New Life Church Weekly Update

August 1, 2025

This Sunday: August 3, 2025

9:15 Traditional Worship, Sanctuary

10:45 Contemporary Worship, Life Center

Message: "How to Win Every Fight"

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Pastor Casey

New this Week:

Communion this Sunday
Thank You from Terry Taylor
Blood Drive, August 10
Operation Christmas Child - August/September Collection
Faith in Action
A Taguasco "Thank You"
Today Matters - Music Bingo, August 16

A note from Pastor Casey's Dad, Terry

To all of you I want to say I am very very thankful for all of your prayers and well wishes during my time of illness over the past several weeks. I appreciate this more than you realize. God bless all of you.

Terry Taylor

Communion this Sunday

Pastor Casey

"Do this to remember me." You probably know the context of those words - the Lord's Supper! We also call it Communion (or maybe you grew up in another church that called it Eucharist). It's one of two sacraments Jesus gave us to do, the other being baptism. Although we are only baptized once in our life, we can and should celebrate the Lord’s Supper often.

Like many churches, NLC pivoted during the Covid-19 pandemic to using sealed Communion kits. They’ve been helpful as we’ve been more mindful of contagious germs, but it’s time to try other ways to gather at the Lord’s Table. One of the unique things about the Lord’s Supper is its physicalness. Jesus took something we do everyday to survive - eat and drink - and elevated them to something more. In our church, we don’t get too worked up about how God does it, but we truly believe that Jesus is present with us in a special way at his Table. We also believe that he strengthens us with his grace. We also believe we should celebrate this meal only when we’re together as the body of Christ.

So this Sunday, the first Sunday of August, we’re experimenting with “new” old ways of receiving Communion. We will now be offering actual bread and grape juice at each service.

At the 9:15 service, we will pass trays of pre-cut bread and trays of mini juice cups.
At the 10:45 service, we will invite people to one of two stations up front.

We will continue to offer the kits for those who want or need them. We’ll also have a gluten free option available. Some worshipers may prefer the kits for personal or health reasons. We want them to be included. In no way should they feel like they’re getting a lesser form of the sacrament. All the elements, packaged or not, will be blessed during the service.

I appreciate your patience as we try something different. We’re trying to be more faithful to the teaching of Jesus as we gather around his Table. If you have any questions or helpful feedback, please let me or Rosie Young or the church office know.

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child donations continue August/September with school supplies! Take advantage of Florida’s ‘tax-free days’ from August 1 – 31st! Walmart has great deals and plenty of these items in stock. Items Needed: crayons (24 pack); wide rule notebook paper (spiral or composition books; no three-ring binders!); glue sticks (no liquid glue); nylon stringed backpacks (Dollar Tree); kids school scissors (round tip); colored pencils; wooden or plastic rulers (not larger than 12”); colored markers; ink pens; index cards. Please leave your donations in the Operation Christmas Child box in Lenox Hall. Thank you for your continued support of this mission!

Faith in Action

A huge thanks to the many ladies in the Wednesday and Thursday Bible study classes who have volunteered to help serve dinner to the teens in youth group. Their continued service is faith put into action!

A Taguasco "Thank you"

Tom Little

Cuba Supporters,

The concrete roof at Taguasco will have the timber supports removed this week and the Sanctuary readied for worship. We provided additional funding for the ceiling electrical work and lighting. The old metal roof was used to cover the yard between the Sanctuary and the pastors

house and classrooms. This is where the church has been worshiping for the last many weeks. In the 22-second video below you can see the worshipers in last Sunday's service as they were reminded of our support.

A rough translation of Pastor Yosdel's remarks on the video:

"Brothers and Sisters, we want to say "Thank You" for all the things you and your church have done for us. Thank You for allowing God to use you to Bless US and ALL our lives. We truly appreciate each of you and what you have done for all of us. Now see the people of Taguasco!!!!" And the congregation says "Thank You" and waves.

Blood Drive, August 10

The Big Red Bus will be on campus on Sunday, August 10th from 8:30 am until 1:30 pm.

Donors receive:

-Top Handle Drinkware

-$25 eGift Card

-Chick-fil-A Coupon

-Wellness Checkup including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count, and cholesterol screening.

Schedule your appointment HERE.

Today Matters - Music Bingo, August 16

Who wants to have some fun?

Join us for Music Bingo on Saturday, August 16th starting at 4pm.

There will be songs sung, sing-a-longs and so much more. There will be prizes, fun and fellowship! Bring a beverage if you would like, and play along with the music.

Hope to see you there to kick off our fall season with Today Matters Mental Health.

Questions, call the church office or 863-244-6289.

Halloween Outreach Planning

Halloween is a big deal in Punta Gorda. This year promises a big celebration since it falls on a Friday! Given our location, we have a unique opportunity to welcome our neighbors as thousands come to downtown.

But this big of an outreach opportunity is a TEAM EFFORT!

If you're interested in planning this event and being part of this year's Halloween Outreach Team, please contact Pastor Casey casey@newlifeforall.church.

The Christian Foundation of America's Political Philosophy

One of our Church members, Peter Bell, is going to be teaching a free adult education class at Southwest Florida Bible Institute (SWFBI) titled "The Christian Foundation of America's Political Philosophy " starting Tuesday, August 12th, at 7:00 pm. The course content traces the history of the biblical concept of freedom in daily living from the Garden of Eden through the American Revolutionary period and up to today. The class meets Tuesdays for 18 weeks at the SWFBI campus located just south of the intersection of Toledo Blade and Highway 41. To register for the class go to the SWFBI website and follow the registration instructions on the site.

Each week in The Bridge, we’ll be sharing a few Glory on the Go submissions. Keep them coming! It’s such a blessing to celebrate these stories and stay connected throughout the summer.

In addition to sending them to us, consider posting your story on your personal Facebook or Instagram. Be sure to tag the church and include #gloryonthego.

It’s one more way to show how God is moving through New Life Church—on the go!

Mike & Bonnie Rohr

Wedding vow renewal - 50 Years!

Sandy Watercolor

After church I went to Fisherman's village for a walk, as I often enjoy on Sunday. As I approached the waters edge near The Brew house. A beautiful, fun loving dolphin breached the water about 6 feet in front of me!!! I had the sense we were sharing "a look & a smile!!!" It was an awesome experience!!

Thank you, God for your creation of this beautiful Dolphin!! And for letting me make such a connection. Plus they are so adorable!! Joyus morning!!

Amanda Lesperance

My daughter Grace getting engaged - Glory Sighting indeed!!

A Word from Worship

Greetings New Life Church family and friends,

Wow - this has been one hot summer. I know our summers are hot but it's the topic of everyone's conversation. Yes - including mine! It made me think - well I probably didn't think of it on my own- but that quiet small voice made me think of something-how awesome it would be if we'd talk to everyone we'd see about Jesus. I know from past experience that when life seemed to be going badly in my younger years (seems long ago) it was simple to find myself complaining about life to those willing to listen. I'm embarrassed about that now but hopefully I've outgrown that negative behavior. None of us ask for bad times but we all seem to go through them at least once in our lives. I'm sure I even at one point moaned, "why me Lord." It's so easy to grow bitter when life seems unjust. How grateful I am that through faith and prayer that old expression of turning lemons into lemonade - with God's help we can invite Him into any situation. I learned that with prayer, by inviting God into any situation, we might not notice a change right away, but you'll at least notice a shift in your perspective. He will always surprise me with a feeling of goodness, even in the midst of my pain. At times when things were really bad, I would feel almost numb so I wouldn't allow myself to feel too much. I realize that's a protective mechanism, but how much easier and more effective it is to go to God immediately in prayer for problems or when things are going great. My life changed drastically when I quit trying to solve things on my own and I listened to my Lord, and I learned not to allow my past to define my future walk with Him. I decided back then that I would share what I learned through service and prayer with others. Please consider joining one of our prayer teams. If your schedule can't accommodate a committed meeting time consider a prayer team that you can take part in at home on your schedule. You'll receive a list of people who need prayer and you pray at your convenience. If you can help- just send me your email and I'll add you to my team. I also need several people who can help greet at worship and/or help with communion. The easiest way to tell others about God is to show them with our lives.

I'm praying for you!

Rosie Young

Worship Coordinator

rosie@newlifeforall.church

Dates to Remember - Mark your Calendars!

AUGUST

Theater Ministry, August 5

Family Night, August 6

Blood Drive, August 10

Today Matters - Music Bingo, August 16

Hospital Visitation, Prayer Available

We want to know when you are having surgery or are in the hospital! We are available to pray with you before surgery and visit you in the hospital, rehab, etc.

Contact us through email: prayerteam@newlifeforall.church or call/text Pastor Bob, Minister of Pastoral Care (941) 585-9576.

New Life Name Tags

If you would like a name tag (magnetic or pin style), you can request one HERE or by calling Katherine in the church office 941-639-3842 ext 106. Suggested donation, $6 per nametag.