October 28, 2022

Saturday, November 5 at Hope Central Campus

Doors open at 9:30am - Presentation begins at 10:00am

Hope is privileged to welcome back Pastor Patrick J. Rooney for a special event! Doors will open at 9:30am. A continental breakfast will be served. The presentation will begin at 10:00am.

About the presentation: It is well known that we Lutherans live by the 5 solas: sola scriptura (scripture alone); sola fide (faith alone); sola gratia (grace alone); solus Christus (Christ alone); soli Deo gloria (to God alone be the glory). And in this third sola - Christ alone – we are given to understand that He is the sole mediator between God and humankind, the One, the only One, who intercedes for us before the throne of grace.

But if Christ is the One Mediator, what are we Lutherans to make of this common practice among our Roman Catholic and Orthodox brothers and sisters, who seek the intercession of saints and our blessed Mother Mary? Why do we Lutherans not engage in this widespread practice within the life of the Church and what would it mean to us if we were to think about the intercession of the saints in a different way?

This presentation will engage the Lutheran sola of Christ alone in His role as the One Mediator and address the issue of prayer to the saints who now live as part of the Church Triumphant. Particular emphasis will be given to Mary, the Mother of Our Lord, and whether prayer to her is in a different, perhaps unique category, from even prayers to other saints.

Council Nominating Committee 2023

Members of the committee: 

Rolf Moulton, Marsha Lamadrid, and Suzanne Kuebler.

2023 Council Elections Positions Available:

President - 3 year term

Vice President - 3 year term

Council Member-At-Large - 3 year term (1 position available)

All nominees must turn in a completed Council Nomination Bio Form no later than December 6, 2022 to the church office. Forms are available at the church office or by clicking here.

List of nominees and positions nominated for will be published in the church newsletter prior to the Annual Meeting. If a petition from the congregation is forthcoming after publication of the nominees, it must be signed by at least one hundred (100) voting members of the congregation and submitted to the Council Secretary no later than 21 days prior to the Annual Meeting.

Women & Men of Hope Combined Monthly Breakfast Meeting

Thursday, November 17 at 9:00am - Hope Central Campus

Special Event! Inviting all men and women to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Join the Men and Women of Hope for a special monthly breakfast featuring guest speaker Irving Locker.

Irving Locker, 98-years-old, is a high-profile WWII veteran who speaks and shares his combat story of D'Day, the Battle of the Bulge, fighting across France and Germany to Berlin and the liberation of concentration camps. He will have memorabilia and a film to highlight his presentation. Mr. Locker and his wife Bernice have been married for 74 years. 

The congregation, including both women and men with their guests, are encouraged to attend this very special program on Thursday, November 17 at 9:00am. The cost for the breakfast is $5.00. Click on the registration button blow. Registration deadline is Monday, November 14 at noon.

Questions? Please contact Margaret Furlong at (352) 430-5092 or Laura Hultmark at (352) 753-9463.

Jesus On Tap South Men's Group Begins November 2

The Jesus On Tap South Men's Group will begin meeting on November 2 at 11:00am. We will meet at World of Beer in Brownwood.

The group will start a book study on Character Carved in Stone by Pat Williams. The book is available on Amazon.

The group meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month. For more information, please contact Jime Eversole at jime@hope4all.church.

Join the Christmas Cantata Choir

This December, be part of the thrill of Hope's annual Choral Christmas Cantata!

Our presentation this year is “Silent Night, Holy Night”, a celebration of the hope and promise found in the story of our savior’s birth. Familiar carols, thematically rich new favorites and holiday worship songs are woven together with narration and solo work by The Villages’ own, Mary Jo Vitale-MacLean. Conducted by Hope’s Director of Music Ministries, Ken Wood, this reverent and worshipful cantata will be a memorable offering of our highest praise to the King of Kings. These songs of encouragement will remind us that peace on earth starts with each of us. And we’d like you to join the choir!

Our three presentations will take place on:

December 3 at 7:30pm & December 4 at 3:00pm and 6:00pm

Singers from all of Hope’s three campuses, as well as new and lasting friends from the surrounding community, are invited to join the Combined Choirs of Hope for a fully orchestrated, multi-media local premier of this work by composer Russell Mauldin. Our weekend rehearsal schedule through November is designed to accommodate as many schedules as possible. (See details below.) All materials are available digitally, including part-specific rehearsal tracks to improve at-home learning.

We ask that interested singers do not call the church office to convey your participation. Digital competency with cloud-based file storage, downloading files, sending and receiving emails is a “must” for us to be able to accommodate everyone equally. Thanks for your understanding.

The cut-off for RSVP-ing is Wednesday, November 2 at 5:00pm. If you can commit to the following dates and times, and you’d like to join us in this annual tradition, please email musicupdate@hope4all.church.

Reading Rehearsals – Singers must choose to attend at least one of these:

• Sunday, Nov. 6: 3:00pm – 5:00pm
• Saturday, Nov. 12: 10:00am – 12:00pm

Fine-Tuning Rehearsals – Singers must also choose to attend at least one of these:

• Saturday, Nov. 19: 10:00am – 12:00pm
• Sunday, Nov. 27: 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Combined Rehearsals – Singers must attend BOTH of these:

• Thursday, Dec. 1: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
• Saturday, Dec. 3: (9:45 w/u) 10:00am – 12:00pm

Women of Hope's Bridge Group Invites You

Women of Hope's Bridge Group is open for new members. We play at Hope Central Campus on the first Thursday of every month from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. We have a fun social afternoon together!

Interested? Contact Patsy Haggadone by text at (402) 363-2100 or by email at golf.in1@hotmail.com. You will then get an email to join us 7-10 days before we are to play. Just reply back if you can make it that month, letting us know you will be attending. 

Pizza Party & Food Drive on November 9

The Hope Hospitality Team and the Christians In Action (CIA) invite you to an ALL YOU CAN EAT PIZZA PARTY! Invite your neighbors and friends! Join the fun on November 9 at 5:00pm at Hope Central Campus.

On this evening we will be collecting items to benefit the Hope Lake Weir Campus Food Pantry. Specifically, we are seeking cranberry sauce, stuffing mixes, and packaged desserts, such as snack cakes to complete the Thanksgiving Dinner needs. Other ongoing items needed are canned pasta sauce, canned soup, and canned fruit. This year, the Food Pantry will be providing gift cards so those in need can purchase turkeys. 

The cost will be $5 plus your canned donations. Registration is now open and will close on November 8 at noon. We look forward to another fun-filled evening of fellowship!

Brothers in Song Fall Concert

Brothers in Song, The Villages' Men's chorus, presents: America the Beautiful!

Join Brothers in song at their annual fall concert on November 11 at 6:00pm at Hope Lutheran Church Central Campus.

The special program will include patriotic, Broadway, and sacred songs by the 60-man 4-part chorus, along with accompanist David Flanigan. The program is directed by Ben Osborne.

Tickets are $15. You can find tickets online at Eventbrite.com. Please Note: This is an outside event. No tickets will be sold through the church website. You must use Eventbrite.com or contact a member of Brothers in Song for additional information.

Augsburg Confession Class Beginning in November

Pastor Bruce invites you to a 9-week class on Martin Luther's "Augsburg Confession" each Wednesday at 10:00am at Hope Central Campus from November 2 through December 28.

The topic of the November 2 class will be "Introduction."

The Augsburg Confession is the central confessional document of all Lutherans, not just the ELCA. This class will dive deep into Luther's work and a discussion guide called "A Reading and Discussion Study of The Augsburg Confession." This book is published by Sola Publishing as part of their Book of Concord Series.

The discussion guide will be available for all who register for the class. $5 will be collected at the first class. Questions? Email pastorbruce@hope4all.church. You can also view the Augsburg Confession online for free by clicking the button below.

New Fall Studies with H.O.P.E. University

As we move into second portion of our fall curriculum, the H.O.P.E. University Education Team would like to let you know about new courses beginning soon!

On November 2, Pastor Bruce is inviting us to take part in a 9-week class on Martin Luther’s Augsburg Confession each Wednesday at 10:00am at Hope Central Campus. The class will dive deep into Luther's work and the discussion guide called “A Reading and Discussion Study of the Augsburg Confession” will be available as part of this class. The guide will be for all who register for the class. $5 will be collected for the book at the first class. 

The following courses do not require further or advance registration:

On Tuesday October 25, Pastor John will be leading a study on the Book of Proverbs at Hope Lake Weir Campus. The group will meet at each Tuesday in the Fellowship Hall at 3:00pm for 13 consecutive weeks. The only requirement is that you bring your Bible to the class. 

On Thursday October 27 at 11:00am at Hope Central Campus, Pastor John will lead a 6-week study on Sabbath Rest. There is much discussion of “rest” in what we call the first testament of scripture. God rests on the seventh day after creation. In the 10 Commandments, God commands his people to remember the Sabbath day, keep it holy, and do no work. So, what is Sabbath rest for us today; and how will taking that rest prepare us for the greater rest yet to come? Answer Jesus' invitation to, “Come!”, and join in this study.” Please note that the original advertised date for this course was changed because of Ian. 

On Wednesday evenings beginning November 16 at 6:30pm (following dinner and Vespers), Pastor John will be leading a 3-week discussion called “I want to know Church”, covering topics that may help you understand some of the things we do at and around services at the three Hope Campuses. For example: What is the Lectionary? What’s ….(that called)... and why? What are vestments and why the different colors? What’s a Council? ...And many more!

ELCA Good Gifts are Back!

Your favorite ELCA gifting tradition returns for another season of giving!

The ELCA Good Gifts program allows you to purchase symbolic gifts, with proceeds benefiting those in need around the world. You'll receive a card to help you share your contribution with your loved ones, and each special Christmas gift will be accompanied by a Christmas-themed card.

There are a variety of Good Gifts to choose from! Why not support global farmers by sending a gift of honeybees, or bless a family with milk by gifting a cow? There are a variety of options for every budget. Click the link below to learn more.

Worship Attendance for October 22-23 2022

Hope Central Campus:

4:00pm = 207

6:00pm = 87

8:00am = 153

10:00am = 373

Hope Lake Weir Campus:

10:00am = 88

Hope at the Everglades Rec Center:

8:00am = 83

10:00am = 100

Flowers for This Weekend Given By...

Bill Penix, for the glory of God

Becky Whitaker, in memory of Gene for their 59^th wedding anniversary on November 2

Diane Kupchak, in celebration of her late husband, Bob, for their 53^rd wedding anniversary

In Memoriam

Maynard Brein passed away on Saturday, October 22. Maynard was born on August 12, 1934. He and Betty were married on July 6, 1957. They joined Hope Lutheran Church on July 21, 2013.

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

Margaret Calhoun passed away on October 25, 2022. She was born on May 25, 1935. She and her husband, Stanton (Key), were married on June 22, 1957. They joined Hope Lutheran Church on October 30, 2005.

A service will be held for her on Saturday, October 29 at 2:00pm at Page-Theus Funeral Home in Leesburg.

Please keep Key and their family in your hearts and prayers during this difficult time.

Submit a Prayer Request

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