April 29, 2022

Hope Lake Weir Campus Refresh Day

Saturday, April 30 from 8:30am to 1:00pm

There will be a "clean up" and "refresh" day on Saturday, April 30 at Hope Lake Weir Campus to improve the curb appeal of this beautiful location. All materials needed for the project will be on site and ready to install. 

Areas of work that are included: 

• Carpentry - Put up a chair rail in the Narthex. Build a short wall by the music stand in the sanctuary. 
• Landscaping - Planting and trimming bushes. Rebuilding a retainer wall in the front parking lot. 
• Painters - Touch up walls inside the church/fellowship hall 
• Power washing - Continue power washing out buildings and curbs 
• Trees - Cut down and removal of a few palm trees 
• Fellowship Hall & Kitchen - Straighten up closets/pantry and organize 

You may have noticed some changes that have already taken place at the Lake Weir Campus. New canopies for the two front entrances, power washing the building and surrounding sidewalks, a new stop sign which was donated and three concrete benches which were donated by David's Cycle Shop in Wildwood. 

Lunch will be served at 1:00pm for those who help with this project. If you would like to join us, please email Debbie Schuettler at dnj2335@gmail.com or Len Robertson at lvrobertson@aol.com. Let us know the area you would be able to work on Saturday, April 30. Thank you, C.I.A. (Christians In Action Project).

Christian Night of Comedy

Featuring Juanita Lolita

May 20 at 7:00pm

Join us at Hope Central Campus for an evening of comedy and entertainment with Juanita Lolita!

Juanita is an actress, writer and nationally touring stand-up comedian that has been featured on CTN and ABC television. Within one year of her first open mic, she was performing for over 7000 women at the World Changers Dome in Atlanta.

Since then, she has performed all over the country for major clubs such as The Comedy Zone, Funny Business, Zanies and the Improv. Her fast paced humor is always funny and always clean making her a popular choice for many venues. Juanita is also a mother and grandmother who is out to change the face of comedy and prove that clean can be hilarious.

Admission is free and no tickets are required. A love offering will be taken to benefit the Hope for the Future Scholarship Fund.

All are welcome. Invite your neighbors and friends!

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. 

May 19 - Day One of orientation - light snacks will be served.

May 26 - 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.

Death of Charter Member and Former Council Member

It is with much sadness that we announce the death of Herm Stauffer on April 28, 2022. Herm passed away in Indiana, where he and his wife Jan had moved earlier this year. 

Herm was born on August 10, 1935. He and Jan were married on February 2, 1956. Herm was a Charter Member of Hope. He served on Hope’s Council and as a staff employee, as well as in several other capacities throughout his time here at Hope Lutheran Church.

Arrangements are pending at this time. Please keep Jan and their family in your hearts and prayers during their time of grief.

Hurricane Season Tips for the Red Cross

June marks the beginning of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, bringing storm weather and sudden storms to Florida. Though The Villages and Summerfield are considered inland communities, hurricanes still pose a major threat to our homes and loved ones.

The American Red Cross has issues hurricane preparedness tips to help you combat the potential dangers of hurricanes. Click the link below to read their suggestions.

H.OP.E. University Challenge

H.O.P.E. University presents the Hope Lutheran Church Bible Challenge. This is an invitation for anyone who would like to read the Bible to join us. It is our hope that as you read the Bible with us this year that you will develop the spiritual discipline that is daily reading and reflection on Scripture.

Brothers and sisters, it is in reading and reflection that we can more readily grow in our knowledge of God. We hope that you might take the time to write your own reflections in a journal or even in your Bible. (Yes, it is ok to write, underline, highlight, etc. in your Bible. You have your Pastors’ permission.)

People have found that a daily practice of reading the Bible is life-giving. It reminds us of the story of God and our place in it. It reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles, nor are we the first to experience them. It shapes our hearts in ways that are best attributed to the Holy Spirit of God.

We hope that you will join us beginning May 1, as we read one chapter of the Bible daily throughout the year. Don’t worry if you miss a day. If this is a new discipline for you, then it will take time and energy to develop it.

To help everyone stay on track we are developing a location on the Learn tab of the Church Website, hope4all.church, that will list the chapters to read. It is never too late to join. It is never too late to pick it back up. We hope and pray you will invest in this discipline as we all seek to grow in our faith, and draw ourselves closer to God.

If you have any questions, please contact Pastor John LeCain at PastorJohn@hope4all.church

Council Connections

Here is a brief overview of the March and April Council meetings. As always ----  feel free to contact any Council Member if you have questions or concerns – we are representing YOU!

Click on the attached link to check out the latest Council meeting notes. Remember full Council minutes are on file in the church office (after they are approved). April minutes will be approved in May. Some of the information discussed at Council has already been reported in the News in the Pews – so it will not be repeated in this report. This report is extra short because Hope’s office is doing a fabulous job at keeping you informed – you might just want to thank them.)

Pam Fenn, Council Secretary

Where Do My Memorial Gifts Go? 

It has long been the custom of giving a memorial gift to the church when a friend or church neighbor passes away. Have you ever wondered what happens to that gift?

At Hope, unless the gift is designated for a specific purpose, it is deposited into the undesignated memorial funds account. These funds are managed by the congregation council and spent with their approval. 

Why not designate your gift to the Endowment Fund? The advantage of giving this type of gift is that your gift keeps giving on in perpetuity. That is a long word to mean that the principal of your gift is never really spent. With the gifts of others, the earnings of this fund are given as grants for the purposes of building and continuing programs of Hope, Scholarships for individuals to grow in Christian faith, and outreach for synod and national church projects. 

The next time you write a check for a remembrance, why not designate for the Endowment Fund. You can make that at choice by writing Endowment Fund on the memo line.

Submit a Prayer Request

Need Prayer? Submit a prayer request via our hope4all.church website.

Worship Attendance for April 23-24, 2022

Central Campus:

4:00pm = 180

6:00pm = 65

8:00am = 169

10:00am = 336

Lake Weir Campus:

10:00am = 108

Everglades Rec Center:

8:00am = 92

10:00am = 130

Flowers for the Week Given By...

Fred and Karen O’Brien, in honor of their 54^th Wedding anniversary on May 4.

Richard & Hilda Schnurfeil in honor of their 62^nd wedding anniversary.