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The Voice of HopeHope Lutheran Church
1750 SE Lennard Rd., Port St. Lucie, Fl. 34952Office: 772-335-4673
APRIL/ MAY 2015
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Rev. Dr. Earnest E. TateApril/May 2015
The Council authorized me and the church staff to purchase a new computer for the church office. The computer was purchased along with Windows 8.1 software, Microsoft Office, and a 3-year service contract that includes the old computer. The data was backed up from the old computer and placed on a CD and the old computer’s hard drive was cleaned by the Geek Squad. All data was copied from the old computer and placed on the new computer. The old computer is now located in my office.
Our Bible study meets every Tuesday from noon to 1:30 p.m. We have been averaging about 5 people in attendance. I plan to start a second bible study on April 26 at 10:15 a.m. We will also meet every Sunday to study the Book of Acts for 10 weeks. Prayerfully, leaders will emerge from the study to facilitate future bible studies.
I have conference calls on the 1st Tuesday and 3rd Wednesday of each month, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with the Synod and 6 to 8 Interim Pastors. We share the activities that are occurring within our congregation.
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PASTOR’S PAGE
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I will be meeting with band members to reformat our Contemporary 2nd Service. Our plan is for more music and less narrative in our liturgy.
During Holy Week, our Maundy Thursday Service included Holy Communion and a foot washing ceremony. There were approximately 30 people in attendance and 8 people participated in the foot washing. Our Ecumenical Good Friday Service was a joint service with Hope Lutheran, St. Julian Catholic Church, and Tabernacle Church. Approximately 30 people were in attendance. Deacon Susan and I participated as readers. Our Sunrise Easter Service occurred in the Chapel in the Woods. 20 people were in attendance. It was a beautiful site to see the sun rising as the Service was ending.
I developed a draft organizational flow chart based on our church’s constitution. I am soliciting comments regarding the flow chart.
Five members and I distributed 150 flyers listing activities that are weekly occurring at Hope. The distribution occurred in residences adjacent to our church. We plan to distribute flyers monthly on the 4th Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The congregation is invited to participle with the distribution.
The inauguration of our Stephen Ministry occurred on March 28, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. 6 people were in attendance. We are looking for more volunteers to participate in this much needed ministry. Future meetings will occur on Saturdays until May 27, 2015.
Although our Capitol Campaign Drive is official closed, I have drafted a narrative for callers to aide in the closure of our campaign.
The Property Committee, Altar Guide, and office staff will be creating SOPs (standard operating procedures). Procedures will provide efficiency for those who serve now and for those who will follow us. I have graphed our monthly offerings during the past 2.5 years along with the monthly expenses.
I have submitted an article to be published in our newsletter that provides explanations of our liturgy on Sundays. I am also submitting salient points of weekly and Lenten Service Sermons. The salient points are intended to reinforce what we have heard during the preaching.
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I plan to attend the Tradewinds Conference Spring Assembly, April 26, 2015, 3:30 p.m., Living Faith Church, Tradition Town Hall, 10799 Civic Lane, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34987. I also plan to attend the 2015 Synod Assembly, June 18-20, 2015, Embassy Suites, Lake Buena Vista South, 8100 Lake Street, Orlando, Florida 32836.
-Blessings, Pr. Tate
An Explanation of our Lutheran Liturgy
The word “liturgy” means “work for the people.” Liturgy is not about us, it is about God. And is an action we undertake for the transformation of the universe. This work, accomplished by God’s work in us for God’s world is why we engage in liturgy. Worship is joining God’s work for God’s people, recreating God’s universe. This work is not done by a pastor for the congregation, but rather a work done in and for the whole church by God for the life of the world around it.Our whole life as Christians is to be our service (liturgy) to God. It is in the Worship Service, however, that the liturgy of our whole Christian life comes into a joyful focus. We gather together for an intimate communion with our Lord. God comes to us, speaks to us and blesses us through God’s Word and Sacrament. We come to God and speak to God in prayer and praise and thanksgiving. Some members come early to the Worship Service! This is our time of preparation, a time to get our mind off the distractions of life, job and the world, and on to God. We prepare ourselves for the worship of our God and the hearing and learning of God’s Word by reading a psalm, pre-service devotion, read the Scripture readings, sermon text, and/or hymns for the day.
1PRELUDE Music helps draw us into an attitude of prayer and praise.
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTSThe welcoming is usually done by the pastor. He or she welcomes people to the church and let them know what the service is about and encourages visitors to participate in our ministries. The announcements are an important part of our gathering. As we gather we create community and further the mission of the Church.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS We examine ourselves and publicly confess our sins. Such a confession at the beginning of the service provides a climate of acceptance. In spite of our sins, we are accepted by God, and in turn we can accept each other. 1John 1:8-10; Rom. 7:14-8:4.
OPENING HYMN We are a "singing church," so we follow the advice of the apostle Paul to teach and admonish "one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16). This hymn may be one of praise, prayer, or reflection on the season of the church year.
GREETING1The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.1And also with you.
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11KYRIE The Kyrie is an expression of our emptiness without God and of our need to have Him come and fill us with His grace. Kyrie is a Greek word meaning "O Lord." It is a cry to the Lord for help and strength*. In ancient times, the crowds would shout "Lord, have mercy" as the King entered their town. The church has taken over his prayer to greet its King Jesus Christ in the church service. As the people so long ago expected help from their King, so we Christians expect help from our Savior. Matt. 9:27; Matt. 15:22; Matt. 20:30-31; Luke 17:13. 1PRAYER OF THE DAY 1This is a short prayer which gathers the thoughts and prayers of the entire Church as they apply to the theme of the day.
FIRST READING: The first reading is from the Old Testament, except during the Easter season when it is from the Book of Acts. This reading usually relates to the Gospel of the day. ITim. 4:13.
THE GRADUALGradual, a Latin expression meaning "step," is a scripture passage for each season of the church year. It is a response to the First Lesson and a bridge to the Second Lesson. Sometimes a psalm is sung or spoken.
PSALMWe follow the lectionary reading three biblical passages each Sunday, one from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament epistles (including the Acts or the Revelation), and one from the Gospels. In between the reading of the Old and New Testament lessons a Psalm is appointed to be said or sung, one that generally relates in some way to one or more of the lectionary texts. For example, on Christmas Day the appointed Psalm will be either 96, 97 or 98 depending on whether it falls in year A, B, or C in the three-year cycle. On Ash Wednesday Psalm 51 is read every year, as is Psalm 22 on Good Friday. On the first Sunday in Lent Psalms 130, 6, and 91 are read during years A, B and C respectively.
SECOND READING: The second reading is from one of the epistles (letters) in the New Testament.
(THE VERSE)A verse from the Holy Scriptures is usually sung in preparation for the reading of the Gospel. There are general verses as well as specific verses for the seasons of the church year. John 6:68; Joel 2:13 (through lent).
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THE HOLY GOSPEL The Gospel Lesson is a selection from the accounts of the life of our Lord recorded by the four evangelists, St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John. Because Christ is with us in the Gospel reading, we stand to honor his presence. We also sing vesicles (short verses) before and after the reading of the Gospel. On certain festival days the minister may read the Gospel while standing among the people. He may be flanked by acolytes carrying candles who proclaim Jesus and his word as the "light of the world."
CHILDREN’S SERMON Children are invited to the front of the Sanctuary for a brief Children's Sermon. God's Word is applied in the context of their life. The children’s sermon provides something for the kids to notice during the rest of worship and keep their attention.
SERMON God speaks to us through His called servant. The Pastor’s sermon is not just a number of offhand remarks, but a prayerfully prepared proclamation of God’s message of repentance, salvation, and growth in faith. The Pastor proclaims God's Word and applies that word to modern life and problems. He or she stresses both what God demands of us (the Law) and what God does for us through Jesus Christ (the Gospel).
1HYMN OF THE DAY This hymn follows the theme of the readings and set the stage for the sermon. Suggested hymns of the day are listed in the Lutheran Book of Worship.
THE APOSTLES’ CREED, THE NICENE CREED, AND THE ATHANASIAN CREED Like the Scriptures, the three ecumenical creeds — the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed — are written documents. They originate from the earliest centuries of the Christian church’s history, a time when theological and philosophical questions about the identity of Jesus were widely debated among Christians. All three creeds affirm that God is fully present in Jesus, that Jesus Christ is both God and human (not a semi-divine or superhuman creature that is neither). These three creeds are called ecumenical because they are all accepted and used by the overwhelming majority of the world’s Christians.
1PRAYERS This prayer in the service follows the directive of the Apostle Paul to young Timothy, a pastor: "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for Kings and all those in authority, that we may live in peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness"*. For this reason, the hymnal says "prayers are included for the whole church, the nations, those in need, the parish, and special concerns. The congregation may be invited to offer petitions and thanksgivings. The minister gives thanks for the faithful departed, especially for those who have died" 1Tim. 2:1-2.
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11WE SHARE THE PEACEThe greetings of peace which Jesus spoke on the first Easter are shared before we approach the altar to receive Him. In the Lord's Supper, the body and blood of Christ are truly present in, with, and under the bread and wine. John 14:27; John 20:19-21.
T1HE OFFERING The gifts of God's people are a response to God's blessings "as God has prospered them" 1Corinthians 16:2. Our offerings are for the support of the church. They enable the church to provide the written and spoken word of God, Christian education, and pastoral care, food, clothing, shelter, and a helping hand to those in need.
OFFERTORYAs the offerings are brought to the Lord's Table, the worshipers sing the offertory to express gratitude for all God's blessings, dedicate themselves to God, and request His continued blessings. "What shall I render to the Lord," Ps. 116:12, 17, 13-14, 19; “Create in me a clean heart", Ps. 51:10-12.
OFFERTORY PRAYERWe acknowledge that everything we have in this life comes from God. While we have worked to earn our paycheck, the abilities to work and think, etc. come from God, as do the blessings that we receive even though we have not worked for them (family, talents, etc.). And so we do not view our offerings as obligations, or a form of appeasement, or “priming the pump” (in order to get more in return). We offer them in thanksgiving for God’s forgiveness.
HOLY COMMUNIONThe church has confessed its sins and been forgiven, and its faith has been nurtured through hearing the Word. The church now reaches a climax of the worship experience in the celebration of the sacrament of Holy Communion. The following parts of the liturgy help the worshipers partake of the holy meal thoughtfully, thankfully, and joyfully. THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION The pastor speaks the words which Jesus spoke when He instituted the Supper with His disciples in the Upper Room. With these words the bread and wine are consecrated, that is, set apart for God's use in the special meal. 1Corinthians 11:23-26; Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20.
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THE LORDS PRAYER (spoken together) Now we pray the prayer which the Lord Himself taught us. The Lord’s Prayer is the distinctive property of Christians. We are here reminded that we are together in the family of God, that at this Communion table we are not many individuals, but one body, brothers and sisters in the faith, whose spiritual welfare is closely linked together. We pray to God as our Father using the prayer of the family of God* because the Lord's Supper is our family meal. Matt. 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4
DISTRIBUTION As we approach the Lord's Table, the pastor invites us, "Take, eat; this is the true body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, given into death for your sins. Take, drink, this is the true blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, shed for the forgiveness of your sins." After we receive the Sacrament we hear the comforting words spoken by the pastor, "The body and blood of our Lord strengthen and preserve you in the true faith to life everlasting." We respond, "Amen," for this is our sincere desire. It is a good practice to offer a silent prayer of thanks when we return to our pews. While the meal is being distributed, the congregation and/or the choir sing one or more hymns
LAMB OF GODAgnus Dei is a Latin phrase meaning "Lamb of God." John the Baptist spoke these words as he pointed to Jesus coming toward him (John 1:29). As Christ comes to us in the Holy Supper, we recognize him as the Lamb of God sacrificed for us to free us from the bondage of sin and death. * John 1:29; Is. 53:7. “UBI CARITAS ”This antiphon speaks of Christ's deep love for us, and how we should love one another as He has loved us. Where Christ is, there is Charity - because God is Love. The mystery of the Church is related to the fact that the members of the Church are bound together and united by love, charity, mutual confession and forgiveness, not by judgement. It is the Divine virtues and spiritual love socially incarnated that constitute and unify the mystical body of Christ, and the love of one member is in a way of one substance with the love of the whole Church and with the love of Christ. The current Roman Catholic Missal (1970, 3rd typical edition 2000) reassigned it from the foot-washing mandatum to the offertory procession at the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper, and it also is found in current Anglican and our Lutheran hymnals. In the second typical edition (1975) of the current Roman Missal, the antiphonal response was altered to read "Ubi caritas est vera, Deus ibi est," after certain very early manuscripts. This translates as: "Where true charity is, there is God."
1COMMUNION HYMNS We sing a hymn which focuses our thoughts on the meaning and benefit of the Lord’s Supper.
1POST COMMUNION PRAYER "Thank the Lord," "Lord, now let your servant go in peace," or an appropriate hymn is sung. The purpose is to offer our thanks and express our faith in what God has done for us and promised to do for us in the future. * "Lord, now you let your servant go in peace", Luke 2:29-32
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BLESSING Once again we express our appreciation to our gracious God for giving us this Holy Meal through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Psalms 107:1; 118:1. The blessing spoken by the pastor is the Aaronic benediction, the blessing God first gave to Aaron and the other priests to speak to the people of Israel. Jesus Christ, our High Priest, has come to us in a special way through this Holy Meal. The blessing is God's promise that Christ will go with us as we leave the church and return to the world to serve Him. We sing "Amen" to affirm the blessing; "So be it -- it is true!" * Numbers 6:23-27.
1CLOSING
DISMISSALGo in peace. Passionately making disciples. Thanks be to God!Our service does not end here. It simply assumes a different form in the activities of our daily lives.
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April 5: Mark 16: 4-7 ” 4When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you."Looking for Jesus, led Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome to an angel saying he was not here, that he had risen Why the amazement? They had been told what was to happen. Yet think of all the all the amazing things he does for us; he wakes us up each day, he is faithful when we are not, he blesses us in more ways than we deserve, and he grants an unyielding mercy.
April 12: John 20:24-25” 24But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."It’s something about witnessing Jesus for yourself. When you have had an encounter with Jesus, you see differently, you serve differently. You see what it is like to be transformed. One encounter with Jesus will last you for the rest of your life. To have an encounter you have to listen to the preached Word, receive the Word of God so that it becomes a part of you and stand on the Word of God.
April 19: 1 John 3:1-314 See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.When we trust Jesus Christ as our savior, we become children of God. Pass God’s unconditional love to your children. Take time to thank Him for showing us eternal grace.
April 26: 1 John 3:18-22 18Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him 20whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; 22and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.God wants us to love one another with a true heart of compassion and not for material things or excellent speech, but to look beyond their faults and have true sincerity towards everyone.
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April Gospel Texts
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May 3: John 15:5–833 5I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.If we want to grow and bear much fruit, there has to be a connection. Stay connected. Jesus gives us life. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself. When Monday comes, we need to stay connected. If we do not stay connected, we will produce rotten fruits (hate, envy, strife, anger).
May 10: John 15:12–17 12This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.Jesus isn’t merely saying go tell people about me and my love, he is saying we produce disciples and believers by loving. Service is temporary but love leaves a lasting impression. We remain in Jesus by loving him, and when we serve others because we love him, his love begins to remain in their hearts and their relationship with him takes root.
May 17: John 17:12–19 12While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. 14I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. 16They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 17Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.Jesus’s lifts us all up to the Father. Amazing prayer shows us we should be praying for our brethren and sisters in Christ all the time.
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May Gospel Texts
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May 24: John 16:7–15 7Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.12I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.Jesus comforts His disciples about His coming departure by promising the coming of His Holy Spirit. Jesus says we’ve got help! The Holy Spirit is our Helper, leading and guiding us into all truth, and revealing God to us. For everyone who loves and follows Jesus, we’ve got help in the Holy Spirit.
May31: John 3:3–17 3Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." 4Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" 5Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." 9Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" 10Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?11Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.17Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.God can transform you as we consider the depth of His love for us. God created us to enjoy life forever in loving communion with Him. Drawing closer to understanding that truth will transform us.
Call Committee Update The Call Committee has been meeting every week since February. We would like to say thank you to all of you who responded the Mission Site Profile either on-line or with the paper copy. From those responses we were able to continue with the profile as to what Hope Lutheran Church is looking for in a new pastor. We have completed our part of the Mission Site Profile and it has been submitted to church council for their review. It is also going to be available to everybody in the congregation for their review and comments. The Call Committee will appreciate any and all suggestions for their review. Our next step is to provide the Synod with a financial package that will be offered to the candidates. Once we obtain all the necessary data from the Finance Committee and council we will provide the information to the Synod. We ask all of you to please be patient as the Call Committee is committed to find a pastor that will provide us with our needs spiritually and administratively for our congregation. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact any one of the committee members. We will keep you updated as we proceed along with the process.
Thank you for your support and trust.Joyce Strickler – ChairFran HendertiloNancy BrewerGlenn DoebrichJason HuttoTom RoksvoldTina Kasten – Council Representative
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Vacation Bible SchoolDo you have your safety goggles and labs coats ready!?! No!? Well get ready Son Spark Labs is on its way! Hello everyone, I'm pleased to announce that Son Sparks Labs will be the theme of Hope Lutherans' Vacation Bible School for 2015! I'm also pleased to announce that I, Emily Sellas, will be directing the camp for the first time. The dates for the camp will July 20- 24th. The times will remain the same, in order to keep it a morning VBS, 9am -Noon. Volunteers
are needed to teach a class, assist a class, or even participate with one our activity centers such as snacks, music, or recreation. We will also need volunteers for other jobs as well no job is a small one! If you are interested in volunteering please fill out a purple volunteer crew slip and return asap. Another topic that I am pleased to announce is that we are extending our classes by one! We are now offering a VBS experience for children two and three years of age. Keep in mind we go up to 6th grade. If you have children or know anyone who is looking for a sparktastic VBS this summer please fill out a registration form, only one is needed per family and it is only per child for the week! Anyone with questions, concerns, or comments please contact me Emily Sellas on my email [email protected]. Hope to see you there!
- Emily Sellas
Vacation Bible School VolunteersFill out ALL the contact info that’s requested below!
Name ________________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________
Phone_____________________ Email ______________________________
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With ElvisStarring Darrell Dunhill
SATURDAY MAY 2
11:30 a.m. WELCA Ladies Luncheon
Tickets are $15 on sale in the Narthex.
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Lego Club This is a journey to build God’s word with Legos. Our first adventure was to build a home similar to the home Jesus was visiting when He healed a sick man who was lowered to Him from the roof as told in Luke 5. Life was very different during Jesus’ time on the earth and we will learn how it happened and recreate this wonderful event. Each time we get together, we will go back in time and recreate a scene from the Bible.This club is for ages of 5 and 105. Parents can drop their children off, or better yet, stay with your child and have fun together. NOTE: If your child is under 5 years of age and you wish to bring them, they are welcome, however, you must stay with your child at all times.Next meeting will be Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.
GriefShareAre you experiencing the loss of a loved one? Could you use some help and encouragement? Join us for Grief Share, "Your Journey from Mourning to Joy."Grief Share is a support group that meets weekly for 13 weeks. The sessions are self-contained, so you can join at any time. There are three components to each session: a video seminar, support group discussion, and personal workbook for taking notes during video and daily activities.We meet every Tuesday at Hope Lutheran from 6:00 - 7:30 PM. Cost of the workbook is $15.00. This session began January 6th and will meet until April 7, 2015. ALL are welcome. For more information please call Pat Reynolds at (772) 519-2592.
Thoughts about the Soup Suppers
Once again the soup suppers were pleasant gatherings for fellowship before the Wednesday Lenten services. This year averaged between 14 and 20 people. We had two different soups each evening provided by Michelle Erfurt, Joan Ojala, Diane Woodcock, Ellen King, Nan Billings, and yours truly. We also had bread and dessert.Fellowship is an important piece of being a church member and the soup suppers provide that. An hour of eating together and just visiting helps us get to know one another better.We were especially pleased that Reverend Tate and his wife Dorothy as well as Deacon Susan and Karen Keat joined us.Many thanks to those who provided the food. All the soups were delicious. It’s fun to try new food. It’s also fun to have someone else cook supper. Come join in next year!
-Diane Roma-
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04/01 Adam McGlynn
04/03 Rob Uzdavines
04/07 Lee Danboise
Art Brehm
04/08 Ethan Conley
04/10 Bob Brown
04/13 Ginny Norgord
04/15 Donna Harris
04/16 Micheline Berthaut
04/17 Judy Geske
Keith Kotal
04/19 Jennifer Byerly Shields
04/20 Melissa Nelson
04/24 Marie Johansson
Geraldine Moore
04/26 Brianna Sellas
04/27 Kathy Anderson
04/28 Susan Spee
Linda Kotal
04/29 Kristie Billings
AprilBirthdays
April Anniversaries
04/03 Mari Beth & Thomas Jameson (39)04/26 Cathy & Don Byers (13)04/27 Lauren & Jason Hutto (13)
Anna & Rev. Jared Olson (2)04/30 Susan & Bill Weston (49)
Altar Flowers
Dedicating Altar Flowers is a wonderful way to honor or memorialize friends and family for special times, anniversaries, or events. At the same time you will be adding to the beauty of our Church during Sunday worship. Simply sign up on the chart in the usher’s area between the narthex and sanctuary for any available Sunday and indicate what event you are honoring. The month prior to your sponsorship you will be sent an envelope for your donation to the flower fund of $30.00. You may place this in the offering on any Sunday or mail the envelope back to the Church. Following the 11:00 service you may take the flowers home or deliver to a shut-in friend or member. If you would like the names and location of several members who are in the hospital, assisted living or nursing facilities who would enjoy and appreciate the flowers you can contact Pastor.
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05/01 Ryan Kotal
05/03 Cruz Gonzalez
Mary Wellborn
Ellen King
05/04 Frank Tomaszewski
Bill Weston
Carlene Reddish
05/05 Nancy Brewer
05/06 Linda Gannon
05/08 Allison Weber
05/11 Alexis Deeson
05/12 Theresa Deeson
Lauren Hutto
05/13 Johnathan Barry III
Lusell Duberger
05/17 John Turpie
Allan Doyle
05/18 Kath Fanelli
05/20 Jerry Hill
05/21 Karin Klause
05/26 Ana Bergerman
05/29 Felicia Anderson
05/30 Nino Peterson
05/31 Pat Sterling
MAY
05/02 Craig & Pat Sterling (45) Hans & Chadia Heinz (16)
05/14 Joe & Allison Weber (27)05/15 Chuck & Joyce Strickler (50)05/24 Jim & Kristie Billings (12)05/25 Herb & Cathy Schaus (58)05/28 Jerry & Carol Hill (49)05/30 Ed & Karen Berkich (47)
Verse of the Month:29Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant that it may continue forever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed forever.
WELCA is sponsoring a new program at Hope. Hope Helping the Homeless is a one year project that started in September 2014.
For the month of April/ May please bring in pampers (sizes 4 &5), wipes, washcloths. There is a box in the narthex for the homeless. Our goal is to help those in our community who are homeless. All supplies will be given to Mustard Seed in Fort Pierce, with a once a month distribution.Thank you for supporting those less fortunate than ourselves.
-Jeanette Roberts*****************************************************************************************************HELP WANTED, NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARYWILL TRAIN - USHERS, GREETERS, LECTORS, COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE.COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD! NO NEED TO SEND YOUR RESUME JUST CALL: 772-335-4673 or email church office at [email protected]
All Christian’s have been gifted by grace from God above, equipped to build and strengthen the church in faith and love. ---Fitzhugh
You are one of a kind—designed to glorify God as only you can
*********************************************************************************************** Some years ago, when Mag and I first came to Hope, they had no bell choir. I had played bells up north and did not want to lose my skill so I started playing bells with the Presbyterian Church up the road from Hope. I practiced with them once a month and would play at the Presbyterian Church whenever the music director thought we were ready. Then I would scoot out the back door and come to church at Hope. The times of the church services
allowed for that.Now we have a bell choir at Hope. Three of the people who play in the bell choir go to other churches but have a former connection to Hope, Carol and Carl Radish and Sharon Archer. The fourth, Angela Bennington, is a friend of Carol’s. We have been friends since the inception of the bell choir and keep that connection by seeing one another at practice once a week. So they come to practice at Hope, play there when our music director thinks we are ready, and then head out to their own church.I love to play the bells and think bells add a lot to our worship service. I am very grateful to our “visiting musicians” for sticking with us so that we can have a bell choir. Thanks guys. See you next year.
- Diane Roma
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Linda Akerberg ,Micheline Berthaut, Maxine Brocks and family, Tom Backi, Jaden Buckner, Jean Carroll, Maureen Cunningham, Alva Felix, Wanda Felix, Ed Forella, Guy Forester, Karen Frampton, Harmony Geske, Judy Geske, Claudia Gillis, Jimmy Backi-Galpin, Dolores Hart, Vi Haviland, Bob Hendertilo, Jeanne Hockley, Kendall Lynn Hunt, Gloria Iacobelli, Mitzi Johnson, Kelly Kendall, Missie Kirkland, Ronald Luhrs and family, Pat Maraschio, Faith McCracken, Howard Munson, Joe Moris, Chelsey Olson, Judy Ouelette, Hilda Peterson, Maria Lydia Prado, James Prell, John Prell, Cathy Schaus, Tony Scuderi, Grace Siciliano, Billy Smith, Jeff Turner, Eric Weston, Marge Yager
Members in Residential Care
Inge Brooks-Lakeforest Park
Pricilla Carpenter- The Gardens
Members of Our Armed Forces
LC Scott Strickler USA
Cody Allen USA USA
Tech Sgt. John King USAF
Siayai Tankoon USN
If you know of someone who would like to be on our prayer list please contact:
GROWING HEALTHY KIDS @ HOPETUESDAYS
Story Time: 3pm to 4pm
Cost: Free
Horticulture for Beginners: 4pm to 5pm Cost: Free
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Children gain confidence reading to the Waggin’ Tail Therapy dogs
Receive tutoring to increase their reading skills
Registration required Story time and tutoring also available
Children of all ages digging in the dirt
Planting and tasting healthy vegetables
Place your ad here!
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Phone-772-324-9472 Check out the web-site: http://cuisine256.com/[email protected]
We are asking anyone interested in singing with the ADULT CHOIR to please see Karen Keat or any choir member for information.
We meet on Thursday’s at 7:00pm. Please come out and sing with us.
For information please call Karen Keat: 772-237-5363.
Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. (Psalms 100:2)
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If you would like to be in the BELL CHOIR, please see
Karen Keat for information. If you are interested in
learning about the bells, please call Karen Keat, 772-
237-5363. We meet at 6:30 pm on Tuesday nights.
1750 SE Lennard Road, Port St. Lucie, Fl. 34952772-335-4673 www.hopelutheranpsl.org
Called to spread God’s Word and to lead the community to Christ
If you do not have an e-mail address or access to online we will gladly mail you an issue. Please contact the church office. Thank you Michelle Erfurt for keeping our website up to date!
Click & go to www.hopelutheranpsl.org
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