New Life Church Weekly Update

A Note from Pastor Casey

New Lifers,

Last week, I spent several days in Punta Gorda, visiting with church staff and leaders. I made this visit to get a jumpstart on January and to make sure I’m not a total stranger when I arrive. June to January would’ve been a “long time no see!” I simply wanted to see the church again with fresh eyes and better know the people who equip our whole church to serve in the name of Jesus. Although I had the trip planned for at least a month, it proved a timely visit given the mess left behind from Helene and Milton.

I want to express my deepest sympathies for all you - and the rest of Charlotte County - have been through these last few weeks. I shared with staff a passage that came to mind from 2 Corinthians 1: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” 

God comforts us in our afflictions and empowers us to comfort each other. I’m claiming this truth for all of you and praying New Life comforts Punta Gorda neighbors in tangible ways. There are many important decisions to make in the days ahead. I’m confident God will lead us if we trust him to guide and provide.

I also want to say, “Thank you!” to everyone who showed me hospitality during my visit. I wasn’t able to visit with all of you or visit on a Sunday, but your staff and leaders represented you well. 

Lastly, I want you to know how excited I am to join you starting January 5! We only have ten more Sundays until then! It’s starting to feel real! I know many of you are already praying but can I encourage you to redouble your praying for New Life, Pastor Mike and Debbie, along with me and my family. Together let’s pray for Charlotte County. 

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Casey

A Word from Worship

Greetings New Life Family and Friends,

It's been a few weeks since I've done an update- due to several unfortunate situations; 

illness and demanding and multiple medical appointments and a couple of hurricanes thrown into the mix. I pray that everyone is recovering from any losses of any kind. These take a real assault on us in so many ways and the recovery from these two recent storms will take quite some time.

It has again reminded me of the need for prayer in our lives and the need to reach out to others, not only in our church family but in our community as well. So, while praying about these things and hearing from many of you asking about an update on our situation, I'd like to share how things are going for us:

As you probably know, Don tried valiantly through three cycles of chemo. Each attempt ended or was interrupted with terrible complications. The decision was made to stop chemo and as our oncologist said "let's see what your body will do." We as a family and Don agreed and we were referred to Hospice care. This all happened the week of Hurricane Milton and we soon found ourselves evacuating our homes in the midst of these new situations and decisions to make. To say this was an easy adjustment would not be true.  But, as always, God blessed us greatly in many ways during a very difficult and heartbreaking time for me. Because we had to evacuate, we were surrounded and loved on for that first week by our whole family. At a time when I would have been feeling so alone, I was able to sit with Don and hold his hand while he battled the demons from chemo still attacking his body while our adult children and grandchildren took care of us. God is good.  

Many of you have reminded me that I am never alone. When life's troubles and pain pile up and it feels like the walls are closing in, the sadness and grief can make us feel like we can't go on - but He can and will. He knows all we are facing and He's there for us- even in he middle of our darkest days and nights. I believe that's when He brings us to our knees to be able to find some of our greatest spiritual blessings. We are able to rejoice and praise the Lord as we glorify and honor Him. Being able to rejoice in the middle of suffering are amazing gifts!

I'm happy to report that the past 10 days have been filled with huge blessings as Don has been feeling quite well. He's up and around and enjoying doing things around the house. We begin each day with a prayer of thanks for another day to share together. We are blessed to have these wonderful days.  I am doing well and was finally able to have my follow-up CT scan this week. I will see the radiation physician next week to find out if radiation was effective. We continue to be blessed by you; for your prayers as I know they are making a difference! The food donations continue to bless us and the gift cards and gifts of supplies are a huge help to us. I love when I can get back to church because I need it and I love your hugs.

Please keep praying for us and each other. Please pray for our church as we go through our recovery process.  I love each of you and I am praying for you!

Rosie Young

Worship Coordinator

rosie@newlifeforall.church