Thoughts From Pastor Glen

 
It was a week before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse. Last weekend I talked about how an angel came to Joseph in a dream-like state to reveal God's plan. Mary, his fiancé, was found with child. Joseph knowing that he didn't have "relations" with her was stuck into divorcing her quietly. But God sent an angel to Joseph to reveal the rest of the story. That angel's visit changed everything. It turned Joseph's situation around 180 degrees. I wonder how many of us operate with only "part" of the story? It's my prayer for each of you as you anticipate the celebration of the Christ child to listen, to believe, to affirm that even though you don't always hear, see, smell, touch, or taste the presence of God, that doesn't mean that God is not sending you messages. They are simply wrapped and quietly delivered when you least expect it. 
 
Parents, parents, parents! Please bring your children to Nite Lite at 6:00 p.m. this Wednesday as we prepare for our 4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Service. We want as many children as possible to participate in this festive evening of celebrating the birth of Christ. This will be our last opportunity to practice with the whole group.
 
Spirit of Hope refinanced our building loan last week, and our leaders are thrilled that we were able to pull this off. This was a big deal, because our old lender had us on a flexible interest rate that changes every 5 years. We were between our 3rd and 4th year of the cycle and it was the feeling that interest rates could skyrocket by the time our adjustment period came. We refinanced with Thrivent Financial for a locked-in interest rate of 4.125% for the next ten years. This was a rushed procedure orchestrated by our own financial savvy Office Manager, Ginger Witherwax. Thanks Ginger for all your help in making this happen! 
 
A new Nursery Committee is being created. Spirit of Hope is committed to providing the very best nursery possible for those who worship here. New ideas are being shared like creating a Sermon Activity Room where older children can work on their sermon drawings in a separate space, while parents can listen to the sermon without the distraction of little people. We still think it's important for children to worship with parents, but having a separate sermon space could be advantageous for everyone. If you would like to serve on this committee, please contact the church office. 
 
Please remember that each of our Christmas Eve Services - 4:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. will include Holy Communion and our typical Christmas Candlelight Service. On Christmas Day, we will only have ONE service at 8:45 a.m.

On behalf of Rusty & Ginger, the Spirit of Hope Office, wishes you and yours a very Happy Holiday Season with your friends and families.
 
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Glen
Meet Our Newest Members

Eunice Ball
Eunice is originally from Winona, MN and since then has lived in Yuma, AZ; Ridgecrest, CA; Tucson, AZ and St. Paul, MN. She has 4 children and 3 grandchildren. She moved to the Valley in June to be closer to her granddaughter. She is an Optician and has worked in that field for the past 20 years. She has also worked as a floral designer, an office manager and a middle school youth director. She enjoys crafting, horseback riding, theater, and dancing. She really misses her sister's farm in Wisconsin milking the goats, playing with the pigs, and helping with chores.
 
Paul and Stacey Halpin
Paul is from Oklahoma City, OK and Stacy is from Buffalo, NY. They crossed paths in Wilmington, NC, married and a few years later, moved to the Valley. They have one child, Mason. Paul is an amazing artist, enjoys drawing and playing the guitar. They both enjoy visiting art museums and shopping. Paul works for a medical device company, and Stacey works in a catch lab.
 
John and Carol Maciejewski
John and Carol both grew up and lived their entire lives in Chicago. Carol retired from Bank of America and John is retired from the Chicago Police Department after 50 years. They have been married for 47 years and have two adult children and two grandchildren. The entire family has moved here! Carol is a huge Star Trek fan and has had her picture taken with William Shattner and Leonard Nimoy. They are excited about never again having to deal with snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures!
 
Jennifer Eastman
Jennifer grew up in Chicago and moved here 7 months ago with her family. She has worked for Commscope for over 12 years, and is currently working from home. She enjoys cooking and spending time with her niece and nephew.
 
Klaus and Priscilla Rapp
Klaus and Priscilla have been wintering in Arizona since 1989. Priscilla is from Minnesota and Klaus is from Germany. Klaus enjoys outdoor activities and travel. He volunteers with the Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson. Priscilla enjoys reading, traveling, and gardening and is working as a hairdresser. They have one adult daughter and three grandsons.
 
Karen Reil
Karen grew up in Minnesota and was a member of SOH from 2004-2011. She returned to Minnesota in 2011 and now spends winters here. She had four adult children and four grandchildren. She enjoys golf and swimming.
 
Richard (Rich) Biesterfeld
Rich spent his entire life in Illinois before moving to Arizona in May, via a job transfer with State Farm. He grew up in Grant Park, attended Augustana College and then lived in Bloomington, IL for 31 years. Rich enjoys photography, baseball especially the Chicago Cubs, and physical fitness. Rich is currently an IT Manager for State Farm.
 
Bob and Judy Crace
Bob and Judy grew up in Minnesota. Bob worked 32 years as a police officer and a member of the Minnesota State Patrol, and retired in 1998. Judy has been a retail store owner for 33 years and is retiring this year. They have been coming to AZ for the past 10 winters. Bob enjoys 4-wheeling, motorcycle trips, fishing, hunting, Holdem Poker, and board games. Judy enjoys board games, reading, home decorating and they both enjoy watching the Minnesota Vikings! They have three children and seven grandchildren.
 
Jerry and Jan Hefflinger
Jan grew up in Ohio and worked as a banker. Jerry also grew up in Ohio and worked as a jet mechanic in the Air Force. They have two grown children and have been coming to AZ on and off for 15 years.
It's Spaghetti Dinner Time
Please mark your calendars to join us on January 14, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. You, your friends and family are invited to the 6th Annual TAG Spaghetti Dinner. It will be a night of fun and great food. The Church will be transformed into an Italian restaurant. The youth group will seat and serve you. There will be auctions both silent and loud, and we will have a 50/50 raffle. This year's auction items are looking pretty good. Every dollar collected at this event will be used for the Youth Groups annual Mission Trip. Come and let us serve you, so we can go out and serve others!
The Kroger Family of Stores is committed to bringing hope and help to local communities. We do this through a variety of activities, including charitable giving, sponsorship's and the unique Community Rewards Program of Fry's. We are also committed to carefully protecting our customers' personal information. In order to meet their expectation of privacy, we have adopted a simple policy to never share a customer's personal information. Our privacy policy applies to Community Rewards participation as well. As your neighborhood food retailer, we deeply value our ability to support local organizations like yours.
 
Spirit Of Hope supporters (20 households) who shopped at Fry's between 9-1-2016 and 11-30-2016, earned Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church $114.69 in total donations. 

If you'd like to Enroll in this program to help support Spirit of Hope, please visit this link. Spirit of Hope's Organization # is: 80606.  
Upcoming  "Greatest Treasures" Choral Event
 
Tickets available by visiting www.gcsynod.org. 
Numbers  For December 17-18, 2016       

Giving                                             $ 6583

Attendance                                        373
 
Our Weekly Goal Is:                      $5340
 
For step by step instructions on how you can become an e-Giver, check out this  blog post on the SOH website.
Readings For This Coming Weekend
Christmas Eve: Isa 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14 and Luke 2:1-20
Christmas Day: Heb 1:1-12 and John 1:1-14
 
This Weekend's Worship Assistants
4:30 p.m. Service Coordinator: Rusty Shaffer
7:00 p.m. Service Coordinator: Phil Troiano
9:00 p.m. Service Coordinator: Wendy Sontag
8:45 a.m. Service Coordinator: Phil Troiano

December 24th - All Services
Altar Assistants,  Communion Servers, Greeters & Ushers
will be selected by the Service Coordinators before each service begins
7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Reader: Mike Stark   
Sound Booth: Josh Keck  

December 25th 8:45am
Altar Assistants: Jack & Marylou Wilson
Communion Servers: Roger & Karen Linder
 Greeters: Ron & Linda Thomas
 Reader: Mary Myer
   Ushers: Joe Tedrow, Carl McCoy, Wayne Schmidt, Dick Schultz
Week At A Glance

Thursday, December 22
6:30 a.m. - Too Big For Starbuck's Bible Study (Narthex)
6:30 p.m. - Church Council Meeting
Friday, December 23
2:00 p.m. - Choir Practice (Sanctuary)
Saturday, December 24
4:30 p.m. - Children's Service
7:00 p.m. - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 1
9:00 p.m. - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 2
Sunday, December 25
8:45 a.m. - Christmas Morning Service
Monday, December 26
Tuesday, December 27
Wednesday, December 28
Thursday, December 29
Friday, December 30
2:00 p.m. - Choir Practice (Sanctuary)
Prayer Concerns For Dec. 17-18

Teresa K  improved health
Sally J recovery from stoke
Hannah recovery from surgery
Bill peaceful passing
Matthew continued recovery
Margaret a home to care for her with Alzheimer's
Joanne healing from surgery (Jan. 5th)
Phyllis, Mary, Lee, Jackie healing
Mike humbleness and forgiveness
Prayers that God's healing touch will help all those afflicted with terminal cancer
Prayers for all new members
Jamie & James for their first year anniversary
Karen cure and strength
Lindsey healing and comfort
Prayers for changes in our family and family situation/God's will be done
Deb W, Jim W, Theresa, Larry, Lisa, Lindsey, Mike B & Mike J strength and healing
Joyce strength and peace
Ron H healing from illness
Matthew prayers for grandson
Ty & Kaity prayers of thanks for improved health
Prayers for those hospitalized
Mary healing from a brain tumor
Doris healing from breast cancer
Kathee healing from a stroke
Cari C healing from cancer
Elaine H prayers for safe and successful knee surgery
Helen prayers and blessings as she celebrates her "100th" birthday
Ron T healing for back
Wendy, Sylvia prayers for safe and successful surgery
Ric peace and guidance
Candice comfort
Prayers for family members that can't be together during the holidays
Prayers to all members of SOH
Church Council that they make sound decisions that allow our church to thrive
Prayers to all who struggle with marriage issues
Spirit of Hope all who worship within its walls
Pastor Glen & Rusty prayers of thanks as they serve the church community
Maddie recovery from kidney transplant and that it will be successful
Prayers for the children in the Tennessee school bus accident
Carl T for healing from surgery and his upcoming surgery
Paula S help finding an agent to get her book published
Becca healing from surgery and her prayers are answered
Don B prayers for safe and successful back surgery
Connie M & Kathy S recovery from surgery
Herb prayers of thanks for great news
Ron H. recovery from pneumonia
Amy prayers for issues with eyes
Tom H, Sandy B, Kevaleen, Horace H, Nikki H, Mark H, John P, Heidi, Michael, Carol, Deanna, Lori healing from cancer
Jim I, Darlene I, Connie M, Vicky K, Ruthie P, Don K, John P, Don B multiple health issues
Jimmy, Dave T  and all who need healing
© 2016 
Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church
(480) 396-8300