New Life Church Weekly Update

February 23, 2024

This Sunday: February 25, 2024

8:00 am Praise Service, Sanctuary

9:15 am Traditional Worship, Sanctuary

10:45 am Contemporary Worship, Life Center

Message: "Fighting on Our Knees"

Scripture: Mark 9:25-29

Pastor Mike Loomis

Please Note: The 8:00 service will be held in the Sanctuary this Sunday!

New This Week

Young Life Gala, March 11
Prayer Vigil, March 24-31
Easter - Children's Ministry Volunteers Needed

Feed the Harbor - this Sunday!

Feed The Harbor is an opportunity to engage in selfless service and extravagant generosity. On February 25th from 9 am -3 pm, shoppers at 5 Publix stores in Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda will donate about 30,000 pounds of food. Valued at about $60,000, it will be distributed to an estimated 25 local pantries at 3 pm who then give it to the less fortunate.

Will you join us in shopping? See the attached shopping list HERE.

Young Life Gala

This year's Young Life GALA is to be held at 6 pm on Monday, March 11, at the Kings Gate Golf Club which is located at 24900 Rampart Blvd. Port Charlotte. The purpose of the GALA is to support the teens who have come to Jesus this year. Most of them come from families which have never come to church. These kids need to see that there are adult Christians who share their belief in Jesus. It is much more than sharing a good meal at a table of friends from church and we need your participation. After the services this Sunday, table hosts will be asking you to sign up to join their table. If you are unable to attend service Sunday contact Peter Gillen, gooddecision@msn.com, 941-661-8367, or Tom Little, kalani@comcast.net, 941-769-0002 and we can sign you up.

Easter is quickly approaching!

This year we have amazing things planned for children and families in our community, such as crafts, games, food trucks, a petting zoo and a bounce house. These community events are only made possible through the love and dedication of those willing to serve. If you would be interested in assisting in some capacity, please email Becca at becca@newlifeforall.church.

Welcome New Members

We welcomed 14 new members into our church family on Sunday, February 11!

8:00 Service

Skip & Sandy Bassett

9:15 Service

Gaye Brownie

Dillard Coleman

Ralene Flynn

Edgar & Nancy Godfrey

Steve & Linda Rucker

10:45 Service

Brad & Laurie Betting

Roxanne Reabe

Robert & Marcia Russell

Hope Chapel, Fire Relief Update

We were blessed as a church to provide Hope Chapel in Kihei Maui $1,456.00 of assistance after the fire in Maui. Here is an excerpt from an update we received last week from the Pastor:

"As I reflect upon this past year there are many moments filled with both joy, and with tears - and with all that we have experienced and in every circumstance, God has been near to us.

By God's grace and through your generosity, we are so happy to report that not only did we meet our December target to finish on budget, we received an additional $202,441 that will allow us to begin 2024 strong and prepared to continue to share the good news of Jesus in increasing measure.

Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel. Your faithfulness in prayer, serving and giving is so important to the health and growth of the body of Christ here at Hope!

Better Together, Ben Pragnell"

Scam Texts and Emails

It has come to our attention that recently some scam texts have been received "appearing" to come from New Life Church, asking for gift cards from the recipient.

Please note:

No one on staff will EVER send out this type of request by text or email.
NEVER respond to this type of thing...EVER.

Wednesday Lenten Services

Please join us on Wednesdays at noon in the Sanctuary!

February 28, Jay Mumper

March 6, Brian Smith

March 13, Earl Smith

March 20, TBD

To sign up for a time to pray March 24-31, scan the QR or schedule your time HERE.

Operation Christmas Child, February & March Donations

Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Mission Team requests donations in February & March of “Wow” items. A ‘quality’ shoebox for each child is important. A “Wow” item, such as a medium sized doll, stuffed animal, soccer ball with pump, clothing outfit, solar flashlight, large toy car, or a small musical instrument is important to capture the child’s attention the instant the shoebox is opened! (I’ve had great success finding stuffed animal dog toys. Not only are they less expensive than children’s stuffed animals, but they are also well-made and very durable.) Please leave your donations in the Operation Christmas Child Donation box in Lenox Hall! Thank you for your help in making this a fantastic year to spread the Good News of Jesus to children around the globe!

Lead Pastor Selection Committee Announcement

The following New Life in Christ Church members have been assigned to serve on the Lead

Pastor Selection Committee:

Peter Bell, Chair

Ellen Webb

Ken Moses

Dorothy Strunk

Michelle Sharp

Jack Gowan

Peter Gillen

Pastor Mike will be a non-voting member of the committee.

The Selection Committee members will be meeting with many of our church groups for input

into the Committee’s criteria for selection of a new Lead Pastor.

The Selection Committee will review all applications and background materials of the

candidates; review initial sermons of all candidates; interview selected candidates; set up final

candidates to visit and preach at our church, and all other duties as needed.

The committee will report and make recommendations to the Staffing Committee. The Staffing Committee will review the final candidates and report and make a final recommendation(s) to the Leadership Committee for approval.

Greetings from the Music Ministry

Hello New Life Church!

What a blessing it is to worship with you each week at New Life Church. Thank you so much for being a singing church. I am always lifted up by the congregational worship. I am praying that the music we share on Sunday morning will lead us into a deeper relationship with Jesus and each other.

If you are interested in being in the Chancel Choir or in the Chancel Ringers (handbells), please reach out to me. The Chancel Choir is meeting on Thursday evenings from 6-8 PM. We sing most every Sunday morning during the 9:15 traditional service. Chancel Ringers will shortly begin preparations for Easter if we have enough interest. I would love to hear from you.

Instrumentalists Wanted! If you play an instrument, I would love to hear from you. If you haven’t played in a while, don’t let that hold you back. I am interested in working with church members who could occasionally join in during a service. I can help you prepare if you need that.

All musicians and vocalists in choir or serving through playing, are considered worship leaders. We strive to be faithful in that calling. Our aim is to...

Magnify the Greatness of God in Jesus name,

Through the Power of the Holy Spirit.

Skillfully combining God’s Word with music,

Thereby motivating the gathered church to...

Proclaim the Gospel

Cherish God’s presence and

Live for God’s Glory

Our Anthem for this Sunday will be “Know My Heart” by Benjamin Harlan. It is based on Psalm 139, whose text is perfect for our Lenten season of repentance and in the renewal of our faith and relationship with God. It is a prayer asking God to search our hearts and a proclamation to praise Him. I am sharing the text in advance and hope this will be a good devotion for you this week.

Know My Heart - text adapted from Psalm 139

Lord, you have searched me, You know Everything I do

When I rise, when I lie down, You are with me

Before I speak, You hear me

Your presence follows day by day

O know my heart, O God

If I ascend into heaven You are there

On the wings of the morning, or in my deepest despair

His hand shall lead me, his right hand will guide me

Though darkness should cover me, light shall surround me

And I will praise the Lord

I will praise Him with my whole heart!

Hymns this Sunday, February 25 are:

#487 – Power in the Blood

#241 – Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross

#440 – Sweet Hour of Prayer

See you Sunday!

Joyfully,

MaryBeth Khamis

Interim Director of Music

marybeth@newlifeforall.church

513-543-6994 (text before calling so I know to pick up)

A Word from Worship

Greetings New Life Church family and friends,

Thanks to everyone who attended our Ash Wednesday worship service. I am grateful for those members who volunteered to help at that service. I know that serving others is a great way to build our faith. Especially during this time of Lent our prayer group is sharing experiences we've had because of prayer and I'm hoping to share some of these with you soon. I have been reading about different forms of prayer such as perseverance in prayer when we keep praying without getting discouraged. It's easy to become frustrated but God longs for us to walk with Him in unceasing communion. Sometimes our problems are overwhelming situations that tend to draw us closer to Him. He wants us to know His love for us and experience His gracious and providing care as we live in total dependency on Him. Fervent prayer can be described as unceasing, intentional, with unfailing intensity. This is what I've been trying to learn more about and practice this Lenten season. And in an admittedly small way, I had a chance to put this into practice this week. As most of you know, I have recently been told I need a hip replacement but the physician is hesitant to do surgery because of my high risk. Let me explain that I am not afraid of surgery but if there are less invasive ways to reduce the severe pain I am willing to attempt it. I was scheduled for a trial of hip injection and after a wait of two long months my appointment, due on February 20th was due in just 3 days. Let me share what happened. Sunday I was absolutely fine through 3 worship services. We came home, had lunch and because it was rainy outside I decided to lay down for a rest. I dosed off for only about 25 minutes and woke up in a panic with a terrible sore throat - sore enough that I couldn't swallow! I immediately said "Oh no Lord - I cannot miss that appointment!" So I began to pray. Fervently. I knew if I had to reschedule it would be the end of April before we could try again. I asked Don to start praying and called my other prayer partner to pray also. By that evening the sore throat was completely gone and I had no temp. I had a dull headache but we kept on intent prayer that night and all day Monday. By that afternoon, I felt absolutely fine and truly prayed praise prayer all evening because I knew I wouldn't have to miss my procedure. God is good! I truly feel as if this was a a.mini-miracle. I had my injection on Tuesday afternoon and amazingly I had a conversation with this new doctor about prayer and hope and love. They're the things God has done for me through prayer. Ordinary situations that are overwhelming but through the power of prayer and trust in our Heavenly Father turn into answered prayer that we can share with others. We are praying fervently for a prayer revival in our church so there are things you can do to help. Sign up to take part in the 24/7 prayer vigil during Holy Week. Attend the Wednesday Lenten service each week in the sanctuary. Set your phone alarm to join in the all-church commitment to say The Lord's Prayer at noon each day.

Please pray and consider sharing a brief (2-minute) testimony about how prayer has helped in your life. Please let me know asap if you are willing to record something. Something you say may help someone in their prayer journey. There is power in prayer. Praise Him for all the things He does in your life daily.

I am grateful to be surrounded by a church family that prays for each other.

I am praying for you!

Rosie Young

Worship Coordinator

rosie@newlifeforall.church

Dates to Remember - Mark your Calendars!

Feed the Harbor, February 25

Prayer Vigil, March 24-31

View our entire Lenten Schedule HERE

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.

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.

Update Your Contact Information

The church office strives to maintain the most up-to-date and accurate contact information for all of our members and regular attenders. Thank you in advance for taking a few minutes to fill out our 2024 Contact Update form for each member of your household by clicking the link below:

Update Your Contact Information

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