Pastor’s Message

WORKING TOGETHER

One of the many things we learned reviewing our history together is that one of the factors that made the “rough times” more difficult is the lack of coordination: people doing things without communicating openly with others and working together as a group.

It happens more often than we might think in congregations; people giving positive support and energy to their “own” group or program not cogniscent of what others are doing. It is certainly not meant to be done negatively but sometimes the result is confusing at best.

St. Paul addressed this in his first epistle to the Corinthians (read Chapter 12), about “varieties of gifts, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activated all of them in everyone. To

each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (underlining mine). He goes on to speak of that congregation as a “body” working together for the common good.

What does it take for this working together? Communication with one another, dialogue about difference, respect for each other as forgiven sinners who are now the redeemed children of the heavenly Father, brothers and sisters in Christ.

We communicate about our activites, plan with one another in mind, coordinate with others, and share our gifts and talents.

(Cont. on next page)

Volume 43 Issue 1

January 2017

Address: 9425 N. Citrus Springs Blvd Citrus Springs Florida 34434 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2070 Dunnellon Florida 34430 Phone: 352-489-5511 Fax: 352-489-5222 Church Email: Hopeevangeli-cal@bellsouth.net Web Page Address: www.hopelutheranelca.com Sunday Sermons www.hopewards.blogspot.com Staff Interim Pastor David Bradford Church Secretary Barbara Decker Music Director/Organist Susan Collins Custodian Kerry Reed

Shoeboxes 6

Martyr Moments 7

Prayers 11

Those who Serve 13

Inside this issue:

Hope’s Newsletter

“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known ”

Page 2

Council Officers & Members President Steven Northsea Education Vice President Hans Witter Finance Secretary Victor Kahler Property Chairman Treasurer Deacon Diane Kahler Financial Secretary Michel Northsea Larry Casper Deacon John Chiappetta Worship & Music Committee Aida Diaz Endowment Anthony Diaz Youth Casey Gaylardo Serving Our Savior Food Pantry Sandra Meslow Personnel Renate Wilms-Rovin Acolytes, Readers Evangelism/Stewardship Harold Skidmore Memorial Gardens Julia Southard Family Activities

Message (cont.) Special Thanks

One way we hope to facilitate our coordination is to keep a calendar of events in the office.

All groups are encouraged to plan ahead, check the calendar, and let our secretary and/or our Pastor know (with plenty of advance notice) of the activities and events which are to be communicated to the congregation. This way we can avoid 1.) conflicts of scheduling and 2.) lack of adequate advance communication, things that inhibit our work together.

Pastor Dave

Special thanks to all who participated in the historical review event that we had on December 11.

Some important insights were shared, feelings, and concerns aired and positive lessons learned in an atmosphere of mutual respect and good dialogue.

We certainly appreciated those who provided the refreshments and all agreed that one thing that is consistent throughout our history is Hope’s wonderful hospitality.

Pastor Dave

Page 3

Bells, Bells Highlights from Council

I have heard whispers…there are folks who want to play bells and chimes. That is MUSIC TO MY EARS!. All music is color coded. YOU DON’T KNOW HOW TO READ MUSIC TO PLAY BELLS AND CHIMES. All the music is simple. It fills my heart to hear bell playing and it looks like it fills other hearts also. Want to play bells? Let Deacon Diane know or fill out the paperwork for your pledge. We will have a great time ringing to the Glory of the Lord. And it will fill your heart with JOY! Deacon Diane

Council Highlights Meeting

December 14, 2016

1. Revised Constitution will be presented to congregation at annual meeting

2. Membership List will be published in bulletin

3.Annual Congregational meeting-January 22, 2017

4.Approved MSP

5.Nominating Committee Appointed

Page 4

Council Minutes

Hope Evangelical Church - Church Council

November 9, 2016 Minutes

Call to order 7:00 pm By Vice president Hans Witter

Roll Call -

Steve Northsea __A Sick __, Hans Witter __P __, Victor Kahler __P __, Diane Kahler __P __, John Chiappetta __P __, Aida Diaz __A __, Anthony Diaz __A Marine training__, Casey Gaylardo __A knee pain __, Julia Southard __P __, Harold Skidmore __ P__, Larry Casper __P __, Sandra Meslow __P __, Renate Wilms Rovin __P __, Pastor Dave Bradford __P __.

3. Devotion – Pastor Bradford read from Luther Table Talk # 1533

4. Opening prayers - Pastor Bradford

5. Visitors: None

6. a. Adoption of the Nov9, Agenda

b. Additions/Corrections – add Christmas parade & replace old Christmas tree

c. Motion to accept – Sandra M. 2nd Julia S., – Unanimous

7. Secretary report of Oct, 2016 council meeting minutes

Additions/Corrections – None

Motion to accept -Diane K, 2nd- Renate W., – Unanimous

8. Report of the Treasurer

There was no report – Diane K., was on vacation

9. Report of the Pastor – Pastor mentioned that Lempi Tervo had passed away

a. Interim Pastor's Report – November 9th Council

OCT 14: 1 – 5 Worship Services preparation and research.

(getting ready for All Saints, Advent and etc.)

OCT 15 :Check in office for Sunday materials/check in at Yard Sale.

OCT 16 :Sunday Services and luncheon; began sermon preparation for 23rd.

OCT 19 : 9 – 1:30Office; preview Transition Handbook; meet with secretary;

review Personnel Handbook, etc.

OCT 20 : 9 – 12:15Citrus Memorial Hospital – Pastoral Care Conference.

1 – 4 Church – meet with staff, work on historical review.

OCT 23 : Sunday Services and Meeting – select hymns, Christmas format in p.m.

OCT 24 : Visit member at workplace.

OCT 27 : 9 – 5 Church – complete Advent and Christmas plans; meet with Council

President; consult with Connie Schmucker, Asst. to Bishop; visit

Helen Van Horn again.

OCT 29 : Sermon for deacon for New Year’s Eve -

OCT 30 : Reformation Services and Covered Dish evening and begin All Saints

sermon preparation.

NOV 2 : 9 – 1Finalized all Advent, Christmas, New Year's formats; follow up with Asst. to Bishop; finalize format for historical review.

NOV 3 : 1 – 5 Church

NOV 5 : Attend representing Hope – Pineland's Conference with Deacon John/Apple fest/ SAT Service

NOV 6 : Sunday Services for All Saints; sermon preparation for NOV 13th.

Page 5

Minutes (cont.)

NOV 9 : 9 – 1Church

7 – 9Council

See attached Schedule for November, 2016

November Schedule for Pastor Dave

NOV 02 : 8:30 – 12:30

NOV 03 : 1 – 5

NOV 05 : Pineland's Conference Meeting in a.m. / Apple fest

NOV 06 : Sunday Services

NOV 09: 9 – 12 7 – 9 Council

NOV 10 : Bishop's Retreat

NOV 13 : Sunday Services

NOV 17 : 9 – 5

NOV 20 : Pastor Dave at Good Shepherd to fulfill supply preaching obligation.

[ Away NOV 20th evening – (in Tennessee) Traveling back NOV 23rd

Check in by phone MON – WED]

NOV 25 : 9 – 1

NOV 26 : 9 – 12 Decorating

NOV 27 : Sunday Services (Advent I)

NOV 30 : (WED) “Advent Journey” Service

10. Reports of Church Committees by Council Liaisons

1. Outreach committee (Renate – Liaison) see report

2. Finance / Property committees (Hans-Liaison) See report

3. Worship committee (John- Liaison) see report

4. Digital committee (Harold – Liaison) see report

5. Long Range Planning (Casey – Liaison) see report

Accept all as presented- Sandra M., 2nd- Renate W., – Unanimous

11. Old Business

a. Pastor Bradford reviewed the transition process with the council

12. New Business

a. Replace old Christmas tree - Motion - Sandra M., 2nd- Julia S., – Unanimous

b. Christmas parade Dec 17, 2016 - Motion - Diane K, 2nd- Sandra M., – Unanimous

c. Safe Policy distribute ASAP Motion - Diane K, 2nd- Renate W., – Unanimous

13. Consent agenda

a. None

14. Council Highlights November 9, 2016

Pastor Dave reviewed the transition  needed to get a new pastor

we will prepare our float for the Christmas parade on December 17

Council accepted the offer of a new Christmas tree

"Keeping the church a safe and secure place for all" will be handed out to all members

15. Adjournment

Motion to adjourn with prayer at 9 pm – John C., – 2nd Diane K., – Unanimous

Victor Kahler Secretary

Volume 43 Issue 1 Page 6

From the Operation Christmas Child Program: Dear Church Members, Thank you so much for participating in Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry this year. With your help, children around the world will have the opportunity to see love in action (a filled shoebox) and have the opportunity to hear about Jesus. Thank you again. Janice Sizemore Relay Center Coordinator

A Memorial Gift was given in loving memory of Lempi Tervo. The note reads as follows:

Please accept this Memorial Gift in loving memory of my aunt, Lempi Tervo.

I am the daughter of former members, June and the late Waino Tervo.

I have some fond memories of my visits to Hope where Lempi was an active member.

Love in Christ,

Tammy (Tervo) Sawyer and hus-band Neil

8 Nancy Miller

12 Dorothy Scianna

14 Dick Regan

20 Yvonne Popke

25 Maxwell Forsyth

31 David Doyle

A Special Note Memorial Gift

Known Birthdays in

January

Volume 43 Issue 1

MARTYR MOMENTS…George Fox (July 1624-Jan 13, 1691

Renewer of the Faith

George Fox was the founder of the Religious Society of Friends, com-monly known as the Quakers, be-cause they trembled in fear of God. He was a serious child, who listened to the Lord early and sought a deep relationship with the Lord. In his late teens, he responded to the Lord’s commands to seek him in iso-lation from others. For several years, sometime walking all night, he listened to the Lord’s teaching. As with the Apostle Paul’s three years of isolation in Arabia, this re-sulted in Fox’s renewal of mind and spirit. At the age of 22 he became a minister of truth and changed the world at that time by establishing a church that exhibited the fruits of Christianity. At his death, 10% of England’s population were Quakers, (650,000). Quakers were spread over the world. The greatest testi-mony to the authenticity of his faith is the persecution, (as pre-dicted by Christ for his true fol-lowers), that he and the early Quakers experienced. He was ar-rested and taken to court over 60 times, spending over 6 years in harsh imprisonments, and 13,000 Quakers were imprisoned while even more had their property seized,

Page 7

(the Quaker faith was very threat-ening to the dominant protestant sects (Anglican, Baptists, Puritan and Presbyterian.) His autobio-graphical journal, describing his in-spiring translation into paradise and his subsequent 45 year minis-try, is a text popular even among non-Quakers for its vivid account of his personal journey.

In the Narthex are 2 different types of daily worship booklets. One follows the reading of the ELCA and the other is more gener-ic. Both are wonderful readings. Each one is refreshed every 3 months. Take one to help with your daily prayers and bible understand-ing and perhaps you would like to share the wisdom with a friend or neighbor. And if you are able, a dollar or two to defray the cost is appreciated.

Deacon Diane

Martyr Moments

Daily Worship Readings

Volume 43 Issue 1

HO HO HO…AND IT’S ALMOST OVER…THE SEASON CHANGES!

We had a wonderful Advent and be-ginning of a Christmas Season but now that Epiphany is here and the Wise Men have moved on…we also must move on to Calvary. This means on January 7th we will un-decorate the church and pack away our happy memories until next year. The meeting time is 9:30 on Satur-day, January 7 for the undecorat-ing. Refreshments will be served. Please come and join us as we look forward to 2017. We always have a few laughs and jokes. It certainly is a nice group of folks who help out. And we are missing YOU!

Deacon Diane

After the Annual Congregational meeting on January 22, 2017, there will be a luncheon.

Tentative menu is turkey and ham.

There will be a sign up in the Nar-thex of food needed and kitchen helpers.

Deacon Diane

Page 8

Joan Layton– Home

Dorothy Scianna– Crystal Gem Man-or, Crystal River, FL

Helen Van Horn– Brentwood

January Happenings Homebound Members

Family Activities

Volume 43 Issue 1

Altar Flowers Quotable Quotes

Page 9

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unal-ienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Excerpt from the Declaration of Independence

“We have a great dream. It start-ed way back in 1776, and God grant that America will be true to her dream” Martin Luther King,Jr.

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any bur-den, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in or-der to assure the survival and the success of liberty” John F. Kenne-dy

“This is a new nation, based on a mighty continent, of boundless possibilities.” Theodore Roosevelt

“Whatever America hopes to bring to pass in the world must first come to pass in the heart of America.” Dwight D. Eisenhower

Who doesn’t enjoy the surprise of a bouquet of flowers? At Hope we of-fer a bouquet of flowers for $20 for each vase. The fresh flowers are de-livered every Saturday and are kept in the frig in Luther Hall until Sunday worship so they are super fresh. Why give flowers in memory or honor? Can you think of a nicer way to remember someone who has passed or has an event to memorialize?

The donatee is welcome to take the flowers after the 10am service. Just fill out the paperwork so that the oc-casion is noted and leave it on the secretary’s desk. Your donation will be noted in the next Sunday’s bulletin. Make your check payable to Hope and in the memo section mention it is for altar flowers.

Flowers not distributed to the donor are given to shutins, hospital visits, or to members in the congregation as part of our outreach program. Make someone happy this month!

Altar Committee

Volume 43 Issue 1

“YES I DO!”

New Year’s Resolution and Prayer

God help and guide me to LIVE among God’s faithful people;

HEAR the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper;

PROCLAIM the good news of God in Christ through word and deed;

SERVE all people following the ex-ample of Jesus;

and to STRIVE for justice and peace in all the earth. Amen

Page 10

For those who remember Ken and Ellie Milke-

Ken has passed and Ellie would wel-come any and all correspondence from her former church in Florida. Ken and Ellie were members here at Hope for at least 10 years be-fore moving back to Minnesota.

Ellie would appreciate notes sent to her at:

177423 Deerfield Drive SE, Pride Lake MN 55372

From the Treasurer’s Desk

November 2016

Regular offering Communion

11/6 $2797 59

11/13 $3107 74

11/20 $2186 64

11/27 $1370 61

Total inflow: $10375.80

Total outflow: $12329.18

ELCA Prayer In Remembrance

Dollars and Sense

Page 11

Prayer for the whole body of Christ is important. Names will be listed so that prayer can be offered to God on their behalf. Please be aware that sit-uations and conditions change but God knows the need as you bring the indi-viduals to God in prayer.

MEMBER SHUT-INS AND THOSE IN RECOVERY

Joan Layton, Dorothy Scianna, and Helen Van Horn PRAYER REQUESTS Please pray for:

¨ For comfort and grief: For the family of Linda Becker’s brother John. For the family of Dee For-syth’s cousin Ray. For the family of Edith Regan’s sister-in-law, Louise Jones. For Carol Kramp, whose brother recently passed away. For Art Beardsley on the loss of his wife, Barbara Beardsley. For the family of Lempi Tervo. Pray-ers for Kris Brock and family whose father, Mike has recently passed away. For the family of Wilma Becker who has passed away.

¨Prayer for serious health concerns:

For Allison Meslow, daughter-in-law of George and Sandra Meslow.For the uncle of Rhonda Del Valle. For Ralph, friend of Vic Kahler. Prayer for a co-

worker, Treves. Carolyn Dalton, the mother of Judy and David Howe’s daughter-in-law. Teachers who are seriously ill. Casey Gaylardo’s brother-in-law Frank. Also for Casey’s sister, Dorothy. Kerry Reed’s son, Chris. Ul-rich Rues. For Peggy and Bob Schade’s daughter-in-law, Amy Schade. For

Dee Forsyth’s friend, Bobby Lindstrom. For Stan Miller’s sister. For Jona-than. For Dorothy, the sister of Carol Kramp, who is in treatment for can-cer. For Zoe Mosedale and her whole family to come to know the Lord. For

Michael Clemetsen, Charlene Hicklin's son.

¨ For healing and recovery

For Felicia Jaffee, dear friend of Linda Becker, who has MS and has broken her leg-prayers for healing both physically and emotionally. For Lyle Kramp. For Cory, as he searches for the next chapter in his life. For Janice, daughter of Aida and Luis Diaz. For Gerry, an SOS volunteer. Emilo Del Valle, Renate Wilms-Rovin, Yvonne Popke, Sandra Meslow, Linda Woods, Ned Davis. Matthew Kessel along with Rebecca and Sue Kessel, Chris Bass, Linda Becker, George Meslow, Marlene Collins, Hans Witter, Richard Keifer, Austin Walters, Chas Collins and Raitze Reyes.

Hope’s Prayer List

Volume 43 Issue 1 Page 12

BOOK REVIEWS

The second selection was “Take My Heart” by Ainsley Earhardt. This book is an inspira-tional message of a mother’s hopes and en-during love for her child (children).

This selection also touched my heart, is beautifully illustrated and contains many words of wisdom and encouragement from a mother to a mother to be. Please note that this author is donating a portion of her pro-ceeds to “Folds of Honor” which benefits spouses and children of military who made the ultimate sacrifice while in the service to our country.

Carole Warden

I recently bought 2 children’s books for our grand nephew as a Christmas present. I loved both of these books as they gave me great comfort and joy.

The first one is “Give Please a Chance” by Bill O’Reilly and James Patterson. At first blush, strange bedfellows indeed but they have authored a timely book with a poignant message. This selection promotes giving PLEASE a chance in a number of beautifully illus-trated occasions/situations. In my opinion, this is encouragement that our children almost desper-ately need in this day and age. Please note that these two au-thors are donating 100% of their proceeds to various children’s charities throughout the world.

Those who will assist at the 10:00AM Worship Services for January

Communion Assistants and Acolytes 1 Deacon John Chiappetta/ Rhonda Del Valle 8 Dee Forsyth/Ron Press 15 Jackie Dean/Renate Wilms-Rovin 22 Diane Kahler/Judy Howe 29 Rhonda Del Valle/ Renate Wilms-Rovin

Altar Guild Margarita Chiappetta

Margaret DeWalt Casey Gaylardo Diane Kahler

Vivian Matthews Julia Southard

Nursery Please see an usher for assistance

Lay Readers 1 Deacon John Chiappetta/ Emilio Del Valle 8 Ron Press 15 Rhonda Del Valle 22 Peggy Schade 29 Jackie Dean

Ushers for the Month Luis Diaz

Russ Telfer

Greeters Joan Klotz/Aida Diaz

Assisting Minister 1 Steve Northsea 8 Anthony Diaz

15 Rhonda Del Valle 22 Deacon John Chiappetta

29 Renate Wilms-Rovin

Guest Greeter June Towner

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EVENTS

SUBJECT

TO C

HANGE

JANUARY 2

017