9:00 am Contemporary, Life Center

Message: The Missional Heart of God

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Jack Wilson

Jack and Polly Wilson will be speaking and preaching at the services on January 15 telling about their 25 years of service as missionaries in North Africa. Their two children were raised in North Africa and now live in Kentucky and attend college and work. Their missionary service now is equipping missionaries for service in Muslim lands while being self sufficient. Our support for this mission team has been the longest for our church.

The church office will be closed on Monday, January 16th in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

So, if you want to know Him more, begin with reading Scripture.

You will find two plans to help you do this. The first is a 5 x 5 x 5 New Testament reading plan. If you will spend 5 minutes a day, reading one chapter a day for 5 days, you will read the entire New Testament during 2023.

The second plan follows a similar structure: 5 days a week, but closer to 10 to 15 minutes of reading during those days. With this plan, you will read the entire Bible in 2023.

Our first quarter New Life Church contribution envelopes are delayed but will be arriving soon. You may still give by placing your check in the offering plate and you will receive credit for your offering.

The launch of a new year is a great time to get involved at New Life Church. We have many ministries and serving opportunities just waiting for YOU! Take a moment to fill out our Volunteer Form, letting us know what areas interest you, and we will be in touch to help you get plugged in.

Congratulations to Sheldon and Judy Busse, who were

married in the historic sanctuary on January 5th!

Our first mission trip to Cuba in more than three years will leave on Friday, January 27 to visit our sister church in Taguasco and the four missions that we support. We will be able to carry a single checked bag on the plane. We need to fill that bag with over the counter medicines such as aspirin, cough drops, and antibiotic ointment. There is a box on the mission table in Lenox Hall to receive your medicine gifts. There is a list on the box of the most needed items if you need some ideas. No liquids. Expiration date must be beyond February 2024. No prescription drugs.

Additionally, we can take in our carry on luggage the following: Iphone 5 or newer, Ipad, and laptop. All must have 110v charging adapter, for when electricity is available. Call if you have one to donate.

Questions can be directed to Tom Little, 941-769-0002.

We need your help! We have a great year planned for Sunday school, but few teachers. We need you as a partner in ministry! If you like kids, can read a lesson plan with minimal lesson planning, and desire to see all ages growing in faith, consider joining our team. We would like to find at least 8 more Sunday School teachers and at least 4 preschool teachers and a few substitute teachers. We want children of all ages to dive deep into the Bible!

Please contact Becca if you are available to serve:

becca@newlifeforall.church or 941-639-3842 ext. 213

We are looking for two part time nursery positions. If you, or someone you know are interested, please email your resume to: kathy@newlifeforall.church.

The job description can be viewed HERE, and is also on our website at the bottom of the STAFF page.

On January 16 our Zoom Bible Study will start a study on Old Testament Characters. Come join us while we learn how to apply the Old Testament scriptures to our own lives. You can buy this $10 book on Amazon HERE. 

If you would like to join us, contact Cathy Smith at cmsmith8@msn.com. We meet every Monday on Zoom from 10-11. 

If you found yourself having to explain to someone who has never heard of God, Jesus, or the Bible, what would you say?

Whether you have been a follower of Jesus for a day, or twenty years, or want to learn more about him, you are invited to join us on a journey of discovering maybe for the first time, or rediscovering the central beliefs of the Christian faith.

Please join us for an eight-week study beginning January 17th. We will serve a buffet meal for those who want to eat and chat over dinner at 5:45 pm. Then, we will start in the Life Center at 6:30 pm before breaking into our groups.

There will be children's programming starting at 6:30 pm, so please bring the whole family, have dinner together, and get to know other people in our church!

I hope to see you there!

Any questions, contact: angela@newlifeforall.church

Today Matters Mental Health Ministries is bringing back our speaker series on Saturday, January 21st. We are so excited to welcome Holly K. Oxhandler who is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean at Baylor University. Holly has written a book for caregivers everywhere, in every role, who sense the sacred spark within them saying, in effect: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Her book is titled The Soul of the Helper and it will be for sale on Sunday mornings between services. It would make a great Christmas gift for someone on your list.  The cost will be $20 each or 2 for $35.

Save the date for our first Blood Drive of 2023 on Sunday, January 22. Sign up in advance for your donation appointment HERE.

Greetings New Life Church family and friends -

   

My journey continues! I first want to thank each and every person who gave God praise and glory and offered prayers for me. We have a mighty God and He loves us. Psalm 28:8 is something I read every morning:

"The Lord is my strength and shield.  I trust Him with all my heart.  He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.  I burst out in songs of thanksgiving."

I received word last Friday afternoon that the CT scans I had to evaluate a suspicious area of my abdomen were benign. Praise God for His mercy. I am overwhelmed by the ups and downs of this latest health crisis which is normal in these situations. This episode seems particularly traumatic and takes me by surprise at times. Like when Pastor Mike simply asked "how are you?" -- and I burst into tears! I blamed it on the medication but truth be told it has been a real struggle.  The same day I got the blessing about the normal scans, I developed a severe case of hives - right about the same time I was coordinating a wedding of a beautiful young couple in our sanctuary. Because my passion and ways I love and praise our Lord are through service, my prayers all afternoon were "Please Father help me get through this without disrupting this special day for them". God is good and apparently they didn't notice my compulsive scratching or purple swollen lips (scary) and left for their reception saying "thanks Rosie - we couldn't have done it without you". A quick prayer of praise thanking God for this blessing, Sent them off and me home to take more Benadryl. 

So my journey continues.  I am now on a different antibiotic infusion daily. James 5:13 says " Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray."  All through scripture we are encouraged to turn to God and call on Him in prayer in any circumstances.  Most of us try to turn to human solutions to solve their problems.  Regardless of the problem, confidently lay it before Him. Trust Him and place yourself in His care. Believe in His ability to guide you up the path He which He planned for you. Listen and obey Him and He will turn these crises into opportunity.  

   

I want you to know that in spite of the struggle and challenges I continue to grow and be blessed. I am encouraged daily by your love in message you send, cards and calls. I thank God for each if your expressions of support and I feel the power of your prayers. 

Psalm 34:4 "I prayed to the Lord and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears."

I'm praying for you!

When you come to the church campus, please wear your New Life Church name tag.

If you do not have a church name tag, you can order one HERE.