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

“The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so.”

Pope St. John Paul II

Men's Ministry Retreat (November 2025)

Wednesday, November 12 from 8 AM – 2 PM in the Fellowship Center

Pastor Jeff Vermilya will be our guest speaker for a special day reflecting on the passage from Mark 2:2-12, titled "Picking Up Your Mat"! Pastor Jeff has outlined three points in this transformative passage:

1. Getting to the house and the roof
2. Getting through the roof
3. Taking up your mat

Let’s pray as we approach the retreat that God will offer us just what we need to be able to go forth more fully as the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus! 

Light breakfast and full lunch will be provided. We hope you will join us and invite a friend to come along for this important day in our Men’s Ministry. 

Registration is required ($20). For more information, please contact Pat Hill, Coordinator, Care-Discipleship.

“Restored: Finding Redemption in our Mess”



Pastor Harold will begin a brand-new sermon series the weekend of November 8 and 9 titled, "Restored...Finding Redemption In Our Mess."

During this series, we will consider how to find redemption and restoration in the midst of the messes in our lives.

How can we reflect on the messes in our lives and come to see them through the eyes of Christ?

We hope to see you in worship for this series, online or in person.

Surviving the Holidays

Sunday, November 9 at 3 PM in the Chapel

Surviving the Holidays is a workshop for those who have experienced a grief or loss and are wondering how they will manage through the upcoming holiday season. Surviving the Holidays is produced by the authors of GriefShare^® and is offered free of charge to attendees. No registration is required. Please feel free to share this event with someone you know who is journeying through a loss.

For any questions, please contact Sharon Weimert, Care Coordinator, using the button below.

Fall Food Drive for Wildwood Food Pantry

Saturday, November 15 and Sunday, November 16

Please support the Wildwood Food Pantry's Fall Food Drive. Volunteers will place bags on your car/golf cart the weekend of November 7 and 8 and will pick up your bags of food donation the following weekend of November 15 and 16. Please place the bag of food next to your car or golf cart.

Also, throughout the week, there are bins that are conveniently located in both the East and West Narthexes for food donations.

Current needs include: canned fruit, canned soups, canned tuna and chicken, canned vegetables, cereal, flavored pastas (Hamburger Helper, Rice-A-Rona, Pasta Sides), macaroni & cheese, peanut butter & jelly, SpagettiOs, RavioliOs, etc., and spaghetti sauce.

Let's help families thrive, not just survive by supporting the food drive.  

I Am Your Church Envelope

I would like to talk with you for I am part of your soul. 

I may be a complete stranger to you but I can help you be a better Christian.

I like to go to church on Sunday for I help you to be Christ’s partner.

I am very small but I am the keystone of your church program.

I am a weekly reminder of your daily blessing.

I dare you to be as good to God as He has blessed you.

I am only paper but I carry the full gift of a generous heart.

I am the only pocketbook you need on Sunday and I promise not to be a burden.

I am your chance to preach for I am a silent sermon of your devotion.

Legacy Giving

Rooted in faith, blessings for tomorrow, as we give thanks today.

Daylight Saving Time Ends

Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, November 2 at 2 AM. Remember to set your clocks back one hour to "fall back" and enjoy the extra hour of sleep. We look forward to seeing you in worship this weekend!

Bargains & Blessings Truck

Saturday, November 1 and Sunday, November 2

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

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

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

Giving in the Spirit

During the New Covenant Season of Giving, you have the opportunity from November 1 – 30 to give a monetary donation to an outreach ministry that impacts so many in our community, both locally and around the world. Giving in the Spirit provides a very meaningful way to bless others and share the joy of Christmas through giving to 19 different ministries.

To participate, pick up a booklet at the Welcome Center, at an entrance to the Christian Life Center during weekend worship, or in the Administration Building during the week. Complete the form inside the booklet and put the form and your donation in the envelope by Friday, November 28 to the Administration office, or place it in the offering basket during worship services by Sunday, November 30.

You may also make a donation online by Sunday, November 30 using the button below.

The total donations to all outreach ministries that were listed in the booklet last year was $94,000.

MOAMI Class of 2026

Thursdays, January 15 – March 26, 2026



MOAMI (Moving On: Always Master Inspired) is a powerful hands-on-class that uses Biblical principles to help women strengthen their relationship with God, develop supportive friendships with other women, learn strategies to successfully move through changes, discover their unique gifts, explore their purpose, and have fun with like-minded women.

The first class (January 15) is a Kickoff from 11 AM – 4 PM, and the last class (March 26) is a Celebration from 11 AM – 4 PM. All other classes are from 1 PM – 4 PM.

Registration is required ($45). If you have any questions or need assistance registering, please contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator - Discipleship. If registration fills, you will be added to a waiting list.

Registration opens Saturday, November 1, 2025

Bethune-Cookman University Inspirational Gospel Choir in Concert

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

We are thrilled to welcome the Inspirational Gospel Choir of Bethune-Cookman University for a special evening concert at New Covenant. This dynamic ensemble of young university students will bring us the joy and power of beautiful gospel music.

About the Choir

The Inspirational Gospel Choir is a dedicated group of students who minister in song, striving always to “Glorify God.” Their music not only uplifts and encourages but also offers Christ to the listener, reflecting the word of God and creating a space for the Holy Spirit to move. The choir serves as an ambassador for the legacy of their founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, who proclaimed: “Our whole school is for Christian service.”

Mission & Vision

• Mission: To glorify God, musically offering Christ to all, and inspiring spiritual encounters through song.
• Vision: To nurture leaders for a new generation by performing across diverse venues, proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel in today’s culture, and embodying Psalm 34:1, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Don’t miss this uplifting evening of praise and worship, as the Inspirational Gospel Choir fills our sanctuary with powerful voices and faithful witness. Invite friends and family to join us for a night of music that will inspire hearts and lift spirits!

The concert is free and open to the community. A love offering will be received to support the choir’s ministry.

“Blessed to Be a Blessing” T-Shirts

What a rewarding weekend we shared during our New Covenant Blessed to Be a Blessing Service Day! It was so inspiring to see so many of you out in the community, serving and shining brightly in your orange shirts.

We’d love for our online worshippers to join in the fun too! You can purchase a “Blessed to Be a Blessing” t-shirt and help spread kindness wherever you are. Snap a photo of yourself wearing your shirt in your community and send it our way – we’d love to feature our extended New Covenant family living out this message near and far.

T-shirts are just $20 each. Let’s keep showing the world how we are truly blessed to be a blessing! To order a shirt, please contact Ashley Hill using the button below. (We are out of large shirts.) 

Please click on the link to send your photos to Ashley Hill. Thank you.

“The Chosen” Bible Study

Tuesdays from 6:30 PM – 8 PM

Pastor Harold’s sermon series on "The People Jesus Chose" highlighted scenes from the series, "The Chosen." The Chosen is a groundbreaking historical drama based on the life of Jesus Christ, seen through the eyes of those who knew him. Due to the interest generated in this series, we are planning to show episodes of The Chosen one night a week at the church. We will introduce you to the episode for the evening, show the episode in its entirety, then provide a set of discussion questions for small group participation.

Please note the final dates for the sessions:

November 4

November 18



So that we have an idea of how many people will be here, please contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator - Discipleship. Registration is not required.

Veterans Day Parade at The Villages Charter School

Tuesday, November 11 at 8 AM

New Covenant will participate in The Veterans Day Parade at The Villages Charter School Buffalo Ridge Campus Primary Center.  If you are a veteran, we would love for you to join us. Please arrive at the Primary Center at 8 AM.

If you have friends or family who are veterans, invite them to join our parade. Please bring your driver’s license so you can check into the building. If you are able, wear your uniform to the parade. We also ask that you make a sign with the branch you served in, as well as your time in service. 

We believe this is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to participate in honoring all who have served our country. Students will learn through this wonderful event the importance of showing gratitude for those who have served.

If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Donna Hendren.

Terrific Tuesday (November 2025)

Walking with the Wesley’s (Part 2)

Tuesday, November 11 from 4:45 PM – 7 PM

Join us for a wonderful evening at our newly renovated Fellowship Center as we continue this season of "Walking with the Wesleys." Together, we'll discover the rich heritage of the Wesley family, exploring how their deep faith shaped not only their lives but also the foundation of the Methodist movement. We'll also take a closer look at Wesleyan theology – centered on God's grace – and how that grace continues to shape our church today.

Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy a warm meal, great fellowship, and inspiring teaching in our refreshed and welcoming space. We can't wait to see you there!

Doors open at 4:45 PM, and the program begins at 5:45 PM.

Menu: Crusted Chicken Breast Cutlets, Wild Rice, Green Beans, Dinner Roll, and Pecan Pie with Whipped Cream.

Registration is required ($14). If you need assistance registering, please contact Ashley Hill, First Impressions Manager.

Holy Land Tour 2026

Pastor Harold will be leading another trip to the Holy Land from April 13 – April 22, 2026.

If you are interested in knowing more about the tour and "walking in Jesus’s footsteps," Pastor Harold will lead an information meeting on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 9 AM in the Chapel. (If you can’t attend in person, the meeting will also be live streamed for your convenience on the New Covenant website.)

You can download a brochure by clicking on the link below.

Women’s Monthly Gathering (November 2025)

“Thanksgiving Bells and Blessings”

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

"Come ye thankful, people come!" The November Women’s Ministry program facilitated by Lynn Van Veelan will help us ring in the Thanksgiving season with bells and blessings. We’ll ring for joy with a fashion show and rejoice to the sound of bells by the Village Ringers under the direction of Bonnie Fisher — and there’s more! We hope that you will join us!

If you wish to donate to the mission project this month, we ask that you bring a can of Campbell’s soup or any other brand to be donated to the Wildwood Food Pantry.

Menu: Campbell’s Tomato Soup with all the Fixings, Three Cheese Sandwiches – grilled to perfection – with garnish, and Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream. (Menu subject to change based on food availability.)

Registration is required ($12). If you have any questions or need help with registering, please contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator - Discipleship.

Celebration Brass Band “Versatile Brass”

Sunday, November 23 at 6 PM in the Fellowship Center

The Celebration Brass Band presents "Versatile Brass," a concert presenting a potpourri of original works for brass band along with skillful arrangements and transcriptions. This stunning concert will dazzle you with true versatility including compositions by Gustav Holst, Bruce Broughton, John Williams, Joseph Jenkins, James Curnow, Ken Downie among others as well as a piece featuring Mr. John Morgan, Principal Euphonium.

The Celebration Brass Band is modeled on a British Brass Band tradition dating from the mid 1800's. As the Industrial Revolution emerged in the British Isles, factory, mill, and coal mine owners began forming social groups for their newly hired workers that would keep them from drinking their wages away and provide interest and purpose. Competitions between sponsoring owners became a serious challenge, resulting in an increase in musical proficiency. The tradition soon spread to other parts of the world. In the USA the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA) has 70 registered British-style brass bands. Many compete in the Spring of each year through graded sections for the coveted title of that section's NABBA Champion.

The Celebration Brass Band has been in existence for over 16 years and is made up for the most part of Villagers who have either made their career in music, or have established themselves as brass or percussion players. The season begins in October and consists of weekly rehearsals and performance opportunities through the end of April.

As Music Director Lew Buckley says, "We always enjoy playing at New Covenant United Methodist Church, and our audience is so appreciative. This concert will again delight the listener while sharing the uniquely wonderful sounds and textures of the British style Brass Band." Get your tickets now; you don't want to miss out!

Wesley Heritage Tour 2026

John Wesley was a man with tremendous Christian conviction and meaning. In the early 1700s, little did he realize he would start a movement that would evolve into the Methodist church. His vision would impact millions of people around the world. Pastor Harold will lead a tour from September 23 to October 1, 2026 that will trace our Wesley heritage and visit some of the key sites that influenced the early Methodist Church. If you are interested in knowing more, you can pick up a trip brochure located at “Welcome Center” in our East narthex or you can click on the link below and download the brochure.

Pastor Harold is planning an information meeting to give more details about this tour to England on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 9 AM in the Chapel. (If you can’t attend in person, the meeting will also be live streamed for your convenience on the New Covenant website.)

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 restful benches, a Memorial Stone and a soothing fountain in a serene environment ready for mediation and prayer.

Effective January 1, 2026, the cost of a niche will change from $2500 to $3000 due to increased costs to continue to maintain this sacred space.



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, using the button below.

Weekly Prayer Concerns

The Prayer Quilts on the Altar are for:

Dave, who is in hospice with congestive heart failure and kidney disease.

Tina, who broke her foot and is having mini strokes.

Tom, who has multiple myeloma and needs comfort and strength.

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...

Ann McBain, Alex McBain, Sean and Ellen Pollock on the passing of husband, father, and friends of Dr. Robert “Bob” M. McBain.

Molly Berkaw and her two sons on the passing of her husband, David Baldwin Berkaw.

The family and friends of Harry Parham on his passing.

Our Altar Flowers have been Provided by…

Gene Murray in loving memory of Mary Murray’s birthday.

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.