August 1, 2025

Don't Miss Saxophone Recording Artist Eirinn Abu!

World-renowned saxophone recording artist Eirinn Abu is coming to Hope!

Friday, August 15 at 6:00pm

Hope Central Campus

Registration is $15 per person. You can register online now by clicking the link below.

Eirinn Abu began his journey with the saxophone at the age of 10 in Maryland, where his passion for the instrument quickly overshadowed all else, marking the start of his evolution into an extraordinary musician. His passion and hard work culminated in his debut smooth jazz album, graced by the Miami Sound Machine's accompaniment and Jon Secada's songwriting. To experience his music, visit www.eirinnabu.com. 

Because You Asked...

Pastors and the Hope Lutheran Church Council frequently receive questions, comments, and suggestions related to the various parts of church life. Some questions concern theological issues, while others inquire about church practices, music, and worship. One topic that has come up frequently in recent months, especially with last week's Gospel focus, is the Lord's Prayer.

Two questions/requests arise often. The first is, "Why don't we sing the Lord's Prayer each week?" Though several factors influence your pastors' consideration of this topic, the primary reason is related to familiar accessibility for the broadest number of people. Almost everyone is familiar with the spoken prayer, while fewer are familiar with the musical version. When we do sing the prayer, we later hear questions about why we are singing a particular version of the prayer, rather than one that is more familiar to the inquiring person. Conversation then shifts to church history and differences between congregations. In the end, the Lord's Prayer is meant to bind us together and help us speak to God. Therefore, we choose to speak the prayer as it is simple, familiar, and accessible to all. We use the musical version to highlight special days, seasons, or events.

The second frequently asked question is, "Why do we no longer hold hands during the Lord's Prayer?" Before the COVID-19 pandemic, holding hands was a tradition, though not a requirement, at Hope. But long before the pandemic days, holding hands raised concerns during cold and flu season, especially among our immune-compromised population. We made hand sanitizer readily available to combat this issue, but many still chose to opt out of hand-holding to protect their safety.

Now, many members have resumed holding hands, while others choose to avoid it or to only hold hands with their immediate family. Some have asked why we do not formally reinstate the practice, while others have asked us to put a stop to it all together. Still more members tell us that, outside of the touch of their doctor or the occasional brush of a hand while in public, church is the only place where they receive physical human contact, and it is deeply meaningful to them.

In the end, your pastors leave this decision to your judgement. You may hold hands during the Lord's Prayer if you wish, or you may refrain. Hand sanitizer will always remain available for your health and safety. Either way, we ask that you uplift one another in prayer and find ways, physically or otherwise, to connect with those around you. Connection is essential, not only during the Lord's Prayer but throughout the service and the week that follows.

Until next time, I bid you peace...

Lead Pastor Jon-Marc MacLean

Women of Hope Out to Lunch Bunch

The next “Out to Lunch Bunch” will be on Thursday, August 21 at Belle Glade Country Club, 446 Moyer Loop, The Villages at 12:00pm. We encourage you to invite your friends and neighbors.

To reserve a spot, please register online by clicking the link below. (No cost to register, we will pay at the restaurant.)  Registration deadline is Monday, August 18 at Noon.

For more information, contact June Cook at (352) 430-5025.

Future events and dates are as follows:

• September 18 – LOVE, INC.
• October 16 - Iditarod Dog Sled Program
• October 25 - Retreat at Hope Lake Weir Campus
• November 20 – Tunnel to Towers
• December 11 – Christmas Music Presentation

New Staff Join Hope's Department of Music Ministries

Hope is excited to announce the hiring of two new staff members in the Department of Music Ministries:

Carole Makus will begin helping to fill out the role of Service Accompanist - Hope South Campus beginning on September 7 on Sundays at 8:00am. Additionally, she’ll start playing for all VOH-S rehearsals leading up to the start of the ’25-’26 choral season at Hope. Aside from a plethora of musical experiences including many local ensembles, a few churches, and other playing (and singing) opportunities, Carole was also one of the first volunteers at Hope Central Campus to aid Ken Wood by overseeing the choral library and database.

Frederick Blanchard will also come on staff in August as the new Campus Director at Hope Lake Weir Campus. As an alumnus of Rollins College, Frederick also studied at Valencia while overlapping a burgeoning career as a music educator within the Orange County Public School system. Frederick is a performing percussionist and tenor vocalist, having served as section leader at St. Richard’s Episcopal Church in Winter Park, the Bach Festival Society, and Opera Orlando. He is excited to grab and run with the baton being handed off by Jeen Harper and can’t wait to get started with VOH-LW.

Many exciting opportunities are on the horizon this coming season, as we look forward to more healing services, some concert presentations from performing artists, a "Creation Celebration" in October along with the Blessing of the Animals' first time at Hope Lake Weir Campus, the "Collage of Carols" Christmas Cantata, the Service for Christian Unity in January, the return of the Tenebrae service and the first annual Patriotic Concert next July.

A Special Concert with Mary Jo Vitale and Dawn DiNome!

Join Mary Jo Vitale and Dawn DiNome for an evening of music for a good cause!

Friday, September 19, 2025

5:00pm at Hope Central Campus

250 Avenida Los Angelos, The Villages, FL 32162

Doors open at 4:15pm

Enjoy I (Still) Feel Pretty, a musical event to benefit the Angel Wigs of Hope. The Angel Wigs ministry provides wigs and accessories to patients undergoing cancer treatment.

Registration is open now! $20 per person. You may register by visiting hope4all.church/register or by clicking the button below. Don't wait! Register today to reserve your seat.

Lutheran World Relief School Kits

With August being a tax-free month for school supplies, please consider purchasing items to support Lutheran World Relief School Kits.

The Women of Hope have 90 back packs ready to be filled and sent not only overseas but also within the United States where there is a need. The children overseas cannot attend school unless they have these supplies, and many families cannot afford them.

Each of the 90 kits includes 4 notebooks, 5 pens, 5 pencils and 1 of each item listed below. There will be a location at all three campuses where you may drop them off during the month of August, and we will take care of the rest. (The Hope Central Campus location will be in the Information Hallway). Thank you for your support and generosity for this very special project. 

We are seeking the following items:

• 70 page wide or college ruled notebooks
• Wood rulers with both inches and metric
• Ink pens, blue or black ink (no gel pens please)
• 2 ½ inch erasers
• Unsharpened pencils, #2 lead
• Sharpener
• Scissors with round blunt edges
• Box of 16 or 24 crayons

If you choose to make a donation, please make the check out to Hope Lutheran Church and on the memo line write LWR School Kits. If there are any questions, call LaVera Wiberg (LWR Coordinator, Women of Hope) at (352) 205-6410.

Worship Attendance for July 26-27, 2025

Hope Central Campus:

4:00pm - 176

6:00pm - 51

8:00am - 97

10:00am - 211

Online:

4:00pm - 191

10:00am - 294

10:00am (HLWC) - 9

Hope Lake Weir Campus:

10:00am - 107

Hope at the Everglades Rec Center:

8:00am - 77

10:00am - 148

Upcoming Memorial Services

• A memorial mass for Cecile (Sis) Kraus will be held on Wednesday, August 6 at 8:30am at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 6455 SW State Rd. 200, Ocala, FL. A livestream of the service will also be available via the Queen of Peace YouTube channel.



• A memorial service for Jack Onofrey will be held on Wednesday, August 6 at 11:30am at Hope Central Campus.

• A memorial service for Al Hajek will be held on Friday, August 8 at 10:00am at Hope Central Campus.

• A memorial service for Rudy Kietzmann will be held on Saturday, August 9 at 10:00am at Hope Central Campus.

Flowers on the Altar Given By:

Bob & Donna Ulrich in honor of their 50^th wedding anniversary

In Memoriam

Nancy Martin passed away on Friday, July 25, 2025. Nancy was born on June 9, 1931. She and her husband, Ron, were married on July 3, 2001. They joined Hope Lutheran Church on February 12, 2012.

Arrangements are pending at this time.

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

John (Jack) Onofrey passed away on July 31, 2025. Jack was born on April 9, 1960. He and his wife, Roshell, were married on July 16, 2016. They joined Hope Lutheran Church on March 1, 2023.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 6 at 11:30am at Hope Central Campus.

Please keep Roshell and their family in your hearts and prayers during their time of grief.

This Weekend's Worship Bulletin

Click the button to view this weekend's worship bulletin for traditional services.

Inform the Church of Visitation Needs

Do you know of someone who needs a visit from a Hope pastor? Please call the church office at (352) 750-2321 and let us know. Our Pastoral Care Team would love to visit with you or your loved one.

Submit a Prayer Request

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