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Message in a Minute
Click the image above to hear from Pastor Harold and to learn about the three Key Announcements for this week!
Stop by the Welcome Center this weekend and pick up a bookmark.
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Spiritual Reflection
“For years I thought my assignment or the Church's assignment was to articulate the Gospel and nothing more. Now I believe that if we don't support the verbal expression of the Gospel with physical demonstration of compassion, we are not imitating Jesus.”
Max Lucado
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Congregational Care Minister (CCM) Training
Friday, February 21 and Saturday, February 22
New Covenant is excited to offer Congregational Care Minister (CCM) training. CCMs are extensions of the pastors by making hospital visits, prayer calls, and serving communion to the homebound. The idea of Congregational Care Ministers was developed at the Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City, KS, by Rev. Karen Lampe. A few years ago, we hosted Karen to teach and help us with the start-up of our initial step into this ministry.
We need people who have a compassion and caring spirit to help us with the ministry. Please use the link below to register for this two-day webinar, hosted here at New Covenant. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Ellen.
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Souper Bowl of Caring Update
Thanks to everyone who was a part of the Souper Bowl of Caring last weekend! While the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl, the Kansas City Chiefs won New Covenant's Souper Bowl of Caring. Donations totaled $1736 for Philadelphia and Kansas City totaled $2037, for a total of $3773. Thank you for your support of the Wildwood Soup Kitchen.
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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.
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Looking for a Place to Serve?
Are you searching for a meaningful way to connect and make a difference at New Covenant? Our Hospitality Team is the perfect place to start! Whether you have a warm smile, a helping hand, or a heart for welcoming others, there’s a place for you.
We’re always looking for ushers, greeters and coffee bar volunteers – just to name a few key roles that help create a welcoming environment for our church family and guests. No experience is necessary – just a willingness to serve with joy!
If you’d like to explore this opportunity, please contact Ashley Hill for mor details. We’d love to have you on the team!
If you’d like to explore this opportunity, please contact Ashley Hill for more details.
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Your Heart Is Where Your Treasure Is
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. (Matthew 6:19)
Laying up treasure in heaven is one of the Bible’s main arguments for why we should give: it protects our hearts from becoming attached to the things of the world. Your heart will follow your treasure.
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Legacy Giving
Remember New Covenant in your planned giving.
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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 ($20) are available at the door.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
This is the last week to register for the retreat. There is a one day option if you are interested. See Pastor Ellen for more information. 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.
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Blood Drive
Monday, February 24 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. Fact: our total blood collections for 2024 was 90 pints of blood saving up to 270 lives! That’s is awesome! Let’s make 2025 even better!
All donors receive a $20 eGift card, a long-sleeve t-shirt, and a wellness check. Appointments are encouraged!
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Celebration Brass Band
Sunday, March 9 at 6 PM
Patterned after the traditional brass bands of Europe and England in particular, Celebration Brass is made up of brass and percussion instruments — no strings or woodwinds. This instrumentation lends itself to a purity of sound that is quite unique, yet vibrant with variety. Whether soothing and quiet or shouting with excitement, it is a sound like no other. Its great strength lies in the fact that, with the exception of the percussion, all the instruments are in the same family.
The typical brass band concert is full of variety, and Celebration Brass concerts are no different. On March 9, from the exciting opening piece Bridgewater Intrada, to John Williams famously reverent Hymn to the Fallen, to a Fantasy on British Sea Songs, to a set of rollicking Irish Dances, to Queen’s unforgettable Bohemian Rhapsody, Celebration Brass will carry its audience through all kinds of wonderful and varied musical moods.
Tickets are required ($20). Tickets are also available at the door.
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New Member Class (March 2025)
Wednesday, March 12 at 1 PM
Membership is about commitment to Christ through a local church. Whether you are here full-time, or seasonally, we have a membership type that will fit your and your needs. Church membership is your opportunity to hold each other in responsibility and love. We hope you will consider being a member and become more engaged with your church community.
Registration is required. For more information, please contact Ashley Hill, First Impressions Manager.
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2025 Walks to Emmaus
Men's Walk: Thursday, April 3 through Sunday, April 6
Women's Walk: Thursday, April 10 through Sunday, April 13
The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders. The program’s approach seriously considers the model of Christ’s servanthood and encourages Christ’s disciples to act in ways appropriate to being “a servant of all.” Participants seek to Christianize their environments of family, job, and community through the ministry of their congregations. The three-day Emmaus experience and follow-up groups strengthen and renew Christian people as disciples of Jesus Christ and as active members of the body of Christ in mission to the world.
For more information, please visit the Aldersgate website, or call Buddy Acton at (352) 391-1751.
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Fresh Expressions
We are pleased to offer a new opportunity of outreach as New Covenant serves and reaches out to the many living facilities in The Villages and the surrounding areas. We hope that you will be excited about this opportunity to join in serving the many residents who live in these local living facilities. We will strive to provide a meaningful mini worship service for the residents. If you have the gift of music, prayer, or sharing a devotion, this may be the perfect fit for you. Our hope is to build meaningful relationships with the residents as we offer the love of Jesus Christ.
If you are interested in serving, please contact Pastor Donna Hendren. A background check provided by the church is required.
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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.
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Perfumes & Colognes
In consideration of allergic reactions of some worshipers, please refrain from wearing strong fragrances to Worship Services. Thank you for your understanding
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Praying Together
Wednesdays at 2:30 PM in Classroom14
Praying Together is a faithful group of people who take the time to pray over all our prayer requests from the congregation. All are welcome to join!
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Kaye Alden
Dale & Shelvie Appleby
Bill Corbin
Jan Elliott
Chip Grimm
George & Barbara Heritage
Bonnie Jones
Joyce Leahy
Bob & Kay McChain
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Jeff Miller
Nancy
Ed Napierski
Pat
Phylis
Cheri Riccitelli
Gene & Marian Scarlett
Gene & Kay Wicklander
James Ziemer
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Allison, who has cancer that has metastasized. | |
Betty, who is continuing treatment for lymphoma in her stomach. | |
Gene, who is suffering complications after surgery. | |
Katy, who is alone and grieving. | |
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Rick, who is undergoing chemo for 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. | |
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Our prayers, love, and sympathy are extended to...
Cecilia Collier, family and friends on the passing of her husband, Harvey Collier, Jr.
Jim Bain, family and friends on the passing of his wife, Evelyn Bain.
Linda Dore, family and friends on the passing of her husband, Larry Dore.
The family and friends on the passing of Carol Thomas.
For upcoming Celebrations of Life at New Covenant United Methodist Church, please click the button below.
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Our Altar Flowers have been Provided by...
Carol Baker in memory of my husband, Bob Baker.
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.
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