A quick note before we begin: This week’s This Week at New Spirit is a little longer than usual. Apparently, when we say we’re a church that does things, we really mean it! So grab another cup of coffee, settle in, and see all the ways the Spirit is moving at New Spirit.
A Message from Pastor Hartman
Dear New Spirit family,
On Reformation Sunday, we remembered that Luther used the printing press to share a message that still matters: God’s grace is for you. The tools around us keep changing, but our call to love our neighbors remains. This week, I invite you to notice the tools you use and choose one way to put one of them to work for good.
In grace,
Pastor Hartman
We Show Up — Building a Sustainable Future
Over the last four years, we’ve worked together to help New Spirit become the thriving congregation we are today. Through your faithfulness, generosity, and willingness to show up, our congregation has continued to grow in both ministry and impact.
For those who have been part of New Spirit since 2023 or before, take a moment to think back.
Remember what New Spirit was like then. Remember some of the questions, uncertainties, and challenges that hung in the air about our future.
Now look at where we are today.
Think about the ways our congregation has grown, the ministries that have developed, the lives that have been touched, and the new possibilities that continue to emerge.
The Holy Spirit has been at work among us!
And that work has been supported by the generosity of this congregation, both past and present. Part of what made this season of renewal possible was our willingness to invest resources that previous generations had faithfully set aside.
Where We’ve Been
Over the past four years, New Spirit has relied on an average of approximately $150,000 annually from other funding sources, including our endowment, to support our ongoing ministry.
These resources have helped make the renewal and growth we’ve experienced possible. They were an investment in New Spirit’s future, and we can see the difference that investment has made.
But continuing to rely on this level of additional funding year after year is not sustainable.
Where We’re Going
Our next step is to become a financially sustainable congregation.
Over the next four years, we are committed to intentionally and aggressively reducing the gap between our regular income and the cost of our ministries.
Our goal is to reach a point where our endowment can once again support community grants, special projects, and new ministry opportunities, rather than being a regular source of funding for operating deficits.
How We Get There — Together
This year’s We Show Up stewardship campaign is an important first step.
For 2027, we’re setting a congregation-wide goal of increasing our overall member giving by 15% to 25%.
That means:
- Starting goal: Approximately $28,000 in additional annual giving.
- Stretch goal: Approximately $47,000 in additional annual giving.
These are goals for our congregation as a whole, not a request for every household to increase its giving by 15% to 25%.
Whether you’ve been giving faithfully for years, recently started contributing, or aren’t currently making a financial contribution, we invite you to prayerfully consider how you can participate in strengthening New Spirit’s financial future.
For some, that may mean increasing an existing gift. For others, it may mean making a financial commitment for the first time. Whatever your circumstances, we encourage you to consider what is possible for you and how your generosity can help sustain the ministries we share.
Every gift matters, and everyone’s participation in the life of New Spirit is valued, regardless of financial circumstances.
Grounded in 2 Corinthians 9, we remember that generosity grows out of God’s abundant grace and becomes a blessing to others. We give not out of pressure or obligation, but in response to the generosity God has already shown us.
Commitment Sunday — November 15
During worship on Sunday, November 15, you will be invited to bring forward your Commitment Card as an expression of your participation in building New Spirit’s future.
Watch your mailbox and email for additional information from the Stewardship Committee.
We Show Up. Together, we’re building a sustainable future for New Spirit.
Support New Spirit’s Ministry — Give Online
Help Feed Local Children — Two Ways to Give!
Every week, New Spirit’s Blessings in a Backpack ministry provides weekend food for 400 children in our community who are experiencing food insecurity.
You can support this important ministry through either of our two fundraising raffles!
Jim Click’s Millions for Tucson Raffle
This year, Jim Click is donating a 2026 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X Roush® Edition as the grand prize!
- Grand Prize: 2026 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X Roush® Edition
- Second Prize: Two round-trip, first-class airline tickets to anywhere in the world (some restrictions apply)
- Third Prize: $5,000 cash
Tickets: $25 each or 5 for $100
Drawing: Thursday, December 10, 2026
Tickets are available only through participating charities. To purchase yours and support New Spirit’s Blessings in a Backpack ministry, see Laurie Bernard or Nancy in the church office.
Blessings in a Backpack Gift Card Raffle
For just $1 per ticket, you could win one of three gift card prizes!
- First Prize: $50 Fry’s Gift Card
- Second Prize: $20 First Watch Gift Card
- Third Prize: $20 First Watch Gift Card
Drawing: Sunday, November 15, 2026
Just in time for Thanksgiving! The Fry’s gift card winner could put their prize toward holiday groceries.
To purchase tickets, see Laurie Bernard or Nancy in the church office.
Every ticket purchased helps support our efforts to provide weekend food for local children.
Trunk ‘n’ Treat — This Saturday!
Halloween is almost here, and we’re getting ready for a fantastic evening of community fun!
Saturday, October 31 | 5:00–7:00 PM
New Spirit Lutheran Church
8701 E. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson
FREE TO EVERYONE!
Join us for decorated trunks, candy, food, cupcakes, and more!
Over 40,000 Giveaways and Counting!
As of Sunday, October 25, our congregation and community supporters had already collected more than 40,000 giveaways, including candy, small toys, stickers, and other treats!
That’s more than 40,000 opportunities to bring a little joy to the children and families who join us!
A tremendous thank-you to everyone who has donated, decorated a trunk, volunteered, baked cupcakes, or helped prepare for this event.
Help Us Spread the Word!
Invite your friends, neighbors, coworkers, and families with children. Everyone is welcome, whether they’re part of New Spirit or not.
There’s Still Time to Get Involved!
There’s still time to volunteer or bring a decorated vehicle to this year’s event!
Whether you’d like to help during the festivities or host a trunk to hand out treats, we’d love to have you participate.
If you’re interested, please contact Karen Colwell.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
We’re especially grateful to:
- Big O Tires — Participating Tucson locations
- Arizona Picture and Frame Gallery
Thank you for helping New Spirit show our neighbors what love in action looks like!
We can’t wait to see you Saturday!
All Saints Sunday — November 1
This Sunday, November 1, we will observe All Saints Sunday during our 10:00 AM worship service.
All Saints Sunday is a time to remember and give thanks for those who have died, especially those whose lives have shaped our own. It is a day when we hold grief and hope together, remembering that even in death, God’s love never lets us go.
As we remember those who have gone before us, we also celebrate the promise of resurrection and the communion of saints that unites us in Christ.
You are invited to bring photographs of loved ones you wish to remember. At the beginning of worship, Pastor Hartman will invite you to bring your photographs forward. He will place them on or near the altar as a visible reminder that we are surrounded by the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us, and that through Christ, we remain connected in God’s love.
Whether you are remembering someone who died recently or someone whose memory remains close to your heart, you are welcome to join us.
Sunday, November 1 | 10:00 AM
In person and online on YouTube
Second Saturday Blessings — A Thanksgiving Feast!
Saturday, November 14, 2026
Thanksgiving is coming early to New Spirit!
For our November Second Saturday Blessings, we’re preparing a traditional Thanksgiving meal for more than 150 of our neighbors, and we need your help!
We’re planning a feast complete with turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, rolls, pies, and all the Thanksgiving favorites.
How Can You Help?
We’re inviting members to help prepare dishes and contribute food for this special meal. A sign-up sheet will be available in the narthex with specific needs and opportunities to participate.
For those preparing stuffing or green bean casserole, ingredients will be available for pickup on Sunday, November 8. Please let Laurie Bernard know if you plan to prepare either dish.
And please don’t let the cost of ingredients keep you from helping! Funds are available to reimburse food purchases. Just be sure to save your receipts.
For questions or to help with the meal, please contact Laurie Bernard.
Together, we can help make this Thanksgiving a little brighter for our community!
Join Us on Wednesdays
Take time during the week to pray, learn, and grow together!
Pray Without Ceasing — Wednesdays at 9:00 AM
Join us as we lift up our congregation, community, and world in prayer.
Wednesday Bible Study — Wednesdays at 10:00 AM
Explore Scripture, ask questions, and discover together how God’s Word speaks into our lives.
You don’t need to have all the answers. Just bring your curiosity!
Prayer Requests
Please hold in prayer our neighbors who are grieving, hungry, lonely, or facing uncertainty. Pray also for those who have no one to pray for them.
Whether you’re asking for prayers for yourself, someone you love, or a situation weighing on your heart, we invite you to share your prayer requests with us.
This Week’s Spiritual Practice
One Tool, One Good Thing
Choose a tool you use each day. Notice one benefit and one cost. Then use it to encourage someone, share truth, build a relationship, or show God’s love.
Stay Connected
New Spirit Lutheran Church
Helping people follow Jesus in real life—questions, doubts, and all! No pretending. Just real faith for real life.
Sunday Worship: 10:00 AM — In Person & Online
