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

“Each headstone reminds us: life is but a dash between two dates. Each memorial service retells us: our time is coming. The grave is a grave thought indeed. We do all we can to delay our appointment with it. We exercise more, eat a bit healthier, buy cream for the wrinkles or vitamins for the body. But in the end there is an end… to this life.”

Max Lucado

Welcome New Members

We are thrilled to welcome more than 30 new members into our New Covenant family! Earlier this month, we had the joy of meeting with them and sharing about the many ways God is at work here at New Covenant.

This weekend, we will have the privilege of officially welcoming them into our church family. As they begin this new chapter with us, let’s surround them with love, encouragement, and the joy of Christian fellowship.

When you see a new face in the hallways, in worship, or at a ministry event, please take a moment to introduce yourself and say hello. A simple word of welcome can make someone feel truly at home. Together, let’s show our newest members the warmth and hospitality that make New Covenant such a special place to belong.

Blessed to Be a Blessing

The first weekend in October, Pastor Harold will begin a new sermon series called, “Blessed to Be a Blessing.” This three-week sermon series will bring us some exciting activities, so be sure to save the date: Saturday, October 18 from 9 AM –12 PM for a fun community event!

T-shirts will be available for sale next weekend before worship services. Shirts are $20, payable by cash, check, or credit card.

Keep reading your WeeklyWord, more details will be available soon.

Small Groups

Small Group Bible Studies are one of the best ways to deepen your faith, connect with others and grow in your understanding of Scripture and foster a sense of community. Small Groups are the heart of New Covenant. We have small group opportunities for men, women, singles, and couples.  

If you are interested in joining a small group or learning more, please contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator - Discipleship.

Usher and Greeter Opportunities

Our ushers and greeters are such an important part of our hospitality team here at New Covenant. Greeters are the very first face that both guests and regular worshippers see as they walk through our doors. Their warm smile and caring hello sets the tone for the entire worship experience.

Ushers, likewise, play a vital role in creating a spirit of welcome by helping each person find a comfortable place to sit and by offering assistance when needed. Their quiet service ensures that everyone feels at ease when they come and get ready to prepare their hearts for worship.

These ministries are more than about opening doors and extending warm welcomes – it’s about extending God’s love in simple, meaningful ways. Every handshake, every smile, every word of welcome matters.

We are always in need of helping hands to serve in this way. If you enjoy making people feel comfortable, cared for, and connected, we invite you to prayerfully consider joining our team of ushers and greeters. Your presence could make all the difference in someone’s decision to return and become part of our church family.

For more information, please contact Ashley Hill, First Impressions Manager.

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 contact Linda Stubits in the church finance office. We can offer information you will need to make a donation.

Legacy Giving

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

An Update Regarding Online Worship This Weekend

We expect that the live stream of the worship services will be available only on the church website this weekend (September 27 & 28) due to technical difficulties.

The church website is the flagship platform for our online worship experience and includes the live stream, a Bible, a chat bar, and important links.

Next weekend (October 4 & 5), online worship should be available on the church website, YouTube channel, and Facebook Page again.

We value our online congregation tremendously and continue to be committed to reaching people with the message of Jesus Christ through the New Covenant Digital Ministry.

We hope to see you in worship this weekend, online or in person.

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.

“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, Care Coordinator - Discipleship. Registration is not required.

Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child

This is the last weekend to drop off your shoebox before worship service. The deadline is Tuesday, September 30.

Christmas Wish Trees

Our trees will be up in the East and West Narthexes beginning next weekend, October 4 & 5. Tags will be available throughout the month of October. Please join us in providing holiday cheer for children supported by our Mentor Program, Kids Central, Inc., Shepherd’s Lighthouse, and the Refuge at Jumper Creek by selecting a tag from one of the Christmas trees. A sign-up sheet is provided to ensure that we can keep track of the tags and gifts.

You can participate in this giving opportunity by:

Purchasing the items listed on the gift tag, or sending a check made out to New Covenant United Methodist Church with Christmas Wish Tree on the subject line. Please return all gifts by Friday, October 31.

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.  

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.

Solo Sisters in Spirit

Thursday, October 9 from 4 – 6 PM in Classroom 6/7

Amy Wixted from The Villages Health will be back to give us a presentation of the latest scams and how we can better identify a scam.   Please bring a “Solo Sister” friend with you. 

Registration is requested so we have enough chairs set up. If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Weimert, Care Coordinator.

Women’s Monthly Gathering (October 2025)

October 16 from 10 – 11:30 AM in the 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, 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.

Pickleball Players Are Invited to Join Us!

Sundays at 4 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.

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.

New Covenant Library

Our Library is open during the same hours as the church building. We currently have over 10,000 books and are still growing! Looking for a Bible study? A book on history? We have non-fiction, small group studies, and a large selection of fiction books, including several popular series. We also have several large print books available.

Come and discover what we have on our shelves! You can even browse online

The Prayer Quilts on the Altar are for:

Erika and children, who recently lost husband and father.

Jan, who suffers late-stage lung cancer.

Susan, who needs healing.

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...

New Covenant Chef Terry Sesler, family and friends on the passing of his grandmother, Lucille Sesler.

Leon and Audrey Schien, family and friends on the passing of Leon's brother, Kermit Schien.

The family and friends of Judy Puccio on her passing.

The family and friends of Jean Morse on her passing.

Altar Flowers

Don & Marlene Huggins in celebration of their 50^th anniversary.



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.