New Life Church Weekly Update

March 8, 2024

Remember to turn your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night!

This Sunday: March 10, 2024

8:00 am Praise in the Park, Gilchrist Park

9:15 am Traditional Worship, Sanctuary

10:45 am Contemporary Worship, Life Center

Message: "The Words of the Prophets Are Written..."

Scripture: John 5:31-40

Pastor Mike Loomis

New This Week

Young Life Gala
Feed the Harbor, Thank you
Church Library Notes
Fellowship of Christian Athletes Gift
Men's Breakfast - Speaker Change!
Children's Home Day on Campus, March 16
Good Friday Escape Room, March 29
Moms Connect, Bible Study and Fellowship
Prayer Testimony, Patti DePetro

Young Life Gala, March 11

On Monday, fourteen tables of our members will gather at Kings Gate Golf Club at 6pm to attend the Young Life Gala. There will be a silent auction beginning at 6pm followed by dinner at 6:30. During this time we will meet those teens who have come to Jesus this school year and some of the staff and volunteers who make this ministry work. While some of the female teens are using the Gala as a time to use their fanciest dresses, most of us will wear the things we normally wear to church. There are some coming to the Gala who do not go to any church. When you meet them, this is an opportunity to make new friends and show how friendly our church is and invite them to come and see. There are a few seats available at Pastor Angela's table for last minute reservations. Call Peter Gillen if you want to go. 941-661-8367

Help Us Shine the Sanctuary!

Volunteers are needed to "shine up" the Sanctuary in preparation for Holy Week and Easter. All are invited to join us Friday morning, March 15 at 9am in the Sanctuary.

All cleaning supplies will be provided. Please let Rosie know if you are able to attend, rosie@newlifeforall.church

Thank you in advance!!

Speaker Change!

Men's Breakfast - March 16 at 8 am, Lenox Hall

Please join us for our next Men's Breakfast on Saturday, March 16th in Lenox Hall at 8 am. All men are welcome! There is an exciting last minute change for our breakfast speaker. Sammy Smith who played for the Miami Dolphins 1989-1992 will join Tom Parker from Fellowship of Christian Athletes and they will be speaking at our breakfast!

A Continental Breakfast will be provided. There is no charge for this event, but please RSVP by Thursday, March 14th to Wayne Sharp, sharpww@me.com.

Today Matters

March 16 at 4 pm, Life Center

John Galanti rose from a background that wasn’t easy, like so many others. While he enjoyed the love of his family, John always had this feeling that something was missing.

Once finding God, surrendering himself, and making a commitment to a daily spiritual journey, John began to understand what it was to have true contentment in all situations.

John is a Navy veteran, serving on the USS Missouri. Once getting out of the service John entered the beer industry which he has been in for the last 30+ years. John has learned how to incorporate God in every aspect of his life and is dedicated to spreading the word everywhere life takes him.

Please join us at 4 pm in the Life Center on March 16!

Children's Home Day on Campus - Saturday, March 16

Day On Campus is returning for 2024 on Saturday, March 16th! Come and learn the latest news about our ministry and the impact your support is making on young lives. You’ll be able to tour the campus, attend special programming and performances featuring our youth, and enjoy a free picnic lunch. Also returning this year will be special break-out sessions that will allow you to learn more about the work we do here at the Children’s Home. Seating for these sessions is limited, so be sure to RSVP soon!

RSVP to: www.fumch.org/rsvp

Sessions include:

Foster Care Service at the Children’s Home

What Makes a Trauma Informed Ministry?

Planned Giving 101

Schedule of Events:

9:00 Gates Open

9:30 Break-out sessions and tours begin

11:00 Program in the gym

12:00 Picnic Lunch under the Big Top and tours resume

For more information contact: dayoncampus@fumch.org

Feed the Harbor, Thank you!

Bill Martin

Thank you Charlotte County residents for your generous donations as 21 LOCAL food pantries received 21,720 pounds of food at the fourteenth annual FEED THE HARBOR food drive on February 25th. You have made a significant impact on the people who will be helped because you shared what you have with those who are less fortunate. Thank you for blessing those who may be in need in our great community. I spoke to one pantry leader whose pantry each month provides food for 347 families, representing over 1400 people in need.

The fourteenth annual “Feed The Harbor” food drive was organized by a committee representing five Churches, Publix stores were very supportive of this event. We estimate congregations from 22 Churches were encouraged to shop. Many shoppers, unaware of the event, were given shopping lists as they entered stores and also donated food purchases. Approximately 150 volunteers from Churches and the Boy Scouts participated. In-kind donations from The Joy FM and iHeart Radio also supported this effort.

It was encouraging to see the countless shoppers who exited the stores with a cart full of bags of food -- many of which were being donated. Some donated a bag full or one item. Some folks donated multiple carts full. I saw a man with health issues ask and receive Publix's help to shop as he wanted to fill two carts with donations.

Please plan to join us next year as we help the hungry and homeless. Bring a neighbor!

THANK YOU to all the volunteers who helped, shopped, and gave money to buy groceries. It was a huge success as you accumulated over 3 thousands pounds of food servicing 4 medium to XL pantries. This event was a success because of all the servant hearts who participated.

Thank you New Life!! Sherri O'Connell

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.

Engagement Project

Mondays, 2-4 pm in Lenox Hall for 10 weeks Begins March 11, 2024

Together we will grow to know Him more deeply and then to understand who we truly are, why we are still here, and what God has asked us to do.

Learn more about the Engagement Project: HERE

Wednesday Lenten Services

Please join us on Wednesdays at noon in the Sanctuary!

March 13, Earl Smith

March 20, Pastor Angela Hinchman

Town Hall Meeting

We will have a church-wide Town Hall Meeting on Sunday, March 17 at 2pm in the Life Center. Please join us!

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 pray that you are all well and growing in your walk with Christ during this Lenten season. As we fast, pray, reflect and repent, may we be renewed in our relationship to God and one another. The Chancel Choir has been preparing Anthems for Sunday to help underscore our Lenten focus. This Sunday we will be singing, Upon Your Potter’s Wheel, by Ruth Elaine Schram and Bert Stratton. It is a beautiful arrangement with a message about surrendering our will to God’s will and allowing Him to mold and shape us; to refine and remake us. My hope is that you will pray the text of this piece over the weekend and throughout the rest of Lent. We look forward to bringing this beautiful message to you in song at the 9:15 service on Sunday.

UPON YOUR POTTER’S WHEEL

Almighty God, I pray, I need to know the way

Give me ears to hear and eyes to see

Touch me with Your light, and guide me day and night

Blow away the chaff and set me free

Lord, hear my confession, take all my transgressions

Humbly I beseech You as I kneel, I kneel

Let Your hands reshape me, Let Your endless love remake me

With perfect grace, upon Your Potter’s wheel

Please grant me peace of mind, beneath Your wings divine

Promise, not my will, but Yours be done

Fill my troubled soul, Lord, heal and make me whole

Wash me in the blood of Christ, Your Son

Lord, hear my confession, take all my transgressions

Humbly I beseech You as I kneel, I kneel

Let Your hands reshape me, Let Your endless love remake me

With perfect grace, upon Your Potter’s wheel

Assure my doubting heart, Protect me from the dark

Come and find me when I’ve gone astray

Show me where to go, and teach em all You know

You’re the Potter, I am but the clay

Lord, hear my confession, take all my transgressions

Humbly I beseech You as I kneel, I kneel

Let Your hands reshape me, Let Your endless love remake me

With perfect grace, upon Your Potter’s wheel

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.

The Chancel Choir is meeting on Thursday evenings from 6-8 PM. We sing most every Sunday morning during the 9:15 traditional service.

The Chancel Ringers began preparations for Easter this past Wednesday. But it is not too late to join. We will 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.

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 the NEW LIFE church to...

Proclaim the Gospel

Cherish God’s presence and

Live for God’s Glory

Hymns this Sunday, March 10, 2024

#226 - Life High the Cross

#571 - I Know Not Why God’s Wondrous Grace

#107 - Ask Ye What Great Thing I Know

See you 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,

My prayer for each of us this week is to sign up for at least one hour slot of time during Holy Week in our prayer room. I know you will be blessed by this gift. If you don't know what to pray for, we have lists of suggestions in there - or pray for for our church members, or friends or even for someone who causes you problems. I am certainly not an expert on prayer, but over the past few years, working on my prayer life has opened doors to make God known to me on a deeper level. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that the early years of "prayer " were mostly all about me - ie. "God I need this etc". The more that Pastor Mike encouraged me to read scripture, I began to reevaluate my daily time with my Lord. And prayers began to change to prayers of praise and prayers for others. I soon found that while I continued with physical problems, including new diagnosis situations, my life settled into a time of hope and glory to God. Though I never used to be comfortable stepping outside of my quiet reserved back of the room self, God began to urge me to share with others.

At first I was dragging my feet, but God was insistent, making me realize that He wants us to change our hearts from a grudging attitude of "Fine I'll do it" to a loving way of sharing our faith. The apostle Paul said in Acts 20:24 said "But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God." Since that time a few years ago God has urged me to write these articles, start a prayer group and record a series of devotionals and prayers on the radio, among others. There are many ways that each of us can share some of our time in efforts to share our faith with others, such as inviting others to attend Church with us - especially if there's a special event such as Easter Sunday at our outdoor service. If not already doing it join a Bible study group.

Prayer is an intimate conversation with God and it strengthens our connection with God. When we reach out to Him He listens to us. The more frequently we interact with the Lord, the more our relationship deepens. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to"never stop praying ".

Jesus gave us The Lord's Prayer as an example of how we should pray - which is our prayer during Lent: so set your phone alarm for noon daily and stop and say this wonderful prayer for prayer revival. Most of all, spend some quiet time with God during this Lenten season. I am filled with hope that Jesus loved us to his death so that we could truly be given life.

Please don't forget the Wednesday Lenten services in the sanctuary at noon. I am looking for volunteers to help on Holy Thursday service at 7pm and also need some folks to join me on Friday 3/15 at 9am to polish the wooden pews, etc. in the sanctuary. We will provide the cleaning supplies. Let's bless our beautiful sanctuary by making it shine! Please let me know if you can help for either event. Thanks

I am blessed by your love and support. I am praying for you!

Rosie Young

Worship Coordinator

rosie@newlifeforall.church

PRAYER TESTIMONY

I believed in God at a young age but didn't have a prayer life with Him. It wasn't until after I married and things happened that brought me to my knees, things I wanted, things I didn't want. Looking back, like in a rear-view mirror, I see how God, always in His way and time answered my prayers, not always my way but His -- he knows best.

After the loss of my husband, I felt a closeness like never before, of God's comfort and I knew He would always be with me. So I talk to Him, because that is what prayer is, conversation with God. So from my experiences, I encourage everyone to pray -- God is waiting to hear from you.

Patti DePetro

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

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