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Spirit Update
January 3, 2018
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Thoughts From Interim Pastor Linda Hanus
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As the twelve-day Christmas season draws to a close, it is time for us to turn our attention to the next season of the church year. Epiphany is celebrated every year on January 6. On the festival of Epiphany, we lift up the arrival of the magi at Jesus' home. This event commemorates Jesus' birth, as the 'King of the Jews', being revealed as the 'King of the Gentiles' and the world. At Epiphany we also celebrate Jesus' identity as the light of the world, the light that no darkness can overcome.
The story of the magi can only be found in Matthew's gospel. It does not indicate that they were kings. It does not say that there were three of them. No names are given. The Old Testament reading for Epiphany (Isaiah 60) talks about camels coming from three different places (Midian, Ephah and Sheba). The gifts of gold and frankincense are also mentioned here.
Regardless of the accuracy of our traditional story, that three foreign" kings" would come such a long distance to bow down and worship a child is a powerful story. So, if you have a manger scene in your home, please move the three magi to the stable on January 6. Their long journey has now ended. They have finally arrived to pay homage to the Christ child. As we celebrate Epiphany 2018, we understand that there are still people throughout the world who need the light of Christ to shine upon the dark places in their lives. Thank you to Todd, Andria, Esther, Zeb, Eliza and Ella Ellingson for carrying out this mission and ministry at City of Joy in Rwanda and for sharing their story with us, so that we can support them with our prayers and offerings.
As we count down the last days of this Christmas season, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped to make our Christmas celebration so beautiful. Whether you helped to decorate the church, set up, clean up and/or assist in the worship services, participate in the wonderful children's skit, greet our visitors, offer refreshments or anything else that made this come together so well, I thank you so very much. Each effort was a gift of service to the Christ child.
A blessed Epiphany season to you. May our lives reflect the light of Christ, making Christ known to the world!
Pastor Linda
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Numbers For December 30-31, 2017
| Giving |
$7,313 |
| Attendance |
262 |
| Our Weekly Goal Is: |
$7,490 |
Would you like to
text us
You can do so by simply
indicating the dollar amount
you'd like to donate.
Example: $10 and text
480-725-1140
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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.
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As we close out one year and begin a new year here at Spirit of Hope, we have changes coming in 2018, but let me talk about 2017.
- We saw the changing of our Church Council which we will see again this month as we begin this brand new year.
- This past year we celebrated our 10th Anniversary of the SOH building. "Where did those ten years go?", a lot of us asked. We were very lucky to finally have a building and a place to call home.
- We had a retirement roast to celebrate Pastor Glen, which I must admit was one of the hardest things I did, knowing it was going to mean saying goodbye.
- We had our Ministry Site Profile Team busy, as they researched, gathered and put together the Ministry Site Report, as is required before the Call process can even begin.
- We have an Interim Pastor in place, which some you have met and spoken to. She will be here temporarily as we begin to call our new Pastor during 2018.
- We have our Call Team in place, ready to interview and speak to Pastoral Candidates. The process does not happen overnight, so I do ask for everyone's patience during this process. Whoever receives the call, will have mighty big shoes to fill, with the void of Pastor Glen's retirement. The new Pastor will be different, which is alright, and I know our amazing congregation here at Spirit of Hope, will embrace them with the respect and love we had for Pastor Glen, and will support them in the same manner in which we supported Pastor Glen.
- We also lost a few of our members who passed away during 2017, but they are never forgotten, nor or they far from our hearts.
Lastly, I would like to thank everyone for allowing me to serve on your Church Council for the past six years. It has not always been easy, and we have had hard choices to make along the way, but it has been fun, educational, and most importantly, it has been an honor that you bestowed on me. I ask you to have patience in 2018, to embrace the changes coming our way, and to continue to be a part of this very special community that has been built here at Spirit of Hope.
God Bless,
Wendy Sontag
Church Council Vice President
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Buy A Slice Of Pie Fundraiser
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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: [email protected]
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Readings For This Coming Weekend
Acts 19:1-7 and Mark 1:4-11
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
Set-Up: Sandy Odmark & Wendy Sontag
January 7th 8:30 a.m.
Altar Assistants: Jack & Marylou Wilson
Communion Servers: Allen & Diane Thompson, Cathy VanGundy, Mary Dicks
Greeters: Ron & Barb Vogel
Reader: Brian Blad
Ushers: Joe Tedrow, Keith Hackney, Jerry & Arlyce Nelson
Sound Booth: Josh Keck
January 7th 10:30 a.m.
Communion Servers: Jeanette Bailey, Cindy Bailey
Greeters: Art & Crystal Zander
Reader: Linda Wilcox
Ushers: Phuong Dinh, Kim Gordon
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Week At A Glance
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Wednesday
January 3rd
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8:00 p.m.
Young Adult Bible Study |
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Thursday
January 4th
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6:30 a.m.
Too Big For Starbucks Bible Study |
9:00 a.m.
Seniors Rock
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1:00 p.m.
Women's Bible Study
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Friday
January 5th
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Saturday
January 6th
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5:00 p.m.
The Lift Service
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6:00 p.m.
TAG
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8:00 p.m.
The Forge
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Sunday
January 7th
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8:30 a.m.
Blended Service
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10:30 a.m.
Contemporary
Service
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Monday
January 8th
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Tuesday
January 9th
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Wednesday
January 10th
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6:00 p.m.
Nite Lite & Confirmation
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8:00 p.m.
Young Adult Bible Study
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Thursday
January 11th
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6:30 a.m.
Too Big For Starbucks Bible Study |
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1:00 p.m.
Women's Bible Study |
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Friday
January 12th
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Phil T & Gayle T
prayers of strength, comfort, healing and peace and prayers going to rehab
Michelle
cure for Alzheimer's
Michael
back surgery
Larry
needing a heart transplant
Dave & Laurie
praise God for them celebrating 50 years of marriage
Aunt
(97 years old) healing from the flu
Darlene
God's strength
Christina
healing from pink eye
Mike B, Mike J
healing
Lindsay
epilepsy healing
Karen's Dad
health
Mary M
recovery from cold/flu
Drew M back problems
Lori
hip surgery
Shirley
back surgery
Keith
cancer treatment
Prayers
for all who are dealing with cancer and other incurable diseases
Prayers
for a new year filled with peace, hope and love, where each of us can always make Christ known daily
Prayers
even though homeless, doing well, praise be to God
Kelsie
prayers
Beth, Becky, Paul, Kevin
cancer
Fran, Linda, Lee, Martha
strength
Ernie R, Karen J, Marlene N, Pat B, Mark A
suffering and battling cancer
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Spirit Of Hope Website Quick Links
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