Thoughts From Pastor Glen

 
It was a little surreal last Friday to officiate at Jim Inbody's funeral. We don't do many funerals at Spirit of Hope, which is okay by me because it's hard not to get caught up in the grief that comes with loss. And to have Terri Fromm's unexpected passing still feels unsettling. The surreal part, was that our gospel text that was assigned for last weekend's regular services was John 14:1-14, the classical funeral text. It felt good to declare that none of us likes change. Change creates fear. Fear creates uncertainty. Uncertainty blurs our physical, emotional and spiritual vision. That first Maundy Thursday evening, Jesus was dealing with disciples who were dripping with fear and uncertainty. After hearing that Jesus was going to leave, the anxiety level went through the roof. Jesus knowing that the next couple of days were going to be tough, real tough, said those angelic words, "Let not your hearts be troubled, believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many dwelling places." Jesus continues to tell the disciples that he has a plan. The plan is that Jesus is going to dad's place and prepare it for the rest of us. And when it's ready, Jesus will return and come get us. Jesus wasn't finished though, he continues to say the key to the plan was not found in our actions/sins/mistakes/breaking the law, the key was Jesus. It may seem strange for you to hear a preacher say this, but I found great comfort in telling you last weekend that not even death need to be feared for those holding onto this amazing gift, this key, this Jesus! 
 
Hey, we are going to have a First Communion Party during Nite Lite tonight for all the grade school kids and their parents as I lead a class on Holy Communion. The class will be a refresher course for the older kids, but for children who are not already receiving Holy Communion, this is your preparatory class to receive your First Communion. Parents (of non-communers) are required to attend, and then after this brief training, parents can contact me to schedule their child's First Communion. 
 
Vacation Bible School is just around the corner. If you haven't sign-up to attend or volunteer, don't delay. The link to signup is on our website, or there are sheets to sign up on the Narthex desk.
 
Highlights
 of VBS 2016...
VBS 2017 Starts
June 5th!

New Member Orientation will happen this Sunday, May 21 at 11:15 a.m. immediately following the 10:15 a.m. worship service. The deadline to sign up for this class is today. This appears to be another great group. Please keep these new members in your thoughts and prayers.

The Experiment Service will launch this Saturday, May 20th at 5:00 p.m. Be sure to come and see what our youth have developed and designed for this service. 
 
Mother's Day allowed me to reflect upon the gift of my mother. She and I didn't always agree. She saw the world differently than I did. Our values would clash. But to this day, I've never ate better tasting food than my mother would magically whip up from left-overs. There was love in that food that touched many friends and family, especially in my growing-up years. The one aspect of my mother that I will never forget, in spite of our disagreements, disappointments and struggles, is she never hesitated to tell me that she loved me. This gift I will carry to my grave.  
 
Peace & love,  
Pastor Glen
VBS Begins June 5th - Are Your Kids Joining Us?
Register your kids (pre-school through 5th grade) for VBS 2017! 
June 5-9, 2017 from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
This year's theme is Maker Fun Factory Vacation Bible School. 
Here is the link  that will take you to the registration page.


Seniors Rock Meals Of Hope
     Numbers For May 13-14, 2017     

Giving $4,484
Attendance 236
Our Weekly Goal Is: $5,340






Our Financial Snapshot For March 2017

March 2017 Year To Date
Monthly General Fund Income $32,837 $89,813
Monthly General Fund Expense  $(35,042) $(77,940)
     Total General Income $(2,205) ($11,873)



Monthly Income For Mortgage Payment $4,228 $12,620
Monthly Mortgage Payment $5,337 $(16,011)
     Monthly Total Balance $(1,109) ($3,391)

If you are interested in becoming an e-Giver, visit this  blog post  on the SOH website, for step by step instructions.


Would you like to text us a donation?

You can do so by simply indicating the dollar amount you'd like to donate. Example: $250 and text 480-725-1140

To text a donation to a particular fund is also very easy to do. Simply indicate the dollar amount you'd like to donate and leave a space followed by the fund name. Example: $100 VBS or $50 TAG or $200 Mortgage Fund and text 480-725-1140 

Readings For This Coming Weekend
1 Peter 3:13-22 and John 14:15-21
 
This Weekend's Worship Assistants
5:00 p.m. Service Coordinator: Wendy Sontag
8:45 a.m. Service Coordinator: Phil Troiano
10:15 a.m. Service Coordinators: Sylvia Humleker & Linda Wilcox

May 20th 5:00 p.m. 
Set-Up: Don, Joyce, Dawn, Judy, Dan
 
May 21st 8:45 a.m.
Altar Assistants: Barbara Landau, Kim Hakes
Communion Servers: Wayne Schmidt, Mary Myer, Delores Burchill, Karen Mihin
 Greeters: Mike & Nancy Stark
 Reader: Tyler or Kaitlyn Hakes
   Ushers: Joe Tedrow, Keith Hackney, Dick Schultz, Drew Myer
Sound Booth: Josh Keck

May 21st 10:15 a.m. 
Communion Servers: Sylvia Humleker, Linda Wilcox 
Greeters: Grant & Bonnie Klassen
Reader: Marie Renda
   Ushers: Darryl & Sherry Branham
Week At A Glance

Thu rsday
May 18th
6:30 a.m.
Too Big For Starbucks - CANCELLED
9:00 a.m. 
Seniors Rock

10:00 a.m.
Memory Care Service

1:00 p.m.
Women's Bible Study

Friday
May 19th





Saturday
May 20th
5:00 p.m.
The Experiment
Service
6:00 p.m. 
TAG
8:15 p.m. 
The  Forge

Sunday
May 21st
8:45 a.m.
Blended Service
10:15 a.m. 
Contemporary Service
11:15 a.m. 
New Member
Orientation


Monday
May 22nd
6:00 p.m. 
Financial Peace University 




Tuesday
May 23rd





Wednesday
May 24th
9:00 a.m. 
Staff Meeting
7:00 p.m. 
SWAG


Thursday
May 25th
6:30 a.m. 
Too Big For Starbucks		 9:00 a.m. 
Seniors Rock		 1:00 p.m. 
Women's Bible Study		 6:30 p.m. 
Church Council Meeting

Friday
May 26th



Ernie prayers for healing from lymphoma
Carol L prayers for healing from breast cancer
Wayne F prayers for healing from bladder cancer
Jeff, Grant & Family prayers for healing family problems
All Moms prayer of thanks for all they do
Rose, Caiya C prayers for guidance as they graduate high school
Ed, Roberta & Family prayers for support and healing while Ed is in Hospice
Shirley prayers for comfort and peace following the death of her husband
Carol prayers for healing following surgery
John H prayers for healing cancer of the tongue
Ermal prayers that he completes his book and sells his property in MO
Paula prayers for completing her CD order
Col Gen R prayers for healing from brain surgery
Rob prayers for continued healing of heart problems and addiction
David, Chris & Family prayers for peace and strength from stress and mental illness
Graduating Seniors (High School & College) prayers for a bright future
Tina prayer of thanks for all the assistance and support given to my mom while I was out of town
Pam & Family prayers for a safe move
Mel, John & Ruthie prayers for life and healing
Barry prayers for healing from prostate cancer
Sebastian L prayers for good health of their newborn baby
Gloria & Lopez prayers for guidance as new parents
Larry prayers for healing following a stroke
Darlene prayers for comfort, strength, health and healing
Kate prayers for safe travels and healing from back pain
Ron prayers for successful heart procedure
Ron & Carol prayers for safe travels
Elisa prayers for success in her role in the play
Matthew prayer of thanks for his promotion
Alex J prayers for God's strength
Ed prayers for successful surgery
All People prayers for those who are having hardships with health problems
Terri F prayers for his family following his death
Sandy prayers for healing from cancer and chemotherapy
Deb & Jim W prayers for healing and strength
Larry prayers for healing from pain
David & Ashley prayers that they sell their house
Bert & Walter prayers for healing and comfort
Brenda prayers for peace of mind and happiness
Mike B, Mike J, Lindsay, Anne prayers for healing
Sonny prayers for healing from heart surgery
Dolly prayers for comfort and peace from terminal cancer
Darlene I & Family prayers for strength and comfort following the death of her husband
Pat G prayers for healing from arm surgery
Dee prayers for healing following surgery
Herb prayers for healing from health issues
Amy, Sharon prayers for healing from eye issues
Sally J prayers for healing from stroke
Tom H, Sandy B, Kevaleen, Horace H, Nikki H, Mark H, John P, Heidi, Michael, Lori prayers for healing from cancer
Connie M, Kathy S, Vicky k, Ruthie P, Don K, John P, Don B prayers for healing from multiple health issues
Prayers for all prayers for who struggle with marriage issues
Paula S prayer of thanks/they are working
Connie M & Kathy S prayers for continued recovery
Maddie prayers for healing from successful kidney transplant
Drew prayers for healing from addiction
Becca prayers that she receives her heartfelt wish
Marc prayers for comfort and peace during time of grief
Amber prayers for guidance and peace with relationship issues
Spirit of Hope prayers for all who worship within its walls
Church Council prayers pray that they make sound decisions that allow our church to thrive
Pastor Glen & Rusty prayers of thanks as they serve the church community
Spirit Of Hope Website Quick Links

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