This Week at New Spirit
1. Pastor’s Reflection
One of the most important things we named on Pentecost Sunday is this: The Holy Spirit creates belonging before demanding conformity.
That means you do not have to pretend here. You do not have to have all the answers. None of us have to earn grace. You are already loved by God.
And together, we are learning how to become a community that reflects that truth more clearly every day.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Hartman
Helping people follow Jesus in real life—questions, doubts, and all. No pretending. Just real faith for real life.
2. From Sunday’s Message
“Before people said the right words, before they understood doctrine, before they proved themselves worthy, before they had everything figured out — the Holy Spirit created belonging.”
Link to Sermon Blog: This is Who We Are
3. This Sunday at New Spirit
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 and Matthew 28:16-20
Theme: Core Value: Grace Comes First
Worship Time Reminder: 10:00 AM
4. Life at New Spirit
Pentecost Sunday was a BIG Sunday for New Spirit Lutheran Church. It was more than a special worship service. It was a moment of naming who we are becoming together. We intentionally named the values that were already being practiced at New Spirit. We took the step of boldly proclaiming who we are, what our identity is, and what the Spirit is doing here.
As we begin this new sermon series on the core values of New Spirit Lutheran Church, we are spending this first week reflecting on the bigger picture before we dive deeply into each value individually.
These values reflect the kind of community the Holy Spirit is shaping us into:
• Grace Comes First
• Belonging Matters
• Faith Changes Us
• Love Shows Up
• Mercy Is Practiced Here
• Courageous Love Leads Us Forward
These are not as slogans nor branding. They are practices that as a congregation we commit to living.
5. Upcoming Opportunities
Pray Without Ceasing — Wednesday at 9:00am A quiet contemplative prayer service centered on scripture, prayer, candles, and silence.
Bible Study — Wednesday at 10:00am We begin our first Bible study conversation connected to the core values series. Questions are welcome. You do not need to have everything figured out to participate.
Second Saturday Blessings Collection Donations of hygiene supplies, shelf-stable food, and practical care items may be dropped off throughout the week.
6. Prayer Requests
May 27
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, thank you for creating each person with unique gifts and purpose. Teach us to celebrate diversity instead of fearing it and help us become a community where every person knows they belong.
Repeatable Phrase: The Spirit creates belonging, not sameness.
May 28
Prayer:
God of wisdom, guide your church and its leaders as they seek to follow where your Spirit leads. Give us courage to move beyond fear and comfort so that we may participate fully in your mission of grace and love.
Repeatable Phrase: Holy Spirit, lead us forward together.
May 29
Prayer:
Jesus, you showed love through action, compassion, and presence. Help us move beyond words alone and become people who show up for our neighbors with mercy, generosity, and care.
Repeatable Phrase: Love shows up.
May 30
Prayer:
God of grace, remind us that your love comes before our striving, certainty, or perfection. Teach us to extend that same grace freely to others, just as you have given it to us.
Repeatable Phrase: Grace comes first.
May 31
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, continue shaping us into the people and church you are calling us to become. Give us courage to grow, humility to listen, and faith to trust that you are not done with us yet.
Repeatable Phrase: The Spirit is still shaping us.
June 1
Prayer:
God of love, thank you for the beauty and diversity of humanity and for every person you call beloved. Help us become a community where people experience safety, dignity, welcome, and courageous love.
Repeatable Phrase: All people are beloved children of God.
June 2
Prayer:
Compassionate God, draw near to all who are struggling emotionally, mentally, or spiritually today. Teach us to respond with patience, gentleness, and understanding so that no one feels forgotten or alone.
Repeatable Phrase: You do not walk alone.
(To be part of the email Prayer Chain contact Nancy in the New Spirit office. The email Prayer Chain is where specific individual prayer requests are distributed.)
7. Helpful Links
Link to Sermon Blog: This is Who We Are
Livestream: Sunday, May 24, 2026 – Pentecost Sunday
Church Website: New Spirit Lutheran Church
