Joy Lutheran Church Gurnee Illinois

06/07/2026

Series Overview
The questions we carry shape the lives we live.
If we don’t believe we matter, we live small.
If we don’t feel known, we hide.
If we don’t feel safe, we control.
In Rainforest Falls – Wow, God!, we’ll discover how who God is reshapes what we believe—and how we live.

May 31st - Week 1 - God Is Our Refuge – Am I Safe?
June 8th - God Is Love – Am I Loved?
June 15th - Week 3 - God Is Forever – Does This Last?

Week 2 God Is Love – Am I Loved?
Scripture: Psalm 136:1
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”
Big Idea: God’s love isn’t temporary—it’s relentless.
Good News
God’s love does not rise and fall with your performance—it remains constant.
The Deeper Question - Am I loved?
People often wonder: Am I loved because of who I am or because of what I do? What happens when I fail?
Overview
Psalm 136 repeats the phrase “His love endures forever” again and again. This repetition is not accidental—it is meant to shape belief and anchor truth in the hearts of God’s people.
Fascinating Insights
The Hebrew word for love here is “hesed,” which refers to loyal, covenantal, unbreakable love. The psalm connects God’s love to creation, deliverance, and provision, showing that everything God does flows from His enduring love.
Interesting Rainforest Fact: Everything in the rainforest is deeply connected. Plants, animals, insects, and even fungi depend on one another to survive. Remove one part, and the whole system is affected.
Connection: Love is what holds everything together. We were not created to live isolated lives. God’s love connects us—to Him and to one another. When we live in that love, life flourishes the way it was meant to.
Why It Matters
Many people believe love must be earned or can be lost. This psalm challenges that belief by revealing a love that does not fluctuate.

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Speaker – Pastor Mark Borgetti

Welcome to Joy! Lutheran Church, Gurnee, IL
Our mission: Reach our neighbors with Christ’s love so all lives are changed

Newer to Joy! or not sure where to go from here?
We would love to get to know you!
Digital connect card: https://www.joylutheran.org/get-connected-form.html

View our upcoming events: https://www.joylutheran.org/the-connect-page.html

Need Prayer?: https://www.joylutheran.org/prayer-request.html

page: https://www.facebook.com/JoyLutheranChurchGurneeIllinois
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/joylutheran Give online: https://www.joylutheran.org/giving.html

Give online: https://www.joylutheran.org/giving.html

06/03/2026

Happy Pride! May one day ALL people see you the way God does. Beautifully and wonderfully made, bearing the image of God!

05/31/2026

This prayer quilt is for Chuck, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia and will begin treatment on June first. Please pray for Chuck and his family as they fight his illness.

05/31/2026

Series Overview
The questions we carry shape the lives we live.
If we don’t believe we matter, we live small.
If we don’t feel known, we hide.
If we don’t feel safe, we control.
In Rainforest Falls – Wow, God!, we’ll discover how who God is reshapes what we believe—and how we live.

May 31st - Week 1 - God Is Our Refuge – Am I Safe?
June 8th - God Is Love – Am I Loved?
June 15th - Week 3 - God Is Forever – Does This Last?

Week 1 God Is Our Refuge – Am I Safe?
Scripture: Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Big Idea
You don’t have to face life alone—God is present in it.
Good News
God doesn’t wait outside your storm—He is present with you in it.
The Deeper Question - Am I safe?
People are asking: Is there anywhere I can truly rest? Who or what can I trust when life feels unstable?
Overview
Psalm 46 does not ignore chaos—it assumes it. The earth shakes, the waters roar, and everything feels unstable. Yet in the middle of that reality, God is described as present, strong, and accessible.
Fascinating Insights
“Refuge” is not just something to believe in—it is a place to run to. The phrase “ever-present” can be understood as “very found,” meaning God is easy to find in times of trouble. This psalm likely emerged from a time of national crisis, making it a declaration of trust in the middle of real fear.
Interesting Rainforest Fact: Rainforests are made up of layers, and most life exists in the canopy—high above the ground—out of sight from those standing below.
Connection: Just because you can’t see something doesn’t mean it isn’t there. When life feels chaotic or uncertain, it’s easy to think God is absent. But like the unseen life in the canopy, God is present and active even when you can’t see Him.
Why It Matters
Many people feel overwhelmed by anxiety, uncertainty, and loss. We often want God to remove the chaos, but this psalm reveals that God meets us within it.

===============================================================

Speaker – Pastor Mark Borgetti

Welcome to Joy! Lutheran Church, Gurnee, IL
Our mission: Reach our neighbors with Christ’s love so all lives are changed

Newer to Joy! or not sure where to go from here?
We would love to get to know you!
Digital connect card: https://www.joylutheran.org/get-connected-form.html

View our upcoming events: https://www.joylutheran.org/the-connect-page.html

Need Prayer?: https://www.joylutheran.org/prayer-request.html

page: https://www.facebook.com/JoyLutheranChurchGurneeIllinois
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/joylutheran Give online: https://www.joylutheran.org/giving.html

Give online: https://www.joylutheran.org/giving.html

05/25/2026

We take Memorial Day as a special time to remember and honor the men and women who died serving in the United States Armed Forces. The offices at Joy! Lutheran Church will be closed in observance of this national holiday.

05/24/2026

Big Idea If you want to lose your mind, give someone a piece of your mind.
(Repeatable line: Not every voice in your head needs a microphone.)
Listener Hook Overview
Have you ever felt it rising? That inner voice. The one that says:
“Say something.”
“Don’t let that go.”
“You need to correct them.”
“Put them in their place.”
“This is your moment.”
It doesn’t whisper. It pushes. And in that moment, it feels righteous. It feels honest. It feels necessary. So we say it.
We fire off the text.
We send the email.
We make the comment.
We “give them a piece of our mind.”
And for a moment, it feels powerful. But then something shifts.
The replay starts.
The peace leaves.
The anxiety creeps in.
The relationship strains. You can feel their resentment growing
And suddenly the voice that told you to speak is replaced by another voice that says, “Why did you say that?” If you want to lose your mind, give someone a piece of your mind.
This week we’re talking about the voices in our head that tell us what to say —and how strengthening the voice of peace often means refusing to let every thought exit our mouth.

Exegetical Overview
Scriptures Referenced:
James 3:3–6
James 1:19–20
Proverbs 29:11
Proverbs 13:3
Ecclesiastes 3:7
James 3:3–6 — The Tongue as a Rudder
James says that ships, though large and driven by strong winds, are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants them to go. Then he compares the tongue to that rudder. Small — but directional. The winds represent pressures: anger, ego, fear, pride, insecurity. But the rudder determines direction. The voice in your head may be loud. The pressure may be strong. But your tongue determines the trajectory. James goes further: “The tongue sets the whole course of one’s life on fire.” Speech does not just release emotion. It sets direction. When we give someone a piece of our mind,
we are often steering our own peace into a storm.
James 1:19–20 — Slow to Speak
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” Notice what James assumes: There will be something inside you that wants to speak quickly. The voice will say: “Respond now.” “Don’t wait.” “Defend yourself.” But wisdom introduces space. Quick to listen. Slow to speak. Slow to anger. Peace lives in the pause.
Proverbs 29:11 — Venting Everything
“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.” Full vent. That phrase implies letting everything spill out. Scripture does not celebrate emotional dumping. It celebrates restraint. Just because a thought enters your head does not mean it deserves release.
Proverbs 13:3 — Guarding the Gate
“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives.” Guard. The same idea used for guarding a city. Your mouth is a gate. Not every internal voice gets clearance to exit.
Ecclesiastes 3:7 — Timing
“There is a time to be silent and a time to speak.” Wisdom is not silence forever. It is discernment about when. The inner voice often says, “Now.” Wisdom sometimes says, “Not yet.” Or even, “Not at all.”

Theological Thread
Throughout Scripture, words are powerful because they reflect formation. Jesus is called the Word. God creates through speech. James warns that careless words destroy what God is building. The inner voices that push us to react are often driven by ego, fear, or insecurity. The Spirit’s voice produces self-control. Peace is not passive. It is protected. And your tongue is the rudder steering your emotional and spiritual life.

Why This Is Relevant
Social media has trained us to react instantly.
Political and cultural tension rewards outrage.
Many people live in cycles of regret because of reactive words.
Anxiety often increases after confrontational speech.
We often think the person we spoke to caused our unrest. But sometimes we lost peace because we surrendered it to an impulsive voice inside.

Takeaways / Points
Not every voice in your head deserves a microphone. You can hear a thought without obeying it.
Your tongue steers your peace. Like a rudder, it determines direction — not just momentary release.
Pause protects peace. Before speaking, ask: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it timely? Is it kind?
Silence is sometimes spiritual strength. Restraint is not weakness.
It is maturity.
Strengthen the voice of peace. When the inner voice says, “Say it,”
practice asking, “Will this produce peace?”

===============================================================

Speaker – Pastor Mark Borgetti

Welcome to Joy! Lutheran Church, Gurnee, IL
Our mission: Reach our neighbors with Christ’s love so all lives are changed

Newer to Joy! or not sure where to go from here?
We would love to get to know you!
Digital connect card: https://www.joylutheran.org/get-connected-form.html

View our upcoming events: https://www.joylutheran.org/the-connect-page.html

Need Prayer?: https://www.joylutheran.org/prayer-request.html

page: https://www.facebook.com/JoyLutheranChurchGurneeIllinois
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/joylutheran Give online: https://www.joylutheran.org/giving.html

Give online: https://www.joylutheran.org/giving.html

05/23/2026

Summer Worship hours begin this Sunday!

05/17/2026

Big Idea: Shame says hide. Grace says come closer.
Listener Hook Overview
Guilt says, “I did something wrong.” Shame says, “I am something wrong.” Shame whispers:
“If they really knew you…”
“You’ve gone too far.”
“You should be better by now.”
So we hide. We perform. We withdraw. Shame isolates. And isolation amplifies the voice. But when you read the Gospels, the most ashamed people are the ones Jesus moves toward. And that changes everything.

Exegetical Overview
Scriptures Referenced:
Genesis 3:8–10
Romans 8:1
John 8:1–11
Hebrews 4:16
Psalm 34:5
After believing the lie in Genesis 3, Adam and Eve hide. Shame enters immediately after distortion. Shame drives separation.
Romans 8 declares: “There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” Condemnation is canceled.
In John 8, Jesus does not excuse sin — but He refuses to weaponize shame.
He protects dignity before correcting behavior.
Hebrews 4 invites believers to approach the throne boldly. Not cautiously. Not fearfully.
Psalm 34:5 says those who look to Him are radiant — and not covered in shame. Conviction leads to repentance and freedom. Shame leads to hiding and isolation. They are not the same voice.

Why This Is Relevant
Performance culture fuels shame.
Many feel spiritually disqualified.
Mental health struggles often carry secondary shame.
Grace silences the voice that says hide.

Takeaways
Notice when you withdraw.
Distinguish conviction from condemnation.
Replace hiding with honest confession.
Practice approaching God boldly.

===============================================================

Speaker – Pastor Mark Borgetti

Welcome to Joy! Lutheran Church, Gurnee, IL
Our mission: Reach our neighbors with Christ’s love so all lives are changed

Newer to Joy! or not sure where to go from here?
We would love to get to know you!
Digital connect card: https://www.joylutheran.org/get-connected-form.html

View our upcoming events: https://www.joylutheran.org/the-connect-page.html

Need Prayer?: https://www.joylutheran.org/prayer-request.html

page: https://www.facebook.com/JoyLutheranChurchGurneeIllinois
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/joylutheran Give online: https://www.joylutheran.org/giving.html

Give online: https://www.joylutheran.org/giving.html

05/10/2026

Big Idea: Peace grows where trust replaces control.
Specials: Mother’s day
From Podcast - Who’s There / Honest Acknowledgments from the Stage - Brief Acknolwedgement
Celebrating moms - Thriving and grateful
Grieving their moms - Lost their mother or a child
The longing - The infertile
The complicated - You had a bad or abusive mom
The overlooked - The spiritual mothers, foster mothers etc
1) Mother’s Day Greeting
Good morning, everyone—and happy Mother’s Day. Today is one of those beautiful and complicated days… all at the same time. Because in a room like this, Mother’s Day doesn’t land the same way for everyone. For some of you, today is a celebration. You’re thriving, you’re grateful, and your heart is full—whether you’re a mom, have a great mom, or get to celebrate alongside your family. We celebrate with you today.
For others, today carries grief. Maybe you’ve lost your mom… or even more painfully, you’ve lost a child. And instead of celebration, there’s an ache. We see you—and we hold space for that today.
For some, there’s a deep longing. You’ve wanted to be a mom… and that door hasn’t opened. And days like today can be especially hard. You are not forgotten.
For others, Mother’s Day is complicated. Because your story with your mom is painful… distant… or even marked by abuse. And instead of warmth, there’s tension. We honor your story too.
And then there are those who often get overlooked— the spiritual mothers, the foster moms, the mentors, the ones who show up, love deeply, guide faithfully, and make a difference in ways that don’t always get recognized. We celebrate you.
So today, we don’t just celebrate one kind of story.vWe honor all of them. And in all of it—we remember this: God meets us in joy… and in grief… in gratitude… and in longing… in celebration… and in complexity.
Wherever this day finds you— you are seen, you are valued, and you are deeply loved. Happy Mother’s Day.
Does 3 things
The unseen are seen
Builds trust
Sets up everything else
2) Mother’s Day Letter Station
Write a letter to you mom, alive or dead. Let moms write a letter to whoever they want
3) The Mom Report -

Listener Hook Overview
As we talk about anxiety in this series, it’s important to say something clearly: not all anxiety is the same. Sometimes anxiety shows up as worried thoughts we can redirect with prayer, perspective, and trust. This series WILL speak to that. But sometimes anxiety is chronic, physiological, and deeply rooted in how our nervous system is wired. For some, it feels less like “I’m worrying” and more like “My body won’t calm down.” That isn’t a lack of faith. That isn't a spiritual weakness. That can be a medical reality. And just as we wouldn’t shame someone for taking insulin or blood pressure medication, there is no shame in counseling, therapy, or medication for anxiety. Faith and treatment are not enemies. God works through both.
Anxiety doesn’t knock before it walks in.
It shows up in your chest.
In your stomach.
In your scrolling.
In your “what if” scenarios.
“What if this goes wrong?”
“What if I lose this?”
“What if I can’t fix it?”
And we often assume worry equals responsibility. If I stop worrying, I must not care. So we grip tighter. We rehearse outcomes. We try to control what isn’t controllable.
But what if anxiety isn’t proof that you care — what if it’s proof you’re carrying something you were never meant to control?

Exegetical Overview
Scriptures Referenced:
Matthew 6:25–34
Philippians 4:6–8
Isaiah 26:3
In Matthew 6, Jesus addresses worry directly. The Greek word for worry means “to be divided” or “pulled apart.” Anxiety fragments the mind.
Jesus redirects attention — look at the birds, consider the lilies. He shifts focus from scarcity to provision.
Paul writes Philippians from prison. Yet he commands, “Do not be anxious.”
Not as denial — but as redirection. Pray. Give thanks. Refocus on what is true, noble, right. Practice these things.
Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast.” Peace is tied to where the mind rests. Trust integrates what anxiety fragments.

Why This Is Relevant
Chronic anxiety is normalized in modern life.
News cycles and social media amplify fear.
Many equate control with safety.
Jesus offers peace not through control — but through trust.

Takeaways
Anxiety often rehearses imagined futures.
Gratitude interrupts fear cycles.
Control is an illusion; trust is a choice.
Practice breath prayer this week.

===============================================================

Speaker – Pastor Mark Borgetti

Welcome to Joy! Lutheran Church, Gurnee, IL
Our mission: Reach our neighbors with Christ’s love so all lives are changed

Newer to Joy! or not sure where to go from here?
We would love to get to know you!
Digital connect card: https://www.joylutheran.org/get-connected-form.html

View our upcoming events: https://www.joylutheran.org/the-connect-page.html

Need Prayer?: https://www.joylutheran.org/prayer-request.html

page: https://www.facebook.com/JoyLutheranChurchGurneeIllinois
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/joylutheran Give online: https://www.joylutheran.org/giving.html

Give online: https://www.joylutheran.org/giving.html

05/03/2026