Spiritual Reflection

“When I was young, I admired clever people.

Now that I am old, I admire kind people.”

Abraham Joshua Hesche

Night to Shine

Friday, February 9 from 6 PM – 9 PM

If you haven’t heard by now, we want everyone to know that we are very excited that we will be hosting a Night to Shine event sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. This is the first time that Night to Shine will be held in the Villages, and our special needs community has been hoping for this event to be held locally for a number of years. The Tim Tebow Foundation has a great passion and ministry for people with special needs. Night to Shine was launched in 2014 with a simple vision: work with churches around the country to provide an incredible prom-night experience centered on God’s love for people with special needs. Through hundreds of churches and thousands of volunteers, Night to Shine is now a worldwide movement to celebrate God’s love by honoring people with special needs and the value of life. It’s a night not only for our guests to shine but also for churches, volunteers, and the message of Christ to shine.

Upon arrival, our honored guests will receive royal treatment including a ride in a classy car to the red carpet complete with a warm welcome from a friendly crowd and paparazzi. Inside guests receive corsages and boutonnieres, a catered dinner, a karaoke room, prom favors for each guest, a Respite Room for parents and caregivers and, of course, dancing! The highlight of the evening comes when every one of the Night to Shine guests is crowned a king or queen of the prom!

We believe this will also be an incredible way to reach out to our entire community. Including many of you, we now have over 400 volunteers from all over the villages. We still are also hoping that you can be generous in contributing to making this memorable and spectacular success.

If you are interested in donating toward our fundraising campaign, you can go to our website, and under events, select night to shine. You are able to contribute on line! If you prefer, you can mail or drop off a check to New Covenant and write “NTS” on the memo line.

An Evening with the Booth Brothers

Thursday, November 9 at 7 PM in the Christian Life Center

The Booth Brothers return to New Covenant this November! Collectively and individually, the Booth Brothers have been recognized as one of the finest in Gospel Music for decades. Masterfully weaving together music and entertainment, inspiring songs and uplifting humor, encouragement and restoration, audiences leave a Booth Brothers event with hearts and minds refreshed.

Throughout the years, listeners and peers alike have recognized the Booth Brothers with an array of accolades, including GRAMMY nominations, Dove Awards, and Singing News Fan Awards, chart topping songs, and more.

This is an evening you don’t want to miss!

New Member Class (October 2023)

Thursday, October 19 at 1 PM in the Chapel

Membership is about commitment to Christ through a local church. Whether you are here full-time or seasonally, we have a membership type that will fit you and your needs. Church membership is your opportunity to hold each other in responsibility and love. We hope you will consider being a member and become more engaged with your church community.

Membership Types

• Full Membership: You wish to profess your faith in New Covenant as your home church. 
• Affiliate Membership: You are temporarily far from your home church, another United Methodist Church, and wish to join a United Methodist Church near your seasonal home.
• Associate Membership: You are temporarily far from your home church, another Christian denomination, and wish to join a United Methodist Church near your seasonal home.

Registration is required. If you have any questions or need help with registration, please contact Ashley Hill using the button below.

Better Balance: You Can Get it Back!

Wednesday, October 18 at 1 PM

This hot topic will be presented by Aaron Tribby of Aviv Clinics. In our days, we encounter things that can challenge our ability to keep our balance. For example, climbing stairs, stepping out of the tub or shower, even getting out of bed can affect our balance. Poor balance is key factor in falls which happen to one in three people over 65 each year. Our balance begins to decline in our 40s but we tend to not pay attention to it until it becomes a problem! Balance is a skill we can get back, so please join us for this important topic on tips and pointers on staying safe and keeping your balance. 

Registration is required. Please click the button below. For more information, please contact our Social Worker, Jackie Kuhn-Damron.

Remember

I thank my God every time I remember you. (Philippians 1:3)

In Philippians 1:3, Paul thanks the people for their partnership with him in the gospel. This is the responsibility and great joy that all believers have – to partner with others so that the gospel can be sent out to the nations. This can be the biggest motivator for getting your finances in order, to save diligently, so that we are able to give more freely.

Legacy Giving 

Less than two percent of people leave anything in their will or estate to their church.

Pastor Appreciation Month

We are grateful for our clergy at New Covenant and will be recognizing Pastor Harold and Pastor Ellen with cake following worship services this weekend. Baskets are available for you to drop a card or note to our clergy expressing your appreciation for their service. Any time after Sunday, you may drop off a note at the Church Office.

In addition, we will honor Pastor Jeff Vermilya and his service as Teaching Pastor — he is retiring at the end of October. Please join us in worship services on October 28 & 29, as Jeff shares his final sermon with us.

Terrific Tuesday Fall Dinner Event (October 2023)

Tuesday, October 17 from 4:45 PM – 7 PM

Pastor Harold is wrapping up his teachings on the Journeys of Paul at our upcoming Terrific Tuesday. He will show slides of the different locations where Paul established his churches and bring the teachings of Paul to life. His hope is to help us have a deeper understanding of Paul’s message to each specific church. We will retrace Paul’s steps and learn more about these important locations. As we will discover, each church struggled with their own set of problems, yet Paul’s message was consistently clear — hold onto your faith, hope, and love. Join us for a warm evening of food, fellowship, and lessons from Paul.

You can also come at 5:45 PM just to hear Pastor Harold speak without attending dinner — no charge and no registration required for the presentation only.

Menu: Chopped Garden Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette, Classic Meatloaf, Au Gratin Potatoes, Vegetable Medley, Dinner Rolls with Butter and Chocolate Layer Cake (menu is subject to change due to food availability).

Registration is required ($12). If you need help registering, please contact Ashley Hill using the button below.

Women's Monthly Program (October 2023)

Thursday, October 19 from 10 AM–11:30 AM (with lunch to follow)

Since we often think of apples in the fall, we are going to enjoy a theme of “Apples, Apples, Apples.” We’ll look at the “apple” in Genesis, we’ll learn about John Chapman who was responsible for the planting of apple trees, and we’ll do a craft about apples. Please join us during this time of appreciation for apples. Also, please bring a roll of toilet paper with you to contribute, and we’ll tell you why at the gathering.

Menu: Apple Cheddar Dutch Quiche, Cheesy Hashed Potato Bake, Fresh Fruit Cup and Apple Muffin

Registration is required ($10). If you need help registering, please contact Ashley Hill using the button below.

Hidden Christmas

Begins Monday, October 30 from 1 PM – 2:30 PM in Classroom 3

Soul Sisters Small Group invites you to participate in their new study, “Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ,” an 8-week study by Timothy Keller. Every Christmas, displays of Baby Jesus resting in a manger decorate lawns and churches, and songs about shepherds and angels fill the air. Yet how many of us have examined the hard edges of this Biblical story? In “Hidden Christmas” you are taken on an illuminating journey into the surprising background of the nativity. By understanding the message of hope and salvation within the Bible’s account of Jesus’s birth, participants will experience the redeeming power of God’s grace in a deeper and more meaningful way. Facilitated by Marcy Bone. Registration is not required; but please purchase your book prior to the first class.

Christmas Wish Tree

New Covenant is supporting children from Kids Central, Inc., Shepherd’s Lighthouse, our Wildwood Middle High School Mentor Program, and Voices for Children through Christmas Wish Tree. Please join us in this opportunity by selecting a tag from one of the Christmas trees in the East or West Narthex. A sign-up sheet is provided to ensure that we can keep track of the tags and gifts.

You can participate in this giving opportunity by:

• Purchasing the items listed on the gift tag.
• Purchasing a gift card from a local department store (Walmart, Target, Marshalls, etc.) in the amount of $25, $50, $75 or $100, and drop them off at the church administration office between Monday, October 2 and Tuesday, October 31.
• Sending a check made out to New Covenant United Methodist Church with Christmas Wish Tree on the memo line.

Thank you for sharing the love of Christmas with the children in our community.

Men’s Small Group Opportunity

Tuesdays from 9 AM to 10 AM

If you might be looking for a Men’s Small Group where you can connect with others and grow in your faith, one of our ongoing groups would like to extend an invitation for you to be a part. This small group meets each week on the church campus. The facilitator for the group is Vincent Abbott. If you have any questions, please contact Pat Hill by clicking the button below.

Spirited Singles Offering New Study

Sunday Mornings at 10:30 AM in Classroom 2

One chapter in the Bible offers answers to our questions about deep Biblical truths. In “Romans VIII: The Greatest Chapter in the Bible,” Dr. David Jeremiah takes you verse by verse through Romans 8, explaining the truths contained in this incredible chapter. Everything you need to know about our Christian walk, from the assurance of our salvation to the work of the Holy Spirit, can be found in this powerful text — encouraging and enabling you to live your life the way God intended it to be lived.

All are welcome to join this wonderful new Bible study.

Front Desk Volunteer Receptionist

We are in need of a volunteer for Tuesday mornings at the Reception Desk in the church office. The primary duties are to greet visitors with a warm smile, answer the phone and direct calls to staff. No physical requirements are needed. 

If you are interested, please contact Judy Fitzgerald, Communications Coordinator, by clicking the button below.

Fall Youth Fundraisers

This year, we want our students to be able to experience the whole weekend of worship music at Rock the Universe, a Christian atmosphere at Universal Studios. Net proceeds from the Fall Youth Fundraisers support our ministry.

Greenery Fundraiser

Our annual Greenery Fundraiser is here again! Items are delivered and distributed from New Covenant. The greenery is live; you will need to pick up your order outside the Children's Room (next to the Chapel). Prices vary; please click the button below to place your order.

This year we are taking credit, cash, and checks on Sunday mornings during the month of October. Our youth will be there from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM to take your order and collect your payment. If you order online, you can drop off your cash or check on Sunday or to the Administration office when it is open.

Carwash Fundraiser

Saturday, November 11 from 9 AM - 12 PM

We invite you to support the New Covenant Youth Ministry by taking part in the Youth Carwash Fundraiser on the church campus. The suggested donation is $5 per golf cart and $10 per car. We are introducing an express lane for golf carts this year, please let your friends and neighbors know about this event!

Perfumes & Colognes

In consideration of allergic reactions of some worshipers, please refrain from wearing strong fragrances to Worship Services. Thank you for your understanding.

Jeff Bain & Family

Amanda & Bryce Craigler

Ann Eicker

 Rick & Linda Fabing

Scott McCann

Bill Murphy & Kara

Edward Napierski

Lucia Rhodes

Gary Seyler

Jeff Stafford

Bill & Mary Starkey

The prayer quilts on the altar are for...

Edward who is battling stage-4 lung cancer.

Kathy who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and is having difficulty with the medication.

Kyle who had a near-fatal reaction to a medication.

We request your prayers for these prayer quilts. Please pray for healing, comfort, and peace. Click on the quilt to be taken to our Facebook Page, where you can "Like" the post to tie a knot virtually.

Our prayers, love, and sympathy are extended to...

Ann Eicker, family and friends on the passing of her husband, Jim Eicker.

Donna Green, family and friends on the passing of her husband, George Green. 

Our Altar Flowers have been provided by…

New Covenant church staff in memory of Roy Weimert.  

Flower orders must be received by noon on Tuesday for flowers to be delivered that weekend. To place an order for altar flowers, please contact Ginny Davis using the button below.