Thoughts From Pastor Glen

 

Gee...I enjoy baptisms. Last Sunday I had the joy of baptizing little Madison Grace Tilton. This beautiful, spunky, and voicetress 8 month old, was cool as a cucumber as I sprinkled these life-giving waters upon her head, ushering her into the family of God.  Keep little Madison in your prayers as God continues to shape and mold her as one of God's own.
  

  
Our Annual Meeting is this Sunday at 10:00 a.m., which means NO 10:15 A.M. SERVICE!  We will be electing new council members, approving the 2017 budget, and voting on the changes of our constitution. You will be receiving the annual report by email, and we ask that you print out a copy of the report and bring it with you to the meeting. A handful of annual reports will be printed out for those not having computer access, and can be picked up at the office. Please call before you come. 

Kit McCormick
Steve Osterman
Jim Gowan
Amanda Klick
    
A Chili Feed for Caleb Gowan will follow immediately after the Annual Meeting on Sunday. Jim & Karen Gowan, with the help of the youth, will be cooking up some chili to raise prayers and money for the research of their grandson's disease called Cystinosis. The Gowan's have set up a display at the visitor's table to share this important story. This is a great way to participate in a future miracle.
  
New Members will be installed this weekend February 11-12. I apology to our new members as I told you the wrong date during the orientation. Please be aware that we are only offering two services, Saturday night 5:00 p.m. service and the Sunday 8:45 a.m. service. 
  
This Sunday at 5:00 p.m. will be the first support group session of  Being Whole Again. I'm exciting to see this class offered. This is a great way to function as "salt & light" to each other. Bobbi Edwardson will be the group leader. The group will be meeting at the church. 
  
I suspect many of you watched a little football over the weekend. I sometimes think that sports can be a good example of life. The Patriots were down by three touchdowns at one point. The game looked like it was going to be a blowout, but like "life" no one can be certain what will occur in the second half. Living with hope, walking in faith and knowing that God's grace is full of surprises reminds us to live with "lights on" finding our way through any darkness.
  
Peace & love,
Pastor Glen
Meet Our Newest Members
Lois Hoffman grew up in Jesup, Iowa, the oldest of six, a church organist & janitor, finished a BA program at Luther College, and is now a retired teacher. She is married, with 3 sons, 2 stepchildren, 11 grandchildren. Her mother is still living at 91 years young. Her family has wintered here since 2009. Lois enjoys tennis, reading, hiking, bicycling, motorcycling, playing cards, singing, playing piano & accordion and walking. Her work world included being a Transition Specialist of high school students. Lois recently flew back to Iowa over Christmas to stay with her mother in the guest-suite of her new Assisted Living facility.
  
Donna Blad was born in Minneapolis, MN graduating from Macalester College then moved to Wisconsin, later to New Jersey, then California before settling here. She taught school for 15 years, then worked for an architect for 20 years and subbed in Gilbert for 10 years. Donna has an adult son Brian, an adult daughter Sharon and a 21 year old grandson Matthew who is a nuclear engineer in the Navy. She lived in the area for 38 years, and has recently moved in with her son. She loves to read, knit prayer shawls, and has been actively involved in the LSS program called I-Help. Her grandson has recently graduated from the Naval Nuclear Engineering School. Her son is an amputee because of cancer and he has been cancer-free since he was a teen, and now he is 53.
  
Larry & Kaye Miller Kaye grew up in East Moline, IL. She retired as a Sr. Settlement Auditor at the John Deere Corporation headquarters in Moline. Larry grew up in Plymouth, IL. He retired as a teacher at Arrowhead Ranch, a residential school for delinquent boys in Coal Valley, IL. The Miller's also owned and operated Miller's Petting Zoo for 12 years traveling throughout the upper Midwest entertaining at festivals & fairs. They have 5 children with spouses and 10 grandchildren scattered in 5 states. Grandchildren and Pickleball brought them to AZ. They are not officially "snowbirds" yet, as they still have family ties and obligations back in IL. They state that they are addicted to "Pickleball", enjoy playing cards, and going to concerts. Kaye enjoys quitting and word/number puzzles. Larry enjoys vegetables back in IL using his antique tractors in the process. Their oldest grandson got married last June in Des Moines, IA and their youngest granddaughter was born last September right here in Gilbert. 
  
Steve & Jill Martin, Lydia Heinrich Their family comes from California, Illinois, Alaska and Washington. Steve works for Alaska Airlines and Jill for the City of Phoenix. Their oldest works for Deloitte. They have a blended family with Stephenie, Josie and Lydia.  They have been foster parents and guardians to multiple children throughout the years.  The weather drew them to the area. They enjoy sports, hiking, cycling and hanging out at home since it's like being on vacation every day. The Martins belonged to a small group of 10 with their church in Gig Harbor, WA. It was a big part of their life there, and hope to have the same experience here. There are involved with Children of the Nations and will be traveling to Sierra Leone, Africa.
  
Eddie & Terri Fromm Eddie grew up in Long Island, NY where he worked for the US Postal Service. Terri grew up in Central Falls, RI. She has worked as a bookkeeper for an attorney and a Library Assistant. They have six children between them. A friend's invitation brought them to AZ. They were seasonal residents for 10 years, and have been permanent residents for 6 years. Eddie enjoys running/road racing, tennis, and Nordic skiing. Terri enjoys movies, reading, brisk walking, social media and texting with grandkids. Terri has been volunteering at the Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center for over 3 years. 
  
Sharon Huffmire Sharon has spent most of her life in the Chicago area. She married her husband in 1970. They retired in Mountain Home. AR. They moved to AZ in 2016 after being convinced by they daughter to come. They have 2 children, a daughter Amy who is married to Michael with 2 grandchildren who live in Gilbert, and a son, Wayne who lives in Woodbridge, IL and has 3 daughters. Sharon has a small craft business -Classy Glass, Etc. by Sharon. She does glass etching, vinyl designs on glass, and lights glass blocks. She married her high school sweetheart and she has been singing since she was 3 years old and has sang for weddings, funerals, and at public events.
  
Jon & Cammy (Camille) Corpron They both grew up in Stanley, ND. They moved here in 1989. Cammy taught junior high school math and Jon worked at Intel. They have 4 grown children and 4 grandchildren. Cammy's family moved to AZ one sibling at a time until they eventually followed. They live in Sunland Springs Village and enjoy all the activities the community offers like tennis, softball and golf. 
  
Glen & Patty Boysen They are seasonal residents from Minnesota. They have two children, Chad and Shelly, and 4 grandchildren, Clarissa, Erika, Nolan and Lily. They moved to AZ in 2016 to escape the rugged winters. They also have their daughter Shelly who lives in Mesa with her family. 
  
Val Bresnahan She grew up in the Chicago area, while teaching for 35 years in Early Childhood Education and is a Certified Dyslexia Teacher. She has 2 children and 5 grandchildren. Val said that the weather was the main draw to the area. Her family were snowbirds until 2014, but now she claims to be a full-time Arizonan. She enjoys cycling, knitting, swimming, tutoring, yoga and gardening. She volunteers tutoring 2 days a week at an elementary school in Mesa. She states that they sold their home in Illinois earlier this year and just recently purchased a year round home in Mesa. She is a former Roman Catholic and came through the Catholic Educational system. 
  
David Hammond David stated that his grandparents came from Germany & England, while growing up in Toledo, Ohio. He attended Wittenberg University and later sought his graduate degree at the University of Toledo. He has worked in Cost Analysis with various airlines. He has 3 children (one daughter & two sons). We likes living in the west as he calls it. He has lived here 25 years and enjoys, football, baseball (Cubs), helping others at Banner Baywood Hospital and volunteering at St. Vincent De Paul. 
  
Maria Mueller  Maria has three grown children. She is married.  Maria is retired. Her summer home is in Chicago. The warm weather drew her to Arizona.  
Annual Congregational Meeting Is Sunday!
Chili For Caleb's Cause
Please join us after our Annual Congregational Meeting on February 12th, as chili will be served in the Narthex, in honor of Caleb Gowan, grandson of members Jim & Karen Gowan. Caleb has a rare metabolic disease called Cystinosis. Only 500 cases in the U.S. and 2000 Worldwide exist, and there is no cure. Life expectancy is 27 years old. Chili will be served with 100% of the proceeds going to the Cystinosis Research Foundation. Please join us for chili and pray for a cure. For more information, you may visit this link:  www.cystinosisrearch.org 
Numbers  For February 4-5, 2017       

Giving                                               $7,987
Attendance                                          414
Our Weekly Goal Is:                       $5,340
 
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
1 Cor 3:1-9 and Matt 5:21-37
 
This Weekend's Worship Assistants
8:45 a.m. Service Coordinator: Phil Troiano

February 12th 8:45 a.m. 
Altar Assistants: Klaus Rapp, Eunice Ball
Communion Servers: John & Christie Brandau, Clete & Gloria Larson
 Greeters: Jim & Sharon Vierbicher
 Reader: Mary Myer
   Ushers: Ron & Barb Vogel, Dave Chapman, Dick Schultz
Sound Booth: Josh Keck 
Week At A Glance

Thursday, February 9
6:30 a.m. - Too Big For Starbucks (Narthex)
9:00 a.m. - Senior's Rock (Narthex)
1:00 p.m. - Women's Bible Study (Large Classroom)
Friday, February 10
2:00 p.m. - Choir Practice (Sanctuary)
Saturday, February 11
5:00 p.m. - Lift Service
6:00 p.m. - TAG
8:15 p.m. - The Forge
Sunday, February 12
8:45 a.m. - Blended Service
10:00 a.m. - Congregational Annual Meeting
11:30 a.m. - Chili For Caleb (Narthex)
5:00 p.m. - Being Whole Again (Narthex)
Monday, February 13
Tuesday, February 14
Wednesday, February 15
9:00 a.m. - Staff Meeting
10:00 a.m. - Stitchers (Narthex)
6:00 p.m. - Nite Lite
7:00 p.m. - SWAG
Thursday, February 16
6:30 a.m. - Too Big For Starbucks (Narthex)
9:00 a.m. - Senior's Rock (Narthex)
10:00 a.m. - Memory Care Service
1:00 p.m. - Women's Bible Study (Large Classroom)
Friday, February 17
2:00 p.m. - Choir Practice (Sanctuary)
Prayer Concerns For February 4-5, 2017

Mike B, Mike J, Lindsay, Greg, Karen healing and comfort
Gary T comfort and peace in Hospice
Maria's Dad prayers for my father's soul/that he rests in peace
Prayers for all those having surgery or recovery
Troy prayers for a successful kidney transplant
Congress may they use theirwisdom and care when making decisions
Healing for all in need
Mandy safety as a police officer
Travis M healing from brain problem
Family of Pastor Jeff prayers of comfort and peace as they grieve his loss
Cursillo prayers for participants
Jim & Darlene I strength and healing
Military prayers for safety
Ginger, Sherry, Mary prayers of thanks for the awesome job they do in the church office
David prayers to seek help where needed
Sandy C peace
Melissa healing from a blood clot in her leg
Arnett Family prayers of comfort and peace as they grieve the loss of two family members
Matthew continued recovery
Melanie, Ken, Jenna strength and comfort
Hannah continued strength and healing of her legs
Guy prayers for successful follow-up appointment following surgery
Mary prayers
Dave & Laurie prayers for family that we miss
Jim & Karen G prayers for our family, grandchildren, our country and Spirit of Hope
Wayne prayers for strength and hope
Naomi, Winona prayers
Family of Jack prayers that God's peace will enter their hearts as they grieve his loss
Rechinda's Dad prayers as he continues treatment
Daughter prayers as she continues to struggle with addiction
Jim G prayers for improved heart health and recovery after surgery
Annette healing and no pain after procedure
Elisa healing from fainting spells
Matthew prayers for a favorable court session
Justin prayers for understanding in class
Christopher M hospitalized with a lung virus--prayers that he will feel better soon
Pam G prayers for a successful surgery and speedy recovery
Ethel good health after hospitalization
Amy, Sharon prayers for issues with eyes
Sally J healing from stroke
Norma, Martha, Fran, Lee, Ruby, Sue, Louise strength
Tom H, Sandy B, Kevaleen, Horace H, Nikki H, Mark H, John P, Heidi, Michael, Cindy B, Gail, Becky, Kevin, Paul, Wayne,Carol L healing from cancer
Jim I, Darlene I, Connie M, Vicky K, Ruthie P, Don K, John P, Don B, Eddie C,Lona, Don, Michael  healing from  multiple health issues
Prayers for all who struggle with marriage issues
Paula S help finding an agent to get her book published
Becca healing from surgery and her prayers are answered
Don B healing from back surgery
Connie M & Kathy S recovery from surgery
Maddie recovery from kidney transplant and that it will be successful
Drew healing from addiction
Marc comfort and peace during time of grief
Amber guidance and peace with relationship issues
Carl T healing from surgery and his upcoming surgery for tremors
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 prayers of thanks as they serve the church community
Tom H. as he recovers from issues with his pancreas and kidneys. 
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Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church
(480) 396-8300