New Life Church Weekly Update

June 14, 2024

This Sunday: June 16, 2024

8:00 am Praise Service, Sanctuary

9:15 am Traditional Worship, Sanctuary

10:45 am Contemporary Worship, Life Center

Message: "Fathered in Love"

Scripture: Romans 8:12-17

Pastor Mike Loomis

Altar flowers this week are given by: Gert Hall in memory of her husband Jack Hall.

8 am Worship - Join us in the Sanctuary!

Our 8 am service will be held in the Sanctuary the next two Sundays, June 16 and 23.

We will not have an 8 am service during the months of July and August, only our 9:15 and 10:45 services. Our 8 am worship service will return to the Sanctuary in September, and to Gilchrist Park in October!

Online Worship Update:

Our Facebook Livestream seems to be working again! Thank you for your patience.

New This Week

June 30 Celebration, we need your help!
Church Projects Update
Shoes for Kids
Supply Drive for Sallie Jones Elementary School

Volunteers Needed, June 30

We will need help with set-up, clean-up and serving on Sunday, June 30. If you are able to serve, please contact Joey DePetro: joey@newlifeforall.church, 941-681-6718.

Church Projects Update

With the summer approaching, we thought we would update everyone on some of the major projects going on at our church.

Lead Pastoral Search

We have had several great candidates for our search to replace Pastor Mike. As we know this is in God’s hand, and he has been active in using our church as a tool for those that have applied, to consider and reconsider their present place in God’s church. Many of the good candidates, after interviewing and praying, felt that in the end they needed to stay where they currently serve the Lord. That is good for them, but stretching out the timetable for our search. Remembering that this is God’s plan, not necessarily ours! Patience for us is the key word!!

We have a new candidate that will be on our campus the weekend of June 23^rd, and will be preaching at all 3 services on that Sunday. This candidate is presently a United Methodist Minister with a church that has stayed within the United Methodist denomination. We need to keep this as confidential as we can in order to protect his current employment. The following is his background:

25 years of ministry and 16 years pastoring multigenerational congregations, in both traditional and contemporary services. He is deeply Wesleyan in his approach to the Lord. He has a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Duke University; a Philosophy/Religion Bachelor’s Degree from Greenville University; and currently working on a Project Management Professional degree. He has also served on the Board of Ordained Ministry for the UMC since 2015, and has coached over 50 pastors through the ordination process.

He and his wife have been married since 2001, and they have 3 children.

Playground Project

We have run into several delays and rewrites due to the permitting process with the City of Punta Gorda. The rewrites have increased the cost of this project. We are now in the process of updating the estimated cost before we can move forward. We hope to have something completed by the end of the summer.

The Bargain Boutique Renovation

We have started the permitting process. This renovation will enclose the front porch to make more room inside for merchandise display and sales. The garage will be extended about 12 feet to increase our storage and sorting capacity. And the main entrance from the parking lot will include a new ramp for access. The estimated finish date will be in early September. Again, depending on how we fare with the permitting process. This house is on the historic district plat, so there are several permitting processes that we must go through to get a final decision with the City of Punta Gorda.

Hurricane Ian Damage Costs and Insurance Adjustments

Yes, we are still in the process of completing the reconstruction of the damages that were caused by Hurricane Ian. We are now at the point that we can begin our meetings with the insurance company’s adjuster, to begin to obtain reimbursement for some of our reconstruction costs. Our insurance coverage covered each of our building separately. Therefore, we have a deductible to meet on each building before we have a dollar amount agreed to for the reimbursement from the insurance company.

We have our first sit down meeting with the insurance adjuster this month. We know that this will become a negotiating process as we proceed through the summer.

We thank all of our Servants of God who are working these projects to make them successful for our future!

May God Bless Us All,

The Leadership Council

Shoes for Kids

We are partnering again this summer with the Kiwanis “Shoes for Kids” project. The purpose of “Shoes for Kids” is to provide new tennis shoes to any student in Charlotte County which needs them to begin the new school year, or throughout the academic year. Approximately 75% of the shoes are delivered to the Elementary Schools. You can drop off your donations of new shoes to the collection box located in Lenox Hall. The collection will run through July 21st.

Operation Christmas Child

The Operation Christmas Child Team of New Life Church asks for monetary donations during the months of June and July to help defray shipping costs of shoe boxes. If you would like to help, please make your check out to New Life Church, and write “Operation Christmas Child” on the memo line of your check. Drop it into the Collection Boxes in the Life Center. Thank you for your help with our 2024 OCC ministry program to bring the Good News to children around the world.

Jesus Loves You Ministry Need

The Jesus Loves You Ministry is in need of a 1/2 ton pickup truck. If anyone can donate a truck or finance a used truck please contact Ashley Brantley, Executive Director at: 941-979-5232

Will you pray for one of our youth as they serve as missionaries this summer?

Okay, thanks! Now that you have said "yes," you can select the name of a teen missionary to pray for specifically. Students have printed their names on key chain tags which are available for you to take home. These colorful tags have the name of one student or adult volunteer who is part of our youth summer missions team. So, the next time you are at church, you can grab a key tag and add it to your set of keys. Then each time you see the key tag remember to say a short prayer for the individual who will be serving in Mescalero, New Mexico this July 12-20.

Key Tags are available in the Life Center Foyer and on the Missions table in Lenox Hall.

"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has power and produces wonderful results."

James 5:16 NLT

Mescalero, New Mexico Youth Mission Trip July 12th - 20th

Tim Buck

Have you heard? Our Teens will be serving on a mission trip to New Mexico to work on the Apache Indian Reservation. Preparations are almost complete for this 9-day trip. Students and their adult chaperones have been meeting together for training sessions and doing "homework" to prepare for the trip.

If you want to help our mission team in a specific and meaningful way, we have a unique opportunity you may want to invest in. While on our mission trip, we will be sleeping on air mattresses in classrooms at the Mescalero Apache School just down the road from the reservation. While there, the team will purchase mattresses, pillows, and some blankets to use during their stay at the church. Then at the end of the mission trip, the teens plan to continue their long-standing tradition of donating these items along with many other ministry supplies and tools to a local shelter or non-profit partner.

Check out the following list of items needed with the corresponding cost to see if you might be able to help.

We suggest the following donation amounts:

$2.50 Paint Tray Liner (15 5 needed)
~~$6 Paint Tray (5 needed)~~
$9 for a pillow (10 needed)
~~$12 for a blanket. (10 needed)~~
$27 5-Gallon Water Cooler (2 1 Needed)
$59 Coleman Lunch Cooler with wheels (2 needed)
$69 donation will purchase a raised twin mattress that comes with its own internal electric plug making it so much easier for a shelter to keep them inflated. (10 needed)
$84 Cordless Drill with battery, charger, and supplies (2 needed)
Other - Ministry supplies as needed, like shovels, extension cords, a jigsaw etc. (approx. $500)

Please prayerfully consider helping in this tangible way by making a donation towards the purchase of one or more of these items (please do not purchase any of these items as we cannot pack these items but will purchase them upon arrival in New Mexico). Donations can be made by writing “youth mission trip” in the memo of your check and placing it in an offering box or dropping it at the church office by July 3rd.

Thanks again for investing in our teens and helping them fulfill the great commission. Matthew 28:19 & 20

Summer Story Time for Kids!

Kid Zone will be hosting Story Time every Tuesday from July 2 - August 6 from 10 am -12 pm upstairs in Lenox Hall. It is for children ages 3-8. We will be reading the 5 non-holiday Adventures of Sea Kids by Lee Ann Mancini and completing a craft to go with it.

Storytime is open to the community, please share!

Family Resources Available

Today Matters has some of Lee Ann Mancini's resources for sale in the church office. Children's books, DVDs, a talking Scripture Bear and Lee Ann's bestseller "Raising Kids to Follow Christ."

Suggested donations for items:

All kids books (7 different) - $10 ea

All kids DVD's (8 different) - $10 ea

Kids workbook - $15

"Raising Kid's To Follow Christ" - $15

Scripture Teddy Bear - $25

While supplies last!

These items are perfect for parents, grandparents and gifts! Stop by the church office to take a look, Monday - Thursday.

Revelation Study

Facilitated by Cathy Smith

Begins August 12, 9:30 am in Room 13

To sign up for this class, email Cathy Smith: cmsmith8@msn.com.

You will need the following book for the class: END TIMES IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER by Ron Rhodes. It can be found at Amazon, Christian Book Stores, and Thrift Books all online. If you have any questions, just contact Cathy at the email above.

Stay Connected

this Summer!

For our snowbird church family members and those with busy travel plans this summer, we want to stay connected with you on Sunday mornings!

If you watch our services online, snap a selfie while worshiping, share it with us, and let us know where you are watching from! We would like to share the photos of our online family on Sunday mornings as we gather to worship together across the miles.

Email your Sunday online worship photos HERE.

A Word from Worship

Greetings New Life Church family and friends,

Well, another week has passed and we've had both some sweet and what I now describe as good days, and also some days that were real downers - with fear and a sense of hopelessness heavy on my heart. I tend to be worse when I'm overtired ( which is all the time right now) and I find myself dwelling on the hard facts we've been given. I honestly thought I was stronger than this but I'm trying not to beat myself up too much. Instead, when I'm having a bad moment or a desperate day, I try to turn to my Bible or a devotional - only to open it to an article titled "How to Hold Onto Hope." When I am weak, I read or call a prayer partner to pray with me. Our Lord reminds me that we can build a life of trust, dependence, faith, and hope in Him. I truly have tried to not be a complainer or whiner because of my many health issues and to serve Him by praying and encouraging others. So, it's been frustrating for me to have these feelings of hopelessness at times. Everyone's life situations are different but they all have their own pain. Hurt is hurt and loss is loss. I realize that when we're struggling to hold onto hope it's not easy. In spite of these things, God has guided me and strengthens my faith with scripture and surrounding me with others who walk with me and lift me up. That's where our wonderful Church family comes in. Every card, note, or message arrives at exactly the perfect time. If I've called you in one of my teary states and you listened - thank you. The gift cards are great and each and every meal has been nourishing and delicious and is a huge blessing. I'm sorry that I haven't been able to send out individual thank you notes but know that we love you and are grateful more than I say.

Here's our latest update: We had our appointment with Dr. Browne and Don has Stage 4 Colon cancer. He wants to do treatment, so in preparation for this, he had a PET scan today and had an iron infusion last Friday, and will have another this Friday. He still has much fatigue but as they get his blood and iron back up that will be better. We are waiting on these latest test results to find out his plan for chemo. We both know this is a big problem but we also know that our God is bigger than cancer. As we take each step forward, it eases just a little of the out of body experience we feel like we're in. Our hope is in God. Psalm 94:19 "When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer."

Thank you all for loving us so much- we love you too! We are praying for miracles and have had several early in this journey. We hope to see you very soon, as we miss being there. Please continue to send prayers.

I'm praying for you!

Rosie Young

Worship Coordinator

rosie@newlifeforall.church

Meal Train for Don & Rosie Young

As Don & Rosie Young focus on some new health challenges, we want to bless them with meals a few days a week. If you are able to participate, please use the link below to sign up for a date to provide dinner. Continue to keep them in your prayers.

Dates to deliver a meal in July are still available!

Greetings from the Music Ministry

Hello New Life Church!

This Sunday is Father’s Day, a day dedicated to honoring and celebrating fathers and father figures. It's a time to recognize and appreciate the contributions and sacrifices that fathers make for their families and to express gratitude for their love, guidance, and support. It's an opportunity to show appreciation for their hard work, dedication, and the impact they have made on our lives.

This day can be hard for some. Some people have had difficult and painful relationships with their fathers. Some have grown up without a father. Some had loving fathers, but they have passed away and Father’s day is still sad for them.

But regardless of our experiences with our earthly fathers, everyone has access to our heavenly Father. God is the epitome of the perfect Father. He has unconditional love for us regardless of our flaws. He is always present through our lives in good times and in bad. He is our guide and protector. God is forgiving and longsuffering, offering grace and mercy and welcoming us back into His fold when we stray. Our heavenly Father nurtures and comforts us in times of need and offers refuge from life’s storms. Our Father God desires a deep and intimate relationship with us. He sacrificed His only begotten son, Jesus, to reconcile us to Himself and to offer us salvation and eternal life.

In the Bible, the term "Abba" (an Aramaic word) is sometimes used for "father.” It is a title of endearment that conveys intimacy, warmth, and affection. It's a term used by children to address their fathers like saying “daddy” or “papa.” The Bible’s use of “Abba” shows the closeness and intimacy believers can have with God as their loving and caring Father. It reflects the deep personal relationship that Christians should have with God through Jesus Christ, who revealed this intimate connection during his earthly ministry.

Romans 8:15

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Do you relate to God in this way? Do you come to him as a child who rushes into the arms of their Dad? Remember that the Holy Spirit brought us into this family relationship with God. We have been adopted into His family and we are His children. We are daughters and sons of the most high God.

Other Verses about God our Father

II Corinthians 6:18

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

Psalm 68:5-6

“Sing to God, praise his name; exalt the rider of the clouds. Rejoice before him whose name is the Lord. Father of the fatherless, defender of widows – God in his holy dwelling.”

James 1:16-18

”Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”

Luke 12:32

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

2 Corinthians 6:16b & 18

“I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people… and I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

1 John 3:1

“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”

Invitation to the Music Ministry

Also, If you love to sing, please consider joining the Chancel Choir. We meet on Thursday evenings from 7-9 PM. We sing most Sunday mornings during the 9:15 service and are very flexible with travel plans. We have a wide variety of musicians with various backgrounds and there is a place for you! Please consider coming to a rehearsal to see if you would like to join us in this very fulfilling ministry.

Please e-mail me first if you are planning to come to a rehearsal, because the summer schedule is modified a bit.

At New Life Church, everyone in the music ministry is a worship leader.

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 NEW LIFE church to...

Proclaim the Gospel

Cherish God’s presence and

Live for God’s Glory

Our hymns this Sunday will be...

# 27 - Come Thou Almighty King

# 25 - Father in Whom We Live

# 44 - Great is Thy Faithfulness

See you Sunday!

MaryBeth Khamis

Interim Director of Music

marybeth@newlifeforall.church

Dates to Remember - Mark your Calendars!

"Under the Sea" Daddy/Daughter Dance, June 14

New Life 2nd Anniversary Picnic, June 30

Nursery Job Opening

We have a part-time position available in our nursery. The complete job description is available 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.

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Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9 am - 4 pm

(941) 639-3842 | www.newlifeforall.church

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