Message in a Minute

Click the image above to hear from Pastor Harold as well as to learn about our Three Key Announcements for this week!

Spiritual Reflection

“The third day is the day of the Resurrection, the beginning of all our stories and the day when hope broke through so many forms of darkness that attempt to cloak our lives.” 

Tom Berlin

Women's Ministry Retreat (March 2024)

Friday, March 15 from 9 AM – 3 PM in the Fellowship Center

Peg Arnold — Speaker, Author, and Drama Queen for Jesus — brings a fresh new approach to ministry. She has shared her witness through unique dramas and engaging messages at women's events and churches for nearly 25 years. Whether talking with a friend over coffee or addressing large groups, her passion for encouraging women to find their true value and purpose in Christ and to use God-given gifts is contagious. We will explore God's faithfulness in life’s challenges while being refreshed by the Living Water of Christ. To hear a short message from speaker, Peg Arnold, click the button below.

Menu: Chicken Cesar Wrap (Chicken, Romaine Lettuce, Parmesan Cheese, and Caesar Dressing in a Tortilla Wrap), Italian Potato Salad, Tiramisu 



Registration is required ($20). If you have any questions, please contact Pat Hill.

Bridging Gaps Through Conversation

Thursday, February 22 from 1:30–3:30 PM in the Fellowship Center

Please join New Covenant’s Social Justice initiative as people from all different ethnic groups, including Caucasian, African American, Hispanic, Haitian, Jamaican, Irish, American Indian, Hawaiian, Asian, etc. and religions which include Methodist, Baptist, Mormon, Catholic, Lutheran, United Church of Christ, Jewish, Bahá’í, non-denominational and non-affiliated with any church will dialogue on race, religion and politics. These are the three topics most people find difficult to discuss.

A video clip will be shown at the beginning of the event followed by three questions to generate dialogue. At the end of the event, each table facilitator will offer feedback. Refreshments will be served. 

Terrific Tuesday Dinner Event March 2024

Tuesday, March 12 from 4:45 PM – 7 PM

Pastor Harold will lead a new Terrific Tuesday series titled, “Jesus by the Sea.” During Jesus’ three-year ministry, he spent more time around the Sea of Galilee than any other location. We find Jesus’ greatest teachings, miracles, and callings came around that body of water. During this series, Pastor Harold will pick a key event that is connected to the Sea of Galilee and explore the meaning with us.  Join us as we follow Jesus around the lake. There is plenty to learn and discover. 

You may also come at 5:45 PM just to hear Pastor Harold speak without attending dinner — no charge and no registration required for the presentation only.

Menu: Tossed Garden Greens with Honey Vinaigrette, Dijon Tarragon Cream Chicken, Almond Rice Pilaf, Roasted Broccoli, Dinner Roll & Butter, Carrot Layer Cake

Registration is required ($12).

ZOE Empowers

April 9 through April 19, 2024

Travel to Zimbabwe to visit the New Covenant ZOE group. You will be inspired by the story of these young entrepreneurs and their group projects that have allowed them to go from poverty to self-sufficiency. We have two possible flights from which you may choose: you may leave Tuesday, April 9 or Wednesday, April 10. Please see the flight details below

April 9 (27 Hours)

• Delta from Orlando to ATL, then non-stop to Johannesburg. 
• Spent night in JNB and fly to Harare the next day.
• ZOE: $1,400, Flight $1,917, Hotel $200, Total $3,517

April 10 (33 Hours)

• Kenya Airlines from Orlando to NYC to Nairobi and Harare, Zimbabwe. 
• ZOE: $1,400, Flight $1,776, Total $3,176

For more information, please contact Charles Stuart.

Give Your First and Best

There’s something spiritually significant about giving God your first and best, rather than your leftovers. And it means something to Him too. 

In Malachi 1:6-12, some of the priests decided to make sacrificing more convenient and cost-effective. They began encouraging people to give their blind and lame animals to sacrifice, instead of the first and best.

In response, God said, “Where is My honor?... Where is My reverence?” (Malachi 1:6, NKJV). He viewed this as dishonoring to Him – and it was.

When God gave us His first and only Son as a sacrifice for our sins, He gave His first and best. He deserves nothing less than the same from us.

Legacy Giving 

Re-evaluate your insurance needs – life insurance beneficiaries can be changed to include your church.

The Third Day Small Group Study

Pastor Harold will begin a new Lenten sermon series next weekend based on the book “The Third Day” by Bishop Tom Berlin. Many of our small groups, Sunday school classes, and Bible study classes will study the book during this series. “The Third Day” is a six-week study that focuses on the experiences of several characters around Jesus during his final days, their despair at losing him, and the surprise and joy that awaits them in the Resurrection. 

If you are interested in participating in this study and following Pastor Harold through his sermon series, please contact Pat Hill. There will be an opportunity to join an class just for the duration of the study.

Happy Retirement

We are sad to share that Robert Fitzgerald will leave us on February 15 to pursue life as a retiree. Robert has served in both the facilities team and Bargains & Blessings, and has been a part of our team for over 5 years. We congratulate Robert and wish him the best during this new time in his life! 

Health Speaker Series

Tuesday, February 20 from 1–2 PM in the Chapel

Join us as our Social Worker, Jackie Kuhn-Damron, shares with us on the topic of the basics of memory. Many of us wonder when should we worry about our memory and what action should we take? What are things we can do to improve our memory and our processing? Jackie will help us address these questions and more in our “Back to Basics” session.  She will also discuss being a caregiver to those who are suffering with memory loss. 

No registration is required, but you may contact Jackie if you have any questions. 

The Color of Compromise (February 2024)

Tuesdays, February 20 – May 7, from 6:30 – 8 PM (ZOOM)

In his book, “The Color of Compromise,” Jemar Tisby discusses how ideas of race developed over time and affected American society and churches from colonial times through today.

Via an online Zoom class, we will look at different responses to racial differences and social realities within denominations — including the Methodist Church — as well as different views of race and racism evident in churches today. Understanding where different ideas have come from historically can help us have a clearer vision of how to build understanding and agreement on a united future together and how biblical truths can bridge divides today.

There is no cost for this study, but please pre-purchase book. Facilitated by Vickie Southworth and Janice Swartz. Registration is required.

Blood Drive

Monday, February 26 from 12 – 6 PM

Please consider joining us in the west parking lot to donate blood. Did you know that the average human heart pumps 2,000 gallons of blood each day? Or that a single car accident victim can require 100 pints of blood?

Appointments are encouraged; please use the button below. All donors will receive a $20 eGift card, a long-sleeved t-shirt, and a wellness check-up.

Spring Food Drive 

Last year, the Wildwood Food Pantry received 515,400 pounds of donated food and served 13,320 food-insecure families. Your support is greatly appreciated. Bags will be placed on each car/golf cart during services on Saturday, March 2, and Sunday, March 3.  

Please fill the bags with the needed food items and leave the bags beside your car/golf cart the following weekend, Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10. 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.

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, spaghetti sauce, and SpagettiOs / RavioliOs, etc.

New Member Class

Wednesday, March 6 at 1 PM in the Chapel

Are you interested in becoming a member of New Covenant United Methodist Church? We have a couple of options for you. First, we offer an informational, in-person New Member class. You can register for this class online, or contact Ashley Hill.  Second, we also have a virtual video option available for those who are interested in partnering with New Covenant but live out of our area. 

Membership, in New Covenant or any United Methodist Church, means you will support the UMC by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness. All of these are very important components of our Wesleyan heritage.  

For more information, please contact Ashley Hill.

Men’s Ministry Retreat

Monday, March 18, beginning at 7:30 AM –Tuesday, March 19 at 2 PM

Calling all Men! The New Covenant Men’s Ministry is hosting a two-day retreat at the Warren Willis Retreat Center in Fruitland Park on the shores of Lake Griffin (about a thirty-minute drive from our church). This retreat will focus on men’s spiritual growth – how we can become better husbands, fathers, and grandfathers as we leave a positive spiritual legacy to our families and communities. We are excited to have Ronn Read as our guest speaker. Ronn is from Man in the Mirror – an organization whose purpose is to equip Christian men to engage in meaningful relationships that change lives and build the kingdom of God. His background and experience promise to make this an event that will grow your faith and shine a light on your path.

We hope that you will be excited about this opportunity to join your fellow Christian men and explore our opportunities to transform ourselves, our families, and our communities by discovering how we can build meaningful relationships and use our individual gifts for the glory of our Lord. Whether you have been to a dozen retreats before or this will be your first experience, please join us for two days nourishing and empowering your faith journey with your fellow Christian men.

The cost is $110 for an overnight stay and $75 for commuters. This price includes the program and five meals (three on Monday and breakfast and lunch on Tuesday). We will offer a movie to those who stay overnight. You must provide your own transportation. Registration is required.

Souper Bowl of Caring Update

Thanks to everyone who was a part of the Souper Bowl of Caring last weekend! The San Fransico 49ers donations totaled $1323, and the Kansas City Chiefs donations totaled $2286, for a total of $3609. Thank you for your support of the Wildwood Soup Kitchen.

Youth Group Meal

Our youth group is a vital part of our church community, and we invite you to join us in supporting them through a special initiative. Consider purchasing a meal for our youth group on Sundays, providing a delicious meal, and fostering connections and support for these young members. Your generosity ensures they have a meal to fellowship together both spiritually and socially. Click the button below to choose which option you would like to purchase for the youth group and make a secure online payment. Thank you for making a positive impact on the spiritual journey of our future leaders!

Prayers and Squares Quilt Ministry



Our Prayers and Squares Quilt Ministry continues to go strong! There are quilts on the prayer rails each weekend for all to pray over and tie a knot for the recipient. New Covenant is proud to offer these tangible ways to show love and concern for those in need of prayer support. To order a prayer quilt online, please use the link below.

Janet Appling

Mary Ann Elliott

Phil Fleming Family

Hazzard Family

Jerry & Jen

Terry Nottage

Carol Packer

Sandy Rahall and family

Keith & Mary Jo Smith

Gracie Schlagal

Michael Stafford

Francis Van Horn

Esther Ann Walton

Ed & Cindy Work

Tom & Dena Yohe

The prayer quilts on the altar are for...

Carol, who has stage-4 cancer in her bones and is receiving radiation.

Joann, who is having heart surgery; prayers for recovery.

Joy, who is recovering slowly from back surgery and is in much pain.

Lloyd, who has been diagnosed with heart failure and is receiving therapy.

Mary Ann, whose aggressive breast cancer has returned; will be receiving chemo.

Rick, who is suffering from COPD.

We request your prayers for these prayer quilts. Please pray for healing, comfort, and peace. Click on the quilt to be taken to our Facebook Page, where you can "Like" the post to tie a knot virtually.

Our prayers, love, and sympathy are extended to...

Shelia Clinton (Wayne), Carolyn Speckman, Pam Little (Jim), family and friends on the the passing of their sister Betty Bradley.  

Sally Crawford, family and friends on the passing of her husband, Donald “Don” Crawford.

The family and friends of Thomas “Tom” Parks on his passing.

The family and friends of Albert “Al” Louis Ruiz, Jr. on his passing.

Our Altar Flowers have been provided by… 

Bill & Laurie Grant in memory of Laurie’s mother, Ruth Speer.

Carol Bullmer in loving memory of Gary Handy.

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.