Thoughts From Pastor Glen

 
It was fun to sit within the congregation at most of the worship services this past weekend. Saturday night launched what has been called The Experiment. It was a worship experience that was designed and executed by the youth along with their leader Youth Minister Rusty Shaffer preaching. I loved watching the youth take charge as they orchestrated a worship style that they thought was more suited to the younger generation. I am convinced that the church needs to stretch itself to be more inclusive, more open and more willing to trust God in unveiling God's grace. I want to thank the youth, our musicians Nick & Nikki Garza, Rich Biesterfeld for capturing the moment in pictures, and Rusty for allowing me to sit and watch the worship world from a different vantage point.  Be sure to take a look at the gallery that has been added to our website here , to see the wonderful photos taken by Rich during  this service.


I enjoyed another New Member Class last Sunday when 7 new families moved through the orientation. It's like Christmas for me when I listen to new people share a little about themselves. I often wonder what God had in mind for these newbies when God sends them to Spirit of Hope. I truly feel that new members are "a God thing" and our job is to support them so they can fulfill what God intended. I want to thank all our presenters, Kathy Barr our lunch hostess, who was assisted by Debbie Zimmerman, Don Knickerbocker our photographer, and my spouse, Lee, for leading the class.
 
I walked part of the community of Mulberry on Saturday morning ringing door bells, passing out brochures and inviting people to worship. It was so much fun to see a new resident from across the street who came to check us out after finding a flyer in their door. It's hard to say if we will see them again, but new faces are always a treat. I hope to get more door ringing in this week, as I recruit neighborhood children to our Vacation Bible School program that begins on June 5th. Please don't be shy about inviting people to worship, VBS, or any other ministry activities.

Here are a few photos that were shared with me, from our Backpack Lenten Project, when the backpacks were picked up and delivered. 

The office will be closed on Monday, May 29th, for Memorial Day. On behalf of the SOH staff, I wish you all a relaxing and enjoyable holiday weekend. 

I'm feeling blessed as you surround me in making Christ known. As I said to the new members on Sunday, I believe that the Holy Spirit is alive and well in each of us, and that what happens in caring conversations before and after worship, are just as powerful as what happens in worship. See yourself as disciples, called to draw others to God's grace.
 
Peace & love,
Pastor Glen
We Are GEARING Up For VBS 2017 And We
Would Love To Have Your Kids Join Us!
Registration for kids (pre-school through 5th grade) is open.  
VBS is 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.

We are in need of volunteers for VBS - especially on our decorating crew! If you are able to help us out by decorating prior to VBS, please let Youth Minister Rusty Shaffer know, so he can assign you to one of the many tasks that makes Vacation Bible School, such a great experience for all the kids.


Seniors Rock Meals Of Hope
** Update **

How do we begin to say thank you to the congregation for your generous support of our Meals of Hope summer project! So far, we have prepared meals for ten individuals. Some were alone, and some had a spouse not feeling up to par. The joy we feel that we are able to do this, is overwhelming to say the least. We will continue on with this project until August, and if a need arises after August, of course we will be more then happy to make more meals. 

Thank you and God Bless,
Wendy Sontag on behalf of Seniors Rock
     Numbers For May 20-21, 2017     

Giving $4,398
Attendance 225
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.


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 4:12-14; 5:6-11 and John 17:1-11
 
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 27th 5:00 p.m. 
Set-Up: TBD
 
May 28th 8:45 a.m.
Altar Assistants: Jim & Karen Gowan
Communion Servers: Ron & Barb Vogel, Mary Dicks, Nancy Stark
 Greeters: Larry & Sonja Snyder
 Reader: Donna Blad
   Ushers: Joe Tedrow, Keith Hackney, Phil Troiano, Karen Reil
Sound Booth: Josh Keck

May 28th 10:15 a.m. 
Communion Servers: Ken & Linda Vandenberg 
Greeters: Jeanette Bailey, Cindy Bailey
Reader: TBD
   Ushers: Jeanette Bailey, Cindy Bailey
Week At A Glance

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





Saturday
May 27th
5:00 p.m.
The Lift Service
6:00 p.m. 
TAG
8:15 p.m. 
The  Forge

Sunday
May 28th
8:45 a.m.
Blended Service
10:15 a.m. 
Contemporary Service



Monday
May 29th		 OFFICE IS 
CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAY
6:00 p.m. 
Financial Peace University 



Tuesday
May 30th





Wednesday
May 31st
9:00 a.m. 
Staff Meeting
6:00 p.m. 
SWAG


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

Friday
June 2nd



Ernie prayers for healing from lymphoma
Carol L prayers for healing from breast cancer
Wayne F prayers for healing from bladder cancer
Deb & Jim W prayers for healing and strength
Joyce K, Albert prayers for support and healing while in Hospice
Terri F prayers for her family
Dee, Kit, Barb, Shari prayers for healing
Ed, Roberta & Family prayers for support and healing while Ed is in Hospice
Patty N prayers for all families with loved ones afflicted with Alzheimer's disease find the peace of God's love in their hearts
Norma, Martha, Fran, Kevin, Lee prayers for strength
Mary W prayers on her passing
Papa Fred prayers for improved health
Baby B's Family prayer of thanks for their new baby
Barry prayers for healing from aggressive prostate cancer
Pam prayers for safe travels for her new journey
Georgia prayers for pain relief in her knee
Ron prayers for successful heart procedure
Robert, Vito prayer of thanks for their new jobs
Daniel, Robert, Mathew prayers for God's strength
Pat prayers for healing and pain relief from shingles
Nikki prayers for healing from leukemia
Van & Glenda prayers for strength, improved health and peace
Sydney prayers for strength to move on to law school and receive a generous scholarship
Devan prayers to open his eyes and heart to move on to medical school
Mike B, Mike J, Lindsay prayers for healing, strength and comfort
Joe T prayers for strength and comfort for all caregivers taking care of their spouses with memory loss
Prayers for healing people with lingering illnesses
Kim & Ty H prayer of thanks for all God's blessings
Baby Madalyne prayers for healing from an infection
Jean M prayers for healing from back surgery
Sonny prayers for healing from heart surgery
Dolly, Nicki H prayers for comfort and peace from terminal cancer
Al M, Mathew, Nana & Papa prayers for safe travels
Darlene 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, Becky, Kevin, Carol, Mark H, John P, Heidi, Michael, Ed, Paul  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 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

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Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church
(480) 396-8300
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