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Dear Joy!
Gratitude fills my heart as I reflect on the incredible surprise 10-year anniversary celebration. Kudos to the amazing planners who pulled off the impossible – surprising me! My 50s were remarkable, thanks to my time at Joy! Now, as I step into my 60s, with God’s help, I'm determined to make them even more extraordinary. 2023, the first year of my 60s, was nothing short of amazing, a testament to the incredible community that is Joy! I firmly believe that God isn’t done with us yet! Our best years are still ahead. Let's take a moment to celebrate some of the highlights from 2023.
As I reflect upon the past 6 months, I think this verse summarizes them well. Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I am continually filled with God’s hope for Joy! Here are just a few concrete ways God continues to fill me with hope for our church.
Gratitude fills my heart as I reflect on the incredible surprise 10-year anniversary celebration. Kudos to the amazing planners who pulled off the impossible – surprising me! My 50s were remarkable, thanks to my time at Joy! Now, as I step into my 60s, with God’s help, I'm determined to make them even more extraordinary. 2023, the first year of my 60s, was nothing short of amazing, a testament to the incredible community that is Joy! I firmly believe that God isn’t done with us yet! Our best years are still ahead. Let's take a moment to celebrate some of the highlights from 2023.
As I reflect upon the past 6 months, I think this verse summarizes them well. Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I am continually filled with God’s hope for Joy! Here are just a few concrete ways God continues to fill me with hope for our church.
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WORSHIP ATTENDANCE
Since January 1, 2021, about 9 months into the pandemic and about the time we embraced being an affirming church, our Sunday worship attendance is trending upwards. This is good news, especially since most mainline Protestant churches are losing folks post-pandemic, and only a few are gaining. |
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NEW MEMBERS
Using the same timeline, new members are trending upward as well. GENEROSITY Your incredible generosity has made a significant impact! Out of the 141 pledges for 2024, 89 households increased their contributions. Our pledges alone have reached an impressive 83.9% of our total budget, amounting to $650,355 out of $775,000 – a key milestone in our annual goals. Furthermore, the consistent giving from individuals with a proven track record, who did not pledge but are expected to contribute $65,255 in 2024, adds to our financial stability. This success enables us to allocate money towards our three stewardship goals, to be distributed throughout the year, contingent on maintaining our current giving trajectory. |
THE FUTURE
Anticipating the future holds a mystery only God comprehends. Yet, the signs we've received hint at a promising trajectory of continuous growth. What my dedicated team and I are witnessing is a surge of individuals in search of a church like Joy!—a genuinely welcoming and affirming community. In my humble view, Joy! stands as one of Lake County's best-kept secrets, a Christ-loving sanctuary that embraces everyone as beloved children of God. I take pride in the unique spiritual oasis that God has fashioned at Joy!
So, what lies ahead? A courageous commitment to sharing our identity and inviting others into our faith community. Our mission is to extend a hand to those wounded by past church experiences and assure them that at Joy!, healing and wholeness are not just possible but eagerly embraced! How will we partner with God to make this happen?
We Will Learn
In February, Joy! staff will be heading to The Gathering; a church in St Louis known for creating a Christian community that is compelling for new generations of people. We will be attending The Beyond Conference (www.beyonda.network) where we can learn from churches and pastors who are known for reaching new and younger people.
We Will Invite
We're returning to our roots, rekindling the invitational spirit that defined us before the pandemic. Let's extend heartfelt invitations again – to join the livestream, be a part of small groups, find solace in support groups like Griefshare, and experience the warmth of worship. Someone new to Joy! shared that multiple invitations over a year made a lasting impact and they eventually came. Let's bring that spirit back, inviting others to discover the joy within our community. Together, let's embrace the journey ahead – because at Joy!, our story is still unfolding,
and the best chapters are yet to be written!
Anticipating the future holds a mystery only God comprehends. Yet, the signs we've received hint at a promising trajectory of continuous growth. What my dedicated team and I are witnessing is a surge of individuals in search of a church like Joy!—a genuinely welcoming and affirming community. In my humble view, Joy! stands as one of Lake County's best-kept secrets, a Christ-loving sanctuary that embraces everyone as beloved children of God. I take pride in the unique spiritual oasis that God has fashioned at Joy!
So, what lies ahead? A courageous commitment to sharing our identity and inviting others into our faith community. Our mission is to extend a hand to those wounded by past church experiences and assure them that at Joy!, healing and wholeness are not just possible but eagerly embraced! How will we partner with God to make this happen?
We Will Learn
In February, Joy! staff will be heading to The Gathering; a church in St Louis known for creating a Christian community that is compelling for new generations of people. We will be attending The Beyond Conference (www.beyonda.network) where we can learn from churches and pastors who are known for reaching new and younger people.
We Will Invite
We're returning to our roots, rekindling the invitational spirit that defined us before the pandemic. Let's extend heartfelt invitations again – to join the livestream, be a part of small groups, find solace in support groups like Griefshare, and experience the warmth of worship. Someone new to Joy! shared that multiple invitations over a year made a lasting impact and they eventually came. Let's bring that spirit back, inviting others to discover the joy within our community. Together, let's embrace the journey ahead – because at Joy!, our story is still unfolding,
and the best chapters are yet to be written!
