Thoughts From Pastor Glen

 
I so enjoy this time of year as our winter worshippers fill the sanctuary with a buzz that I haven't heard in a while. For me, it feels like a family reunion where the distance relatives report stories of how they made it through another summer. I am well aware that I will only be spending another 3 wonderful weekends with you who I've grown to love. I suspect that we will probably share some tearful moments before this is all over.  
 
The Hopes & Dreams Holiday Craft Show was amazing last Saturday! It's fun to see unfamiliar faces roaming about our building as I casually introduce myself and then invite them to worship. One person in particular, I hadn't seen in four years.  Stories were shared, as we blew dust off the memories of time gone by. My life has been blessed with thousands of people who have crossed my path. I want to thank our Outreach Ministry Team who puts a lot of work in making this annual event a huge success. Rumor has it, that the proceeds of the Craft Show will be used to support the ministry of our young adults, called The Forge.  
 
Our Youth Minister Rusty Shaffer spent the weekend camping up on the rim with The Forge. I had heard that he was expecting about 27 young adults, but I've not had a chance to visit with Rusty prior to this writing. I continue to be amazed how the spirit of God breaths upon these young people as they worship, study and share God's love with one another.
 
Little Duke William Carroll became the newest member of God's Family last Saturday night, as I sprinkled some water upon his head and revealed to him that God has called him to be his own. Duke's parents are Brandon & Trisha Carroll.  Besides being as cute as a button, Grandma Kathy Carroll revealed that Duke's baptismal gown has been worn by over 25 members of the Carroll family.  

 
Let's decorate! We will be decorating our church for Advent/Christmas on Saturday, November 18th at 9:00 a.m. If you love to decorate, come join the fun! 



Have you checked out the parking lot all re-sealed and re-striped? 

Duane Gilson, our Facilities Team Chair, told me that we not only got some huge discounts from Dehart Asphalt Services who did the work, but because of the weak condition of the pavement, they added a third layer of material for FREE! 

We are so blessed by having willing volunteers to care for our building & our grounds.

I want to thank you all who willingly give of your time & talents to care for this facility. 

We celebrated All Saints' Day this past weekend. I found myself having flashback conversations with many of the loved ones who died in the past 12 months, as I lit a candle in their memory. Some of those conversations were about their pending death, but many visits were filled with laughter and the joy of being children of God. I write this while hearing of the awful shooting that just occurred in a small Baptist Church in Texas. Life is so precious. It reminds all of us, to not take the gift of friends & family for granted.  
 
Wanted...a person willing to volunteer to sit in the sound booth to advance slides during the 10:30 a.m. worship service. This is not a difficult job, but it's helpful if you have some experience with PowerPoint. If interested, please let me know: [email protected] or 480-396-8300. 
 
November is Stewardship Month. You will be encouraged to "Live Generously" taking a step or two in your financial giving for 2018. Each of you will be asked to make a pledge on November 25th or 26th of what you think you could share for the ministry of Spirit of Hope next year. You will be encouraged to give electronically which can be easily setup by clicking on this link, from your computer or smartphone. Financial support will be critical in 2018. This time of transition will incur one-time expenses like travel costs for interviewing pastoral candidates and moving expenses. Our church council has been working with Interim Bishop Lowell Almen in setting up an Interim Pastor to provide pastoral ministry prior to a new Pastor being called. The Call Process is expected to take 9-12 months. Only God knows for sure of how long the process will take, but moving forward with a strong financial & spiritual base can only quicken this process.  
 
This is a surreal time for me. Please know what a treat it is for me to share some of our last hugs and interactions as your Pastor. You have all changed my life and I will be forever grateful.
 
Peace & Love,
Pastor Glen
     Numbers For November 4-5, 2017     

Giving $9,415
Attendance 309
Our Weekly Goal Is: $7,490









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If you are interested in becoming an E-Giver, visit this  blog post  on the SOH website, for easy step by step instructions to set this up. E-Givers help Spirit of Hope to receive donations on a consistent basis to operate on throughout the year. 
A Special Thank You From Donna Blad
I want to thank each and every one of you who took the time to fill a shoebox for a disadvantaged child. There are 97 children who will have big smiles when they open the boxes from Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church. There will be pictures available after December so that you can share the "smiles". This ministry had a great first year but wait until next year when we try for a larger number. In the mean time, save those shoeboxes!
Here Is An Easy Way To Support SOH While Shopping!
Shop for everyone on your gift list this holiday season at: smile.amazon.com/ch/86-0941012 and Amazon donates to Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church.
ATTENTION - Bakers at Spirit Of Hope! Just in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday, Seniors Rock is having their annual Free Will Bake Sale on November 18th and 19th.  Please help by donating a baked good, and then don't forget to pick up an item or two during the Bake Sale. If you are donating a baked good, you may drop it off at the church on Thursday, November 16th or Friday, November 17th between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Thank you! 
Readings For This Coming Weekend
1 Thess 4:13-18 and Matt 25:1-13
 
This Weekend's Worship Assistants
5:00 p.m. Service Coordinator: Wendy Sontag
8:30 a.m. Service Coordinator: Dick Schultz
10:30 a.m. Service Coordinators: Sylvia Humleker & Linda Wilcox

November 11th 5:00 p.m.
Set-Up: TBD 
 
November 12th 8:30 a.m. 
Altar Assistants: Jack & Marylou Wilson
Communion Servers: Larry Snyder, Linda Thomas, Wayne Schmidt, Diana Duck 
Greeters: Karen Gowan, Naomi Henson
Reader: Donna Blad 
  Ushers: Jerry & Arlyce Nelson, Allen & Diane Thompson
Sound Booth: Josh Keck

November 12th 10:30 a.m. 
 Communion Servers: Jeanette & Cindy Bailey
Greeters: Ken & Linda Vandenberg
 Reader: Marie Renda
   Ushers: Michael Nicholson, Kim Gordon
Week At A Glance

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






Friday
November 10th









Saturday
November 11th
12:00 p.m.  
Pastor Glen's Retirement Roast - You Must Have RSVP'D To Attend
5:00 p.m. 
The Lift Service
6:00 p.m. 
TAG
8:00 p.m.
The Forge





Sunday
November 12th

8:30 a.m. 
Blended Service
10:30 a.m.
Contemporary
Service






Monday
November 13th









Tuesday
November 14th









Wednesday
November 15th

9:00 a.m. 
Staff Meeting
6:00 p.m. 
 Nite Lite & Confirmation  
7:00 p.m. 
SWAG
8:00 p.m.   
Young Adult Bible Study





Thursday
November 16th
6:30 a.m . 
Too Big For Starbucks Bible Study
9:00 a.m. 
Seniors Rock

10:00 a.m. 
Memory Center Service
1:00 p.m. 
Women's Bible Study
6:30 p.m.
Church Council Meeting





Friday
November 17th




Ernie R, Karen J, Marlene N, Carol L, Pat B, Becky, Paul, Kevin, Sandy S, Jim M prayers for healing from cancer
Warren H prayers that medication can be regulated
Bruce prayers for improved health problems
Lee prayers for healing
Marc prayers for healing renal carcinoma
Ric prayers for safe travel
Pastor Glen prayers for a smooth transition
Michael prayers for humbleness
Ermal & Paula prayers for steady shows during the winter months
Nick, Meranda, George prayers
Ty, Nana & Papa, Kimberly prayers for healing their back pain
Kaity prayers for healing her headaches
Kassy prayers for strength to be herself
Our Dog prayers for healing limping leg
Jason prayers for safety of his Blackhawk unit recently deployed to Afghanistan
Keith prayers for healing and strength during cancer treatment
Shirley prayers for successful back surgery
Brian prayers for successful hip surgery and healing during rehab
Lindsay prayers for healing and strength from epilepsy
Tanisha prayers for strength and comfort following the loss of her child
Brittany prayers for relief of pain from brain cancer
Lee, Kit, Dee, Barb, Vicki prayers for recovery from various issues
Emily, Gayle prayers for successful knee surgeries
Joyce, Bill & Karen prayer of thanks for all their help
Sally J prayers for continued recovery from a stroke
Spirit of Hope prayers for all who worship within its walls/prayers for our church
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
Prayers for all those struggling to recover from cancer and multiple health issues
Mike B, Mike J, Claudia, Helen, Makenzie, Gavin, Robin, Steve prayers for healing
Marcia prayers for healing and comfort for stage IV cervical cancer
Herb prayers for healing his knee
Our Country prayers for healing and hope
People Dealing With Loss prayers for strength, courage, hope and healing
June, Larry, Jim & Deb, Linda V, Dar, Brandon, Ruthie & John prayers for healing and strength
Barb M prayers for healing her daughter
Becky, Paul, Kevin, Fran, Allison & Baby, Linda, Lee, Martha, Norma, John, Mary, Leigh prayers
Margaret prayers that she comes back to hear God's word
Spirit Of Hope Website Quick Links

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Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church
(480) 396-8300
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