Thoughts From Pastor Glen

 
We celebrated Abigail Tilton's second birthday (born December 26th) at the 10:15 a.m. worship service as we sang "Happy Birthday". We discovered that she has good taste in music, as our singing brought her to tears. I suspect that she will not be that last person who cries given my musical talent. 

It was bitter-sweet as we did a "laying of hands" of Ron and Sandy Carpenter as we commissioned them into the mission field of Eloy. They recently build a home in this wilderness oasis, to bring the spirit of hope to the natives living there. The Carpenters have only been members for a couple of years, but have left a huge imprint on all of our hearts.


This weekend we lifted up "Walk to the Altar Weekend" asking everyone to provide a sealed Pledge Card and a filled out T ime & Talent Sheet. For those who forgot their stewardship materials at home, we will provide an opportunity next week for you to drop them off. Our Stewardship theme was "Between God & You" - meaning that your financial pledge will not be opened, but stored until next November when we mail it back to you, as a reminder of your intent. Please note that the new offering envelopes can be picked up anytime during the month of December. It's extremely important to have your names written clearly upon the envelope, because these new envelopes have no names, no dates, and no numbers. We strongly encourage people to give electronically, which can be set up by visiting our website . I want to thank the many people who were involved in putting together this year's stewardship campaign. It was fun as we allowed members to walk in faith.
  
Nine more families walked through New Member Orientation last Sunday. These families will be installed on the weekend of December 17th & 18th. We already have a sizable group for our next orientation on January 22nd. Thanks to our lunch coordinator Kathy Barr, Debbie Zimmerman for child care, Lee Leidal on electronic giving, Shari Karnowski for taking photos, Lee Stadler for leading the session, and the volunteers who gathered and witnessed to the ministries of Spirit of Hope. Please keep these new members in your prayers, as God guides them in their ministry.

 
We are looking for HELP in setting up the Christmas decorations in the church . If you enjoy decorating and can come to the church at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, December 8th) we would greatly appreciate your assistance. 

Rumor has it that the Senior's Rock Group had a very successful Bake Sale last weekend. This event received seed money from Thrivent Financial. All proceeds will be used to provide gift cards to the homeless. Here is the recap received from  Wendy Sontag: " We had our most successful free will bake sale ever. With all the donations, we took in $913.00 to help those who are less fortunate then we are. Thank you does not even cover your generosity to help others." 


  
Bring Your Friends & Family To Church will be celebrated this coming weekend December 10th & 11th. Each family is challenged to bring a friend or neighbor to worship this weekend. This should be fun to see how inviting we can be! 
  
I was touched last Saturday with the opportunity to participate in a celebration of life event for one of our members, Jerry Candrilli. Jerry died as a result of a massive stroke while vacationing in Hawaii October 22, 2016. The event was held at the clubhouse where the Candrillis have lived for several years. The place was packed as story after story was told revealing Jerry's ministry to friends and neighbors. Please keep Judy (Jerry's spouse) in your prayers as God helps her in the transition process. 
  
It was a joy to see Cindi Berggren back in worship after a grueling process of extensive chemo therapy and a bone marrow transplant. She is fighting to regain her strength and put this diagnosis of leukemia behind her. Please keep Cindi and Todd in your prayers.

A very special thank you goes out to Joe Tedrow, who turned his SUV into Santa's sleigh last week, to deliver all the cereal collected during our Thanksgiving Project. 


Please don't get lost in the all the glitz and glimmer that Christmas brings. Allow this time of Advent to prepare your hearts and minds on the gift of baby Jesus, Our Savior and Lord. 
  
Peace & love,
Pastor Glen
Our Christmas Potluck

We had over 50 people attend our Thanksgiving Potluck, and we'd love to have you join us for our  Christmas Potluck on December 1 5th  at  11:30 a.m. Sign up sheets are in the Narthex. We hope you can attend. If you have any questions , please call Wendy Sontag  at:  480-219-4975 .
Church Poinsettias 
This weekend in the Narthex, we will have our annual Poinsettia sign up sheets.
Please check the Narthex for details. Cost per Poinsettia is $10.00.
The 2017 SOH Annual Rummage Sale to support our Outreach missions is set for Friday, January 27th and Saturday, January 28th. Start collecting your household items to donate to the cause. We are looking for gently used clothing (kid's clothes in particular), household goods and furniture. Please do not bring your items to the church! More info will come on drop off dates/times after the first of the year. 

We will also be looking for LOTS of hands to help with set up of the sale from Monday, January 23rd - Thursday, January 26th. If you can give an hour or 20 hours that week, we'd love to have you. Sign up sheets will appear soon in the Narthex.
Numbers  For December 3-4, 2016

Giving                                             $ 5655
Attendance                                        320
 
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
James 5:7-10 and Matt 11:2-11
 
This Weekend's Worship Assistants
8:45 Service Coordinator: Phil Troiano
10:15 Service Coordinators: Sylvia Humleker & Linda Wilcox 

December 11th 8:45am
Altar Assistants: Carolyn Whitney, Priscilla Rapp
Communion Servers: Moine & Sharon Gates, Genny Steffan, Marylou Wilson 
Greeters: David Truax, Elizabeth Engebretson
Reader: Darlene Zabel   
Ushers: Klaus Rapp, Carl McCoy, Dick Schultz, Joe Tedrow
Sound Booth: Josh Keck  

December 11th 10:15am
Communion Servers: Linda Wilcox, Kim Gordon, Jeanette Bailey, Cindy Bailey
 Greeters: Amanda Klick, Cal & Barb Schell
 Reader: Ardis Johnson
   Ushers: Art & Crystal Zander
Week At A Glance

Thursday, December 8
6:30 a.m. - Too Big For Starbuck's Bible Study (Narthex)
9:00 a.m. - Senior's Rock (Narthex)
1:00 p.m. - Women's Bible Study (Large Classroom)
Friday, December 9
2:00 p.m. - Choir Practice (Sanctuary)
Saturday, December 10
9:30 a.m. - MOMS 
5:00 p.m. - The Lift Service
6:00 p.m. - TAG
Sunday, December 11
8:45 a.m. - Blended Service
10:15 a.m. - Contemporary Service
Monday, December 12
Tuesday, December 13
Wednesday, December 14
9:00 a.m. - Staff Meeting
10:00 a.m. - Stitchers (Narthex)
6:00 p.m. - Nite Lite
7:00 p.m. - SWAG
Thursday, December 15
6:30 a.m. - Too Big For Starbuck's Bible Study (Narthex)
10:00 a.m. - Memory Care Service
11:30 a.m. - Senior's Rock/Christmas Potluck (Narthex)
1:00 p.m. - Women's Bible Study (Large Classroom)
Friday, December 16
2:00 p.m. - Choir Practice (Sanctuary)
Prayer Concerns For Dec. 3-4

Carol  healing from cancer
Teresa K improved health
Tom H, Sandy B, Kevaleen, Horace H, Nikki H, Mark H, John P struggling to recover from cancer
Jim & Darlene I, Connie M, Vicky K, Ruthie & John P, Don K, Don B multiple health issues, strength and healing
Julie, Becky, Paul, Kevin & Lou cancer
Fran, Norma, Linda, Lee strength
Cheryl healing and strength recovering from surgery
Cameron safe and successful surgery
Paula for her and those caring for her as she goes through chemotherapy
Ron H, Matthew prayers and strength
Bill end of life
Police and all those dealing with killing healing and strength
Our Country healing and bringing God back
Grant problems with ADHD
Jeff for strength
People traveling be safe
Lonnie & Lee health
Sandy's brother in transition
Don & Doris thankful for better health
Twin sister who will be having knee replacement surgery this week
Drew & Mary safety and enjoyment during their vacation and thanksgiving for two awesome grandsons
Dave's sister-in-law health and healing
Mary brain tumor
Doris breast cancer
Prayers for jobs, schools, grandkids, church, the U.S.A., those suffering from addictions
Deanna healing from cancer
George & Rosemary strength
Sister-in-law fighting colon cancer
Brother-in-law recovering from open heart surgery
Granddaughter & Family who lost baby at 6 months pregnant
Prayers for those struggling with marriage and relationship issues
Paula S help in finding an agent so she can get her book published
Becca healing from her surgery; may God answer her prayers
Don B back surgery
Connie M, Kathy S recovery from surgery
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
Herb that the pending report will be what we are hoping for
Spirit of Hope all who worship within its walls
Church Council that they make sound decisions that allow our church to thrive
Pastor Glen & Rusty as they serve the church community
Steve recovery from massive stroke and struggling to recover
Alexis baby is breach - prayers the baby will turn
Darlene for her to get employment
© 2016 
Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church
(480) 396-8300