Spiritual Reflection

 “The empty cross reminds us of the empty tomb, and the empty tomb reminds us of the victory of Christ over death. Lordship that is based on love and the offer of new life has real consequences for us.”

Bishop Tom Berlin

Celebrate the Win

A special thank you to the seven community organizations who recently sent 22 volunteers to participate with us in the Backpack4Kids assembly. They included:

• Kids Central, Inc.
• Early Learning Coalition of the Nature Coast
• Habitat for Humanity Lake Sumter, Florida
• Early Learning Coalition of Lake County
• Sumter County Schools Families in Transition
• Children’s Home Society – Sumter & Lake Counties
• Friends of the Homeless - Lake County

They were able to pack school supplies into 400 backpacks in 40 minutes. We are grateful for their work in the community and their support of New Covenant.

“Revved Up for Dad!”

Father’s Day Car Show, Motorcycles, and Hot Dogs

Sunday, June 21 from 9 AM – 1 PM

Celebrate Father’s Day with us at New Covenant for Revved Up for Dad — a fun morning of fellowship, food, and horsepower.

Enjoy classic cars, custom rides, motorcycles, and slingshots in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or just looking for a fun way to celebrate Dad, there’s something for everyone.

• Hot dogs, chips, and drinks
• Great photo opportunities and community fellowship

“Revved Up for Dad” is more than a car show — it’s a chance to celebrate fathers and father figures while building community and sharing God’s love.

Come hungry, bring your lawn chairs, invite a friend, and join us for an unforgettable Father’s Day celebration! Revved Up for Dad – where faith, family, food, and fast rides come together.

The northwest corner of the parking lot will be unavailable for parking because of the cars and other vehicles. This event will not be rescheduled due to rain.

Blood Drive

Monday, June 15 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 sunshade. 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!

Bargains & Blessings Volunteers Needed

Your help is needed for a few hours a month at Bargains & Blessings Resale Store in downtown Wildwood. During the summer months, the store loses about 40 percent of its volunteers. Many of them are seasonal who travel home during this time of year. We would love to have you join us in the following areas: the Boutique, Intake, Family Outreach, the Main Store, the Annex, or as a scheduler for pickups and deliveries. 

Volunteers are also needed for one hour every other month when the Bargains & Blessings truck is on the church campus to meet and greet those who have donations. This amounts to only six times per year, and no heavy lifting is involved.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Janine Rogers, Director of Missions and Outreach.

John Had It Right

John Wesley, the Founder of the Methodist Church, was an incredible servant of God. Wesley reminded his followers that “the love of money,” not money itself, is the “root of all evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

He said, “the fault does not lie in the money, but in them that use it.” He declared that when used in ways that are consistent with biblical wisdom, money is “an excellent gift of God, answering the noblest ends.” On another occasion he said, “…Do not throw it away on idle expenses, which is just the same as throwing it in the sea.”

Wesley saw using money properly as a practical way of conducting one’s life.  How well are we using God’s gift?

Legacy Giving

An IRA is a great asset to use for both current and future gifts through Legacy Giving.

If you would like to know more about Legacy Giving, please contact Linda Stubits. Thank you for considering our Legacy Giving Ministry.

More Than a Concert — An American Story Worth Singing

Sunday, June 28 at 5 PM in the Christian Life Center

What does it mean to be American — and how do we celebrate 250 years of a nation still growing, striving, and singing forward together?

Join New Covenant’s Chancel Choir, instrumentalists, and guest soloists for a powerful and uplifting evening of music, storytelling, and reflection at Celebrate America 2026 — a concert experience unlike any other in our community.

Hosted by Angie Rose and Sean Pollock, this special event weaves together beloved patriotic music, spirituals, Broadway favorites, and moving narrations that honor both the promise and the ongoing journey of America.

Featuring music ranging from The Star-Spangled Banner and God Bless America to moving selections including Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor, Lady Liberty, and I Hear America Singing, this inspiring evening celebrates the voices, sacrifices, hopes, and dreams that continue to shape our nation.

Come experience an evening of hope, gratitude, unity, and song as we celebrate the story we are still singing together.

No ticket required. A Love Offering will benefit the Backpacks4Kids Ministry.

New Member Class (July 2026)

Wednesday, July 1 at 1 PM in the Chapel

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 you and your needs. Church membership is your opportunity to hold each other in care and love. We hope you will consider being a member and become more engaged with your church community.

If you have any questions or need help with registration, please contact Ashley Hill, First Impressions Manager.

“Common Ground” Bible Study by Amberly Neese

Each Monday in July (6 - 27) from 4:30 PM - 6 PM in Classroom 3

Whether it is in politics, the professional world, a party, or a pew, we face conflict every day. As discussions get more heated and social media is deluged with opinion-spewing, hurt feelings, and broken relationships, we need hope and practical tools to navigate the tumultuous waters and live at peace with everyone. Fortunately, the Scriptures hold the key to living at peace despite our differences in “Common Ground,” a four-week Bible study, Amberly Neese combines stories of sibling rivalries from the Bible with personal experience, humor, hope, and her love of God’s Word. Facilitated by Dana Osmanski.

Stories examined from the Old and New Testaments include:

• Joseph and His Brothers: How to Combat Jealousy
• Moses, Miriam, and Aaron: How to Work Together Despite Differences
• Mary, Martha, and Lazarus: How to Appreciate the Contributions of Others
• Rachel and Leah: Having Compassion for the Plight of Others

These stories point us to peace and reconciliation in all our relationships, reassuring us that it is possible to find common ground with everyone―despite our differences.

You will find Biblical and practical help for:

• Facing conflict
• Navigating broken relationships
• Handling heated discussions (in person and on social media)
• Living at peace despite differences

Registration is required. For more information, please contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator - Discipleship. All are welcome!

Please Welcome Our New Staff Member

Please Check Your Junk and Spam Email Folders

When you are expecting an email from the church, please be sure to check your spam and junk folders. If you find church emails are going to those folders, please contact your provider so they can be rerouted. 

If you have any questions, please contact the church office.

Upcoming Holy Land Tours and Journeys of Paul Tour

Pastor Harold will lead two trips to the Holy Land: the first one is scheduled for this fall (October 5 – 14, 2026) and another for next spring (March 8 – 17, 2027).

In addition, Pastor Harold will be leading a cruise tour that follows in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul. The cruise (October 6 – 17, 2027) will take us to towns where Paul had established churches such as Philippi, Thessaloniki, Corinth, Athens, and Ephesus. There also will be stops in Rhodes, Mykonos, and Santorini, Greece. 

If you are interested in knowing more about these tours, you can pick up a brochure at the Welcome Center in the East Narthex, download the information from the New Covenant website, or use the links below.

In the fall, Pastor Harold will hold information meetings to talk more about these trips, answer questions and share more details.

Let Us Care for You!

When it comes to looking for a church, many people say they hope the church will care for them in their time of need. New Covenant is a caring community of faith, and we want to be able to care for you when you need us. For us to be able to do that, please consider designating a neighbor or close friend to communicate with your church if you have a sudden hospitalization or emergency. It is also important to us to know when you are having a scheduled procedure, test, or surgery, so that we can pray for you and your family. Please help us by calling the Care office to give us the information.

Even if it is after church office hours, they can call the church number (352-750-4529) and leave a message or request the pastor on call. Have your designee save the church phone number in their cell phone; it will be easy for them to reach out to your church. One of New Covenant’s core spiritual values is care, so help us to care for you well.

Weekly Prayer Concerns

Praying Together meets at 2:45 PM in Classroom 14

Every Wednesday a small but faithful group come to pray over the requests and needs of the congregation. The written prayer cards and the online submitted prayer requests are prayed for by this team. If you would like to join this group, all are welcome! You do not need to be a member of New Covenant, or you don’t have to pray flowery, elaborate prayers, but just come with a spirit of humility and reverence as you bring these needs to God. Please use the link below to submit an online request

Prayer Quilts

Gerri, who is recovering from a stroke.

Ginette, who had a heart stent and has eye problems.

Glen, who has a progressive auto-immune disorder.

Leanda, who has very serious health issues.

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...

Esther and Larry Bulger on the passing of their daughter, Jamie Choban.

Christian Life Center Chancel Flowers

To place an order for Chancel flowers in the Christian Life Center for Sunday worship services, please use the button below. For any questions about CLC Chancel Flowers, please contact Sharon Weimert, Care Coordinator.



Flower orders for the Christian Life Center must be received by noon on Monday for flowers to be delivered that weekend.

Rev. Harold Hendren, Senior Pastor

Rev. Ellen Pollock, Associate Pastor