February 4, 2022

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Upcoming Events

Annual Congregational Meeting

February 6th at 12:00pm at Hope Central Campus - Lunch Begins at 11:00am

Women of Hope Monthly Breakfast

February 17th at 9:00am at Hope Central Campus

New Member Orientation Day 1

February 17th at 5:30pm at Hope Central Campus

Chili Cook-Off & Stuff the Truck Event

February 23rd at 4:30pm at Hope Central Campus

New Member Orientation Day 2

February 24th at 5:30pm at Hope Central Campus

To access the full calendar, click here!

Annual Congregational Meeting


It is time for Hope's Annual Congregational Meeting!


This year's Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 6th at 12:00pm at Hope Central Campus.


The theme of this year's meeting will be "One Hope Moving Forward with Three Campuses." Join us for a conversation on our church's future, as well as elections and important budgetary information.


A quorum is needed for the meeting. It is very important that every member of Hope makes an effort to attend.




The Hope Annual Report for 2021 is now ready to view!


Use the link below to access the Annual Report. If you would like a printed copy, please contact the church office.

Annual Report 2021
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Men of Hope Breakfast Prayer Meeting

Thursday, February 10th at 8:00am


Please reserve your place online by Monday, February 7th. Please also register a friend you are bringing.


Doors open at 7:45am. Breakfast is served at 8:00am. Donation is $7 at the door.


Menu includes pancakes with maple and blueberry syrup, sausage links, scrambled eggs, fruit, cottage cheese, pastries, coffee, and juice.

Click Here to Register
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Timothy & Hosanna Noble at

Hope Central Campus


Friday, February 25th at 7:00pm


Join us at Hope Central Campus for a night of entertainment with Timothy and Hosanna Noble!


You won't want to miss the powerfully-moving presentation of "The Tomb Stands Empty" by this young couple that have been playing their respective instruments and singing from an early age. They are a favorite in this area and are returning for their 6th year for a concert here at Hope Lutheran Church.


Invite your friends and be sure to join us on February 25th!


The concert is FREE and no tickets are required. A love offering will be taken.

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Women of Hope Monthly Breakfast


Thursday, February 17th at 9:00am

Hope Central Campus


The February breakfast will highlight Abundance of Love (formerly Angel Snugs) presented by Jennifer Smith. AOL is a non-profit that focuses on hand-making items needed by various charitable organizations to satisfy the needs of their clients. Jennifer will describe AOL’s goals, organization, and the creation and distribution of their many products. 


All women are encourage to attend and bring a friend. Registration is opened until noon on Monday, February 14th. The cost of breakfast is $4.00 and can be paid at the door. 


The menu will include fresh fruit tray, muffins, cinnamon rolls, pastries, yogurt in varied flavors, quiche and egg dish, coffee, tea, water, and OJ. 

Click Here to Register
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New Member Orientation


New members are invited to participate in the next step of the membership process by attending Hope's New Member Orientation. All new members should have received an email inviting you to orientation.


Orientation will be held on two consecutive Thursdays in the Hope Central Campus Fellowship Hall from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. 


February 17th - Day One of orientation - light snacks will be served.

February 24th - Day Two of orientation - this will be a potluck. We ask that you bring a dish to share. Fried chicken and beverages will be provided. 


You may direct all questions and RSVP to Jeff Dunfee at (352) 750-2321 or via email at jeff@hope4all.church.

Dine to Donate at Texas Roadhouse

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Hope Lutheran Church is once again partnering with Texas Roadhouse for a Dine to Donate afternoon!


If you dine at Texas Roadhouse's Lady Lake location on February 20th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm, they will donate 10% of your total food purchases to Hope Lutheran Church!


Invitations are available at each Hope campus. You can also print a copy by clicking hereYou must have your invitation at the restaurant in order for your donation to count!


Come on out and enjoy some great food for a good cause!


Additionally, Texas Roadhouse has asked us to share that they are now open for lunch on Fridays!

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Chili Cook-Off and 'Stuff the Truck' for Food Pantry Supplies


February 23rd at 5:00pm

Hope Central Campus


Save the date for Hope's first Chili Cook-Off!


Join us on Wednesday, February 23rd at Hope Central Campus for a delicious contest to support a good cause. The chili tasting will begin at 4:30pm.


Are you interested in participating? We need contestants willing to cook a pot full of chili to feed at least 20 people (5oz or 6oz per serving) and submit it for our review.


If you would like to participate, email Debbie Bennett at debbie@hope4all.church before February 14th. Provide your name and phone number and state if your recipe is mild, medium, or hot.


Bring your chili in a crock pot or slow cooker to be plugged in. Make sure kitchen personnel can identify your entry so you get your crock pot or slow cooker back. Have your chili to the church kitchen by no later than 4:00pm on February 23rd.


We will have toppings available including shredded cheese, sour cream, and jalapenos, plus crackers and corn muffins. We will also have light desserts and assorted beverages.


Each chili pot will be labeled with the type of chili you are making, i.e. mild, medium or hot. Please include a copy of your recipe with your chili pot.


The Chili Cook-Off winner will receive 8 supper tickets (4 to the next Fish Fry and 4 to a Wednesday night Lenten Dinner). Dust off your recipes and join in this exciting evening!


Ready to chow down on some delicious chili? Instead of cash, the cost for dinner is 6 food items or more per person to help “Stuff the Truck” for the Food Pantry at the Lake Weir Campus.


Suggested items are:


  • Peanut Butter
  • Canned Fruit
  • Tuna or Chicken
  • Canned Chef Boyardee
  • Spaghetti Sauce
  • Soup


Volunteers are also needed to help handle the food items the evening of February 23rd. This will be a wonderful time for fellowship and to ensure that the shelves continue to fill at the Food Pantry.


Questions? Contact Mike Kasperski at mikek7444@comcast.net or (989) 860-1012, or Al Christensen at chrstalin@aol.com or (352) 260-5618.

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Blessing Bag Donations Needed


We are seeking items to help fill our Blessing Bags. Blessing Bags are handed out to homeless individuals to help them meet their basic physical needs.


Items needed include: Protein bars, plastic gallon bags, water bottles, gloves and socks, and small toothpaste tubes.


Items can be left in the Blessing Bags donation bin at Hope Central Campus.

Communion/Worship Assistants Needed


We are seeking Communion Assistants to serve during the 8:00am worship at Hope Central Campus.


We have lost many volunteers due to illness and relocation, and now need new hands to help serve our church family.


If you are interested, please contact Bobbi Gaines at (352) 753-9841 or by email at bobbigaines62@gmail.com.

Consider Being an Altar Angel


Altar Angels perform a vital worship ministry by preparing the credence table and setting up for Communion for each service.


Altar Angels typically work in teams of two at most services, so it's an ideal way for a husband/wife team to volunteer in a role that really makes a difference. We are in need of volunteers for every service at Hope Central Campus.


If you are interested in learning more, please contact Lynn Voelkle at (352) 461-3832 or Nancy Metcalf at (612) 751-5884.

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There will be no H.O.P.E. University on February 9th


Class will resume on Wednesday, February 16th with Session 11 on “The Freedom of a Christian,” paragraphs #92-114 titled “Free to Serve.”


The ELCA provided the webpage elca500.org, a 12-week study guide, and a link to a free PDF of the document. You may access a link to the document here. If you choose, you can also purchase the book from Augsburg Fortress for $14.99.

Click Here to Access the PDF Version of the Publication
Click Here to Access the Class Notes for Week 11
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H.O.P.E. University Lenten Series

 

Pastor John LeCain will lead us on a Lenten educational series covering the Book of Acts and following Paul’s footsteps through some major historical sites.


The class begins on Ash Wednesday, March 2nd.

 

How did the Jesus movement grow from a few dozen frightened followers to a worldwide phenomenon in just a few decades - with no detailed strategy, no buildings, no budget, and every obstacle imaginable?

 

Acts Odyssey, using the book written by Rene Schlaepfer, will retrace the journeys of the apostles as told in the Book of Acts. As he visits ancient sites in Israel, Greece, Italy and several Aegean Islands, Rene meets with archaeological experts - and encounters modern thieves, rioting mobs, and nests of serpents. His adventures are enlightening, entertaining, and inspiring.


Your hope will be strengthened. Your vision will be increased. And you'll be convinced it can happen again.


The special Lenten class will cover one chapter per week and will include videos. Books are necessary for class. To receive a physical book at no cost, please contact the church office at (352) 750-2321. You can also find the book available for purchase on your Amazon Kindle device. Simply search for ‘Acts Odyssey’ by Rene Schlaepfer.

Hands of Hope Volunteers Needed


Hands of Hope is a group of men and women who volunteer their time to the church upgrading church buildings and property. Over the past 2 years, COVID-19 has prevented us from completing some needed projects. We have projects at both the Hope Lake Weir Campus and Hope Central Campus which need to be completed.


This invitation is for those new church members who may not have heard of us and also to let existing members know there is work to be done.


The new projects include:

Hope Central Campus:

1.    Repair sidewalks in parking lot

2.    Clean up around building

3.    Repair wood fence along cart path

4.    Clean up dumpster area

Hope Lake Weir Campus:

1.    Install window openings in the new pole building

2.    Finish organizing all three (3) pole barn interiors

3.    Clean up around pole barns outside

4.    Repair floor in Sacristy

If you are interested in helping with any of the new projects, please contact Mike Slating, Leader of Hands of Hope, at michaelslating@yahoo.com or (352) 552-3991.

Hope Now Seeking Faith Community Nursing Volunteers


Our Healthcare leaders are looking to expand the Health Care Ministry and Social Services Advocacy Ministry by bringing back a Faith Community Nurse for the congregation.


We are specifically seeking those with an active RN license as well as retired RN's and LPN's.


Faith Community Nursing focuses on the whole person to emphasize wellness, disease prevention and health promotion, including healthy spirituality. Care is based on the belief that health is growth toward well-being and emphasizes the interrelationship of body, mind and spirit. Health is related to everything a person does, thinks, and feels and is not merely the absence of disease. Faith Community Nursing is a ministry to, for, and with all the members of Hope Lutheran Church and the community. Faith Community Nurses will provide no invasive skilled care. 


If you are interested in serving Hope through healthcare ministry, please contact Lenea Carnes at lenea@hope4all.church.

Grief Support Group


Losing a loved one is very painful and can be overwhelming as we must adjust to the changes it causes in our lives. The goal of the Grief Support Group is to help people realize that as they journey through their grief, they are not traveling alone.


The group will discuss the stages of grieving and how we each travel differently yet experience the same human sorrow. There will be opportunity to share feelings and to learn techniques to use to aid you in your journey. A sense of community will develop as we travel along together.


The group will meet for four weeks starting on February 8th, at 1:00pm at Hope Central Campus. If you have questions, please call Ruth Jenkins at (352) 205-8181.

Southern Congregation Social Night


Join your friends down South for a social group meeting on the second Tuesday of every month from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. The next gathering will be Tuesday, February 8th at the Everglades Rec Center.


You are invited to bring your own beverage, though water and coffee will be available. You are encouraged to bring a simple finger snack to share, and of course, remember your Villages ID!


For more information, please contact Sandy Dorman at sandyjdorman@gmail.com.

Love Story from The Rock


The rock was devastated to learn that a student at Lake Weir Middle School had lost their home in a fire. The student and their family, along with their single mother, saw their home and belongings completely destroyed. Fortunately the family was unharmed, but their difficult road to recovery has now begun.


A generous donation from a Hope member to The Rock program directly benefited this family. Here is a thank you letter written by Team Leader Fred O'Brien to the generous donor.


"Kay,


Thank you so much for donating the laptop computer to The Rock. The week that you donated it we had a student whose house burned down. The single mother and 5 children lost everything. Even the front left panel on the car melted because it was too close to the house.


The first place that they turned was The Rock. When I went to stock the shelves, councilors were there getting clothing, shoes, hygiene products, school supplies and food for the family. The next day I met the family at Walmart and Rock donations purchased $100 of clothing for each child. I then met them at Love INC where they will be able to get household items and furniture for the new rental house. Our food pantry helped too.


The Rock did not need your computer. Bob Franceski suggested that we donate it to the family so the children could do homework. That is what we did.


While I was on the Board of Love INC, I can not tell you how many times that something would show up just at the moment it was needed. It was too often to be coincidence. They had to be God Moments.


You and your computer were used to create one of those God Moments where need and love meet at the perfect time. Thank you."

Melody of Love at Fairway Christian Church

February 22nd at 7:00pm


Free Admission!

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Our neighbors at Fairway Christian Church have invited us to enjoy their free concert Melody of Love!


The show takes place on February 22nd at 7:00pm at Fairway Christian Church.


A love offering will be collected and all proceeds with benefit Love Inc.

Council Nominees for 2022


At our upcoming Annual Congregational Meeting, we will vote on our newest members of the Hope Church Council. Take a look at the individuals up for election below:

Council Secretary

There is one Council Secretary position open and one nominee. This position will be a two-year term.

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Pam Fenn

Council Treasurer

There is one Council Treasurer position open and one nominee.

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Gary Hill

Council Member-at-Large

There are two Council Member-at-Large positions open and two nominees.

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Kathy Beekman

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Kristina Giffin

Evening Compline Returns to Hope

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You're invited to join us for our weekly Evening Compline service on Wednesday evenings at 6:00pm at Hope Central Campus. In the dark months of the year, we change our prayer service from Vespers (evening prayer) to Compline (night prayer).


In this 20-minute prayer service, we will sing, pray, and read from Scriptures. For those unable to attend, you may continue to join us via Livestream.


We will continue to offer Compline each Wednesday evening until Lent.

Click Here to View the Bulletin

Join Us for Faith & Fellowship

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Faith & Fellowship is now meeting at all Hope campuses!


However, if you are unable to join in person, you can still be a part of Faith & Fellowship online.


All are welcome, including non-Hope members, so please invite your friends to join the fun.


The Zoom link is active on Mondays at 9:30am every week, so those who cannot attend in person can use the link below to join the conversations online. Meeting ID: 952 5901 4615. Join by phone: (929) 205-6099. ID: 95259014615# 

Click Here to Access the Zoom Link

Walk to Emmaus Dates for 2022

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Do you seek...


Spiritual Renewal; New understanding of God's grace and love; Worship and community with other believers?


THE WALK TO EMMAUS IS FOR YOU!


It has been way too long since our last Emmaus Walk. We are happy to announce the Walk dates for 2022.


For Information about this life-changing opportunity, please contact Kathy Langley at (352-753-8557) or cklanglely97@embarqmail.com.

Men's Walk #157

January 27-30


Men's Walk #158

March 3-6



Men's Walk #159

October 6-9

Women's Walk #158

March 10-13


Women's Walk #159 

October 13-16

Worship Attendance for January 29-30, 2022

Central Campus:

4:00pm = 149

6:00pm = 55

8:00am = 106

10:00am = 292

Lake Weir Campus:

10:00am = 71

Everglades Rec Center:

8:00am = 54

10:00am = 94

In Memoriam

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Gene Ifert died on January 28. Gene was born on May 5, 1938. He and his wife, Brenda, were married on March 3, 1960. They joined Hope Lutheran Church on June 26, 2011. 


A memorial service will be held at a later date in Gene’s hometown in Maryland. 

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Linda Miller died on January 29 at Cornerstone Hospice. Linda was born on March 26, 1940. She and her husband, Frank, were married on December 28, 2016. Linda joined Hope Lutheran Church on February 22, 2009. 


A memorial service is being planned for Saturday, February 26 at 10:00am at Hope.

Scripture Reading for

February 5-6


Psalm 40:1-5

John 4:46-54; 5:1-8

Scripture Reading for

February 12-13


Psalm 34:1-10

John 6:35-40, 51-57

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