January 9, 2026

New this Week:

• Bargain Boutique Ribbon Cutting, January 20
• Cuba Mission, January 26

Men's Breakfast, January 10

8 am, Lenox Hall

Join us in Lenox Hall for a continental breakfast and a special tag-team presentation by Craig Esterly and Polly Pierce. Craig will share about the Charlotte Re-Entry Initiative, and Polly will give her powerful testimony of coming to Christ and serving through this ministry.

Please RSVP to Wayne Sharp at sharpww@me.com

Theater Ministry Meeting, January 11

If you have been interested in the Theater Ministry, or just want to learn more, you're invited to our meeting this Sunday, January 11 at 1 pm in Lenox Hall. ALL are welcome!!

Celebrating the Reopening of the Bargain Boutique, January 20

We are grateful to share wonderful news with our New Life in Christ Church family—the Bargain Boutique has reopened following the completion of repairs from Hurricanes Milton and Helene on our building. We invite our church family to join us in celebrating this milestone!

A ribbon cutting ceremony, held in partnership with the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Tuesday, January 20, at 5 pm. This will be a special time to give thanks for God’s provision, recognize the hard work of many hands, and celebrate the return of a ministry that supports outreach both locally and around the world.

The Bargain Boutique is a volunteer-run resale store offering gently used clothing, small appliances, and household items at affordable prices. Proceeds from sales directly support New Life Church mission programs and outreach efforts, making the Boutique an important part of how our church serves others.

We extend our sincere thanks to the dedicated volunteers who make this ministry possible and to Bargain Boutique Board Chair, Geri Bodnar for her leadership. We look forward to celebrating together as a church family and continuing the mission God has placed before us.

First 2026 Cuba Mission

On January 26 our church will send a Mission Team to visit our sister Churches in Taguasco and Zaza de Medio. We wish to take three suitcases full of medicines for our friends there. We need 3 large suitcases measuring no more than 62", height+length+width. Bring the suitcases to

the Bargain Boutique. Those who want to provide some medicines, especially for children, bring them to Lenox Hall and put them in the CUBA box on the table there. There are papers there listing the most vitally needed medicines and bandages. Questions can be directed to Tom

Little, 941-769-0002 or Geri Bodnar, 941-628-4012.

Apostles Build 2026

New Life Church is one of 10 churches working with Habitat for Humanity to build a home in Port Charlotte. Our commitment is to provide volunteers and to raise $5,000 to help with costs. On Sunday, January 11th, please stop by between services at our table by Lenox Hall and write a blessing on 2x4s which will be used for the interior walls. New life Church volunteers will be working on the home Saturday, January 17th. Donations are welcome. Please indicate ‘Apostles Build’ on your offering. For more information, email Wayne Sharp at sharpww@me.com.

Intentional Christian Grandparenting, January 12

“Unleashing the Power of the Blessing”

Monday, January 12, 1:30-3:00 pm, in Room 9

For our monthly meeting in January, the Intentional Christian Grandparenting group will explore the power of the spoken and written “blessing.” We will learn the importance of the Biblical blessing—a timeless gift that imparts five foundational elements, with the power to nurture self-worth and emotional well-being in our children and grandchildren of all ages.

Participants will view the video, “Unleashing the Power of Spoken Blessing” and discuss the five key elements of the blessing as presented in the book, The Blessing, Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance, by Dr. John Trent, Gary Smalley, and Kari Trent Stageberg. Afterwards, the group will discuss ideas for preparing and giving a blessing to our grandchildren for Valentine’s Day. It could become a life-changing gift.

Join us Monday, January 12, 1:30-3:00 pm in Room 9.

Contact: grandparentingmatters@newlifeforall.church for more details or to register.

We are looking forward to a very special event in the new year, the Astralis Chamber Ensemble! They will perform a free concert in the sanctuary on Monday, January 19 at 4pm. We are in need of families to host the musicians for one night (1/19/26) - 2 females and 1 male, with a meal provided. 

Interested in being a host family?

Please contact: MaryBeth Khamis, marybeth@newlifeforall.church

2026 Bible Reading Plan

Read the entire Bible or just the New Testament in 2026!

This special Bible reading system allows you to read the entire Bible (or just the New Testament) in one year while only reading five times a week. Five readings a week gives room to catch up or take a day off to focus on other Bible reading or spiritual disciplines, and makes daily Bible reading practical and do-able.

Additional Resources:

How to Stay with Bible Reading for a Year

PATH tool

Six Key Passages

Readers Companion

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

Facilitated by Pastor Earl Smith

Wednesdays 10 – 11:30 am, Lenox Hall

In keeping with a tradition that started when he retired ten years ago, Pastor Earl will once again lead a Wednesday morning Bible study during the winter and spring months. The class meets each Wednesday from 10 – 11:30 am. It will meet in Lenox Hall. Classes will begin on January 7. Just come when you can. There is no need to sign up. Everyone is welcome. He seeks to structure the class so that you will feel uniquely involved even if you miss sessions.

This year he wants to introduce us to the writings of Rev. N. T. Wright. His bio follows: N. T. Wright or Tom Wright, is a British New Testament scholar, Pauline theologian and Anglican bishop. He was the bishop of Durham and Lord Spiritual in the UK Parliament from 2003 to 2010. He then became research professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at St Mary's College in the University of St Andrews in Scotland until 2019, when he became a senior research fellow at Wycliffe Hall at the University of Oxford.

Wright writes about theology and Christian life and the relationship between them. He advocates a biblical re-evaluation of theological matters such as justification, women's ordination, and popular Christian views about life after death. The author of over seventy books, Wright is highly regarded in academic and theological circles for his "Christian Origins and the Question of God" series. The third volume, The Resurrection of the Son of God, is considered by many clergy and theologians to be a seminal Christian work on the resurrection of Jesus.

Wednesday Night Bible Study

Facilitated by Larry Keller

Wednesdays, 6:30 - 8:00 pm, Room 13
Zoom link available, email: keller657b@gmail.com

Whether you can be there in person or prefer to join via Zoom, we'd love to have you. For the best prices on the study guide, check out Amazon. Hope to see you there!

Thursday Morning Women's Bible Study

HEAVEN by Jennifer Rothschild

January 15 - February 26, 2026

Thursdays 9:30 -11:00 AM, Life Center

Cost: $20.00 (scholarships available)

Join us and discover the subject of heaven through a biblical perspective. As you walk through this study, you'll not only gain a deeper understanding of what God has prepared for His children, but also learn how to live with confidence today as you look forward to the glorious unending that awaits. Don’t just wonder about Heaven -- embrace it with a faith that turns anticipation into excitement and peace.

Sign up by clicking the "Request to Join" button on our website HERE.

If you have any questions contact Debbie Spahn, debraaspahn@yahoo.com or 772-708-6355.

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.