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

“Because of the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can learn from our experience without being condemned by our experience”

Bruce C. Hafen

Women’s Monthly Gathering (March 2026)

Thursday, March 19 from 10 AM – 11:30 AM (with lunch to follow)

Join us for a meaningful and inspiring morning as we welcome Rev. Sarah Campbell, PhD, Senior Pastor of Forest United Methodist Church in Ocala and Silver Springs and Congregational Vitality Specialist for the Northeast District of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. 



Dr. Campbell will share the unique and powerful story of ministry in and around the Ocala National Forest, where community needs look very different from what many of us experience day to day. Through outreach efforts like a thriving thrift store and the Forest Food Pantry, Forest United Methodist Church is meeting people where they are and making a tangible difference in daily lives. 

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn, connect, and grow in compassion as we gain a deeper understanding of how our neighbors live and how faith in action can transform communities.

The mission for March’s gathering will benefit Forest UMC’s food pantry, clothing closet, and other Ocala Forest related ministries. 

Menu: Chicken Alfredo, Italian Garden Salad, Garlic Toast, Dessert

Registration is required ($12) and closes at 12 noon on Monday, March 16. If you have any questions or need help with registering, please contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator - Discipleship.

Lunch and Learn with Dr. Buck Blodgett

Tuesday, March 3 from 12 – 1 PM in the Fellowship Center

Dr. Blodgett will present part-two of his “F Words” series on “Faith” at this month's Lunch and Learn. He returns for parts three and four the first Tuesday of April and May. If you missed part one, you are still welcome to join him.

Dr. Buck Blodgett continues to expand on his theme of “The LOVE>hate Project” message. “The F Words” include Forgiveness, Faith, Fruitfulness, and Fortitude. These study sessions are designed for all groups to hear about the transformative force of love!

All are welcome to join. There is no charge for this event, but we do ask that you preregister. At each session, you're invited to bring a sack lunch.

Dr. Buck’s book will be available for $20, benefitting the LOVE>hate Project.

Following dates will be April 7 and May 5. Each will require a separate registration.

Dinner and a Movie

Tuesday, March 3 at 5 PM in the Fellowship Center

Our Men’s and Women's Ministries are sponsoring a Dinner and Movie event. This is an opportunity for a great date night or a fun evening with friends. It will feature a full dinner, followed by the wonderful movie, “The Secret: Dare to Dream,” starring Katie Holmes, displayed on our large screen.

Doors will open at 4:30 PM and dinner will be served at 5 PM. The movie will begin at 5:45 PM.

Menu: Mustard & Herb Crusted Pork Roast with Pan Gravy, Roasted Potatoes, Green Beans, Dinner Rolls, and Dessert

Registration is required for this event ($15 per person). For more information, please contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator - Discipleship.

The Celebration Brass Band

Sunday, March 8 at 6 PM in the Fellowship Center

The Celebration Brass Band, under the dynamic baton of Lewis Buckley, invites you to an exciting spring concert in New Covenant’s newly renovated Fellowship Center. This engaging program showcases what brass bands do best — bringing to life a rich and colorful cross-section of music drawn from a wide range of original sources.

Audiences will enjoy works written especially for brass band, including the stately Prelude for an Occasion and the stirring march Silver Star, alongside beloved favorites from the world of musical theater and film such as An American in Paris, Can-Can, and selections from West Side Story. Adding a special highlight to the evening is the beautiful tenor horn solo Demelza, performed by New Covenant’s own Leslie Ann Van Syckle.

From powerful fanfares to lyrical melodies, this concert promises an evening of variety, virtuosity, and musical excitement. Don’t miss this wonderful celebration of brass band music!

Giving In Response

You must reserve a tenth-part of whatever your fields produce each year (Deuteronomy 14:22)

God has generously given us the gift of life in the Son as preeminent among all other gifts. Considering this, we are asked in turn to use our many lesser gifts, including our income, to bless others in the way we have been generously blessed through God’s grace.

Legacy Giving

Your Legacy Giving can be funded by making New Covenant the beneficiary of an insurance policy.

Year End Statement & Impact Report

2025 Contribution Statements

Your contribution statements were sent out on January 22, either via email or mail for those annual contributions of $500 or more. 

If you have an email address with us and have not received your email, please check your spam folder. For those of you who may not have received a statement but would like to access your contribution statement, please access your portal where you can print your own contribution statement. 

Attached to the email or letter you received from the church was a “Ministry Impact” sheet celebrating some of the highlights from this past year. These are also available at the Computer Center and the Welcome Center.



If you have any questions, please call the church office.

Journey Through Lent: A Midweek Musical Invitation

Wednesdays at 11 AM (March 4 – March 25) in the Chapel

This Lenten season, we invite you to make time for what your soul truly needs: rest, reflection, and renewal. Step away from the noise of the world and into the peaceful stillness of Lenten Musical Meditations — a simple, sacred 30-minute gathering of music, scripture, and spiritual focus.

Each week features a different musician or ensemble offering meditative music designed to help you reflect on your journey through Lent.

• March 4: Bonnie Fisher & Cheryl Steinborn, pianists 

A gentle mixture of piano solos and duets bring depth and color to this week’s meditation.

• March 11: Lesan Van Syckle, horn and Sean Pollock, piano

Music of tenderness and contemplation invites you into deeper listening and trust.

• March 18: Linda True, flute

The expressive voice of the flute brings clarity and light in this reflective mid-Lent moment.

• March 25: Noah Laney, cello

A powerful close to the series with rich, resonant reflections leading into Holy Week.

Whether you come for just one or make the full journey, each service offers a space to breathe, listen, and be renewed. No registration is needed. Just come as you are and let this season shape your heart.

Let this be the Lent you lean in. Let this be your journey toward Easter.

Men's Breakfast with Dr. Buck Blodgett

Tuesday, March 3 at 7:30 AM

Dr. Blodgett will present, “Faith,” part-two on his “F Words” series. He returns for parts three and four the first Tuesday of April and May.

Forgiveness. Faith. Fruitfulness. Fortitude. This four-part, faith-based series, “The F-Words,” is a personal journey, told from a Christian perspective. The most unstoppable and transformative force in this universe is love.

Registration is not required for Men's Breakfast. You may pay at the door ($7).

“The Chosen” Season Two

Wednesdays, March 4, 11, 18, 25, from 2-4 PM

“The Chosen” Season 2 follows Jesus as His fame grows, leading to larger crowds, new disciples, and escalating conflict, focusing heavily on the disciples' internal struggles to understand their roles, their growing community dynamics (especially Simon/Matthew tension), Mary Magdalene's relapse, and preparations for the Sermon on the Mount, while antagonists like Shmuel plot against Jesus, and Roman involvement increases.

The season highlights the “beatitudes,” showing Jesus's way of living and teaching amidst new challenges and deepening faith.

Registration is not required. Please contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator - Discipleship, for information.

Bargains & Blessings Truck

Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8

The Bargains & Blessings truck will be on the church campus next weekend before and after worship services to accept donations.

Last year we generated $11,278 in delivery fees. Donations are picked up on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and deliveries are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

We appreciate your ongoing support of this important ministry. Each item donated and sold helps to support children and families in our local community. 

If you have large items to donate, please call the Bargains & Blessings Store at (352) 330-3333 for information about donation pick-up.

Collingsworth Family Classics Hymns Tour

Monday, March 16 at 7 PM in the Christian Life Center

Excitement, spiritual anointing, family emphasis, and musical excellence are what you can expect to find when you step across the threshold for an Evening of Family Worship and Praise with The Collingsworth Family.

Tickets selling quickly, get yours today. There are less than 200 tickets available. Online purchase only.

Wildwood Food Pantry Spring Food Drive

Last year, the Wildwood Food Pantry received 495,000 pounds of donated food and served 5,700 families. Your support is greatly appreciated. Bags will be placed on each car/golf cart during services on Saturday, March 14, and Sunday, March 15.

Please fill the bags with the needed food items and leave the bags beside your car/golf cart the following weekend, Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22. Volunteers will be on hand to gather your food donations. You may also drop off your donations at the church anytime during the week. Bins are conveniently located at the west entrance to the church and in the East and West Narthexes.



Please click on the link below for the current of food items that are needed.

New Covenant Men’s Chorus

Sunday, March 22 at 9 AM and 11 AM

Attention men — and anyone who’s ever sung in the car and thought, “I've still got it.” Here’s a low-commitment, high-fun chance to sing with us — no long-term choir signup required. The New Covenant Men’s Chorus is coming together for a one-time special, singing in both worship services.

Nervous? No problem. Haven’t sung in years? Even better. If you can match a pitch most of the time and you’re willing to jump in, you belong here.

We will only have two rehearsals:

• Tuesday, March 10 — 9 AM (Choir Room)
• Tuesday, March 17 — 9 AM (Choir Room)

If you have any questions, please contact Bonnie Fisher at (614) 565-0953, or email Bonnie using the button below.

The Villages Concert Band

Friday, April 10 at 7 PM in the Christian Life Center

The Villages Concert Band closes its season with a thrilling musical adventure that spans nearly seven decades of exploration and imagination. JOURNEY – From Sputnik to SpaceX traces humanity’s fascination with the skies — from the historic 1957 launch of Sputnik 1, the world’s first artificial satellite, to the groundbreaking innovations of SpaceX, which continue to redefine space travel today.

This inspiring program captures the ever-changing moods of the cosmos — the mystery of the moon, the sweep of the horizon, the drama of the clouds, and the exhilaration of flight itself. Through powerful symphonic storytelling, you’ll soar through unforgettable music from Star Trek, relive the courage and triumph of Apollo 13, and experience the timeless wonder of “Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz.

It’s a concert filled with imagination, nostalgia, adventure, and heart —celebrating both where we’ve been and where we’re headed next. So fasten your seatbelts and prepare for liftoff…join us April 10 and come fly with us on a journey that reaches for the stars!

New Covenant ID Cards

So, what are New Covenant ID cards? Our ID cards are assigned to each churchgoer and serve two important purposes:

• The first is Attendance Tracking. For weekend services, please check in at our self-check by scanning your ID card at one of the kiosks or with greeters at the main entrances. If you forget your card, you can check in using the last four digits of your phone number.

• The second is Library access. Your card also allows you to check out books from our expansive Library.

By checking in, you help us keep accurate attendance records, ensure that you maintain receiving the WeeklyWord, and allow us to follow up if you’ve been away for a while. This is a meaningful way for our care department to stay connected with you. This small tool helps to create a welcoming church family. Let’s continue building meaningful connections together!

If you don’t have an ID card, please stop by the Administration Office or visit our Computer Center after worship services, we will be happy to help you. If you have questions, please contact Ashley Hill, First Impressions Manager.

Scam Alert for Churches and Ministries

Churches across the country are seeing an increase in identity spoofing scams that impersonate pastors and other trusted church leaders. These fake emails and text messages often request gifts cards, financial assistance, or sensitive information – and they can look very convincing.

Please be cautious and double check unexpected or urgent requests before responding. When in doubt, contact the church office at (352) 750-4529 directly to verify. Let’s help protect one another!

Volunteers Needed at Bargains & Blessings

We invite you to join us! Bargains & Blessings Resale Store is in need of volunteers in the following areas: Main Store, Annex, Boutique, Intake, and Family Outreach. Duties vary and include cashiering, answering phone calls, intake of donations, assisting families, etc. 

No experience is needed and training will be provided. Volunteers work half or full days, Monday to Saturday.  If you or someone you know may be interested, please download, print, and complete the application. You can also pick up an application at the store located at 301 N. Main Street in downtown Wildwood.  

For more information, please contact Tina Lander, Assistant Manager, Bargains & Blessings.

Because We “Care”

We can’t care unless we're aware! Help our wonderful team of staff and volunteers know about your upcoming surgeries and treatments so we can care and support you with prayer. If you happen to have an emergency, would you designate a neighbor or close friend to let us know? It is such an important part of who we are at New Covenant and making this a place to call home by caring for each of you!

Weekly Prayer Concerns

The Prayer Quilt on the Altar is for:

Karen, who is having cancer surgery.

We request your prayers for this prayer quilt. Please click on the quilt to be taken to our Facebook Page, where you can ‘LIKE’ the post to virtually tie a knot. 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...

Lynn Erickson, Amy Metzger, family and friends on the passing of Lynn's husband and Amy's father, Don Erickson.

Our Altar Flowers have been provided by:

Alan & Joyce McDonald in honor of their 45^th wedding anniversary.

David & Esther Ann Walton in memory of Daniel Morrison & Samuel Howell.

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