2605 S Signal Butte Rd

Mesa, AZ 85209

480-396-8300

What's Going on at Spirit of Hope?

View/Download/print a copy of the calendar here: February 2026

From Pastor Kevin's Desk

Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church community,

I’d like to give a welcome all the new members to Spirit of Hope:

• Ned and Diana Ajluni
• Terry and Sandy Crabtree
• Steve and Karen Crofton
• Robin Hiller
• Carlotta Keating
• Donna Kennett
• Dean and Shellie Lackey
• Mike and Carol Lorenz
• Mark and Rhonda Miller
• Charlie and Karen Vidot

Thank you to all who participated in our annual meeting! I appreciate your participation in the life of this congregation.

We have elected new council members! Please welcome:

• Becky Buck - three-year term
• Marilyn Carlson Johnson - three-year term
• Bobbi Edwardson - three-year term
• Terry Crabtree - two-year term
• Steffi Eisele - one-year term

We give thanks for all who faithfully stepped forward to be elected to the council.

Be on the lookout for more information about how to be involved at Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church!

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

Choir!

Our choir will be singing on Sunday mornings! Please join us for rehearsals on Thursdays at 3:30PM. You are welcome to join! No experience necessary!!

Undies and Sock Collection

Our collection for undies and socks has begun. There is a box in the narthex where you can place donated items. This collection will continue through the month of February.

^{Thank you, as always, for your generosity!}

^{The Outreach Committee} 

Church Work Day!

We will have a Church Work Day (for landscaping) on Saturday, February 21^st at 7:30AM.

***If you have a weed eater, whether it is electric or gas, please bring it for the weeds out in the back lot.***

Please join us as we care for our campus.

Note from Max and Alice Tiede

Max and Alice Tiede have been taking care of their daughter, Allison, who recently had part of her arm amputated. Below is a note they wanted to pass on to the congregation:

Dear Spirit of Hope Friends,

Thank you all so very much for the beautiful card! The kind and caring words are so thoughtful and reminders of all the wonderful friends we have at SOH and how much we are missing you.

There have been many difficult days followed by an abundance of future challenges for our daughter Allison. But for her, as well as Max and I, receiving all the faith filled messages along with all the many prayers being said, gives us all hope and the reminder that God is always with us and how much he loves us all…

We surely look forward to getting back to the desert and our SOH church family. We miss the hugs, the treats and the awesome sermons!

God Bless you all,



Allison, Max, Alice

Ash Wednesday Service

Ash Wednesday Service will be on Wednesday, February 18^th at 5:30PM. There will be no soup after service.

Wednesday Lenten Services

Our Wednesday evening Lent services will begin on Wednesday, February 25th at 5:30PM. We will have soup after service.

If you are considering bringing a soup to share, please sign up using the sheet in the narthex.

Life's all about those unexpected connections, right?  

You never know who's gonna walk into your life and become that ride-or-die friend.

And when you do find 'em, it's like the universe is lookin' out for you.

You share the highs, the lows, the laughs, the tears... you're each other's support system.

I'm glad you're one of the lucky ones with friends like that. Seriously, though, tell 'em how much they mean to you!

Let 'em know you got their back, and they're not just friends, they're family.

Give 'em a shout, a hug, or a heartfelt message – whatever feels real. They've got your back, now you've got theirs.

~Written by Wendy Sontag in memory of Nancy Stark who made sure to reach out to those who needed support.

40-40-40 Lenten Challenge - Register Now!

Lord, When Did We See You? A STRANGER? NAKED? SICK? IN PRISON?

40-40-40 LENTEN CHALLENGE 2026

Matthew 25:37-40. “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’”

The challenge is to participate in some personal and community spiritual practices during Lent which will focus on stretching our learning, care and advocacy muscles on behalf of underserved communities. The six weeks will be divided according to the gospel text, with participants focusing on what we know and think about these siblings in Christ, as well as how we act in support and on behalf of these communities.

Why Lent? Lent is a time to reflect, remember our dependence on God and one another, and look forward to the ways God calls us to be. Adding one or more of these practices to your observation of Lent might help you feel more connected. The challenge could help our synods be the Church together, and to see God’s vision and invitation for us to be a church for the world and share the good news of Jesus Christ. LEARN MORE & Register using the link at the bottom of this article.

How is this a challenge? This a friendly competition among the 5 Region 2 synods for a good cause. Our goal is for individuals representing 50 congregations per synod to participate -- most participants ‘wins’.

What are the 40-40-40 Lenten practices? We encourage you commit to 3 of the 4 (or all 4!) practices during the 40 days of Lent, 2026. Develop your own plan,or check the website for practical ideas for spiritual practices on the theme.

• Daily Devotion. Subscribe to receive devotions every day of Lent via email. These short reflections represent diverse voices and circumstances.

• Daily Learning. Read ELCA social teachings. Study and pray on Matthew 25. Join ELCA networks like AMMPARO, PRAN, LRC, ELCA World Hunger. Participate in a group study on advocacy. Learn about current events and legislation. Journal.

• Daily Action. Volunteer at a food bank. Donate clothes and sundries. Clean up your local watershed, visit someone in the hospital. Pray for elected leaders. Plan a prayer vigil. Meet your legislator, write a letter. Donate books to a prison.

• Daily Donation. Pledge to give $1 a day (or more) to ELCA World Hunger during Lent.

Participating Synods: Sierra Pacific (2A). Southwest California (2B), Pacifica (2C), Grand Canyon (2D) and Rocky Mountain (2E).

Click Here to Register

The 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge for 2026 — Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona

Watch the newsletter for updates!

Lutherans from across Arizona will gather at the Arizona State Capitol on Monday, February 23, 2026, from 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. for Lutheran Day at the Legislature, a day of faithful advocacy hosted by Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA). Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. at Wesley Bolin Plaza, where participants will begin the day with a light breakfast and coffee before stepping into a full morning of learning, witness, and public engagement.

This annual gathering equips and encourages Lutherans to live out our baptismal promise “to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.” Throughout the morning, participants will meet their legislators, connect with congregational LAMA liaisons, hear from policy council members, and join other Lutherans committed to justice shaped by our Lutheran faith.

Following breakfast at the plaza, attendees will share a bag lunch in the Senate Majority Room, meet representatives, hear speakers, and pray together for justice and for all who serve in government.

Location & Parking:

Wesley Bolin Plaza (1700 W Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85007) is located on the west side of 17th Avenue in downtown Phoenix. The Capitol Parking Lot is at 1798 W. Jefferson St., with additional parking from W. Adams Street and W. Jefferson Street. The site is also accessible by bus.

Registration:

Planning is underway, and updates will be shared as available.

Register Here



Join fellow Lutherans in raising a collective voice in the public square—grounded in faith, committed to our neighbors, and united in hope.

Serving in February

Saturday PM Readers

February 7 Cal Schell

February 14 Daryl Wilton

February 21 Bobbi Edwardson

February 28 Pete DeMars

Saturday PM Sound Board

February 7 Kimberly Flook

February 14 Steve Osterman

February 21 Steve Osterman

February 28 Steve Osterman

Saturday PM Communion Assistant

February 7 Wendy Sontag

February 14 Wendy Sontag

February 21 Sandy Odmark

February 28 Sandy Odmark

Saturday PM Setup & Takedown

February Chris Steele

Sunday AM Readers

February 1 Karen Gowan

February 8 Greg Crow

February 15 Margaret Anderson

February 22 Colleen Pawlowski

Sunday AM Greeters

February 1 Marilyn & Bob Johnson

February 8 Greg & Colleen Crow

February 15 Daryl & Cathy Wilkens

February 22 Shelbourn Family

Sunday AM Sound Board

February Eric Shelbourn

Sunday AM Communion Assistant

February 8 Bob And Marilyn Johnson

February 15 Linda W and Debbie K

February 22 Margaret A & Marcy F

Sunday AM Setup & Takedown

February - Greg & Colleen

February BIRTHDAYS!

4 Viviane Piaget

12 Sandra Hamberg

15 Delores Burchill

15 Karen Gowan

15 Sam Small

16 Bob Brynsaas

16 Dianne Sanford

16 Steven Steele

17 Keri Ann Koppendrayer

22 Pat Eggen

24 Glen Boysen

25 Harry Glass

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 meets on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 AM in the Large Classroom. We take a closer look at the Old Testament reading and the Gospel reading for the upcoming Sunday.

All are welcome!

Bible Study – “Too Big For Starbuck’s”

Currently doing a study on the Prophets, beginning with Isaiah.

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