This Week at New Spirit June 2–8, 2026
Pastor’s Reflection
This past Sunday, we continued our core values series with the simple but powerful truth that grace comes first. Life teaches us that we have to earn our place, prove our worth, or become acceptable before we are fully welcomed. The gospel tells a different story: in Christ, we are already known, loved, and claimed by God.
At New Spirit, this means we practice welcome in real, everyday ways, from learning names and pronouns to making room for people to show up honestly. You do not earn your place here. You start with it.
From Sunday’s Message
“You don’t earn your place here. You start with it.”
Pastor Hartman reflected on the first core value, Grace Comes First, through the familiar warmth of Cheers and Mr. Rogers. Being known by name matters because it reminds us that we are not faceless or forgotten. The Holy Spirit creates belonging, not by making us all the same, but by forming us into one body where every person is valued as a beloved child of God.
Link to Sermon Blog: Grace Comes First: You Start with Your Place
This Sunday at New Spirit
Scripture: Psalm 97 and Matthew 12:1-14
Theme: Belonging Matters
Worship Time Reminder: 10:00 AM
Invitation line: In a world that often asks us to hide our questions, doubts, and messy parts, you are invited to worship with us this Sunday. At New Spirit, you do not have to pretend here. Join us at 10:00 AM.
This Sunday we continue our This Is Who We Are series by reflecting on belonging and honesty. Faith is not a performance. It is a journey where God meets us with grace and the Spirit keeps shaping us together.
Life at New Spirit
One of the quiet gifts of this congregation is the way welcome becomes more than a word. It shows up when greeters stand outside in the Tucson heat, when people learn a new name, when someone notices a visitor, and when our name tags help guests call us by name too.
These small practices matter because they help people experience what we believe: each person who walks through the doors is already a beloved child of God. This week, look for one simple way to help someone feel seen and known. Let grace go first.
Upcoming Opportunities
- Pray Without Ceasing: Wednesday at 9:00 AM. A quiet time of scripture, reflection, candle lighting, and prayer.
- Wednesday Bible Study: Join the conversation as we reflect together on grace, belonging, and the way the Spirit forms us as the body of Christ.
- Second Saturday Blessings: Saturday, June 13. Help us show up for our neighbors with food, clothing, care, and no-strings-attached welcome.
Prayer Requests
- Pray for people who have been hurt or excluded by the church, that they may encounter communities of safety, healing, and grace.
- Pray for New Spirit as we live into our core values, that our welcome would be clear, honest, and rooted in the love of Christ.
- Pray for our neighbors served through Second Saturday Blessings, Blessings in a Backpack, crisis food boxes, car bags, clothing, and all the ministries of care that help love show up in real life.
To be part of the email Prayer Chain, contact the church office. The email Prayer Chain is where specific individual prayer requests are distributed.
Helpful Links
- Sermon Blog: Grace Comes First: You Start with Your Place
- Livestream: May 31, 2026 Livestream
- Church Website: New Spirit Lutheran Church
