Thoughts From Pastor Glen

 
I've got to thank my wonderful staff and leaders for covering for me this past week. Lee (my spouse) had surgery last Tuesday and to my surprise came home that day! My nursing skills are suspect, and we had moments of drama, but for the most part, things have gone well and I've had the luxury of watching my spouse heal.  She will need to follow up with some immunotherapy called BCG. Thank you for your kind words, gifts, cards, and prayers! They mean more than words can express.
 
I couldn't be more proud of our Youth Minister, Rusty Shaffer as he teamed up with his troops through the second rendition of what has been called The Experiment Service. All aspects of the service were put together by The Forge - our college group. There was an electricity in the air as I sat back and watched the word of God come alive under the capable hands of these young adults. The congregation was filled with new faces as the parents of these young people came out to support their efforts. One parent shared with me in the Narthex, that it was her college-aged son who has drawn her back to God. Scholars have speculated that many of Jesus' disciples could have been as young as our group leading worship. God has given us an incredible gift with these young people. There are very few churches who have college-aged people making a difference in the name of Christ. I, for one, feel blessed watching what God is doing through this amazing group.


The 10th Anniversary Task Force met last Saturday, and you can sense the excitement that is building. We will have one service at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, October 1st. The sanctuary will be filled with tables and chairs as our worship will be radically different from our norm, but fun. Both Michael Snyder and Nick & Nikki Garza will be providing music. There will be multiple picture displays of past members, past events, and of all things God has done over the past 10 years. If you have some old pictures of people, events, or church activities that you would be willing to share, please drop them off at the church office with your name attached to them, so that each item can be returned.  
 
We are looking for shoeboxes for a new ministry that Donna Blad is heading up.  These boxes will later be filled with particular items and will be given to local law enforcement officers to distribute among people who are in distressed situations. You will be hearing more about this in the coming weeks. In the meantime, bring your shoeboxes with you to church and drop them off under the tree in the Narthex.  
 
I heard that 375 homeless people were served breakfast by our amazing Outreach Team at Grace Lutheran Church this past weekend. This is a ministry that we share with Grace Lutheran and several other congregations in the Phoenix area. I am especially touched by this activity when my daughter, Pastor Sarah Stadler, the pastor of Grace, shares with me the number of compliments she receives when the Spirit of Hope team serves pancakes. Thank you for lifting up Christ in this special way. 
 

It is such a honor to be your pastor and see such an outpouring of your love. Please know that every smile, every kind gesture and every hug makes a difference. As the saying goes, "God's Work. Our Hands."  
 
Peace & love,
Pastor Glen
We Need Shoeboxes - Can You Help Us?
We need 100 (or more) shoeboxes. You ask "why"? We will be starting a special project and we will give you all of the information in early September. It will be fun and rewarding and will PUT A SMILE ON A CHILD'S FACE.  If you have a shoebox or two, please bring them to church in August, and place them under the tree in the Narthex. More information will follow soon.
Spirit Of Hope - 2017 Hopes And Dreams Craft Show
All of the details, rules and our Online Application for the 2017 Hopes & Dreams Craft Show, can be found  here  on our website! 
     Numbers For July 29-30, 2017     

Giving $3,562
Attendance 203
Our Weekly Goal Is: $5,540






Our Financial Snapshot For June 2017

June 2017
Year To Date
Monthly General Fund Income $16,806 $157,555
Monthly General Fund Expense $(28,656) $(156,331)
          Total General Income $(11,850) $1,224



Monthly Income For Mortgage Payment $3,581 $24,909
Monthly Mortgage Payment $(5,337) $(32,022)
          Monthly Total Balance $(1,756) ($7,113)


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 

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
Rom 9:1-5 and Matt 14:13-21
 
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

August 5th 5:00 p.m.
Set-Up: Steve & Bonnie Osterman
 
August 6th 8:45 a.m. 
 Altar Assistants: Jim & Karen Gowan
Communion Servers: Barb Landau, Mary Dicks, Karen Gowan, Wayne Schmidt
 Greeters: Naomi Henson, Lonna Leidal
 Reader: Phil Troiano
   Ushers: Joe Tedrow, Keith Hackney, Donna Blad, Dick Schultz
Sound Booth: Josh Keck
August 6th 10:15 a.m.
Communion Servers: Kim Gordon, Sylvia Humleker
Greeters: Ken & Linda Vandenberg
Reader: Linda Wilcox
   Ushers: Darryl & Sherry Branham
Week At A Glance

Thursday
August 3rd

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

Friday
August 4th





Saturday
August 5th
5:00 p.m. 
The Lift Service
6:00 p.m. 
TAG
8:00 p.m. 
The Forge

Sunday
August 6th
8:45 a.m.
Blended
Service
10:15 a.m. 
Contemporary
Service



Monday
August 7th





Tuesday
August 8th
6:00 p.m. 
2017 VBS Wrap-Up Meeting




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


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

 Friday
August 11th





Ernie R, Carol L, Pat B, Becky, Paul, Kevin, Faye 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 recovery
Warren H prayers that medication can be regulated
Kourtney & Michele C prayers to get a house
Brandon & Mandy prayers for a job and safe travel
Cancer Patients prayers for healing and strength
Greg's Family prayers for comfort in his passing
Marie prayers for healing and comfort as she fights stage 4 cancer
Anthony prayers as he makes life decisions
Spirit of Hope prayers
Keith prayers for positive test results from prostate biopsy (8/4)
Carl M prayers for my father-in-law and family following his recent death
SOH Council prayers as they develop a path through the coming months
Jeff prayers for a speedy recovery following surgery
Debbie T prayers for guidance in decision making for family members/peace and comfort in stressful situations
Cynthia prayers for a healthy pregnancy and safety in school
Art prayers for healing from Parkinson's and dementia
Betty prayers for continued healing of her knee
Nikki's Family prayers for healing from strep
Robyn prayer of thanks and praise for her hospital discharge
Gavin & Lee prayers for their completed surgeries
Patty N prayers that God's peace enters the hearts of those who need His strength during times of loss of their loved ones
Fran, Lee, Norma, Martha, John, Linda prayers for strength
Hoai prayers for sins and forgiveness
Lee, Ruthie & John, Donna, Lindsay, Mike B, Mike J, Dee, Kit, Robyn, Gavin, Steve prayers for healing

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

© 2017 
Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church
(480) 396-8300
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