Thoughts From Pastor Glen

 
It's a thrill to see the ushers having to retrieve more chairs to accommodate the people who need a place to sit. I love this time of year, as faces of winter residents walk through the door as if they were distance cousins, with reassuring hugs to remind me of our connection. Dare I say this is one of the most enjoyable events in my ministry. We have worshippers who I've known since the early 80's from previous parishes. It warms my heart, as I remember the many events we've shared (baptisms, weddings, confirmations, funerals, illnesses) with God's angels moving beside us. 
 
November is Stewardship month and you will continue to hear about "all that you have is God's and we are simply called to be managers of what God has given us". Lee Leidal will give us a demonstration on how easy it is to give your financial offerings electronically this weekend. Many of you already use this kind of system for household expenditures, and it's our hope that you will do this also with your offerings to God. 
 
The sanctuary will be transformed this week into a village of shops and crafts as our Outreach Ministry Team sponsors our annual "Hopes & Dreams Holiday Craft Show" this coming Saturday from 8:00 a.m - 2:00 p.m. Volunteers are still needed to assist with this festive event. Call the church office if you can help! Remember that the proceeds from this event, will be used to minister to the needs of those outside our congregation. 
 
Confirmation Sunday will be held this Sunday for the remaining four students who have prepared to witness their faith publicly. Please keep Logan Shaffer, Travis Day, Alex Berggren and Payton Johnson in your thoughts and prayers as they take this next step in their spiritual journey. 
 
I wanted to thank Mike Stark with his gifted voice for lifting up loved ones who died the previous 12 months as we celebrated "All Saints Weekend". Mike was kind enough to attend all three services to help us remember those who are now held in the arms of Jesus.
 
Every day as I get older, I become more appreciative of those veterans who served our country while serving in a branch of the military. It was fun to hand out to our children during worship "toy soldiers" as a reminder to pray for those who serve, and have served, our country as acts of love. 
 
Don't forget your boxes of cereal. Our goal has evolved to collect 600 boxes of cereal that will be shared with local food banks between now and Thanksgiving. This is a lofty goal, but I can't help but see God smiling as our children retrieve boxes of cereal within the congregation, knowing that another child will have an opportunity to enjoy breakfast because of this outreach.
 
Peace & love,
Pastor Glen
Rubio's Fundraiser For SOH - November 14th
 
Double Celebration For Ron & Sandy Carpenter


You are invited to a double celebration! An Open House for Ron & Sandy Carpenter and a Birthday Celebration for Sandy Carpenter will be held at the home of Jeanette Bailey on Saturday, November 19, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Jeanette's address is:  7449 E Inverness Avenue Mesa, AZ 85209. Keep your eye out for the birthday balloons in the front yard, to help you find the party. If you have any questions, you may reach Jeanette at: 480-981-1748. Ron & Sandy will be moving into their retirement home soon, in Eloy, AZ. Cards are greatly welcomed! 
** Please Help Us Reach Our Goal Of 600 Boxes **


We are collecting boxes of cereal for our local food banks, now through November 23, 2016 (Thanksgiving Eve) and we have increased our total goal to 600 boxes. Please bring boxes of cereal to church, and during the offering at each service, the kids will collect the cereal boxes. Thank you in advance for your generosity!  
Amazon Smile
#StartWithASmile at  smile.amazon.com/ch/86-0941012  for your holiday gifts and when you do, Amazon donates to Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church!

Annual Thanksgiving Potluck

Come one come all, to the SOH Annual  Thanksgiving Potluck on Thursday, November 17th. This event begins at 11:30 a.m. and the sign-up  sheet is in the Narthex, as you walk into the sanctuary. We hope to see you there! 
It's Bake Sale Time

Mark your calendars, for our free will bake sale on December 3rd and 4th! We would love for you to come and buy some goodies, and maybe even donate some for the bake sale. All proceeds from this sale, will buy food cards for Grace Lutheran Church, to be handed out to those in need. If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Sontag at: ladywendy@gmx.net 
Upcoming SOH Community Events



Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will offer their affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings at Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church on November 21, 2016. 

Five screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems related to: blocked arteries which is a leading cause of stroke; abdominal aortic aneurysms which can lead to a ruptured aorta; hardening of the arteries in the legs which is a strong predictor of heart disease; atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat which is closely tied to stroke risk; and a bone density screening, for men and women, used to assess the risk of osteoporosis.  You may register for a Wellness Package which includes 4 vascular tests and osteoporosis screening from $149 ($139 with our member discount). All five screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete. 

In order to register for this event and to receive a $10 discount off any package priced above $129, please call 1-888-653-6441 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com/community-partners.

Flyers, details about the packages offered, coupon discounts and more info about this event, can be found on the SOH Blog.  
Numbers  For November 5-6, 2016

Giving                                             $ 7507
Attendance                                        332

Our Weekly Goal Is:                      $5340



Did you know that Spirit of Hope has an online giving program, called Simply Giving! More and more of our members are utilizing this method to honor their pledge. Simply Giving is an efficient way for you to make your contributions, just as you might do for any regular monthly payment. For Spirit of Hope it provides a more regular stream of income, since members don't worry about "catching up" after being out of town for a period of time.
 
To participate, you need to visit this page on our website. It takes you directly to our online donation form, for you to complete to show your giving intentions. When you click "Continue" at the bottom you will be asked to enter your name and payment method, and the process completes. You are now a regular giver, for which we give thanks.
 
We've also created cards for you to drop into the collection plate when you attend your preferred service. You may have seen them in the seat back in front of you. Use this instead of the regular envelope for giving. Members have told us "there is something about putting something into the collection plate" that lets them feel they are a "part of the community," and this card has been their solution when their giving does not happen in the normal way. You may well feel the same.
 
Simply Giving is a secure website already trusted by many of our members. Currently we are receiving 22% of our offerings via Simply Giving, which is up 5% from this same time last year. We encourage you to look at this option for your own giving. 
 
If you have any questions on this, you can contact Lee Leidal, who will be happy to step you through the process over the phone. Lee's phone number is: 480-298-8388.
Readings For This Coming Weekend
2 Thess 3:6-13 and Luke 21:5-19

This Weekend's Worship Assistants
8:45 Service Coordinator: Phil Troiano
10:15 Service Coordinators: Sylvia Humleker & Linda Wilcox 

November 13th 8:45am
Altar Assistants:  Kim Hakes, Kit McCormick
Communion Servers: Sylvon Pielach, Warren & Darlene Holzapfel, Mary Myer
Greeters: Dick Schultz, Karen Torgersen
Reader: Tyler Hakes   
Ushers: Ron & Linda Thomas, Joe Tedrow, Mahlon Shell   
Sound Booth: Josh Keck  

November 13th 10:15am
Communion Servers: Connie Santwire, Linda Fraenkel, Debbie Traynor
 Greeters: Amanda Klick, Sherry Branham
 Reader: Patty Nicholson
   Ushers: Mike & Chelsea Topete
Sound Booth: TBD 
Week At A Glance

Thursday, November 10
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, November 11
2:00 p.m. - Choir Practice
Saturday, November 12
8:00 a.m. - Hopes & Dreams Holiday Craft Show
5:00 p.m. - The Lift Service
Sunday, November 13
8:45 a.m. - Blended Service
10:15 a.m. - Contemporary Service
Monday, November 14
6:00 p.m. - Financial Peace University (Large Classroom) 
Tuesday, November 15
Wednesday, November 16
9:00 a.m. - Staff Meeting
10:00 a.m. - Stitchers
6:00 p.m. - Nite Lite
7:00 p.m. - SWAG
Thursday, November 17
6:30 a.m. - Too Big For Starbuck's Bible Study
10:00 a.m. - Memory Center Service
11:30 a.m. - Senior's Rock/Thanksgiving Potluck
1:00 p.m. - Women's Bible Study
6:30 p.m. - Church Council Meeting
Friday, November 18
2:00 p.m. - Choir Practice
Prayer Concerns For Nov. 5-6

Mike B., Mike J., Lindsay, Herb, Mary, Ed, Ty, Kassy, Nana, Michael T. Deb & Jim
healing
Carol, Tom H., Sandy B., Kevaleen, Horace H., Nikki H., Mark H., John P., Gene R., Robert H., Barb B. Becky, Paul, Kevin healing from cancer
Teresa K., Cindy, Joe T. improved health
Fran, Norma, Linda, Lee strength
Mary P. healing from a heart attack
Warren healing from a car accident
Harry & Mary R., Dan & Linda R. marriage struggles
Don B. recovering from back surgery
Jim & Darlene I., Connie M., Vicki K., Ruthie P., Don K., John P. multiple health issues
Paula S. help in finding an agent so she can get her book published
Becca healing from her surgery and that God answer her prayers
Don & Sandy B., Bill & Karen, Larry & SheryLynn safe travels
Carl T. healing from surgery and blessings for his up-coming surgery
Herb healing from his up-coming surgery
Rita healing from a leg injury
Church Council prayers that they make sound decisions to help our church to thrive
Spirit of Hope prayers for all who worship within its walls
Pastor Glen & Rusty prayers as they serve the church community
Hurricanes Matthew & Nicole prayers for those suffering from the devastation
Matthew continued recovery
Ethel pain & breathing difficulties
Bobbe heart problem
Sissy family problem
Bobbi good results from upcoming mammogram & prayers for God's will be to be done
Amy good results from brain surgery
Keith healing from dizziness
Justine healing from stroke
Candrilli Family death of Jerry
Travelers safe journey
Jobs blessings for those searching for employment
Grandkids guidance in safety in all that they do
Rino the new cage will work to keep him safe
Bobby good results from upcoming doctor appointment
Dave's Sister-In-Law healing, strength & comfort from a brain tumor
Mary S. laser eye procedure
Karrie, Frank & Alice S. thoughts & prayers
Madi get settled in college & strength to overcome homesickness
Taylor a job in her field
Grant ADHD & strength
Dad alzheimers
Tim success in finding a job
Ted stress at work
Irene death of sister
Michael medication adjustment
Jennifer & Emma L. strength, comfort & peace of mind during life changing events in the family
Larry pain relief
Lisa Marie  healing from depression & anxiety after losing her job
© 2016 
Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church
(480) 396-8300