two hundred years earlier the plague had swept across Europe killing up to 40% of the population. Understandably, people were anxious...

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"Giving Up" for Lent

“Giving Up” for Lent

"Giving Up" for Lent By Pastor Chris Duckworth There’s something perfect about coming back to church after a year-long deployment only to return at the start of Lent – that purple season of fasting and discipline, of repentance and renewal. It might seem easier if I came back during the...

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Countdown to Race Day

Countdown to Race Day

Countdown to Race Day By Pastor Chris Duckworth Back in May I registered for next April’s Carmel Marathon. I have never looked ahead to a race so far in advance. Perhaps that means I’m taking this race more seriously … or perhaps it’s just a function of the longings of...

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Parroquia San Germán de Auxerre, San Germán, Puerto Rico

Sanctuary

Sanctuary For many Christians, the word “sanctuary” refers to the space in which they gather for worship. It’s a holy space, set apart for the radical, intimate encounter we have with our Lord when his Word is proclaimed and his Sacraments are shared with God’s people. A sanctuary is where...

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Freedom

Freedom

Freedom There’s a great song by the Soup Dragons that celebrates, with a great beat and bravado, that “I’m free to do what I want, any ol’ time.” This is the ideal in our society’s mind’s eye – we are free to choose what we want, to live how we...

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Sunrise in Kuwait

Greetings from Kuwait

Greetings from Kuwait Dear sisters and brothers at New Joy, Greetings to you in the midst of Vacation Bible School week! May your ministry of hospitality and community, of learning and playing, of singing and proclaiming the Gospel be a blessing to you, to our VBS families, and to the...

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Listening is love

Listening is Love

Listening is love by Pastor Chris Duckworth “Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to grow angry.” – James 1:19 Christians, and especially preachers, are known for speaking. We are called, after all, to proclaim God’s Word. Whether the...

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Pastor Chris Duckworth

Peace is a Gift

Dear Sisters & Brothers at New Joy, "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don't be troubled or afraid." - John 14:27 I think many households are starting to feel a kind of peace fall upon them...

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Movement at the Cross

Movements at the Cross

Movements at the Cross I’m traveling overseas in the next few weeks. There will be lots of movements. We’ll be packing up our barracks and equipment. Staging Soldiers and their gear. Moving to the airfield. The long flight with at least one stop. We’ll land several time zones away, and...

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Packing UP

Packing Up

Packing Up Dear members and friends at New Joy, I hope all is well back at New Joy! I loved seeing the pictures of the playground build, and I can imagine all the work underway as you prepare for the Easter Egg Hunt and Pancake Breakfast. Here at North Fort...

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Rank Insignias

Looking at Everyone with the Eyes of Faith

Looking at Everyone with the Eyes of Faith Being a Soldier has taught me to look at everyone. Before becoming a Soldier, I was always observant, and I like to think that I noticed people. But as a Soldier noticing those around you is a duty. You see, we wear...

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Greetings from Fort Hood

Greetings from Fort Hood Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, Greetings from North Fort Hood, where the Soldiers of the 638th Aviation Support Battalion are hard at work preparing for their Culminating Training Exercise (CTE) on way to validation to go overseas. The exercise is coming up soon, and in...

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Pastor Chris Duckworth

Taking Leave from New Joy

Taking Leave from New Joy This Sunday, January 20, will be my last Sunday with you before my extended leave for service overseas with the Indiana Army National Guard. Your partnership in the Gospel, both here at New Joy and with the US Army, is something for which I am...

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