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Harbor’s BeaconMarch 2021Anchored in the WordGrowing through Worship and PrayerSharing the Joy of God’s Love for AllHarbor of Joy Lutheran Church1204 L Ave.Milford, Iowa

Pastor’s Notes!March 2021“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because ofyour partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a goodwork in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” Phil. 1:3-6.I’m making it a point, to use the newsletter as a way in keeping you informed on what I see God doing in ourmidst as a church. I look back since the last newsletter and look forward in the days, weeks or months aheaddepending on what God impresses on my heart. We are all extensions of Jesus’ hands and feet. So, let your lightshine and continue to be the salt of the earth inside as well as outside of the church walls!God is wanting us to keep the big picture in the forefront of our minds as a church. What is the big picture youmight ask? We are not always going to have what we have today at Harbor of Joy. The music with our PraiseBand is exceptional! I am blessed every Sunday as I sing and listen to them. On the other hand, the bandmembers are not getting any younger. We have lost a couple of friends in the last month (Skip Hughes & RubyHarris) that have been a part of Harbor of Joy over the last few years. We did not expect to lose these friends andour hearts go out to Colette and the Harris family. On the other hand, we are seeing some new faces on Sundaymornings. This is a good sign.Speaking of signs. The Lord is moving people to give to the new digital church sign. This sign will make usmore visible in the community and allow us to communicate more things about what is happening here at thechurch. Harbor of Joy is located on a busy street and the sign will aid in being an attention getter to those whodrive past the church. We will not purchase the sign until it can be paid for and the goal is 15,500. We havejust crossed the 12,000 mark on the thermometer in the narthex.A new fireplace insert has been installed in the Fireside Room, thanks to Steve Letcher! What a wonderfuladdition in adding a cozy place to visit with someone with a cup of coffee. It also gives some added heat to theroom. Dale Gehrels is in the process of giving a new look ot the narthex walls and making another bulletin boardin the Fellowship Room.Preparations are being made to have Confirmation Sunday on March 14th. We have 7 confirmands in Fast-TrackConfirmation instruction. This was to be 2 years of Confirmation in 1 year of instruction. Due to Covid-19 itgot stretched out longer. These students have been very dedicated in attending the classes and it has been a realjoy to help them learn about the Lord.

Currently, we have two weekly Bible studies. One for the women, Tuesdays at 9:30 am. Going through a DVDseries entitled, “Matchless” and one on the Book of Revelation that meets on Thursdays from Noon to 1pm.,open to everyone who wants to come. Lenten services are on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm. Following Jesus from theGarden of Gethsemane to the Cross. This is on Zoom too.These are some but not all of the encouraging things that God is doing at Harbor of Joy. Continue to reach out tothose who are lonely, going through loss of a loved one and going through some health issues.Blessings!Pastor TimLenten Reflections“Walk Humbly With God”Walking humbly with God brings us to an awareness of one’s defects or shortcomings.The prophet Micah, said that three things are required of us, to do justice, love kindness and walkhumbly with God. During this season of Lent we need to seek God’s forgiveness for the times wehave failed to seek justice, act with kindness and walk humbly with God.The privilege of prayer is one of the best ways to approach God for His forgiveness. He asks us toclear a path of reconciliation through repentance. There’s a way we can be reconciled to Him andreceive His love more fully in our hearts. He is always knocking at the door of our hearts asking tolet Him in. Each of us must come to our own personal experience of Jesus’ love and forgiveness.We are alive when we allow Jesus to impact our prayers and every aspect of our lives. Anonymous Anyone wishing to share a short story or reflection with us bring them to the church office.Charly

February 9, 2021The Council Meeting of the Harbor of Joy Lutheran Church was held via Zoom on February 9. Devotionwas led by Karen Sunde.February monthly Harbor of Joy financial report was provided and approved. Denny Struck added afterChristmas, winter months have historically been lower than other months for collection. Upon reviewingprevious year’s winter offerings, current giving appears “normal”. Snow removal costs will vary perweather.The property team met in February and purchased an electric fireplace insert for the fireside room. It isremote controlled. Pastor Tim and Dale Gehrels will work on putting together new “information boards”for the Narthex.A microphone is being used with the sound system in hopes to obtain better quality sound for services onzoom. This is a temporary fix until a more permanent updated sound system and an increase internetupload speed can be obtained. Denny will look into contracting RDI who specializes in sound systemsfor churches with a goal of keeping any updates under 2000.Questions and discussion held about updating the nursery. The church is looking into updating theDefibrillator in the Narthex.The LED sign donations have a current balance of over ( 10,780) 2/22/21 it is 12120.00. The goal is toraise 15,000. The goal display sign is updated and located in the lobby for a members to see andcontribute to the progress.Nursing home ministry provided gifts and pictures for Valentine’s Day to those in the Milford AccuraNursing Home.The Lenten schedule will be in the paper, including Zoo, link information.Lenten Services will be held Wednesdays at 7pm, beginning Ash Wednesday Feb. 17. There will be nosuppers this year. The theme will be “From Gethsemane to Golgotha”. April 1 is Maundy Thursday.Easter Service is April 4th.Pastor Tim continues to lead a study on the book of Revelation during “Lunch with a Bunch” onThursdays. Study is available to listen on the Harbor of Joy web site. Ladies have a Bible study Tuesdaymorning in the Fireside Room. Contact Patt Gehrels for more information.A motion passed for April 25th to have our Annual Congregational meeting directly after service. Reviewof those positions up for re-election. Anyone interested in nominating any names for positions, contactthe church office.Confirmation will be March 14th for the high school. Gift bags will be available for notes or gifts for theconfirmands.JoyKids resumes February 17th by You-Tube. They will be posting videos and doing crafts provided tothe families.JoyUs meets in the fireside room after school, 3:30-5:00pm. Grades 5 & 6.JoyFull meets Wednesday evening at 6:00pm. High School students.

Discussion of possible mission trips depending on COVID this summer. Parish Ed is also planningVacation Bible School for July 26-29.Discussion was held about how council had passed mask wearing in services. The “Mask Wearing” signson the doors and in church were updated to clarify expectations. Members who want to sit and havecoffee are welcome in the Fellowship Hall and encouraged to social distance. Reminder that socialdistance guidelines recommend people remain 6ft apart.Next council Meeting is March 9, 2021Respectfully Submitted,Roslyn Luers, SecretaryPARISH ED MINUTES—February 7, 2021Four members present on Zoom meeting.LCMC youth gathering will be a virtual event. Cost is 100 for all attending. Let Patti know ifanyone would like to be a part of this event.There is a mother that is interested in participating in a mission trip with her children. Wetalked about mission opportunities closer to home: Clean at Discovery House, cleanchurch camp and stay overnight, help at Bible Conference, and Community Table.Discussed the possibility of a family camp for Joy youth kids and families.Bible School will be at church on July 26-29th. Dena will order materials and if we need tocancel we will have the materials for another year or event.All is going well for different Joy youth groups. JoyKids’ teachers are still recording lessonsand posting on YouTube; JoyUs has been meeting on Wednesdays after school startingin February and JoyFull meets from 6-7pm on Wednesdays. JoyFull is using theMilestones series on God.Next meeting: March 3rd at 5:15pm or possibly a Zoom meeting on another day agreeableto all. No meeting in January.Dena Struck

Harbor of Joy LibraryMany thanks to all who continue to donate materials to the Harbor of Joy Library.The following is a list of new books, etc, that we have received.Non-FictionChristian Living:Secrets of the Well by Shane WarrenWhite-Knuckle Faith by Dave and Jeanne KaufmanOpening the Gates of Heaven by Perry StoneThe Code of the Holy Spirit by Perry StoneThe God Chasers by Tommy TenneyWhat Happened From the Cross to the Grave by E. W. KenyonThe Great Omission by Arnie JacobsonWhat If Jesus Had Never Been Born? By D. James KennedySelf-Deliverance Made Simple by Dennis and Dr. Jen ClarkHell’s Best Kept Secret by Ray ComfortHaving Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna WeaverA Lifestyle of Devine Encounters by Patricia BootsmaSimplifying Your Life by Mac HammondThe Love Revolution by Joyce MeyerPower of Hope by Joyce MeyerFictionWhen Christmas Comes by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine SpencerBible StudyNever Give up-Relentless Determination to Overcome Life’s Challenges by Joyce Meyer (kit)This is perfect weather to be doing a personal Bible Study, or one with a friend or two. The library hasseveral available. For the DVD studies, the DVD’s cam be checked out in Charly’s office, the books arein the library.You are welcome to visit the library anytime the church I open. Please remember to fill out the sign-upsheet on the counter.If you have read a good Christian book, or would like to read one you have herd about, please let us knowand we will see about getting it into the library.Stay warm, stay safe, and stay in God’s work.

Prayers Requests:Our Nation.Gay Mann, fell & has broken ribs, lacerations and other health problems.Walt Mier, home healing from recent surgery.Shirley Berry, health concerns.Dave Convy, needs prayers for strength and energy.Dean Ramsey’s friend Karen, diagnosed with esophageal Cancer.Congratulations to Isaac & Wendy Floss on the arrival of Jainy Kay. (prayer’s for Gma & Gpa Floss)Sympathies to Ross Dirks’s family in the death of his mother, Evelyn. Funeral was Tuesday.Praising God for: We now have 13,460.00 of 15,000, needed for the electronic sign.Through Out the WeekSunday Worship—9:30 AM. Everyone is welcome!10:45 AM., Fast Track Confirmation.Monday—Pastor Tim’s day off.Tuesday—9:30 am. Women’s Bible Study11:00 A.M. Prayer Group.Wednesday—5:30 pm. Jr. High Confirmation. JoyKids on WWW.Youtube.com. Search Joy Youth, Picture of church will indicate the correctchannel. JoyUs will begin Sept. 23rd, meeting at Harbor of Joy. 3:30 PM. JoyFull will begin Sept 23rd at Harbor of Joy. 6:00-7:00 PM.Thursday-- Noon, Lunch with a Bunch, “Revelation” Bible Study. Recorded and placed on Web page.Saturday (First of every month)-Men’s breakfast at Perkins’ at 7:30 am. March 6th.Charly is in the office dailyPlease Notify church office of any shut-ins or anyone ill who would appreciate a visit or call.Confirmation for 7 of our youth is on March 14 during worship.A table will beset up for each of them in the fellowship hall for cards gifts etc. All communications for April newsletter are due on March 26th.Annual Congregation Meeting will be held April 25th directly afterworship, so there won’t be a Newsletter for May.