E-News for January 9, 2018
From Our Pastor
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you’ve had a great beginning to 2019. It’s always exciting to me to “turn over a new leaf.” I’m looking forward to a better year than last year in our families, church, and community. Every year presents some challenges and opportunities, but I’m very grateful New World UMC finished off 2018 in a very successful way!

In the next few months, I’m mindful of at least a few important areas that should claim our attention. We move forward on our recommendations from our Church Consultation last year.  These include dealing with change and conflict in a healthy fashion, strategic planning and staff alignment, completing our Discipleship Pathway, and developing a behavior and communication covenant.

What has received the most press the last few years is the Special Called General Conference of the UMC, February 23-26, in St. Louis, Missouri, dealing with the issue of homosexuality in our denomination. We are in the process of scheduling a meeting for our church soon outlining the three proposals under consideration. You can read much more at www.umc.org on the Commission on the Way Forward.

Ash Wednesday, March 6 is the beginning of the season of Lent.  In this season we prepare for Easter, and the Resurrection of our Lord. During Lent, we will have numerous worship, study, and fellowship opportunities. Lent is one of the best times of the year to grow closer to Christ. Please stay tuned.

Grateful to be your pastor,
Pastor Mike
Chemo Care Bags
Thank you, New World, for your generosity in the past regarding the Cancer Chemo Care Bags. This has proven to be a needed and very appreciated mission. I was able to provide close to 200 bags along with adding to the snack areas.

I told the nurses this would be an ongoing project and they have reached out to me. 

I come to you again to help provide items for the bags as well as bags.

Dollar Tree has started stocking different cloth bags which can be used. We have also used the plain/colored paper bags. For the larger coloring books, I have used 1 or 2 gallon bags. Everyone gets a bag of some kind.

Below are some suggested items - all from Dollar Tree. Please remember to keep fragrances very mild as chemo heightens everything. 
General
Small Bags
Bandana/Hat (fitting for both genders)
Hand Sanitizer or Sanitizer Wipes
Tissues
Chapstick (one that is a moisturizer is best)
Hand Lotion (fitting for both genders)
Pens and or Mechanical Pencils
Small Notepad
Masks (To be given to the nurses to hand out as needed)
For Something to Do
Deck of Cards
Puzzle Book – Crossword/Word Search/Sudoku
Color Book with Colored Pencils
A Little Something Extra
Glass with Lid
Water Bottle (8 oz is fine)
Throat Lozenges or Hard Candy
Small Bag of Pretzels/Crackers/Regular Chips – nothing spicy & no peanut butter

If you are interested in helping with items, you may contact me, Melissa Darrow,  txlady.1956@gmail.com  , or place your items in a basket at the church. I will take the completed bags to Texas Oncology - Arlington South, to be distributed by the nurses to those who they feel would benefit from them. 
Salvation Army Bell Ringing
I want to thank all the wonderful volunteers that rang the Salvation Army bell this year. We collected over $2800 for the Salvation Army...raising more than last year! 

Your time, energy, and spirit was very much appreciated! Salvation Army has been transforming lives for more than 150 years and its ministry is motivated by the Love of God. Thank you all for being a part of that and making a difference.

With Gratitude & Blessings,
Mindy Corley
Creative Volunteer Opportunity: Mission and Art Nights
Looking for a way to use your artistic talents in ministry? Not an artist, but you just want a creative way to love your neighbors? Consider becoming a Mission and Art volunteer!

What is it? Mission and Art Nights are New World’s weekly volunteer time with residents of the Arlington Salvation Army Shelter, in partnership with students from the University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work. We meet as a small group on Mondays 6:30-8:00PM for a time of hearing a short message, creating an art or craft project together, relaxing and getting to know one another. You do not need to be an artist to participate, the materials are all provided ahead of time for you, and we would love to have more volunteers join our team.

Beginning Monday, February 4, we will provide weekly Mission and Art Nights at the local Salvation Army Shelter. To learn more, contact Pastor Erin erin@nwumc.org.
The Connection Team invites you to be a part of our ministry in 2019. We are all about creating a welcoming environment in our church by providing opportunities for everyone to engage in service, fellowship, and growth. Our ministry starts in the  Parking Lot , continues with the front door  Greeters,  then into the Fellowship Hall for  Connection Time , and finally into the heart of the congregation with  After Service Hosts  and  Guest Follow up

We will have our first meeting of the year on Sunday, January 13th in the Fellowship Hall from 12 - 1:00pm.  Lunch will be served so please RSVP.  

Hope to see you there!

Anna Lee
972-642-6576
Congratulations!
New World's O rganist/Music Assistant, JinAh Kwon, won first prize at the 27th Chopin International Piano Competition. Along with the title, she also received a cash prize and will have the honor of performing in many places in the USA. JinAh will make a CD to be released sometime in 2020 or 2021. Congratulations, JinAh!
*Save The Date*
Carter Blood Drive
It's that time again! New World will host the first blood drive of 2019 on Sunday, February 3, from 8:30 -12:30. You have the option of donating in either our Fellowship Hall or the Carter BloodCare Bus. Click on either of the links below to schedule your appointment.

or
Children's Ministry
Happy New Year! 

Our children’s activities resume this Sunday, January 13. 

The Joyful Noise Music Group is for children in Kindergarten - 2nd grade. They meet following the Children’s time in the 9:30 am worship service. The children leave the service and go to Room #6. Ms. JinAh leads this group of children. 

The Good News Music Group is for children in 3rd - 6th grade. They meet at 5:30 pm in the Sanctuary with Mr. Steven and Ms. Emily. 

Bible Explorers is a group that digs deeper into the Bible for children in 3rd - 6th grade. This group meets following the Good News Music group in Rooms #8,9,10. This group is led by Ms. Kathy and Ms. Erica. 

Make a New Year’s Resolution to join us! 
We have lots of fun and learn and grow together!  
Please check your calendars to see when you can help with Children's Sunday school Classes. There will be a table in the Fellowship Hall this Sunday to sign up for a date you are available! 

I so appreciate everyone who has volunteered. It has been wonderful to have the HELP!!
Youth Ministry
Important Youth Dates

January 13
Sunday School - 10:30-11:45
Hands & Feet practice - 4:30-5:30
Shine Students - 5:30-7:30

**Reminder**
Mid-Winter Retreat is February 15-17, and registration is still open! Ask or email Sarah if you have any questions – sarah@nwumc.org

Verse of the Week
“anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
2 Corinthians 5:17
TRADITIONS
"Without Our Traditions, Our Life Would be as Shaky as a
Fiddler on the Roof! "

Weeks ago, as the holiday season was approaching, family traditions were the topic of discussion among my friends. Who’s coming home" or; who's going to be traveling? Where would the family, or maybe only a part of the immediate family, gather to break bread together on Thanksgiving? Whose recipes for side dishes have become traditional and will complement the turkey? Who will give the blessing? 

As we entered the season of Advent, the time of preparation and waiting, the liturgical color in our church is blue, a color representing hope. And we waited…. to celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus. Traditionally, the church is decorated with wreaths, Christmas trees adorned with ornaments and lights, poinsettias and more. We looked forward to a Christmas concert with special music, which has become a tradition at New World. 

As in previous years, church members were called to share their time and gifts by participating in outreach mission projects. This has become a tradition, and traditions endure for a reason. We are called to care for people who are in need. 

Advent heralds the start of the Christmas season, and people joyfully begin their Christmas traditions and expectations. For many, it’s a time of sadness because the origin and purpose of the tradition has changed or been forgotten. Family dynamics, loss of a loved one, job hunting, the need to move, all contribute to distress and depression. It was important that we be aware of people who needed an extra hug or would appreciate a Christmas card and note. Do unto others…..

We waited…and then we celebrated on Christmas Eve with a spiritual, emotional and lovely worship service at 8:00 PM. The Advent candles were lit. And then the twelve days of Christmas began. 

“Without traditions we would lose our balance.”  

"There is a tradition for everything. Everyone knows what they are and what God expects them to do.”

 To love one another as God loves us.

With Christian love, 
Audrey Koepp

Thanks to Tevye and Golde of "Fiddler on the Roof."
New World Intercessory Prayer Ministry
If you have a prayer article that you would like to
share, please send it to  communications@nwumc.org.
Lord, Hear Our Prayers...

Hospital
Terry Dunklin: Heritage Oaks
Todd Milam: AMH

Recuperating at Home
Bud Cohenour, Kathy Goodell, John Mitchell, Rachel Nolen
Amber Walter's grandfather, Jerry Wells

Those Facing Cancer and its Treatment
Lynda Arnold’s sister, Jonda
Meagan Feik
Amanda Heathcott
Todd Milam 

Hospice Care
Gwenne Galati: Home Hospice Care
Ruth Savage: Meadowbrook Memory Care, Arlington

Chronic Condition
Leigh Jamieson   
Tradel Harris, Darlus Schoonover’s granddaughter
Our Gifts and Our Presence
Text To Give:
817-789-4129
Worship Attendance:
Sunday, January 6 - 199
Adult Sunday School -76
Pastors & Staff
Mike Alexander
Senior Pastor

Erin Sloan Jackson
Associate Pastor of Missions

Gena Anderson
Associate Pastor of Discipleship

Steven Couch
Director of Worship & Music
 
Jin Ah Kwon
Organist/Music Assistant

Kathy Alexander
Director of Children’s Ministries

Sarah Bush
Director of Student Ministries

Heather James
Business Administrator
Becky Hankins
Executive Administrator

Gail Hall
Communications
 
Francisco Adon
Facilities

Amber Walter
Preschool Director
 
Newsletter Submissions: communications@nwumc.org