New Life Church Weekly Update

March 29, 2024

Resurrection Sunday! March 31, 2024

6:30 am Sunrise Service, Gilchrist Park

8:00 am Praise in the Park, Gilchrist Park

9:15 am Traditional Worship, Life Center

10:45 am Family Service, Gilchrist Park

Message: "He Knows Your Name"

Scripture: John 20:10-18

Pastor Mike Loomis

Gilchrist Park Reminders:

Bring a chair along for our worship services! In the case of inclement weather, all services and activities will be relocated to our church campus. Food trucks will be at the park beginning at 6 am for breakfast. The 9-11 am children's activities will include crafts, face painting, games, and a petting zoo! We are looking forward to a wonderful Easter morning together!!

Easter Sunday, Special 9:15 Pre-Service Music

Please join us 20 minutes before the service on EASTER SUNDAY at 8:55 AM for pre-service special music for Resurrection Sunday. The pre-service gathering music will include a soprano solo from Handel’s Messiah, flute selections, and more. Please come early, get a great seat for our 9:15 Easter Sunday service, and enjoy the music. The service and music will be in the Life Center.

New This Week

Aslan Update
Residing Hope, Florida Children's Home
Nursery Job Opening
Shower Ministry Needs
Salvation Army Food Drive
Youth Yard Sale, April 26/27

Aslan Update

Your prayers and continued concern are such a blessing to our family. Words alone cannot express our thanks for all you have done for our grandson and all of us!

We shared in November that the plastic surgeon informed them that Aslan would not have to have the series of major surgeries to lengthen his jaw which for the first year of his life they had indicated he would need. HALLELUJAH! That is a miracle.

In addition, it has looked like they would be able to remove his tracheotomy tube. We have been waiting on the results of a sleep study to determine if that could happen, and when and how to best do that.

In January, Aslan (now 16 months old and walking!!) underwent that sleep study. While he has made significant improvement (his number of sleep apnea episodes dropped from 67 per hour to 15 per hour), the ENT is still not comfortable with removing the trach, as she feels this could be dangerous. Further tests are coming to see if there might be options that could help him breathe better.

He is now able to go to a specialized day care that gives him swallowing therapy in order to eventually remove his gastric tube (G-tube) so that he will be able to eat normally. He will also receive occupational and physical therapy.

He has been approved for a BAHA (Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid), which they hope to receive soon.

Finally, Aslan is schedule for eye surgery on May 1.

Again, thank you for your concern and requests to stay current on how he and his parents, Sean and April, are doing. And, above all, thanks for remembering them in your prayers.

Yours in deep appreciation,

Mike and Debbie

Residing Hope, Florida Children's Home

Easter is a special time in the life of every Christian. We gather in church with our families to celebrate new life and rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter brings hope, meaning, and purpose to life. It also reminds us of the sacrificial love that Jesus has for all of us.

Through your support, you have helped to show the same kind of sacrificial love to our children. You’ve helped Jessica, a young girl who was removed from her biological home due to domestic violence. She arrived at Residing Hope (formerly the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home) feeling unloved, out-of-place, and hopeless in regard to her future. Her performance in school was poor, with a GPA of less than 2.0. As far as Jessica was concerned, college seemed completely out of reach.

After a little more than a year here, Jessica has made a complete turn-around. She made the Honor Roll last semester and is planning to begin dual enrollment at Daytona State College next year. With the help she received through our Spiritual Life Program and her therapist at Residing Hope, as well as the support of the teaching parents in her cottage, Jessica is very optimistic about her future. Your continued support can ensure that she, and the other children here, have a loving home and a bright future.

As you celebrate Easter with your family and loved ones, please remember the children here at Residing Hope like Jessica. Your special Easter gift will help show these children the love of Jesus Christ made real through His church. Thank you for helping to bring new life and hope.

We will receive a special Fifth Sunday offering for the Florida Children's Home this Sunday, March 31. Envelopes will be available by the entrances to the Life Center.

Nursery Job Opening

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

Shower Ministry Needs

The following are items needed at this time. Please make sure they are lightly worn without stains.

Men’s medium underwear (new and in packages)
Men’s jeans, cargo shorts size 28, 30, 32, 34
Men’s tennis shoes and sandals size 10 and up
Women’s underwear size 5 (new and in packages)

Salvation Army Food Drive

Our "Mother's Prayer of Hope" food drive for the Salvation Army will begin April 7and will run until Mother's Day. Please consider bringing one canned item each Sunday until Mother's Day. Donations can be delivered to the collection box in Lenox Hall.

2023 Annual Report, Available in the Office

If you were unable to attend our Town Hall Meeting on March 17 and would like a copy of our Annual Report, you can pick one up in the Church Office.

Cancer Support Group, April 3

The Cancer Support Group will be holding our regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 3rd at 6:30 pm in Lenox Hall. Pastor Angela Hinchman will be joining us. Come hear her words of love and encouragement. The Cancer Support Group is open to all patients, survivors, and care givers. We are open to the community, if you have friends on a Cancer Journey, please invite them to come. Our goal is to bring “Hope for Your Journey: Coping with Cancer Through Faith.”

Harmony Class

The Harmony Class will begin a new 7-week study Sunday, April 14th. “Heaven” by Dr. Randy Alcorn, covers questions such as, “what is Heaven really going to be like”? We all have questions about Heaven, and now after decades of research, Dr. Randy Alcorn has answers based on Biblical truths. The Harmony Class meets at 9:15 a.m. in Lenox Hall. All are welcome to attend.

Grace Awakening

Myrt Creigh

If you’ve been one of those who has asked, “What exactly is God’s Grace?”

We know that it’s unconditional love but is there more? If so, what? Well, I’m here to share with you that Charles Swindoll has answered the question with clarity and warmth. I recommend Swindoll’s book, Grace Awakening. No heavy theological mumbo jumbo but straight forward American English. I think if you’re searching to become more like Christ, you may find yourself a step closer after you read this book.

Youth Yard Sale, April 26 & 27

Mark your calendars now for our 15th Annual Youth Yard Sale held to support our youth summer mission trip and Christian summer youth camp. The sale will be open first to you (our New Life Church Family) on Friday night April 26th from 6 - 8pm. This is a CASH-only sale (no checks, credit cards, Venmo or apple pay will be accepted).

The sale will continue on Saturday, April 27th from 9am – 2 pm when we will welcome the general public to scoop up some great deals and find some awesome treasures.

At noon Saturday, all unsold items will be reduced to ½ price at checkout.

Many of you have asked if you can donate items to be sold at our sale and the answer is a resounding YES! Our teens would live to sell your stuff, in fact we can't do it without your generosity! Please drop off your treasures for our sale April 15th - 18th between the hours of 10am - 1pm daily. Donations should be placed in the Life Center Room #7 (As you enter the Life Center foyer Room 7 is the first door on the right and also known the game room).

Starting April 22th and throughout that sale week, donations can be brought directly into the main hall of the Life Center where the teens will have tables setup waiting for your donations. The same drop off times apply, 10am - 1pm daily.

We can accept most items that have value for our sale but we ask that all clothing be donated to our Church Bargain Boutique to support that ministry as well.

*Please note that the teens are not accepting the following items:

Mattresses, large kitchen appliances (like refrigerators or stoves) nor can they accept most large furniture (night stands & coffee tables are ok) All items should be in working order.

Thanks in advance for your support of our youth yard sale!

Greetings from the Music Ministry

Hello New Life Church!

You will be receiving this edition of the Bridge on one of the most important days in history, the day that we commemorate Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins, making the ultimate sacrifice for everyone. And in just three days, we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who conquered death and the grave, defeating sin and ensuring our resurrection and eternal life. Consider and ask yourself this week - Why would the perfect and sinless Son of God endure the pain and payment for sin on the cross for sinful people like us? How can we put into human words such amazing love? Roughly 2,000 years ago Jesus would lay down His life on a hill right outside the city of Jerusalem on a wooden cross prepared for a criminal. Why would He intentionally lay down His life? Because we know from His own words NO ONE took His life, instead, He laid it down of His own will (John 10:18).

Consider two reasons that Jesus did this; to deliver us from...

Separation from God
Selfishness

Separation from God

Scripture spells out for us why a completely innocent and holy Man would die for the sins of unholy and God-rejecting sinners - “to bring us to God”. 1 Peter 3:18 - “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit”.

The cross of Christ ensures that each one of us who turns from our sin and truly trusts in Christ and believes in Him as Lord will be brought to God and accepted as His child. This includes all of the blessings of being a true child of God and becoming a new creation with new desires and no more separation due to the curse of sin! Knowing God means that we can now know Him as our greatest treasure and most satisfying relationship for all of eternity.

Selfishness

But the cross also delivers us from a curse that plagues the hearts of each one of us - making life all about us. Think about these words that explain how the cross of Christ delivers us from a self-centered heart attitude - 2 Corinthians 5:15 - “And He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised.”

Now life can be primarily about God and others. With new life in Christ, not every social media post has to be about us and not every conversation has to somehow end up being about us. The cross of Jesus changes our hearts from being self-centered to being Savior-centered. The cross of Jesus also changes our hearts from longing to bring glory to ourselves to longing to seeing the Savior magnified and others helped and encouraged.

The greatest travesty in human history brought about the greatest hope. Let’s think deeply about our Savior’s love this weekend and how that love now produces a life-changing love in our own hearts. All for His glory!

Thoughts from Mike Hess - Evangelical Christian School Chaplain

Here is the plan for our 9:15 celebration of the Resurrection!

Special Pre-Service Music starts at 8:55 AM. Come get a great seat and prepare for worship through song.

Pre-Service Music:

Because He Lives / By William & Gloria Gaither, arr. Larry Moore

Sandy Forbes on Flute

Was It a Morning Like This? / By Jim Croegaert

Larry & Kay Keller

I Know That My Redeemer Liveth / By G.F. Handel

Debbie Loomis

I Sing the Mighty Power of God / From Gesangbuch der Herzogl, arr. Otis Skillings

Sandy Forbes on flute

Call to Worship:

He Arose - Chancel Ringers

An Easter Celebration - Chancel Choir & Organ

Prelude:

Jesus Christ is Risen Today - Organ & Piano Duet by Peter Wright & MaryBeth Khamis

Postlude: Because He Lives - Organ

Here are the words to our choral Anthem this Sunday:

Anthem: “Glorious Risen Christ” by David Burke & Lloyd Larson

Before the sun had arisen, Mary mourned for the lord alone

But the darkened tomb was an empty room, the Son of God was gone!

Refrain: Glorious, Risen Christ. Alive and robed in Majesty.

Yet the scars of the cross show the infinite cost

The miraculous gift of Christ’s love for us

Mary heard His voice in the garden, quietly calling her name

She could not believe, nor her mind conceive, that Jesus was ALIVE!!

Refrain

She reached for the hem of His garment, silent, astonished, she gazed

His feet were torn that Easter morn, She bowed before her Lord AMAZED!

Refrain

Hymns for Resurrection Sunday, March 31, 2024

#251 - Christ the Lord is Risen Today

#257 - He Lives!

It is going to be a GLORIOUS Easter. I can’t wait to worship and celebrate the Resurrection with you!!

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,

Honestly it seems I just mentioned Christmas greetings and here we are filling Easter baskets. It must be an "old-age" syndrome that makes time seem to go so quickly. It is always a time of reflection for me; on my prayer time, including personal prayer as well as my Thursday Prayer Group at noon. Rather than giving up something, this year I tried to increase my time in the Bible. I must confess that I haven't been 100% effective but will continue this effort even after Easter has passed and in spite of struggles I might have experienced, I am filled with hope and gratitude to our Lord.

I want to thank everyone who has helped with our church cleaning efforts and those who have joyfully helped with greeting for worship services, especially the special events like Ash Wednesday and Holy Thursday.

To everyone who overcame their fear and did a video recording of a prayer experience or those who have written their prayer stories for the Bridge, you have touched others hearts. Please keep those stories coming! I am grateful for your help and I know you are beautifully blessed by God.

So when I sat down tonight after much prayer and opened one of my books on Faith, it fell open to an article titled When You Have to Walk Through Hell on Your Way to Heaven - I knew it was something I could relate to. I have felt like that in years past before my faith life grew and I knew without a doubt that Jesus is always right beside us. For most of my life I've endured suffering that can shake one's faith. I imagine that everyone has experienced this at sometime in their life, or maybe are right now. Walking that painful road can make us feel disoriented and hard and almost painful to accept. Suffering doesn't skip over people who are kind, lonely or generous or even people whose Bibles are worn from use. Suffering of all kinds is the reality of human experience. I remember reading somewhere that when we say yes to a life with Jesus there is no switch that turns on to brighten up our world with only sunshine and rainbows, like a perfect day, because sometimes we feel more like winter in the middle of a blizzard!

The Apostle Paul wrote: "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake"(Philippians 1:29). The enemy likes to attack when we're having struggles by making us think we're not faithful enough or we will never get better or our prayers are wasted - when in fact - at these terrible times, I feel God by my side more than ever, because when we suffer, He is the one who steps in to comfort and guide us through it. As we were reminded in a recent video, Psalm 23 says that as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we can fear no evil, for God's rod and staff comfort us. He is with us always, in good times and especially in times of trouble. So as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior be filled with praise and hope that we never have to fear being alone: He is with us - always!

See you at one of our Easter worship services! I am grateful for you, my church family! Let's keep praying together!

Rosie Young

Worship Coordinator

rosie@newlifeforall.church

Dates to Remember - Mark your Calendars!

Today Matters, April 20

Youth Yard Sale, April 26/27

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

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