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

“Hope is a passion for the possible.”

Søren Kierkegaard

Annual Church Conference

Tuesday, September 23 at 5 PM in the Christian Life Center

Please join us for New Covenant’s Annual Church Conference. Members have the opportunity to vote on the 2026 Leadership Team, Clergies’ compensation, and removal of church members after a two-year absence. All are invited to attend.

September Women’s Gathering

Thursday, September 18 from 10 – 11:30 AM

(with lunch to follow)

Join us for the September Women’s Gathering as we welcome Lindy Schlabach, daughter of Mitch Miller, our New Covenant Facility Manager. Lindy will share her story from broken, abandoned, assaulted, and unlovable to experiencing redemption, wholeness, salvation, and love. Learn how her journey of healing and restoration reflects Gods perfect plan and grace.

All women welcome! Registration is required ($12).

Menu: Trio Salad Plate; Chicken, Tuna, Fresh Fruit, Mini Croissant, Tiramisu



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

Thinking About Membership? We'd Love To Welcome You!

Wednesday, September 17 at 1 PM in the Chapel

Becoming a member at New Covenant is more than just filling out a form – it’s about saying yes to growing in your faith and connecting more deeply with this church family. Whether you live here full-time or spend just part of the year with us, there’s a membership option that fits your life and your journey.

Membership is a way we support one another in love, prayer, and accountability. It’s a step toward belonging and investing in something bigger than ourselves – God’s work through the local church.

If you’ve been thinking about making New Covenant your church home, we’d be honored to walk alongside you in that process. Have questions? Need help getting started? We'd love to speak with you! Just reach out to Ashley Hill, First Impressions Manager.

New Covenant ID Cards

As many of you may have noticed, we have four stations that are actually self-check-in kiosks. These kiosks have been put in place in both the East and the West Narthexes.

The self-check-in kiosks will capture the same information as the handheld scanners, and will eventually give people the option to also check in for Sunday Education Classes. 

Thank you to everyone who have tried them out and given your feedback. It’s an exciting time at New Covenant as we delve into new opportunities to try new things. 

If you have not given the self-check-in a try yet, please do! Here are the instructions on how to check in:

1. Place barcode of your New Covenant ID Card near scanner at the bottom of the screen.
2. Family should come up on the screen. Touch the box with the family members you are checking in.
3. Touch the check in arrow at the bottom right of the screen.
4. If you do not have your check-in card with you, you also can check in using the last 4 digits of your phone number.

If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Hill.

Joy of Generosity

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Luke 6:38)

A basic orientation of Christianity is generosity. God is generous. Think of all He has given to you. Life, itself, is His gift to us. What is our gift to Him? Besides our devotion, He also looks at our generosity of time, talents, and treasures as our gifts to Him. Studies have shown that generous people are happier, less self-centered and have less stress.

Legacy Giving

We can give back to God a portion, perhaps a tithe, of all God has generously given to each of us.

Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child

New Covenant's Operation Christmas Child Christmas Giving Opportunity through Samaritan's Purse has a goal to complete 500 shoeboxes during the month of September as part of 2025 Christmas Giving. The Lake/Sumter area set a record for shoebox collection last year. Participating churches collected 29,399 shoeboxes. This was a 9.35 percent increase from the previous year. Within the United States, 10.5 million were collected for children in more than 100 countries. You can help us with our goal during this giving season in one of two ways:

• Pick up one or more shoeboxes at the East or West Narthex (an instructional brochure will be included) and return your box — before September 30 — filled with items and a check for $10 to help with shipping and processing.

• Send a check for $25 to fill a box. Please make your check out to New Covenant United Methodist Church with Operation Christmas Child on the information line. 

“Be Still and Know”

Devotional Coloring Book for Women

Fridays, beginning September 12 at 9:30 – 11:30 AM in Classroom 3

Our new book emphasizes the word of the Lord through scripture and illustrations for you to enhance. God longs to give us true rest and peace. Our Friday group of women is a time where we can leave the worries and business of the past week behind us. A time to breathe as we go into the weekend. It gives us time to STOP with purpose, conversation, and plenty of laughter.

No cost or registration, however, you do need to purchase your book.

For more information, please contact Pat Hill, Coordinator, Care-Discipleship.

“The Chosen” Bible Study

Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 PM

Pastor Harold’s sermon series on “The People Jesus Chose” has 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, Coordinator, Care-Discipleship. Registration is not required.

Perfectly Flawed: 

God Transfers Our Weaknesses into Strengths

Monday evenings beginning September 29 from 6 – 7:30 PM

Tuesday mornings beginning September 30 from 10 AM – 12 PM

Do you ever feel like your imperfections define you? You’re not alone – and you’re not without hope. “Perfectly Flawed” is a powerful seven-week Bible study that explores how God meets us in our brokenness and transforms our flaws into faith-filled purpose.

All women are invited to join us for a welcoming and grace-filled journey to see how the life of Peter is an invitation to embrace imperfection, find strength in the relentless grace of God, and discover how each one of us is perfectly flawed but still deeply loved by God.

Two day/time options available – choose the one that fits your schedule. If you have any questions, contact Facilitator, Dana Osmanski.

Terrific Tuesday (October 2025)

“Walking with the Wesleys”

Tuesday, October 7 from 4:45 PM – 7 PM

Join us as we celebrate our first Terrific Tuesday program in our newly renovated Fellowship Center. Pastor Harold will begin a new program series titled, “Walking with the Wesleys.” We will learn about the Wesley family heritage and how their early roots helped shape their Christian faith and the early Methodist Church. We also will explore our Wesleyan theology based on grace and how Christ’s grace has shaped the formation of our church. 

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

Menu: Shephard's Pot Roast Pie, Mashed Potato Topping, Buttered Green Beans, and dessert (the menu is subject to change due to food availability).

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

Pickleball Players Welcome

Sundays at 4 PM at Pimlico Rec Center

Everyone is welcome to join us for Recreational Pickleball at Pimlico Rec Center. 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.

Fresh Expressions Volunteer Opportunities

New Covenant is pleased to offer a Fresh Expression of ministry by providing a mini worship service for residents in many of the living facilities in The Villages and surrounding areas.

If you have the gift of music, prayer, or sharing a devotion, being a part of this ministry may be a good fit for you. All volunteers for this Fresh Expression ministry undergo training in protecting vulnerable adults as well as a background check.

To learn more about getting involved, please contact Pastor Donna Hendren.

The Upper Room Devotional

The Upper Room Devotional has been a staple of United Methodist ministry since 1935. It has undergone many changes in the last 90 years. There have been layoffs of their staff this year. Along with those layoffs, they have increased their costs to us by 44 percent. The edition of the next Upper Rooms for September/October is almost double the price of our July/August order. 

In an effort to lower our costs, we are going to lessen the amount of our November/December order, bearing in mind that we do want our congregation and our community to continue to benefit from this beloved devotional.  We will continue to watch closely the number of copies that we are purchasing and will adjust our orders accordingly.

However, because of the increase in cost, we are now suggesting a $2 donation. This will cover the cost of purchasing and shipping the Upper Room devotionals.

While we want to provide all the resources we can to grow in our Christian faith, we must be good stewards of the offerings that we receive that make our ministries possible.

Prayer Cards

Prayer is an important part of life; it is our opportunity to communicate with God – individually or corporately. We have several ways you can add to your prayer life. One is the guided prayer cards that you can find in the East and West Narthex. They are also available in the Prayer Room (also located in the West Narthex).

Prayer request cards are another way you can share your concerns with the community of faith. We have prayer request cards all over the campus but you can also submit a prayer concern online.

The Prayer Quilts on the Altar are for:

Eric, who is recovering from major back surgery.

Patsy, who needs comfort and strength during her treatment.

Teresa, must travel between NC and Florida for cancer treatments.

Thomas, who needs healing and recovery after surgery.

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...

Gary and Susan Wetterhall, family and friends on the passing of Gary's brother, Donald Wetterhall.

Our Altar Flowers have been Provided by…

John Affleck & family in loving memory of Patricia Affleck.

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.