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

“Are we “Shortchanging” our lives by living beneath the privileges of the Cross? Or are we living with the privilege of the cross?”

Pastor Harold

Celebrating the Win — A Night to Shine!

Night to Shine at New Covenant United Methodist Church was a powerful reminder of what God can do when a community comes together in love and purpose. This year, we had the joy of welcoming 169 Honored Guests, each one celebrated with dignity, joy, and the full red carpet experience. The evening was filled with dancing, laughter, and unforgettable moments that reflected the heart of Christ. Behind the scenes, 20 dedicated committees worked faithfully for months to plan every detail, supported by professional photographers who captured the magic, local musicians, The Villages High School Band, Cheerleaders and Football team and even a companion K-9 group. We received many generous donations from local businesses that helped bring this vision to life.

This extraordinary night was made possible by the overwhelming support of our church family, church staff and volunteers. An incredible 429 volunteers, served with compassion and enthusiasm, ensuring every guest felt valued and loved. Meanwhile, 89 caregivers enjoyed rest and fellowship in our respite room, knowing their loved ones were safe and celebrated. Night to Shine was truly a church wide victory — a shining example of what happens when God’s people join together to serve boldly, love generously, and create a space where every person knows they are treasured.

Journey Through Lent: A Midweek Musical Invitation

Wednesdays at 11 AM (February 25–March 25) in the Chapel

This Lenten season, we invite you to make time for what your soul truly needs: rest, reflection, and renewal. Step away from the noise of the world and into the peaceful stillness of Lenten Musical Meditations — a simple, sacred 30-minute gathering of music, scripture, and spiritual focus.

Each week features a different musician or ensemble offering meditative music designed to help you reflect on your journey through Lent.

• February 25: Gary Powell, organ

Begin the season with a time of grounding and stillness through the voice of the organ.

• March 4: Bonnie Fisher & Cheryl Steinborn, pianists 

A gentle mixture of piano solos and duets bring depth and color to this week’s meditation.

• March 11: Lesan Van Syckle, horn and Sean Pollock, piano

Music of tenderness and contemplation invites you into deeper listening and trust.

• March 18: Joel Alexander, violin

The lyrical voice of the violin stirs the soul and lifts the spirit in this mid-Lent moment.

• March 25: Noah Laney, cello

A powerful close to the series with rich, resonant reflections leading into Holy Week.

Whether you come for just one or make the full journey, each service offers a space to breathe, listen, and be renewed. No registration is needed. Just come as you are and let this season shape your heart.

Let this be the Lent you lean in. Let this be your journey toward Easter.

Thinking About Membership?

Thursday, February 26 at 1 PM in Classroom 6/7

Becoming a member at New Covenant is more than just filling out a form – it’s about saying yes to growing in your faith and connecting more deeply with this church family. Whether you live here full-time or spend just part of the year with us, there’s a membership option that fits your life and your journey.

Membership is a way we support one another in love, prayer, and accountability. It’s a step toward belonging and investing in something bigger than ourselves – God’s work through the local church.

If you’ve been thinking about making New Covenant your church home, we’d be honored to walk alongside you in that process. Have questions? Need help getting started? We'd love to speak with you! 

For more information, please contact Ashley Hill, First Impressions Manager.

Volunteers Needed at Bargains & Blessings

We invite you to join us! Bargains & Blessings Resale Store is in need of volunteers in the following areas: Main Store, Annex, Boutique, Intake, and Family Outreach. Duties vary and include cashiering, answering phone calls, intake of donations, assisting families, etc. 

No experience is needed and training will be provided. Volunteers work half or full days, Monday to Saturday.  If you or someone you know may be interested, please download, print, and complete the application. You can also pick up an application at the store located at 301 N. Main Street in downtown Wildwood.  

For more information, please contact Tina Lander, Assistant Manager, Bargains & Blessings.

Giving Is an Act of Worship

You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth. (Deuteronomy 8:18)

Our willingness to freely give shows our deep trust and dependence on God, acknowledging that He is the provider for all our needs. Giving shows that we prioritize God above all else. This frees us from the love of money, dependence on our possessions, and desire to hoard for ourselves. In other words, it helps us keep our priorities straight.  Our obedience with the tithe is about giving first to God. 

Legacy Giving

Legacy Giving maintains a place for future generations to thrive.

The Villages Concert Band

“An Evening of Timeless Romance”

Friday, February 20 at 7 PM in the Christian Life Center

“An Evening of Timeless Romance” will take you on a journey of romantic favorites from years gone by right up to the very present. Do you remember Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeves searching for each other in “Somewhere in Time”? Or, Yul Brenner and Jodie Foster dancing spiritedly together in “The King and I”? How about Christine and The Phantom in “Phantom of the Opera”? 

You will be reminded of all of these characters and much more as the Villages Concert Band presents music that is guaranteed to help you recall nostalgic memories from the past as well as enlivening current relationships from the present. Come and reminisce to jazz standards such as Henry Mancini’s “Moon River” and other classics like “Embraceable You” and “Funny Valentine” as well as the English/Irish tune “The Girl I Left Behind Me”!

Prepare for a night of beauty, nostalgia, and unforgettable music and bring your date — a memorable evening of fun and magic await!

You may purchase tickets at the door.

New Lenten Study: Why Did Jesus Have to Die? 

The Meaning of the Crucifixion

Study begins the first week of Lent, February 22

Rejecting the idea that God needed Jesus to die, Adam Hamilton encourages us to ask what Jesus’ death means. What if the cross isn’t a transaction to be explained, but a living Word from God meant to transform who we are and how we live. If you imagine or were taught that there is one correct answer to this question, this six-week video study by Adam Hamilton is for you.

If you are interested in participating in either a small group or Sunday morning study, please contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator - Discipleship, for more information. All are welcome!

You may purchase the book from Amazon or Cokesbury. Please click below.

“An Unlikely Lent” – A Spirited Singles Sunday Class

Study begins the first week of Lent, February 22, from 10:15 – 11:45 AM

The crucifixion and resurrection are at the heart of the story of Easter. But the resurrection was not witnessed in isolation, it unfolded before a crowd. What might the stories of those men and women teach us today? How will they help us step into the story of Easter.

Spirited Singles Sunday School class begins a new class, “An Unlikely Lent,” a six-week video study.  Gain new insight from the crowd on the themes of:

• Devotion
• Opposition
• Freedom
• Courage
• Companionship
• Alliances

By seeing the Easter story through their eyes, we may discover that the resurrection is not just a past event, but an invitation into something new, unexpected, and unlikely. Walk through this season of Lent with eyes wide open, ready to see where God is moving. All singles are welcome!

Registration is not required, and you do not need to purchase a book.

Blood Drive

Monday, February 23 from 12 PM – 6 PM in the West Parking Lot

New Covenant is hosting an upcoming Blood Drive with OneBlood.

Donors receive a $20 eGift card and a long-sleeved T-shirt. You will also have a Wellness Checkup including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count, and cholesterol screening.

Facts:

• Every two seconds of every day, someone needs blood.
• Only 3% of those who are eligible actually donate blood.

Appointments are encouraged!

Men's Breakfast with Dr. Buck Blodgett

Tuesday, March 3 at 7:30 AM

Dr. Blodgett will present, “Faith,” part-two on his “F Words” series. He returns for parts three and four the first Tuesday of April and May.

Forgiveness. Faith. Fruitfulness. Fortitude. This four-part, faith-based series, “The F-Words,” is a personal journey, told from a Christian perspective. The most unstoppable and transformative force in this universe is love.

Registration is not required for Men's Breakfast. You may pay at the door ($7).

Lunch and Learn with Dr. Buck Blodgett

Tuesday, March 3 from 12 – 1 PM in the Fellowship Center

Dr. Blodgett will present part-two of his “F Words” series on “Faith” at this month's Lunch and Learn. He returns for parts three and four the first Tuesday of April and May. If you missed part one, you are still welcome to join him.

Dr. Buck Blodgett 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 groups 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.

Following dates will be April 7 and May 5. Each will require a separate registration.

Dinner and a Movie

Tuesday, March 3 at 5 PM in the Fellowship Center

Our Men’s and Women's Ministries are sponsoring a Dinner and a Movie event. This is an opportunity for a great date night or a fun evening with friends. It will feature a full dinner, followed by a wonderful movie displayed on our large screen.

Doors will open at 4:30 PM and dinner will be served at 5 PM. The movie will begin at 5:45 PM.

Menu: Mustard & Herb Crusted Pork Roast with Pan Gravy, Roasted Potatoes, Green Beans, Dinner Rolls, and Dessert

Registration is required for this event ($15 per person). For more information, please contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator - Discipleship.

“The Chosen” Season Two

Wednesdays, March 4, 11, 18, 25, from 2-4 PM

“The Chosen” Season 2 follows Jesus as His fame grows, leading to larger crowds, new disciples, and escalating conflict, focusing heavily on the disciples' internal struggles to understand their roles, their growing community dynamics (especially Simon/Matthew tension), Mary Magdalene's relapse, and preparations for the Sermon on the Mount, while antagonists like Shmuel plot against Jesus, and Roman involvement increases.

The season highlights the “beatitudes,” showing Jesus's way of living and teaching amidst new challenges and deepening faith.

Registration is not required. Please contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator - Discipleship, for information.

Bargains & Blessings Truck

Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8

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

Last year we generated $11,278 in delivery fees along with making six pick ups three times a week. Donations are picked up on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and deliveries are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

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.

The Celebration Brass Band

Sunday, March 8 at 6 PM in the Fellowship Center

The Celebration Brass Band, under the dynamic baton of Lewis Buckley, invites you to an exciting spring concert in New Covenant’s newly renovated Fellowship Center. This engaging program showcases what brass bands do best — bringing to life a rich and colorful cross-section of music drawn from a wide range of original sources.

Audiences will enjoy works written especially for brass band, including the stately Prelude for an Occasion and the stirring march Silver Star, alongside beloved favorites from the world of musical theater and film such as An American in Paris, Can-Can, and selections from West Side Story. Adding a special highlight to the evening is the beautiful tenor horn solo Demelza, performed by New Covenant’s own Leslie Ann Van Syckle.

From powerful fanfares to lyrical melodies, this concert promises an evening of variety, virtuosity, and musical excitement. Don’t miss this wonderful celebration of brass band music!

Women’s Monthly Gathering (March 2026)

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

Join us for a meaningful and inspiring morning as we welcome Rev. Sarah Campbell, PhD, Senior Pastor of Forest United Methodist Church in Ocala and Silver Springs and Congregational Vitality Specialist for the Northeast District of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. 



Dr. Campbell will share the unique and powerful story of ministry in and around the Ocala National Forest, where community needs look very different from what many of us experience day to day. Through outreach efforts like a thriving thrift store and the Forest Food Panty, Forest United Methodist Church is meeting people where they are and making a tangible difference in daily lives. 

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn, connect, and grow in compassion as we gain a deeper understanding of how our neighbors live and how faith in action can transform communities.

The mission for March will benefit Forest UMC’s thrift store and other church ministries. 

Menu: Chicken Alfredo, Italian Garden Salad, Garlic Toast, Dessert

Registration is required ($12) and closes at 12 noon on Monday, March 16. If you have any questions or need help with registering, please contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator - Discipleship.

Register Now

It is important when registering for an event or class to register early! This helps church staff adequately prepare for the number of people for room size and set-up, resources, and food quantity. We are also committed to being able to share the cut-off date of registrations per event. If an event is closed because we have met our maximum for space and food requirements, we will not be accepting walk-ins.

Please help us serve you better by registering for events using the links on our website or in your WeeklyWord emails. If you are unable to register from home, please call the church office and we will be happy to assist you.

When registering, please be sure you are logged into your portal account. Your portal account saves all your information, so you don’t have to retype it every time. If you do not have a portal account, or are unsure if you have an account, please contact the church office. To log in to your account or to register for a new account, please click the button below. If you have forgotten your username or password, you can change it here also.

Because We “Care”

We can’t care unless we're aware! Help our wonderful team of staff and volunteers know about your upcoming surgeries and treatments so we can care and support you with prayer. If you happen to have an emergency, would you designate a neighbor or close friend to let us know? It is such an important part of who we are at New Covenant and making this a place to call home by caring for each of you!

Weekly Prayer Concerns

The Prayer Quilts on the Altar are for:

Jean, who is having complications from a broken shoulder.

Linda, who needs to have toes amputated, and was also diagnosed with cancer.

Sylvia, recently diagnosed with cancer and not sure about treatment.

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...

Joy Kucinski, family and friends on the passing of her husband, Russ Kucinski.

Charles Jarvis, family and friends on the passing of his wife, June Jarvis.

Vicki Whipple, family and friends on the passing of her husband, Bob Whipple.

Altar Flowers

To place an order for altar flowers, please use the button below. Flower orders must be received by noon on Tuesday for flowers to be delivered that weekend.