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New Life Church Weekly Update | |
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This Sunday: December 10, 2023
Second Sunday of Advent
8:00 am Praise in the Park, Gilchrist Park
9:15 am Traditional Worship, Sanctuary
10:45 am Contemporary Worship, Life Center
Message: "Yahweh Never Forgets"
Scripture: Luke 1:5-17
Pastor Mike Loomis
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As we enter into this Advent season join Pastor Angela in pausing for a few minutes to reflect on what we are celebrating! Click the link below to watch a short video! | |
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Join us tonight in the Sanctuary at 6 pm for a Christmas Harp Concert!
No tickets are required.
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New This Week
- Cuba Medicines
- Men's Breakfast, December 16
- End-of-Year Giving Reminder
- Bobby & Doreen's Jukebox Dreams, January 14
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Cuba Medicines
The Cuba Mission Team finished packing six full suitcases with medicines and children's Sunday School supplies in several hours on Wednesday afternoon. The church members gifts were all used and each suitcase weighed 49 pounds. Some medicines and some computers were added to our carry-on luggage along with three wedding dresses. All told, more than 300 pounds of urgently needed gifts will be carried to Cuba Friday morning as you read this.
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Men's Breakfast, December 16
All men are invited to join us Saturday, December 16th at 8:00 am in Lenox Hall. John Davidson, Executive Director of Crossroads Hope Academy, will be our speaker. Crossroads Hope Academy provides a home for foster boys who have had multiple failed placements in the Florida Foster Care System. A Continental Breakfast will be provided. There is no charge for this event, but please make reservations by Thursday, December 14th by responding to an email invitation, or contact Wayne Sharp at sharpww@me.com.
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End-of-Year Giving
Denise Holcomb, Finance Manager
Just a reminder that all donations need to be in the Church Office by December 28th at noon
to be counted as a 2023 Contribution.
Also, 2023 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 December 25 through January 1, 2024.
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Church Prints Available
We have "ready to frame" 5x7 and 11x14 prints of the church available for someone special on your Christmas List! Suggested donation amounts are $5 for the 5x7 and $20 for the 11x14. The prints are available in the church office Monday - Thursday.
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Blue Christmas
For those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, the Christmas Season can be very painful. Added to the memories of Christmases with those we have lost, there is a seasonal pressure to put a smile on and join the festivities. We invite you to join us on Sunday, December 17 at 4pm in the Sanctuary for a time of honor and remembrance.
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Christmas Eve, Children's Ministry
Volunteers & Christmas Treats Needed!
Craft / Games Leaders
If you are available to help Christmas Eve from 12:30 - 3:00 pm at Gilchrist Park, please sign up using the link below.
Christmas Treats
We are planning a Christmas Treat Bake Sale to benefit our Children's Ministry. Treats would be needed in the Lenox Hall kitchen by Thursday, December 21. Please label all treats and if any nuts are in the recipe let Becca know. (becca@newlifeforall.church)
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December Shower Ministry Needs
-Small men’s underwear (new and in packages)
-Men’s cargo shorts and jeans sizes 28, 30, 32, 34 (smaller sizes very much needed!)
-Men’s small, medium, large, 2X, 3X casual shirts and t-shirts
-Men’s tennis/boat shoes and sandals sizes 10 and up
-Men’s belts
-Lightweight blankets
*Please make sure all items (with exception of socks and underwear) are lightly worn and free from stains*
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Salvation Army Bell Ringers Needed
We are ringing the bells for the Salvation Army at the Publix on Airport Road, Punta Gorda.
Please sign up for a time to ring the bell by using the link below, or you can call Gail in the church office 941-639-3842.
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GriefShare
Melodie Austin
Help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member, or friend.
The care you need. Information you can trust.
After the funeral, when the cards and flowers have stopped coming, most of the people around you return to their normal lives. But your grief continues and you feel alone.
Often, friends and family want to help you but don’t know how. That’s the reason for GriefShare. Our group is led by caring people who have experienced grief and have successfully rebuilt their lives. We understand how you feel because we’ve been in the same place. We will walk with you on the long path through grief toward healing and hope for the future.
Our 2024 GriefShare groups will be starting January 2 at 6:30 pm OR January 3 at 10:00 am in room 13. With video seminars, support group discussions, and personal study and reflection, GriefShare provides help for you along the journey to healing. We meet for 13 weeks.
If you are grieving the death of a loved one or know someone who is, no matter how long it’s been, please share this information about our 13-week GriefShare support group. Reservations are needed to join these groups.
For more information or to make a reservation, please contact:
Melodie Austin, 941-661-0842 or email melharryaustin@yahoo.com
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A Word from Worship
Greetings New Life Church family and friends,
I had a visit this morning with the nurse who monitors my pump implant and she started chatting by saying " I can't even believe Christmas is in a couple weeks!"
I agreed and told her that I had a half-decorated tree up so far. This probably explains why, after my time of prayer, I picked up a book that fell open to an article entitled " A Bundle of Joy." Amazing! This title of course touched my heart, because our beautiful great-granddaughter, Peyton Rose was born yesterday. The joy came early to our family. While we are filled with joy at this moment in our family, there are families suffering from illnesses, and even terrible loss. When we sing Joy to the World at Christmas time we are rejoicing at the joy the shepherds felt after witnessing the birth of the infant Jesus. David Jeremiah writes that joy comes from living in the presence of God, and that is one reason we should celebrate and rejoice at Christmas. We are encouraged to not let this season steal our joy this year. If we sense that things seem to be slipping away, we should take some quiet moments to sit in God's presence and think about the joy that was revealed at the birth of Christ. We get so dazed by the glitter and glitz of decorations and ornaments and packages under the tree, even as adults it's easy to forget for the moment the gift that God gave us in His son. It's certainly okay to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the season with all the twinkling lights and activities - as long as we remember what Christmas is really all about, taking time to seek out Jesus and share this love of Christmas with others. I definitely want to teach my great-grandchildren the real celebration of Christmas. We can all share this real joy with others through prayer and small acts of kindness and gratitude.
I am grateful for the volunteers who helped with decorating the campus. A huge thank you to those of you who have commented on how great it looks! I am grateful to all of you!
Don't forget upcoming events! Check The Bridge for info!
I am praying for you!
Rosie Young
Worship Coordinator
rosie@newlifeforall.church
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Operation Christmas Child
Missed packing an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox? It’s not too late! The New Life Church Goal Page for Operation Christmas Child “Build-A-Shoebox” Online will be available until December 31st. Click on the green button below. Thank you for your participation in this important mission to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with children around the world!
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Dates to Remember - Mark your Calendars! | |
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December 8, Harp Concert
Men's Breakfast, December 16
Blue Christmas, December 17
Christmas Eve, December 24
Bobby & Doreen's Jukebox Dreams, January 14
Please Note:
There will not be an 8am Park Service on Christmas Eve 12/24 or New Year's Eve 12/31.
The church offices will be closed December 25 through January 1, 2024.
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Women's Bible Study - Cost: $20, payable at the first session
Childcare reservation deadline: December 23, 2023
Register HERE or by calling the church office 941-639-3842.
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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
Bargain Boutique Hours: M, W, F, 10 am - 2 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.
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