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

“Holiness, not safety, is the end of our calling.”

Lilias Trotter

Souper Bowl of Caring

We will collect for the Souper Bowl of Caring on Saturday, February 8 and Sunday, February 9 before and after worship services.

Every year we collect for Souper Bowl of Caring on Super Bowl Sunday. This year, students of all ages will be collecting change before and after all services during Super Bowl weekend. The money collected will benefit the Wildwood Soup Kitchen.

To contribute, please bring your donations of change and place them in the pot for the Kansas City Chiefs or the pot for the the Philadelphia Eagles, or make a check payable to "NCUMC" with the team of your choice ("Chiefs" or "Eagles") in the memo line.

New Sermon Series: “Jesus, Church, and You”

The vision of New Covenant is “to be a thriving body of Christ by being His hands, feet, and voice in the world.” These words are part of our DNA. How do we go about living out these words?

Three fundamental questions help us embrace our direction and shape our identity: Why do people need Jesus? Why do people need church? And why do people need New Covenant United Methodist Church?

Join us for worship as we reflect upon these important questions that shape our church community and our future. This journey promises to help remind us of where we have come and where Christ wants to lead. “Jesus, Church, and You” is the perfect combination that can transform individual lives, the community, and the world!

The Choralettes present “Spices and Spouses”

Tuesday, February 18 at 6 PM

Join The Choralettes as they present “Spices and Spouses,” a musical tribute to all the special people who fill our lives with friendship and love. At this very special concert, we will also be honoring the memory of our dearly departed founding director, Joan Weintraub. Come, reflect and remember, listen and sing along with the Choralettes for a heart-warming evening of music! 

This concert is free and open to the public. A love offering will be collected for our continuing New Covenant ministries.

Women’s Monthly Program (February 2025)

Thursday, February 20, from 10 AM – 11:30 AM (with lunch to follow)

Destination: Eternity — Journey of a Lifetime!

We ask: Where, exactly are we going? How should we prepare? How many seats are available and when does the train leave? Notice, the ticket clearly says, “One-way, making preparation essential.” We cannot leave “things” left undone, and we’re not talking dirty dishes in the sink. Phyllis Sommerman will guide us in preparing our hearts and our homes. Following, Marilyn Anell will share Biblical evidence and written testimonies of individuals that tell us — Heaven is for REAL. Your and your traveling companions will find encouragement and direction.  

Menu: Italian Cheddar Baked Chicken Breast, Wild Rice Pilaf, Italian Vegetable Blend, Dinner Rolls, and Carrot Layer Cake.

Registration is required ($10). For more information, please contact Pat Hill.

Tithing

So, let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessings if we don’t give up. (Galatians 6:9)

Tithing should be looked on as the “bare bones” of our giving. As we look at the Scriptures, we find that the tithe is not a law but rather a principle. It is a principle that if followed we will do two things for us. First, it is a physical, measurable evidence of our belief in God’s ownership of all we have. Secondly, tithing gives God some seed to multiply.

Legacy Giving

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

2024 Contribution Statements and Impact Report

I want to thank you for another fantastic year. We have accomplished tremendous things for the Kingdom of God through your Christian commitment, stewardship, and support. As stated in our vision statement, we are “to be a thriving body of Christ by being His hands, feet, and voice in the world.” As indicated in our Ministry Impact Report, you can see we continue to live into that vision. Because of your faithful giving, thousands of lives continue to be positively impacted and significantly influenced. 

Rev. Harold Hendren, Senior Pastor

Your contribution statement has been emailed if you have an email address in our system. If you do not receive your email, please check your spam folder. We are now mailing out letters for those who do not have emails in our system. For those of you who would like to access your contribution statement earlier, please click the button below for a tutorial on how to access your portal and print your own contribution statement. This year, the Finance Committee has determined that contribution statements will be sent out to those with annual contributions of $500 or more. 

You will also receive a stewardship letter and a Ministry Impact Report celebrating some of the highlights from this past year.

If you have any questions, please contact Linda Stubits in the Finance Office.

Bargains & Blessings Truck This Weekend

The Bargains & Blessings Truck will be on the church campus to accept donations this weekend (February 1 & 2) before worship services. We appreciate your ongoing support of this important ministry.

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

Wesley Pathfinder Sunday Education Class

Sundays from 10:15 – 11:15 AM in Classroom 11

This Sunday, the class begins the study of Sandra Richter’s book on “Deborah, Unlikely Heroes, and the Book of Judges.” Topics are always Biblically based and cover both the Old and New Testaments. Video recordings done by well-known authors and pastors are used to introduce the day’s lesson. Discussion follows where we seek to find applications in our own lives today. New members are always welcome and are encouraged to join at any time. Class facilitator is Carol Clark.

California Wildfire Relief

If you would like to make a donation toward the wildfires in California, a special fund has been set up — the Los Angeles Fires Recovery Fund – where you can contribute directly towards relief and recovery from the effects of the winds and firestorms this week. 

Check donations should be payable to the California-Pacific Conference and mailed to California-Pacific Conference, Los Angeles Fires Recovery Fund, PO Box 6006, Pasadena CA 91102.

Our hearts and prayers continue to be with those in need.

Symphonic Winds

Sunday, February 2 at 6 PM in the Christian Life Center

This concert will welcome our new Conductor, Lewis Buckley to our podium for the first time. Mr. Buckley is the Conductor Laureate of The U.S. Coast Guard Band, the organization he was associated with for his entire 35 year military career. The program will feature an exciting cross-section of wind band literature, from two famous marches (The Billboard and The Klaxon) to selections from West Side Story. In between, the listener will hear everything from Frank Ticheli's exciting Sun Dance, Howard Hanson's gorgeous Chorale and Alleluia, Gabriel's Oboe (a beautiful trumpet solo performed by Principal Trumpeter Greg Weber), to famous movie theme marches by multiple Oscar-winning film composer John Williams. Please join us in welcoming our new Conductor to his first concert with us!

Tickets are required ($20). Tickets are also available at the door.

Solo Sisters in Spirit

Thursday, February 13 from 3 – 5 PM in Classroom 6/7

Please join us for our next gathering. This is a great opportunity for single women to get together to mingle and fellowship.  At this meeting we’ll have a guest speaker, Amy Wixted from The Villages Health to share a presentation on Fall Prevention and how to improve our balance.  Be prepared to do a little “audience participation.”

Registration is required so we have enough tables and chairs. If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Weimert, Care Coordinator.

The Villages Concert Band Valentine Concert

Thursday, February 13 at 7 PM in the Christian Life Center

Join The Villages Concert Band for a special Valentine Concert titled "Young at Heart", a delightful journey through music that captures the wonder, whimsy, and joy of youth! Featuring beloved tunes from The Wizard of Oz, The Wonderful World of Disney, The Magic of Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Music of the Beatles, and Peter and the Wolf, along with playful selections like Cartoon Express and Circus Days, this concert will enchant audiences of all ages. Let the sounds of nostalgia and imagination bring out your inner child!

Tickets are required ($20). Tickets are also available at the door.

Dissonance - A Play

Sunday, February 16 at 7 PM in the Christian Life Center

Please join us for "Dissonance," a 90-minute, two-person drama of Three Cord Productions, LLC that features Marci Duncan and Kerry Sandell, both Florida-based actors and writers. The play poses the question: Can a black woman and white woman, who have been friends for 20 years, have an open and honest conversation about race and have their friendship survive? Two women who met in graduate school and became godmothers to each other’s children have never had a conversation about race. They soon discover that having a very brutal and honest conversation may jeopardize their friendship. As they open up, they do discover that this difficult conversation brings them closer together. 

This production is hosted by New Covenant's Social Justice Initiative. Tickets are required ($15). Tickets are also available at the door.

Women's Retreat with Special Guest Speaker

Tuesday, March 25 through Thursday, March 27

Hope Lutheran Church sponsors a Women of Hope retreat each year at the Lutheran retreat center near Hawthorne, Florida. This year, New Covenant’s Pastor Ellen Pollock is the featured speaker. If you are interested in joining, the registration deadline is Monday, February 17.

Click the button below to download the form to be completed and turned into Hope Lutheran’s church office. Space is limited.

The Kramers Return to New Covenant!

Sunday, February 23 at 6 PM in the Christian Life Center

Join us for an unforgettable evening of worship and music. This talented family will also minister during our Sunday 9 AM and 11 AM worship services.

When God’s gifting, anointing, and calling converge in one family, powerful ministry happens. The Kramers are known for their exceptional musical excellence and their passion for leading others to know Jesus Christ as Savior. Their music reflects not only their love for the Lord but also their genuine care for all who attend their concerts.

From Rachel’s soaring soprano voice to Maria’s tender delivery of heartfelt lyrics, combined with smooth family harmonies, The Kramers create an unforgettable experience of worship. Their ministry has gained national recognition, including a nomination for the Singing News Fan Awards’ 2020 New Artist of the Year. Their latest album, Soli Deo Gloria, showcases a wide range of musical styles, from touching ballads to awe-inspiring orchestrations.

Come and be blessed by their uplifting music, personal testimonies, and the life-changing message of the gospel. Don’t miss this opportunity to worship together with The Kramers and invite others to experience the hope and joy found in Christ. We look forward to seeing you there!

This concert is free and open to the public. A love offering will be collected

Bands of the Villages Ensemble Concert

Thursday, February 27 at 7 PM

The Bands of The Villages will be presenting an unforgettable combined Ensemble Concert. At this very special concert you will hear six of The Villages Bands coming together to showcase the rich and vibrant sounds of flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, and horns. This includes the Trumpet Ensemble; led by Dave Czohara, Horns Aplenty; led by Don Brannon, Saxations; led by Harl Hoffman, Carinet Connexion; led by Paul Vargas as well as the Flute Choir and Flute Fanatics; both under the baton of Linda Quinn. 

Experience an evening of musical brilliance as each ensemble brings its unique charm to the stage, celebrating the artistry and harmony of these beloved instruments. Don’t miss this captivating performance!

Tickets are required ($20). Tickets are also available at the door.

Bargains & Blessings Schedulers Needed 

Schedulers are needed at our Bargains & Blessings Resale Store to schedule donations pick-ups.  Training will be provided; a computer is required.  You would access voicemails from your home, return the call on a private telephone number, determine the donations, and record the pickup on a computer template.

Schedulers are needed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and throughout a day to schedule for the day (or half day) by checking the voicemails every half hour.  Please contact Nait Armstrong or stop in the office at Bargains & Blessings.  This is a fun and rewarding opportunity.

Our Children Need You!

At New Covenant, we believe in surrounding our children in a loving and caring community where all can be nurtured and encouraged in a Christ-centered environment. We offer nursery during Sunday morning worship from 9 -10 AM and from 11 AM - 12 PM for children ages infant up to third grade.

If you love and enjoy children, we need you!  Please consider volunteering in our children’s ministry to help enrich the lives our children. If you are interested, please contact Kylie Elstad, Student Ministry Coordinator for information. A background check provided by the church is required.

New Covenant Columbarium

We are very fortunate at New Covenant to have our own Columbarium. We were very blessed to have a group of forebears who felt this was an important offering to New Covenant members. It has lovely features such as benches and a fountain.

The Columbarium Committee is always welcoming new members that are passionate about keeping our property well cared for and in good repair. If you are interested in knowing more about our Columbarium, please contact Sharon Weimert, Care Coordinator.

Dale Appleby

Harolyn Beasley

Amanda Callahan

Debbie Carpenter

Renee Conboy

Sid Drain

Bill & Inez Hall

Barbara Heritage 

Bonnie Jones

J.P.

Cas & Beth Kuzmirek

Jack "Pat" McDonald

Tonya Melchior

The Pemberton Family

Ted Potter

Simone Rickert

Glenda Robinson

Carol Thomas

Larry Thomas

Prayer Quilts

Ernie, who is recovering from open heart surgery.

Jay, who is unable to leave his home.

Nevajoyce, who is suffering from cancer that has spread throughout her body.

Susan, who has cancer that is spreading.

Prayer quilts are made by a dedicated group in our church who envision the quilts being a special gift of love for people facing difficult situations. If you would like to order a prayer quilt, please click the button below.

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

Vera Johnson, family and friends on the passing of her husband, Ken Johnson.

For upcoming Celebrations of Life at New Covenant United Methodist Church, please click the button below.

Our Altar Flowers have been Provided by...

James & Ann Heilbron in memory of our son, Brett, on his birthday.

Flower orders must be received by noon on Tuesday for flowers to be delivered that weekend. To place an order for altar flowers, please contact Ginny Davis, Ministry Assistant, using the button below.