2605 S Signal Butte Rd

Mesa, AZ 85209

480-396-8300

What's Going on at Spirit of Hope?

Download/print a copy of the calendar here: December Calendar

From Pastor Kevin's Desk

Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church community,

Merry Christmas! The Savior of the world has been born! I pray this season will be a time to celebrate the gift of life God gives us through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

As I reflect on my time here since August 2025, I wanted to say thank you—thank you for welcoming me and my family to this place. Thank you for your faithfulness through a season of transition. Thank you for your grace as you continue this journey with a first-call pastor.

I also want to thank you for your generosity, and for the welcoming spirit and hospitality that are so present in this community. Through the giving of your time, your talents, and your resources, God sustains our life together as the church and makes it possible for us to share the good news of God’s love for the world through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Thank you for the many ways you give of yourselves so that worship and ministry continue in this place, and so that our neighbors, near and far, may know Christ’s mercy and hope.

As we look ahead to the new year, we do so with hope—not because everything is settled or complete, but because Christ is present among us. God continues to gather, forgive, renew, and send us for the sake of the world. It is a gift to share this life together, trusting that God will continue to be at work in and through this community.

Grace and peace to you this Christmas Season!

The church office will be closed on 12/25/25, 12/26/25, 1/1/26, and 1/2/26 for the holidays.

We encourage you to ensure your contact information is up-to-date with

Spirit of Hope.

Additionally, the Spirit of Hope office hours are as follows:

• Closed Sunday (Worship at 9:30AM with fellowship after service)
• Closed Monday
• Tuesday: 9:00AM – 5:00PM
• Wednesday: 12:00PM – 5:00PM
• Thursday: 9:00AM – 5:00PM
• Friday: 9:00AM – 5:00PM
• Saturday: 1:00PM – 4:00PM (Fellowship at 4:30PM and worship at 5:00PM)

Grace and peace,

Pastor Kevin Anderson

Office: (480) 396-8300

Emergency After Hours (call or text): (480) 359-7048

Email: prKevin@spiritofhopelutheran.com

Poinsettias - Thank you!

Thank you to all who supported the decorating of our sanctuary for worship through our Poinsettias ministry.

Name: In Memory or Honor of:

Sandy Crabtree Gary & Karin Marby

Terry Crabtree Stanley & Joan Crabtree

Greg & Colleen Crow Christopher Crow

Bob & Jo Frazier Our Parents

Sharon Gates Moine Gates

Don Haugen Donna Haugen

Robin Hiller Jeff Hiller & Bob Buist

Bob & Marilyn Johnson Parents - Truman & Eva Johnson

Bob & Marilyn Johnson Parents - Milt & Audry Danielson

Alex Joncas Lilian & Chris Joncas

Debra Krikorian Donald & Alice Lundquitst

Dean & Shellie Lackey Grandkids: James, Olivia & Braden

Carl McCoy McCoy & Barnett Parents

Connie McMillen Parents - Dean & Lore Voos

Mark & Rhonda Miller Rob Miller

Colleen Pawlowski My Son, Mark

Barb Peterson Moine Gates

Dennis Pyper

Butch & Lynel Schleicher Kermit & Gertrude Schleicher,

Lester & Opal Speicher

Allen & Diane Thompson Our Parents

Max & Alice Tiede Michael Gromatka

Vicki Wangberg LaVonne Anderson

Linda Wilcox Larry & Larry Jr Wilcox,

Vicki & Bob Woods

Daryl & Cathy Wilkens Our Family & Friends

Donating a Qualified Charitable Distribution from an IRA

As we get closer to the end of 2025 some of us might have funds that need to be disbursed from our IRAs as minimum distributions.

Rather than just getting a distribution from the IRA and paying tax on it before giving the remainder to a charitable entity, like Spirit of Hope, you can request the administrator of the IRA to make a direct payment to your charitable entity.  In this way, you are not subject to taxes on the funds being distributed.  With this donation method, you can provide your charitable entity with more funds without a tax liability to you. Using the “Qualified Charitable Distribution” has many advantages but the trade-off to the tax-free donation is that this donation can not be deducted as a contribution on your tax returns if you itemize.



If you have further questions concerning this method of donating to Spirit of Hope or another charitable entity please contact your IRA administrator.

New Members Class

If you have ever considered, or are interested in, joining Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church, then I would encourage you sign up for our New Members Class.

We are looking to offer classes on 1/17/26, 1/18/25, 1/24/26, and/or 1/25/26.

Please sign up on the sheets present in the Narthex or reach out to Pastor Kevin (prKevin@spiritofhopelutheran.com / 480-396-8300) to sign up for a class or if you have questions.

Interested in serving on the council?  



The Nominating Committee has prepared a brief questionnaire for those

who may be interested in serving on church council. It includes more

information about what council service looks like at Spirit of Hope, along

with a few preliminary questions. Copies are available in the narthex. Please return completed questionnaires to Rosemary’s folder in the church office.

Serving in December

5:00 PM Readers

December 6 - Daryl W.

December 13 - Pete D.

December 20 - Melody O.

December 27 - Chris S.

9:30 Readers

December 7 - Viviane

December 14 - Linda W.

December 21 - Margaret A.

December 28 - Greg C.

9:30 Greeters

December 7 - Bob & Marilyn Johnson

December 14 - Daryl and Cathy

December 21 - Hans and Diane

December 28 - Mike and Carol L.

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS!

1 - Gerald Borucki

1 - Cathy Wilkens

2 - Carl McCoy

2 - Karen Torgersen

12 - Glen Hamberg

16 - Bob Johnson

18 - Chris Palmer

24 - Rosemary Brant

26 - Amanda Klick

28 - Nancy Palmer

Seniors Rock

Senior's Rock will not be meeting on December 18th, 25th and January 1st . Meetings will resume on January 8th .

Seniors Rock! We're not just a group, we're a movement! 

Dedicated individuals come together every Thursday to make a difference in our community. Founded in 2012, we've been spreading joy and kindness one project at a time. 

From collecting books for our troops to packing lunches for those in need, we're always looking for ways to give back. But our favorite project - Supporting the Justa Center! They help homeless seniors and vets find stable housing, and we provide the essentials to make their new place feel like home. Please see above in the Outreach Activity for details on the current collection effort.

Join us for coffee, conversation, and making a difference! We're all about friendship, sharing, and giving back. Open to all, every Thursday at 9 AM.

Come be part of something amazing! 

Seniors Rock is Friendship, Warmth, Wisdom, Sharing, Talking, Giving,

Part of Yourself, Togetherness

Immerse Yourself in The Word!

Spirit of Hope currently offers 3 bible studies weekly. See below for your options and join us anytime!

Bible Study with Pastor Kevin

Pastor's bible study will be offered on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 AM in the Large Classroom. We will begin our class by looking at a series called, “How Lutherans Interpret the Bible” and then we will spend time looking at the text for the upcoming Sunday.

Bible Study resumes on November 11^th at 10:30AM.

All are welcome!

Bible Study – “Too Big For Starbuck’s”

Start your day off with us! Men and women are invited to join us on

Thursday mornings at 6:30 AM at Church. Bring your Bible and your coffee.

Led by: Bobbi Edwardson 

Women's Thursday Afternoon Bible Study

This bible study is held on Thursday afternoons at 1:00 PM in the church classroom.

New members are always welcome as together we grow in God’s GRACE and LOVE. 

Led by: Dar Stucke

Did You Know???

The Grand Canyon Synod (which Spirit of Hope is part of) is a very active community of 89 churches in Arizona, Nevada and Utah. There is always much going on. The Synod has a website that posts all the news of the synod. The link to the website is here: Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA and if you click on "News" in the toolbar, you will find a link called "Get Our Newsletter". The Bishop's office puts out a weekly newsletter chock full of GCS happenings! And you can have it sent right to your email!

When you get a chance, take a look and see all the good things happening in Our Church!

Spirit of Hope communicates electronically in many ways!

First - this newsletter is created weekly! You can receive it electronically via email or view the current and past newsletters on the Church Website www.spiritofhopelutheran.com under the "Newsletter" link. You can register to receive the newsletter on the main church website page - www.spiritofhopelutheran.com. Click on the "Click Here to Subscribe to Our Weekly E-Newsletter" button.

Second - Our website has so much useful information and is a great source of all things Spirit of Hope. You can see what's going on, view the 9:30 church service live, or view past services, or find a list of helpful resources.

Third - Spirit of Hope has TWO Facebook pages! One is public and you can find it by searching in Facebook for Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church. Don't forget to click on "Follow". The other Facebook page is PRIVATE, meaning you need to request access or be invited. Search for Spirit of Hope and/or contact Tina Gilson with questions (tinag963@gmail.com).

Fourth- the church website has an app for your phone! In the Apple App Store or Play the Android Play Store and search for the "Our Church" app. Once downloaded you will be prompted to search for your church. You will have the church website in a phone-friendly format at your fingertips! Pretty cool, huh?

Phone: 480-396-8300

Email: admin@spiritofhopelutheran.com

Website: www.spiritofhopelutheran.com