Spiritual Reflection

 “Resurrection means that the worst thing is never the last thing.” 

Frederick Buechner

Women’s Monthly Gathering (May 2026)

Thursday, May 21 from 10 AM – 11:30 AM (with lunch to follow)

Please join us for our May Women’s Gathering, the last gathering until the fall season begins in September.

“Develop Habits of Hope!” Join Cindy Kane to experience hands on learning and practical “easy” ways to nurture hope and strengthen our trust in God. As part of Cindy’s presentation, enjoy some fun, hands on activities.

Penny Williams recently visited the United Methodist-sponsored Africa University to interact with students and see the memorial established in her father’s name. At Africa University, the mission is “Changing Africa – Learning here. Living here. Leading here.”

Both Cindy and Penny visited Africa recently and will be sharing some beautiful slides and stories from their “Safari Adventures.”

The mission this month is ZOE Empowers one off our active partners. ZOE Empowers gives hope to orphaned children and youth-led vulnerable families to overcome poverty, move beyond charity, and experience meaningful lives. A trip to Zimbabwe, Africa is planned for this fall. For information about this trip, please see the ZOE article below.

Menu: Chicken salad wrap, pasta salad and dessert

Registration is required ($12) and closes at 12 noon on Monday, May 18. If you have any questions or need help with registration, please contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator - Discipleship.

News About the Legacy Fund

The New Covenant Legacy Committee is delighted to share that for the first time, the Legacy Fund will be making funds available to ministries within the church. In the next coming month, your ministry or church group will be receiving notification on how to apply for funds.

You may be asking, “What is the Legacy Fund?” 

The Legacy Fund was created to provide you the opportunity to make gifts that become part of a permanent, invested fund supporting ministries and church growth for generations to come. Only the earnings of the fund are distributed so the principal remains invested forever. This ensures that New Covenant will continue to be the hands, feet, and voice of Christ long into the future.

Over the past two years, the Legacy Fund has received numerous contributions and has now surpassed the $300,000 level. Many of you prefer to keep your assets available during your lifetime yet have chosen — or may choose — to leave a gift to the church through your will, trust, or other planned giving options. 

Joy Johnson will be available at a kiosk on Sunday, May 3, to hand out information and answer any Legacy Fund questions you may have.

If you have already included the New Covenant Legacy Fund in your plans, or would like information about the fund, please contact Linda Stubits in the church’s finance office.

The Choralettes

Tuesday, May 5 at 6 PM

Join The Choralettes for an uplifting evening of music as they present “Broadway Revue,” a lively celebration of beloved Broadway hits.

Featuring special guest, Janice Swartz, and the returning chorus, The Wonderlands, this entertaining program invites audiences on a nostalgic journey through favorite musical selections, with opportunities to sing along to some of the most cherished songs.

This free concert offers a joyful community experience, with a love offering collected to support church missions.

Upcoming Holy Land Tours

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

If you are interested in knowing more about these tours and “walking in Jesus’s footsteps,” Pastor Harold will lead an Information Meeting on Wednesday, May 6 at 9 AM in the Chapel. If you can’t attend the meeting in person, it will also be live streamed for your convenience on our website.

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

Giving

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out everything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (Psalms 139:23-24)

As you give you should ask God to make your motives pure. Are you giving out of pride? Are you giving just for the tax benefits? (The United States is one of a very few countries where you get a tax deduction of giving.) God knows the motive of your heart.

Legacy Giving

Legacy Giving maintains a place for future generations to thrive.

If you would like to know more about Legacy Giving, please contact Linda Stubits in our church office or click the link below. Thank you for considering our Legacy Giving Ministry.

Bargains & Blessings Truck

Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3

The Bargains & Blessings truck will be on campus next weekend before and after worship services to accept donations. Volunteers are needed one hour every other month on Sundays when the truck is at the church. That amounts to only six times per year. There is no heavy lifting involved. The volunteers are responsible for meeting and greeting members who have donations. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Charles Stuart.

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.

LOL (Ladies of Light) Begin New Bible Study

Begins Monday, May 4 from 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM in Classroom 6/7

“Keep It Shut,” by Karen Ehman is a six-week Bible study that teaches our words have the power to build others up or to tear them down. It encourages readers to speak with wisdom, kindness, and self-control. Using biblical principles, personal stories, and practical advice, Ehman explains how to avoid harmful habits like gossip, harsh responses, and people-pleasing. She emphasizes learning when to speak, how to speak with grace, and when it is better to stay silent, ultimately helping improve relationships and grow spiritually.

“Keep It Shut” can be purchased online from Amazon, Walmart, Target, Christianbook.com, and Thrift books. Be sure to buy the book and not the study guide.  No registration is required. Please contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator - Discipleship, if you have questions. All ladies are welcome.

Lunch and Learn with Dr. Buck Blodgett

Tuesday, May 5 from 12 – 1 PM in the Fellowship Center

Dr. Blodgett will present his final part of the “F Words” series — “Fortitude.” If you missed the previous three, you are still welcome to join him as he 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 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.

Upcoming Change in Golf Cart Traffic Pattern

Wednesday, May 6 – Friday, May 8

New Covenant is partnering with The Villages as they are repairing their golf cart paths throughout the community. During the first week of May, the traffic pattern of the golf cart path will temporarily be redirected through the New Covenant parking lot. If you are here during these times of business, please be aware of this pattern.

The Epic of Eden: Ruth (May 2026)

Wednesday, May 6 from 10 AM – 11:30 AM in Classroom 6/7

Ruth is a 6-week video-based study set during one of the most corrupt eras of Isralite history and is a story about three compelling characters. Naomi is an elderly widow who has lost everything and returns to her homeland empty and bitter just hoping to survive. Ruth is Noami’s young daughter-in-law, also a widow, and a foreigner, who at great personal sacrifice refuses to let Noami face the future alone. Boaz, a man of wealth and influence is given the opportunity to do the right thing, even though the right thing may not be the obvious thing. In Epic of Eden, Ruth, each of these characters comes alive. Here is real life, lived out by real people with real fears, real struggles, real hope, and real faith.

Registration is required.  Class size is limited to 20. Book available through Amazon.  Facilitator Charlene English.

If you have any questions or need help with registration, please contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator - Discipleship.

The National Day of Prayer

Glorify God Among the Nations — Seeking Him in All Generations

Thursday, May 7 from 8 AM – 4:30 PM in the Chapel

Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. (1 Chronicles 16:24)

New Covenant will observe this special day for prayer, meditation, and contemplation. There will be guided prayers available for your prayer time. We hope you will make time in your day to come and pray for God’s church, our country, and our world.

Visit Our ZOE Groups in Africa

September 9 to 18, 2026

ZOE Empowers has a trip scheduled to Zimbabwe, Africa, this fall. The purpose of the trip is to visit our ZOE groups that are in various stages of their three-year training program. The training includes basic healthcare, food security, and information on how to move out of poverty. This is a trip not for building homes or a church, but to provide encouragement to the group of orphans that we support.

If you are interested in knowing more about this trip, an informational meeting will be held on May 12 in Classroom 14.

If cannot attend the meeting and would like information about the trip, please contact Janine Rogers, Director of Missions & Outreach.

Bridging Gaps through Conversation

Thursday, May 14 from 1 – 3:30 PM in the Fellowship Center

Please join us as Rev. Sarah Campbell, PhD, Senior Pastor at Forest United Methodist Church provides an interactive learning experience and discussion on “The Intersectionality of Race and Sexuality in United Methodism.”  She will “bridge the gap” in offering understanding, respect, compassion, and love to all persons.

Registration is required. For more information, please contact Janine Rogers, Mission & Outreach Director.

Saturday Contemporary Worship Moves to the Fellowship Center

Beginning Saturday, May 30

After thoughtful conversation and meaningful enhancements to the space, we are ready to officially move our Saturday 5 PM Contemporary Worship to the Fellowship Center.

Over the past months, several important elements have been added to help shape this space for worship. Most notably, the cross from the original Worship Center has been artistically redesigned and refabricated into a custom copper cross by Bruce and Nancy Merrill, in collaboration with Sean Pollock, Worship Director. This piece now serves as a visual anchor. In addition, the kneeling prayer rails, hand-crafted by Bob Ferioli, along with a new communion table and other worship furnishings, help create a space that is both reverent and welcoming. This move brings together the strengths of a modern worship environment — enhanced sound and visual capabilities — with the grounding presence of meaningful, traditional symbols.

As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of New Covenant, this transition also reflects a forward focus — strengthening worship that not only honors where we have been, but also helps welcome a new generation into this place we call home. Our first service in the Fellowship Center will begin with a brief time of reconsecration for worship, marking this transition with intention and prayer.

You are encouraged to arrive early to take in the space, settle in, and prepare for worship.

Happy Retirement

Jim Petrone, Sr. Technical Specialist, will be retiring from New Covenant on May 9. Jim joined us 12 years ago and was instrumental in opening up the Lake Deaton campus. Jim has been a valued member of our production  team. Please join us in wishing Jim many blessings as he begins his retirement with the intent of traveling and spending more time with his beautiful granddaughter! 

The Chosen Season 3

Wednesdays from 2 PM – 4 PM in the Chapel

The next season of The Chosen will run for 8 weeks – one episode per week. Each session starts in the Chapel where we watch the episode together and then continues in breakout sessions where we discuss the messages we glean from the program. Each episode stands alone, so feel free to drop in and join us as you are able. 

Season 3 of “The Chosen” explores transformative encounters with Jesus, focusing on themes of forgiveness, faith, and community, while following the disciples’ growth and challenges. The third season portrays the increasing popularity of Jesus, which troubled different societal and political groups, including the Romans and the Pharisees. Following the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus sends His Twelve Apostles, two by two, to preach and perform miracles, leading to the disciples facing their greatest challenge. Jesus then returns to His hometown, Nazareth, which results in a shift to the ministry in the year of His popularity. After multiple miraculous occurrences, the season closes at the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus feeds thousands with loaves and fish and then walks on the water.

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

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

Audrey, who broke her leg and has 2 plates and 10 screws.

Bill, who has lung cancer.

Carol, who recently lost her husband.

Judith, who has health concerns.

Karen, who needs strength and healing.

Margo, who was hit in a parking lot and has several broken bones.

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...

Charlotte “Char” Williamson, family and friends on the passing of her husband, Albert “Al” N. Williamson.

Our Chancel Flowers have been provided by:

Sean Pollock for the Glory of God and in memory of his father, JC Coomer, on the occasion of his 80^th birthday.

To place an order for Chancel flowers, please use the button below. For any questions about Chancel flowers, please contact Sharon Weimert, Care Coordinator. Flower orders must be received by noon on Monday for flowers to be delivered that weekend.

Rev. Harold Hendren, Senior Pastor

Rev. Ellen Pollock, Associate Pastor