Dec. 16 & 17, 2017

Hope Lutheran Church 250 Avenida Los Angelos The Villages, Florida 32162 352-750-2321

Email: info@hope2all.org

website: www.hope2all.org (Live streaming all worship)

Find us on Facebook @HopeLutheranChurch

Ministers: People of God Lead Pastor: Jon-Marc MacLean

Last Social Supper of 2017 tickets are on sale this weekend. $10 each.

12/20 Top Sirloin Garlic Roast Beef Served w/ Au Jus(sirloin marinated in a seasoned garlic rub)-Creamy Butter Loaded Mashed Potatoes-California Veggies (sautéed in butter wine sauce) -Banana Split Cake (fresh bananas, crushed pineapple, topped w/ whipped cream, crushed walnuts, maraschino cherry and a graham cracker crust) First 2018 Social Supper will be January 10th (tickets on sale in the office starting January 2nd and the weekend of Jan.6 & 7.

Monday, Dec. 25 @ 10am We celebrate the birth of Jesus with Christmas Day Worship with Holy Communion.

Christmas Day

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion Celebrate Christmas Eve 2017 with Candlelight and Communion here at Hope. Services include the telling of the Christmas story and the singing of beloved carols.

4pm contemporary service 6, 8 & 10pm traditional services

Children’s message at all worship services.

Sunday, Dec. 24th Christmas Eve

4th Sunday in Advent worship 8:00 am & 9:45am (no 11:30 service)

Your donation will bring Christmas cheer to Hope!

Last year the Seasonal Decorating Team created a beautiful Poinsettia tree. For obvious reasons the plants on the tree were silk #can’treachthetoptowater!! This year we’ll be adding additional wreathes/decorations on the new acoustic panels and new banners. There will be some live poinsettias this year but not enough to “sell” them.

If you would like to make a donation to offset the cost of the Christmas decorations in memory of/in honor of/ in celebration of a loved one. Please sign up by Sunday, December 17th. Please print your name clearly on the sign-up sheet in the narthex. So how much should I give? Pray on it. In the past the plant price was $12. Include payment in your offering envelope and write “poinsettia” on the flower line of the envelope. Thank you!

Tickets on sale this weekend!

House of Hope “Gala Dinner” will be held on Friday, January 26th. This special event, which will be held at New Covenant United Methodist Church in The Villages, will feature a gourmet dinner, entertainment by Mary Jo Vitale during the silent auction, and pianist Marcia Spear during dinner. All proceeds raised through this event will support the life changing work at House of Hope, a nonprofit residential alcohol and drug abuse treatment center in Wildwood. Tickets are $100 per person. If you would like to re-serve an entire table of six, you must purchase all tickets at the same time. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO HOUSE OF HOPE, and in the memo line indicate “Gala Dinner”. If you would like to donate or assist with the event, contact Pat O’Dell at (352)750-0278

Blue Christmas Worship Service

Sun., Dec. 17th @ 4pm

at St. John Lutheran

10495 SE Sunset Harbor Rd. Summerfield, FL 34491

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Classes needed for membership will be held: Class # 1 01/18 @ 5:30pm Class # 2 01/25 @ 5:30pm

This membership class will be received on Sat., Jan. 27th @ 4pm. Call the church office at 750-2321 to register, or mark “wish to join” on the fellowship pad in the pew.

Is membership the next step in your faith journey?

Join our Church Family!

A Thank You From Nancy Shephard Seasonal Decoration Team Leader

I want to thank the many individuals who have helped make Hope Lutheran so beautiful this Christmas season. There are too many people to list individually who either help decorate or provide decorations. Also, thanks to the members of our Hope family that made donations in memory of/in honor of, in celebration of a loved one—to offset that cost of the newly purchased decorations. that add to the beauty of the sanctuary and almost every nook and cranny! Thanks in advance to all the volunteers who will help tear down and store the decorations on Wednesday January 10th @ 8:00am (hint hint). Please sign up in the narthex.

NCT # 16, 20, 21 and On Our Own Lunch Care Teams 16, 20, 21, and On Our Own will meet on Wed., January 10th at 11:30am (fellowship hall). The lunch will consist of a chicken sandwich, chips, veggies, cookie, and drink. We are asking for a $6 donation to cover the costs. A live portrayal of Kathryn Luther will be given by Ruth Leininger. On Our Own will take ticket reservations and the callers from the NCT’s will call you for your reservations. All reservations must be made by Monday, Jan 8th.

Please Consider Joining Our Circle

The women of Serendipity Circle invite you to join our circle. We meet the 3rd Thursday of each month from 1-3pm. The meetings are held in the room 204. This January we will begin a new study of the book " Grace" by Max Lucado. Please call Shirley Koltes for more information: 352-391-9021. Join us and be inspired!

The Prayer Shawl Ministry team will meet on Monday, Jan 8 from 10:00 – 11:00 in room 202. Anyone interested in becoming part of this gratifying ministry is encouraged to attend. Shawls and lap robes completed since the last meeting will be blessed and put into circulation for the benefit of our friends in Christ who are in need of a reminder of God's presence in their lives. Prayer shawls, lap robes, and prayer patches are available for the taking in the information hallway. If you know of anyone who needs reassurance of our Lord's mercies, please pass one on.

Alone Life has painful experiences. God never intended for us to go through them alone. That is why God has brought us together as a congregation and why we have Stephen Ministry. Stephen Ministers have had 50 hours of training to minister to people experiencing a crisis or a difficult time. Each week a Stephen Minister will meet with you – privately and confidentially – to listen, care, encourage, support and reflect Christ’s presence in your life. For more information call Steve Betts at (319) 240-2493.

Hand Wash – Car Wash(donations Accepted). 707 S. Main Street in Wildwood (next to Hungry Howie’s) Saturdays 9 to 3. All proceeds go to House of Hope.

Staff Appreciation Love Offering Christmas is fast approach-ing. It is our custom at this time to show appreciation to our pastors and staff for all the fine work they do. If you would like to thank the staff in this way, please be sure to designate your gift as “staff gift” on the envelope or the memo line on your check. Please return by December 18th.

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This is Christ’s church, and there is a place for you here…….

CHAIR YOGA WILL RETURN IN JANUARY In January the “Chair Yoga” class will resume

with two new leaders. If you would like a nice, quiet meditative start to the day and an opportunity to gain more strength and flexibility, please join us on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for an hour in room 204 at 9am. (NOTE THE CHANGE IS DAYS) First session will be January 2

nd at 9am. If you

have any questions contact Anita Dillman in the church office 352-750-2321 (Anita@hope2all.org) or Gracia Luoma at 330-752-3323 (galuoma@aol.com)

The Women of Hope and guests were blessed on December 7 with a performance by 88 First Grade “Holiday Bears” from Webster Elementary School. Hope supports this school in south Sumter County through the WoH with field trips for each class, school supplies and back-to-school clothing.

Leading up to the “Holiday Bears” members from Hope began our inspiration by presenting the Lord’s Prayer in sign language. Our Mission Team and WoH Board have been hard at work to share the donations you have provided this year with many organizations locally and abroad. It is our purpose “as a community of women, created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society, and the world.” At the November WoH Retreat several women expressed an interest in ordering a Women of Hope Polo shirt. The House of Hope is able to provide us with more shirts, so the Board will be placing an order right after our January 18 breakfast meeting. The cost is $25.00. You can find an order form in the Information Hallway. Please return it with your check made out to Women of Hope (polo shirt on the memo line) and place it in the WoH box in the information hallway no later than January 18th. Sign-up sheets are out in the narthex for the Jan. 18, 8:30am, Continental Breakfast, “An Unexpected Missionary” presented by Tracy Brandt. Cost will be $3.00 at the door. Christmas Blessings and Safe Travel to all.

Join our Celebration of smiles… A new edition of the Hope Lutheran pictorial directory is finally happening! Since our last

directory in 2015, our membership has increased by over 400 people! Why Are We Doing This? You Ask….. A pictorial directory helps put names and faces

together, uniting our congregation. It can be used as an outreach tool for our

church. It can be used in the home as a conversation

starter and a tool for sharing our church. It will be a great aid in making prayer requests

more personal. You’ll receive a free 8 x 10 portrait and a

directory for participating. Photography will take place between February

15 & March 17. We’ll begin scheduling photography appointments the first week in January. If you would like to be a part of the pictorial directory team helping with signups and photography session check-in, please speak with Val or email her at val@hope2all.org.

Living Nativity at St. John Lutheran Church Sunset Harbor Rd., Summerfield

December 22, 5:30 - 6:15 pm We invite everyone to view the outdoor Living Nativity at St. John. Drive through or park to get a closer look. A short program sharing the Christmas story and favorite hymns will begin at 6:30 following the outdoor Nativity. The program will feature children participants. Fellowship and refreshments will follow the program.

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Monday, Dec. 18, 2017 8:00 am Walk Away Pounds (FH) 8:30 am Piano turning—SANC/FH 9:00 am Strong Bones (205) 9:00 am Women’s 4th Day Group (204) 1:00 pm Bag Ladies (205) Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 7:30 am Church Council (200) 8:30 am Men’s 4th Day Reunion (210) 9:00 am WoH Crafters (205) 10:00 am Organ practice (SANC) 10:30 am Memorial Svc (Anderson) 11:30 am Memorial Luncheon (FH) Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017 8:00 am Men’s 4th Day Reunion (210) 8:00 am Walk Away Pounds (FH) 8:30 am Staff Meeting (200) 9:00 am Organ/Practice (SANC) 12:00 pm LWR Quilters (205) 1:00 pm Call Committee (200) 2:30 pm Spirit Ringers (SANC) 4:00 pm Sisters in Song (SANC) 5:00 pm Social Supper (FH) Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017 8:30 am Men’s 4th Day Reunion (202) 10:00 am Organ Practice (SANC) 10:30 am Women’s 4th Day Reunion (202) 11:28 am Winter Solstice 1:00 pm Serendipity Circle (204) 6:00 pm Brotherhood of Harmony (SANC) 7:00 pm Voices of Hope (SANC) Friday, Dec. 22, 2017-church office closes at 12N 8:00 am Men’s Bible Discussion Grp (202) 8:00 am Walk Away Pounds (FH) 9:00 am Strong Bones (205) 9:00 am Stephen Ministers (200) 9:30 am Altar Angels Guild (FH) 10:00 am Al-Anon Family Group (204) 11:00 am Organ practice (SANC) Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017 2:00 pm Sonshine Team (SANC) 4:00 pm Contemporary Worship –Comm. 6:00 pm Traditional Worship-Comm. Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 4th Sunday Advent 8:00 am Traditional Worship-Communion 9:45 am Traditional Worship-Communion Christmas Eve Worship 4:00 pm Contemporary Worship 6:00 pm Traditional Worship 8:00 pm Traditional Worship 10:00 pm Traditional Worship Monday, Dec. 25, 2017-Christmas Day 10:00 am Traditional Worship (SANC)

This Week at Hope New to the prayer list this week:

Members Norita & family of Bill Anderson (32) Dave Hulback (52) Friends & Family Andy Bentley, friend of Grace Lutheran Church (00) Jan Big, sister of Wendy Hulback (52) Gregory Kemper, son of Ruth Kemper (28) Lynn Pedin, friend of Sandy Fielder (41) The complete prayer list is on a clipboard on the wall in the narthex. Please pick up a copy for your personal prayer time.

Total weekend worship = 1,496

Worship Attendance

Saturday, Dec. 9 4:00 pm = 301 6:00 pm = 101

Sunday, Dec. 10 8:00 am = 264 9:45 am = 513 11:30 am = 317

….touched by death

Do not be afraid, for I have reclaimed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

Newsletter articles should be submitted to newsletter@hope2all.org. The preferred method to submit articles is electronically.

There will be no newsletter the weekend of

December 30 & 31st.

William T. Anderson October 22, 1940

to December 7, 2017

A celebration of life memorial service will be held here at Hope on Tuesday, December 19th at 10:30am.with a luncheon to follow. Bill & Norita joined our Hope family in February 2008. They were married April 11, 1965. NCT. # 32

Norita & Bill

January Dining Out restaurant will be Los Magueyes—Mexican restaurant in Wildwood. Sign-up sheets are in the narthex. Deadline to sign up is Dec. 31st.

Are You Willing To Offer a ride to/from Church?

Our list is getting low and we are looking for people willing to transport

members and non-members to/from church on Saturday or Sunday. Please call the church and offer your name, phone, email, and service you typically attend. (750-2321)

HOPE University—on Holiday Break Watch for our new class schedule. Class start January 9th .