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: October Calendar

From Pastor Kevin's Desk

Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church community,

This Saturday is our annual Trunk-or-Treat from 9AM to 11AM. Since I arrived in August 2025, this event has brought, by far, the most children and families on to our campus for a single event. Last year, we had roughly 80-100 kids come through Spirit of Hope for the Trunk-or-Treat.

The culture we live in has changed dramatically over the last few decades. Part of these changes have brought forth less participation in the life of the church for families and young adults. Some of you know this personally, as your own children, whom you raised in the church, and your grandchildren do not regularly attend worship or participate in congregational life and activities. Churches, in the ELCA and across the West, have been looking for ways to remedy this change, and there appears to be no single “answer” to address what we are seeing and experiencing.

I say this to inform and remind us all about what our expectations might be for families participating in the life of the church. Personally, as challenging as it is to be a new leader in a time such as this, I am glad that we offer events for our surrounding community and they might simply know that we are here. My own expectations are not grounded in families storming our church doors to join our church, regardless of how great our programs and ministries might be. 

Prior to being ordained, I worked in Youth Ministry for over a decade. The congregations I worked in offered a variety of creative ministries and opportunities for families and students to be involved and connected to the church. The results were never a flood of people looking to join the congregation. Even those who showed interest had competing commitments and obligations that drew them away from the church and into opportunities they felt were important for their children’s development and future. Again, a sign of the changes that have developed in our recent history.

I say all of this to emphasize the importance of our Spirit of Hope community supporting and participating in these kinds of community events. I am not expecting the families that may come for the Trunk-or-Treat to dive into worship and communal life at Spirit of Hope. But, my hope is that should a family or two dare to darken our doors, that we would be ready to greet, welcome, and love them, knowing they have much going on. Perhaps, trusting the work of the Holy Spirit, it is enough that they know that we are here and we care about them.

Here are some dates that you can mark on your calendars:

• 10/24: SoH Trunk or Treat (9AM - 11AM)
• 10/25: Shoebox Items returned to SoH (more below)
• 11/7 and 11/8: Ministry Fair
• 11/25: Thanksgiving Eve Worship and Pie Fellowship

The Spirit of Hope office hours are as follows: 

• Monday: 9AM - 3PM
• Tuesday: 9AM - 3PM
• Wednesday: 9AM - 3PM
• Thursday: 9AM - 12PM
• Friday: Closed
• Saturday: Closed (Worship at 5PM)
• Sunday: Closed (Worship at 9:30AM)

Grace and peace,

Pastor Kevin Anderson

Office: (480) 396-8300

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

Email: prKevin@spiritofhopelutheran.com

Ministry Fair at Spirit of Hope!

All Saints Sunday

Each year we name aloud those who have passed in the last year in our community and ring a bell in their remembrance in worship on All Saints Sunday. If you have an immediate family members name or member of Spirit of Hope's name who has passed since Nov. 1, 2025 that you would like read aloud, please add it to the list in the Narthex.

Welcome Desk Volunteers Needed on Sunday Mornings

Update - we have had a few folks volunteer and are looking for a few more! Please consider this welcoming ministry!

We would like to extend our deep gratitude to Karen and Dave Torgersen for the many years that they greeted visitors and members alike as they entered Spirit of Hope on Sunday Mornings! Dave and Karen have decided to pass the torch and are stepping down from their watch on the Sunday Welcome Desk.

The importance of this service cannot be overstated. In Karen's words:

"We feel this is a very important part of welcoming visitors to our church. This may be the first and only greeting they get that day."

Those first few moments a guest, or church member walk through the door are so important! A simple greeting can help someone feel noticed, valued, and at ease.

We're looking for new volunteers to join this ministry. You don't need special training or experience. All you need is a welcoming spirit, a smile, and a friendly greeting (and where the bathrooms are :) ). "Welcome" materials are provided.

Would you consider serving once in a while on Sunday mornings?

Join us in helping everyone feel at home from the moment they walk through the door.

Please contact the church office to volunteer!

The Evangelism Committee

Shoebox Project

The Shoebox Program began in 2011 when Carla McLaren, then a civilian employee with the Mesa Police Department, created a way for local law enforcement officers to connect with students through special school events. Church members donated shoeboxes filled with gifts, and officers joined students at their schools to spend time together and distribute the boxes.

Today, the program continues in communities throughout our area. School staff identify students who would especially benefit from some extra encouragement and support, including children who may be experiencing difficult circumstances at home such as foster or group-home placement, an incarcerated parent, addiction within the family, divorce, or the death of a loved one.

Churches provide the filled shoeboxes, Carla works with participating schools to organize the events, and local law enforcement officers attend to meet and engage with the students. The goal is simple: to give a child a special experience while showing students and schools that their community cares about them.

This year, Spirit of Hope has been asked to provide 98 shoeboxes for students ranging from kindergarten through 8th grade.

How to Participate:



1. Choose a shoebox and sign up for a specific age and gender on the sign-up sheet - all of which are in the Sanctuary.
2. Take a recommended-items list and purchase items appropriate for the student you selected.
3. Fill your shoebox with the purchased items.
4. Return your completed shoebox to Spirit of Hope by October 25.

Thank you for helping us support students in our surrounding communities.

Outreach Update 

We have been notified that one of the food banks we partner with is in need of shelf-stable protein. This can be canned chicken, canned tuna, peanut butter, etc. The donation box is in the narthex. Thank you for your support!

Trunk-or-Treat

Our annual Trunk-or-Treat is this Saturday, Oct. 24th, from 9AM to 11AM. If you have signed up to help setup, we ask that you be at Spirit of Hope at 8AM. Please reach out if you have any questions.

Cursillo News

Annual Meeting

Saturday, November 14 at 10 AM

All Saints Lutheran Church

15649 N 7th Street

Phoenix, AZ 85022

Spaghetti Lunch Fundraiser to follow at Noon

Questions? Contact Karen Vidot

Crafters Meet on Fridays

The crafting group continues to meet on Fridays. You can bring your own crafty thing to work on and fellowship with others. All are welcome.

Serving in October

Saturday PM Readers

3 - Pete D

10 - Daryl W

17 - Chris S

24 - Craig T

31 - Melody O

Saturday PM Sound Board

October - Kim F

31 - Craig T

Saturday PM Communion Assistant

3 - Sandy O

10 - Wendy S

17 - Sandy O

24 - Wendy S

31 - Sandy O

Saturday PM Setup & Takedown

October - Jo F

Sunday AM Readers

4 - Karen G

11 - Colleen P

18 - Margaret A

25 - Steve C

Sunday AM Greeters

4 - Art & Crystal Z

11 - Allen & Diane T

18 - Jeff & Carlotta K

25 - Ned & Diana A

Sunday AM Sound Board

October - Eric T

Sunday AM Communion Assistant

4 - Bob & Marilyn J

11 - Rhonda & Mark M

18 - Martee S & Viviane P

25 - Deb K & Donna K

Sunday AM Setup & Takedown

Becky B & Karen G

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS!

2 - Douglas Post

3 - Jerry Nelson

4 - Marcy Fleming

6 - Ken Vandenberg

6 - Jody Bock

14 - Rhonda Miller

16 - Margaret Anderson

16 - Lee Strand

17 - Paula Slone

21 - Chris Click

22 - Vicki Camacho

22 - Diane Reinhardt

25 - Mary Myer

25 - Lee Draper

26 - Diane Thompson

27 - Rainer Jessen

31 - Donald Kuehl

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 – ThursYay Theology

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

CURRENTLY ON BREAK

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 newsletter on the Church Website www.spiritofhopelutheran.com on the Home Page. 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 on the Home Page

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