News & Events

July 2021

July 11-August 13:  Baby Supply Drive for Haiti

July 25:  In-Person Worship Services 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 AM

July 27:  NO Women's Group Meeting

July 28:  NO Men's Group Meeting


August 2021

July 11-August 13:  Baby Supply Drive for Haiti

August 1:  In-Person Worship Services 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 AM

August 3:  Virtual Women's Group 9:00 AM

August 4:  In-Person & Virtual Men's Group 8:00 AM

August 4:  You Drive Me Crazy Study Begins 10:00 AM

August 8:  Blessing of the Backpacks 9:30 AM

August 8:  In-Person Worship Services 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 AM

August 10:  Virtual Women's Group 9:00 AM

August 11:  In-Person & Virtual Men's Group 8:00 AM

August 13:  Baby Supplies for Haiti Due

August 15:  In-Person Worship Services 8:00, 9:30, & 11:00 AM


Ministry Opportunities Click Here

The Matron program is an ongoing mission of the Village of Hope Health Center. The Health Center staff train a few members of the villages surrounding the VOH to become a matron and  assist in non-complicated baby deliveries. As part of this program, the matron presents a "New Baby Welcome Kit" to the new mother.  In August, His Kids is assembling some of these kits to send to the Health Center along with the Christmas Gifts and cards we send each year.  Please bring your items to the patio on Sundays or the church office during the week.  You can shop online and have the items shipped directly to HSLC.


Items needed:

One Gallon Freezer Weight Zip-Loc Bags

New Born Disposable Diapers

Small Infant Bibs

Infant Onesies

Baby Shampoo-travel size

Baby Wash-travel size

Baby Powder-travel size

Baby Rash Cream-travel size

Baby Wipes-travel size

We all have relationships that drive us crazy. This 6 week video series will help bring sanity to your relationships so that you can do more than just coexist. Learn how to connect with the crazy-makers in your life.  Pastor Frank will be offering 3 opportunities to participate in this study:

• Tuesday mornings, 9-10AM by Zoom, for women, beginning August 3.
• Wednesday mornings, 8-9 AM by Zoom and in person, for men, beginning August 4.
• Wednesday mornings, 10-11 AM, in person for everyone, in the church office, beginning August 4.  RSVP required.

An optional study guide is available for $8.  Please RSVP below to attend on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM.


Click here to RSVP for Wednesday 10:00 AM

After sitting around way too much for the last 18 months it’s time to get up and move!  We’ve gotten stiff, isolated, bored and maybe even put on a few pounds.  Kelly Rabbitt is going to get you up and moving while you listen to Christian music (traditional hymns, contemporary, and children’s favorites).  Go at your own pace.  Sit in a chair if you like.  Take breaks.  You’ll leave having met some new friends and with a smile  on your face because you MOVED!  Join us Thursdays at 10:00 AM in the Learning Center Room 202.

Click here to register.

Looking for something fun to do!  Want to socialize with other HSLC members?  Come on out and join us for an afternoon of BINGO!  We will be playing on Wednesday, August 4, 4:30-5:30 PM, in the Learning Center Room 203.  All ages are welcome!

Join us Sunday, August 8th for a Blessing of the Backpacks for Educators and Students returning to school.  At the beginning of the service you will be able to bring your backpacks, bags and briefcases forward for a blessing on the new school year.

Pastor Jim continues a 3-part sermon series call “Being the Church.”  This is an introduction to how Pastor Jim thinks about the purpose of The Church.  If you want to know what Holy Spirit Lutheran Church might look like in the years ahead, this will be an important glimpse into the future.  July 25th will focus on Equipping; and August 1st will focus on Sending.  This is also a great series to which one might invite someone new to the Christian faith:  “What is the point of going to Church anyway?”  Listen on-line or in-person—either is Being the Church, too!

A new church app is available!  This app does everything the old one did and more!  In addition to giving, the church calendar and church directory, the new app will also have all event sign ups in one place.  You can also watch each Sunday's service with the app.  We encourage you to watch the video and download the new app.  As always, if you have any questions or need to troubleshoot, please contact the church office at 561-624-9663.


Click here to view the tutorial

The Sanctuary Is Open for In-Person Worship

This week, HSLC’s council voted to begin lifting safety protocols over the next several months.  Most notably, beginning Sunday, July 4th, no masks will be required on-campus for those who have been vaccinated; if you have not been vaccinated, we encourage you to seek vaccination and wear a mask in the meantime.  We will no longer ask that in-person worship attenders register prior to attending.  Every other row in the worship space will remain blocked off through the summer to still encourage social distancing.  You may now sing in worship if you choose.  Drive-in communion will no longer be offered—if you would like one of the pastors to bring Holy Communion to your home please contact the church office.

 

Making this transition back to more familiar practices will require a bit of time to reengage and recruit volunteers who are essential to making worship services flow smoothly.  The plan includes shifting communion back to the intinction stations (at the contemporary worship services) and the chancel rail (at the traditional worship service) in the month of August.  September will bring the return of coffee and refreshments on the patio.  All rows of seating will also become available in September.  Assuming county positivity rates remain low, the hope is that by October all elements of worship will be back in place, including the full worship orders at all three services and hymnals back in the chair racks.

 

Even though many of us have been waiting for this time of “normalcy” to return, we understand that some in our faith community may not be ready to reengage in hand-shakes, sitting closely to one another, holding hands during community prayer, etc.  Please respect each person’s comfort level.  Many may choose to continue wearing masks.  And of course, some may not yet be ready to gather on-campus and will continue engaging HSLC through online experiences.

 

We hope that this change in restrictions will result in all of you returning to in-person worship.  We are reminded of Paul’s words to the Thessalonians:  “As for us, brothers and sisters, when, for a short time, we were made orphans by being separated from you—in person, not in heart—we longed with great eagerness to see you face to face” (1 Thessalonians 2:17).  Know that however you choose to respond to these updated practices, we remain joined with you in heart.

 

Respectfully,


Jim Graeser, Lead Pastor

John Vaccaro, Council President

How You Can Volunteer at HSLC or Help Those in Need

We’re all connected

“Anxious hearts are very heavy, but a word of encouragement does wonders.”
Proverbs 12:25


Small Group Leaders Needed

Would you be interested in gathering with some people from our church, making friends, and providing a safe environment for faith conversations?  If so, Pastor Frank would like to discuss that with you.  HSLC would like to offer more small group opportunities.  Discuss the possibilities with Pastor Frank by contacting the church office (561-624-9663, office@hslcjuno.org) or contact Pastor Frank (561-373-0465, fwagner@hslcjuno.org).


Card Ministry

Please contact Cara Rucker, events@HSLCJUNO.org, if you are interested in joining the Cards Ministry. This ministry writes loving and caring cards to our HSLC family members who could use a hug via a card! Those already signed up, there are cards awaiting you in the church office and in the bin just outside the office if you come by after hours. Cara will contact you with information.


Flower Ministry

In addition to our HSLC Congregation Connection Ministry, we decided it’s safe and oh so important to bring back our Flower Ministry consisting of flower arrangers and those to deliver them. Those of you interested will make smaller arrangements using the flowers from the altar from the past Sunday’s services. We would ask that volunteers deliver the flowers outside the recipient's front door and call after you leave so there is little contact and, therefore, zero chance of spreading germs. Let’s cheer someone up with flowers blessed from our worship and prayer!  Please contact Cara Rucker at: Events@hslcjuno.org if you would like to participate.


HOW YOU CAN HELP THE POOR, HUNGRY & HOMELESS

Pastor Frank, Pastor Matthew and our Care Ministry Leaders want to thank you for your tremendous support for those who are poor, hungry and homeless.  Especially now during this Covid-19 season their has been an increased need for assistance.  You have done a wonderful job of rising to the challenge with your generosity.  Here are some specific ways you can help:

  • Financial donations given to HSLC and designate for Care Ministry
  • Make sandwiches and bring them to church Monday–Friday, 8:30–4:30
  • Bring individual snacks, boxed drinks, plastic eating utensils, sandwich bags to church Monday–Friday, 8:30–4:30
  • Bring non-perishable food items, such as rice, dried beans, jelly, peanut butter, canned foods, dried foods and bring to church Monday–Friday, 8:30–4:30
  • Bring clean clothing and shoes to church, Monday–Friday, 8:30–4:30
  • Bring personal hygiene items such as soaps, shampoos, lotions, feminine items to church Monday–Friday, 8:30-4:30
  • Bring adult bicycles, but only ones in good working condition that need no repair, to church Monday–Friday, 8:30-4:30
  • Bring in suitcases with both wheels and handles
  • Please do not bring furniture, household furnishings, equipment or electronics.

Thank you for caring for God’s people who are in a season of need.


HOMELESS HYGIENE KITS

The COVID virus has taught us quite a bit. Patience, to be more mindful and conscious of how often we wash our hands, being considerate of others, and well, so much. The question is how can we help the homeless stay healthy, as well? Let's collect travel-sized toiletries and items from the list below for those in need. Create a kit by putting 1 of each of these items in individual, gallon-sized ziploc bags for someone to easily carry with him/her. Here is what a kit of personal items would include when packing one up for the homeless:  tooth paste, tooth brush, bar of soap, comb, sunscreen, moisturizing cream, disposable razor, power bar/granola bar, bottle of water, hand sanitizer, bandaids and a $10 McDonald's gift card.

Thank you!   Any Homeless Hygiene Kits you create can be left in the Patio Storage Room on the counter.

Ministry News

JULY UPDATE FROM HAITI, VILLAGE OF HOPE:  Click here to read! 

 

Care Ministry Needs

GAS CARD DONATIONS:  The Food Pantry has a cargo van that picks up donations from generous donors almost daily.  Gas cards are needed to keep the van running.  You may send cards to Harry Drier, 5380 N. Ocean Dr. Apt. 6D, Singer Island, FL 33404.


FOOD AND CLOTHING PANTRY:  Each week the Food Pantry distributes food to families in need in Lake Park.  Due to the pandemic, we are reaching new highs in the number of families needing items. Click the link to see what the food items needed are:  Community_Food_Pantry_Needs.pdf.  While we have community partners, including Whole Foods, Publix, Seacoast Bank, and Palm Beach Harvest, we still need your help with donations.  If you do not feel safe shopping, you can make a donation to the Care Ministry at HSLC and designate it for the Food & Clothing Pantry, or donate gift cards for food.  We are in need of volunteers on Tuesdays from 8 to 11 am to safely distribute food.  Contact Harry Drier for details at 561-601-8211 or drierh@aol.com.


HOMELESS MINISTRY:  Items needed for the Homeless at St. Anne's and St. George's:  rolling suitcases, shoes, belts, hats, cloth shopping bags, men’s jeans/pants (sizes 28-38) and ladies pants. Small size toiletries, band aids, sunscreen, bug spray and vitamins are needed.  Inexpensive watches are needed.  Please place in the patio storage room.  We need laptops or iPads for families in transition from homelessness.  If you have one to donate, please contact Harry Drier at 561-601-8211.


DIAPER DRIVE FOR HOMELESS MOTHERS:  Children’s Home Society cares for young homeless mothers and their infants.  CHS provides a 2 year program that teaches these young moms how to care responsibly for their baby, educates them and finds them work.  HSLC is collecting diapers.  We have also begun collecting baby clothes up to 24 months.  If you knit or crochet, we are taking donations of baby booties and receiving blankets.  Please bring them to church.  Please contact Evelyn Lyerly with any questions at evlyerly@gmail.com or 561-308-1292.


GLASSES FOR HAITI:  We will continue to collect reading glasses and non-prescription sunglasses to be sent to the Village of Hope in Haiti.  We will have a shipment going in Spring 2021.  Please continue to donate and thank you for your support.


SANDWICHES FOR THE NEEDY:  Hard boiled eggs and sandwiches are needed each week for the hungry.  Please bring individually wrapped sandwiches with no condiments and boiled eggs in a container and leave in the church kitchen refrigerator by 9:00 AM on Wednesday mornings.


There are many volunteer opportunities within the Care Ministry.  If you have time and a passion for giving back your time, please join the Care Ministry team of volunteers by contacting Harry Drier at 561-601-8211 or drierh@aol.com.

 

Church Council 2021

If you would like a copy of the most recent Church Council Meeting minutes or copies of any past meetings, please contact the church office at 561-624-9663 or office@hslcjuno.org.  Your 2021 Church Council is John Vacarro (President), Jason Ballard (Vice President), Christopher Monte (Secretary), Stephanie Dana (Treasurer), Joann Ventzek, Cyndy Ryan, Gavin McNally, Wendy Elder, Pastor James Graeser, and Pastor Frank Wagner.