Interim Ministry Staff
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Pastor Cheryl Hoops
Pastor Carl Jensen 
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Between now and the time when a new called pastor begins, Pastors Cheryl Hoops and Carl Jensen will be serving as interim pastors. They will lead worship, provide pastoral care, and be involved in educational groups and Bible studies. Feel free to contact either of them. Here is some information about each of them.
Pastor Cheryl Hoops When I moved to Maricopa 18 months ago to be close to my older son and his family, it was my intention to totally retire from ministry, which I have attempted to do several times since 2016. God apparently has had other plans for me. I am getting used to that. As I begin to serve Maricopa Lutheran Church as part-time interim, it is the second time I have been called out of the “pew” of my home congregation to provide pastoral ministry in the “in between” time. I am blessed to have the opportunity help sustain the ministries of Maricopa Lutheran Church and am beyond grateful to be doing that with Pastor Carl. One of the ecumenical ministries I was involved in in Wichita, Kansas was a ministry called Filling the Gap. We provided meals to school children during school breaks and during the summer so that no child would go hungry when meals were not available through schools. That is how I see my presence among you now – filling the gap – helping to make sure that as you navigate the call process between Pastor Glenn, Deacon Janice and the pastor whom God has chosen to replace them – you are not left without the food of the Gospel preached, the meal shared and the Christian fellowship you enjoy - to sustain you as Maricopa Lutheran Church. Blessings today and always, Pastor Cheryl Pastor Carl Jensen My wife Pat and I have been worshipping at MLC since we moved to Province in September 2012. We really enjoy the people of this congregation. Pat has been the star of the family with her music, as many of you know. I have preached and presided at Communion from time to time, as well as helped out in various ways during the last vacancy. I was ordained in 1972 and served fulltime in parish ministry in the greater Pittsburgh area until 1984. I then became Director of Pastoral Counselor Training at a state licensed pastoral counseling center. In 2003, I became the executive director of a pastoral counseling center in Newport News, Va. In addition to providing pastoral counseling/marriage and family therapy, I have led clergy coaching groups and consulted with conflicted congregations. To state the obvious, everything is different during this pandemic. Yet, our Lord is the same and He is still with us. I hope to be a channel of His grace during this time between called pastors. I ask that you pray for both Pastor Cheryl and me, as we pray for you. Blessings to you and all you love Pastor Carl |
Music Staff
Gwen Marsh, Pat Jensen, Sue Fletcher
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Our Music Staff, Gwen, Pat, and Sue, come from North Dakota, Kentucky, and Massachusetts (respectively). About the only thing they have in common is that music and sharing their gifts of music in the church has always been part of their lives. To find out more interesting differences about them, read on….
What are you most passionate about? Gwen: Inspiring faith in others through music. Pat: Family and my music Sue: Passion, me passion? I feel strongly about fairness and justice for all people. Love God, love your neighbor says it all for me. |
What do you do for fun?
Gwen: Gardening and travel
Pat: Watch certain TV shows, dances, being with friends, reading, concerts
Sue: Water aerobics, line dancing, singing, playing piano, reading, not necessarily in that order
What is on your bucket list?
Gwen: Go to Africa, maybe Antarctica, then I would have set foot on all 7 continents; learn to play the harp
Pat: Many things—see the Northern lights, go to Alaska and Europe to name a few
Sue: I really can’t think of anything—I have lived a tremendously full life and feel very blessed. I just want to enjoy my church, my family, and die peacefully!
Gwen: Gardening and travel
Pat: Watch certain TV shows, dances, being with friends, reading, concerts
Sue: Water aerobics, line dancing, singing, playing piano, reading, not necessarily in that order
What is on your bucket list?
Gwen: Go to Africa, maybe Antarctica, then I would have set foot on all 7 continents; learn to play the harp
Pat: Many things—see the Northern lights, go to Alaska and Europe to name a few
Sue: I really can’t think of anything—I have lived a tremendously full life and feel very blessed. I just want to enjoy my church, my family, and die peacefully!