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 words of Jesus are spot on: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Because when you do, it has a boomerang effect. Happiness happens when we give it away.”

Max Lucado

Christmas Wish Trees

Tags are available throughout the month of October to provide holiday cheer for children supported by our Mentor Program, Shepherd’s Lighthouse, the Refuge at Jumper Creek, and Kids Central, Inc. Please select a tag from one of the Christmas trees located in the East Narthex. A sign-up sheet is provided to ensure that we keep track of the tags and gifts.

You may purchase the items listed on the gift tag, or send a check made out to "NCUMC" with "Christmas Wish Tree" on the memo line. All gifts and donations must be returned by Friday, October 31. Please place all returned gifts under the Christmas trees in the East Narthex.

Volunteers are still needed to assist at 11 am services on Sunday, October 12 and Sunday, October 19. If you are interested, please use the button below to contact Paulette Raus. 

Below is a brief description of the work of each ministry/organization:

Kids Central, Inc. — Kids Central’s Prevention Program provides support services to children and families in Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties to promote well-being, safety, and health. These families are also referred to other community organizations and resources to strengthen the family unit and build strong neighborhoods. 

Shepherd’s Lighthouse — Shepherd’s Lighthouse provides temporary, transitional housing for homeless, single teenage mothers and their children.  

The Refuge at Jumper Creek — The Refuge at Jumper Creek provides transitional housing and helps homeless families improve the quality of their lives through support and educational development.

Wildwood Middle High School Mentor Program — A partnership between New Covenant and students at Wildwood Middle High School that provides mentoring for 42 students, and focuses on the physical, spiritual, academic/career, and behavioral well-being of each student.  

Service Day

Saturday, October 18, 2025 (Times & Locations in the Registration Links)

Below are the opportunities to make a positive difference in the community through our Blessed to Be a Blessing Service Day. Please click the underlined links to register. Some registrations have already filled up so if you choose an option that is full, please consider the other helping opportunities. All who have participated are welcome to attend the cookout on the church campus afterward (no charge).



• Bargains and Blessings Merchandise Sorting: Volunteers will sort donations given to Bargains and Blessings. Please meet in the Youth Room (Classroom 10).
• Clean Up Church Grounds: Volunteers will walk our campus to ensure all trash is picked up and outside benches and tables are wiped down and clean. Please meet at the West Entrance by the Facilities Door.
• Fresh Expressions: Volunteers will create crafts that will be provided to assisted living residents visited by our Fresh Expressions ministry. We will meet in Classrooms 6 & 7.
• Teacher Appreciation Notes for the Wildwood Schools (First Session): Volunteers will write notes of appreciation and encouragement that will be given to teachers and staff at the schools in Wildwood. (There will be two sessions for this. You are registering for the first session which will run from 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM.) Please meet in Classroom 3.
• Teacher Appreciation Notes for the Wildwood Schools (Second Session): Volunteers will write notes of appreciation and encouragement that will be given to teachers and staff at the schools in Wildwood. (There will be two sessions for this. You are registering for the second session which will run from 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM.) Please meet in Classroom 3.
• Wildwood Food Pantry: Volunteers will meet at the Wildwood Food Pantry and will sort and organize donations. Please meet at the Wildwood Food Pantry.

Saturday, October 11, 2025 (See Time and Location in Registration Link)

• CR 101 Pick Up: Volunteers will walk 1.5 miles of CR 101 that New Covenant has responsibility for picking up trash. Please meet in the northwest corner of the New Covenant Parking Lot.

This event is a great opportunity to invite a friend and register them to attend!

Blessed to be a Blessing T-shirts

What an amazing response to our Blessed to Be a Blessing kindness campaign! It’s been so inspiring to see so many of you purchasing and wearing your shirts and spreading joy throughout our community.

Great news – a new shipment of t-shirts arrives this weekend! If we didn’t have your size before, or if you’d like to grab an extra, stop by the kiosk near the East Narthex entrance to pick one up.

T-shirts are just $20 each, and we’d love for everyone to wear them each week as we celebrate this season of kindness together. Let’s keep showing the world how we’re Blessed to Be a Blessing!

Volunteers on the church campus are encouraged to wear a Blessed to Be a Blessing shirt to the “Blessing” event on October 18.

Pastor Appreciation Month

Saturday, October 11 & Sunday, October 12, after worship services

We will be serving cake to celebrate Pastor Appreciation Month on Saturday, October 11 after the 5 PM worship service and on Sunday, October 12 after the 9 AM and 11 AM worship services. 

This weekend and next weekend, baskets will be available for you to drop a card or note to our clergy expressing your appreciation for their service. Any time after October 12, you may drop off a note at the Church Office.

Women’s Monthly Gathering (October 2025)

October 16 from 10 AM – 11:30 AM in the Newly Renovated Fellowship Center (lunch to follow)

For many years, Clay and Renee Crosse have been open about the challenges they faced in their marriage; they have been willing to share what they have learned and how they have grown as a couple. Because of this, we are opening the October Women’s Gathering with the Crosses to both women and men. We look forward to sharing this special event in our renovated Fellowship Center.

Clay, a four-time Dove Award winner with nine #1 Contemporary Christian songs, serves as Worship Pastor at First Baptist Church of Winter Garden. Together, Clay and Renee share their powerful ministry, “HolyHomes,” encouraging couples and families to build Christ-centered homes. They will inspire us with music and testimony, joined in song by our own Sean Pollock.

Registration is required ($12).

Menu: Mustard Herbed Pork Roast, Roast Potatoes with Pan Gravy, Green Beans, Dinner Roll, and New York Style Cheesecake with Strawberry Topping



If you have any questions or need help with registration, please contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator - Discipleship.

I Want to Leave 

Here are a few lines from the song, “Legacy” by Nichole Nordeman.

We all need a ‘atta boy’ or ‘atta girl’ but in the end I want to hang my hat on more than the temporary trappings of this world.

I want to leave a legacy. How will they remember me? Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things. I want to leave an offering…

At New Covenant, we have many opportunities to leave a legacy of our time, talents, and treasures. Please consider New Covenant as a beneficiary to your will or trust.

Legacy Giving

Remember New Covenant in your planned giving. 

Please Welcome Two New Staff Members to Bargains & Blessings Resale Store!

We are pleased to welcome two new team members to New Covenant!

“The Chosen” Bible Study

Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 PM

Pastor Harold’s sermon series on “The People Jesus Chose” highlighted scenes from the series, “The Chosen.” The Chosen is a groundbreaking historical drama based on the life of Jesus Christ, seen through the eyes of those who knew him. Due to the interest generated in this series, we are planning to show episodes of The Chosen one night a week at the church. We will introduce you to the episode for the evening, show the episode in its entirety, then provide a set of discussion questions for small group participation.

Please note the specific dates for each session:

So that we have an idea of how many people will be here, please contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator - Discipleship. Registration is not required.

Blood Drive

Monday, October 27 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 Halloween t-shirt. You will also have a wellness check, which includes blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count and cholesterol screening.

Facts:

·    Every two seconds of every day, someone needs blood.

·    Approximately 62 percent of the population is eligible to donate blood.

·    Only three percent of those who are eligible actually donate blood.

Appointments are encouraged!

Bethune-Cookman University Inspirational Gospel Choir in Concert

Sunday, November 2 at 6 PM in the Christian Life Center

We are thrilled to welcome the Inspirational Gospel Choir of Bethune-Cookman University for a special evening concert at New Covenant. This dynamic ensemble of young university students will bring us joy and power of beautiful gospel music.

About the Choir

The Inspirational Gospel Choir is a dedicated group of students who minister in song, striving always to “Glorify God.” Their music not only uplifts and encourages but also offers Christ to the listener, reflecting the word of God and creating a space for the Holy Spirit to move. The choir serves as an ambassador for the legacy of their founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, who proclaimed: “Our whole school is for Christian service.”

Mission & Vision

• Mission: To glorify God, musically offering Christ to all, and inspiring spiritual encounters through song.
• Vision: To nurture leaders for a new generation by performing across diverse venues, proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel in today’s culture, and embodying Psalm 34:1, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Don’t miss this uplifting evening of praise and worship, as the Inspirational Gospel Choir fills our sanctuary with powerful voices and faithful witness. Invite friends and family to join us for a night of music that will inspire hearts and lift spirits!

The concert is free and open to the community. A love offering will be received to support the choir’s ministry.

Veterans Day Parade at The Villages Charter School

Tuesday, November 11 at 8 AM

New Covenant will participate in The Veterans Day Parade at The Villages Charter School Buffalo Ridge Campus Primary Center.  If you are a veteran, we would love for you to join us. Please arrive at the Primary Center at 8 AM.

If you have friends or family who are veterans, invite them to join our parade. Please bring your driver’s license so you can check into the building. If you are able, wear your uniform to the parade. We also ask that you make a sign with the branch you served in, as well as your time in service. 

We believe this is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to participate in honoring all who have served our country. Students will learn through this wonderful event the importance of showing gratitude for those who have served.

If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Donna Hendren.

Terrific Tuesday (November 2025)

Walking with the Wesley’s (Part 2)

Tuesday, November 11 from 4:45 PM – 7 PM

Join us for a wonderful evening at our newly renovated Fellowship Center as we continue this season of “Walking with the Wesleys.” Together, we'll discover the rich heritage of the Wesley family, exploring how their deep faith shaped not only their lives but also the foundation of the Methodist movement. We'll also take a closer look at Wesleyan theology — centered on God's grace — and how that grace continues to shape our church today.

Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy a warm meal, great fellowship, and inspiring teaching in our refreshed and welcoming space. We can't wait to see you there!

Doors open at 4:45 PM and the program begins at 5:45 PM.

Menu: TBD.

Registration is required ($14). If you need assistance registering, please contact Ashley Hill, First Impressions Manager.

Men's Ministry Retreat (November 2025)

Wednesday, November 12 from 8 AM – 2 PM in the Fellowship Center

Pastor Jeff Vermilya will be our guest speaker for a special day reflecting on the passage from Mark 2:2-12, titled “Picking Up Your Mat”! Pastor Jeff has outlined three points in this transformative passage.

1. Getting to the house and the roof
2. Getting through the roof
3. Taking up your mat

Let’s pray as we approach the retreat that God will offer us just what we need to be able to go forth more fully as the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus! 

Light breakfast and full lunch will be provided. We hope you will join us and invite a friend to come along for this important day in our Men’s Ministry. 

Registration is required ($20). Please contact Pastor Randy Cooke, Teaching Pastor for more information.

Night to Shine 2026

Friday, February 13, 2026

We couldn’t be more excited to host this unforgettable prom night experience for individuals with special needs, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. Join us for our third year of celebrating our honored guests with love, joy, and red-carpet moments they’ll never forget.

Volunteer Information Meeting

Tuesday, October 28 from 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM in the Christian Life Center

This meeting will review the various volunteer roles, discuss logistics, and answer any questions. All are welcome, no registration is necessary, and please invite a friend. Volunteer registration will open on Tuesday, October 28 at 6:30 PM. 

To make this event truly extraordinary, we’re seeking support for:

Corporate Sponsorships / Individual Donations: If you own or work for a business or as an individual or family, and would like to partner with us, we’d love to showcase your support.

Volunteers

From buddies to greeters, photographers, setup and take down crews to prayer teams, we need many hands and hearts to bring this night to life. Roles we are currently seeking in particular are:

Prom Boutique Team

The Prom Boutique is a joyful prelude to Night to Shine, where honored guests with special needs select formalwear for their big night. Volunteers help create a dignified, celebratory experience—complete with fittings, accessories, and lots of love. We especially need skilled seamstresses to assist with hemming, alterations, and ensuring every outfit fits beautifully. Whether you can sew, organize, or simply offer a warm smile, your gifts will help create a joyful, dignified experience for our honored guests with special needs.

Ideal for: Helpers that love to make people feel special and shop for their formalwear for the big night.

Thank you for being someone that shines with compassion and joy. Let’s make Night to Shine 2026 a radiant reflection of God’s grace.

Prayers & Squares Quilt Ministry

Prayers & Squares is our wonderful quilt ministry!  If you have received a quilt from our prayer ministry, or you have gifted one to someone you know, you know that prayer quilt comes with a very special meaning. The knots tied on the strings represent the great love and care in each prayer spoken on the recipient’s behalf.

Prayers and Squares always needs quilters, helpers, and support in other ways.  Please reach out to the Care office to find out more about volunteering in this meaningful ministry!

The Prayer Quilts on the Altar are for:

Ginny, who is recovering from major heart surgery.

Hoemann Family, for blessings in their new home.

Mary Jo, who recently lost her husband.

Sandy, who is undergoing surgery and recovery.

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 Altar Flowers have been Provided by…

David & Carol Priser in memory of Dr. Ruth Gibson.

Flower orders must be received by noon on Tuesday for flowers to be delivered that weekend. To place an order for altar flowers online, please use the button below.