Thoughts From Pastor Glen

 
It was fun to watch Rusty pull into the church lot on Friday afternoon bringing our teenage troops home from Campfirmation. He used Spirit of Hope's new 12 passenger van. The good news is that he brought home the same number of kids that he took, and even better, they were all the same kids. Thus, a successful week at camp.

 
Some of you have emailed me concerning what happens to the rest of the staff after my retirement November 30th. The answer is nothing. My retirement doesn't change the status of the rest of the staff. There will be an Interim Pastor for 9-12 months while the Congregation's Call Committee interviews candidates. Once a candidate is found to be a good match, they will submit the name to Church Council and then the Council will pass the name onto the congregation at a Congregational Meeting, where members have a chance to ask questions and then vote. We have a great staff. Of course, staff members have the freedom to make up their own minds, but it's my prayer that I will be able to pass this superb group onto my predecessor.   
 
Have you thought about becoming a member of a Study Group? Each of you will have the opportunity to join a Study Group in the month of August. My hope is that we will start 3-5 groups studying the same material but meeting at different times and potentially different places. The name of the curriculum is Just Walk Across the Room by Bill Hybels. This four session study directs a group to look at four simple steps of Pointing People to Faith. Each group member will have a study guide (a book) to follow, and there will be a DVD to view when the group meets. My vision is that we start to promote these small study groups where people can grow in their faith walk, but also get better acquainted with other members.

Thank you to all of you who participated in bringing in cases of water, for the Heat Respite Program for Grace Lutheran Church. As you can see, it was a big success and we collected 60 cases of water for this great program! 


I'm typing this on the morning of the 4th of July . My imagination was captured this morning by all the American flags I saw waving in the air during my bike ride. We all share the privilege of living in the United States. We are not a country without faults, but we are a country where freedom rings. That freedom came on the backs of those who were brave enough to fight for that freedom. Every day in my aging process, I become more appreciative for those who were willing to serve our nation.  For those of you who have served our country, "thank you"!
 
Last weekend during the sermon I attempted to convince each of you that you carry the presence of Christ. Jesus said to the disciples, "when people welcome YOU they welcome ME." My prayer for you this week is that you see "the presence of God" within you and when God sends someone across your path, that you would share that presence.
 
Peace & love,  
Pastor Glen
Outreach Team In Action
Our Outreach Team recently served dinner at the East Valley Men's Shelter and shared a couple of photos with us, that we wanted to share with all of you. 

Seniors Rock Meals Of Hope
     Numbers For July 1-2, 2017     

Giving $4,711
Attendance 176
Our Weekly Goal Is: $5,540







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Readings For This Coming Weekend
Rom 7:15-25a and Matt 11:16-19, 25-30
 
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

July 8th 5:00 p.m. 
Set-Up: TBD
 
July 9th 8:45 a.m. 
 Altar Assistant: Diana Duck
Communion Servers: Mary Dicks, Mary Myer, Delores Burchill, Ellen Towler
 Greeters: Ron & Barb Vogel
 Reader: Brian Blad
   Ushers: Joe Tedrow, Keith Hackney, Dick Schultz, Donna Blad
Sound Booth: Josh Keck

July 9th 10:15 a.m. 
Communion Servers: Linda Wilcox, Sylvia Humleker
Greeters: Mary Murray, Cindy Bailey
Reader: Michael Stark
   Ushers: Jeanette Bailey, Judi Ofelt
Week At A Glance

Thursday
July 6th

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


Friday
July 7th





Saturday
July 8th
10:00 a.m. 
Worship Team
Meeting
5:00 p.m. 
The Lift Service
6:00 p.m. 
TAG
8:15 p.m.
The Forge

Sunday
July 9th
8:45 a.m.
Blended
Service
10:15 a.m. 
Contemporary
Service



Monday
July 10th





Tuesday
July 11th





Wednesday
July 12th
9:00 a.m. 
Staff Meeting
 
 


Thursday
July 13th
6:30 a.m. 
Too Big For Starbucks
9:00 a.m. 
Seniors Rock
1:00 p.m. 
Women's Bible Study

 Friday
July 14th





Ernie R, Carol L, Pat B 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
Dee prayers
Chris prayers as colon cancer was diagnosed
Brandon prayers as lung tumor was found
Deb and Jim W., Larry W., Joyce K. prayers for healing and strength
Cynthia prayers for healthy pregnancy
Robyn prayers for healing and recovery from cancer and prayers for her family and those providing treatment
Becky, Paul, Kevin prayers for healing from cancer
Fran, Lee, Norma, John, Mary, Louise prayers for strength
Etta prayers for caring for her with dementia
Grace Lutheran in Ridgecrest, CA prayers as they begin to call a new pastor
MJ prayers for this new born with multiple health issues
Firefighters and those affected by the fires prayers for strength, reassurance, and resilience
Mandy and Brandon prayers for safe travels
Addyson prayers for health: diagnosis with absence epilepsy and stomach issues
Tom prayers for cancer recovery
Sharon prayers for faith to help mourn her friend, Niki who died of leukemia, and to give her strength to move on
Greg prayers for comfort and peace
Mike J. and Mike B. prayers for healing
Lo and Claudia prayers for strength and comfort
Linda prayers for strength and a good outcome for upcoming surgery
Jim and Karen prayers of peace for his mother
Janet S. prayers during her hospital observation
Kit prayers for pain relief
USA and decision-makers prayers that they make wise decisions for its citizens, country, and the world
Shirley H . prayers for recovery from surgery
AJ prayers for God's strength
Rusty prayers to bless his work with our youth
Mike prayers for kindness
Mathew prayers for right decisions
Alexander family prayers for safe travels
Linda K. and Sherry prayers for healing
Mary prayers of comfort in loss of her son
Annette prayers of good results for CT scan
Spirit Of Hope Website Quick Links

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Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church
(480) 396-8300
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