January 14, 2022

Global Mission Weekend

This weekend we are highlighting our companion synods. Our Mission Outreach committee has been focusing their attention on our Caribbean neighbors in our companion synods this year.

Our special guest will be Rev. Kathryn Carroll, who chairs the Florida-Bahamas Synod's Global Mission Table and guides our relationships with Cuba, Guyana, Haiti, Suriname and a seminary in Jamaica. She has served in churches in South Florida for over twenty five years and lives with her husband Philip in Miami. Pastor Katie has long had a passion for multicultural ministries, having served both English and Spanish speaking congregations. Further she loves to ignite excitement in others, to join in mission! 

Drink plenty of water this weekend so that you don't burn from the fire that Pastor Katie brings to those around here. She will be preaching at Hope Central Campus for all services and be available to meet and answer questions between services. This is a great opportunity to find out more about the work that the ELCA, the Synod, and Hope Lutheran Church do on the mission field.

If you are interested in joining the Mission Outreach Team, contact Fred O'Brien at fobrien@gate.net.

Everyone Reads - Book Club Event

Please join us for an evening of discussion on Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others by Barbara Brown Taylor. Taylor is an Episcopal priest and a college professor of Religion.

Enjoy reading her bestseller and join us for fellowship on Monday, January 24^th at 5:00pm in Fellowship Hall at Hope Central Campus. We will be led by members of some of Hope’s book clubs.

All are welcome, even if you have not previously joined us in a book discussion.

A Soup and Salad catered dinner will be served. The cost is $10.00. You may make your reservation using the button below. The deadline for registration is Wednesday, January 19^th.  

Any questions, please contact Anita Dillman at anitadillman1@gmail.com

H.O.P.E. University - Wednesdays at 10:00am

Come join us this Wednesday, January 19^th at 10:00am at Hope Central Campus as H.O.P.E. University kicks off our 2^nd semester by continuing Pastor Bruce's series on Martin Luther's "The Freedom of a Christian."

This week is our 8^th session of the 12-week series and is titled "Misunderstandings, Misses, and Abuses" and covers paragraphs 70 through 74 in the document.



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.

New Member Orientation

New members are invited to participate in the next step of the membership process by attending Hope's New Member Orientation. All new members should have received a letter inviting you to orientation.

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

February 17^th - Day One of orientation - light snacks will be served.

February 24^th - Day Two of orientation - this will be a potluck. We ask that you bring a dish to share. Fried chicken and beverages will be provided. 

You may direct all questions and RSVP to Jeff Dunfee at (352) 750-2321 or via email at jeff@hope4all.church.

Grief Support Group

Losing a loved one is very painful and can be overwhelming as we must adjust to the changes it causes in our lives. The goal of the Grief Support Group is to help people realize that as they journey through their grief, they are not traveling alone.

The group will discuss the stages of grieving and how we each travel differently yet experience the same human sorrow. There will be opportunity to share feelings and to learn techniques to use to aid you in your journey. A sense of community will develop as we travel along together.

The group will meet for four weeks starting on February 8^th, at 1:00pm at Hope Central Campus. If you have questions, please call Ruth Jenkins at (352) 205-8181.

Remember to Pick Up Your Barcode Card

If you have requested a Barcode Card, please pick up your card at the red table in the main Narthex (Lobby) area at Hope Central Campus.

If you requested a Barcode Card at Hope Lake Weir Campus or Hope at the Everglades Rec Center, please see someone at the check-in table.

They Really are Angels!

Have you ever wondered how all those trays of individual wine cups magically appear for each service? Or who puts the communion elements on the Credence Table? Or how things get cleaned and reappear between services?

Altar Angels perform a vital worship ministry by preparing the credence table and setting up for Communion for each service. Setting up for Communion involves filling the Chalboriums with wafers and filling the trays of individual cups with wine or juice and positioning them throughout the sanctuary. After each service the items are returned to the sacristy and cleaned to be ready for next use. 

Altar Angels typically work in teams of two at most services, so it's an ideal way for a husband/wife team to volunteer in a role that really makes a difference. We are in need of volunteers for every service at Hope Central Campus. Scheduling can be flexible, and current Altar Angels will work with you for training the first couple of times you are scheduled. Remember, many hands make light work! 

If you are able to give your time for even one service a month, the Altar Angels would love to talk to you. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Lynn Voelkle at

(352) 461-3832 or Nancy Metcalf at (612) 751-5884. We are grateful for all help.

Ministry Information for Annual Report

We are now collecting information from our Ministry Teams to be included in the 2021 Annual Report. Ministry team leaders should submit a short article regarding their team.

The article should include:

• Your team's mission and purpose
• Your recent accomplishments
• Highlights from this year

Submissions should be between 200 and 300 words. Pictures are also encouraged. Submit ministry reports to Loretta Franceski at loretta@hope4all.church or Marina Ernst at marina@hope4all.church. Reports are due by January 14^th.

Walk to Emmaus Dates for 2022

Do you seek...

Spiritual Renewal; New understanding of God's grace and love; Worship and community with other believers?

THE WALK TO EMMAUS IS FOR YOU!

It has been way too long since our last Emmaus Walk. We are happy to announce the Walk dates for 2022.

For Information about this life-changing opportunity, please contact Kathy Langley at (352-753-8557) or cklanglely97@embarqmail.com.

Men's Walk #157

January 27-30

Men's Walk #158

March 3-6



Men's Walk #159

October 6-9

Women's Walk #158

March 10-13

Women's Walk #159 

October 13-16

Worship Attendance for January 8-9, 2022

Central Campus:

4:00pm = 161

6:00pm = 64

8:00am = 118

10:00am = 323

Lake Weir Campus:

10:00am = 74

Everglades Rec Center:

8:00am = 41

10:00am = 120