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New Life Church Weekly Update | |
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This Sunday: December 15, 2024
The Third Sunday of Advent
9:15 Traditional Worship, Sanctuary
10:45 Contemporary Worship, Life Center
Message: "Tis the Season for Worship"
Scripture: Luke 1:26-56
Pastor Jorge Acevedo
The live altar flowers this week have been given by Frank Robinson in honor of the following: Congratulations to Frank and Nancy on their 95th birthdays
and 71 years of marriage!
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New this Week:
- Foster Care Luncheon
- Shower Ministry Needs
- Crossroads Hope Academy
- End-of-year Giving
- Church Office Holiday Schedule
- Harmony Class
- Pastor Casey's Installation, Reception RSVP
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Foster Care Luncheon, Thank You!
A special thanks to everyone who participated in our 9th Annual Foster Care Christmas luncheon. It was another huge success. It started in early November with the purchase and donation of gifts for our 103 foster children. Then came the gift wrapping. Literally several thousands of square feet of wrapping paper and probably over a mile of ribbon later the gifts looked simply amazing! Then came the setup and decorating of Life Center, followed by the meal complete with live Christmas carols and our volunteer DJ Dennis Dees at the controls. Finally came the clean-up effort and resetting of everything for worship the following moving. Everyone who pitched in really showed the joy of the Christmas season as we worked together on this special project. As a team, we put smiles on the faces of some of the most underserved children in our community. Way to go church! To God be the Glory!
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End-of-Year Giving
Denise Holcomb, Finance Manager
denise@newlifeforall.church
Just a reminder that all donations need to be in the Church Office by December 30th at noon
to be counted as a 2024 Contribution.
Also, 2024 Contribution Statements will be going out by email, so if the Church Office doesn’t
have your email, please call us to update your information. 941-639-3842.
Please note: The church offices will be closed from December 24-27, 2024.
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Church Office - Holiday Schedule
December 24-27: Closed
December 30: 9-4
December 31: 9-12
January 1: Closed
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Shower Ministry Needs
- Men’s S, M, XL, XXL sized underwear (NEW AND IN PACKAGES ONLY)
- Men’s S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X t-shirts or casual shirts (not dress shirts)
- Men’s shoes/sandals sizes 10-14
- Men’s denim pants and cargo shorts (casual) sizes 28, 30, 32, 34, 44
- Men’s athletic socks (new and in pkg)
- Men’s belts all sizes
- Women’s S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X casual shirts/dresses& pants
- Women’s socks (new & in pkg)
- Women’s shoes & sandals
- Lightweight blankets
- Backpacks
- Stocking caps
- Men’s & women’s coats/jackets and sweatpants.
*Please make sure donated items are lightly worn & free from stains* Thank you!
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Do You Like to Cook?
We are looking for volunteers to help prepare a meal/dessert and serve lunch at Crossroads Hope Academy Davidson Campus on the 3rd Saturday of each month. We would like to have multiple people helping to alternate months. If interested, please call Gail Lagro at (941) 613-1745.
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Harmony Class, Sundays at 9:15 in Room 9
Sunday, December 15th, The Harmony Class will begin a new six-week study, “Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth For a Skeptical World” in Room 9 at 9:15. Have you ever been stumped by arguments against Christianity or the Bible? Josh & Sean McDowell, Ph.D., a father/son duo, will discuss how to communicate biblical truth to a skeptical world. All are welcome to attend!
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Salvation Army Bell Ringers Needed
Times are still available to ring the bells for the Salvation Army at the Punta Gorda (Airport Road) Publix.
Please sign up for a time to ring the bell by using the link below, or you can call the church office to sign up for a time 941-639-3842.
BELL RINGER SIGN UP
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Dr. Jim Scherer
Dr. Jim Scherer passed away on November 12, 2024. Jim and his wife Nancy had been an active part of the leadership team and care ministry here at the church until they moved to the Tampa area around 2015. A celebration of life and faith will be held with the family sometime in January. For information about the service please contact Pastor Earl at 941-626-5227. Nancy’s address is 12741 Aston Creek, Tampa 33626.
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Watch Out for Scams
Scammers have been impersonating church staff, sending emails that may ask for personal information. Always check the sender’s email address—legitimate emails from staff will end with @newlifeforall.church. If the message comes from any other address or number claiming to be from someone at our church, it’s a scam. When in doubt, verify the person you are communicating with before responding. Let’s stay vigilant and look out for one another!
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Installation Reception RSVP
We are planning a reception in Lenox Hall with light refreshments after Pastor Casey's installation service on January 5th. Please RSVP using the link below so we are sure to have enough refreshments. Thank you!
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Rebuilding Progress Update
We now have Rooms 9 and 13 set up for use! And as you look around the outside our contractor, Total Comfort, has begun replacing our air conditioners. The new units are being installed above ground level in case of future storms.
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Blue Christmas, December 15
Merry Christmas! But perhaps not for everyone. The death of a loved one, estrangement from family, the loss of a job, or any number of difficult circumstances, can change the way we feel about the holidays.
Merry means to be cheerful, lively, jovial, jolly. For some it will not be a merry Christmas, but the birth of our Savior can be celebrated with a deep, God-given joy.
The Blue Christmas Service gives us permission to acknowledge our gratitude and inner joy, without feeling pressured to express our blessedness in traditional jubilation. It's not a solemn service, but neither is it whimsical. We reverently celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We hope that you will join us for the Blue Christmas Service on Sunday, December 15 at 4pm in the Sanctuary.
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We want to welcome Pastor Casey with a supply of Gift Cards, rather than filling his pantry with perishables. If you would like to participate, please bring your gift cards to the office by December 30. You can place them in the Offering Box as well on Sunday mornings. Suggested locations are Publix, Starbucks, or WalMart. We will present our gifts to him on his first Sunday in January!
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A Word from Worship
Greetings New Life Family and Friends,
We've had a couple days where it felt a little like Christmas! I was worried this year when I learned that all of our Christmas trees and decorations were lost in the hurricane. The poinsettias were safe and the beautiful nativity that was gifted to us a couple years ago is safe, but I didn't know how we would make it look festive. But of course, this church family answered prayer and we have two beautiful trees donated - one in the sanctuary and one in our Life Center. Ornaments were obtained and volunteers helped decorate. While we miss our beautiful Chrismons which were so lovingly handmade by the ladies of this church several years ago, I think they look wonderful. This past week we celebrated the second week of Advent and the second purple candle was lit; the candle of love. It shows that two candles bring greater light than one. A love that is patient and kind - the love found in Jesus, who is the perfect example of love. When asked what was the greatest commandment he replied: "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul and your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22: 37-39. I tried to think of ways to show love this past week but I realized acts of love can be anything; a kind word, a warm hug, a heartfelt smile, doing the dishes or just listening to someone's story. Next week we'll think about joy!
UPDATE: things with us remain stable! I had my PET scan last week and will see the doctor on Monday. Don continues to do quite well. He is able to stay pretty busy compared to the first months. He's able to walk okay without the walker around the house. A new accomplishment this week is that he's been able to start driving again. Such a gift for him (and me) and an example of answered prayers. We are so humbled by the Lord's love and the gift of prayer that enables us to be able to continue to serve. We have been in a place a few months ago where it felt like we'd never be able to crawl out. But thanking Him for the tiniest accomplishment was an answer to prayer and we are blessed. I remember that first day in the hospital back in May when they told us things were so bad he would probably not get out and go home. I replied okay but we will pray for the best possible solution. We thank you daily for your love and prayers as well as your generous help with food and gift cards which have helped greatly.
I'm praying for you!
Rosie Young
Worship Coordinator
rosie@newlifeforall.church
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Dates to Remember - Mark your Calendars! | |
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JANUARY
Pastor Casey's Installation Service and Reception, January 5
(one service at 10:30 Sunday, January 5)
GriefShare Begins, January 7
Pastor Mike's Retirement Party, January 17
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Meal Train for Don & Rosie Young
Click HERE to sign up.
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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.
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Church Name Tags
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.
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Offering New Life in Jesus Christ, by Seeking, Shaping, and Sending Disciples
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9 am - 4 pm
(941) 639-3842 | www.newlifeforall.church
Download our app HERE
Sign up to receive text messages & daily devotions by calling the church office.
All past issues of The Bridge are available on our website HERE.
Submissions for the Bridge can be emailed to katherine@newlifeforall.church.
Deadline for the Bridge is the prior Wednesday, by noon.
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