Message in a Minute

Click the image above to hear from Pastor Ellen and to learn about the three Key Announcements for this week!

Spiritual Reflection

"We who have means and a voice must use them to help those who have neither."

Jennifer Donnelly

Thinking About Membership? We'd Love To Welcome You!

Wednesday, September 17 at 1 PM in the Chapel

Becoming a member at New Covenant is more than just filling out a form – it’s about saying yes to growing in your faith and connecting more deeply with this church family. Whether you live here full-time or spend just part of the year with us, there’s a membership option that fits your life and your journey.

Membership is a way we support one another in love, prayer, and accountability. It’s a step toward belonging and investing in something bigger than ourselves – God’s work through the local church.

If you’ve been thinking about making New Covenant your church home, we’d be honored to walk alongside you in that process. Have questions? Need help getting started? We'd love to speak with you! Just reach out to Ashley Hill, First Impressions Manager.

GriefShare®

Begins Monday, September 8, 2025, from 10 AM – 12 PM

GriefShare® is an opportunity we offer twice a year to help those who are maneuvering the journey of grief and loss.

GriefShare® is a 13-week ministry that provides support for those in the new phase of loss. GriefShare® is led by experienced facilitators who have been on their own journey. We welcome all people who need to be a part of grief support; you do not need to be a part of New Covenant United Methodist Church to participate.

To register, please use the link below. For any questions, please contact Sharon Weimert, Care Coordinator.

Volunteer Central: Your One-Stop Spot to Get Involved

Thinking about volunteering but not sure where to start? We’ve made it easy!

Head over to our Volunteer Central page on the New Covenant website. There, you’ll find a wide variety of opportunities to serve – each with a contact name, contact information, and description to help you connect directly.

If you have any questions after exploring the page, please feel free to reach out to the listed contact – or to Ashley Hill, First Impressions Manager. And if you don’t see something that quite fits your interests or schedule, let’s talk! We’d be happy to help you find the right opportunity where your gifts can shine.

We’re excited to serve alongside you!

Legacy Fund

Have you ever been to the "Hereafter?" You know, like when you walk into a room and say, "What am I – here after?"

Well, it’s not quite the same, but the Legacy Fund provides you an opportunity to create a lasting legacy once you have passed on to the true "hereafter." It helps to ensure that New Covenant continues to be the hands, feet, and voice of Christ and supports the church's commitment to the Kingdom of God and impacting future generations.

You can leave a portion of your estate to your church in numerous ways.

Of course, there’s always donating now while you are still alive.

However, most people wish to keep their assets available until they don't need them any longer. Making a donation is still possible by leaving a planned gift to New Covenant.

One way to leave a planned gift is to call your attorney to request a codicil to your will or an amendment to your trust. (By the way, do you have a will? Over 50% of people die without a will.)

Another way is to contact your life insurance agent or company to add New Covenant as a beneficiary of all or a portion of the policy amount.

In addition, consider making New Covenant one of the beneficiaries of your IRA. (This can provide tax advantages to your future heirs.)

For more information about how you can benefit your church for years to come, contact Linda Stubits, Finance Manager.

Thankfulness

Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. (Psalms 50:14)

The things that God wants are not the physical things, but things that come from a person’s heart:

1. Thank offerings – Say thank you for everything to God.

2. Fulfill the vows to God – It is common for a person to make a promise to God to do something for Him, if God gets them out of a bad situation. Most people forget about that vow.

3. Call on God when in trouble – God is to be sought out first in every situation in the life of a believer.

Legacy Giving

Re-evaluate your insurance needs – life insurance beneficiaries can be changed to include your church.

Upcoming Discipleship Opportunities

Back By Popular Demand

"Breaking the Code: Understanding the Book of Revelation" by Bruce Metzger

A seven-session study facilitated by Judy Stuart, the Book of Revelation contains passages of great beauty and comfort, as well as passages that can strike us as bizarre, bewildering and sometimes frightening. This study will provide a trustworthy guide to the rich symbolism of this important book of the Bible. All are welcome!

• Thursdays, August 28 – October 9
• 10 AM – 12 PM

New Book Study

"Luke in the Land: Walking with Jesus in His First-Century World" by Kristi McLelland

A seven-session study facilitated by Charlene English, the book Luke in the Land is all about the context Jesus lived in during the world of the first century. All are welcome to join this study!

• Wednesdays, September 10 – October 22
• 10 AM – 11:30 AM

New Study for the Beloved Community Sunday Education Class

Biblical Perspectives on Immigration

On August 24, the Beloved Community Class will begin 6-week study led by Vicki Southworth titled, "Called to Journey, Called to Welcome: A Biblical Perspective on Immigration." The study was developed by the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church and is based on United Methodist social principles. This study will seek to understand what the Bible says about foreigners and immigrants and apply that understanding to current events.

• Sundays, August 24 – September 28
• 10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
• Classroom 1

For any questions about these upcoming studies, please contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator-Discipleship.

Zoe Empowers

New Covenant's third Zoe Empowers group in Zimbabwe, the "Flying Eagles" graduated this past March. Those 100+ orphans are no longer dependent on begging, stealing, or simply working all day for a handful of food. They now own their own businesses, their siblings are back in school, and the family has three well-balanced meals daily. They are now accepted in their communities as productive members. We are excited about having now sponsored over 300 children and helping them achieve a life that they may have never envisioned having. 

New Covenant has signed up to sponsor a fourth group, which will be formed in the spring of 2026. The cost to sponsor a group is $27,000 total (or $9,000 per year). Through New Covenant's 2024 Giving In The Spirit, the ministry collected $3,670 and now has over $10,000 to use for the new group. 

Additional support is needed to meet the three-year funding goal. If you would like to donate to Zoe Empowers, please write a check to New Covenant United Methodist Church, with Zoe Empowers in the subject line.

Do You Like Helping People? Why Checking In Matters – Do You Have Your New Covenant ID Card?

Have you received your New Covenant ID Card yet? If not, we’d love to help you get started! You can stop by the Computer Center before weekend services or visit the Administration Office during normal church business hours throughout the week.

So, what is an ID Card – and why does it matter?

Each time you check in for worship or an activity, it helps us know you’re here and staying connected. It’s a simple but meaningful way for us to care for our church family and help ensure that no one slips through the cracks.

Your ID Card also gives you access to check in for various events and programs across campus – something you’ll see used more and more moving forward. And here’s a bonus: it also lets you check out books from our wonderful church Library, which holds over 10,000 titles! If it’s been a while since you've browsed, we encourage you to stop by – you might be surprised at what you find.

You don’t need to be a member to receive an ID Card. If you have any questions or need help getting one, we’re here for you. Please contact Ashley Hill, First Impressions Manager.

The Prayer Quilt on the Altar is for:

Shirley: multiple medical issues

Linda: on the passing of her husband

Prayer quilts are made by a dedicated group in our church and throughout our community who envision the quilts being a special gift of love for people experiencing life-changing challenges. If you would like to order a prayer quilt, please click the button below.

Our prayers, love, and sympathy are extended to...

The family and friends of Kenneth “Ken” W. Smith on his passing, just seven days after his wife, Barbara.

The family and friends of Rodney “Rod” Edward Hannahs on his passing.

Altar Flowers

Amy Huckaby in memory of her husband, Riley.

Jerry & Lou Emmert in celebration of their 67^th Anniversary.

Flower orders must be received by noon on Tuesday for flowers to be delivered that weekend. To place an order for altar flowers online, please use the button below.