Thoughts From Pastor Glen

 
I led a memorial service at a club house last Sunday afternoon for a 31 year old woman who died as a result of her addiction. I had never met the lady. The service was my first visual contact with the family. It seemed a little surreal to be packed in a room with 20 & 30 year olds with babies venturing from place to place as we talked about a death. There were pictures, lots and lots of pictures. She was beautiful, athletic and loving. Guests found it easy to share wonderful memories of her caring actions and deep conversations. The irony of the service was when I spoke to her twin sister on the phone about the service just days before, I asked a question that I always ask, "Are there any meaningful scriptures that you would like me to read?" She wasn't aware of where it was in the Bible, but this twin sister said, "that verse where Jesus says something like 'Come to me, all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest". This passage was one that her sister clung to. That verse was also the same verse that was assigned as our weekend gospel lesson, which was spooky, because this lesson comes up once every three years. My heart broke as I stood before this young crowd, but it felt great to tell them that Jesus invites them to come, to come with their broken pieces, to come with their baggage, to come with their pain and Jesus promises them rest. I didn't know a person in this room, but it felt like God had sent me there. It wasn't a church building. No one professed a faith. No one claimed a relationship with Christ, but there I was standing in front of these young faces who were looking for answers and I can only pray that they left with some, as I declared because of Christ this sister and friend can now rest.  
 
Rusty and our TAGGERS (teenagers) will be heading to California by the time you are reading this. He has two vans packed with kids as they stay in a church while volunteering at two mission sites. I've heard many stories about what happens on these trips. The kids grow close to one another opening the door to their hearts and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in a way that couldn't happen if they were here. Please keep this group in your prayers as God continues to shape and mold these growing disciples.
 
Peace & love,
Pastor Glen
Seniors Rock Meals Of Hope
Update from Wendy Sontag: I belong to a group called Nextdoor neighbor, which includes my neighborhood and several other communities. I wrote a note asking if anyone had any easy recipes for freezable meals they wished to share with me, and I explained to them it is a project my church is working on called Meals of Hope. I received an email from a very sweet lady who offered to give us 15 lbs. of fresh hamburger and 3 pot roasts to use for this program. Another person sent me an
e-mail wishing to make us homemade Baked Ziti. On top of church members helping out with cash donations, I am at a loss for words with the kindness of strangers. It has touched me in so many ways. The nice thing is that those who are receiving the meals, are so grateful. I wanted to publicly say thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
     Numbers For July 8-9, 2017     

Giving $2,793
Attendance 149
Our Weekly Goal Is: $5,540







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Readings For This Coming Weekend
Rom 8:1-11 and Matt 13:1-9, 18-23
 
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

July 15th 5:00 p.m. 
Set-Up: Joseph & Sheila Burnsworth
 
July 16th 8:45 a.m. 
 Altar Assistants: Drew & Mary Myer
Communion Servers: Mary Dicks, Diana Duck, Ron & Barb Vogel
 Greeters: Jerry & Jan Hefflinger
 Reader: Donna Blad
   Ushers: Joe Tedrow, Keith Hackney, Wayne Schmidt, Jerry Nelson
Sound Booth: Josh Keck

July 16th 10:15 a.m. 
Communion Servers: Ginger Ohrmundt, Marie Renda
Greeters: Mary Murray, Cindy Bailey
Reader: Connie Santwire
   Ushers: Jeanette Bailey, Cindy Bailey
Week At A Glance

Thursday
July 13th

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


Friday
July 14th





Saturday
July 15th

5:00 p.m. 
The Lift Service



Sunday
July 16th
8:45 a.m.
Blended
Service
10:15 a.m. 
Contemporary
Service



Monday
July 17th





Tuesday
July 18th





Wednesday
July 19th
9:00 a.m. 
Staff Meeting
6:00 p.m.
SWAG 
8:00 p.m. 
Young Adult Bible Study 


Thursday
July 20th
6:30 a.m. 
Too Big For Starbucks
9:00 a.m. 
Seniors Rock
10:00 p.m. 
Memory Care Service		 1:00 p.m. 
Women's Bible Study

 Friday
July 21st





Ernie R, Carol L, Pat B  prayers for healing from cancer
Gayle T prayers for recovery and healing from knee replacement surgery
Ron K, Helen F, Teresa prayers for healing and
Michelle C prayers that her dad goes to God and gives him rest and peace with no more pain and suffering
SOH Staff & Volunteers prayers of thanks for being awesome
Betty prayer of thanks for healing from knee replacement/prayers that Alex will go thru for Art
Greg prayers for comfort and peace as he lives the final six months of life
Lindsay prayers for healing and epilepsy awareness
Mike B, Mike J, Lee, Jean prayers for healing
Mia prayers for strength and comfort following the death of her husband (Charlie)
Darren prayers for his struggle
Gayle prayers for healing from surgery
Janet prayers for healing from illness
Dee prayers for forgiveness and anger
James & Colleen prayers that the Lord ease their hardships
Kit prayers for healing from pain
Surgery Patients prayers for successful surgeries and rapid healing
Carl prayers that my father transitions quickly in a new memory care facility
Annette prayer of thanks that her cat (Sean) was normal
Sonny prayers for healing from heart surgery
Dolly prayers for comfort and peace from terminal cancer
Al M, Pat T  prayers for safe travels
Darlene prayers for strength and comfort following the death of her husband (Jim)
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,  Mark H, John P, Heidi, Michael  prayers for  healing from cancer
Connie M, Vicky K, Ruthie P, Don K, John P, Don B, Mike S, Dennis D prayers for healing from multiple health issues
Prayers for all prayers for those struggling with marriage issues
Connie M & Kathy S prayers for continued recovery
Maddie prayers for healing from successful kidney transplant
Drew prayers for healing from addiction
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
O'Brein-Hunt Family & Friends prayers for strength and comfort following the loss of wife, mother, grandmother


You may post Prayer Concerns 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the Prayer Wall of our website. 
Spirit Of Hope Website Quick Links

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Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church
(480) 396-8300
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