May 27, 2022

Celebrating New Members

This weekend, Hope is pleased to receive 23 new members throughout our three campuses.

New members will be wearing gold star stickers on their name badges. If you see a new member, be sure to welcome them to the family of Hope!

Blessing Bag Donations Urgently Needed

We are seeking the following items to help fill our Blessing Bags:

• Protein bars
• Flat-style water bottles
• Socks
• Donations for McDonald's gift cards (please write "for Blessing Bags gift cards" on the memo line of your check)

Please bring donations to Hope Central Campus and deposit them in the Donation Bin. Thank you for your generosity!

If you wish to take a Blessing Bag to someone in need, they are now located in the Information Hallway at Hope Central Campus.

Diabetes Support Group Taking Summer Break

Our Hope Diabetes Support Group will be taking a summer leave, beginning now, until the third Monday in September. The group will resume their normal meetings at that time. Have a great summer!

Thank You From The C.I.A.

This past Friday evening, Juanita Lolita, a Christian Comedian, entertained to a crowd of over 400 people. Her performance of 90 minutes was very much a crowd pleaser. We thank the congregation, your friends, neighbors, and the community for your participation in this event. The presence of Hope Congregation members and so many invited guests was outstanding. A special thank you to the C.I.A. committee, office staff and ushers who helped make this all come together.

It is the mission of C.I.A. to enable these types of events, to help bring together Hope Lutheran Church and the community. To share the mission statement of Hope Lutheran Church "To Know Christ and to Make Christ Known".

There was a Love Offering for the Hope for the Future Scholarship Fund. The amount shared was $2305.00. Truly a blessing for so many young people. 

Blessings to all, The C.I.A. Committee.

Women of Hope Out to Lunch Bunch

Welcome to the Out to Lunch Bunch. Each summer during the months of June, July and August, the Women of Hope host a luncheon at area restaurants for all women of Hope Lutheran Church and we encourage you to invite your neighbors and friends.

The first luncheon will be on June 16 at 11:30am at Prima Italian Steakhouse, 3660 Kiessel Road (Brownwood Square), The Villages. 

To reserve a spot, please register online by clicking the link below. Registration deadline is Monday, June 13 at Noon. Contact information: Margaret Furlong - (352) 430-5092, Laura Hultmark - (352) 753-9463, June Cook - (352) 430-5025.

Future locations and dates are as follows:

July 21 - Belle Glade Country Club, 446 Moyer Loop

August 18 - Legacy Lopez Country Club, 17135 Buena Vista Blvd.

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.

Hope Summer Sampler

The Hospitality Team announces Summer Sampler events for June, July and August. The pandemic limited access to certain food items and new menu items. However our food supplier, U.S. Foods, has recently announced some new items that we would love to present to the members of Hope. 

While the majority of the volunteer Hospitality Team will be taking a much-needed rest over the summer with fewer social suppers, we are scheduling Summer Sampler evenings on certain Wednesdays at 5:00pm when we do not have a social supper scheduled. These Samplers will include new appetizer/light menu items along with new decadent dessert offerings.

The Samplers will be only $5 to Hope members, family and friends. We will have a lighter fare than social supper but will offer hearty appetizer/finger foods and new desserts with full beverage service.

Please sign up so that we may order the proper amount. Menus will be provided each week on the email sent on the Thursday prior to the Sampler evening. We look forward to trying new and delicious foods and enjoying the fellowship with each other prior to prayer service at 6:00pm.

Here is the Wednesday meal schedule for Summer 2022:

• June 1 - no meal
• June 8 - social supper
• June 15 - Summer Sampler
• June 22 - social supper
• June 29 - no meal
• July 6 - Summer Sampler
• July 13 - no meal
• July 20 - Summer Sampler
• July 27 - no meal
• August 3 - Summer Sampler
• August 10 - social supper
• August 17 - no meal
• August 24 - social supper
• August 31 - social supper (note: this is a change from the original dates showing no supper)

Altar Angels, Communion Servers, and Ushers 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.

In addition, ushers are needed at the 6:00pm service at Hope Central Campus. If you're interested in volunteering, please contact Wayne or Maddy Burgess at (352) 750-4177 or by email at mwburgess910@comcast.net.

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.

Worship Attendance for May 21-22, 2022

Central Campus:

4:00pm = 167

6:00pm = 60

8:00am = 133

10:00am = 245

Lake Weir Campus:

10:00am = 77

Everglades Rec Center:

8:00am = 72

10:00am = 102

Flowers for the Week Given By...

Evie Cermak, in loving memory of her husband, Frank

Jan Honecker, in memory of her husband, Bob

Gary and Phyllis Hill in honor of their 52^nd wedding anniversary

Phil and Leadema Radford in honor of their 56^th wedding anniversary

In Memoriam

Fran Barbrick passed away on Saturday, May 21. Fran was born on October 10, 1922. She joined Hope Lutheran Church on August 27, 2006. Fran was widowed. A small prayer service was held at Buffalo Crossing on Friday, May 27 at 1:00pm.

Please keep Fran’s family in your hearts and prayers during their time of grief.

Erma Uhle died on Saturday, May 21. Erma was born on January 10. 1942. She joined Hope Lutheran Church on September 21, 2019. Erma was widowed. A service is being planned for Saturday, June 11 at 12:30pm. Pr. Bruce Dillman is officiating.  

Please keep Erma’s family in your hearts and prayers.

James (Jim) Arndt died on May 26. Jim was born on August 10, 1934. He and Jan were married September 18, 1954. They joined Hope Lutheran Church on February 26, 2006. Arrangements are pending at this time.

Please keep Jan 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.