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Sunday Morning Worship, 10 AM
July 10, Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture:Amos 7:7-14
Sermon "Seen and Heard"
Masks are encouraged, but not required. Link to current CDC masking recommendations Currently, Maricopa County is at a high level of spread and masks are recommended in indoor settings.
The service will be livestreamed to our Facebook group for those not ready to return in person.
This Week's Volunteers
Liturgist: Cherry Blue
Ushers:
Tech:
Communion Servers: Sherry Cooper, Cathy Nellessen, Dan Blue
Snacks: Susan Hunt
Bagel Pickup: Barb Volk (W), Mike and Lorraine Eyer (Th) Bagel Delivery: Mike and Lorraine Eyer
Justa Center Sack Meals: Women's Bible Study
Financial Update This week's receipts: $3082
Weekly budget needs: $2608
Pastoral Ponderings
Thank you Lord for bringing us opportunities to learn and grow in patience and in love.
When was the last time you bought a new pair of shoes?
The last time I bought a pair of shoes, it was a pair of tennis shoes. I was telling my husband that I couldn't wait to wear them and the salesperson stopped me to warn me that I should not wear them for more than three hours on the first day and only gradually extend the time. He explained that new shoes will cause blisters and pinch if you don't slowly adjust to wearing them and to allow them to conform to your feet. Sometimes, change can be like that and as we all know, change is a part of life. Well, our first Sunday together has passed and I found a wonderful congregation who was willing to be patient and caring and understanding as we all experience the stumbles of growth and change. For this, I am grateful. For the wonderful messages of support, I am also grateful.
I spoke a little about transitions and change in the sermon on Sunday, but I didn't speak of the joy that comes with change, the introduction of new opportunities. What opportunities do you see? I know that every member of this congregation has ideas that they wish to share and I am looking forward to hearing them as we meet over the coming weeks. As we continue to move through the challenges of transition, I hope we are all considering the changing needs of our congregation and the changing needs of the community.
Please join me in praying that, through the unending grace of God, the changes we now face will be opportunities to grow, to bring wonderful new experiences, and to embrace a warm and welcoming church home for our congregation and community.
In Christ's Service,
Pastor Christine Jones
It's THEIR Mission Shareholder Meeting and Ice Cream Social
Sunday, July 10th, 4 PM at Spirit of Hope
YOU are invited to the Shareholder Meeting and Ice Cream Social for the 2022 It's THEIR Mission youth mission trip. The celebration and Thank You will be THIS Sunday, July 10th, 4 PM at Spirit of Hope. BTW, you don't have to be a shareholder to attend.
35 youth and adults from four west valley congregations spent a week working in beautiful Kanab, Utah, the week of June 12th through 18th. Hosted by United Church of Kanab, youth and adults from New Song UMC (Surprise), Christ Community UMC (Avondale), Glendale First UMC, and Spirit of Hope UMC worked on the UCK facility, at several local homes, and at Best Friends Sanctuary.
Commercial youth mission enterprises cost from $300 to $500, not including transportation. Because It's THEIR Mission is funded by selling Stock in the trip, the cost for participation is zero - that's nada. Now it's time for the participants to say "Thank You" to the people who made it possible.
You'll hear youth (and adults) talk about what they did, their high points, fun moments, and obstacles. We'll watch the youth watch the trip video for the first time, remembering and sharing events from the trip with families and friends.
Youth will serve ice cream to their shareholders and also to friends and family. It's a magic moment. Come and support these generous and hard-working youth. (and the adults.)
Meet and Greets with Pastor Christine
Our new pastor would love to have the opportunity to meet you on a less formal basis than Sunday mornings to get acquainted! The SPRC is in the process of arranging these meetings and looking for hosts -- which can be held in your home or even at the church! To foster a relaxed and informal atmosphere, we are asking that the host invite no more than 7 to 8 people.
To host a group, only light refreshments and approximately one hour for the Meet and Greet is required! We are making available name tags, an ice breaker game and even a sample prayer to open the group with.
Hosts that have already stepped forward are: Mary Crowson (SPRC), Tammy Than (Leadership Council), Cathy Nellesen and Ada Wilson, Mike and Lorraine Eyer, Judy Barber and Ruth Faulls. For anyone interested in hosting or if you want to host and need help filling your group, contact Mary at 478-697-2601.
Opportunities for Service and Connection
Volunteer to help with Sunday worship and fellowship. We need liturgists, ushers, communion services, and people to bring snacks. There is a signup sheet on the Welcome Cart.
Volunteer to pick up bagels from Einstein's on Wednesdays and Thursdays, deliver them to West Valley Community Food Pantry and Justa Center, or help bag bagels each Wednesday afternoon at 2:15 PM. Contact Mike or Lorraine Eyer for details.
Help assemble take-away meal bags for Justa Center:
Watch and discuss the series "The Chosen" at the Baldisseri home on Sunday evenings at 6:30 PM
First Tuesday meals : Join us in the Fellowship Hall on the Sunday preceding the first Tuesday of the month to assemble 80 sack meals. Second Tuesday meals: Judy Barber and the Women's Bible Study Third Tuesday meals: Barb Volk and a West Valley multicongregational group Fourth Tuesday meals will be provided by Willowbrook UMC Fifth Tuesday meals TBA. Contact Mike or Lorraine Eyer if you would like to volunteer.
July 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
July 12 Samantha Stefl
July 17 Sherry Williams
July 18 Dan Cummings
July 28 Norma Westerveld
Surprise Us God!
July Prayer Emphasis
Good morning God!
Surprise us.
Make our faith greater than our fears; grow us in the covering of your love.
Early Morning Prayer
I come before you, oh Lord. As the sun rises, may your hope rise up in me. As the birds sing, may your love flow out of me. As the light floods into this new day, may your joy shine through me. I come before you, oh Lord, and drink in this moment of peace, that I may carry something of your hope, love, and joy today in my heart. Amen
Prayer of Arrival and Welcome for Pastor Christine
Lord, we have awaited this day. Our church has been earnestly in prayer for this moment of transition to begin. Today our prayers are answered with the arrival in our midst of pastor Christine. We thank You for Your response to several months of focused prayers. She is here, today, among us, and ready to engage. With fond remembrances of our retiring Pastor Deborah, we now welcome Christine today. Let her time with us begin. We pray for her success with us and we offer our willing welcome. We await the future with hope and anticipation. We welcome our new pastor, Christine Jones.
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.
