New Life Church Weekly Update

March 15, 2024

This Sunday: March 17, 2024

8:00 am Praise Service, Sanctuary

9:15 am Traditional Worship, Sanctuary

10:45 am Contemporary Worship, Life Center

Message: "Our Weapon is a Melody"

Scripture: Psalm 22:3, 22

Pastor Mike Loomis

Please Note: The 8 am service will be held in the Sanctuary this week!

New This Week

Blood Drive, March 24
Palm Cross Folding, March 27
Prayer Testimony, Sharon Tubay

Join us tomorrow, March 16 for our Men's Breakfast at 8 am and Today Matters at 4 pm!

Town Hall Meeting - this Sunday!

We will have a church-wide Town Hall Meeting this Sunday, March 17 at 2pm

in the Life Center. Please join us!

Wednesday Lenten Services

Please join us at noon in the Sanctuary for our last Wednesday Lenten Service of the season!

March 20, Angela Hinchman

You can sign up for a Blood Drive donation time HERE.

Palm Crosses

Many hands are needed in order to make 2,000+ crosses from the palms. Please come on Wednesday, March 27, 5:30 - 7pm to Lenox Hall to help with this project. Bring a pair of scissors and a plastic bag if you want to take some home to continue making more. You can come to work - stay as long as you want or just come to pick some up to take home to work on. We will need to have the crosses back to church before noon on Saturday, March 30.

Please respond to Dixie at dpscoville@aol.com.

Thank you so much for your help with this project! God Bless all of you. Hugs, Dixie

Church Library Notes

Shelby DeCapite

During the month of March, look for the red library cart in our Fellowship area of the Lenox Hall. Spring cleaning in the library means we have FREE books that are available to you. Help yourselves! Books selected for the FREE cart are books that may be a little worn, little outdated, or books we already have on our shelves.

Here are tiles of two recently donated books that DID make it to our shelves:

Where Do We Go From Here by Dr David Jeremiah

The Holy Bible King James Version Large Print

Two books (other than the Bible) I recommend for your reading are:

Life is Hard, God is Good , Lets Dance: experiencing joy in a world gone mad. by Brant Hansen. This author (who happens to be my sister's brother-in-law) writes in a humorous open and somewhat "awkward" style. He has a nationally syndicated Christian radio program and is a champion for Cure International. This ministry provides life changing surgeries for children throughout the world.

The Power of a Woman's Words: how the words you speak can shape the lives of others by Sharon Jaynes. This bible study and discussion guide is one I'm currently using in a Bible Study with my prayer partner. We have found it to be a wonderful tool and love all the references to so many bible verse. Only criticism I might have is that I need to remember to write smaller in the spaces that are provided for answers. Lol!

Fellowship of Christian Athletes Gift

Our Charlotte County chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been given an amazing gift. The owners of Creator's Touch (Located in unit 112 under Laishley Crab House) are retiring and have donated all of the store's merchandise/contents to FCA. Yes, you read that correctly. Everything in the store including many of the display units must be sold during March only. The best part is that ALL (100%) of every sale goes directly to FCA! THAT'S 100% PROFIT!!! What a great way for our church to support FCA by shopping at this store knowing all of the purchase price is going directly to FCA!

Please go see our FCA staff (Tom Parker and Angel Rivera) at the store open 7 days a week until March 30th only. Tom has already discounted the store's vast inventory 40% - 50% off the original prices with more in-store specials too. This means some great deals for us, the supporters of FCA. Please tell your friends to go shop at Creator's Touch too knowing that every purchase we as a faith community make directly supports the impactful ministry of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Charlotte County. Embrace the beauty of the store's handmade decor, art, and jewelry, and help make a difference today!

Creator's Touch is open Every Day until Thursday, March 28th - the last day it will be in operation and close for good. Daily hours are: 10am - 8pm

*(Wednesdays they will close early at 5pm and Sundays they open 1 hour late at 11am)

100% of the money from everything sold will go directly to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for their ministry here in Charlotte County!

Inviting all Kids!

Good Friday Escape Room

Kids ages 5-12 are invited to join us on Good Friday from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm for an Escape Room where they will be on a mission to prove the innocence of Jesus! This event will take place during the Good Friday Service at noon, so parents are able to attend service and know their children are in a safe place. There will also be childcare for children 4 and under.

Lunch will be served for all children (and we want to be sure we have enough food for everyone), so whether child care is needed during service, or your children will be joining us for the Escape Room, please email Becca at becca@newlifeforall.church.

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.

Moms Connect, Bible Study & Fellowship

We are in the process of creating a Bible Study and fellowship for moms with children in all stages using the "Where Moms Connect" curriculum. This experience is meant to build our relationship with God. But it so much more than that. It is a place where moms can gather to find love and encouragement from others who understand the unique challenges of being a mom in today's world.

It is meant to be a low key experience, meeting each mom where they are at. It can be challenging finding time when there are kids at home! We would meet twice a month (looking for feedback on what days and times work best) in person, or online.

Share with any moms you know! If interested, email Becca at becca@newlifeforall.church

Greetings from the Music Ministry

Hello New Life Church!

I am pleased to announce that Peter Wright will be leading worship from the Organ on Sunday, March 17. Please welcome him as our guest as I will be away this Sunday. You are in for a treat as Peter will be playing the following on the organ.

Prelude: Be Still, My Soul (Jean Sibelius, arr. Albin C. Whitworth)

Postlude: The Palms (Jean Baptiste Faure, arr. Guy C Filkins)

Our Choral Anthem this Sunday is, I Will Sing of My Redeemer. This is a well known hymn whose words are by Philip Bliss, who also composed the music to “When Peace Like a River, Attendeth My Way,” or “It is Well,” to Stafford’s well known text. The music for I Will Sing of My Redeemer, was written by James McGranahan in 1876.

I Will Sing of My Redeemer

I will sing of my Redeemer and His wondrous love to me

On the cruel cross He suffered, from the curse to set me free

I will tell the wondrous story, how my lost estate to save

In His boundless love and mercy, He the ransom freely gave

I will praise my dear Redeemer, His triumphant power I’ll tell

How the victory He giveth, over sin, and death, and hell

I will sing of my Redeemer, and His heavenly love for me

He from death to life hath brought me, Son of God, with Him to be

REFRAIN:

Sing oh Sing, of My Redeemer

With His blood, He purchased me

On the cross, He sealed my pardon,

Paid the debt, and made me free

Are you considering joining us in the music ministry? You can join at ANY time. We would love to have singers and ringers and other instrumentalists. Come join us as we prepare for our Easter celebration and our weekly services.

If you love to sing, please consider joining The Chancel Choir. It meets on Thursday evenings from 6-8 PM. We sing most every Sunday morning during the 9:15 service. We have a wide variety of musicians with various backgrounds. Please consider coming to a rehearsal to see if you would like to join us each week.

The Chancel Ringers have begun preparations for Easter but it is not too late to join. We meet each Wednesday night from 6-8 in the sanctuary. Please come - It is really fun! If you can read basic music rhythm, you can do it! If you are unsure, come check it out and decide when you try your first rehearsal. Hope to see you there. RSVP to me at the email below.

Trumpeters Wanted (and other instruments)! If you play the trumpet, please give me a call or email.

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

Hymns this Sunday, March 17, 2024

#45 God of Grace and God of Glory

#135 - My Faith Has Found a Resting Place

#36 Come, Christians Join to Sing

Enjoy your Sunday!

Joyfully,

MaryBeth Khamis

Interim Director of Music

marybeth@newlifeforall.church

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

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

A Word from Worship

Greetings New Life Church family and friends,

First, a caution for you; this is the second article I've written in these past two days, so please forgive any typos, repeat statements or anything that might not make sense. You get the picture!

We are quickly approaching our 24/7 Prayer Vigil which begins on Palm Sunday, 3/24. If you haven't signed up please do so. It is a beautiful gift you can give yourself. You can go online or contact the church office for help in selecting a time. I want to thank everyone for joining us in saying The Lord's Prayer at noon each day. During Lent, many Christians give up something like candy or ice cream in an effort to prepare their hearts for Easter. I love the idea of lifting our hearts, minds and souls in praise to Christ Jesus by praying in unity. I encourage us to spend quiet time with God during this season. I have learned that He will guide you on this journey. Maybe you'll be led to have a conversation with someone that you've put off for awhile. Maybe for you it's spending 15 minutes of quiet time every morning in the Word, or giving up the cup of coffee on the way to work. Whatever path works for you, ask God to guide your preparation for Easter Sunday. I know that He wants us to share His message in our relationships with others. The Holy Spirit is a powerful force, full of surprises and He delights in using those of us who knows Christ - to make Him known. The easiest way to grow in our knowledge of the Bible and strengthening our relationship with God is through prayer. I have found it helps to first pray, then read the Bible with intention.

God has a wonderful plan for your life! John 10:10 "My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." We are encouraged to "never stop praying" 1Thessalonians 5:17.

Please pray and consider helping out during Holy Week - especially on Holy Thursday. Please call me for more information and watch The Bridge for other events going on at New Life Church, including events on Easter Sunday!

I will continue to pray for you!

Rosie Young

Worship Coordinator

rosie@newlifeforall.church

PRAYER TESTIMONY

My favorite movie of all time is Christmas time’s “It’s a Wonderful Life.” That is because it is a story, both of prayers heard but also, of redemption. At the beginning, when Powers in Heaven begin to hear many, many prayers on behalf of George Bailey, they take notice, and intercede in a most unexpected, but perfect way.

I love to think that all my prayers, and in fact, everyone’s prayers, evoke the same immediate reaction from God. Sometimes, like in George Bailey’s life, our pleas are answered almost within moments, hours, or days. Sometimes, our prayers are answered in God’s time, which can seem like an eternity. Sometimes, as far as we can understand, it seems we get no answer at all from Our Father. This is where walking by faith, not by sight comes into play for me.

I know my prayers are heard and answered throughout the day. I know that the fellowship prayers of groups, such as Rosie’s Prayer Time, and both the Women of Faith and the Men of Faith are heard and answered. I know that prayers “work” because my groups share not only our fears and concerns, but we also share praises when prayers have been answered by Our Lord. I know that prayers work because I’m still here.

Just like the prayers of little Bedford Falls were heard that snowy Christmas night, have all faith that your pleas for intercession will be heard... and His Love for you will shine upon you or whomever your are praying for in a most unexpected, but perfect way.

Sharon Tubay

Dates to Remember - Mark your Calendars!

Men's Breakfast - March 16, 8 am

Today Matters - March 16, 4 pm

Town Hall Meeting - March 17, 2 pm

Blood Drive, March 24

Prayer Vigil, March 24-31

View our entire Lenten Schedule HERE

Pick up some invite cards for Easter Sunday to share!

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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Offering New Life in Jesus Christ, by Seeking, Shaping, and Sending Disciples

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

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

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All past issues of The Bridge are available on our website HERE.