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

“If you want to be the best, you have to do things other people aren’t willing to do.”

Michael Phelps

The Vision to Grow our Church…

Making Spaces for All Generations

Town Hall Meeting: Tuesday, July 30 at 5 PM in the Christian Life Center

Over the past year, the New Covenant leadership team has been exploring how we can continue to grow our church. After consulting with The Unstuck Group, one of the top priorities was to renovate the Fellowship Center and address some other key areas throughout our facilities that need attention. This renovation project will allow us to have up-to-date spaces to continue reaching people in The Villages and surrounding areas with our ministries.

Our hope is to raise $250,000 that will be matched, dollar for dollar, by a family in our church. This will allow us to meet our goal of raising $500,000 total.

The renovation plan is not only to upgrade the Fellowship Center stage, lighting, chairs, and sound, but also to replace the hallway and Choir Room flooring, do some much-needed interior painting, enhance the kiosks, enrich the interior lighting of the Christian Life Center, and improve our exterior signage. The leadership team felt that it was particularly important to address these improvements because the original building was constructed twenty years ago.

Our leadership team hopes you will consider financially supporting this project. If you would like to know more, please join our leadership team at the upcoming Town Hall Meeting. This meeting will also be livestreamed and recorded for viewing later.

In addition, you may pick up an Information Card with some key considerations about this project at the Welcome Center, or download a copy below.

Online New Member Class

An Online New Member Class is available for anyone who is unable to attend in person. This class is a great opportunity to learn about the United Methodist Church, Wesleyan theology, and New Covenant’s mission and vision. Each individual who completes the online class will receive a video to watch, a short list of questions to answer, and a registration form to complete at your own pace.

If you’re interested in the Online New Member Class, please contact Ashley Hill, First Impressions Manager.

Digital Evangelism via Social Media

Social media can be a great venue for Digital Evangelism. Digital evangelism is a powerful tool for sharing your faith with your family and friends.

To get involved, we invite you to connect with New Covenant on social media and to “Like” and “Share” New Covenant’s posts on Facebook and Instagram.

We hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to live into our core value of being invitational.

Visitation Ministry – Let Us Know

Our New Covenant Care Ministry wants to be present for you in your time of need. Pastoral and lay minister visits are made to individuals in our church family who are in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and rehab centers. It is also important to let your church know when you have a procedure, surgery, or health emergency, so that we can be in prayer and in contact with you. Please consider designating a family member or friend who can keep your church updated in the event that you need to go to a healthcare facility, or have an emergency trip to the hospital.



Please contact the Care Office at (352) 750-4529 so that we may minister to you in your time of need.

Giving is an Investment in the Kingdom of God

Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with money bags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Luke 12:33-34)

You can view your offering as a heavenly investment. Tithes and offerings are used to support pastors and missionaries, build churches and provide resources for evangelism and discipleship. This ensures the gospel is proclaimed to all nations.

Legacy Giving

Planning for your estate helps you focus on your goals and become more aware of how you want to impact the world.

Summer Food Drive for Wildwood Food Pantry

The Wildwood Food Pantry received around 2,600 pounds of nonperishable food from our generous congregants of New Covenant! What a blessing during the summer months! We thank you for sharing your blessings with us and those we serve!!

New Small Group Study

Mondays from 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

It is not too late to join the LOL (Ladies of Light) study of “The Chosen: Part 4” — an 8-week DVD study. With clashing kingdoms and rival rulers, the enemies of Jesus close in while His struggling followers leave Him to carry the burden alone. No registration required and all ladies are welcome. For more information, please contact Pat Hill. 

Revealed Small Group New Study

Thursdays, July 25 through August 29, from 1 PM – 2:15 PM

“Lessons I Learned in the Dark: Steps to Walking by Faith, Not by Sight” is the theme for the next Revealed Study Group led by Sherry and Pastor Gary Eldred.  The author, Jennifer Rothschild, explains her book is not about blindness, although she herself is blind, but rather a book about learning how to really see: to move with freedom, even in confining circumstances, to hear echoes of hope, even in heartache, to be empowered, even when you don’t feel strong.

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

Community Bible Study

Mondays, August 26, 2024 – April 28, 2025, from 3 PM – 5 PM

The Villages Community Bible Study (CBS) will be offering a small group Bible Study for men and women. Both in-person and online options are available.

CBS is an interdenominational Bible study that brings people together around God’s word. We offer a 30-week, in-depth study through the five essentials of CBS: Individual Study, Encouraging Discussion, Effective Teaching, Insightful Commentary, and a Caring Community.

For 2024–2025 season, we will study the Gospel of Matthew. Small groups will meet at New Covenant. Workbooks will be available to pick up on Monday, August 5 from 10 AM – 12 PM in the West Narthex.

The registration fee is $35. Scholarships are available by request. Register on the CBS website. Space is limited for this class. For more information, please contact Susan Hayes.

Tri-County Plus Emmaus Fourth Day Gathering

Sunday, July 28 at 5:30 PM

Florida Aldersgate EMMAUS invites you to attend the Tri-county Fourth Day Gathering and Potluck Dinner next weekend. Please bring a covered dish to share. Gathering will include Communion, music, and speakers. This event will be held at Lake Deaton United Methodist Church (6500 Wesleyan Way, Wildwood). Doors open at 4:30 PM.

If you have any questions, please call Buddy Acton at (352) 425-4457.

Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein

Sunday, August 11 at 6 PM in the Christian Life Center

Get ready to be transported to the golden age of Broadway as we present “Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein.” This special concert will feature songs from timeless classics such as “Oklahoma,” “South Pacific,” and many more. This will be an evening of unforgettable melodies and enchanting performances. We are thrilled to have the renowned tenor Mark Steven Schmidt and the talented pianist Gary Powell gracing our stage. Their exceptional talent and passion for music will bring the magic of Rodgers and Hammerstein to life, creating a night you won’t want to miss.

The admission is free, but we kindly suggest a $20 donation to benefit our Backpacks4Kids ministry. Our goal is to raise an additional $5,000 to ensure every child in our community has the supplies they need for the upcoming school year. Your generosity will make a significant impact, helping provide essential tools for children to succeed.

So, mark your calendars and join us for an extraordinary evening filled with music, joy, and community spirit. Together, we can make a difference and ensure every child is ready for the new school year.

Join the Chancel Choir for the Fall '24 Season!

Rehearsals Resume Wednesday, August 7 at 6 PM in Classrooms 8/9

Are you passionate about music and worship? Do you have a desire to lead others in praising God? If so, we invite you to join the Chancel Choir as we kick off our fall '24 season! Whether you're a seasoned singer or simply love to sing, there's a place for you in our choir family.

Rehearsals for the Chancel Choir resume in two weeks to practice and prepare for our Sunday services and special events. Your dedication and enthusiasm will help us create beautiful, uplifting music for our congregation. The Chancel Choir sings every Sunday throughout the year at both the 9 AM and 11 AM blended services. By joining the choir, you'll have the opportunity to lead God's people in worship, enhancing their spiritual experience with your voice and example. Our choir is committed to excellence, and your participation will make a significant impact.

In addition to our weekly services, the Chancel Choir presents annual Christmas concerts and other special concerts and services throughout the year. These events are highlights of our church calendar, bringing joy and inspiration to all who attend. As a choir member, you'll be part of these cherished traditions.

The Chancel Choir is more than just a group of singers; we are a passionate family dedicated to worship. We support and encourage each other, and our shared love for music and faith creates strong bonds among us. Joining the choir is not just about singing; it's about becoming part of a community that values worship and fellowship.

If you have any questions about our Chancel Choir, please contact Sean Pollock, Director, Worship & Events.

“Many Hands Make Light Work”

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, serve our community, and connect with our church. New Covenant has many different areas to get involved. Whether it is serving during the weekend services or volunteering within one of our missions, you are a necessary part of this church. No role is unimportant, and we need many volunteers to continue to live into the vision of being Christ’s hands, feet, and voice in the world.

Below are just a few positions with immediate needs, but many more are listed on our Volunteer Central webpage. We invite you to explore these great opportunities!

• Bargains & Blessings Store
• Bus Drivers
• Children's Nursery
• Coffee Bar on Sundays
• Fresh Expressions
• Production Crew for Saturday Worship Services
• Quilters

For information on any volunteer position, please click the button below, visit the Volunteer Central webpage (located under the Ministries tab; then select First Impressions), or call the church office.

Stephen Ministry

Sometimes, we need a compassionate, impartial ear to listen to us. Stephen Ministers are just that. Whether you are experiencing fatigue from caregiving, a difficult diagnosis, the loss of a loved one, or other challenges, Stephen Ministers are well equipped to listen and offer care. Each Stephen Minister goes through 50-plus hours of training to ensure that they are well prepared for any concern. 

Stephen Ministers will be a safe, confidential place to speak and share. Maybe you need this kind of care, please contact Pastor Ellen for more information.

Family of Wendy Beattie

Marion Duchesne 

Family of Andrei Dyatlik

Donna Fisher

Laura & Glen Lindsey

Katie Miser

Gary & Deborah Seyler

Carol Thomas

Judy & Tom Van Royen

Scott Werner

The prayer quilts on the altar are for...

Bob, who needs strength and healing.

Jim, who needs strength and healing.

Lauren, who had emergency surgery to deliver her baby daughter, Emma.

Theresa, who has a brain aneurysm.

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...

Ken Carter, family and friends on the passing of his wife, Kathleen Carter.

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.