Message in a Minute

Click the image above to hear from Pastor Harold and to learn about the three Key Announcements for this week!

Spiritual Reflection

“We are all strings in the concert of His joy; the spirit from his mouth strikes the note and the tune of our strings.”

Jakob Boehme

Operation Christmas Child

In 2023, 11.3 million shoebox gifts were collected to distribute to 100 countries for their boys and girls to enjoy. The Lake/Sumter area churches who participated collected 26,887 shoeboxes last year. New Covenant's goal this year is to complete 1,000 shoeboxes during the month of September as part of 2024 Christmas Giving. You can help us with this goal one of two ways:

• Pick up one or more shoeboxes at the church Narthex (an instructional brochure will be included) and return them filled with items. 

• Send a check for $25 to fill a box. Please make your check out to "NCUMC" with Operation Christmas Child on the memo line. 

Please return your shoebox(es) with $10 by Monday, September 30 so that they can be processed for National Collection Week.

Click the button below to watch a video overview. For more information, please contact Janine Rogers, Director of Missions and Outreach.

Blood Drive

Monday, August 26 from 12 PM – 6 PM in the West Parking Lot

New Covenant is hosting an upcoming Blood Drive with OneBlood. There is a large need for blood donations in our area, and one pint of blood can save up to three lives. If you’re able to do so, participating in this Blood Drive is another way for us to love our neighbor and be Christ’s hands, feet, and voice in the world.

All donors receive a $20 eGift card, a OneBlood tote bag, and a wellness check. Appointments are encouraged!

GriefShare® (September 2024)

Mondays, September 9 – December 2, from 10 AM – 12 PM

GriefShare^® support group is a safe, welcoming place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief. Through this 13-week group, you will discover what to expect in the days ahead and what's 'normal' in grief. You will learn helpful ways of coping with grief in all of its unpredictability … and gain solid support each step of the way.

Registration is required. The cost is $20 and includes your workbook. If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Weimert, Ministry Specialist.

September Women's Gathering

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

The season of fall approaching can remind us of the many changes in our lives. God is always with us in changing seasons, changing times as we age, in both challenging and good times—always! You’re invited to join us for the September Women's Gathering titled, "Changes" as we look at people in the Bible whose lives were sustained by God through changes, just as ours are today. A lunch will follow the program. Please register by Monday, September 16 at 12 PM.

Lunch Menu: Tuscany Chicken Wrap, Caprese Pasta Salad and Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce

Registration is required and costs $10. If you need assistance registering, please contact Pat Hill.

John Had It Right

John Wesley, the Founder of the Methodist Church, was an incredible servant of God. Wesley reminded his followers that “the love of money,” not money itself, is the “root of all evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

He said, “the fault does not lie in the money, but in them that use it.” He declared that when used in ways that are consistent with biblical wisdom, money is “an excellent gift of God, answering the noblest ends.” On another occasion he said, “…Do not throw it away on idle expenses, which is just the same as throwing it in the sea.”

Wesley saw using money properly as a practical way of conducting one’s life. How well are we using God’s gift?

Legacy Giving

Giving through your will or trust allows you to keep your assets while you need them.

Solo Sisters in Spirit (SSiS)

Thursday, September 12 from 4 PM – 6 PM

“Solo Sisters” is a brand-new Care Ministry where we’ll meet once a month as a supportive opportunity to fellowship with one another as women who are experiencing a new season.  New Covenant’s hope is that you will enjoy being with other solo sisters in this group. This is not a grief support group.

Registration is required. If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Weimert.

Night to Shine Returns in 2025

New Covenant United Methodist Church is thrilled to announce that we will once again host the unforgettable Night to Shine event on February 7, 2025, from 5–9 PM. This annual event, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, celebrates people with special needs and provides them with an unforgettable prom night experience centered on God’s love. We had so much fun last year, and we are beyond excited to bring this incredible event back to our community! The joy and smiles that filled our church last year were nothing short of amazing, and we can’t wait to see what this year has in store.

To ensure everything runs smoothly, we’re holding a volunteer meeting on September 17 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. During this meeting, we will go through the various volunteer roles, discuss logistics, and answer any questions. If you can’t attend in person, don’t worry—this meeting will be live-streamed so everyone can participate.

Volunteer and guest registrations will open on September 23 at 8:00 AM, so mark your calendars! Whether you’re interested in being a buddy for one of our honored guests, helping with decorations, or serving in another capacity, we would love to have you join us.

If you are interested in volunteering, please click the button to learn more about the different opportunities and sign up for our volunteer newsletter to stay updated on all things Night to Shine.

Revealed Small Group

Thursdays, September 19 – October 24, from 1–2:15 PM

The Revealed Small Group will begin Max Lucado’s “Life Lessons from Philippians.” In the book of Philippians, Paul encapsulates why we should experience the joy of being a child of God even when the events of our lives become tough and painful. If you are interested in learning to be more joyful, please join us. Let the lessons of Paul’s letter to the Philippians deepen your joy in Christ. We hope you decide to join us on our journey of a joyful life.

For more information, please contact Sherry and Pastor Gary Eldred.

Human Trafficking Up Front and Personal

Tuesday, September 24 from 4 PM – 6 PM

The guest speakers for this event will be two local police officers, who will provide important information about human trafficking in our local neighborhoods, including The Villages.  

Our other guests will be Rainy and Babs, members of Bikers Against Human Trafficking, who will share their own personal stories about being survivors of human trafficking and their battle against the ongoing crisis.  

After the presentation, light refreshments will be served. The cost is $5, payable at the door.

Registration is required. All are welcome. For more information, please contact Pat Hill.

Women's Fall Retreat (October 2024)

Thursday, October 3 from 9 AM – 2 PM (doors open at 8 AM)

Ladies, please join us as we welcome back Carole Wolaver, the Pottery Lady, for a day filled with creativity, entertainment, and faith. Carole will take us on a journey through stories and testimony as she creates a beautiful piece of pottery before our very eyes. The mission of the Pottery Lady is to bring to life in a very visual way the plan that “The Master Potter” has for each one of us.

Carole desires to know God, make Him known through his word and through the vivid picture of being clay in His loving and gentle hands.   As a Master Potter, Carole’s messages are dramatically presented from the potter’s wheel. Her unique style of storytelling mixed with her skill at the potter’s wheel bring scripture to life in a very visual way. Born Jewish, Carole received Jesus as her Savior in 1977. By using a unique Raku style and Hebrew designs, her pottery looks as if it were dug up from an ancient Israeli Tel.

Registration is required. The cost is $20 and includes lunch. If you have any questions, please contact Pat Hill.

Our wonderful Chef John Kellar has decided to begin his transition into “full” retirement. He will continue on staff until mid-February to assist in training.

Upcoming Sermon Series — “Revival”

The weekend of September 7 & 8, Pastor Harold will be starting a new sermon series about revival called “Our Wesley Roots” and is inviting us to follow along using the study book available through Amazon.

After feeling his heart “strangely warmed” by God, John Wesley ignited a firestorm of revival in England and America. Author Adam Hamilton invites you to embark on a 6-week journey through England to show how Wesley’s teachings define our faith and shape our heritage as United Methodists. Wesley’s message and faith continue to speak to 21st-century Christians – calling for a revival of our hearts and souls so that our world might be changed. Wesley’s story is our story as United Methodists.

Pastor Ellen will be facilitating one of the study groups. If you are interested in participating, please contact Pat Hill.

Disciple I Fast Track (OT)

Do you have an interest in learning more about the Old Testament? This 12-week study immerses the participant in the Old Testament.

Disciple Fast Track, an adaptation of the original, bestselling Disciple Bible Study, provides a viable option for busy people seeking comprehensive engagement over time with the entire biblical text. Fast Track groups meet for a total of 24 weeks, devoting 12 weeks each to the Old Testament and the New Testament. Participants read a manageable 3-5 chapters of the Bible daily in preparation for the weekly meetings, which last approximately 75 minutes.

Please contact Pat Hill if you are interested in this class.

Digital Ministry Update

New Covenant has an exciting new opportunity as Pastor Harold's messages are being broadcasted on the Village News Network (VNN) at 9:30 AM each Sunday. VNN is accessible to anyone in The Villages with a Comcast (Xfinity) connection on Channel 2 or Centric Fiber on Channel 70.

This initiative will allow us to extend our reach and bring Pastor Harold's inspiring teachings directly into homes across The Villages. It's a significant step forward in our mission to connect with our community and share our faith, providing a chance for those who may not be able to attend in person to benefit from Pastor Harold's wisdom and guidance from the comfort of their homes.

Interested in an Evening Bible Study?

Do you work full time or have a busy weekday schedule? Are you interested in taking an evening or weekend bible study? Please contact Pat Hill with your bible study wish list.

Frank & Robin Buno

Paula Buttel

Akila Clark

Bill Clasen

Scott Cremeans

Marvin Eavers

Mary Goldberg

Mitch’s Aunt Dee

Kenneth Long

Jill Marks

Judy Priest

Ken Pyles

Elfie Roberts

Susan

Phil Waters

The prayer quilt on the altar is for...

Akila, who has been diagnosed with stage-4 breast cancer.

Jaxson, a premature baby born three months early.

Mary, who is healing from a cracked vertebrae.

Paula, who has life-threatening complications due to pancreatic cancer.

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...

Harold and Donna Hendren; (their children Olivia, Logan, Luke, Jordan and Cameron); and Sandra and Mark Davis on the passing of Pastor Harold and Sandra's mother, Nancy Hendren.

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

Altar Flowers

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 using the button below.