Gather with us anytime in our Facebook group "Spirit of Hope Friends and Family" Share your joys, concerns, and prayer requests with your church family. It's a private group, so anything you post will only be visible to members of the group.
Sunday Morning Worship, 10 AM
We all love to get good directions. Our lives have gotten so easy to get from point A to point B with the development of directional navigation APPs, known as Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps, Here WeGo, TomTom Go Navigation, just to name a few. How many of you remember getting from Point A to Point B using a folded map or going to AAA and getting a navigational route booklet?
As I said, we all love and want good directions and as we continue with our sermon series, The Stories of Jesus, we find Jesus giving great navigational instructions to the disciples and to us.
Masks are encouraged, but not required. The service will be livestreamed to our Facebook group for those not ready to return in person. Sermons will be posted on YouTube (video) and on our website (audio)
Women's Bible Study, Friday afternoons at 1 PM
This Week's Volunteers
Liturgist: Mary Crowson
Tech: Tammy Than
Communion Servers: Mary Crowson, Judy Barber, Cherry Blue and Pastor Deborah
Snacks in Simonsen Miller Fellowship Center:
Bagel Pickup: Wednesday, Deborah; Thursday, Mike & Lorraine Eyer
Bagel Delivery: Mike & Lorraine Eyer
Justa Center Sack Meals: Willowbrook UMC
Sunday; 10 AM Worship
Tuesday Tuesday sack meals for Justa Center
6:30 PM Bible Study
Wednesday 2 PM Bagel Pickup and Bagging for WVC Food Pantry
7 PM Choir Practice
Thursday 2 PM Bagel Pickup for Justa Center
Friday 1 PM Ladies Bible Study
Weekly contributions: $3446
Weekly budgetary needs:$4008
April 2022 Net Income (Loss) $4538::
YTD Net Income (Loss) $16,240
FIFTH SUNDAY AT THE BLUE’S HOUSE
7210 W. Kings Avenue
We hope you can join us for food, fellowship and fun on Sunday, May 29, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. We plan to grill hamburgers, chicken and brats, and have everyone bring sides and desserts. Food suggestions for what to bring include potato salad, coleslaw, other salads, baked beans, chips & dip, raw vegetables, fruit tray, hamburger and hot dog buns, and desserts. Drinks are being provided. If you’re interested in spending time outdoors, our patio has misters and evaporative coolers, but there will be plenty of room inside too. We will have games and a classic rock sing along!
Prayer for the Church & New Growth
Dear Lord,
The experiences of new growth are sometimes unpleasant, with a sharp and steep learning curve. It is to be our prayer that as our church experiences these new growth opportunities, and as we confront the necessity of change in our expectations as well as in our experiences that we do not become irritable or harsh toward one another.
We pray that we can humbly walk through this growing time with perseverance and love and a deep trust in Your provision. Thank you for helping each one of us. We pray for new growth and new strength in our body and new vitality in our relationship with You. Surprise us, God! Amen. -Jon Elvrum
A Letter from Your SPRC
Dear Spirit of Hope Family,
Recently Pastor Deborah announced her retirement and we wish her the very best as she embarks on the next phase of her life’s journey. As shepherd, friend and pastor she has served the United Methodist Church for 25 years and looks forward to more time as wife, Mom, Grandma and friend.
The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (listed below) have prayerfully met many times, as well as with our District Superintendent twice and in connection with the Finance Committee headed by Paul Korth. We prayed specifically that God would give us wisdom in how to proceed best for the people of Spirit of Hope and especially so that we can glorify God in what we give back to Him. During these meetings we also carefully evaluated the current financials and projected budgetary needs and income for 2022 and beyond.
After a season of more than a month of intercession, both the SPRC and the Leadership Council believe that it is necessary to request a change from a full-time to a half-time Pastor. This proposal was voted on and passed by both committees. This decision was made for two primary reasons, both following closely on the heels of our recovery following the Covid-19 Pandemic: our attendance and our financial stewardship have seen a decline, especially in the past six months. What the schedule of a part-time pastor will look like is not yet determined but the congregation will still be ministered to and church will still happen every Sunday!!
While it is not the news we had hoped and prayed for, it presents us with a unique opportunity for growth and service and an opportunity to renew our membership vows to the church by giving ourselves through our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness for Christ. Indeed, it is an opportunity to grow in faithfulness to God, to each other and our community. There are many ways that this can be done but none more important than prayer! There are many lay persons in the church with many talents that God is preparing to use!
Join us in the days and months ahead as we pray for:
Pastor Deborah and her transition into a vibrant and active retirement
The new Pastor, yet to be named, as they prepare to shepherd Spirt of Hope
Church Leaders to have wisdom in decision making
Spirit of Hope to make choices that encourage hope, life and love
How we can continue to bless each other and our community whether it be the Justa Center, HART Pantry, Habitat for Humanity or even those who live within the shadow of our buildings
Wisdom to increase our attendance and financial stewardship for a bright future
As the next few weeks unfold, we will do everything possible to keep you informed as we consider the days of transition ahead. Thank you for joining us in prayer and faithfulness to God’s kingdom.
Mary Crowson, SPRC Chair
Barbara Barbus
Ruth Faulls
Paul Korth
Jeff Pitts
Tammy Than
Barb Volk
Justa Center Barbecue
Saturday, May 28th
Our 16th semi-annual Justa Center Barbecue, under the leadership of Patti Cummings, is rapidly approaching and is in good hands. Thanks to the many, many volunteers who have committed to bringing everything from hamburger patties to appetizers and soda. We'll meet at Spirit of Hope at 9 AM, where we'll load the barbecue grill, tables, coolers and ice, pop-ups, sodas, tubs, chairs (10 of them), food preparation and serving supplies, main and side dishes, desserts, and chocolate after-dinner mints.
SOH members and friends are encouraged to check the Justa Center Barbecue poster in the Narthex for any outstanding needs. Take-away snack items are always needed in addition to the materials for the barbecue itself.
Our 9:30 departure will get us to the Justa Center, 1001 W Jefferson, where we'll set up. As the grill is warming, we'll circulate with appetizers and lemonade. Others will stroll and sing (engaging Justa Center members as much as possible), while the serving lines are being set. Justa Center Members always welcome queries, "How can I pray for you?" We'll welcome and escort Justa Center members, assisting some who are using walkers or wheelchairs.
After the main course is served, we'll invite members to enjoy ice cream treats. And we'll circulate, offering after-dinner mints!
We'll pack up and greet our hosts as we return to the SOH campus to unload.
AS OF MAY 19TH, THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE STILL NEEDED:
2 - 5 lb. containers of Potato Salad
4 - 2 lb. containers of Macaroni Salad
LOTS & LOTS OF INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED COOKIES
Painters Needed for Justa Center's Glendale Satellite Office
The Justa Center is opening a trial satellite facility in Glendale targeted at preventing evictions of low income seniors, thus preventing their possible homelessness. Their target for opening is June 1st!
Volunteers have spent the past week working to prepare the facility (a former Reptile store :-) for occupation. Thanks to Jeff Pitts (white shirt) and Jeff Horner (blue shirt, Lela's son-in-law - who has also contributed mightily to SOH's Worship Center remodel), and Mike Eyer who have worked to rehab the restrooms! Mike Miller (yellow shirt) from FUMC Gilbert have also been working. The plumbing and construction remodeling are complete.
The nurse's area, the main room, and the restrooms need to be painted. So - if you're available to help paint, let Mike Eyer know.
Justa Center "Take-away Sack Meals"
As you hopefully know by now, Spirit of Hope is part of a rotation of churches providing "take-away sack meals" to Justa Center members as they leave the Center in the afternoon. These sack meals will be Members' meal for the remainder of the day. SOH (along with Willowbrook UMC) provides meals on Tuesdays. Other congregations provide meals on other days of the week.
The Women's Bible Study prepares take-away sack meals on second Tuesdays.
Barb Volk, Karen Wright and friends provide meals on third Tuesdays.
Willowbrook UMC provides meals on fourth Tuesdays.
Lorraine and Mike Eyer provide meals on first Tuesdays and the occasional fifth Tuesdays (both May and July have fifth Tuesdays). BTW - they could use some help next week due to travel plans. Please let them know if you're able/willing to provide help on Tuesday, May 31st.
YOU are invited to join in preparing
First Tuesday (June 7th) sack meals on Sunday, June 5th!
The Eyers will provide the fixings for the sack meals. SOH Members are invited to gather in the Fellowship Hall immediately after the June 5th Sunday morning service to assemble sack meals. There is no age restriction. Children can help (with an adult).
Opportunities for Service and Connection
Watch and discuss the series "The Chosen" at the Baldisseri home on Sunday evenings at 6:30 PM
Women's Bible Study meeting on Friday afternoons at 1 PM. Current book study is "Forgiving What You Can't Forget"by Lysa Terkeurst.
Adult Tuesday Evening Bible Study, 6:30 PM. Current book study is "The Walk" by Adam Hamilton.
Justa Center Barbecue will be on May 28. There is a signup sheet for donations in the narthex area.
Invest in our youth and purchase Stock for their upcoming mission trip to Utah in June
Volunteer to help with Sunday worship and fellowship. We need liturgists, communion services, and people to bring snacks. There is a signup sheet on the information table in the back of the Worship Center, or you can see Pastor Deborah.
We pick up bagels from Einstein's on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons to take to the West Valley Community Food Pantry and Justa Center. See Pastor Deborah or Mike and Lorraine if you'd like to volunteer to pick up or deliver. If you'd like to help us bag the bagels for distribution, join us in Simonsen-Miller Fellowship Hall Wednesdays at 2:15 PM
We provide take-away meals for Justa Center on Tuesdays. if you would like to volunteer to help with these, see the following people:
First Tuesday meals (and 5th Sunday where applicable): Mike and Lorraine Eyer
Second Tuesday meals: Judy Barber and the Women's Bible Study
Third Tuesday meals: Barb Volk, Karen Wright, and a West Valley multi-congregational group
Fourth Tuesday meals will be provided by Willowbrook UMC
May Birthdays
A Birthday Prayer: O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on these friends as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
May 2 Dianne Irvin
May 4 Anthony Venturini
May 11 Tammy Than
May 15 Willi Wheeler
May 21 Kailynn Meza
May 23 George Wheeler
May 27 Brian Godlevsky
May 30 Gleni Barcus
Surprise Us God!
May Prayer Emphasis
Good morning God!
Surprise us.
Make our faith greater than our fears; grow us in the covering of your love.
Father, I have to thank You for looking beyond my faults and for loving me unconditionally. Forgive me when I fail to love others in the same way. Give me eyes to see the needs of the difficult people in my life,and show me how to meet those needs in a way that pleases You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
The Visionary is Spirit of Hope's e-newsletter, and goes each Thursday morning. If you have items you would like included in the Visionary, please get them to Lorraine by 5 PM on Wednesday.
