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2605 S Signal Butte Rd
Mesa, AZ 85209
480-396-8300
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November 26, 2025
Services: 5:00 pm Saturday
9:30 am Sunday
| | | What's Going on at Spirit of Hope? | |
From Pastor Kevin's Desk
Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church community,
Happy Thanksgiving! I pray that you have time to reflect on all the gifts that God gives us, from the smallest and seemingly most simply, to the grandest ways that God continues to provide for us. May we all share in God’s abundance and generosity this season.
I wanted to let you all know that I have not forgotten about the things you have been asking for. I am still learning something new every day about Spirit of Hope! We are in the process of scheduling our New Member’s Class, Confirmation, formalizing our Prayer List, etc. It is a busy time in the life of this congregation and I appreciate your grace (and friendly reminders!) along the way. Should you have concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
With the holidays coming, we will be communicating the planned holiday office hours soon. For this Thanksgiving week, the office will be closed Thursday and I will be working from home on Friday, November 28th. Please reach out should you need anything, and our regular office hours will resume Saturday, November 29th .
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
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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.
| 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 26th 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.
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As we gather 'round the table, let's take a moment, if you will, to allow gratitude to fill our hearts and souls, for the blessings big and small that make our lives whole. Let's thank God for family near and far, for friends who've become our chosen tribe, our stars. For the freedoms we often take for granted, but are so dear, for the troops who fight for our liberty, we give thanks sincerely. Let's thank the farmers who toiled in the earth for the food that's on our plates, a gift of rebirth. Let's thank the hands that prepared the feast, and the hearts that shared the love, the joy, the peace. Let's take a moment to appreciate life's simple pleasures, too: A warm cup of coffee, a sunset, a child's laughter, true. Let's thank the memories we've made, the laughter, the tears, and the lessons learned, through joy and through fear. To everyone who's part of our journey, we say, 'Thank you for being a blessing in your own special way.' May our gratitude fill our hearts and spill over, as we cherish these moments and the love we share. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! May this special day be filled with love, joy, and cheer, and may we never forget the true meaning of Thanksgiving, year after year.
~ Wendy
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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
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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.
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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
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Immerse Yourself in The Word!
Spirit of Hope currently offers 3 bible studies weekly. See below for your options and join us anytime!
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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 11th at 10:30AM.
All are welcome!
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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
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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
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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!
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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?
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