Message from Pastor Harold | WeeklyWord

Message in a Minute

Spiritual Reflection

“The gospel of Jesus Christ is 'Good News,' not good advice.”

N.T. Wright

Attend Online

Ministry Focus

Welcoming New Members

Pastor Harold is excited to welcome all our new members this weekend! In the past 18 months, over 140 persons have joined New Covenant through the online membership process. In addition, we held our first in-person New Members Class this week with 35 people who are joining this weekend.

If you've joined the church in the last 18 months, we invite you to attend either the 9 AM or 11 AM service this Sunday, September 19. We promise not to embarrass you, but we do want to celebrate the joy of welcoming new members into our church family!

If you are interested in becoming a member of New Covenant, please contact Barb Prindle.

Key Announcements

Pastor Harold’s Thank-You Challenge

This past Sunday in worship, Pastor Harold issued a Thank-You Challenge: For the next 16 weeks until the end of the year, think of someone each week and thank them. If everyone who worships regularly at New Covenant accepts this challenge, there will be tens of thousands of expressions of “Thank You” by the end of the year. Let’s practice gratitude together and make a positive impact on our community!

Operation Christmas Child

We invite you to help meet our goal of completing 1,500 shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse's Operation Christmas Child as part of our 2021 Christmas Giving opportunities. Currently, 181 shoeboxes have been returned, and 8 boxes have been completed online. We have 13 days left to reach our goal and to share the love of Christ with children all over the world. Shoeboxes are available in the East and West Narthex during the week and on the weekend before and after worship services. Click here for a list of suggested shoebox gift items.

Fill a Shoebox Online

GriefShare

GriefShare begins on Monday, September 20 at 10 AM. This is a nationally recognized, faith-based program about dealing with the death of a loved one. It will be held in the Fellowship Center each Monday for 13 weeks. Registration is required. The cost of the class is is $20 and includes your workbook. For any questions, please contact Sharon Weimert.

General Announcements

Stewardship

Through your purchases from AmazonSmile, New Covenant has received $438.19 so far in 2021. You can sign in at smile.amazon.com, choose New Covenant United Methodist Church of The Villages, Florida as your charity of choice, and a portion of each qualified purchase will be donated to the church.

Make a Gift

Bargains & Blessings Reopening

The Bargains & Blessings Resale Store will reopen on Tuesday, September 21, and we will have a soft opening for the new Annex Building. Then, we will celebrate a Grand Opening for the new Annex Building on Tuesday, September 28 at 9:30 AM.

Thank you to the entire team of individuals who have been diligently working to get the Annex Building ready to open! Additional volunteers will be needed to staff this Annex Building. If you or a friend might be interested, please pick up a volunteer application at Bargains & Blessings or contact Susan Merrill at (352) 330-3333.

October Women’s Gathering

Ladies, please join us for our Women’s Gathering on Thursday, October 14 at 10 AM. We are pleased to welcome our special guest speaker, Dena Yohe.

Dena and her husband Tom are the founders and authors of Hope for Hurting Parents, and New Covenant has had an active role in this ministry for several years. Dena is also an author of You are Not Alone, a book that speaks to the journey of parents with children of special circumstances.

We invite you to attend! Registration is required, and the event is free.

Disciple Fast Track

Disciple Fast Track, an adaptation of the original Disciple Bible study, provides a viable option for busy people seeking comprehensive engagement with the entire Biblical text. Fast Track groups meet for a total of 24 weeks, devoting 12 weeks each to the Old Testament and the New Testament. Participants read a manageable 3-5 chapters of the Bible daily in preparation for the weekly meetings.

Disciple Fast Track will met on Saturdays, October 2, 2021 - April 2, 2022 from 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM. The cost for this class is $28, which includes your workbook. Registration is required.

Walk to Emmaus

The upcoming men's and women's weekend Walks to Emmaus, originally scheduled for October 14 and October 21, respectively, at Camp Geneva in Fruitland Park, have been canceled due to the current COVID-19 situation and out of concern for the pilgrims, team, and community.

Bible Studies and Small Groups

We encourage all classes that are currently meeting on campus to follow the directions with the technology equipment in the classrooms. Please contact your Ministry Coordinator if you have trouble working the hardware. Prior to your meeting, please take time onsite to get familiar with how to use it.

Prayers & Squares

Week after week, our wonderful Prayers & Squares ministry prepares quilts for people in need of prayer. For each quilt, there is a label with the recipient’s name and a colorful tent card to accompany it. In addition, workers add strings for congregants to tie when they pray over the quilt. Most importantly, the quilts include all the prayers that the workers and congregation offer.

The team is always in need of quilters who are willing to make and donate quilts sized 50 inches x 60 inches. Quilting fabric or gift cards for fabric stores (such as JOANN) are also welcome. Please drop off donations at the Care Office. Finally, your prayers are most welcome, so please come to the altar rail, pray for the quilt's recipient, and tie a knot.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. - James 5:16.

The Prayer Quilts on the altar are for…

Pam, who has lung cancer

Dorothy, who had a stroke

Anonymous; pray for healing, strength, snd courage

We request your prayers for these prayer quilts. Please click on the quilt to be taken to our Facebook Page, where you can Like the post to virtually tie a knot.