Spiritual Reflection

“Though small and unseen, there are countless moments in your day in which you can be salt and light in this world.” 

Tripp Prince

We Grow Better Together

One of the greatest gifts God gives us is one another.

From the beginning of the church, followers of Jesus gathered not only for worship, but also in smaller communities where they prayed together, studied Scripture, shared meals, encouraged one another, and cared for each other's needs. Their faith wasn't lived in isolation, it was nurtured in relationships.

That truth is just as important today.

In the Wesleyan tradition, discipleship has always been deeply relational. John Wesley understood that Christians grow in holiness best when they gather regularly with others who encourage, challenge, and pray for one another. Early Methodists met in small "class meetings," where they asked honest questions about their walk with Christ and helped each other live out their faith. Wesley believed there is "no holiness but social holiness"—not that faith is merely social, but that God transforms us as we journey together in Christian community.

That same vision shapes our small groups today.

Small groups are places where we move beyond simply attending church to truly belonging. They provide a safe place to ask questions, celebrate victories, carry one another's burdens, and discover how God's Word speaks into everyday life. They remind us that we are not alone in our joys, struggles, or spiritual journey.



None of us has "arrived." We all need people who will pray for us, encourage us, and lovingly point us toward Christ. That's one of the beautiful ways God continues His work of grace in our lives; through the presence, wisdom, and support of other believers.

Whether you're new to faith or have been following Jesus for many years, there's a place for you in a small group. You don't need to have all the answers, just a willingness to take the next step.

As we grow together, God forms us more and more into the likeness of Christ, and that's what the Christian life is all about.

For information about joining a small group, contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator-Discipleship.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." — Proverbs 27:17

Summer Food Drive

Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19

The Wildwood Food Pantry’s Summer Food Drive will be held on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19. Bags will be placed on each car/golf cart during services on Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12.  With no paid employees and an abundance of selfless volunteers who contribute at least 5,000 hours of their time each year, the pantry can continue to serve food to families in Sumter County.

Please fill the bags with the needed food items and leave the bags beside your car/golf cart the following weekend. 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.

Thank you for your continued support of this ministry!

Men's Ministry Summer Fun Night (July 2026)

Tuesday, July 21 from 4 PM – 6:30 PM

​Get ready for an evening of laughter, friendly competition, and great food!

​Join us for a "Minute-to-Win-It" style game night featuring fun senior-friendly challenges that everyone can enjoy. Whether you’re racing to complete a team challenge or cheering on your teammates you’re guaranteed plenty of laughter!

Ladies are welcome to join the fun too! ​After the games, we’ll wrap up the evening with a delicious dinner and great fellowship.

​Bring your sense of humor and your competitive spirit; we can’t wait to see you there!

​

​Menu: Chicken Alfedo, Green Beans, Garlic Bread, and a Special Dessert

If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Randy Cooke, Teaching Pastor.

Registration required ($15) 

"Revved Up for Dad!"

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the "Revved Up for Dad" celebration!

If you couldn'r make it this year, we hope you’ll join us next time.

It was a wonderful morning filled with great food, friendship, and plenty of fun. Around 40 incredible vehicles rolled in, giving everyone a chance to admire some amazing horsepower while visiting with their proud owners. We enjoyed hot dogs fresh off the grill, lots of laughter, and time spent celebrating the Dads and Father figures who mean so much to our church family.

Thank you to all of the volunteers, car owners, and everyone else who came out to make the day such a success. We loved celebrating with you!

Tithing

Bring the whole tithe into the warehouse, so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (Malachi 3:10)

This verse is about tithing. Tithing is giving one-tenth of your income to God. This verse encourages people to give their full tithe so that there will be enough food in God’s house. It also says that if people do this, God will bless them in abundance.  

Legacy Giving

Support your favorite Care Ministry with your Legacy Giving.

If you would like to know more about Legacy Giving, please contact Linda Stubits. Thank you for considering our Legacy Giving Ministry.

New Members

We welcomed these new members into our family last weekend.

Venezuela Earthquake

We have seen the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Venezula. People have lost family members and homes. The United Methodist Church, through UMCOR, continues to support victims all over the world through humanitarian relief in the name of Jesus Christ. Part of our Christian faith and our Wesleyan tradition is to “love our neighbor.” You can join other United Methodists in assisting in the relief effort.

If you would like to give, please use the button below. At the bottom of the donation form, under “Select preferred IDR gift designation,” choose

“Venezuela Earthquake”. If writing a check, please make the check out to NCUMC with UMCOR/Venezuela written in the memo line.

Welcome Home T-shirts Are Available!

At New Covenant, we believe everyone deserves to feel welcomed, loved, and at home. Our new Welcome Home t-shirts are a simple way to share that message wherever you go. Whether you’re serving on Sunday, attending a church event, or out in the community, these shirts help reflect the warm and welcoming spirit that makes New Covenant so special. 

There is a limited number of XL available in the Care office. They are also available through our online store in a variety of sizes. Order yours today and help us share the message that there is always a place for you at New Covenant. Please contact Ashley Hill for more information.

Upcoming Holy Land Tours and Journeys of Paul Tour

Pastor Harold will lead two trips to the Holy Land: the first one is scheduled for this fall (October 5 – 14, 2026) and another for next spring (March 8 – 17, 2027).

In addition, Pastor Harold will be leading a cruise tour that follows in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul. The cruise (October 6 – 17, 2027) will take us to towns where Paul had established churches such as Philippi, Thessaloniki, Corinth, Athens, and Ephesus. There also will be stops in Rhodes, Mykonos, and Santorini, Greece. 

If you are interested in knowing more about these tours, you can pick up a brochure at the Welcome Center in the East Narthex, download the information from the New Covenant website, or use the links below.

In the fall, Pastor Harold will hold information meetings to talk more about these trips, answer questions and share more details.

Christian Life Center Chancel Flowers

Each week our Christian Life Center chancel area is blessed to have beautiful flower arrangements. These are available to purchase in honor or memory of a person or event. We hope that you will continue to remember to designate flowers for a special occasion to beautify our Christian Life Center area.

If you would like to take them home to enjoy in your home, then we are thankful for that to extend the life of the flowers! If you choose to leave them, the church will enjoy them all week.

Please contact Sharon Weimert by using the button below to reserve a date and arrange for payment for the flowers. We are so grateful for this opportunity to honor our great God with special arrangements in our Christian Life Center.

Weekly Prayer Concerns

Praying Together meets at 2:45 PM in Classroom 14

Every Wednesday a small but faithful group come to pray over the requests and needs of the congregation. The written prayer cards and the online submitted prayer requests are prayed for by this team. If you would like to join this group, all are welcome! You do not need to be a member of New Covenant, or you don’t have to pray flowery, elaborate prayers, but just come with a spirit of humility and reverence as you bring these needs to God. Please use the link below to submit an online request

Prayer Quilts

Ann, who recently lost her husband.

Bob, who is suffering with internal health concerns.

Christin, who has health concerns.

Janice, who fell and re-injured her leg.

We request your prayers for these prayer quilts. 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...

David Gardner, family, and friends on the passing of his wife, Sylvia Gardner.

Paul and Jan Watkins, family, and friends on the passing of Paul's brothers, James Watkins and David Watkins. 

Christian Life Center Chancel Flowers

Provided by Bud & Betty Olson for their 70th anniversary. 

To place an order for Chancel flowers in the Christian Life Center for Sunday worship services, please use the button below. For any questions about Christian Life Center Chancel Flowers, please contact Sharon Weimert, Care Coordinator.



Flower orders for the Christian Life Center must be received by noon on Monday for flowers to be delivered that weekend.

Rev. Harold Hendren, Senior Pastor

Rev. Ellen Pollock, Associate Pastor