Meet Joy
We're the people of Joy, a community of faith in Rockwall, Texas welcoming all into authentic relationship and joy-filled worship. #joyiscontagious on Facebookworship
our purpose
To joyfully share Jesus and ourselves with our neighbors.
our vision
We desire to be a joyful faith community where all are welcome and can experience the transforming love of Jesus Christ that has the power to change lives.
our passions & values
Who we are and what we care about as a faith community
Spirit-Driven Worship
We come together to worship God with excitement and gratitude for all God has done for us. We do this through energetic sermons, meaningful music
Vital Faith for All Ages
As
Extravagant Generosity
When God’s people are in need, we seek ways to give of our time and resources to help those with specific needs.
Compassionate Service
We serve our neighbor with no strings attached to create a better community and share the love that God has given us as a free gift.
Genuine Hospitality
We want Joy to be a place where all people feel welcomed and affirmed for who they are.
Growing Lasting Friendships
God comes to us through relationships with others. We not only hope you find relationships here but that you find lasting friendships to be with you in life’s journey.
Engagement in the Community
We want people in the community to know we are here to bring hope and joy into an often troubled world. We want to be part of the community rather than separate from it.
LOOKING AHEAD
The truth is, God makes the plans and we do our best to follow. Here's what we believe God is leading us toward in the future.- We will be a unique, vibrant Lutheran Christian community for the people of Rockwall and
surrounding areas. - We will grow our faith formation efforts so that adults of all ages are deepening and strengthening their faith through adult education and Bible study.
- We will develop dynamic children and youth ministries where young people grow in faith for life through relational activities, interaction with Scripture and Lutheran teachings.
- We will enhance and grow worship through inspiring music, unique liturgy, relevant messages
and creative visuals and arts. - We will improve properties to the highest quality to accommodate creative ministry and be hospitable to the public, both inside and out.
- We will serve the community around us unconditionally and strive to meet immediate and
long term needs of residents of the Rockwall area.
who we are
We are a Lutheran congregation who follows the Teachings of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
The ELCA confesses the Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In our preaching and teaching the ELCA trusts the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe.
ELCA teaching or theology serves the proclamation and ministry of this faith. It does not have an answer
scriptures, creeds, & confessions
The ELCA’s official Confession of Faith identifies the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments (commonly called the Bible); the Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds; and the Lutheran confessional writings in the Book of Concord as the basis for our teaching. ELCA congregations make the same affirmation in their governing documents, and ELCA pastors promise to preach and teach in accordance with these teaching sources. This Confession of Faith is more than just words in an official document. Every Sunday in worship ELCA congregations hear God’s word from the Scriptures, pray as Jesus taught and come to the Lord’s Table expecting to receive the mercies that the Triune God promises. Throughout the week ELCA members continue to live by faith, serving others freely and generously in all that they do because they trust God’s promise in the Gospel. In small groups and at sick beds, in private devotions and in daily work, this faith saturates all of life.
teaching for a life of faith
This connection to all of life is the clearest demonstration of the authority that the canonical Scriptures, the ecumenical Creeds and the Lutheran Confessions have in the ELCA. The Holy Spirit uses these witnesses to create, strengthen and sustain faith in Jesus Christ and the life we have in him. That life-giving work continues every day, as Martin Luther explained in the Small Catechism: the Holy Spirit “calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth and preserves it in union with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.”
#joyiscontagious
It's true. When we choose joy, then we share joy, it spreads.That makes the world around us a better place, and that is a high and holy calling. #joyiscontagiousOUR LEADERS
Tom Schwolert
Minister
Hi, I’m Tom. I graduated from Luther Seminary with a Masters in Children, Youth & Family ministry. I joined the leadership of Joy on December 3, 2017. I have worked at Lutheran churches in Minnesota and Texas and recently did leadership training and coaching with Vibrant Faith. I am married to Melanie and we have two daughters, Jazmine and Zoey. Jazmine is married to Jack and lives and works in Ft. Myers, FL and works for a non-profit called Community Coop and Zoey is a Senior at the University of Arkansas studying Human Development. We also have a son Max, who died suddenly of an infection after getting the flu on December 29, 2012. He was a senior in high school. We have a small non-profit organization in his honor that provides $5000 scholarships to students.
I love the church and it is my hope that we can operate less like an “institution” and more like an authentic relational community. God chooses people like you and me to bring God’s love to our neighbors. Joy is a very welcoming community and I am honored to serve here. I want to personally invite you to
Chen Wang
Accompanist
Chen is from Shanghai, China. I have been living in Dallas for 2 years, so l am also a Texan. I went to UT Dallas and obtained a Masters in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience. I work for a global language service provider translating, editing and proofreading clinical research documents. I like to read, play volleyball with friends and traveling.
CHURCH COUNCIL
Rhonda White – President
Ron Trygstad – Finance Officer
Richard Oltmanns – Treasurer
Gail Crawford – Council Secretary
Melissa Hickman – Youth & Education Chair
Sandra LaCroix – Worship Chair
Cecil Derrick – Property Chair
Kathy Kraft – Fellowship & Outreach Chair
Inez Roach – Stewardship Chair
A faith community of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
FIND US
302 N Goliad Street
Rockwall, TX 75087
CONNECT WITH US
PARKING
We’re in old downtown Rockwall so it’s city parking. You can park across the street at the corner of Interurban and Goliad. Street and handicapped parking is available on both sides of the building. Enter at the South or North entrances.