Spirit of Joy

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID

RAMONA, CA PERMIT NO. 5

Spirit of Joy LUTHERAN CHURCH 1735 Main Street Ramona, CA 92065 February 2014 REV. DAN ERLENBUSCH 760-788-7456

MESSAGE MOMENTS

We have begun a new year, and already find ourselves

moving into the month of February. I hope that individually and

collectively as families of Spirit of Joy you have recommitted

yourselves to the ministry of this church. Last Sunday we used the

analogy of an orchestra conductor and orchestra. When one of the

instruments is missing, and a member of the band is not present, the

music is not quite the same. Just so with the church. It takes our

committed life to make the ministry vital, and the mission and

vision that we all share to move forward. I pray that everyone will

take their church life seriously, and that each Sunday will be an

important part of the journey and life of faith.

As we look to the future we have some great plans in store

for the Lenten Season. Once again we begin our walk to the cross

with Ash Wednesday. The service will include our traditional

liturgy with communion and ashes. The message for the evening

will be a musical one introducing the Ugandan Orphans

Choir. They will share their special music, instruments, and dance

with us as we contemplate the walk that each of us takes to the

cross. There will also be gifts for all who worship on

Ash Wednesday, and a special Lenten Devotional entitled "The

Lord's Prayer for Lent".

Each Wednesday following Ash Wednesday for five

weeks you are invited to a soup/devotional supper at the

church. We will begin at 6:15pm with soup suppers, and then

gather for a devotional time with the theme "Facing the

Cross". Each week we will look to Holy Scripture to help us with

the themes of "Facing Our Sins, Temptation, Our Fears, Our

Worldliness, One Another, and our Suffering". Please, plan to join

us each week as we journey to the

cross together.

LUTHERAN CHURCH

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

Feb. 20 , 2014 is the deadline for our next newsletter. All articles should be turned in to the Church Office

by this date or e-mailed to admin@sojchurch.com.

www.sojchurch.com

***RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED***

Pastor Dan

MISSION STATEMENT OF SPIRIT OF JOY LUTHERAN CHURCH The vision of Spirit of Joy church is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ by reaching out to all

people through Worship, Prayer, Teaching, Fellowship and Service.

KEEP UP-TO-DATE with the latest events and activities at sojchurch.com/events; view the current calendar at sojchurch.com/calendar; slide shows and photos of many past events at sojchurch.com/

photos; and much more. Also visit facebook.com/groups/sojchurch.

DATE TIME GREETERS READERS COFFEE HOSTS

2/2 815 945

Channon & DeWitt Families Dimmitt Family

Charles White Ellen Ray

Spirits of Grace Womens Group

2/9 815 945

Deb Eaton Karen Drogan

Jessica White Al Rogers

2/16 815 945

Emerick Family Dick & Karen Elston

Donna Zick Sharmon Sharp

2/23 815 945

Erbland Family Brett & Jean Faber

Sandy Aldern Mona Snodgrass

Please consider signing up for flowers or coffee host or newsletter sponsors on the kiosk.

SUNDAY MORNING HELPERS

BUILDING AT SPIRIT OF JOY

This is the latest news directly from the project manager from the County of San Diego concerning the process for Spirit of Joy: "With clarification that the Water Board will rely on the County’s environmental document, the next step will be advertising the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for public review. We were previously in a holding pattern on the public review until the Water Board hearing but will begin initiating public review in the next couple weeks. Following public review, staff and the applicant will work on responding to any comments received during the public review period. Assuming no comments were received that require modifications in the project or environmental document, we would then proceed to set a hearing date for the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission makes the decision on the Major Use Permit and would also adopt the MND. The decision of the Planning Commission would be appealable to the Board of Supervisors. If an appeal is not received in the 10-day appeal period, the decision would become final. At that point, the Water Board would be able to rely on the County’s environmental document." (from project manager Ashley Gungle) Please keep this process in prayer.

♫ Music Notes ♫

“Praise the Rock of our salvation! Praise the

mighty God above!

Come before his sacred presence with a

grateful song of love.

Praise the Rock of our salvation! Praise the

Father’s boundless love!

Praise the Lamb, King of creation! Praise the

Spirit from above!”

There’s a whole lot of praising going on at

Spirit of Joy on Sunday mornings! It’s evident

in attendance and in the joyous sound of voices

singing and instruments playing! Let’s

continue to exhibit that praise in our daily

journeys, in the midst of our comings and

goings in our various communities.

The second Sunday of each month I’m sure

you’ve noticed we use a Gospel liturgy. As

much as I can, I try to select music in the style

of gospel / jazz / spirituals. Please share your

suggestions with me for hymns you think might

be good to include.

Exciting news:

New choir robes will be arriving in the next few

weeks!

Ash Wednesday we anticipate the Ugandan

Orphans Choir will perform for us.

Expanded Festival Choir rehearsals for Holy

Week resume Saturday, March 8 at 9AM.

As we progress through this season of

Epiphany, may our lights shine brightly!

Joan Brown, Music Director

Task Force Contacts Worship/Music Pastor/Joan/Bryce Social Ministry Chuck Snyder/Jim Taylor Christian Education Jeanette Bergstrom Women’s Ministry Marian Oddo Men’s Ministry Bruce Hindman Fellowship Kathy Lodico Property/Equipment Frank Romero Youth/Children Alyssa Barlow/ Tara Gehler Building Committee Russ Popma/ Jim Barlow Evangelism Robin White/ Geoff Sharp Stewardship Jim Taylor/Tara Gehler Financial Roberta Gilmore Stephen Ministry Nancy McCoy, Jim Turnbull & Jean Merrick Prayers & Squares Marilynn Hersey Prayerline Jean Merrick Questions? Call the Office 760-788-7456 or

email: admin@sojchurch.com.

Church Council* President: Linda Card Vice-President: Jeanette Bergstrom Secretary: Jim Barlow Treasurer: Roberta Gilmore Member: Tara Gehler Member: Kathy Lodico Member: Frank Romero Member: Chuck Snyder Member: Jim Taylor Member: Robin White New Member: Ellen Ray *As this issue of the newsletter travels to you, our 2014 Church Council meets for their annual retreat on February 1st, at which time they will select new officers for the coming year. Congregational approval takes place at our February 2nd Congregational Meeting between services.

NEWSLETTER SPONSOR We want to thank the Zook Family

for sponsoring the postage and the color printing for this month’s newsletter.

UGANDAN ORPHANS CHOIR Don’t miss your chance to take a musical journey through Africa with the Ugandan Orphans Choir as they share with us here on Ash Wednesday, Mar.5 at our 7pm worship service. The children will dance in their colorful, traditional costumes, will be accompanied by authentic African instruments, and will sing in their native language. The choir’s main objective is to raise awareness of the desperate need to help other children like themselves, in developing countries. You will not only enjoy this musical treat, but also be truly blessed by these gifted children. Thank you to our families who stepped forward and offered to provide housing for two nights as this amazing group visits Spirit of Joy and blesses us with their talent and message.

Women’s Fellowship * Spirits of Grace We will have our Bake Sale on Sunday, February 9, between services. Be sure to visit

our tables and take some delicious goodies home. If you would like to donate something to our

bake sale please let me know or bring it on the 9th.

Please join us the first Wednesday of each month 9:30 am at the Church. All ladies of the

congregation are invited and welcome. We love having new ladies join us.

We are the Coffee Hosts the first Sunday of each month. When we have fund raisers, we

strive to earn monies that will be used to purchase appliances and supplies for our kitchen when we

build on Hwy 67 and Highland Valley Rd. We also support youth ministry camps, and other

ministries behind the scenes.

Remember: “Feed the Flock” cook books are available for only $5.00. They can be

purchased between services every Sunday or by calling the office. 760 788-7456.

Blessings, Marian Oddo 760-788-0541

A PRAYERS & SQUARES MESSAGE FOR YOU DO YOU HAVE TIME ON YOUR HANDS? HAVE A DESIRE TO TRY SOMETHING NEW? RESTART THE

HOBBY THAT YOU USED TO DO? IF SO, MAYBE YOU MIGHT WANT TO JOIN A REWARDING GROUP?

STOP BY SPIRIT OF JOY ON A TUESDAY, BETWEEN 9:30AM AND 2:30P.M TO SEE WHAT’S GOING ON WITH THE PRAYERS & SQUARES MINISTRY. VISIT US AT YOUR CONVENIENCE. OR, COME AT NOON , HAVE LUNCH WITH US. JOIN IN THE CHATTERING; SEE HOW WE CREATE. YOU’LL ENJOY OUR FRIENDLY GROUP! PRAYER IS THE PURPOSE OF OUR MINISTRY. PRAYER QUILTS ARE MADE FOR PEOPLE IN NEED, SO THAT THEY MAY BEGIN TO FEEL THE HEALING AND THE COMFORT OF GOD’S PRESENCE. SOME BENEFITS OF JOINING PRAYERS & SQUARES ARE THE FOLLOWING:

…..YOU’LL JOIN WITH PEOPLE WHO REACH OUT TO OTHERS. …..YOU LEARN TECHNIQUES IN SEWING, CUTTING, OR, IRONING PIECES OF FABRIC. YOU DO NOT NEED THE CRAFT OF SEWING TO JOIN P&S, COME AND SEE HOW!! …... YOU WILL FEEL BLESSED WITH THE FRIENDSHIPS YOU BUILD WITHIN THE GROUP. ……YOU INCREASE YOUR OWN PRAYER LIFE, AND .….. YOU WITNESS THE POWER OF GOD’S LOVE. ONCE THIS HAPPENS, YOU WILL FEEL GOD WORKING THROUGH YOU WITH A NEW AND DEEPER UNDERSTANDING. THANK YOU FOR READING OUR MESSAGE. COME JOIN US WHEN YOU CAN. THE PRAYERS & SQUARES MINISTRY MEN’S FELLOWSHIP

Acting like Men: Marriage

Today’s young men and women acquire unrealistic expectations from popular movies and novels (e.g., the “Twilight” series). But a recent article in The Atlantic discussed a “romantic” novel that actually reveals what a successful, Biblical marriage looks like. Eric Metaxas, one of my favorite authors, has a brief and interesting commentary on this book at http://tinyurl.com/sojbpcomment0214. Or read the article yourself (“I Learned Everything I Needed to Know About Marriage From Pride and Prejudice” ) at http://tinyurl.com/sojprideprejudice. Please prayerfully consider sharing this book with that young man or woman you know who would benefit from this well-written, popular, and engaging classic book. In the meantime, husbands, read this to your wife tonight: Proverbs 31:10-31. And at those key verses, look lovingly and appreciatively at her! Finally, please join us at our twice-monthly Men’s Bible Study. We’re working our way through the Book of Romans, on the first and third Saturdays of every month, from 8-9 AM. Download the latest study guide at http://sojchurch.com/04Ministries/BibleStudies.cfm. And come early for breakfast at 7:30.

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. (1Cor 16:13)

Al Rogers for the Men’s Fellowship

Sunday School "‘For I am a great king,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and my name is to be feared among the na-

tions.’" Malachi 1:14b NIV The Children ended 2013 knowing that God is a good and loving God. Because of God's goodness, we should

worship Him daily. Without God, there would be no good in the world. They learned the importance of taking time

each day to look around and thank God for all the good we see and as we do, we will see that God abundantly

blesses us with His goodness each and every day. The children also have a better understand the use of the

word fear in the Bible as it relates to respecting and honoring God. God doesn't want us to be terrified of Him, but

we are to respect and honor Him. Father God, we thank You for Your infinite goodness and we cannot im-

agine living in a world that You do not ultimately control. Thank You for abundantly blessing us with

Your goodness each and every day. We put our hope in You, for You are a good and loving God. Right-

eous and trustworthy are all Your ways; may we honor and respect You all the days of our lives. Teach

us to live according to Your commandments and listen always to Your words. Amen.

"We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God." John 6:69 NIV

As we start this New Year, the children will only strengthen their knowledge and understanding that truly believing in Jesus also means to have an intimate and trusting relationship with Him. As Jesus' disciples spent time with

Him, we can also spend time with Him through prayer, reading His Word, and letting Him be Lord of our life. Heavenly Father, help me to have an intimate, meaningful relationship with You. Thank You for mak-

ing Yourself real to me in Your Son Jesus, and for all the wonderful ways You show Your love. Let me grow even closer to You, so others will see Jesus alive in me. Amen

Have a Happy and Very Blessed New Year, Darlene Scott

Spreading the Good News

This past year we completed our second session of the Contagious Christian training sessions. Approximately 40 members of SOJ have now completed this intensive six + hours training course! This training helped us understand not only the meaning of relational evangelism, but the many styles of evangelism that are biblically founded. We learned how to better tell our Christian stories, start spiritual conversations, communicate God’s message, and help friends cross the line of faith. In addition to this training, Pastor Dan preached six consecutive Sundays on becoming a contagious Christian. This resulted in 100% of our congregation receiving the Contagious Christian training! This is an outstanding accomplishment for SOJ. As a result, all of us now have a better understanding of how to proceed with the Great Commission that Jesus commanded us to undertake. The fruit of the training sessions led a group of 20 SOJ members to take to the streets of Ramona on two Saturdays in December for the purpose of extending an invitation to our church’s Christmas Eve services. We walked neighborhoods and apartment buildings inviting everyone we encountered. Although this was a new experience for some of our folks, everyone came away from the experience with many heartwarming stories. It was truly amazing to see the Holy Spirit working through us and in the lives of the people we met. Many of us recognized some of our new friends at our Christmas Eve services. In the future, we will be assembling a group of evangelistic minded members of SOJ into our Ignite Team. The team will be impacting the lives of people in our church and the community around us. This evangelistic ministry team will be a centralized, cross-departmental, multistyled, easy-access, regular-but-not-to-frequent gathering of evangelism enthusiasts from all over the church. The purpose of this ministry is to continue to expand on the Contagious Christian and Contagious Church activities. The mission of this ministry is to:

Share the Love of Christ with the Unchurched

Inspire, shape, empower, and execute outreach activities throughout Spirit of Joy

Infuse Evangelism/Outreach into all aspects of Spirit of Joy

Strategically partner with other SOJ ministries by developing supplemental outreach ministries and events

Produce high-quality biblically relevant evangelistic services or events

SOJ is home to a community of believers that have a passion for reaching lost souls. This was evidenced in the conversations that were observed after Pastor Dan’s sermons, the Contagious Christian classes that extended sometimes 45 minutes after the class “ended” and the dedication of our church council to go through the entire 218 pages of the Contagious Church book! As a Christian community we have been commanded by Jesus to “go forth and make disciples of all nations”. I am excited to be a member of a church that actively embraces this command of our Lord. Your Brother in Christ,

Geoff Sharp

FAMILY FELLOWSHIP

We had a great turn out for our Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo Night. Thank you to

everyone who helped make it such a huge success especially the youth. They jumped in and did a great job of serving. Thank you to everyone who bought dinner tickets, extra Bingo cards, and donated money to support

our youth group. Special thanks to Jim & Tori Barlow for their generous donation of

gift cards for prizes.

Our next event will be the Bunny Hop Sat. April 19. We will need lots of help filling

those eggs. Our next Fellowship meeting will be on Thursday March 20th.

Kathy Lodico

2013 STATEMENTS OF GIVING

2013 statements of giving are available at the church on Sunday for several

weeks and those that are not picked up will be mailed. Please call the office if

you have any questions about your statement.

2014 GIVING ENVELOPES

New packs of offering envelopes are available for you at church . Please

notify the office if you want a pack of envelopes and you don’t see your names, or if you do not need an envelope pack for your giving.

February marks my sixth month as the Youth Director at Spirit of Joy. Wow, I cannot believe it has been half a year already and how welcoming this church body has been. I am so thankful for the “all hands on deck” support I and the youth have been receiving as you’ve encouraged growth, provided scholarships for events, donated food for parties, and prayed for us. This also marks an opportunity to evaluate where our children’s and youth ministries are at and where we are going. Since September our KidsKLUB leadership team has grown in numbers and unity. Ellen Ray continues to serve faithfully as the program’s co-director alongside Alicia Kendzor, Leslie Hamblin, Kerrianne Roney, and our amazing high school and junior high volunteers: Cameron Krohne, Brent Krohne, Mikey Schuler, Trevor Stemper, Nick Stemper, and Sarah Quinn. Our high school and junior high large group nights are in their weekly rhythms and are balanced by relationally focused events, upcoming retreats, and even Ramona-wide all youth events. As I look back on the wild and fun ride the past sixth months have been, I also stand in a position to look forward and dream what the next sixth months can bring. I still pray for more leaders who are excited about youth ministry and the idea of committing to be a faithful presence in a youth’s life to join me on Sunday and Wednesday evenings. I, and the KidsKLUB team, continue to pray that our Tuesday night program could reach more of Ramona and exist as a practical tool for the Lord to serve our community. One day I hope to see a Young Adults Ministry born for our congregation and I also pray that all of our children’s and youth programs would find more ways to serve our town and city. Join me in praying that as we dream big, our Lord’s will would inform all our plans.

Alyssa Barlow, Youth Director