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

“...the essence of faith is living with hope in the face of mystery. We live a life of faith completely full of hope, staring mystery right in the face. You can’t have one without the other.”

Kay Warren

Giving in the Spirit

Would you like the opportunity to give a monetary donation to an outreach ministry that impacts so many in our community, both locally and around the world? Giving in the Spirit provides a very meaningful way to bless others and share the joy of Christmas giving. 

To participate, pick up a booklet at the Welcome Center, an entrance to the Christian Life Center during weekend worship, or in the Administration office during the week. You may also make a donation online using the button below.

Complete the form inside the booklet and put the form and your donation in the envelope by Friday, November 29 to the Administration office, or place it in the offering basket during worship services by Sunday, December 1. The total donations to all outreach ministries that were listed in the booklet last year was $70,320.

We would like to thank the previous Giving in the Spirit coordinators, Mary and Henry Goldberg for their many years of outstanding volunteer service to this ministry. We appreciate their dedication in ensuring its success over the years.

Introducing the New Covenant UMC Church App: Faith at Your Fingertips

We’re excited to announce the launch of our new church app, available on all app stores this weekend! Simply search New Covenant UMC in your app store—whether you’re an Apple or Android user—and download this essential tool for staying connected to the life and ministry of our church.

With the New Covenant UMC app, you’ll have the ability to:

• Watch Services: Join us for worship from anywhere! Stream our live services or watch past sermons whenever you need encouragement.
• Read the WeeklyWord: Access the current issue of our WeeklyWord to stay informed of upcoming events.
• Register for Events: See what’s coming up and sign up for events, gatherings, and other church activities right from your phone.
• Give Conveniently: Support our ministry with secure and easy online giving, making it simpler than ever to tithe or contribute to special projects.
• And so much more: Access the Bible to help you deepen your spiritual walk anytime, anywhere. You can also check in for worship or classes.

The New Covenant UMC app keeps you engaged and connected with all that’s happening in our community. We hope this app serves as a powerful resource for everyone, making it easier to grow in faith and fellowship. Download it today and experience the convenience of having your church community in the palm of your hand!

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.

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.

Giving to the Needy

So, when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others.  Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. (Matthew 6:2)

When a large corporation makes a giant donation to a worthy cause, they are doing a lot of good. But, when they use it as a marketing tactic to promote their business and announce it with trumpets, the gesture is stripped of some of its goodness.

When you are being charitable, do not make a big show of it and tell your friends and neighbors. Instead, be discreet about it and know that simply helping someone or supporting a good cause is enough. 

Legacy Giving

The purpose of the Legacy Fund is to endow and support the lasting impact of New Covenant’s ministry and mission.

Daylight Saving Time Ends

Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, November 3 at 2 AM. Remember to set your clocks back one hour to "fall back" and enjoy the extra hour of sleep. We look forward to seeing you in worship this weekend!

Bargains & Blessings Truck This Weekend

The Bargains & Blessings Truck will be on the church campus to accept donations this 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.

Florida Aldersgate Emmaus Tri-County Plus Gathering

Sunday, November 3: Doors open at 4 PM

For anyone who has been on a Walk to Emmaus or other walk, please join us for our potluck dinner at Belleview UMC (5640 SE Brown Road, Belleview). Please bring a dish to share. If you have questions, please contact Buddy Acton.

Surviving the Holidays

Sunday, November 10 at 3 PM in the Chapel

Surviving the Holidays is a workshop for those who have experienced a grief or loss and are wondering how they will manage through the upcoming holiday season. Surviving the Holidays is produced by the authors of GriefShare^® and is offered free of charge to attendees. No registration is required. Please feel free to share this event with someone you know who is journeying through a loss.  

If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Weimert in the Care Department by clicking the button below.

B&B Annex 2 Grand Opening & Ministry Celebration

Tuesday, November 12 at 9:30 AM

Please join us for the ribbon cutting ceremony of our new building, Annex 2, and a celebration of 10 years of positively impacting the lives of families in the tri-county area of Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties. Bargains & Blessings tote bags will also be on sale for $2.50 each. Local elected officials have been invited to join us and lite refreshments will be served.

Bargains and Blessings Resale Shop provides affordable furniture, clothing, household goods, and much more. The ministry has provided:

• $4.3 million in donations to 87 local outreach ministries
• Funding for 38 homes to families in our local community
• Improved housing for 142 children and 89 adults
• 1,240 twin and queen beds to families in need
• Over 1,000 blankets to people in need
• 3,000 families with furniture, household goods, and clothing valued at over $200,000

The week-long celebration includes a raffle of fifteen baskets with themed contents. Raffle tickets are $1 donation and winners will be notified on Monday, November 18. You will also have an opportunity during the week to spin the wheel for discounts on merchandise. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Christmas at New Covenant 2024

The Colours of Christmas: The Carols of John Rutter

Saturday, December 7 at 5 PM

Sunday, December 9 at 5 PM

Join us for an enchanting holiday concert celebrating the warmth and wonder of Christmas with the beloved carols of John Rutter! This year’s concert, The Colours of Christmas, features the powerful voices of The Chancel Choir, the harmonious tones of the Praise Ringers, and the rich sounds of a full orchestra, all under the masterful direction of conductor Sean Pollock.

Special performances by mezzo-soprano Angie Rose and tenor Mark Steven Schmidt will bring Rutter’s cherished carols to life, while Mark Kirschenbaum graces the stage to narrate Rutter’s whimsical fable, Brother Heinrich’s Christmas.

Reserve your seats for an unforgettable evening of music and festive spirit! Tickets are free as our gift to the community. Suggested donations are welcome, and a limited number of “Friends of Music” tickets are available for purchase to support the concert series.

Pickleball Players Needed

Sundays at 3 PM at Pimlico Rec Center

Recreational Pickleball takes place at Pimlico Rec Center. Following our fun play time, we enjoy a light dinner and good fellowship at a local fast-food restaurant. Beginners are welcome! For more information on Pickleball, please contact Roger Kassing. To see what other recreation opportunities New Covenant has, please click the Recreation button.

Purchase Items from Our Virtual Store

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.

Prayers and Squares Quilt Ministry

Our Prayers and Squares Quilt Ministry continues to go strong! There are quilts on the prayer rails each weekend for all to pray over and tie a knot for the recipient. New Covenant is proud to offer these tangible ways to show love and concern for those in need of prayer support. To order a prayer quilt online, please use the link below.

Roland Aubrey & Family

John Cramer

Jennifer Matthews

Nancy & Bonner Murrell

Reese Parente

John Schofield

Debbie Shaffer

Prayer Quilts

Bob, who is recovering from open-heart 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.

Our prayers, love, and sympathy are extended to...

Doris & John Drewes on the passing of her brother, Edward Eskdale.

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

Our Altar Flowers have been provided by…

Gene Murray in celebration of Mary Murray’s birthday.

Gene Murray commemorating Margaret Walczyk’s going home to Jesus.

Francis Lundy in loving memory of his wife, Shirley Lundy’s passing and her 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 using the button below.