May 20, 2022

Vacation Bible School (VBS) Volunteers Needed

A summer kids’ event called Monumental VBS is planned to be held at Hope Lake Weir Campus from July 25 to 29 from 5:30pm to 8:00pm. Kids learn about God’s great love by participating in memorable Bible-learning activities. This is for children who are beginning grades 1-5. 

To volunteer, you must have a history with Hope Lutheran Church for at least 6 months, complete a volunteer application, have a background check through Hope, and participate in an online training through Hope Lutheran Church’s Insurance company. Once these are completed, then you need to be available for an on-site training at Hope Lake Weir campus. Applications are available at the Hope Central Campus Church Office or online on our website, hope4all.church, under the Learn tab.

If interested, contact Pastor John at pastorjohn@Hope4all.church. Volunteer position descriptions can be located at hope4all.church website. 

Summer Social Supper Schedule

Over the summer, we will see some changes to our Social Supper Schedule. Here is a complete list of what to expect in the coming months:

• There will be no Social Supper on June 15 or 29.
• There will be no Social Suppers in the month of July, as we conduct our annual deep cleaning.
• There will be no Social Supper on August 3, 17, or 31.
• Social Suppers will resume as usual in September.

My Time for Free Time Team Seeking Volunteers

The My Time for Free Time Ministry Team is a respite program for people who have Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's, strokes, or other special needs. We meet every Thursday from 1:00pm to 4:00 pm. During this time, caregivers have time to do things they are otherwise unable to do.

The program provides a supervised environment where caregivers can drop off family members who have special needs for a few hours each week. Members of the My Time for Free Time Team provide games and entertainment. 

The program is in need of additional volunteers, since a number of our volunteers go north for the summer. Volunteers are not expected to attend all sessions. Applications are available at the church office. If you are uncertain if this is a Ministry for you consider visiting, observing and talking to volunteers. Please consider joining us for an afternoon of fun and helping others.

For more information, contact My Time for Free Time Team Leader Bob Janson at rjanson1939@gmail.com or (352) 391-0373.

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous 

Would you like to examine your food and weight issues?

Join us Tuesdays from 9:30am to 11:00am at Hope Central Campus and find recovery through 12 steps of a new way of living.

Call Chris at (612) 760-1923 with questions.

First Responder Appreciation Brunch

Are you a former or active First Responder – Firefighter, Police Officer, Emergency Medical Services (EMT-P or EMT), or Emergency Management Officer? If so, please join us in recognizing the first responders who serve the neighborhoods at Hope Central Campus and Hope Lake Weir Campus.

We will invite first responders serving at The Villages Public Safety Station 41, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office The Villages Annex, Marion County Fire Rescue Station 27, and Marion County Sheriff’s Ocklawaha District Office to “Thank You” brunches.

The schedule is:

Hope Central Campus A & B Shifts – 8:00am to 10:00am, June 13 in Fellowship Hall

Hope Central Campus C Shift – 8:00am to 9:30am, June 14 in Fellowship Hall

Hope Lake Weir Campus A & B Shifts – 8:00am to 10:00am, June 28 in Fellowship Hall

Hope Lake Weir Campus C Shift – 8:00am to 9:30am, June 29 in Fellowship Hall

Please note: There are a limited number of reservations available for each breakfast.

Please register online by clicking the links below.

Summer Session Singers Seeking Voices

Want to help bring music to Hope this summer? Consider joining our Summer Session Singers!

This group is made up of anyone from the three Hope campuses (or surrounding area) who wants to join us for one or more of our scheduled anthems. This summer, we’ll be learning four different pieces and rehearsing on two different afternoons of the week, scheduled around vacation schedules of staff. 

These pieces of music are typically easier (unison or 2-part) so they can be rehearsed in less time. Then we’ll take them around to different campuses and services over the course of several weekends. You can sing for one only, or as many as you’re available for.

All rehearsals will be taking place at Hope Central Campus, in the Sanctuary. Materials will also be made digitally available online. For the time being, you can think about joining the SSS while the other campus choirs are off until September. We hope you’ll consider it, even if you’ve never sung before. 

Our next two rehearsals will be May 26 and June 2 at 3:30pm.

Ready to join? Contact Ken Wood at ken@hope4all.church.

Altar Angels and Communion Servers Needed 

Hope is in need of people to work as Altar Angels at all three of our campuses. This is a wonderful way for couples or individuals to serve our church, and your involvement in filling the ciboriums with wine and hosts, setting them out before the service and then gathering them at the end of the service, as few as one or two times a month would make a huge difference. 

Volunteers are also needed as Communion Servers, particularly at the 8:00am and 10:00am services at the Everglades Rec Center. 

If you would like more information or are able to help, please contact the church office at (352) 750-2321 or call Kristina Giffin at (803) 439-2787, and you will be put in touch with the appropriate person for the service you prefer.

H.OP.E. University Presents:

 Heritage Series Summer 2022

Your Church: Where we came from and how do we do it

This 6- class course provides background information for members to enable them to understand our heritage, beliefs, and how we are organized to fulfill our mission. The course will share current information about Hope Lutheran Church as well as provide a solid background of our church history. The content includes the origins or the Old and New Testament, our Jewish heritage, the development of Christianity, and Lutherans around the world and here at Hope.

The attendees background may include other denominations and we do not assume a strong Lutheran knowledge.

Each class will include a short pre-reading assignment to help facilitate the class discussions. The class will run on Wednesday nights from 6:15pm to 7:15pm starting on Wednesday June 8 and concluding Wednesday July 13. You can confirm your intention to attend by calling Dave Withers at (352) 233-7533 or by email at davidwithers@msn.com.

Introduction to Our Bible Reading Challenge

Our first reading for our Bible Reading Challenge is the Book of Isaiah; a book that, in Christian tradition, is alluded to in the New Testament more than any other scripture. It is mentioned 46 times in the Gospels and at least 30 times in Paul’s letters, and another 30 times in Revelation. Early church fathers began referring to Isaiah as an evangelist rather than a prophet. Some even referred to this book as being the “5th Gospel”. Luther relied on this book in part for its proclamation regarding the eternal “word of God”. It has been seen most recently as a mandate for peace and justice. In fact, Chapters 40-66 are central to feminist theology because of the positive female imagery evoked. 

Brothers and sisters, starting this week there will appear a weekly meditation prepared by our ministers. The meditation or reflection for the week’s upcoming readings on our Bible Reading Challenge. The meditation will be in a pop-up box that will appear to the left of the Sunday which for our readings for the upcoming week. Click that box and the meditation will appear. The meditations may take any form like a reflection on the upcoming readings, a brief commentary, questions to consider, or…….

The scope of the meditation is left to the creativity of each pastor. Enjoy these offerings. 

Daily Devotions

Beginning June 1, we will have recorded Daily Devotions posted to the Learn tab on the church website, hope4all.church. These devotionals are from Christ in Our Home, published by Augsburg Fortress. You will recognize the recorded voices because they are each presented by a member of our Hope Lutheran family.

We pray that you will take time to relax in the presence of God through scripture and listen to the small still voice proclaiming God’s message for you this day.

Global Mission: Update on Our Companion in Haiti

The Florida-Bahamas Synod continues to walk alongside our brothers and sisters in the Eglise Lutherienne d'Haiti (ELH). Recovery from the earthquake last summer continues; the pictures below, however, reveal that reparations are not complete. Life in Haiti is characterized by the unrest and violence in the streets, and an economy with high inflation. All these factors bring extreme hardship and challenge.

Through Global Mission, the Florida-Bahamas Synod is bringing healing and hope with its goat project. In Les Cayes, a shelter for male goats is nearing completion. When done, male goats will be purchased and maintained in the shelter. The pastor in Les Cayes is also an agronomist and is overseeing all aspects of the initiative. Participating families will be given a female goat which can be bred with the male goats, thereby growing herds and providing livelihoods.

Through your gifts, we can help families build a sustainable future. God's work; our hands!

Worship Attendance for May 14-15, 2022

Central Campus:

4:00pm = 212

6:00pm = 61

8:00am = 143

10:00am = 249

Lake Weir Campus:

10:00am = 94

Everglades Rec Center:

8:00am = 71

10:00am = 103

Flowers for the Week Given By...

Jay & Bobbi Gaines in honor of their 60^th wedding anniversary

Skip & Carol Bryan in honor of the 55^th wedding anniversary

Gary Winegardner in memory of Janice’s birthday

Ann Ryberg in memory of her husband, Bob

In Memoriam

Paul Carlson died on May 17, 2022. Paul was born on May 3, 1941. He and his wife, Janice, were married on August 19, 1980. They joined Hope Lutheran Church on May 1, 2016.

A service is planned for Friday, May 27 at 11:00am at Hope Central Campus. Please keep Janice and their family in your hearts and prayers during their time of grief.

Submit a Prayer Request

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