It’s wonderful to be home again and on familiar ground! Kathy, Susan, and I had an absolutely wonderful time touring the Holy Land! In some ways, our experience is beyond description. It confirmed for me all I have preached the last 40 years: the truth of the birth, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus. Our trip was not a vacation, or a time of rest; it was a Christian pilgrimage.
As I write this, John and Suzanne Sweek are touring the Holy Land. A number of people are already talking about a New World trip to the Holy Land. Stay tuned! It’s not possible to see everything there is to see in the Holy Land in one trip.
This trip opened my eyes to the truth and the importance of the Old Testament. We had the privilege of seeing Abraham’s Gate. It is called that because it goes back to the time of Abraham. When the Psalms speak of going up to Zion, it makes sense. It’s quite a trek. The land that was parceled out to the Twelve Tribes of Israel is part of the same Holy Land as Nazareth, Capernaum, Galilee, and Jerusalem where Jesus lived his life and ministry.
We walked where Jesus walked, saw where Jesus grew up and the mountains he climbed as a boy. A highlight of our trip was when we rode a boat on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus taught his disciples and walked on water. We went to Caesarea Philippi where Simon Peter confessed Jesus is the Christ, and to the Mount of Olives where Jesus rode the donkey on the day we call Palm Sunday. The Palm Sunday road is not flat! The olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane are something to see. Jesus was among the same trees as he sweated drops of blood. We walked the way of the Via Dolorosa where Jesus carried his cross, we saw the Place of the Skull where Jesus was crucified, the Garden Tomb where Jesus’ body was laid and from where He rose from the dead! What we read in the Bible is all true, gloriously true! When we sing this Lent, “Were You There” when they crucified my Lord, I can say, “Yes, Lord, I’ve been there!”
I hope sometime in your lifetime you can go to the Holy Land.
Yours in Christ,
Mike
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The CONNECTION TEAM needs YOU!
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The Connection Team is starting a new hospitality initiative that will offer our guests and new members an easy way to connect one-on-one with our church family. New World has a warm and inviting congregation. We want folks to know we are genuinely glad they are here and interested in getting to know them.
What we need are volunteers from each of the three services to be available after the service to meet with any guests and new members to answer questions, show them around the church, etc. Contact Anna Lee at 972-642-6576 or
scissortail50@gmail.com
if you are interested in sharing all that New World has to offer.
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For our March Prime Timers lunch we’ve invited the two candidates for Arlington City Council District One, Helen Moise and Barbara Odom Wesley. They’ll each talk to us about their vision for the city and answer our questions. The meal will be catered by David’s BBQ for $8.00 per person. No reservations required, pay that day by cash, or check to New World with PT lunch in memo. Join us in the fellowship hall on Tuesday, March 13, at 11:30. Guests welcome!
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At a time when so many people are spiritually disillusioned and searching for ways to live, love, work, and play that nurture the soul rather than destroy it, Matthew Kelly delivers a powerful book that encourages us in our weariness, challenges us in our comfort, and invites us to rediscover the beautiful possibilities God places before us daily.
Rediscover Jesus
is a profound invitation to seek deeply personal answers to our deeply personal questions. Lisa Alexander will lead a study on this fabulous book. This four week study will begin on Sunday April 8, and last through Sunday April 29. The study will meet in Room 23 at 10:50 am.
Copies of the book are available in the main office for $5. For more information about this study or to sign up contact Rev. Gena Anderson at
gena@nwumc.org.
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Healthy Church Initiative Update...
SAVE THE DATES
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The dates have been set for the next phase of our Healthy Church Initiative (HCI) process. The Pre-Consultation seminar is scheduled for Saturday, April 21, and the Consultation Weekend is April 27-29. Stayed tuned for more details.
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New World Preschool began
2018-2019 registration for currently enrolled students and church members on February 12, 2018. Registration opened to the public on February 26, 2018. Registration is on a first come-first serve basis and spots fill up quickly. If you would like more information about our preschool or how to register your child, please contact Ms. Amber Walter at 817-460-4212 or
preschool@nwumc.org.
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Tuesday, March 20
7:00 - 8:00 pm
Fellowship Hall
$30.00 per person
Come to our JAM session and in just one hour, you will go home with 5 meals to stock your freezer. All you need to do is "Just Add Meat". The additional ingredients are provided.
Menu includes; Enchilada Chicken, Beef Stroganoff, Italian Chicken, Mediterranean Pork and White Chicken Chili.
Only 12 spots available!
Contact Julie Sessler to reserve your spot!
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Our congregation's Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-on-one Christian care to individuals in our community who are experiencing difficulty in their lives.
Pastors will always be on the front lines of care, especially during times of crisis. But there are always many more needs for ongoing, one-on-one care than pastors can effectively meet by themselves.
Stephen Ministry provides a biblical solution, equipping God's people for ministry. Gifted lay people are trained to support and extend the care that pastors continue to provide.
A Stephen Minister is...
- A child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting
- A congregation member with gifts for care-giving, who was carefully selected to serve in this role
- A lay person who has received at least 50 hours of training in providing emotional and spiritual care
- A caring Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports, and encourages someone for as long as there is a need
Stephen Ministry is Your Ministry
You play an important role in our Stephen Ministry. Here's what you can do:
- Pray for God to bring hope and healing to hurting people through our Stephen Ministry.
- Accept care from a Stephen Minister during your time of need. God doesn't expect you to bear your burdens alone.
- Tell a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or relative who is hurting about Stephen Ministry.
- If you are a good listener and a compassionate person, prayerfully consider becoming a Stephen Minister.
Stephen Ministry is a confidential Ministry. The identity of those receiving care and what takes place in each caring relationship remains private. If you would like more information about becoming a Stephen Minister, or need a Stephen Minister, please contact Pastor Gena at
With love,
Pastor Gena
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The children want to remind everyone to bring canned goods with you to church.
Let’s fill up the wooden box with food to help our neighbors in need in Arlington!
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The Confirmation Class
will
meet on Wednesday,March 7, in the Youth lounge. Pastor Gordon Johnson will lead this session on John Wesley, the founder of Methodism and the Methodist Church.
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This week the children are learning about Bioga Stoves, Llamas, Education, Business Entrepreneurs, Ducks, and Geese Projects in the Heifer Calendars.
The children are collecting money for Heifer International during Lent. If you did not get a bank and calendar, come by the church and pick one up or pick one up on Sunday. We invite everyone to help the children by donating to Heifer International.
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Joyful Noise, Good News & Bible Explorers
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The Joyful Noise Music and Arts, for children in Kindergarten - 2nd grade
will meet on Sundays, March 11 and March 18,
during the 9:30 Worship Service following the Children’s Time.
The Good News Music and Arts and Bible Explorers
will not meet this Sunday, March 11
. Both these groups
will meet on Sunday, March 18
.
All the children will be singing in the 9:30 and 10:50 Worship Services on Palm Sunday, March 25.
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Easter Egg Hunt and Lunch at Gibbins Park
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Following the 10:50 am worship service, on Sunday, March 25, make plans to join us for an Easter Egg Hunt and Lunch at Gibbins Park.
Both our Preschool and Children’s Choirs will be singing at the 9:30 and 10:50 worship service, so we will have lots of families with children here that day.
We need lots and lots of Easter Eggs filled with candy or treats to hide for the children.
Please no chocolate because it melts.
Please tape the eggs closed or the eggs pop open
and the candy falls out in the grass.
All of the filled eggs can be left in the baskets in the Concourse in front of Ms. Gail’s desk.
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Friday night during Holy Week we will have a Good Friday worship service at our church.
Children are invited to attend their own Good Friday event in the Children’s wing. We will spend time learning about Holy Week.
Children in Kindergarten - 6th grades will meet in
Rooms 8-9-10 during the Good Friday worship service. There will be a nursery for preschoolers.
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Lord, Hear Our Prayers...
Hospitalized
Betty Bentzel:
Interlochen Rehab
Terry Dunklin:
Interlochen Rehab
Leo Grace, father of Donna Riggall:
OnPointe, AMH
Norma Lupton:
AMH
Jodi McMann:
Kindred Rehab, Arlington
Rachel Nolen
: Medical City, Fort Worth
Recuperating at Home
Bob Hankins; Bob McGrath; Richard Merrill; Evelyn Polanco
Those Facing Cancer and its Treatment
Lynda Arnold’s sister, Jonda; Norma Lupton; Todd Milam
Evelyn Tatom's husband, Bob
Jamie Harris, Kathy Alexander's brother
Chronic Condition
Bob Chaplin; Leigh Jamieson
Tradel Harris, Darlus Schoonover’s granddaughter
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Our Gifts and Our Presence
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March 4, 2018 - $18,239.60
Month to Date - $18,239.60
Year to Date - $159,136.69
Worship Attendance -258
Adult Sunday School - 80
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Mike Alexander
Senior Pastor
Erin Sloan Jackson
Associate Pastor of Missions
Interim Director of Student Ministries
Gena Anderson
Associate Pastor of Discipleship
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Steven Couch
Director of Worship & Music
Kathy Alexander
Director of Children’s Ministries
Karen Richardson
Business Administrator
Heather James
Business Administrator
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Becky Hankins
Executive Administrator
Gail Hall
Communications
Francisco Adon
Facilities
Amber Walter
Preschool Director
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