May 12, 2023

Weekly Capital Campaign Update

Hope Lutheran Church would like to sincerely thank everyone who has given to the Making Abundant Life Known capital campaign so far! Through gifts of all sizes, you have shared the love of Christ in our community and have helped us make great strides toward our future goals.

So far, we have received 315 returned pledge cards, with over $1.8 million pledged. We are just 35 cards away from our goal of 350 cards returned by Memorial Day 2023!

You can partner with your brothers and sisters in this mission by bringing your Statement of Intent to worship this weekend. You could also mail it in or fill out our online form by clicking the link below. Every pledge moves us one step closer to our goal!

Journey from Love INC Coming to Hope

Beginning in July 2023, Hope Lutheran Church will be hosting Journey from Love INC. Journey is Love INC’s transformational education program, which teaches life skills to members of the community who are ready for heart and life change.

At Journey, mentors walk alongside clients as they face life's ups and downs. They provide educational classes on everything from setting healthy boundaries, forgiving what you can’t forget, and even budgeting finances. Journey meets physical needs as well as emotional and spiritual needs as clients strive for true life change. With volunteer mentors and staff, participants are surrounded with Godly feedback and encouragement on their individual journeys.

Hope's Next New Member Orientation

Ready to make Hope your new church home? We invite you to participate in the next step of the membership process by attending Hope’s New Member Orientation.

If you previously made your intention to join known, you should have received an email from the office.

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

June 15 - Day One of Orientation. Light snacks will be served.



June 22 - Day Two of Orientation. This will be a potluck. We ask that you bring a dish to share. A main course and beverages will be provided. 

We have three levels of membership - voting, associate, and seasonal. If you have questions about which level of membership is best for you, visit our website at hope4all.church/become-a-member or call the office at (352) 750-2321.

Direct all questions and RSVP to the church office at (352) 750-2321. Deadline to RSVP is Tuesday, June 6.

The Rock Needs Help Fighting Summer Hunger

This summer, hundreds of children in our local area will struggle with hunger. Without school lunches and regular resources, these children will be left with uncertainty about their next meals.

Ms. Joseph, a Guidance Counselor at Lake Weir Middle School, has asked that The Rock be open during the summer to serve those children attending summer school. While we would love to provide this resource, we need volunteers to help! Many of our regular volunteers at The Rock are snowbirds, and we struggle to replace their positions.

Are you available at least one Wednesday in June or July between 11:00am and 1:30pm? The job is easy! Children come to The Rock on their lunch period and we give them food, clothing, shoes, hygiene products, school supplies, and most importantly, the love of Christ. If you would like more information, contact Fred O'Brien at fobrien@gate.net or by phone at (352) 250-3814.

A Love Story from The Rock

During one recent day, we had 34 children visit The Rock. One of our regular visitors had a wardrobe malfunction and came in for pants and a shirt. We had just what she needed.

Another young lady came in wearing what looked like her big brother's shoes. They were at least 4 sizes too big! When we helped her try on shoes, she was not wearing socks. We found a pair of tennis shoes that fit perfect. She wore them and a pair of her new socks when she left. Her smile lit up the whole room. We could tell that she needed clothes as well, and asked if she would like to look at our selection. This young lady replied, "I don't want to take them because other students need them worse than me."

Later, another student named Samantha came by just to talk. I passed Samantha in the hall on Monday. She is always alone. Samantha was a regular visitor last school year and I told her that we missed her at The Rock. She told me that she could not get a pass from Guidance. I talked to Guidance and she came in today for the first time this school year. She brought in books to share with Sue. Sue had found out that she liked to read and had purchased some second hand paperbacks for her last year. Samantha will now be getting Rock passes regularly and she looks forward to seeing Sue the next time she volunteers.

The Rock is truly changing lives every day. Thank you for your support!

Dine to Donate at Texas Roadhouse

May 21 from 2:00pm to 8:00pm

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

If you dine at Texas Roadhouse's Lady Lake location on May 21 from 2:00pm to 8:00pm, they will donate 10% of your total food purchases to Hope Lutheran Church! This offer now applies to carry out as well.

Invitations are available at each Hope campus. Click here for the invitation.

An Emergency Preparedness Message

As we get closer to Hurricane Season 2023, the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) has issued their annual checklist of emergency supplies for Florida families. Having these items in your home is very important.

Make sure to stock up on essentials ahead of hurricane season. Now is also an excellent time to develop an emergency strategy with your family. Though the possibility of an evacuation from our area is slim, all of Florida is at risk for flooding, wind damage, and other impacts from natural disasters.

Remember, Hurricane Season 2023 begins June 1 and lasts until the end of November.

Women of Hope Breakfast Meeting

May 18 at 9:00am - Hope Central Campus

A Tea Party and Mini Fair! All women are invited to the Breakfast Tea Party on May 18 at 9:00am. Bring your own fancy tea cup and enjoy the tea party goodies along with the Women of Hope Mini Fair entitled “Bloom Where You are Planted.”

Tables will display the many ministries and activities that Women of Hope support. For example: prayer shawls, Sojourn bears, children’s sweaters, quilts, crafters projects and more. We hope you enjoy the many displays and perhaps find something that you would enjoy being a part of.

We encourage you to invite your friends and neighbors. Join the festivities in your pretty tea party hat, gloves, and attire if you wish! The cost for breakfast is $5.00. The registration deadline is Monday, May 15 at noon. Questions? Contact Laura Hultmark at (352) 753-9463 or Margaret Furlong at (352) 430-5092. 

Be Part of Hope's Diabetes Support Group

We welcome all levels of Diabetes from pre-diabetes, type 1, type 2, and those on insulin Pumps along with CGM wearers.

Our Diabetes Support Group is an excellent opportunity for those living with Diabetes to meet, fellowship and share advice and support. We meet every third Monday of each month.

Our next meeting will be May 15 at 10:00am in room 205 at Hope Central Campus. Now is a great time to join us!

Question? Contact Darlene Harris at harris2257@hotmail.com or call (614) 832-0910, or Lenea Carnes at lenea@hope4all.church or call (352) 661-0001. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Phoenix House Thanks You

Thank you for donating to the clothing drive last month. We collected 1,660 items of clothing and accessories.

Maria Lewis, President & CEO of Phoenix House says "generosity of friends like you helps make it possible for us (Phoenix House) to provide a comprehensive array of substance-abuse treatment and prevention services to those who need them most. Your support means a great deal to all of us, especially to the men, women and young people we serve."

Worship Attendance for May 6 & 7

Hope Central Campus:

4:00pm = 205

6:00pm = 54

8:00am = 148

10:00am = 360

Hope Lake Weir Campus:

10:00am = 111

Hope at the Everglades Rec Center:

8:00am = 92

10:00am = 145

Flowers for This Week Given By...

Bill Penix in memory of Ursula Penix’s life.

Kathy Gordon in memory of Toinette Millar.

In Memoriam

Bette Lee Albenberg passed away on Friday, May 5. Bette Lee was born on December 10, 1933. She joined Hope Lutheran Church on February 24, 2002. Bette Lee was widowed.

Arrangements are pending at this time.

Please keep Bette Lee’s family in your hearts and prayer during this difficult time.

Maria Peckham passed away on Sunday, May 7. Maria was born on September 5, 1941. She and her husband, Ralph, were married on October 22, 2010. Maria joined Hope Lutheran Church on December 8, 2002.

Arrangements are pending at this time.

Please keep Ralph and their families in your hearts and prayers.

Submit a Prayer Request

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