Thoughts From Pastor Glen

 
Every day we hear things that challenge our inter-core, amazing things, unbelievable things, things that don't line-up with our way of thinking. Thus, was the situation with Apostle Thomas when he heard from his friends that Jesus was alive. Thomas witnessed the tragedy, the betrayal, the denial, the beatings and the death. He saw Jesus' lifeless body carried into the tomb, the stone rolled and sealed in place. So, when he heard from his fear-filled brothers that Jesus stopped by to say hello, it sent his world spinning, his mind couldn't capture the magnitude of what this could mean, could he dare trust his soul to these grief-stricken misfits? It was a week later, that Jesus appeared in the flesh. Jesus immediately turned to Thomas allowing him to touch and see for himself for what seemed like a hallucination actually had substance and was real. Thomas' faith stretched encompassing the unbelievable as he yells, "My Lord and my God". All of us hear things, see things, and experience things. It's easy to be a skeptic, while isolating ourselves into a world of limits and control. My prayer for you is to live in the struggle, live into the questions, and allow the Holy Spirit to stretch you, discovering as Thomas did, that Jesus is no more than an arm reach away. 

Our worship numbers sadly tell the story of our snowbird migration. Please keep our winter worshippers in your thoughts and prayers as they reconnect with those in their summer location.
 
Our Stewardship Ministry Team would like each of you to participate in tracking the sermon with our new Sermon Talk Sheets. These are half page sheets of paper that contain some of the basic sermon points that you fill-in and take home. Our hope is that the sermon text will speak to you through out the week.
 
Carpet Angel. We had someone sneak (not really) into the church last week and shampooed our sanctuary carpet. We use our building hard. Things get spilled. The dirt gets ground it. But God continues to bless us with cleaning angels who swoop down at just the right time to restore our place of worship. Thank you!
 
The Bloodmobile will be here Sunday starting at 10:30 a.m. If you have not yet signed up to donate blood, there is still time. See how you can sign up, further down in this newsletter.
 
Seniors Rock will be preparing meals for those in need in our community. If you are aware of someone because of illness or who is receiving medical treatment that prevents them from being able to prepare meals, please email Wendy Sontag at: ladywendy@gmx.com to add their name to the list.
 
Vacation Bible School is a little more than a month away. If you haven't signed your children up yet, please do so, by following the link below in this newsletter! Adult volunteers are always needed.

With our winter residents returning to their summer homes, we are also in great need of the following Worship Assistants: Altar Assistants, Communion Servers, Greeters, Readers and Ushers at the 8:45 a.m. Service and Communion Servers, Greeters, Readers and Ushers at the 10:15 a.m. Service. If you can assist us in any of these roles, please email our Office Manager Ginger at ginger@spiritofhopelutheran.com or call the church office at 480-396-8300 so we can add your name to our Worship Assistant List. 
 
Peace & love,
Pastor Glen
VBS Registration Is Open
Sign up your kids (pre-school through 5th grade) to join us June 5-9, 2017
from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. for our Maker Fun Factory Vacation Bible School. 
  Here is the link  that will take you to the registration page.


Seniors Rock Meals Of Hope
Seniors Rock is at it again, and we are so excited with our brand new summer project called Meals of Hope, but we can't do it without some help from you. 
 
We are preparing and delivering 5 freezer friendly meals to share with those SOH worshippers who are going through some health issues.  

If you have a recipe that is freezer friendly, we would love if you would share it with us. Please email your recipes to: Wendy Sontag - ladywendy@gmx.com 
 
See the details below on how you can help us to help others.
 
Thank you one and all!
Wendy and Seniors Rock
Financial Peace University Starts Monday

Check out the return of Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University coming back
to SOH each Monday from May 1, 2017 through July 3, 2017!  Visit our blog to learn
more about this class, watch an introductory video and find out how to register!
Class size is limited.
SOH Blood Drive Is Sunday

You may also sign up online by going to: 
 
Click on Donate Blood, and under Search by Sponsor, enter
hopelutheran
in the "Code" field as shown below.

Friends & Family Weekend Is May 6th-7th

     Numbers For April 22-23, 2017     

Giving $6,213
Attendance 288
Our Weekly Goal Is: $5,340






If you are interested in becoming an e-Giver, visit this  blog post  on the SOH website, for step by step instructions.
Readings For This Coming Weekend
1 Peter 1:17-23 and Luke 24:13-35
 
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

April 29th 5:00 p.m. 
Set-Up: Nicki Krafft, Dave Stelzner
 
April 30th 8:45 a.m.
Altar Assistants: Rechinda Nelson, Diana Duck
Communion Servers: Donna Blad, Ron Thomas, Delores Burchill, Mary Myer
 Greeters: Larry & Sonja Snyder
 Reader: Linda Thomas
   Ushers: Wayne Schmidt, Carl McCoy, Drew Myer, Joe Tedrow
Sound Booth: Josh Keck

April 30th 10:15 a.m. 
Communion Servers: John & Jenny Janezic
Greeters: Jeanette Bailey, Cindy Bailey
Reader: Patty Nicholson
   Ushers: Darryl & Sherry Branham
Week At A Glance

Thu rsday
April 27th
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
April 28th
2:00 p.m. 
Choir Practice




Saturday
April 29th
5:00 p.m.
The Lift Service
6:00 p.m. 
TAG
8:15 p.m. 
The  Forge

Sunday
April 30th
8:45 a.m.
Blended Service
10:15 a.m. 
Contemporary Service
10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. 
Blood Drive


Monday
May 1st
6:00 p.m. 
Financial Peace University 




Tuesday
May 2nd





Wednesday
May 3rd
9:00 a.m. 
Staff Meeting		 6:00 p.m. 
Nite Lite
7:00 p.m. 
SWAG


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

Friday
May 5th



Fran, Norma, Lee, Martha, Linda prayers for strength
Vicki & David B prayers for healing (both are in the hospital)
Will & Kelly D prayers for a safe pregnancy
Eddie & Barb healing from health issues
Steve & Jill M, Lydia H pray for their family as they prepare for a mission trip/prayers for health, smooth process of paperwork and financial support
Our World prayers for peace
Dee prayers
Linda V healing from a back problem
Ed prayers that God's peace will enter his heart as he makes a decision to place wife, Michelle into a memory care unit
Nicholas prayers that he will know God's love as his mother transitions to a memory care unit
Shari I healing after being hit by a truck when running
Papa & Nonie prayers for good health
Tay prayers for housing in Humboldt
Diane prayers for happiness
Robert prayers for a new job
Allison prayers that she makes the right decision
Nick prayers that he appreciates his Dad
Winter Residents, Debbie, Karen safe travels
Bobbe healing from heart problems
Sandy prayers for hope and not giving up
Ethel prayers for pain relief
Sissy prayers for her family
Lindsay prayers for healing
Greg prayers for healing and strength
Matthew prayers for continued sobriety
Rosemary B prayers that my son finds God again
Amber S prayers that mom comes home
Jim & Karen G God's care for mom
Carol B, Shirlyn prayers for a speedy recovery from surgery
Don D prayers as he goes through chemotherapy
Mary W healing from a broken hip and leg
Lee L healing from hip surgery
Jerry & Jan H prayer of thanks for grandson/he seems to feel better
Allen & Becky B prayers for a neighbor
Ashley & David prayers that they sell their house
Holly's Family prayers for strength and comfort following the death of their grandson
Dolly prayers for comfort and peace from terminal cancer
Pat G healing from arm surgery
Dee recovery from surgery
Herb healing from gout and bursitis
Amy, Sharon healing from eye issues
Sally J healing from stroke
Tom H, Sandy B, Kevaleen, Horace H, Nikki H, Mark H, John P, Heidi, Michael, Pat F,Tom, Carol, Kevin, Paul, Becky healing from cancer
Jim I, Darlene I, Connie M, Vicky K, Ruthie P, Don K, John P, Don B healing from  multiple health issues
Prayers for all who struggle with marriage issues
Paula S prayer of thanks for finding a book agent
Don B recovery from back surgery
Connie M & Kathy S continued recovery
Maddie recovery from successful kidney transplant
Drew healing from addiction
Becca may she receive her heartfelt wish
Marc comfort and peace during time of grief
Amber guidance and peace with relationship issues
Spirit of Hope prayers for all who worship within its walls
Church Council prayers 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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