Thoughts From Interim Pastor Linda Hanus

 
I hope that you had a beautiful Christmas. Cliff and I were blessed to celebrate the day with Cliff's cousins and 94- year- old aunt in Tucson. This was our first Christmas without Uncle Art, who died in February. The "firsts" can be hard, especially at this time of the year. If you are experiencing a "first" this year, know that my prayers are with you, as are God's presence and promises. May the peace of the Christ child bring healing to your heart. May the memories of your loved one bring you joy.
Thank you for remembering me with cards and gifts. How very thoughtful, especially since I just arrived as your interim pastor. I am truly blessed to be here and look forward to what God has in store for Spirit of Hope in the coming year. And now, I share my New Year's wish for you and all of God's creation.
 
"A New Year's Prayer"

Lord, as the old becomes the new
And thoughts of what was and what will be arise
Turn our hearts to your desire
And hear your children's cries.
                                                          
Teach us to love instead of hate
Forgive us when we fail to try
Give peace to all who live in fear
And comfort those who soon shall die.
 
Bring healing to our hearts and world
May all the earth rejoice and sing
Let joy be ours that overflows
As we await The Promised King.

Amen.

Praying that your new year will be filled with God's richest blessings,
Pastor Linda
     Numbers For December 23-24, 2017     

Giving $10,923
Attendance 633
Our Weekly Goal Is: $7,490









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If you are interested in becoming an E-Giver, visit this 
blog post  on the SOH website, for easy step by step instructions to set this up. E-Givers help Spirit of Hope to receive donations on a consistent basis to operate on throughout the year. 
In Memory  Of Ron Kinning
October 19, 1939 - December 22, 2017

No farewell words were spoken, no time to say goodbye, you were gone before we knew it, and only God can tell us why. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn't go alone, for part of us went with you, the day God called you home. 

Please keep Georgia and the Kinning family in your thoughts and prayers. 
Missionary Todd Ellingson Returns To SOH
Please join us in services on December 30th and 31st, as Missionary Todd Ellingson, from the City of Joy - Rwanda, returns to Spirit of Hope as our preacher for this weekend's services. Welcome back to SOH Todd,  Andria, Esther, Zeb, Eliza and Ella!

We have a few opportunities available, that we are searching for volunteers for. If you are interested in any of the following, please let the Church Office know. 

  • The Lay Ministry Team is looking for volunteers to join them, visiting those who are unable to come to church. 
  • The Facilities Team is looking for someone to mop the kitchen floor once per week, preferably on Wednesdays or Fridays. 
  • The Facilities Team is looking for someone to clean the bathrooms once per week, preferably on Wednesdays. 
Seniors Rock - Update
On behalf of Seniors Rock, we so appreciate all of your gifts for the Justa Center. You truly did a wonderful thing and your generosity will directly benefit our vets. 

I invite you to join Seniors Rock on January 4th at 9:30 a.m. when Barbara from the Justa Center will be at SOH to talk to us about the work they do. While they are here, they will also be picking up all of the items you purchased.  

God Bless you all,
Wendy Sontag
Christmas Eve At Spirit Of Hope
I attended for the first time, the children's service at 4:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve, after attending the 5:00 p.m. service the night before. I was asked if I would come and help at the 4:30 p.m. service. Thinking to myself, do I really want to go to a second service, I'm so thankful that I did. What a beautiful sight it was to see all of the chairs in the sanctuary filled and the chairs from the Narthex being used, so that everyone would have a place to sit. It was terrific to see visitors who have never attended SOH, as well as some familiar faces I only see once in a while, all come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

The skit that Rusty and Pastor Glen wrote for the kids was fantastic. I was standing in the back watching as one of the children who was in the skit, was smiling from ear to ear watching himself and the others on the big screen. Pastor Glen would have been so proud of the children and how well they did. I think they walked out knowing that the true meaning of Christmas, is not presents and Santa, but the birth of Jesus. Thank you for that. 

My wish for the New Year is that we see those faces that were at Spirit of Hope this past weekend, on many other Saturdays and Sundays to come. May we never forget the reason for the season.

God Bless and Happy New Year,
Wendy Sontag
Church Council Vice President
Buy A Slice Of Pie Fundraiser
In coordination with the Rummage Sale on January 26th & 27th, there will be an ELCA Disaster Relief Fundraiser - Buy A Slice Of Pie! The proceeds of this fundraiser will be delivered by our teen youth when they attend their National Convention in Houston, TX in 2018. Help support this worthy project by donating your favorite pie (fresh or frozen). Please bring your pie to the church the weekend of January 21st & 22nd, which is the weekend before the Rummage Sale, and refrigerate or freeze your pie in the church kitchen.  Thank you so much for your pie donation. Anyone who would like to help or if you have questions, may contact Diana Duck at 480-357-3096 or by email at: duckscats2@cox.net
Readings For This Coming Weekend
Gal 4:4-7 and Luke 2:22-40
 
This Weekend's Worship Assistants
5:00 p.m. Service Coordinator: Wendy Sontag
8:30 a.m. Service Coordinator: Dick Schultz
10:30 a.m. Service Coordinators: Sylvia Humleker & Linda Wilcox

December 30th 5:00 p.m.
Set-Up: Duane & Tina Gilson
 
December 31st 8:30 a.m
Altar Assistants: Ellen Towler & Diana Duck
Communion Servers: Jack & Marylou Wilson, Mary Dicks, Nancy Stark 
Greeters: Curtis & Barb Peterson
Reader: Mike Stark
  Ushers: Donna Blad, Carl McCoy, Drew & Mary Myer
Sound Booth: Josh Keck

December 31st 10:30 a.m. 
Communion Servers: Debbie Traynor, Judi Ofelt 
Greeters: Cal & Barb Schell
Reader: Marie Renda 
  Ushers: Jeanette Bailey, Cindy Bailey
Week At A Glance 

Wednesday
December 27th
8:00 p.m. 
Young Adult Bible Study






Thursday
December 28th
6:30 a.m. 
Too Big For Starbucks Bible Study
9:00 a.m.   
Seniors Rock
1:00 p.m. 
Women's Bible Study






Friday
December 29th









Saturday
December 30th
  5:00 p.m. 
The Lift Service







Sunday
December 31st

8:30 a.m. 
Blended Service
4:30 p.m.
Contemporary
Service






Monday
January 1st
OFFICE IS CLOSED Happy New Year...
To You & Yours!
OFFICE IS CLOSED





Tuesday
January 2nd









Wednesday
January 3rd
 
8:00 p.m.     
  Young Adult Bible Study
     
 





Thursday
January 4th
6:30 a.m.
Too Big For Starbucks Bible Study
9:00 a.m. 
Seniors Rock
1:00 p.m. 
Women's Bible Study






Friday
January 5th



 
Phil & Gayle T prayers of strength and comfort for hospitalization and diagnosis
Theresa, Kellie, Dad prayers
Georgia K and Family prayers for your loss, prayers for peace and comfort
Diane for her believing
Mom for always being there
Victoria Marie for a change in heart of forgiveness
Matthew continued recovery
Siccotte Family prayers
Lindsay, Mike B, Mike J health
Don & Doris W thankful for better health
Homeless, Military prayers
Hodi D to come to God
Kathy S guidance at my job
Ms C, Don, Phyllis healing
Larry R heart transplant is needed
Damien comfort
Alex J & Simone God's strength
Ann gout
Ernie R, Karen J, Marlene N, Pat B suffering and battling cancer
Spirit Of Hope Website Quick Links

© 2017 
Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church
(480) 396-8300
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