December 10, 2021

Christmas Worship at Hope - December 24^th & 25^th

Christmas Eve at Hope Central Campus

Candlelight Worship

2:00pm, 4:00pm, 6:00pm, 8:00pm, and 10:00pm

Christmas Day at Hope Central Campus

Worship at 9:00am

Christmas Eve at Hope Lake Weir Campus

Candlelight Worship

6:00pm and 8:00pm

Christmas Eve at Hope at Everglades Rec Center

Candlelight Worship

2:00pm and 4:00pm

Join Us for Midweek Advent Worship

As we journey through Advent together, join Hope for Midweek Services on Wednesdays at 6:00pm at Hope Central Campus.

Our focus is on songs of hope and praise, all of which center on the birth of Christ and are each used in the daily office (prayer service) of the church. Come along as we experience Simeon's Song next week.

Hope's Annual Blue Christmas Service

Sunday, December 19^th at 4:00pm - Hope Central Campus

Missing someone special this holiday season? Christmas just isn't the same when those you love are absent, and it can be difficult to feel jolly during hard times.

Hope Lutheran Church will hold our annual Blue Christmas: A Service of Hope and Peace on the Sunday before Christmas, December 19^th  at 4:00pm. 

This is a dignified service without the giddiness of Christmas Eve. We will sing carols, pass the Christmas fire to the singing of “Silent Night”, and find a comforting message together. This service is open to everyone, especially those who have lost loved ones this year, or who are dealing with loss, loneliness, or grief.

Mark your calendar now and join us for this special event. You are also encouraged to invite a friend or neighbor who may be going through a difficult time this season. This event is intended to serve the entire Villages area, so invite anyone who may be in need of a special service. Glory to the newborn King!

Global Mission Breakfast, Hosted by the Women of Hope

January 13^th, 2022 - 9:00am at Hope Central Campus

Hope Lutheran Church will welcome Pastor Katie Carroll, Chair of the Global Mission Table of the Florida-Bahamas Synod, for Global Mission Weekend on January 15^th and 16^th.

To celebrate her visit, the Women of Hope are hosting a breakfast in partnership with the Men of Hope and Mission Outreach Ministry on the Thursday before Global Mission Weekend. 

Enjoy breakfast with a special presentation from Pastor Katie on January 13^th at 9:00am at Hope Central Campus. The cost will be $7.00 per person.

Menu will include Herbalicious breakfast egg casserole, ham and cheese breakfast sliders, Applewood smoked bacon, roasted breakfast potatoes, fresh fruit, assorted pastries, coffee, and juice.

This is an opportunity for all Hope members and friends to learn more about Global Missions. The 18-member Florida-Bahamas Synod Global Mission Table guides the Synod's five companion relationships in Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Guyana, and Suriname. Join in learning more about God's mission throughout the world.

Help us welcome Pastor Katie and enjoy a delicious breakfast together. Everyone is invited, including both men and women, so bring your neighbors and friends. 

Questions? Please contact Margaret Furlong at [email protected] or (352) 430-5092, or Marion McClarin Blomberg at [email protected] or (352) 751-4338.

Join Us for H.O.P.E. University This Week

You're invited to attend

H.O.P.E. University!

Currently, Pastor Bruce is leading a 12-week series on the publication The Freedom of a Christian, written by Martin Luther in 1520.

The topic of the next class will be "The Power of Faith." Our reading will be paragraphs 39-51 in The Freedom of a Christian.



The ELCA provided the webpage elca500.org, a 12-week study guide, and a link to a free PDF of the document. You may access a link to the document here. If you choose, you can also purchase the book from Augsburg Fortress for $14.99.

As always, classes will be livestreamed and archived for those unable to attend. We will begin the series in November and December, take a break over the holidays, and continue in January and February 2022.

Consider Christmas Donations for the Food Pantry

The Hope Lake Weir Campus Food Pantry continues to serve 150 families per week - with more coming every week! The Christmas season is an especially difficult time for families who struggle to feed their children.

Please consider bringing a non-perishable food item when you attend Hope's special holiday events, worship services, or ministry meetings! Your donations will be a Christmas blessing to those in need this season.

Most needed donation items include: Canned fruit, canned vegetables, pasta sauce, peanut butter, canned soup, toilet paper, shampoo, toothpaste, cooking oil, and coffee.

You're Invited to the Villages Charter School Christmas Concert

Celebrate the season with talented singers from The Villages Charter Elementary and Middle Schools during their annual Christmas Concert on Monday, December 13^th at 6:00pm at Hope Central Campus.

This special concert features local children singing familiar Christmas carols with their classmates. This evening always invites new faces into our church as families and friends gather to enjoy the music offered by these young performers.

No tickets are necessary! Join the fun and cheer on our Villages students during this exciting Christmas program.

Upcoming Hospitality Events

Many thanks to those who came to the Thanksgiving Dinner in Fellowship Hall last week! We had a full house with lots of food, fellowship and laughter. 

Here are some upcoming hospitality events to watch for:

• December 15^th, 2021– Hope Christmas Dinner in Fellowship Hall at Hope Central Campus, including the Second Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest. Winner to receive 8 social supper tickets to use at their discretion
• January 21^st, 2022 – Fish Fry at Hope Lake Weir Campus
• February (date to be determined) – First Annual Hope Chili Cook-off at Hope Central Campus. Winner will be our guest chef on chili night in February!

Are You Aware Of These Tax Benefits For 2021?

Tax laws are always changing. Many of us are doing year-end giving and there are a few special tax benefits your Stewardship Team wanted to share.

The Internal Revenue Service now permits taxpayers to claim a limited deduction on their 2021 federal income tax returns for cash contributions they made to qualifying charitable organizations even if they don't itemize their deductions. Taxpayers, including married individuals filing separate returns, can claim a deduction of up to $300 for cash contributions to qualifying charities during 2021. The maximum deduction is $600 for married individuals filing joint returns.

Taxpayers age 70 ½ or older can make a qualified charitable distribution up to $100,000, directly from their IRA, other than a SEP or SIMPLE IRA, to a qualified charitable organization. It's generally a nontaxable distribution made by the IRA trustee directly to a charitable organization. A qualifying deduction may also count toward the taxpayers required minimum distribution (RMD) requirement for the year.

**For informational purposes only. Please consult your tax advisor and/or investment advisor for more information about making a year-end gift.

Worship Attendance for December 4-5, 2021

Central Campus:

4:00pm = 154

6:00pm = 67

8:00am = 153

10:00am = 263

Lake Weir Campus:

10:00am = 86

Everglades Rec Center:

8:00am = 52

10:00am = 94

Altar Flowers Given This Week By...

Ron & Carol Ropel in honor of their 66^th wedding anniversary

Marty & Barbara LaBella in honor of their 61^st wedding anniversary

In Memoriam

Our member Roland (Rolle) Williams passed away on November 22, 2021. Rolle lived in Baltimore, MD with his daughter, Bonnie Harry. 

Rolle was born on May 4, 1924. He joined Hope Lutheran Church on December 9, 2001. Rolle was widowed. A service was held in Maryland for Rolle. 

Please keep Bonnie and their family in your prayers.

Our member Pamela (Pam) Glynn passed away on December 2.

Pam was born on September 25, 1953. She joined Hope Lutheran Church on July 21, 2013. She and her husband, Thomas, were married on June 9, 1990. A service is pending at this time.

Please keep Thomas and their family in your prayers.