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...
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...
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...
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...
"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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...