New Life Church Weekly Update

May 16, 2025

This Sunday: May 18, 2025

9:15 Traditional Worship, Sanctuary

10:45 Contemporary Worship, Life Center

Sermon Series:

"MOVE ON: Getting Past the Past"

Message: "A Second Chance"

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Pastor Larry Frank

New this Week:

Celebration of Baptism, April 27
Family Night, May 6
Celebrating our High School Graduates!
Mother's Day at our Cuba Sister Church
Blood Drive, June 1
New Life 101, July 13, 20, 27

Come see Today Matters at the Charlotte Behavioral Health Care "Bloom into Wellness" event at the Peace River Botanical Gardens on Saturday, May 17th from 9-11am.

Download the event flyer HERE!

Baptism Celebration, April 27

Laurie Betting and Peggy Northrup had a "Remembrance of Baptism" and "Reaffirmation of Faith in Christ" service on Sunday, April 27th with Pastor Casey. Both shared a bit of their testimony and professed their faith in Christ before witnesses. Those present included some New Life Church members and other friends.

Curious about baptism for yourself or a child?

Want to publicly reaffirm your faith? Contact Pastor Casey.

Family Night, May 6

We had a special time at our Children’s Ministry “Family Night,” May 6th as we honored and celebrated Mothers! Our next Family Night will be Tuesday, June 3rd at 6pm. All children and their families are invited! RSVP to AJ Rilat: aj@newlifeforall.church.

Celebrating our High School Graduates!

We are delighted to celebrate five seniors who have completed high school and are now looking forward to college. We want to commend them all for their wonderful achievement!

Charlie Christesen is graduating from Cardinal Mooney High School in Sarasota. This fall, Charlie plans to attend Florida Southwestern State College here in Punta Gorda to study Biology, with the aspiration of becoming a Zoologist.

Leah Matthiessen has graduated from Florida Southwestern Collegiate High School, having also earned her Associate of Arts degree through dual enrollment. Leah will be attending Florida State in Tallahassee, where she will major in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience.

Eisley Kiburz graduated from Charlotte High School and will be starting the Biomedical Engineering program at the University of South Florida in Tampa this August.

Marissa Szeker also graduated from Charlotte High School and will be pursuing her passion for wildlife rehabilitation at Lees-McRea College in Banner Elk, North Carolina.

Zoe Taylor graduated from Judah Christian School in Champaign, IL. Zoe and her family are moving to Florida to reunite with Pastor Casey, and Zoe will begin her college studies in Interior Design right here at Florida Southwestern State College.

We are so proud of each of these students for reaching this significant milestone. Please continue to keep them in your prayers as they embark on this exciting next chapter of their lives and education.

Cuba Sister Church, Mother's Day

Mother's Day was a big deal at our Taguasco Sister Church. Below are pictures of the Mothers being honored.

In addition, these new members joined the church this month:

Blood Drive, June 1

The Big Red Bus will be on campus Sunday, June 1st from 8:30 am until 1:30 pm.

Donors receive:

-Trucker Hat

-$20 eGift Card

-Chick-fil-A Coupon

-Wellness Checkup

Schedule your appointment HERE.

Youth Mission Trip, June 15-21

By now, many of you have likely heard about our teens' upcoming summer mission trip to Imperial, Pennsylvania.

We're grateful to those who have already contributed towards purchasing supplies for the trip and to those who have picked up a keychain and begun praying for our serving students.

For those still interested in partnering with our youth mission team and helping make this week of service the best it can be, there are still plenty of keychains available, and many needed supplies are yet to be claimed. Please prayerfully consider how you might support this endeavor.

Keychains can be found in three places on Campus: The Life Center Foyer, Lenox Hall by the coffee makers, and in the sanctuary anteroom.

Below is an updated list of needed items and their costs. Please consider contributing towards one or more of these:

* $2 Paint Tray Liners (6 more needed)

* $6 Paint Trays (5 more needed)

* $8 Safety Goggles (Only 2 more needed)

* $9 for a pillow (7 more needed)

* $12 for a blanket (6 more needed)

* $28 5-Gallon Water Cooler (Only 1 more needed)

* $46 N-95 Dust Masks (one box of 50 needed)

* $57 Coleman Lunch Cooler with wheels (Only 1 more needed)

* $69 donation will purchase a raised twin mattress with an internal electric plug, making inflation much easier for a shelter (7 more needed).

* $83 Cordless Drill with battery, charger, and supplies (Only 1 more needed)

* Ministry Supplies as needed, such as shovels, extension cords, a compound miter saw, jigsaw etc. (approximately $488 more needed)

We kindly ask that you prayerfully consider supporting our mission team by making a donation towards the purchase of these specific items. (Please do not purchase the items directly, as we are unable to transport them.) We will be buying the supplies upon our arrival in Pennsylvania. Donations can be made by writing “youth mission trip” in the memo line of your check and placing it in an offering box, by mail, or by bringing it to the church office by June 8th.

Thank you once again for your investment in our teens and for helping them to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

Be a Volunteer!

Pray for our VBS

Dear God, thank you for going before us as we prepare for VBS. Help us meet any need of supplies, decorations, and volunteers we may have. Provide the opportunity for families far and wide to attend VBS. Thank you for the opportunity to pour into the lives of these kids in deep and meaningful ways. We pray that above all else you are glorified in our VBS.

A Word from Worship

Greetings New Life Church family and friends -

It's hard for me to believe it's May - actually mid May already. It was one year ago in May that life took a sharp turn and our challenges began. As I sat here thinking what I should write about, I knew I needed to pray about it and let God direct me as He always does. As I looked at the books in my bookcase, I kept being drawn to books entitled " The Power of Being Thankful" and "The Power of Thank You." I got the message - God knows best! I should say that I had been at a doctor's appointment this afternoon and am a week out from surgery. I wasn't sure if I was really feeling thankful at that moment. But as I prayed and began to think about everything that's happened this past year I realized how God has protected me and truly made the past twelve months a gift of love. When Don was diagnosed last year in May with stage 4 colon cancer we were told there was no hope and it wouldn't be long. Our prayer from that day on was to have some quality time together and with family. Then as month later I was told I had lung cancer and received intensive radiation treatment, which was successful. The entire period of nine months before his passing, Don had no pain until the last 2 days when he took Tylenol. That in itself was a miracle. I then learned I would need surgery for a growth in my abdomen, which was delayed when I got pneumonia for a lengthy period. All these life happenings can cause us to become discouraged but the power of prayer from my church family and myself reminded me that Jesus has plainly told us that we don't need to worry about anything. All we need to do is seek Him and He will provide. We don't need to be concerned about tomorrow. Instead, we can concentrate on today and thank God for today's blessings. Matthew 6:34 "So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own." We are blessed and can be thankful that God allows us to choose what kind of life we want to live. Joy and enjoyment are available, just as misery and sadness are available. Righteousness and peace are available, but so are condemnation and turmoil. There are both blessings and curses available but with prayer I choose Jesus. Let's choose joy, and peace. Choose life. I'm happy to let you know I had successful surgery one week ago and I am blessed by your prayers and support. I know with my chronic health issues, challenges will continue to come up but I choose to be thankful for God's love.

Please consider joining one of the prayer teams. We pray for others but we are blessed greatly!

I'm praying for you.

Rosie Young

Worship Coordinator

rosie@newlifeforall.church

New Life 101

July 13, 20 & 27, 2025

New Life 101 is for anyone new or new-ish who wants to know more about New Life Church. Classes are held over three consecutive Sundays from 12:30 - 2pm. The first session is an overview of New Life. All three sessions are required for anyone considering church membership. Lunch will be provided (as will nursery, upon request).

Dates to Remember - Mark your Calendars!

MAY

Today Matters - May 17, 4 pm

JUNE

Blood Drive - June 1, 8:30 am - 1 pm

Family Night - June 3, 6pm

Youth Mission Trip - June 15-21

Vacation Bible School - June 23-27, 9 am - Noon

JULY

New Life 101 - July 13, 20, 27

Meal Train for Rosie Young

Click HERE to sign up.

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.

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.