Message in a Minute

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

Spiritual Reflection

“Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.”

Unknown 

Bridging Gaps through Conversation

Tuesday, May 21 from 1 PM – 3:30 PM in the Fellowship Center

Please join us for our next Bridging Gaps Through Conversation. We will continue the discussion on race, religion, and politics with diverse groups of people from different backgrounds in our community. Each table has a facilitator that will pose questions to those in attendance. You will have an opportunity to dialogue with others who have the same views or a different perspective. It is also an opportunity to learn more about our neighbors through our similarities and differences.

Snacks and drinks will be served. At the end of the discussion, a table leader will facilitate feedback.

Registration is required. There is no cost for this event. For more information, please contact Janine Rogers, Director of Missions & Outreach.

Abba Art Spring Show

Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19 in the Cardinal Alcove

Join us before or after worship services for the Abba Art Spring Show, where our faith community's talent shines through in stunning displays of acrylics, watercolors, colored pencils, and graphite artworks. Inspired by our faith, we paint with God for creation, the Son for salvation, and the Spirit for inspiration, making this exhibition a profound experience of artistic and spiritual reflection. Don't miss this captivating fusion of art and worship!

New Member Class (May 2024)

Wednesday, May 22 from 1–3:30 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 responsibility and love. We hope you will consider being a member and become more engaged with your church community.

Registration is required. There is no cost for this class.

For more information, please contact Ashley Hill.

Celebrating our Mentees

On Sunday, April 28, New Covenant had the opportunity to celebrate our nine graduating mentees from Wildwood Middle High School. Pastor Harold welcomed the families and began our evening in prayer. Each mentee, surrounded by family and their mentors, enjoyed a meal prepared and served by our wonderful kitchen volunteers. Anne Foote Hill, provided an overview of the program with the special recognition of celebrating 10 years of our Wildwood Middle High School Mentor Program. This is our sixth graduating class and we’ve honored 47 seniors! 

Olivia Collins, Student Minister, welcomed each mentor and mentee, allowing each mentor to share highlights about their mentee and their time together. Each student was presented a goody bag which includes a bible with their name engraved, and a beautiful prayer quilt, hand made by members of our Prayers and Squares Ministry. Many of the quilters were present and able to meet the student they quilted for and have been praying for since November. The guests enjoyed photos and cake to wrap up the evening.  

Congratulations to our Mentees and Mentors

• Sophia Kniepkamp — Joan Chirumbolo
• Malachi Martin — Al Lehman
• Esly Villeda Castillo — Marlene Wedel
• Temarionte’ Williams — Milton White
• Ra’Nayzia Brown — Debby Cody
• Keoni Hill — Jean Lehman
• Valerie Gomez Lopez — Sandy Ruhland
• Ke’marein Williams — Lynn and Art Clever
• Ondre’ Ryan (not pictured) — OJ Sampson

Tax-Free Giving from Your IRA

For those who are 70½ and older, the IRS code has a provision that allows a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly to the church from your IRA without having to pay income taxes that would otherwise be due on the distribution.

If you have already started taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMD), the news even gets better. The donation from your IRA to the church counts as part of your annual RMD.

If you are interested, first discuss it with your financial advisor. Then call the church finance office (352-750-4529) and ask for Linda Stubits. She can supply you with the information you will need to make the donation.

Legacy Giving

Giving through your will or trust allows you to keep your assets while you need them.

Backpacks 4 Kids Benefit Concert

Shades of Blue Octet

Friday, May 10 at 7 PM in the Christian Life Center

The Shades of Blue Concert will benefit our Backpacks 4 Kids Ministry. Backpacks and school supplies have been provided for the last 10 years to school children in the Wildwood elementary, intermediate, and middle-high school each year to ensure their success during the school year. Last year we raised over $20,000 to support this effort. New Covenant has been hosting concerts for several years to purchase the needed items. Due to our growing community, 1,300 children benefitted last year.

The Shades of Blue Octet draws its musical lineage from the Dave Pell Octet, a celebrated ensemble that sprang from Les Brown's big band in the 1950s. This eight-piece band proudly carries forward a substantial collection of original arrangements from the Pell ensemble, embracing the contributions of iconic composers such as Marty Paich, Shorty Rogers, Bill Holman, and Andre Previn, among others. Under the leadership of Paul Holtzman, who also crafts arrangements, the group champions a distinct approach to jazz that prioritizes ensemble cohesion over extended solos. This emphasis on collective sound, powered by a blend of four horns and a guitar, channels the full-bodied resonance of a big band, despite the ensemble's more intimate size.

Adopting the West Coast Jazz style, the Shades of Blue stand out in the Villages for their unique musical offering, diverging from the more commonly performed genres of rock, country, and doo-wop. The band's composition features Chuck Mander on trumpet, Mike James wielding the tenor sax, Margaret Banton on baritone sax, Tommy Rocco on guitar, Bob Wilson at the piano keys, Al Cheatham handling the bass, Rod Jacobs on drums, and band leader Paul Holtzman on trombone. Adding a special touch to their performances, vocalist Donna Francis not only lends her voice to the ensemble but also offers insights into the band's repertoire, enhancing the audience's appreciation of their music.

Tickets may be also purchased at the door ($25).

Women’s Monthly Program (May 2024)

“Special Ladies in Our Lives”

Thursday, May 16 from 10–11:30 AM (with lunch to follow)

This month we will honor the special ladies in our lives. Jesus had Mary, his mother, and Mary Magdalene, his disciple, as important women in His life. Not only will we hear about those ladies, but we will hear from New Covenant ladies who will share stories about special women in their lives. During the second part of our gathering, we will learn how to keep our special ladies safe during this time when trafficking of women is prevalent. Tomas J. Lares, Co-founder and Chairman of the Greater Orlando Human Trafficking Task Force will educate us about this crisis and how to keep our ladies safe. 

We will have a very “special” guest joining us. Lynn Van Veelan, who moved away from us several months ago will be here to do our devotion. Please plan to attend so we can let Lynn know how much we miss her!

Menu: Trio Salad Entree Plate (Chicken, Tuna, and Egg), Veggie and Pickle Garnish, Mini Croissant, Carrot Layer Cake. The menu is subject to change due to food availability.

Registration is required ($10). If you need assistance registering, please contact Pat Hill.

“The Power of Knowing God” by Dr. Tony Evans

New Class begins Sunday, May 18 at 10:15 AM in Classroom 3

Join the Spirited Singles Sunday Education Class as they begin a new study. Learn how God gives every Christian the tools for an active relationship with Him. Many don’t experience God's presence in their daily lives. In his book, Dr. Evans shares the only way to deeply know God is to make seeking Him your life’s greatest purpose. In “The Power of Knowing God,” he teaches how you can prioritize God over everything else – and how doing so will transform you from the inside out. 

“God Is Like a Box of Crayons”

Fridays from 9:30 AM–12 PM in Classroom 3

Ladies, please join our weekly devotion/coloring group and engage in God’s Word while having fun. We would love for you learn to more about our group! We are continuing to meet throughout the summer months. Join us and bask in the Word of God before the weekend. If you have any questions, please contact Wanda Eavers or Pat Hill.

“Love Your Neighbor Camp” — Walmart Registry

Sunday, June 2 – Friday, June 7

“Love Your Neighbor Camp” is an empowering at-home experience for students to be immersed in a dynamic program aimed at cultivating empathy, fostering community bonds, and igniting a passion for service. 

We have an exciting opportunity for you to support the “Love Your Neighbor Camp” for our students — from the comfort of your home. We’ve set up a Walmart registry where you can easily purchase items that will directly benefit the “Love Your Neighbor Camp.” It’s very convenient to be involved – just click the button below, choose the items you’d like to contribute, and contact Olivia Collins when they should be picked up. Thank you for supporting our youth program!

The Revealed Study Group

Thursdays, June 6–27 from 1-2:15 PM

“Faith In Action” is the theme of The Revealed Study Group’s next series of meetings. We will explore the book of James in the Bible to better understand how our actions show the depth of our faith in Jesus. 

For more information, please contact Sherry and Pastor Gary Eldred. If you’re interested in this study, we welcome new members to the group. We hope you can join us.

Registration is not required and there is no study guide, however, a Bible is needed for class. 

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. 

A Community Day of Service

New Covenant recently hosted a “Community Day of Service” in partnership with Rise Against Hunger. This event allowed our community partners an opportunity to join with us in this effort to pack food for non-governmental organizations around the world. Joining us was Residing Hope Church Relations Director Brian Carr, and representatives from Habitat for Humanity, the Early Learning Coalition of the Nature Coast, Hope Florida, Sumter County Schools Families in Transition, Florida Department of Health and the Early Learning Coalition of Lake County, as well as our Gleaning Ministry, and other church volunteers. 

As a result of this event, the volunteers packed 10,000 meals, which now brings our total number of meals packed since 2013 to 107,000. Each package provides six meals for a family. The meals will be delivered to organizations in Haiti to provide relief for the children and families during this difficult time in their lives.

We “Care”

Recently we have had several hospitalizations or procedures that we found out about after the event. Our Care department truly wants to care for our congregants and extended community, but we cannot do that without your help! Please contact the church if you or someone in your household is having a procedure, surgery, or hospitalization. We would also appreciate you having a good friend or neighbor designated if you encounter an emergency.

Kelle Bound

Susan Edwards

Larry & Jane Frum

Thom Hays

Kendra

Scott McCann 

Matthew Masemoore

Dan & Cindy Mosley

Kath Neibour

Pamela Anne Reinert

Lynda Tiesmeyer

Diana Wilkinson

The prayer quilts on the altar are for...

Ann, who lost her husband & Katie, who lost her father.

Rita, who has lung and brain cancer.

Ruth, who has been diagnosed with brain cancer.

Sherri, who is waiting for a double lung transplant and has multiple health issues.

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 Altar Flowers have been provided by:

Gene Murray in celebration of Margaret Walczak’s birthday.

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, Care & Discipleship Ministry Assistant, using the button below.