Thoughts From Pastor Glen

 
He is risen! He is risen indeed! What a great Holy Week celebration. It started with our Maundy Thursday service, as we placed everyone at an actual table with Jesus and the disciples to share an enactment of the Lord's Supper. Then the drama continued on Good Friday as readers and actors unfolded the tale of the crucifixion of Christ. The Easter services started Saturday evening as worshippers were embraced with the beauty of 43 Easter Lilies that enhanced the chancel area. It continued on Sunday when "Our Youth" brought us outside on a perfect morning (6:30 a.m.) to lead us in a Sunrise Service. Nick Hannon, one of our seventeen year olds, did a superb job of sharing his struggles and how God has led him to where he is today. While surrounded by his supporting cast of youth, Nick made this service special. It reminded me of how blessed we are to have Rusty's leadership among the youth. Then to my surprise we nearly filled the building for our 8:45 a.m. service with friends, relatives and neighbors. And not to be outdone by the other services, we experienced the joy of Otto & Ruby Klick entering the family of God by means of Holy Baptism. I struggled not to laugh as little expressive Ruby gave me the funniest look after I dampened her forehead. And dare I mention the children? We had kids all over the place - overwhelming our sermon activity room and space around the altar as we thanked God for the gift of the resurrection. 

 
559 people gathered during our Easter services smashing my expectations of 400. I need to thank the many, many people who enabled our Holy Week experience beginning with our Worship Ministry Team who orchestrated the services by lining up the readers, the actors, the services, and the Easter decorations. I also want to thank the talented readers and actors , including our youth service preacher . Then there are the many who played roles behind the scenes, who function quietly as God's hands and feet, thank you! It is such an honor to be your pastor.

Gayle Troiano, one of our Stitchers, made over 70 small unique Easter baskets that were distributed after Easter services. They were a huge hit with the kids, as adults were given a small lapel cross reminding them of the resurrection. 

Thanks Gayle, for remembering these little ones.  

A special thank you to our own Rich Biesterfeld, who is one of our many volunteer photographers.

He took amazing photos during Holy Week, which he shared on the SOH FB page, and graciously allowed us to create a 2017 Holy Week Photo Gallery on our website for all of you to enjoy.

Thanks, Rich! 

$280  was gathered during  Austin Ransom's  talk at our last Wednesday night Lenten service on April 5, 2017. 

These funds will be sent with Austin on his return trip to the orphanage in India. 

Thank you for your support!

82 backpacks were gathered during our Lenten Project. These backpacks will be given to the support staff at the Jack Harmon Elementary School in San Tan Valley, and distributed among children from low-income families. 

Thank you for participating in this unique project. 

$482.25 was gathered in the Hunger Jar over the Easter weekend to assist one of our families who suffered a financial loss because of an auto accident earlier this month. Thank you for your generosity and please continue to keep this family and all our families in your prayers as we lift up God's grace.  
  
I was saddened by the news that our Choir Director Dave Stumo shared that he will not be with us next fall to lead our choir. I thought Dave did a great job of making our singers come alive. We will create a search team to find his replacement. Thanks Dave and Clarice, for sharing your talent, enthusiasm and friendship this past winter season.

This was a very emotional Easter season for me. I am so proud of our staff, our volunteers, and the people who make up this amazing congregation. My two & half year old granddaughter was sitting behind me during the 10:15 a.m. worship service, and I started to tear-up knowing that I was able to share this weekend with her. Our religious traditions can seem common place at times, but it fills my heart when I see our "little ones" receive "the good news" that has carried me through the storms of my life. I am convinced that God is using Spirit of Hope to change the world, even if it is, one person at a time. 
  
Peace & love,
Pastor Glen
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 will be preparing and delivering 5 freezer friendly meals to share with those SOH worshippers who are going through some health issues. We are going to be starting this project next week. 

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 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.
SOH Blood Drive Coming April 30th

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


Our VBS 2017 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.

     Numbers For April 15-16, 2017     

Giving $7,823
Attendance 559
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 1:3-9 and John 20:19-31
 
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 22nd 5:00 p.m. 
Set-Up: Joseph & Sheila Burnsworth

April 23rd 8:45 a.m.
Altar Assistants: Barbara Landau, Diana Duck
Communion Servers: Ron & Barb Vogel, Nancy Stark, Marylou Wilson
 Greeters: Karen Reil, Dick Schultz
 Reader: Sandi Richards
   Ushers: Ron & Linda Thomas, Joe Tedrow, Karen Reil
Sound Booth: Josh Keck

April 23rd 10:15 a.m. 
Communion Servers: Patty Nicholson, Marie Renda
Greeters: Jeanette Bailey, Cindy Bailey
Reader: Marie Renda
   Ushers: Mike Nicholson, Kim Gordon
Week At A Glance

Thu rsday
April 20th
6:30 a.m.
Too Big For Starbucks
9:00 a.m. 
Seniors Rock

10:00 a.m.
Memory Care Service
1:00 p.m.
Women's Bible Study

Friday
April 21st





Saturday
April 22nd
9:00 a.m. 
Stewardship Team Meeting
5:00 p.m.
The Lift Service
6:00 p.m. 
TAG
8:15 p.m. 
The  Forge

Sunday
April 23rd
8:45 a.m.
Blended Service
10:15 a.m. 
Contemporary Service



Monday
April 24th




Tuesday
April 25th





Wednesday
April 26th
9:00 a.m. 
Staff Meeting		 6:00 p.m. 
Nite Lite
7:00 p.m. 
SWAG


Thursday
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

Friday
April 28th		 2:00 p.m.
Choir Practice


Lynel prayers for a speedy recovery
Judy B prayers for the peaceful death of her 94 year old mother
Mary B healing from back and hip problems
Sandi R prayers for her son who is going through marital issues
Gloria D prayers for a successful surgery (4/17/17)
Dad peace and comfort from alzheimer's disease
Ian & Devan peace and love
Darren relief from pain
Robin S prayer of thanks for the health of my 88 year old mom
Michael & Noni M prayers for health issues
Shirlyn prayers for a speeding recovery from surgery
Mary W healing from a broken hip
Myrna J safe travel back to Minnesota (Fri-Mon)
Calaya & Bobby prayer of thanks for both of them being employed
Col. Gene R prayers for continued healing
Debi P prayers for peace and comfort as she enters the last stage of death
John & Ruthie prayers for God's comfort
Jeremy, Lindsay prayers for healing
Lorayne T prayers for a successful surgery (4/20/17)
Jim & Darlene I prayers for strength
Spirit of Hope praise God for our church
Ric healing for his back and knee
Tina healing for her ankle
Mike prayers for humbleness
Eddie & Barb healing from health issues
Michael prayers for asperger's
Deb & Jim W, Larry, Joyce, Family, All People prayers forhealing and strength
Deb T prayers that the Holy Spirit will work within us all to spread the Lord's word and grace
Liam healing from RSV
Sarah freedom from the binds of a cult
People of Our Nation that God's peace and will become evident as we pray for his guidance
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, Joe T, David, Heather' Mom , 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

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Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church
(480) 396-8300
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