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

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

Walt Disney

Women's Monthly Gathering November 2024

Thursday, November 21 from 10 – 11:30 AM (with lunch to follow)

Join us as we celebrate the freedom we enjoy in our United States of America and the women veterans who served to create that freedom. We’ll sing patriotic songs, listen to stories from those who served and offer prayers to God for our freedom and future peace. We also have several surprises for you throughout the morning. We’ll gather in the Christian Life Center for the program and eat lunch in the East Narthex.

“Operation Shoebox” is a group that meets each Monday at Lake Miona Recreation Center to pack boxes for our military stationed around the world. We are asking your help in providing items for their comfort and enjoyment. Please bring your donation of items such as small individual packets of cookies, cheese and peanut butter crackers, trail mix, pretzels, nuts, Slim Jim’s, band aids, safety pins, baby wipes, white socks, all occasion cards, small toothpaste, playing cards, etc. These donations acknowledge our thanks and gratitude for the many sacrifices these courageous warriors suffer to keep us safe.

Menu: Cheese Lasagna Rolls, Italian Salad, Garlic Bread, Pumpkin Pie with Whip Cream Topping

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

Virtual Store is Now Open!

Please click on the Order Online button to visit Customer Apparel’s “New Covenant Virtual Store.” You will be able to purchase New Covenant merchandise directly from Custom Apparel for pick up or shipping (shipping charges apply). Their turn-around time is typically 7-10 days. Custom Apparel is located in the Southern Trace Shopping Center, directly behind the church. If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Hill.

If you already have your t-shirt, please wear it this weekend! If you don't have a “Do Unto Others” t-shirt, consider wearing something pink.

Bargains & Blessings Truck Next Weekend

The Bargains & Blessings Truck will be on the church campus to accept donations next weekend (November 2 & 3) before worship services. We appreciate your ongoing support of this important ministry.

If you have large items to donate, please call Bargains & Blessings at (352) 330-3333 for information about donation pick-up.

Solo Sisters in Spirit (November 2024)

Thursday, November 14 from 4 PM – 6 PM

Join us for Solo Sisters in Spirit. Sometimes we get 'ambushed' through a word, song, or situation where we really feel alone. "Solo Sisters" could be your answer. This group is for women of all ages — widowed, divorced, or single. We meet once a month for two hours of fellowship, food, and fun!  Our goal is to have a social fellowship time to meet new friends and have a loving community of women who care, share, and support each other. 

Admission is free, but registration is required. If you have questions, please contact Sharon Weimert or Pat Hill.

Don’t Be Selfish

The wicked borrow and do not repay. But the righteous give generously. (Psalm 37:21)

This verse is fairly cut and dry and can essentially be boiled down to, “don’t be selfish.” In the Bible, the word “righteous” and being considered righteous is held in very high regard. One of the key attributes of those who are righteous is that they give generously.

Remember, generously doesn’t mean you have to give everything you have. It just means you should be charitable within your means.

Legacy Giving

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

Christmas Wish Tree

Next week is the final week to return your gifts for the Christmas Wish Tree. All gifts must be returned to the church by Thursday, October 31.

Student Ministry Greenery Fundraiser

This year, we want our students to be able to experience the whole weekend of worship music at Rock the Universe, a Christian atmosphere at Universal Studios. Net proceeds will support the New Covenant Student Ministry. Greenery items are delivered and distributed from the New Covenant campus. The greenery is live, so you will need to pick up your order. Prices vary; to order, please click the button below.

This year we are taking credit, cash, and checks on Sunday mornings during the month of October. Sunday, October 27 is the last day to place your order. Our youth will be in the Narthex from 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM to take your order and collect your payment. If you order online, you can drop off your cash or check on Sunday or to the Administration Office on weekdays during church business hours.

New Members

We welcomed these new members into our family this past weekend.

The Repurposed & Upcycled Life

When God Turns Trash To Treasure

Mondays, through December 2, from 9:30 – 11:30 AM

Ladies’ of Light (LOL) Small Group invites all women to join this upcoming class facilitated by Gunta Nies. Discover the repurposed and upcycled life. This is a life where no experience is wasted. Like the best trash-to-treasure decorating project, it’s a life where God repurposes our junk experiences. It’s where he upcycles – turns hopeless situations into something so much better than we ever imagined – when we let him work with the trash. When we surrender to His leading, God demonstrates His creativity in revealing how our greatest disappointments, mistakes, and painful experiences can be priceless treasures.

Through humor and stories, Michelle Rayburn addresses how to unpack emotional baggage and let go of the past. We will learn how to confront perfectionism and negative attitudes, change perspective on circumstances, and let go of regret and shame. It’s an opportunity to learn how to build positive healthy relationships and dream big and live with purpose. Through inspiration from God’s Word and examples from everyday life, readers will discover the job-filled, hope-rich way of viewing their past, present, and future.

Each lesson in this study is independent so participants can come each week and/or whenever they are able. No registration required. For more information, contact Pat Hill.

Warren Willis Camp Needs Help With Clean-up

Saturday, October 26 from 9 AM – 5 PM

Warren Willis Camp in Fruitland Park needs our help cleaning up after Hurricane Milton. They have set next Saturday as a clean-up day for the campgrounds and properties. Warren Willis is a United Methodist camp, used by groups, families, and children for years in Florida. Rev. Corey Jones is the executive director of Warren Willis; if you are able to help, please bring gloves and a rake. 

Below is a link to a short video with what camp looks like after the storm. If you want to let them know you are coming, please contact Mike Carmine.

Student Ministry Car Wash

Saturday, November 16 from 9 AM – 12 PM

Our car wash fundraiser is the church campus. The suggested donation is $5 per golf cart or $10 per car. We are continuing our express lane for golf carts this year. Please let your friends and neighbors know about this event as well. While you are getting your car/cart washed, the youth will be selling craft coffees and teas for $4-5 for you to enjoy.

Golf Cart Scavenger Hunt

Monday, November 18 from 12 PM – 3 PM

The Men’s Ministry is sponsoring a golf cart scavenger hunt. This promises to be a fun event that is open to all, so please invite your friends. You can form a team, or we can put you on a team.

We will meet at the church at noon for a lunch of hamburgers / hot dogs, then receive your instructions with a list of tasks to complete. You will travel to Lake Sumter Landing to find the items from the clues given to you. The event will end back at the church where we will share a dessert and fun prizes. The rain date for this event is Tuesday, November 19.

Registration is required ($10). If you have any questions, please contact Don Buckey.

Men’s Prayer Breakfast

Men's Breakfast will resume having hot breakfast offerings on Tuesday, November 19 in the East Narthex. The cost will be $7. Breakfast will run five weeks (through December 17), and then take a two-week break due to Christmas and New Year holidays.

MOAMI 2025 Class

Thursdays, January 16 – March 27, 2025 from 1 PM – 4 PM

MOAMI (Moving on: Always Master Inspired) is a 11-week, faith based program open to all women looking for joy and purpose in the second half of their lives. MAOMI uses biblical principles to help each woman strengthen her relationship with God, develop supportive friendships with other women, learn strategies to successfully move through changes, discover her unique gifts, explore her purpose, and have fun with like-minded women.

The first class (January 16) is a Kickoff from 11 AM – 4 PM and the last class (March 27) is a Celebration from 11 AM – 4 PM (all other classes are from 1 – 4 PM). If you have any questions, please contact Barb Dougal.

Registration opens November 1.

Praying Together

Wednesdays at 2:30 PM in Classroom 14

Praying Together is our steadfast group of prayer warriors that pray over all the prayer concerns submitted in person or online. They meet weekly and spend time in prayer for the needs of our congregation, the extended family and community. Praying Together is an open group for weekly prayer. Volunteers are needed and welcome to join at any time.

Carolyn Brandt

Jerry Byers

Jerry Daughtry

Amby Foote

Steve Futrell

Kenny Huggins

Jacob

Elias Majlaton

Wayne Nolan

Melissa R

John & Elfrieda Roberts

Wade Shivery

Kathy Wright

Prayer Quilts

Cheryl, who is healing from stage-4 cancer.

Phyllis, who has been diagnosed with dementia and congestive heart failure.

Wayne, who is bed ridden with congestive heart failure.

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...

Jim Frees, family and friends on the passing of his wife, Linda Rose Frees.

For upcoming Celebrations of Life at New Covenant United Methodist Church, please click the button below.

Our Altar Flowers have been provided by…

Angelo Wong & Jefferson in loving memory of Nancy Jean Oberle.

Jim Frees and children in loving memory of wife and mother, Linda Frees.

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.