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New Life Church Weekly Update | |
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This Sunday: September 15, 2024
8:00 am Praise Service, Sanctuary
9:15 am Traditional Worship, Sanctuary
10:45 am Contemporary Worship, Life Center
Message: "Who Do YOU Say...?"
Scripture: Mark 8:27-38
Pastor Mike Loomis
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New This Week
- Cub Scout Pack 13, Liaison Needed
- First Steps New Member Class, October 13
- Shower Ministry Needs
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Blood Drive, September 22
- Cuba Summer Bible School
- 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment
- Residing Hope - Madison Youth Ranch Anniversary, October 12
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Cub Scout Pack 13
Jim Smith from our congregation has been our Pack 13 liaison for our amazing Cub Scout troop for the past few years. Jim has done an amazing job and we thank him for his service. Due to some personal reasons Jim has to step down from this role. We are looking for a servant to replace Jim as our Pack 13 liaison. Do you have former scouting experience that you would love to share with Cub Scouts? The pack has a fantastic leader and this liaison just attends meetings and events and lets the church know what is happening and all the fun things the troop is doing.
If you are interested, please reach out to Kathy Butgereit in the church office at kathy@newlifeforall.church.
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First Steps, October 13
Are you considering becoming a member of New Life Church? Or, do you just want to know more about who we are and what God is calling us to be and do?
Then, join us for our First Steps Class, on Sunday, October 13th at 2:00 pm in Room 9.
This 2-hour session will be led by Pastor Mike as he takes you through what it is to be a Christian, and specifically, a Christian who worships, grows, and serves at New Life in Christ Church.
Sign-ups are extremely helpful to ensure we have enough materials and goodies for all.
Please contact Gail 941-639-3842 or gail@newlifeforall.church to register.
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Harmony Class
Sunday, September 15th, The Harmony Class will begin a new six-week study, “Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth For a Skeptical World” in Lenox Hall at 9:15. Have you ever been stumped by arguments against Christianity or the Bible? Josh & Sean McDowell, Ph.D., a father/son duo, will discuss how to communicate biblical truth to a skeptical world. All are welcome to attend!
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Intentional Christian Grandparenting Ministry
Intentional Christian Grandparenting is a series of classes focused on equipping grandparents in their biblical role to be intentional in influencing and impacting future generations to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ. The series of topics to be covered include the following:
- The Amazing Influence of a Grandparent
- What the Bible Says about Grandparenting
- Reaching the Heart of Your Grandchild
- Overcoming the Barriers of Distance (Geographical, Relational, Spiritual)
- The 8 Best Practices of Christian Grandparents
- How to Guide a Child and Teen to the Savior
- Becoming an Intentional Christian Grandparent
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Cuba Summer Bible School
Summer Bible School is successfully finished in all our Cuban churches last week. In Guaro there were about 50 kids. The picture below is of the "Bus" where the children can choose to "Go With Jesus."
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From Taguasco:
Brother Tom, God bless you, here I send you photos of the more than 100 children who are attending, thank God, with the stuffed animals we were able to reward some children, thank you for your cooperation!!!!!!
Did not want us to miss giving out the stuffed animals with "Jesus Loves Me" embroidered.
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Shower Ministry Needs
- Men’s cargo shorts and jeans sizes
- 28, 30, 32 and 34
- Men’s socks (new and in packages)
- Men’s tennis shoes and sandals sized 10 and up
- Women’s pants 2X and 3X
- Women’s socks (new and in packages)
- Backpacks
*All items should be clean with no stains*
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A special invitation from one of our Mission Partners, Residing Hope: | | |
Madison Youth Ranch Anniversary
October 12, 2024
We're hosting a 10th Anniversary Celebration for our Madison Youth Ranch, and you're invited! The Ranch opened in 2014 and provides specialized therapeutic residential care to abused, abandoned, and neglected youth from across the state. One of the more unique services provided at the Ranch is our Equine Assisted Psychotherapy program, which has been very successful. Gates open at 10:00 am for this event, and the day will include a catered lunch, special program, and tours of the Ranch.
To RSVP for the celebration, just click on the link below and complete the form.
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2025 Community Health Needs Assessment
The Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County (DOH-Charlotte) needs your voice! The Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) survey has been released to the public and DOH-Charlotte is asking all community members to provide their input. Participants can enter the drawing for a $100 Visa gift card after completing the survey.
“This review process offers an opportunity for our community and partner organizations to have a voice in the health of Charlotte County. The assessment enables us to be proactive in planning for future health programs and well-being improvement initiatives.” Dr. Joseph Pepe, Charlotte County Health Department Administrator.
The survey results will be used to assess the overall health and well-being status of Charlotte County’s community. The survey contains questions such as, the availability of various health and community services, and are based primarily on the perception and opinion of the public. This survey is very important for the community and with enough representation from Charlotte County residents we can tailor our services to their responses.
The survey will be available through October 4, 2024. All community members are welcomed and encouraged to complete the survey. It is being offered in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole and Russian.
Here is the link to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CHNASurvey3
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Candlelight Recovery Vigil, September 20
Today Matters will be participating in the event below as our September program and we hope people will come out to
join us.
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Pastor Mike's Retirement Party
Friday, October 18 at 5:30 pm in the Life Center
The planning for Pastor Mike’s retirement party is in full swing. There will be a luscious Italian dinner of chicken parmesan, baked ziti, meatballs with sauce, pizza and salad catered by Pizza Gorda followed by a tribute program to Pastor Mike. It will be a fun evening for everyone. The cost of the dinner is $20/person but kids under 8 eat for free. You can attend the tribute program without having dinner if that is your preference.
You know Pastor Mike’s dedication and commitment to prayer. We thought that a fitting gift for him would be a written commitment that we are households of prayer. We are planning to place the names of all participating households on a beautiful cherry wood plaque with each household name etched onto the plaque. We are asking for a donation of $5/household to cover the cost of the plaque and the etching. If you are willing to make such a commitment, here’s how you can participate:
- Search your heart and determine if you can make and keep a commitment to being a household of prayer.
- Determine how you want your name displayed on the plaque. For example; Smith Family or The Ford Clan or Judy Justin Household etc. We are limited to a maximum of 3 words only.
We must have your intention to participate in the plaque and if you plan to have dinner, NO LATER THAN September 23rd.
To RSVP, you must fill out the form below (click HERE for a PDF version) and mail the form along with your check made out to New Life in Christ Church.
Our mailing address is 507 W. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda, 33950. Feel free to drop your check and form by the office or put it in the offering box after worship. The church office is open Monday - Thursday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.
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Children's Christmas Play
Dive into another SCUBA adventure with us by being part of our SCUBA Christmas play!
If your child is interested jumping into this adventure with us, please email Becca soon: becca@newlifeforall.church.
We are planning to begin practices mid to late September.
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Operation Christmas Child
The Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry Team requests your help with the following donations for August & September: School Supplies! Children in most countries receiving shoe boxes cannot attend school unless they bring their own school supplies, so let’s get them to school! Crayons, pencils, ink pens, colored pencils, pencil cases, markers, watercolor sets, small spiral notebooks, notebook paper, scissors, glue sticks, pencil/crayon sharpeners, and coloring books. Watch for sales at the local stores! Please put your donations in the collection box located in Lenox Hall. Thank you for your help in this important outreach ministry!
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A Word from Worship
Greetings New Life Church family and friends,
As I was just sitting in my living room looking at prayer requests to respond to, I responded to a question about how I was feeling - I very lazily wrote
(trying to be humorous) - "old and fatigued". Thankfully I quickly came to and said to Don - "what am I doing? I have an article to still write tonight!" So stick with me, I'll try to make some sense.
As most of our weeks since our cancer journeys have begun, things have again been both a challenge and moments of joy - which I think describes life in general. We had our first appointment with our new Oncologist since Dr. Browne's retirement. We all liked Dr Glick immediately, for his kind, soft-spoken manner and his patience in listening to us. Our prayer before the day of the appointment was that we receive at least one encouraging or positive takeaway from this visit. I say this because some of Don's test results have not been too favorable. As always, God gave me my first message when I opened a devotional and noticed the title of the page: "Exercise the Power of Prayer." Thank you, Father! It began with Ephesians 6:18 - "Pray at all times
(on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all (manner of) prayer." It went on to remind me that for some, prayer is something to do on Sunday, or only when there's a problem. But I've learned that prayer is not just a ritual or mechanical function- but something we should live out all day long, like breathing. I was blessed to learn that long ago when my physical challenges began to threaten my life. Prayer is a conversation with God and includes Thanksgiving, praise, and petition. Over time I realized it works for all situations, big or small, and at any time. So our prayer of asking for one hopeful bit of information at this appointment was answered several times over. We had some who questioned if the chemo was even working- which of course worried me. The doctor even commented that while looking at one of the key lab results was a discouraging result, he felt that Don had not had a fair trial yet of this regimen, and he should get another chance with this drug. Our God is an awesome God.
Here is our current update:
Don began the new cycle of oral chemo meds this week for 14 days. We are praying and asking for prayer for few or no side effects so he can then have his IV infusion of chemo. He is doing well right now, having physical therapy at home and working hard to get back to church to serve the Lord. For those of you who have asked, I have finished my course of radiation, and other than extreme fatigue I'm doing well. I still haven't gained weight even with eating but we're still working on this. I am grateful and we are blessed to be part of this beautiful church family that surrounds us with faith and love and food, rides, gift cards, and a basket filled with notes and cards. God continues to show us small miracles that fill us with hope. I want everyone to know about the power of prayer.
Please ask me about our prayer group on Thursdays or sign up to be part of the team that provides prayer from your home when others are in need. We need your help!
Thank you for loving us and lifting us in prayer!
I'm praying for you!
Rosie Young
Worship Coordinator
rosie@newlifeforall.church
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Meal Train for Don & Rosie Young
September Dates now Available!
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Dates to Remember - Mark your Calendars! | |
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September 22 - Blood Drive, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
October 13 - First Steps, 2 pm
October 18 - Pastor Mike's Retirement Party, 5:30 pm
October 31 - Halloween Food Truck Festival, 5-9 pm
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Nursery Job Opening
We have a part-time position available in our nursery. The complete job description is available HERE.
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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.
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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
(941) 639-3842 | www.newlifeforall.church
Download our app HERE
Sign up to receive text messages & daily devotions by calling the church office.
All past issues of The Bridge are available on our website HERE.
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