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

“God, you are my greatest treasure, your ways are my greatest joy. And you are my greatest love."

Lysa Terkeurst

New Covenant Holiday Hours

The church building and the Administration Office will be closed on Thursday, July 4 and Friday, July 5 in observance of Independence Day. We will reopen on Monday, July 8 at 9 AM.

The Bargains & Blessings Store will also be closed on Thursday, July 4 and will reopen on Friday, July 5 at 9:30 AM.

Gleaning Ministry

"When you reap the harvest of your land you shall not reap to the edges of your field, nor gather the gleaning of your harvest; you are to leave them for the poor and for the stranger. I am the Lord your God." - Leviticus 23:22.

From October 1 to May 31, the New Covenant Gleaning Ministry travels to local farms to pick excess or unwanted fresh fruits and vegetables so that the produce can be shared with organizations that provide for those most in need. These local farms are identified through a partnership with the Society of St. Andrew, which has a Gleaning Network Program.

In 2023, 22,270 pounds of food were gleaned and shared with 18 different food pantries and soup kitchens in Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties.

The commandment of gleaning is a reflection of God's desire to provide for the poor and marginalized.

If you are interested in volunteering with this ministry, please use the button below to contact Leon Schien, Gleaning Ministry Leader.

Leadership Lab

This past week, New Covenant had the privilege of sending four of our students, accompanied by our dedicated Student Minister Olivia Collins, to the Leadership Lab in Rock Island, IL. Leadership Lab is a unique program in which participants have the opportunity to practice leadership for both the church and the community. It’s not just a training session; it’s an intense, transformational faith experience that leaves a lasting impact on everyone involved.

Our students had an incredible time at Leadership Lab. The experience was so meaningful and enriching that it brought tears to their eyes as they prepared to come home. They bonded deeply with their peers, learned valuable leadership skills, and strengthened their faith in ways that will benefit our church and community for years to come.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated and supported this endeavor. Your generosity made this life-changing experience possible for these students. Let's continue to nurture and encourage our young leaders as they bring their newfound enthusiasm and skills back to our church community.

Wildwood Food Pantry Volunteers

The Wildwood Food Pantry is in tremendous need of volunteers this summer to help continue the work of this ministry that provides food to so many families in need in our local communities. Below are the positions with the greatest need.

Bag Loaders

• Description: put bags and/or boxes of groceries into the clients' vehicles as they come through the line
• Schedule: the first and third Friday of each month this summer
• Time Commitment: 8 AM – 12 PM
• Weight of Bag/Box: 20-30 pounds

Helper and/or Driver of Panel Van

• Description: to go to Publix to pick up groceries and bring back to pantry
• Schedule: Monday or Wednesday or Friday of each week
• Time Commitment: 8 AM – 10 AM or 10:30 AM
• Weight of Boxes: 30-50 pounds (varies)

If you are interested in volunteering, please use the button below to send an email message or make a call to (352) 748-1275.

Name Badge Reminder

We wear name badges to create a warmer, more inviting atmosphere among our church family and guests. We expect guests on our campus both on the weekends for services and during the week for breakfasts, Bible studies, small groups, and other gatherings. Name badges can help make guests feel welcome, lower their anxiety, and make them feel more a part of the group. Our clergy, staff, and volunteers love having the opportunity to call persons on the church campus by name.

We invite you to wear your name badge every time you are on the church campus. This will help our church members and guests to connect more deeply to one another, and it serves as a reminder that we expect to welcome guests every time we gather!

Should you need to order a name badge, please use the button below to place an order. For any questions, please use the button below to contact Ashley Hill, First Impressions Manager.

Giving Comes With A Return Blessing

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Luke 6:38)

Givers can expect a reward and blessing from their Heavenly Father as they give generously. Now, remember that we aren’t primarily giving to get. One characteristic of God is God's generosity. As we reflect God's nature, we should also display a spirit of generosity. We know that God supplies seed for the sower. When we give, God will meet our needs and replenish our stores.

Legacy Giving

When planning for your estate, you feel good knowing that you are providing for the people and causes you care about.

Spirited Singles Sunday School Class

Join our “Spirited Singles” for their new study “Forgiving What You Can’t Forget” by Lysa Terkeurst beginning this Sunday at 10:15 AM in Classroom 3.

This study teaches us how to stop suffering from what others have done to us while exploring what forgiveness is, what it isn’t, and how to deal with difficult relationships. Learn how to move on when the other person refuses to change and never says “sorry”!

“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
• Coffee Bar on Sundays
• Fresh Expressions
• Production Crew for Saturday Worship Services
• Quilters
• Wildwood Middle High School Mentor Program

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.

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 use the button below contact Sherry and Pastor Gary Eldred.

Holy Land Trip 2025

Monday, March 31 – Tuesday, April 9, 2025

Pastor Harold will lead another Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land next year. The tour will include Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Sea of Galilee, Jacob’s Well, Samaria, Emmaus, Megiddo, Mount Carmel, Jericho, Qumran, Masada, and the Dead Sea.

Click the button below to read the full brochure. Brochures are also located at the “Welcome Center” in the East Narthex. To register, please visit the EO website. 

New Covenant Columbarium

We are very fortunate at New Covenant to have our own Columbarium on the east side of the church campus. We were very blessed to have a group of forebears who felt this was an important offering to New Covenant members.

The Columbarium has expanded over the years and added lovely features such as benches and the fountain. The Columbarium Committee is always welcoming new members that are passionate about keeping our property well cared for and in good repair.

If you are interested in knowing more about our Columbarium, please click the button for our brochure or contact Sharon Weimert, Ministry Specialist, and she would be happy to help!

Jim Carroll

Harold Cavanaugh

Angela Hauzeur

Glenda Langston

Lynn Gilger

Danny Markley

Dan & Carol Bonebrake 

     Carol Thomas

Ramona Mudano

Diane Norass

Susan Payne

Mary Jo Rockwood

Charles & Judy Stuart

Steve

 Ed Work

Kelly

The prayer quilts on the altar are for...

Glenda has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Patricia is undergoing lung cancer surgery.

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.

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.