April 28, 2023

Weekly Capital Campaign Update

As the people of Hope, we are familiar with meeting needs when we hear of a crisis. We have sent support across the country and to many foreign nations, always willing to help those in war-torn areas, those impacted by disasters, and those facing droughts or famines.

But what if we knew about the spiritual famine in our own community?

According to recent census data, less than 40% of people in The Villages and our surrounding communities identify as religious in any way. Less than 10% of people identify as strong atheists or agnostics. That means that more than 50% of our neighbors are open to hearing the Gospel but have not been ministered to, and have never experienced the support of a faith family.

Hope Lutheran Church wants to meet this need and minister to our neighbors. To make this a reality, we need to grow our ministry efforts at all three Hope campuses. With your support, we will do this through our ongoing capital campaign.

We are making great strides in our Making Abundant Life Known campaign! A total of more than $1.7 million in commitments has been given toward our base goal of $5.5 million and our challenge goal of $9 million.

Please join your family of Hope in this important 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!

Groundbreaking & Golf Cart Parade Postponed

The Hope South Campus Groundbreaking event planned for May 28 has been postponed. The Golf Cart Parade has also been postponed. Stay tuned to News in the Pews for information on when these events will be rescheduled.

Faith & Fellowship in the Southern Villages

Our Faith & Fellowship Bible Study led by Pastor Rani Abdulmasih continues to be very popular, especially in the Southern Villages. These latest pictures show some of the approximately 35 people who currently meet down south for study and social time.

If you are interested in getting involved with Faith & Fellowship or have any questions, please contact Pastor Rani at pastorrani@hope4all.church or call the church office at (352) 750-2321.

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. 

Hope's Monthly Men's Breakfast

The May Men's Breakfast and Bible Study will be held in the Fellowship Hall at Hope Central Campus on Thursday, May 11, 2023 beginning at 8:00am.

The cost of the breakfast is $7. We will enjoy a pancake breakfast with sides of sausage, breakfast potatoes, fruit, and muffins.

Jim Cunningham will lead the study of My Upmost for His Highest, a devotion from Oswald Chambers. Please note the start time. We will begin studying the devotion at 8:00am, and breakfast will follow at 8:30am.

To register, please click the link below. If you need assistance, please contact the church office at (352) 750-2321.

VBS Volunteers Needed 

Spring is in the air! That means our first Vacation Bible School is about to happen.

If you wish to volunteer to help out, please complete an application which you can find under the "Participate" tab on our website or by clicking the button below.

If you have submitted an application, you will need to complete an insurance required Child Protection training. This training class will be offered at Hope Lake Weir Campus sanctuary on May 9 at 10:00am and at Hope Central Campus Room 203 0n May 4 at 1:00pm and May 10 at 2:00pm.

For questions, contact Pastor John at pastorjohn@hope4all.church. Volunteer position descriptions can be located online at hope4all.church/vbs.

Hope for the Future Scholarship Award Celebration

Fifteen local high school seniors have been chosen to receive our Hope for the Future Scholarships this year!

Investing in the life and the education of the youth attending schools in The Villages and its surrounding communities is yet another way for Hope Lutheran Church to share God's love by offering encouragement and support to high school seniors. 



Hope For The Future Scholarship is a ministry that does just that. Hope Lutheran Church offered scholarships to seniors at area high schools and students planning to further their education at a college, university or trade school were invited to apply. 

Hope's scholarship program is unique in that it provides an opportunity for each recipient to have access to a mentor to help them adjust to the next phase of their education with regular discussions about any concerns and issues they may be facing. Our objective is to maximize the opportunities for student success through this as an ongoing ministry of Hope. 

Please join us in celebrating the scholarship awardees on Friday, May 5 at 6:00pm at Hope Central Campus. Everyone is invited to attend.

Looking Forward with On Our Own

On Our Own is a ministry of Hope Lutheran Church. On Wednesday, May 10, the Hospitality Team and CIA Ministry will highlight this ministry at the Wednesday Social Supper.

On Our Own meets at Hope Central Campus to pack 80 "snack packs" for delivery to Stanton-Weirsdale Elementary School on CR42, not far from our Hope Lake Weir Campus. These bags are delivered monthly to the school. The bags are distributed by the school to children in need so that they have food over the weekend. Items include small jars of peanut butter and jelly, individual servings of pudding, applesauce or fruit, juice boxes, granola bars, cookies, cheese crackers, raisins, Vienna sausages and fruit flavored jellies. All items are placed into gallon size plastic bags.

On Our Own also puts together 30+ baskets during the Christmas season which are delivered by our pastoral pastors to shut-ins from our congregation.

On Our Own is always seeking donations of items and money to help support this ministry. Since the school year will be coming to an end in May, we encourage you to help this ministry with a monetary donation. All checks should be made out to Hope Lutheran Church, on the memo line indicate On Our Own Ministry. 

This ministry has been ongoing for many years. Besides packing the bags, On Our Own meetings include time for fellowship and often they go out to lunch or have a speaker. If you would like further information, please contact Ginny Wilson at (352) 430-3326 or email randy572@msn.com.

Worship Attendance for April 22 & 23

Hope Central Campus:

4:00pm = 207

6:00pm = 66

8:00am = 194

10:00am = 398

Hope Lake Weir Campus:

10:00am = 121

Hope at the Everglades Rec Center:

8:00am = 117

10:00am = 173

Flowers for This Week Given By...

John Blassick in memory of his wife Barbara's 86^th birthday and in honor of his great-grandson Dean's 1^st birthday

Ed & Barbara Marchlewska in honor of their 45^th wedding anniversary

In Memoriam

Dennis (Denny) Connor died on April 26, 2023. He was born on February 28, 1943. He and Mary Jane were married on June 19, 1966. They joined Hope Lutheran Church on December 14, 2008. Arrangements are being made for a service to be held in Ohio.

Please keep Mary Jane 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.