Thoughts From Pastor Glen

 
"I will see you next year", a worshipper quipped as he shook my hand after the service. This time of year is always a little sad for me as so many of our winter residents head north. I guess I would call myself "a people person". I enjoy the interaction, the story telling, the hugs and the common ground that so many of our winter people share. So, I know intellectually, that some of those handshakes may be my last for some folks because of health and their family situation, but emotionally it's like good-bye to a family member and it tugs on my heart. If you are one of those people heading north, please know that you will be missed, and I pray for nothing but the very best for you and your family during your summer getaway. 
 
Little people, little people everywhere. Have you noticed the baby explosion at worship lately? I can't help but chuckle when these little souls make their way to the front of the church for the children's sermon. I never know what they will say or do, which makes my job so much fun. I want to thank our veteran nursery crew Kathy Barr & Debbie Zimmerman together with the new Nursery Team for transforming the sermon time for these little theologians. 
 
Have you been to a Lenten service? We have easily doubled our participant numbers over last year for our Wednesday night Lenten services. Our own Bobbi Edwardson, a Certified Spiritual Director, will lead us into taking a different look at PRAYER tonight. Remember the service starts at 7:00 p.m. with the soup supper starting at 6:00 p.m.
 
Backpacks! We are still looking for backpacks as our Lenten project for a local school for low income families. We will be gathering backpacks through our Easter celebration.
 
Did you get a chance to hear THE BAND this weekend? Wow - they were great! It was the first time in 38 years of ministry that I've heard a "Rap" song in worship. I can't help but think that it even made God smile. 
 
Help, help, help is needed as we tackle our church grounds on April 1st at 7:00 a.m.  It would be wonderful to have a group of 40-50 people gathered together to trim, rake, spray and haul our excess landscape to a temporary dumpster. Rumor has it, that there may even be DONUTS.

If you missed  Artist & Pastor Paul Oman's Drawn To The Word  event at SOH on March 8, 2017, the video from that evening is on  our website  for all to enjoy. A special thanks to our own  Duane Gilson  for being our videographer that evening, and editing the video for us. 

May God bless you all as you push down your fear and share your smell.
 
Peace & love,
Pastor Glen
** Tonight ** Tonight ** Tonight **
Lenten Service - Another Look At Prayer -  7:00 p.m.  
Soup Suppers

We invite you to join us as we dine on  Soup & Bread  each Wednesday, through April 5th at 6:00 p.m.   We can't do this alone, so sign-up sheets are in the Narthex. At least 6 crock-pots of soup will be needed each week. 
2017 Lenten Service Project

Our 2017 Lenten Service Project is collecting backpacks for low income students, mainly foster children, at the Jack Harmon Elementary School in San Tan Valley. 

Please bring new backpacks to any of our Services  through Easter Sunday, and the kids will collect the backpacks from you during the services. 
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
Pancake Breakfast
For The Homeless 

We would love to have you volunteer for this Outreach Team Opportunity: 

Where: Grace Lutheran Church

When: Sunday, April 30, 2017

Time: 6:00 a.m. - Meet at Grace Lutheran

Families are welcome to volunteer! 

Sign up sheet is on the Narthex Desk.

Please call Tina Gilson, Outreach Team Chair, at 414-517-6505 with any questions.   

Landscape Clean-Up 

We need your help to beautify our church landscaping before the heat of summer arrives.

When: Saturday, April 1, 2017
Time: 7:00 a.m. 

Please mark your calendars if you can help us!

Our VBS 2017 registration has begun!
Sign up your kiddos (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.
Two Easy Ways To Support SOH While You Shop!


AmazonSmile

Another quick and easy way to support SOH is when you shop at Amazon. Simply shop @AmazonSmile, and Amazon will make a donation to Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church! 

We've received $25.38 in donations so far, and as a non-profit, every penny counts. Here is the link that will take you to the SOH AmazonSmile page.  
Numbers  For March 18-19, 2017       

Giving $7,828
Attendance 387
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
Eph 5:8-14 and John 9:1-41
 
This Weekend's Worship Assistants
8:45 a.m. Service Coordinator: Phil Troiano
10:15 a.m. Service Coordinators: Sylvia Humleker & Linda Wilcox

March 26th 8:45 a.m. 
Altar Assistants: TBD, Klaus Rapp
Communion Servers: Ernie & Marian Rud, Bob & Judy Crace
 Greeters: Don & Therese Dalton
 Reader: Donna Blad
   Ushers: Ron & Barb Vogel, David & Lorayne Thompson
Sound Booth: Josh Keck

March 26th 10:15 a.m.
Communion Servers: Jeanette Bailey, Cindy Bailey, Debbie Traynor, Eunice Ball
Greeters: Cal & Barb Schell
Reader: Patty Nicholson
   Ushers: Mike Nicholson, Ardis Johnson
Week At A Glance

Thursday, March 23
6:30 a.m. - Too Big For Starbucks (Narthex)
9:00 a.m. - Senior's Rock (Narthex)
1:00 p.m. - Women's Bible Study (Large Classroom)
6:30 p.m. - Church Council Meeting (Large Classroom)
Friday, March 24
2:00 p.m. - Choir Practice (Sanctuary)
Saturday, March 25
5:00 p.m. - The Lift Service 
6:00 p.m. - TAG 
8:15 p.m. - The Forge
Sunday, March 26
8:45 a.m. - Blended Service
10:15 a.m. - Contemporary Service
5:00 p.m. - Being Whole Again (Narthex)
Monday, March 27
Tuesday, March 28
Wednesday, March 29
9:00 a.m. - Staff Meeting
10:00 a.m. - Stitchers (Narthex)
6:00 p.m. - Soup Supper
6:00 p.m. - Nite Lite/Confirmation
7:00 p.m. - Lenten Service ** My Experience at the City of Joy - Duane Gilson ** 
7:00 p.m. - SWAG
Thursday, March 30
6:30 a.m. - Too Big For Starbucks (Narthex)
9:00 a.m. - Senior's Rock (Narthex)
1:00 p.m. - Women's Bible Study (Large Classroom)
Friday, March 31
2:00 p.m. - Choir Practice (Sanctuary)
Prayer Concerns For March 18-19, 2017

Kassy healing from an injured toe
Ty healing for his back
Kaity healing for her headaches
Bev prayers for comfort
Lisa healing from pneumonia
Jane prayers for settling into a new home
Shawn & Jen prayers as they begin their marriage
Alex J praise God for his testimony
Tom, Ric, Darlene, Diane, Barb C, Fran, Norma, Corrine, Linda, Lee prayers for God's strength
Don prayers for God's continued healing touch
Deb & Jim W, Ruthie & John, Kit, Tyler, Carol prayers for strength and healing
Larry prayers for strength and living with pain
Frank S, Nick, Fred L, Pastor Glen prayers
Charlie & Phyllis B prayers for family in Ohio
Karen comfort and peace following the loss of her husband
Ken M, Shirlyn S healing following surgery
Ethel R prayers for pain and rehab
Tom prayers for loss of his wife
Mona & Family comfort and peace following the loss of their father-in-law
Gerry safe travel
Beckie peace and comfort
Matthew, Kolby prayers for continued recovery
Dee W prayers for a successful surgery
Marge peace and comfort as she enters the final stage of death
Troy S healing from a transplant
Trish peace and comfort as she mourns
Doris W healing from broken bones
Frieda P continued healing
Norma H prayers for our daughter who is having cancer surgery (3/20/17)
Jim & Karen G good health for our families and understanding of news
Ermal prayers for health issues
Calaya C  prayers of thanks for getting her new job
Bobby C  success in finding a job
Caiya C  prayers for safety as she learns to drive and graduation in May
Ermal & Paula prayers of thanks for getting more show dates
David & Anita S prayers of thanks for opportunity to worship at SOH (great sermons and music/choir)
Karen K  prayers for her sister who will be moved to a memory unit (also prayers for her children)
Don A  comfort and healing during cancer treatments
Joe T  strength and comfort
Dee  recovery from surgery for cancer
Amy, Sharon prayers for issues with eyes
Sally J  healing from stroke
Tom H, Sandy B, Kevaleen, Horace H, Nikki H, Mark H, John P, Heidi, Michael, Eddie C, Paul, Becky, Kevin, Jim, Wayne, Carol L, Pat B 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 help finding an agent to get her book published
Don B healing 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 all who worship within its walls
Church Council that they make sound decisions that allow our church to thrive
Pastor Glen & Rusty prayers of thanks as they serve the church community
© 2017 
Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church
(480) 396-8300
Are you following us on social media? Here are all the ways to connect with us!
Like us on Facebook     Find us on Google+     View on Instagram     Find us on Pinterest     Follow us on Twitter