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Thoughts From Pastor Glen
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There was a buzz in the air as clergy gathered one by one in the Narthex at the back of Celebration Lutheran Church last Sunday. Members walked in with dish in hand. There were salads, desserts, and various hor d'oeuvres that were carefully positioned on the long tables as if this drill had been done before.
Pastor Paul Nelson stepped through the door, the pastor who retired from Celebration only months ago, like always carrying a smile, but a little pensive as now his pulpit would be filled by another. He didn't want to join the pastoral procession, instead choosing to sit back enjoying the worship service that he had led for so many years. I found myself sitting in the front row next to our bishop, Steve Talmage, as the service started.
Pastor Tina Mills, my former intern sat two chairs away. I tried to imagine what was racing through her mind as the drama unfolded. Here she was after a stint of being a pastor in rural North Dakota, back in her home city fulfilling a dream that she had carried longer than any of us would know. Along with friends, family and members, stood my colleagues supporting her and knowing that the task in front of her would be monumental. The church is changing. What worked yesterday is history, opening a door of experimentation and trial & error. The only certainty we carry is that God walks with us into these new chapters of the church.
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It was an honor to be with Tina and Celebration Lutheran Church last Sunday, and it was a great reminder that the mission of the church is never static, but dynamic pushing each of us to step out in faith trusting that God will show us the way. Please keep Tina in your prayers as God guides her in this new adventure.
Peace & love,
Pastor Glen
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"God's work. Our hands." weekend
is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. The dates for the 2016 dedicated day of service is Saturday, Sept 10 and Sunday, Sept. 11. Mark your calendars today! This year's dedicated days of service will also mark the 15-year anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.
Once again this year, Spirit of Hope will team with Spirit of Joy, Gilbert and Our Saviors, East Mesa. There will be several options for you to pitch in and be part of the ELCA days of service. Three events on Saturday include cleaning up at Sunshine Acres, sorting donations at CAAFA and packing food at United Food Bank. Sundays' offerings include packing Hope Totes for Grace Lutheran Church in support of the homeless they serve, and a prayer service for our local public servants and Veterans. Both of Sunday's events will take place at Our Saviors - East Mesa. If you are a police officer, fire fighter, EMT, Veteran, etc., we would love to have you be in attendance at the prayer service. Please contact Tina Gilson with questions tinag963@yahoo.com. Flyers have been placed at the Welcome Desk with more information.
We will also be accepting cash donations to purchase supplies for the Hope Totes. Please use the gold envelopes on the Welcome Desk for your donation. Donations should be made by September 4.
Shirts will be available for sale this coming weekend at all services. Cost is $8 for this reusable shirt.
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Special Hunger Jar Offering
A Baton Rouge family contacted our church this week and asked if we could help. They lost their home and most of their possessions from the recent flooding in Louisiana. They have a daughter here in San Tan Valley (which brought them to AZ), but are unable to live with her because of space and location. They are both on disability and believe that if they can get over this major hump, that financially they will be okay. All of our Hunger Jar this weekend, will be shared with this family. We ask that you hold them up in prayer as God leads them and the many other flood victims like them, to a place of warmth and safety.
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NOTICE
Donuts will no longer be served at any of the three services, effective immediately, due to financial reasons. If you are interested in bringing treats, please contact Sandy Odmark.
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Thank you!
You have made a real difference in the lives of the 94 men we served. Thanks to you, these men were able to have lunch as they ventured out looking for employment.
So on behalf of Seniors Rock, thank you, we could not have done this without your donations and your time to make the lunches these past 8 weeks. - Wendy
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Financial Peace University
To register for and learn more about the upcoming Financial Peace University
classes coming to Spirit Of Hope beginning on October 3, 2016,
click here
to find all the details on our blog. C
lass size is limited, so sign up early to guarantee your spot!
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Hopes & Dreams Craft Show...
Vendors and Crafters Needed!
Spirit of Hope will again host the Hopes & Dreams Holiday Craft Show on Saturday, November 12, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. For more information and to find the application, please visit the church website
here
. If you have any questions, please contact Irene Jeter at 480-707-2170.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Trunk R Treat - The Outreach Committee needs a few more people to assist with planning the annual Trunk R Treat. Trunk R Treat will be held on Friday, October 28th from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. If you are interested in planning the events for the evening, please contact Tina Gilson at 414-517-6505. The commitment will be approximately 10 hours of meeting time between now and the event, as well as some potential individual planning and work.
Nite Lite
- Our children's Nite Lite Education Program is beginning on Wednesday, September 7th at 6:00 p.m. and we are in need of volunteers (any age) to help us prepare materials for our craft projects each week. This may consist of cutting, copying pages on the copy machine, blowing up balloons, helping with bulletin boards, etc. It may take an hour or so of your time once a month, or as often as you would like to help.
Nite Lite excitement for this fall is growing. Please contact Karen Torgersen at 480-219-9343 or at dakatorg@yahoo.com if y
ou can help out, to make it a great time for our children at Spirit of Hope Lutheran.
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Numbers
For August 27-28, 2016
Attendance 184
Our Weekly Goal Is: $5340
Our Monthly Financial Snapshot - July 2016
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July
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YTD
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| Monthly General Fund Income |
$16,978 |
$167,410 |
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Monthly General Fund Expense
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$(27,855) |
$(178,711)
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Total General Income
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$(10,877) |
$(11,301) |
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Monthly Income for Mortgage Reduction
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$4,449 |
$33,409 |
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Monthly Mortgage Payment
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$(5,800) |
$(40,600) |
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Monthly Total Balance
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$(1,351) |
$(7,191) |
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$276 was received from Thrivent Financial for Spirit of Hope through the Thrivent Choice Dollar program. If you are a Thrivent customer, please consider making Spirit of Hope your charity of choice. Last month the following members and friends did:
John Maciejewski Mahlon & Fern Shell Ronda Shubert
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Readings For This Coming Weekend
Philemon 1-21 and Luke 14:25-33
This Weekend's Worship Assistants
September 4th 8:45am
Reader: Phil Troiano
Ushers: Carl McCoy, Bob Gee, Tom Hemmington, Phil Troiano
Alter Assistants: Diane Duck, Rechinda Nelson
Sound Booth: Josh
September 4th 10:15am
Reader: Connie Santwire
Greeter: Jeanette & Cindy Bailey
Ushers: Jeanette Bailey & Ron Carpenter
Communion Servers: Judi Ofelt, Sandy Carpenter, Linda Wilcox, Sylvia Humlecker
Sound Booth: Tashia
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Week At A Glance
Thursday, September 1
6:30 a.m. - Too Big For Starbuck's Bible Study
9:00 a.m. - Seniors Rock
1:00 p.m. - Women's Bible Study
Friday, September 2
Saturday, September 3
10:00 a.m. - Twelve Step Program
5:00 p.m. - The Lift Worship Service
6:15 p.m. - TAG
Sunday, September 4
8:00 a.m. - Choir Practice
8:45 a.m. - Blended Service
10:15 a.m. - Contemporary Service
Monday, September 5 - OFFICE CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
Tuesday, September 6
Wednesday, September 7
9:00 a.m. - Staff Meeting
10:00 a.m. - Stitchers
6:00 p.m. - Nite Lite
7:00 p.m. - SWAG
Thursday, September 8
6:30 a.m. - Too Big For Starbuck's Bible Study
9:00 a.m. - Seniors Rock
1:00 p.m. - Women's Bible Study
Friday, September 9
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Prayer Concerns For August 27-28
Karl, Kurt & Family
strength & comfort
Art, Joy, Roger, Larry, Patty, Mike J., & Mike B
. healing
Ruth Ann, Don & Kevin T.
peace & healing
Shannon
peace in our home, hope for happy future, safety & health
Maggie, Carey C.
successful surgery
Ric
safety while he remodels his home
Mike
humbleness
Pauline
prayers for family
Michael
aspergers
Armand
rest in peace
Muriel
peace
K & D
guidance
John, John, Deb B. & Ruthie
strength & healing
Larry
strength
Frieda
continues to get healthier
Bobby C.
successful liver transplant
Paula
safe travels to be with her son during surgery
Caiya & Ermel
peace
Dave, June & Others
memory loss
Ty
healing of his back
Kaity
healing from head injury
Prince
safety & comfort
Rachinda N.
comfort following death of father-in-law
Jim & Karen
schools, jobs, travel, family
Carol
healing from cancer
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