9:00 am Contemporary, Life Center

Message: "Disciple"

Scripture: John 13:12-17

Pastor Angela Hinchman

So, if you want to know Him more, begin with reading Scripture.

You will find two plans to help you do this. The first is a 5 x 5 x 5 New Testament reading plan. If you will spend 5 minutes a day, reading one chapter a day for 5 days, you will read the entire New Testament during 2023.

The second plan follows a similar structure: 5 days a week, but closer to 10 to 15 minutes of reading during those days. With this plan, you will read the entire Bible in 2023.

Our first quarter New Life Church contribution envelopes are delayed but will be arriving soon. You may still give by placing your check in the offering plate and you will receive credit for your offering. 

Our first mission trip to Cuba in more than three years will leave on Friday, January 27 to visit our sister church in Taguasco and the four missions that we support. We will be able to carry a single checked bag on the plane. We need to fill that bag with over the counter medicines such as aspirin, cough drops, and antibiotic ointment. There is a box on the mission table in Lenox Hall to receive your medicine gifts. There is a list on the box of the most needed items if you need some ideas. No liquids. Expiration date must be beyond February 2024. No prescription drugs.

Additionally, we can take in our carry on luggage the following: Iphone 5 or newer, Ipad, and laptop. All must have 110v charging adapter, for when electricity is available. Call if you have one to donate.

Questions can be directed to Tom Little, 941-769-0002.

The launch of a new year is a great time to get involved at New Life Church. We have many ministries and serving opportunities just waiting for YOU! Take a moment to fill out our Volunteer Form, letting us know what areas interest you, and we will be in touch to help you get plugged in.

We need your help! We have a great year planned for Sunday school, but few teachers. We need you as a partner in ministry! If you like kids, can read a lesson plan with minimal lesson planning, and desire to see all ages growing in faith, consider joining our team. We would like to find at least 8 more Sunday School teachers and at least 4 preschool teachers and a few substitute teachers. We want children of all ages to dive deep into the Bible!

Please contact Becca if you are available to serve:

becca@newlifeforall.church or 941-639-3842 ext. 213

We are looking for two part time nursery positions. If you, or someone you know are interested, please email your resume to: kathy@newlifeforall.church.

The job description can be viewed HERE, and is also on our website at the bottom of the STAFF page.

Sunday, January 8, 2023, The Harmony Bible Class will begin a new 8-session study by Andy Stanley called, “Follow,” in Lenox Hall beginning at 10:15 am.  Religion says, “Change and you can join us.” Jesus says, “Join us and you will change.” There is a huge difference.  His invitation is an invitation to relationship, and it begins with a simple request: follow me. Andy Stanley takes us through the Gospels as he traces Jesus’ teaching on what it means to follow. Prepare for your eyes to open, your feet to move, and your faith to be radically transformed. If you were waiting for an invitation to Follow in His Footsteps – this is it.  Jesus says “follow.” All are welcome to join us for this fascinating journey!

Please RSVP to Gail in the office, 941-639-3842 or email gail@newlifeforall.church to let us know you are planning to attend.

Email: bob@newlifeforall.church

On January 16 our Zoom Bible Study will start a study on Old Testament Characters. Come join us while we learn how to apply the Old Testament scriptures to our own lives. You can buy this $10 book on Amazon HERE. 

If you would like to join us, contact Cathy Smith at cmsmith8@msn.com. We meet every Monday on Zoom from 10-11. 

If you found yourself having to explain to someone who has never heard of God, Jesus, or the Bible, what would you say?

Whether you have been a follower of Jesus for a day, or twenty years, or want to learn more about him, you are invited to join us on a journey of discovering maybe for the first time, or rediscovering the central beliefs of the Christian faith.

Please join us for an eight-week study beginning January 17th. We will serve a buffet meal for those who want to eat and chat over dinner at 5:45 pm. Then, we will start in the Life Center at 6:30 pm before breaking into our groups.

There will be children's programming starting at 6:30 pm, so please bring the whole family, have dinner together, and get to know other people in our church!

I hope to see you there!

Any questions, contact: angela@newlifeforall.church

Today Matters Mental Health Ministries is bringing back our speaker series on Saturday, January 21st. We are so excited to welcome Holly K. Oxhandler who is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean at Baylor University. Holly has written a book for caregivers everywhere, in every role, who sense the sacred spark within them saying, in effect: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Her book is titled The Soul of the Helper and it will be for sale on Sunday mornings between services. It would make a great Christmas gift for someone on your list.  The cost will be $20 each or 2 for $35.

Save the date for our first Blood Drive of 2023 on Sunday, January 22. Sign up in advance for your donation appointment HERE.

The Chancel Ringers rehearses on Wednesdays at 6:00PM and plays at the 11:00AM service once a month. If you are interested in joining our handbell group and can read music I want to talk to you!

The Chancel Choir rehearses on Thursdays at 6:00PM in the Historic Sanctuary and sings Sundays at the 11:00AM Service. The Chancel Choir is open to anyone interested – no audition is necessary.

david@newlifeforall.church 

This Sunday’s Music – January 8, 2023 - 11:00AM Service

Greetings New Life Church family -

My new daily life schedule is beginning to settle into a pattern; one I'm not especially happy about. My day begins between 7-730 am at the Infectious Disease infusion clinic, where I sit for roughly 2.5 hours of IV antibiotics.  These two different drugs leave me feeling fatigued, nauseous and with extremely painful joints. It's been two weeks of this daily experience and as I told Pastor Mike It's now also making me crazy since I now break into tears at a moments notice.  Yikes! Now that I'm done whining and complaining, let me share the beautiful blessings I'm receiving.  I cannot count the number of you who have contacted me with words of encouragement and love. Many of you stopped after worship on Sunday to tell me that I'm being prayed for.  I am overwhelmed.  I have to admit, I've had moments of questioning why I again have to go through all this. Then I read Psalm 91:1-2 and I know that Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty". After a stressful first week, with a dead car battery on Christmas morning, and three nails in a tire on the next day, my prayer was Lord show me how to change my attitude to be more like Jesus. The very next day, the patient who usually sits next to me said " you go to church don't you? Will you say a prayer for me when you're there?" After praising God, I assured him that I would put him on our prayer list. He looked like he was sleeping and I was praying and praising God for sharing this gift of prayer with someone I had known only a couple days. He then opened up and shared some painful family issues and asked me to pray right then and there in the clinic.  God is so good to bless me like this. When I have a dark moment, our Father shows me how and why I need to keep praying and I am grateful. No matter how discouraged we may feel, we can never forget that Jesus is always with us. When we might be tempted to give up we need only turn to our Savior with our needs.

I am blessed by God's goodness. I'm praying for you! Please join us in prayer.

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.