Posts tagged Spirit of Grace Surprise
In Memoriam: Rev. Daniel Olson and Barbara Olson
In Memoriam: Rev. Daniel Olson and Barbara Olson

We offer our heartfelt prayers for the friends and family of Pastor Dan Olson and his beloved wife, Barbara Olson. May God’s comforting presence be with all who mourn their passing and celebrate their faithful lives.

Pastor Dan Olson passed away on Friday, February 21, 2025. His wife, Barbara, preceded him in death just a couple of months earlier, on December 30, 2024. Their lives of faith and service will be honored in a joint memorial service at Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church (15820 W. Clearview Blvd., Surprise, AZ 85374) on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11 a.m. Pastor Dan’s brother, Paul Olson, a retired ELCA pastor, will join in leading this service of remembrance and thanksgiving.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardCactus Conference, Spirit of Grace SurpriseComment
In Memoriam: Rev. Harold D. Stromer
In Memoriam: Rev. Harold D. Stromer

We pray for the friends, family, and former congregations of Rev. Harold D. Stromer, who died January 7, 2022. We especially lift up his wife Kathryn in prayer.

After retirement, Harold and Kathy moved to Sun City West, AZ where he continued his work by serving as interim pastor for Desert Cross Lutheran Church, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Celebration Lutheran Church and Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church.

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In Memoriam, News, Prayers, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardDesert Cross Tempe, Shepherd of the Valley Phoenix, Shepherd of the Hills Flagstaff, Celebration Peoria, Spirit of Grace Surprise Comments
Prayers for the family of Pastor Steve Haggmark
Prayers for the family of Pastor Steve Haggmark

Pastor Steve Haggmark, who had served as the Interim Pastor at Spirit of Grace, Surprise, died April 28, 2020. We pray for his Nancy, his wife, and his family. Please contact the synod office for Nancy’s address if needed.

Eternal God, your love is stronger than death, and your passion more fierce than the grave. We rejoice in the lives of those whom you have drawn into your eternal embrace. Keep us in joyful communion with them until we join the saints of every people and nation gathered before your throne in your ceaseless praise, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Prayers, In MemoriamBrian FlatgardSpirit of Grace Surprise, CacComment
GCS Daily Bread Grants exceeds fundraising challenge
GCS Daily Bread Grants exceeds fundraising challenge

On April 26, 2020, the Grand Canyon Synod was awarded $10,000 from the ELCA’s COVID-19 Response Fund to assist GCS Native American and Latino ministries with food, water and basic hygiene items.

On April 28, Bishop Deborah Hutterer shared this good news and issued a challenge to match this amount for even greater impact. As of this writing, we have exceeded the initial challenge by $3,700, raising $13,700 in one week. We celebrate the generosity of this synod.

Additional gifts from congregations and individuals can still be made to this appeal through online giving or checks with the designation of GCS Daily Bread Grants. Grateful for how God does good through you.

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Stories of HopeBrian FlatgardELCA COVID-19 Response Fund, Christ the Lord Carefree, Sierra Lutheran Sierra Vista, Spirit of Grace Surprise, Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission, House of Prayer Rock Point, Reformation Las Vegas, Native American Urban Ministry Phoenix, Pan De Vida El Mirage, La Sagrada Familia Phoenix, San Juan Bautista Tucson, Holy Trinity Chandler, I-HELP, Mount of Olives Phoenix, Latino, American Indian and Alaska Native, Ethnic Specific and Multicultural Ministries, Northeast Valley Conference, Cactus Conference, Capital Conference, Colorado River Conference, GCS Daily Bread Grants, Synod Council, Kino ConferenceComment
We pray for Spirit of Grace, Surprise, AZ
We pray for Spirit of Grace, Surprise, AZ

We pray for Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church in Surprise, AZ. We lift up: Harold Stromer, Interim Pastor; Dave Sitzman, Church Council President; Sue Kopcha, Council Vice President; Vicki McCarville, Council Secretary; Council Members Spence Videon, Dick Lyda, Richard Johnson, Robin Aguilar, Treedah Magee, and Phyllis Borchardt; Sheila Marlow, Admin Assistant; Fred Bornhoeft, Director of Music; Deb Frusciano, Faith Community Nurse; Gerry White, Finance Director; Glenn Schultz, Accountant; Jerry Huston, Facilities Manager; Norm Lindstrom, Assistant to Facilities Manager; Ken Carnes, Choir Director; and Accompanists Georgette Harper and Elaine Indahl.

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Prayers, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardSpirit of Grace Surprise, Cactus ConferenceComment
Spirit of Grace celebrates Adult Vacation Bible School
Spirit of Grace celebrates Adult Vacation Bible School

This August, Spirit of Grace, Surprise, AZ gathered for a study on Swimming with Jonah, developed and presented by Cyndy Warnier, Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center. Each day approximately 65 members and friends enjoyed a coffee and craft hour followed by a presentation by community service organizations with a close with prayers and hymn sing.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsGrand Canyon SynodSpirit of Grace Surprise, Spirit in the Desert Retreat CenterComment