Thoughts From Pastor Glen

 
I continue to enjoy the new faces that I see week after week in worship. One lady who attended for the first time last week told me, "I've been here two months, and I wish I would have known about your church when I first came". I wish I had a nickel for every time someone told me that they didn't know about Spirit of Hope until they accidentally discovered it. Ginger, our Office Manager, does a great job with our website and social media, but many people still don't access the computer when looking for a church. Please continue to spread the word, hand out "Connection Card" stubs and offer to pick up a neighbor next weekend and bring them with you to worship. We'll be having another Friends & Family Weekend on May 6th-7th, which is a terrific opportunity to bring people you know to church to introduce them to Spirit of Hope!  
 
I've really enjoyed our Lenten Wednesday night services this year. Last week Duane Gilson really knocked it out of the park with his talk on the "City of Joy" in Rwanda and what God has placed on his heart. If you missed Duane's presentation, we have added the video to our website here for you to enjoy.
Up next this evening, will be one of our youth,  Austin Ransom,  who spent a summer volunteering at a Christian orphanage in India. The world seems to be shrinking every day, while God challenges us to reach out beyond our community, to the world. Remember to come early for our last  Soup Supper  - the variety and quality of soups has been outstanding! 
Rusty tells me that the numbers in TAG are starting to grow. The Forge (after high school) group continues to be strong. Please keep all of our children's ministries in your thoughts and prayers, as we guide them to become leaders in tomorrow's church. Don't forget to  register your kids for VBS 2017 which will be June 5-9th! 
 
I was pleasantly surprised to see nearly  400 people (386 actually) in worship last weekend. Again, I heard many "good-byes" as people said, "We will see you next fall". If you are one of those making your spring exodus, please know that you will be missed.
 
We celebrated  Yard Clean-Up Day last Saturday. We weren't large in numbers, but we filled much of the dumpster that the City of Mesa dropped off for our clean-up. I want to thank those who attended this event. There were thousands of calories burned on Saturday, while many of the donuts sat unattended by this weight conscious bunch.  
 
New Members were installed last weekend. Please make a special effort to reach out to these brothers and sisters in Christ.  Our next New Member Orientation will be May 21st at 11:15 a.m. 
 
Peace & love,
Pastor Glen
** Tonight ** Tonight ** Tonight **
Lenten Service - 7:00 p.m. 

Final Soup Supper

Tonight will be the last night of our
Soup & Bread Supper!

Please join us  at 6:00 p.m.  
before our Lenten Service
begins at 7:00 p.m.  
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.   

Financial Peace University Returns To SOH

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.
Upcoming SOH Community Event

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.

Prayer Wall

Don't forget you can now post prayers online to the new Prayer Wall on our website!

Here is how the Prayer Wall works: 
  • You may post prayer requests directly to our website, via the Prayer Wall. 
  • All prayer requests will be moderated before they go live for privacy purposes.
  • You may choose to share your prayer request anonymously, if you wish.
  • We also have included an "I Prayed For This" button, which when clicked, sends an uplifting email to the original poster, to let them know someone has prayed for them, if the original poster has requested this and provide their email address.  
  • When you post a prayer request and provide your email address, you will also receive an email with links you can use to "Mark Your Prayer Answered" or "Delete Your Prayer Request". 
  • Our Prayer Wall will be cleaned up every few months, with older Prayer Requests being deleted.
We hope you are enjoying this new page of our website, allowing you to post Prayer Requests 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Here is what the Prayer Request Form looks like, when you click on the "Share Your Prayer Request" button. 




Our VBS 2017 registration in under way!
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.

The MOMS Group will be meeting on April 15, 2017
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Topic: Positive Behavior Management 
Questions: Contact Faith Meyer at 480-320-8615
Numbers  For April 1-2, 2017       

Giving $5,401
Attendance 386
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
Phil 2:5-11 and Matt 21:1-11
 
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

April 8th 5:00 p.m. 
Set-Up: Lee Stadler

April 9th 8:45 a.m.
Altar Assistants: Jim & Karen Gowan
Communion Servers: Ron & Marlys Carlson, Moine & Sharon Gates
 Greeters: Jim & Sharon Vierbicher
 Reader: Donna Blad
   Ushers: Ron & Barb Vogel, Larry & Ellen Hoiberg
Sound Booth: Josh Keck

April 9th 10:15 a.m. 
Communion Servers: Jeanette Bailey, Cindy Bailey
Greeters: Grant & Bonnie Klassen
Reader: Linda Wilcox
   Ushers: Darryl & Sherry Branham
Week At A Glance

Thursday, April 6
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, April 7
2:00 p.m. - Choir Practice (Sanctuary)
Saturday, April 8
5:00 p.m. - The Lift Service 
6:00 p.m. - TAG 
8:15 p.m. - The Forge
Sunday, April 9
8:45 a.m. - Blended Service
10:15 a.m. - Contemporary Service
5:00 p.m. - Being Whole Again * On Break - Resumes In The Fall Of 2017! *
Monday, April 10
Tuesday, April 11
Wednesday, April 12
9:00 a.m. - Staff Meeting
10:00 a.m. - Stitchers (Narthex)
6:00 p.m. - Nite Lite 
7:00 p.m. - SWAG
Thursday, April 13
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)
7:00 p.m. - Maundy Thursday Service
Friday, April 14
2:00 p.m. - Choir Practice (Sanctuary)
7:00 p.m. - Good Friday Service
Prayer Concerns For April 1-2, 2017

Teresa healing from viral infection/influenza
Eddie and Barb C. recovery fromhealth issues
Mike J, Mike B, Lindsay healing
Rita and Ethan comfort and strength
Matthew and Kolby continued recovery
Frieda P. prayers for improved health
Cancer patients prayers for healing
Paul, Becky, Devin prayers for healing from cancer
Dee and Tom P. recovery from surgery
Fran, Norma, Linda, Lee prayers for strength
Sharon patience
Tyler prayers of thanksgiving for his cancer treatment and continued prayers for healing
Herb healing from gout and bursitis
Winter visitors safe travels back to summer homes
Russel and Carol safe travels during the road trip home
Carolyn and John safe travel to Montana
Garry and Lorna safe travel to Alberta
Amy, Sharon prayers for issues with eyes
Sally J healing from stroke
Joy W prayers for fighting staph
Tom H, Sandy B, Kevaleen, Horace H, Nikki H, Mark H, John P, Heidi, Michael healing from cancer
Jim I, Darlene I, Connie M, Vicky K, Ruthie P, Don K, John P, Don B strength and hope withhealing from  multiple health issues,
Prayers for all who struggle with marriage issues
Paula S help in publishing her book
Don B recovery from back surgery
Connie M & Kathy S continued recovery
Maddie recovery from successful kidney transplant
Drew healing from addiction
Nick and Fred prayers
Debi comfort, strength, and peace after being given weeks to live because of brain cancer
Ret. Col. Gene R recovering from brain tumor surgery-having continual headaches
Paula prayers for success of "We Are One", patriotic CD
Becca may she receive her heartfelt wish
Kaity healing from headaches
Kassy healing of toe
Tyler and Nanna healing of back
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 for our church to thrive
Pastor Glen & Rusty prayers of thanks as they serve the church community
Mathew, Ric and families safe travels from IL to Mesa and Tuesday and Thursday
© 2017 
Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church
(480) 396-8300
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