My dearest Hope Family-
Nikki Banas wrote: “ You never really know the true impact you have on those around you. You never know how much someone needed that smile you gave them. You never know how much your kindness turned someone’s entire life around. You never know how much someone needed that long hug or deep talk. So don’t wait to be kind. Don’t wait for someone else to be kind first. Don’t wait for better circumstances or for someone to change. Just be kind, because you never know how much someone needs it.”
On this Feast of the Holy Trinity as we celebrate all the wonderful gifts our God provides us through Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, let’s first reflect on all the blessings, the goodness in our lives, the incredible gifts we have because of God’s overflowing and never-ending generosity to us, his children. When we live thankful, grateful hearts, it is easier, then, for us to also share those gifts of kindness and love with those around us. We more easily recognize the miracles of God’s love shown us on a daily basis, and we can be empowered to share them so that others might experience them, too.
Living lives of gratitude, attitudes of gratitude, not only refresh and brighten and bring joy to our everyday existence, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, it emboldens and strengthens us to share those blessings with others. Even if we don’t know how powerful our kindness towards others is, even if we don’t see the fruits borne of the planting of seeds of kindness and love, God does and God knows. God doesn’t let our sharing of his love go to waste-not ever.
There’s more-we all have days when we aren’t feeling the joy. We all have days when just breathing seems like a struggle and it’s hard to find anything for which we can be grateful. We all have those days-it’s part of our common human experience. However, developing a habit of gratitude, developing a routine of looking for the good can give us a boost-remembering how great God was before and will continue to be great, recalling the blessings of before and helping us to realize whatever difficult circumstances the world is throwing at us are but temporary. An attitude of gratitude for God’s goodness, kindness and love can carry us through those difficult days, enrich the good days, and embolden and strengthen us to share the kindness and love we know through Jesus.
As Nikki Banas wrot e“…Just be kind, because you never know how much someone needs it.” We ALL need it-and it honors our God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who is the source of all love and kindness in our world. Thanks be to God!
Love to each of you through Jesus ~~ Pr. Jen Schaefer+
The Prayer of the Day Almighty Creator and ever-living God: we worship your glory, eternal Three-in-One, and we praise your power, majestic One-in-Three. Keep us steadfast in this faith, defend us in all adversity, and bring us at last into your presence, where you live in endless joy and love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Gospel : John 3:1-17 Jesus’ miracles prompt Nicodemus to visit him in secrecy. Jesus tells him about being born of the Spirit and about the Son who has been sent by God to save.
1Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 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?
11“Very 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. 16“For 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. 17“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
11“Very 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. 16“For 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. 17“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
HOMILY NOTES:)The sermon is a discussion this week within the worship setting therefore I am sharing these notes with you for your reflection) Who is God the Father to you? What do you know about God the Father and how do you see God the Father’s work in your life and in the world? Who is God the Son, Jesus, to you? What do you know about God the Son and how do you see God the Son’s work in your life and in the world? Who is God the Holy Spirit to you? What do you know about God the Holy Spirit and . how do you see God the Holy Spirit at work in your life and in the world? ONE God, presented in three ways that we call God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Give thanks for all of these expressions of God’s presence in your life and reflect upon how God impacts your life on a daily basis.
Prayers of Intercession
Let us come before the triune God in prayer. A brief silence.
We pray, O God, for your holy church around the world. Revitalize and renew us, that we may be reborn once again through the waters of baptism and the blowing wind of your Spirit. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We give you thanks for your power revealed to us in creation; for cedar and oak trees, for rushing waters, for the echoes of thunder. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the nations and our leaders, that led by your Spirit, they work towards a world where all of your children enjoy peace. We pray especially for ( nations currently experiencing war or turmoil may be named). Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for healing for all those who suffer, especially victims and survivors of trauma or violence. Give respite to those living with PTSD or any other mental health concerns. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for this worshiping community ( congregation/community may be named), that the splendor of your majesty and the holiness of your mystery may be glorified through our worship and our relationships with one another. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We give you thanks, O God, for those who have died in the faith ( especially). We remember also those whose lives have been lost due to the horrors of war. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We lift our prayers to you, O God, trusting in your abiding grace. Amen.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
The blessing of the living God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, surround and sustain us, keep us from harm, and fill us with courage. Amen.
Let us go out into the world in peace, sharing the Good News of Jesus and his rising from the dead, as together we are led by the Spirit to serve God and share Christ’s love with all! Thanks be to God!
HOPE HAPPENINGS
We welcome all who worship with us today. Please complete one of the visitor cards at our guest table. If you would like to make Hope your church home, please speak to Pastor Jen. Everyone is welcome at Hope Lutheran Church.
Next Week’s Readings: Genesis 3:8-15; 2 Corinthians 4:13–5:1; Mark 3:20-35
The July thru September Word in Season Devotionals are available on the narthex table.
LAY SERVANTS FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Altar Guild: Candy Ogden
Usher: Alan Beicht Contributions YTD 2021 $59,382
Counters: Pr. Cheryll & Karl Kaukis Contributions YTD 2020 $62,477
PRAYER LIST Please call the church office or email Pr. Jen with any prayer requests you may have so they may be shared with the congregation.
Please continue to hold in prayer:
Monica for healing and God’s presence
Pat Hinton for prayers for ongoing healing
Cyndi and Fred for healing
Vinny for healing
Ian for sure and strong presence of God’s healing grace
Doris Puerner for healing
Marirose for a healthy pregnancy
Helen for healing
Dawn Seibert for healing
Carol for healing, hope, and God’s will.
Laura Everill, daughter of Phyllis and Tom Agness, residing in a healthcare facility.
John Greene, Millie’s husband, for strength and healing & healing for all their family
Cheryl Burke who is in need of healing
Larry and Barbara Brady, as they focus on healing.
Jason and family for healing
NEW AT HOPE
MONDAY, MAY 31 – MEMORIAL DAY – The office will be closed in honor of the men and woman who died while serving in the U.S. Military. The office is also closed Tuesday-open again Wednesday.
HOPE BOOK CLUB Beginning June 16, we will begin a book club for 5-6 consecutive Wednesdays between 10:00-11:00AM in the Fellowship Hall. The book Human Kind by Brad Aronson will be discussed over these weeks in order to produce ideas and strategies to implement more kindness in our world.
KIWANIS SHOES FOR KIDS PROJECT –will begin the week of June 20 and run through July 25, 2021.
CRAFT SALE Linda Kraigenow will be selling her gorgeous homemade gemstone jewelry at the North Port Craft Fair on July 17, 2021 between 10:00 and 3:00 at the George Mullen Center Gymnasium, 1602 Krame Way, North Port, FL. Linda generously donates all proceeds to support Hope Lutheran Church.
WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY evenings will be returning this summer. Get ready for some socialization and game playing. If you have ideas or suggestions, please contact Pr. Jen or Fran
SAVE THE DATE – Hope Lutheran Bazaar scheduled for December 4, 2021.If you know of any vendors that would like to rent space, please contact Fran Kostrowsky.
HOPE LOVE PANTRY – The pantry could use crackers, pastas, tomato sauce, peanut butter, shampoo, boxed milk (dollar tree has best price), juices and canned fruits. Thank you for your continued support and donations. This is our opportunity to serve God and share Christ’s love with all.
MONDAY BIBLE STUDY on God sightings every Monday at 10:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall.
HYMN REQUESTS If there are any particular hymns that you would like to hear at worship, please submit the names to Pastor Jen at hopeluthern1@comcast.net. If our licensing agreement permits, look forward to hearing them soon.
HOPES AND DREAMS FOR HOPE – If you have a suggestion for a Hope or Dream for Hope Lutheran Church, Pastor Jen and your council would love to hear it. Please feel free to place any Hope or Dream in the mailbox in the hallway leading to the Fellowship Hall. All requests will be kept confidential, and you will receive a timely response.
2021 HOPE LUTHERAN COUNCIL MEMBERS
Pastor Jennifer Schaefer 813.391.2027 hopeluthern1@comcast.net
President Jill Mead 941.350.5209 jillmead3059@gmail.com
Vice President Linda Kraignow 941.623.9188 lindak41549@gmail.com
Secretary Roberta Balint 941.830.2381 roberta.in.paradise@gmail.com
Treasurer Karl Kaukis 405.334.1511 karl@kaukis.com
Financial Secretary Lorraine Maass 540.419.5961 yar0227@ymail.com
Pr. Cheryll Armstrong-Kaukis 405.762.0564 cheryll.kaukis@gmail.com
Fran Kostrowsky 813.316.5295 fkostrowsky@gmail.com
Candy Ogden 217.899.7086 roncandyogden92@gmail.com
Donna Turner 941.276.4696 jag01@embarqmail.com
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