In the heart of Sun City Grand, on Clearview Boulevard just north of Bell Road, Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church has gathered people from across Surprise around Word and Sacrament since the late 1990s. The congregation is rooted in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and belongs to the Grand Canyon Synod. It is known for its hospitality - "All are welcome under the big green roof, where strangers become friends" - and a worship life that pairs weekly Holy Communion with music, scripture, and a follow-up cup of coffee at Café Grace.
A Vision With Hope
Spirit of Grace began with a vision. Four acres of land in the heart of Sun City Grand were purchased in 1996, and the first worship service was held in the Village Center in 1997 with 66 people in attendance. The congregation's charter period opened in March 1998 with 51 founding members and closed with more than 170 charter members as worship continued in the larger Sonoran Plaza Main Ballroom. A building committee formed in 1999, ground was broken in January 2001, and the first worship service in the new church building was held on Palm Sunday, March 24, 2002. The building was dedicated on November 24 of that same year.
The congregation marked its 25th anniversary with a joyous gathering in January 2024, reaffirming the theme that has carried it from the beginning: "A Future With Hope." Spirit of Grace today describes itself as a worshiping community united in Christ, a welcoming community where strangers become friends, a generous community sharing the gifts of time, talent, and treasure, a caring community answering the call to love, and an engaged community joyfully committed to life together.
Its vision is a church where lives are changed by giving generously to Christ's mission, revealing God's grace, attracting new friends, celebrating Christ, and elevating others near and far. The mission is simple: "Proclaiming God's Love, God's Promises and the Abundant Life." Beliefs are stated in the same plain way - God created all that exists; Jesus Christ, God's Son, is true God and true man, crucified and risen for our sins, and has sent his Holy Spirit to be his presence with us.
Worship on Saturdays and Sundays
Spirit of Grace gathers for worship twice each week. Saturday evening worship begins at 4:00 PM, and Sunday morning worship begins at 9:30 AM. The two services share the same sermon and scripture readings, and Holy Communion is celebrated at both. The Saturday gathering exists to make weekly worship available to those who cannot be present on Sunday mornings.
At each service the congregation sings, hears the word, confesses the faith, celebrates the Lord's Supper, and responds to God's grace by offering gifts of self, time, and treasure. All baptized Christians are invited to the Lord's Table, and the church's welcome extends to those who are not members or even Lutheran but who trust Jesus as Lord and Savior.
After Sunday worship, the Fellowship Hall opens for coffee, tea, water, and trays of sweets (including gluten-free and sugar-free choices) at Café Grace, served by a rotating team of volunteers. A brief post-worship prayer time is also held at the cross in the sanctuary for those who want to stay for additional prayer.
Worship services are recorded and posted on the church's YouTube channel by Saturday of the following weekend for those who cannot attend in person.
Pastors and Pastoral Care
The pastoral team is led by Senior Pastor Scott Hackler, who joined the staff in 2019 after serving congregations in South Dakota, Georgia, Colorado, New Mexico, and Illinois. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Eastern Illinois University and a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Pastor Elaine Siemsen joined the staff in October 2024, preaching each month and teaching the Wednesday Bible study. A seasonal resident of Surprise at Happy Trails RV Resort, she holds a Bachelor of Education from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, and a PhD in Systematic Theology from the same school.
Pastor Scott Summers began part-time ministry at Spirit of Grace in November 2024 with a focus on pastoral care and visitation. A graduate of Washington State University and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, he was ordained in the ELCA and served congregations in Oregon and Washington State for thirty years before retiring to Arizona to be near family.
Pastoral care is supplemented by Deb Frusciano, the congregation's Faith Community Nurse. Trained as a Faith Community Nurse in 2007 and updated in 2018, she holds a nursing degree from the University of Detroit, is certified in thanatology (death, dying, and bereavement) and as an AIDS Certified Registered Nurse, and brings more than three decades of hospital and volunteer experience to her role. She coordinates Stephen Ministry, CPR and AED training, the Advent Giving Tree, and the blood pressure checks offered after Sunday worship.
Music in Every Season
Music is woven into weekly worship. Sue Hunter serves as Music Minister and Choir Director. The principal volunteer ensemble is the Joyful Spirit Singers, who share their love of music to enhance the services. A separate Men's Choir sings during Lent and into spring, rehearsing on Tuesdays from 3:00 to 4:00 PM and performing on weekends in February and March. The Grace Hand Chimes offer another layer; the ability to read music is recommended but not mandatory.
Wednesday Mornings and Welcome Sessions
Bible study meets on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall, taught by Pastor Elaine Siemsen. All are welcome, and the time together is described as a good mix of learning and fellowship. A church library supplements the study with Christian books and other resources, available for browsing and borrowing.
Those considering membership can learn more about Spirit of Grace at "Welcome Sessions," generally held on the first Monday of each month at 10:00 AM in the church conference room. The sessions give prospective members an opportunity to learn about the congregation's many programs and to meet others considering the same step.
Women's Circles and Men's Breakfast
Women of the church gather in the long Lutheran tradition of WELCA, Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, affiliated with the Grand Canyon Synod. WELCA exists to educate and mobilize women to act boldly in their faith by serving others, with small circles meeting monthly to study the Bible and work on service projects.
Four circles meet from November through April: Martha Circle on the second Monday at 9:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall, Mary Circle on the second Monday at 1:00 PM in the conference room, Rachel Circle on the second Tuesday at 9:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall, and Elizabeth Circle on the second Thursday at 1:00 PM in the conference room. A Women's Ministry Bible study leaders' training meets on the first Thursday of each month (November through April) at 1:00 PM with Senior Pastor Scott Hackler. Twice a year the women gather for a Christian-themed luncheon.
The men's ministry gathers monthly for breakfast, fellowship, scripture, and discussion. The Men's Breakfast meets on the last Tuesday of the month, September through April, from 8:00 to 9:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall, where the group studies the scripture passages that will be preached the following weekend.
Outreach Beyond the Building
The Outreach Worship Ministry sends teams to assisted living centers and nursing homes in Sun City Grand each week, bringing a brief service with music, message, and Holy Communion under the leadership of lay ministers. Meals of Joy provides temporary meal support to members coming home from the hospital, recovering from serious illness, or grieving a death in the family. The Card Ministry makes handcrafted greeting cards for members celebrating milestones or in need of comfort, meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at 1:00 PM. GriefShare is offered for those grieving the loss of a loved one, whether the loss is recent or in the past. Counseling is available through Dr. Joe Dramise, who sees clients on Tuesdays from 12:00 to 4:00 PM and Wednesdays from 9:00 AM to noon. The Civic Engagement Ministry invites members to be "God's partners in the world, promoting love, justice, and the well-being of all God's creation."
A large team of volunteers makes Sunday morning hospitality happen. The Welcome Ministry greets members and visitors at the door, ushers distribute the bulletin and communion packets, scripture readers lend their voices to the readings, the Altar Guild sees to the preparation of the Lord's Supper, banners and visuals decorate the sanctuary, and sound and lighting volunteers run the audio and video. Memorial Service Receptions ease the burden on grieving families by providing light snacks or luncheons at Café Grace following funeral or memorial services for church members or their families.
Visiting Spirit of Grace
Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church stands at 15820 W. Clearview Blvd. in Surprise, Arizona, in the heart of Sun City Grand. From the Bell Road entrance to Sun City Grand, drivers follow Sunrise Boulevard north to Clearview Boulevard (the second stop sign), turn right, drive two blocks, then turn left onto Rim Road. Parking is available on the north and west sides of the building, with two entrances: one on the east side and one on the west side.
The office number is (623) 977-6000, and the office email is office@spiritofgrace.com. The congregation's Facebook page and YouTube channel carry recordings of recent sermons, and online giving is available. Grace Notes, the church newsletter, is published regularly for those who want to follow along at home, and a Welcome Session on the first Monday of each month offers prospective members a chance to learn more.
Under the big green roof, Spirit of Grace invites everyone, member or guest, member of this church or none, to come to the Lord's Table.