This Week at New Spirit
Pastor’s Reflection – More Than Peanut Butter
There are moments in the life of a church that become part of its story. This year’s Peanut Butter Drive is one of those moments. Together, New Spirit collected 1,440 jars of peanut butter.
That’s more than double our previous record.
And while I’m incredibly grateful for every jar that will help feed our neighbors, I don’t think the peanut butter is the biggest story. The biggest story is what this congregation is becoming.
Leadership experts talk about something called “small wins.” When a community experiences success together, it begins to believe that bigger things are possible. Success builds confidence. Confidence leads to greater courage. Greater courage leads to greater ministry. I think we’ve seen that happen at New Spirit.
A few years ago, we challenged ourselves to collect just over 200 jars of peanut butter.
You didn’t just meet the challenge. You ran with it.
Later, we wondered if we could provide 48 cases of toilet paper for local schools. You raised enough for 96! Every challenge that was given we have met and surpassed.
This year, we wondered if 1,000 jars of peanut butter was even possible. You brought 1,440!!
The lesson isn’t that New Spirit is really good at collecting peanut butter. The lesson is that this congregation has become the kind of community that responds when there’s a meaningful need.
That’s one of the reasons I often say that New Spirit is “the church that does.”
Over the last four years, I’ve watched this congregation grow in confidence. Not in ourselves, but confidence that God can accomplish extraordinary things through ordinary people who simply say yes. That’s a culture worth protecting.
Because the same spirit that filled this sanctuary with peanut butter is the same spirit that feeds our neighbors, welcomes new people, serves our community, and proclaims the Gospel.
So thank you. Thank you for every jar. Thank you for every act of generosity. And thank you for continuing to become the kind of church that reminds me, again and again, that when God places a meaningful challenge before New Spirit…Love shows up.
Pastor Hartman
From Sunday’s Message
Jesus’ parable of the rich fool turns the question of wealth toward each of us. The issue is not simply how much we own, but whether our desire for security closes our hands to our neighbors. The Lord’s Prayer teaches us to ask for “our daily bread,” not merely “my daily bread.” Because our life is held by God, we are free to name what is enough, release what is extra, and help make sure others have what they need.
This week’s sermon thread: “Rooted in enough, we live with open hands.”
Try This This Week
Walk through one area of your home this week. Choose one useful item you do not need, and give it through a trusted ministry or directly to someone who can use it. As you release it, pray: “God, give us our daily bread.”
This Sunday at New Spirit
Join us Sunday, August 9, at 10:00 a.m. for worship in person or online as our Rooted and Rising series continues. Come as you are—questions, doubts, and all.
Life at New Spirit
Pray Without Ceasing gathers Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. for scripture, silence, candle prayer, and a quiet place to bring what is on your heart. This week we will pray with Jesus’ words, “Give us our daily bread.”
New Spirit continues to be a church where love shows up through practical care. Watch our usual communication channels for current opportunities to serve, give, learn, and connect.
Upcoming Opportunities
- Sunday worship – August 9 at 10:00 a.m.
- 2nd Saturday Blessings – August 8 at 9:00 a.m.
- Pray Without Ceasing – Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m.
- Rooted and Rising continues as we move toward Fall Ministry Kickoff and the New Spirit identity celebration on September 13.
Prayer Requests
Please pray for people who lack food, shelter, safety, health care, or companionship; for those carrying financial anxiety; for wisdom in how we use the gifts entrusted to us; and for those without someone to pray for them. Prayer requests may be shared with the church office through our website contact page.
Helpful Links
- Worship and livestream: newspiritlutherantucson.org/worship
- Church calendar: newspiritlutherantucson.org/new-spirit-calendar
- Give: use the DONATE link at newspiritlutherantucson.org
