February Bible Study

During 2011-12, we have been studying the Gospel of Mark.  We have experienced Jesus’ birth and his time as a teacher, preacher, and healer. We have witnessed his many miracles.  But now Jesus’s messianic identity is progressively being revealed to the disciples and to us as we study this Gospel.  Soon Jesus’ public ministry will come to an end. In February’s study, we will be looking at some tough questions, some asked of Jesus, and others are tough questions Jesus poses for those who encounter him. Marriage, divorce, children, power, prestige, and sacrificial living are all discussed.  What it means to be a disciple of Jesus stands at the heart of all of these exchanges. All women  are invited to join us at either of our two monthly studies, held as follows:

Thursday February 16 7:00 p.m. Marcia Lindseth/Emilie Horken, Leaders

Tuesday February 21 1:30p.m. Wilma Timm, Leader (at Manor Apts)

2011-2012 Bible Study

All women of our church are invited to participate in the 2011-2012 Bible Study. This year, we will be studying the Gospel of Mark with an emphasis on what it means to follow Jesus Christ today. This study, entitled “To Follow and to Serve: The Gospel of Mark”, will help us answer these questions: Who is this Jesus? What does it mean to follow him? How does God’s will intersect with our lives today? And finally, what does Jesus’ resurrection from the dead 2,000 years ago mean for our lives? The study is written by Rev. Patricia Lull, Executive Director of the St. Paul Area Council of Church. She is an ELCA pastor who has served as a parish pastor, director of campus ministry in the ELCA, and as dean of students at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. This year, we will offer two opportunities for Bible Study – an afternoon group that meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at the Manor Apartments and an evening group that meets on the third Thursday of each month from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room at Joy. Copies of the monthly Bible Study can be found in the Women of the ELCA’s magazine, “Gather.” (Learn more at gathermagazine.org or call 800-328-4648 to subscribe $12/10 issues.) September’s study can also be found online at www.womenoftheelca.org. September’s study is called “Jesus of Nazareth”. It will introduce the Gospel of Mark, highlighting historical characteristics and literary features that make Mark one of a kind. We will set the stage for coming to see who this Jesus of Nazareth really is and introduce many of the themes of discipleship that thread through the entire Gospel account. Read Chapter 1 of Mark in preparation, if possible. ALL women of Joy are invited to join us at one of the following times each month: 2nd Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. at The Manor Apartments (led by Wilma Timm) or 3rd Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at Joy (led by Marcia Lindseth / Em Horken).

Thankoffering Service to be Held on Bold Women Sunday

Join us on Sunday, February 26, 2012

Women of the Lutheran Church have been gathering for Thankofferings since the early 1900s. It is a tradition grounded in our celebration of community. We gather together as faithful women joyfully giving thanks and praise for what God has given to us. Again this year, the Thankoffering Service will be held on Bold Women’s Day, which is observed by the Women of the ELCA on the fourth Sunday in February. Bold Women’s Day celebrates all Lutheran women who have acted, or are acting boldly, on their faith in Jesus Christ. This year’s service will honor one of the oldest members of our congregation, Leora Rawn, who turned 95 on her last birthday. Leora is certainly an example of a bold woman! We will learn more about Leora, and celebrate her 95 years, with a message from her nephew, Ken Knight. Our entire congregation is invited to participate in this special service at both the 8:15 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. services. A special thank offering will be taken to support the total outreach of the Women of the ELCA. A “Bold Woman Bookmark” with dates of our JW/ELCA events in 2012 will be given to each woman attending the services. Join us for a special worship service of thanksgiving and to celebrate and honor the contributions and work of the bold women of our church!

World Day of Prayer

World Day of Prayer is Friday, March 2, 2012
“Selamat Datang” – “Peace and Welcome”

Our JW/ELCA has been invited to join the women of other Prescott churches to observe the annual ecumenical World Day of Prayer service. This year, the service will be hosted by the women of St. John’s United Church of Christ on County Road QQ, 5 miles east of Prescott, south of Highway 10. The program will begin at 11:00 a.m., and it will be followed by a noon luncheon. This year’s theme is “Let Justice Prevail.” The service was written by the women of Malaysia who state, “We affirm that we are Christian neighbors in a multi-religious world. The World Day of Prayer Committee of Malaysia offers the example of how we are Christian neighbors whose informed prayer prompts us to be partners with all who desire that justice will prevail.” Join us as we come together on March 2 to think about justice and how we may approach it in an interfaith world. We are all invited by the women of Malaysia to work with them, with God and with the people nearest to us to create a world in which each gender, race, culture, religion, and state is honored, nurtured and empowered. If you would like to participate in this service, or if you need a ride to the service, please contact Marcia Lindseth.

Mark Your Calendars

Looking Ahead . . . . Mark Your Calendar!

    † Tuesday, March 13, 7:00 p.m. – General JW/ELCA Meeting to Plan Spring Banquet & conduct business

    † Thursday, March 15 – Deadline for SWO Convention Scholarship (see form in Northwester on JW/ELCA Board)

    † Saturday, March 24, 9:00 a.m. – St. Croix Conference Morning of Renewal, Redeemer Luth., Burkhart

    † Friday-Saturday, April 27-28 – Northwest WI Synod Women’s Organization (SWO) Convention Plaza Hotel, Eau Claire (See Northwester newsletter on JW/ELCA bulletin board for more information about the convention. It’s going to be a great convention so plan now to attend!)

    † Sunday, April 29, 5:00 p.m. – JW/ELCA Spring Banquet