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,

Thank you to all who helped (in any way shape or form), and to those who

attended my installation. Those who were not present, I know you were there in spirit. It was a day I will remember for a long time. Thank you to all for your prayers, support, and welcoming spirit. My family and I appreciate it.

A friendly reminder that signups for short meetings before and after Saturday and Sunday worship remain in the Narthex. These are short 5-minute introductory meetings where I simply want to hear from you. I encourage you to sign up for this time to come and share. This is an important part of my getting to know you all and beginning to hear your stories.

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

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.

Memorial for Terry Williams

Please join us on Friday, November 21 at 11:00 AM at Spirit of Hope as we gather to remember and celebrate the life of Terry Williams, who passed away last spring. Terry touched so many lives at Spirit of Hope and his community with kindness, laughter, and unwavering spirit.

We invite you to bring a story, memory, or moment that reminds you of Terry. Whether heartfelt, humorous, or inspiring, your reflections will help us celebrate the beautiful legacy Terry leaves behind. A light luncheon will follow.

Let’s come together in love, remembrance, and gratitude.

If you are planning on attending this service, please let us know by sending an email to admin@spiritofhopelutheran.com or contacting the church office.

Do You Have a Prayer Request?

We’re formalizing a prayer list for Spirit of Hope members and those closely connected to our community. This will be an internal communication shared within our congregation. If you’d like to be added to the prayer list, please contact Pastor Kevin at prkevin@spiritofhopelutheran.com.

If you wish to add someone else, please check with them first to be sure they’d like to be included. Thank you for helping us lift one another in prayer and support within our community.

Help us Decorate for Christmas!

We will be Decorating the church for Christmas on:

Saturday, December 13th at 9AM

All children are invited to decorate the Christmas tree on the altar.

There will be treats after decorating.  

Volunteers are also needed to help decorate the narthex.  

 Looking for a Choir Director!

Our pianist, Donna, has asked if anyone might be able to help serve as our Choir Director as it is difficult to direct the choir and play the piano at the same time. If you have experience directing and are interested in serving, please reach out to the church office.

Thanksgiving Eve Worship & PieFest

Thanksgiving Eve worship will be Wednesday, November 26^th at 5:30PM. We will have pie after worship. Please feel free to bring your favorite pie to share!

Additionally, we will be collecting canned food items for the food bank that

is hosted by a sister congregation, First Evangelical Lutheran Church, in

downtown Mesa. Gifts made to the Hunger Jar (located at the back of the

Sanctuary) at this service will be given to support that ministry as well.

Nativity Scene Showcase at LDS Building

Our LDS neighbors wanted to invite you all to their Community Nativity

Showcase, which features Nativities from around the world. This is a free

come-and-go community event that will be held on December 5 from

5:00PM to 9:00PM and December 6 from 3:00PM to 8:00PM at 3440 S.

Signal Butte Rd, Mesa AZ. There are postcards in the Narthex with the

information for the event.

Children’s Christmas Party at Spirit of Hope

We will host a Christmas Party for kids on Saturday, December 20 th from

10:00-11:30AM. We will have crafts, snacks, and games. Please invite your

children or grandchildren to join us.

Poinsettias at Spirit of Hope

You can make a donation of any amount toward the purchase of poinsettias

that will be on display for Christmas. You can make a donation in memory

or in honor of someone if you would like. Information and envelopes are in

the Narthex. Donations are due by December 7th .

With gentle touch and caring heart,

You soothe the soul and calm the heart.

Compassion's gift, a treasure rare,

Bringing peace to those who show they care.

In harmony, the world begins,

A symphony of loving kin.

The words we speak, a gentle breeze,

Or a storm that rages with ease.

Let's choose to speak with kindness and truth.

And bring solace to me and you.

For in our words, we have the might,

To heal, to help, and to ignite.

May our talents shine in every way,

In art, in love, in each new day.

May compassion guide our every deed,

And harmony be the world's creed.

 ~ Wendy

Serving in November

5:00 PM Readers

November 22 - Melody Oliver

November 29 - Chris Steele

9:30 Readers

November 23 - Martee Sauers

November 30 - Marcy Fleming

9:30 Greeters

November 23 - Bob & Marilyn Johnson

November 30 - Mike & Carol Lorenz

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS!

4 - Jacqueline Shelbourn

8 - Marlys Carlson

11 - Edmund Russell

12 - Calvin Schell

14 - Ginny Weber

15 - Colleen Crow

18 - Cleo Hansen

18 - Debbie Zimmerman

23 - Stefani Eisele

25 - Butch Schleicher

27 - Allen Thompson

30 - Sandy Odmark

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