E-News for November 6, 2019
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From the Heart of your Pastor:
Serving alongside the wonderful people here at New World for four months now has been some of the most rewarding moments. This church is “on fire” for Jesus with excitement and desire to grow in our faith, our walk as disciples and the ways we use our hands and feet to serve the community around us. It is so exciting to witness. Part of our journey together is to continue to “grow forward.”
“Growing forward” means that we live into where God sees us in two to five years. God always has a bigger view of who we are than we do because God is moving in the hearts of others who do not yet know of the love of this body of Christ. God is inviting us to look at and offer multiple ways for more of His children in our community to become a part of His community here at New World UMC.
This means that we will intentionally look at ways to address needs in our community. We do not want to be just another church that does all the same things as every other church – we are looking at where God is calling us to be specific and meet specific unmet needs. Pastor Erin is extremely gifted and connected in this community and she continues to explore ways we can be intentional and purposefully the hands and feet of Christ in Arlington. I urge every person in this faith community to look for at least one area of missions and outreach where you can be in service.
“Growing forward” means we add one new Sunday school class every year to year-and-a-half. Churches that are growing are always adding small groups as ways for
new people to get connected and meet other new people. We don’t always see our group as “settled in” and think new people will just naturally want to “join OUR group”. But multiple studies of family dynamics have proven that it is easier to begin a new group of people who are all new together and build common memories, than it is to add to existing groups.
I once served where a class was named “The Young Adult Class” only when I visited, they were not young. They were 40-55 years in age. One Sunday a new young (ages 23-30) family visited the church and attended this class because it was their only option. Afterwards, they spoke with me and said they did not feel like this church had a place for “young” people. They also shared that they felt on the “outside” because they didn’t have a history with the people – although they were really nice, didn’t know the references to events shared, and they had a newborn and most had kids in middle school. They did not come back a second time.
Growing forward means we continue to offer “Radical Hospitality”. I am so amazed at the many folks who greet on the parking lot, at the doors, set-up the fellowship hall for CONNECTION TIME, hand out Welcome Bags, etc. These things do not “just happen” we are being intentional. And, we can always use more hands and feet in this area. Churches that grow show they are sincere in their efforts to welcome.
Our vision statement is “Love God, Love Neighbor and Make Disciples” and we do that best when we continue to “grow forward” and create moments and places of welcome for all ages - as well as places to serve in our community. I look forward to all the ways we will “grow forward” with God as our guide and journeying with the beautiful people of New World United Methodist Church! And I invite you to join me!!
Proud to be your pastor,
Leslie
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New @ New World Class
THIS SUNDAY - November 10
10:45 - 12:30
Room 27
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It is a NEW class opportunity for new and repeat visitors who want to know more about the church, the staff, the district, the conference and the United Methodist Church globally. There will be a time for questions, a tour of the facilities and information to take with you.
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On NOVEMBER 17
th, anyone who wishes to make their membership with New World official, they are welcome to become a part of our “Great Day of Joining” at the service of their choice. Joining the church is available on any Sunday for those not ready to make that commitment, yet November 17
th allows those who wish to stand with others that opportunity. Come and learn more with us on November 10
th at NEW @ NEW WORLD!
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Our November speaker will be Mark Joeckel, General Manager of Arlington Music Hall. He also hosts a daily TV Show on BizTV Texas, and is CEO of Arlington, Texas, Proud to Call it Home.
Join us for a pot luck lunch in the Fellowship Hall at 11:30 on Tuesday, November 12. Bring a dish to share with your friends, our guests and staff. Guests welcome!
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Devo and Discussion Over Dessert
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A new offering for Preschool Parents, Wednesdays, 1:30-2:00 PM in the coffee bar beginning November 6
th. All parents are invited for 30-minutes to renew your soul, meet new friends and fellowship together. Bring a friend and enjoy a moment with God.
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March 7
th – March 15
th of 2020 offers you a great opportunity to know more about the founder of the Methodist Movement. Pastor Leslie and John, along with two other UM Pastors in our Conference are partnering with Education Opportunities to visit historical places in England. Pastor Leslie took this trip in 1999 and it was simply beautiful and so insightful. For more information about how you can join this week of places like York, Epworth, Cotswolds and Stratford, Oxford, Bristol and Stonehenge as well as London, contact Pastor Leslie –
leslie@nwumc.org.
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We continue to look at and work on things brought out in our Faithful Focus meetings in July. The 5 groups that met in conversation showed that we want to continue to be a church of prayer. Our Prayer Team continues to meet, and we are looking at ways to enhance our beautiful prayer ministry. We expressed a desire to start a new class/small group and the “Devo, Dessert and Discussion” is a new opportunity to form a group of young parents who need time with God and time in fellowship with other parents. That begins on Wednesday, November 6
th.
A third area that stated as important was ways to bring people into the church and gather across the generations. Our NEW @ NEW WORLD class is an opportunity to inform and meet with people who are new to this church and help them to find ways to connect. As a staff, we continue to talk through multi-generational with all of our events. It is important that we talk and pass on the faith across the generations. Every focus we employ as a church – is looking at how it speaks across the generations. It is exciting to explore.
As we move into the new year, there will be other areas of focus that we begin to lift up and invite each of you to help create time and space to “Love God, Love Neighbor and Make Disciples.” Stay tuned to what God is doing in this body of believers.
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Women's Emmaus Walk # 446
February 20-23, 2020
at Glen Lake Camp
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Pastor Leslie will serve as one of the Assistant Spiritual Directors and Sarah Cantrell will serve as the Lay Director for this great opportunity for a deeper walk with Christ. If you have never attended a Walk to Emmaus, it is a once in a lifetime retreat with worship, fellowship, 15 talks, laughter, learning, and growing in discipleship.
There are Men’s Walks and Women’s Walks offered every year. It has a rich tradition of spiritual renewal that was begun by The Upper Room in 1977. It is a weekend that begins on Thursday night and ends on Sunday afternoon that invites each person to take time out of the hectic pace of the world and spend time with God.
New World has a rich history of persons who have attended the Walk to Emmaus. Emmaus is not a closed group and does not set anyone apart or make them special in some way. Emmaus, like the story in the gospel of Luke explains, invites every person to walk alongside Jesus on the journey of faith to experience the deep love and fellowship that Jesus wants to offer each of us.
If you are 18 or older and interested in attending this Women’s Walk in February, please see Pastor Leslie or Sarah for an application for the Walk as soon as possible as the walk will fill up very fast. If you need a scholarship to attend, we can help make that possible.
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Christmas Decorating
November 24, 25 & 26
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The Advent season is upon us and we need your help decorating. If you are available, even if it's just for an hour, please contact Steven Couch,
steven@nwumc.org.
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As we get ready for the holidays, consider supporting New World Missions as we partner with Arlington ISD Student Outreach Services (SOS) to sponsor students in need and help provide a joyous Christmas! Many AISD students in the Families in Transition (FIT) program look like everyone else walking the halls of a school; few would know the challenges they face when the school doors are closed, challenges like homelessness and food insecurity. Help encourage these families and lighten the holiday load by picking up a wish list starting this Sunday, November 10!
Who We Help: Students & siblings in the Lamar High School network who qualify for Families in Transition (FIT)
How it Works:
- Pick a Giving Tree Card in the Fellowship Hall this Sunday
- Sign your name next to your Giving Tree number on the sign-up list
- Purchase at least one clothing item and one wish list item from the gift wish lists provided
- Wrap the gifts and place them in a large plastic bag
- Clearly label the outside of the bag with the Giving Tree Number
- Return to New World UMC’s church office by Wednesday, December 4.
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Be a “Bell Ringer” for the Salvation Army
Red Kettle Campaign
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This year, New World will adopt the Red Kettle at Kroger on Lamar. Volunteers are needed “to ring the bell” for a 2 hour shift between 10:00 am - 8:00 pm on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday, starting December 5 and ending December 21.
All ages are welcome!
Money raised through this campaign stays with our local Salvation Army.
or text - 817-726-1095
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Arlington Charities Thanksgiving Basket Program
Donations Due by Monday, November 11
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Help them reach their goal of making this a great Thanksgiving for as many Arlington families as possible. Donations can be left in the
Concourse or in the Fellowship Hall anytime before November 11.
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Women’s Retreat
January 17-19
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All women are invited for our relaxing and uplifting Annual Women’s Retreat, January 17-19! This will be a wonderful weekend away for women of all ages for
relaxation, building friendships, and learning about Jesus
. We will be staying in the beautiful Alamo Lodge at Camp Hoblitzelle, and we will offer several workshops and small group times. Our guest leader will be the inspiring Rev. Joy Dister-Dominguez of Arborlawn UMC in Ft. Worth. This is a perfect opportunity to invite a friend or neighbor!
If you are interested in helping with retreat plans and leadership, contact Rev. Erin.
Cost of the retreat is $170 and includes all meals and a 2-person hotel-style room. Scholarships are available. Space is limited to 40 participants, so reserve your space now by signing up at church in the Fellowship Hall this Sunday, or emailing Pastor Erin (
erin@nwumc.org
) and paying your $85 nonrefundable deposit by December 15th.
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Our Director of Student Ministries, Sarah, was married on Saturday, November 2.
Congratulations to the new
Mr. & Mrs. Blake Henson!
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Art as a Spiritual Practice
Final Workshop November 10
"
Making Broken Things Beautiful"
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Creating prayerful art is a powerful way to connect to God and to one another. On Sunday, November 10, 5:30-7:00PM, we will have the final Art as a Spiritual Practice Workshop led by Rev. Erin. The art project will be to turn broken things like jewelry and ceramics into beautiful things. No artistic experience is required and this workshop is recommended for ages 12 and up. The workshop is free and a love offering will be collected to support the Salvation Army Mission and Arts Nights.
Please RSVP by Friday, November 8, email
erin@nwumc.org or calling the church office.
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Adult Missions Fundraiser
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Adult Missions will be selling
New World Car Sunshades
during Connection Time. Don’t miss out on a great way to increase New World’s visibility around the community … AND… support all of our many mission projects from those here at the local level like Arlington Urban Ministries and the Cowtown Brush-up, to ones far away like McCurdy Ministries in New Mexico and Water to Life in Haiti.
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Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Trunk or Treat was an amazing afternoon!! We welcomed hundreds of people to our church. Everyone had a great time! Wonderful fellowship, great music, lots of treats, lots of cute costumes, a wonderful photo opportunity, fun with pumpkin painting, bouncing in bounce houses, and playing kids games, and yummy hot dogs.
I have always said it takes a village to have a successful Children's Ministry, but for Trunk or Treat, it takes an ARMY of volunteers. Thank you to everyone that helped in any way. There were too many volunteers to list by name because I would leave someone out. This event does not happen with the efforts of one of two people! Each year this event grows bigger and bigger and we need more and more volunteers. Make plans next year to join us. It is so much fun and such a great opportunity to show Radical Hospitality to our community!!!
We also collected 199 cans for Arlington Urban Ministries!
Thank you New World!
Kathy Alexander
Children’s Director
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Important Youth Dates
November 10
Hands & Feet ~ 4:00-5:00
Shine ~ 5:00-7:00
November 17
Hands & Feet ~ 4:00-5:00
Shine spaghetti dinner at the Gigliotti’s house from 5:00-7:00.
Text Sarah for the address!
November 24
No Hands & Feet
No Shine
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
December 14
Progressive Dinner
Stay tuned for more details!
**Mid-Winter Registration**
Mid-winter registration opens on November 8
th
.
We are going to Mid-Winter 1, January 31-February 2. Questions, text Sarah or go to
ctcym.org
.
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“
If your sons guard their way to walk faithfully before me with
all their heart and all their soul, you will never fail to have a
man on the throne of Israel.
”
1 Kings 2:4
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Text To Give:
817-789-4129
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