New Life Church Weekly Update

September 20, 2024

This Sunday: September 22, 2024

8:00 am Praise Service, Sanctuary

9:15 am Traditional Worship, Sanctuary

10:45 am Contemporary Worship, Life Center

Message: "To Be Or Not To Be"

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Pastor Bob Carlson

New This Week

Car Wash, September 21
Fifth Sunday, September 29
Cancer Support Group, resumes October 2
Praise in the Park, resumes October 6
Halloween, October 31
Photos Needed for our Database

Live Loud Car Wash

The FSW Young Adult Bible Study group “Live Loud” is hosting a car wash tomorrow, September 21st in the church parking lot. They are asking for donations to aid their fundraising efforts to help them expand the ministry on campus and do community service projects they are planning this semester. Please consider coming out anytime from 8 AM to 11:30 AM tomorrow morning to support this great young adult ministry.

Fifth Sunday, September 29

We will receive a special Fifth Sunday offering for our mission partner, Residing Hope (formerly known as the Florida Children's Home) on Sunday, September 29. Envelopes will be available in the Sanctuary and Life Center.

Cancer Support

The Cancer Support Group will hold our regular monthly meeting on Wednesday October 2nd at 6:30 in Room 9. The Cancer Support Group is open to all patients, survivors, and caregivers. 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.”

Photos Needed for our Database!

We would like to have as many photos of our members and regular attenders in the church database as Pastor Casey prepares to join us. Being able to match a photo with a name will help him get to know us, and we need your help!

If you use our app (we hope you do!!) it is easy to upload your photo in the Profile & Settings: Profile & Settings > Contact & profile information > Update Photo

If you don't use the app, just email the photo to katherine@newlifeforall.church and we will take it from there. If you are not able to email a photo, you can bring it by the office and we can scan it. We may schedule a Sunday to take photos of members in November or December, but we would like to receive them before that time if possible.

We do have some photos, but there are many more that we do not have.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Praise in the Park, October 6

Our 8 am service will move back to the Gilchrist Park pavilion on Sunday, October 6. In the case of rain or other conflicts, we will relocate to the Sanctuary.

We are looking forward to praise and worship amidst God's beautiful creation. Grab your lawn chair and a friend and join us for Praise in the Park!

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.

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.

Volunteers for Halloween Needed!

Halloween is quickly approaching! While our Food Truck Festival is a community event, we want to make it more KID and FAMILY focused this year. New Life Church is a safe place for families to eat, sit down and rest. We would also like to open up a prayer station this year for community members to leave prayer requests or someone to pray with them.

We are in need of volunteers to make our event a success!

Set Up - 6 people needed
Parking - 6 people needed
Table Maintenance (cleaning) - 8 people needed
Security - 8 people needed
Prayer Station - 2 people needed
Games (with prizes) - 4 people needed
Crafts - 2 people needed
Passing out water - 1 or 2 people needed
Clean Up - 6 people needed

If you have any questions, please contact Becca, becca@newlifeforall.church.

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*

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

A special invitation from one of our Mission Partners, Residing Hope:

Madison Youth Ranch Anniversary

October 12, 2024

The 10th Anniversary Celebration will feature tours, catered meal, and entertainment. You might be familiar with the Ranch which has been serving abused, abandoned and neglected children in North Florida.

The celebration will begin at 10am and conclude at 2pm. During that time, the campus will be open for tours. You will also have an opportunity to interact with our staff and the children we serve. You will learn more about the vital services we provide on campus and for the local community. We are sure that it will be an inspiring day for all who attend. Please consider bringing those from your congregation as well.

During the event, you will be able to explore the 300 acre campus and see how it provides an exceptional healing environment for the children in care. You learn more about the healing process and skills learned through Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, which utilize horses under the direction of a licensed therapist and a horse specialist. The staff will be able to share the various treatment methods they use to help children achieve their goals.

All who plan on attending must RSVP for the celebration since lunch is being provided by our amazing sponsors, please confirm your attendance by September 25, 2024

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions at (386) 668-4774,

(386) 561-1219 or to lisa.burke@residinghope.org.

Residing Hope RSVP

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.

A Word from Worship

Greetings New Life Church family and friends,

I mentioned to a friend today that it seems like the days are flying past and yet it seems like we're

being stagnant week after week. I know that's not true because while one day seems like the day before, we are making progress - no matter how small. For me, the days that feel discouraging push me to pick up the Bible, or a devotional and praise God for the blessings we've received. I have found that though it's easy to praise when things are are going great, the biggest gifts or blessings happen when things are tough. It's an instant reminder to me that He is always with me - and I'm the one who falters. What peace it gives me to be reminded by my loving God even when I have moments of questioning. Frequently He uses one of you, my church family, to remind me of my blessings and that no matter how tired or weak I might feel at that moment, I receive a card, or a call, or you show up with a nutritious meal for us. I never go long without a sense of hope and love. It reminds me of Paul, who was persecuted wrote, "We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair." 2 Cor.4:7-9

We are not the only ones facing trials, but there is only One who can turn our doubts and disappointment into deeper devotion and our drudgery into dreams. He is our hope.

Update: Don has finished his first week of oral chemo with no problem. He has another 7 days of oral pills and then will see if he can receive the larger IV chemo med. Thank you for your prayers on his behalf. For those who have asked, I am still fighting the fatigue from radiation but am really doing quite well.

Please continue to pray for the many who are struggling with any number of life situations which are difficult. I believe in the power of prayer!

I'm praying for you!

Rosie Young

Worship Coordinator

rosie@newlifeforall.church

Meal Train for Don & Rosie Young

October Dates now Available!

Dates to Remember - Mark your Calendars!

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

Nursery Job Opening

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

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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Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9 am - 4 pm

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

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