Spiritual Reflection

“True compassion means not only feeling another's pain but also being moved to help relieve it.”

Daniel Goleman

November Women’s Gathering

Thursday, November 19 from 10 to 11:30 AM, followed by lunch.

This month Pastor Donna Hendren will be sharing with you the highlights of her Fresh Expressions Ministry.

"The seeds for Fresh Expressions were planted in my heart long before Fresh Expressions became a ministry in the United Methodist church.

In 1983 I was working at a dentist office. Once a month a small bus from the local senior living facility would drive into the parking lot of the dentist office where I worked. Shortly after the bus pulled in, Bernice Wilcox and her friends would wheel themselves in for their dental work. Bernice and her friends, who were all about 100 years old, found a place in my heart. After building a friendship with them, I found myself going to the senior living facility to spend time with them. In reality we were having a church service right in their room. 

Forty-three years later I find myself doing the very same thing I did as a young woman. I thought I was going in to visit and help them but what I experienced I was the one being spiritually nurtured. I found when I left the facility I always felt better.  Bernice and her friends just wanted to be cared for, loved and nurtured. I look forward to sharing this ministry with you so please join us."

Additionally, Pearl Seavitte will be speaking to us on kindness.

"Kindness is the art of making someone’s day a little brighter without needing a special occasion. The beautiful thing about kindness is that it’s contagious. One kind word or action can lead to another; one thoughtful deed can lead to many. Pearl will use humor as she discusses how a warm smile, a thoughtful word, and a listening ear can let someone know they matter just by expressing and demonstrating kindness".

This month’s mission will benefit Pastor Donna’s Fresh Expressions Ministry.

Guest Speakers: Pastor Donna Hendren & Pearl Seavitte.

Registration is required and ends on November 12 at 12 PM. Cost: $12.

Menu: Pork Tenderloin with gravy, mashed potatoes, carrots, roll, and dessert.

If you have any questions, please contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator - Discipleship.

Celebrate the Season at New Covenant
& Bring a Friend!

Beautiful music is filling the calendar at New Covenant through December! From brilliant brass and sparkling handbells to Christmas favorites, choir, and orchestra, there are wonderful opportunities to celebrate the season—and share it with someone else.

A concert offers a simple invitation: “Would you like to come with me?” Think of a neighbor, someone new to the area, or a friend who would enjoy an afternoon or evening out. Make plans together, offer a ride, and help someone experience New Covenant as a place to call home.

Celebration Brass Band

Sunday, November 22 at 6 PM

Enjoy an evening of stirring marches, Broadway favorites, and the brilliant sound of brass and percussion. Tickets: $20.

The Villages Flute Choir: Snowflake Serenades

Wednesday, December 2 at 7 PM

Celebrate the season with classical selections and treasured holiday melodies. Free admission; suggested donation of $15 per person.

A Quiet Christmas 
with Angie Rose and Ryan Loeckel

Friday, December 4 at 2 PM and 6 PM

Angie’s piano and vocals and Ryan’s violin and vocals come together with guitar, bass, and drums for a warm Christmas celebration. Enjoy thoughtful arrangements of seasonal favorites and a chance to pause amid the holiday bustle. Tickets: $30

Village Ringers: Starry Night

Tuesday, December 8 at 7 PM

Enjoy Christmas handbells, beautiful visuals, audience participation, and light refreshments with Village Ringers and Village Ringers TOO. Advance purchase encouraged because table seating is limited.Tickets: $20.

Christmas at New Covenant 
Night of Hope, Night of Grace

Saturday, December 12 at 5 PM & Sunday, December 13 at 5 PM

New Covenant’s Chancel Choir, Praise Ringers, Orchestra, and guest soloists share the Christmas story through Scripture, soaring music, and beloved carols. Experience the hope and grace at the heart of Christmas. Free tickets available, with optional premium seating and opportunities to donate in support of the music ministry.

The Village Choralettes

Tuesday, December 15 at 6 PM

Come ready to enjoy Christmas favorites and sing along! This joyful evening includes beloved carols and lighthearted seasonal songs. Free admission; a voluntary love offering supports New Covenant’s missions.

As holiday calendars fill, consider who might appreciate an invitation. An afternoon or evening of music together can bring joy, strengthen friendships, and help someone feel connected during a season that can also feel lonely. Choose a concert, invite a friend, and celebrate the season at New Covenant!

For concert details, tickets, and reservations, please visit our website.

Surviving the Holidays

Sunday, November 15 at 2 PM in the chapel

From the creators of GriefShare^tm, this workshop is especially designed for those who are maneuvering a loss as they face this holiday season. This is a time of reflection and gaining skills that will help you through the holidays. 

This event is free and registration is not required.

If you have questions please contact Sharon Weimert, Care Coordinator.

Fall Food Drive

Saturday, November 14 & Sunday, November 15

The Wildwood Food Pantry’s Fall Food Drive will be held on Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15. Bags will be placed on each car/golf cart during services on Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8. The pantry volunteers continue to diligently provide a needed service to families in Sumter County.

Please fill the bags with the needed food items and leave the bags beside your car/golf cart the following weekend. Volunteers will be on hand to gather your food donations. You may also drop off your donations at the church anytime during the week. Bins are conveniently located on the outside of the west entrance to the church and in the East and West Narthexes.

Thank you for your continued support of this ministry!

Why Give to My Church?

1. The local church teaches you.

2. The local church will prevail.

3. The local church is important.

4. The local church is wise.

If you can’t trust your church with your money, why on earth are you trusting it with your soul? Financial and spiritual realities go hand in hand. 

Remember Jesus's words:

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” Matthew 6:21.

Legacy Giving

Rooted in faith, blessings for tomorrow, as we give thanks today.

If you would like to know more about Legacy Giving, please contact Linda Stubits, Finance Manager. Thank you for considering our Legacy Giving Ministry.

Giving in the Spirit

Would you like to give a special gift this Christmas? Your support of Giving in the Spirit gives you the opportunity to support various outreach ministries or organizations that impact so many in the community. During our season of giving, you can give a monetary donation through Giving in the Spirit and share the joy of Christmas in a very meaningful way.

Beginning Saturday November 7, booklets may be picked up at either Welcome 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 provided envelope by Friday, November 27 and deliver it to the Administration office, or place it in the offering basket during worship services by Sunday, November 29.

The total donations to all outreach ministries that were listed in the booklet last year was $82,917.

The Bargains & Blessings truck

November 7 and 8

If you have large items to donate, please call the store at 352-330-3333 to schedule a pickup.

The store began pickups and deliveries soon after the store opened in October 2014. An Isuzu box truck was used at that time to manage pickups on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and deliveries on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They have continued that program since. In 2022 at the end of COVID, the truck started coming to the church campus on Saturdays and Sundays to accommodate not only church members, but the community as well. Charles Stuart also volunteered at this time to organize a group of volunteers to help with this effort. We appreciate them and the work Charles does to ensure we have a consistent schedule on the first weekend of each month. 

We greatly appreciate the donations because they become treasures to others, and then result in funds that support other ministries and outreach programs.

Fresh Expressions

Monday, November 9 at 11 AM

We are pleased to offer an informational meeting to share the vision for Fresh Expressions. This meeting will be held in Classroom 8/9 and is offered to those who currently serve in Fresh Expressions as well as those who are interested in learning more about Fresh Expressions.

Jackie Damron, New Covenant's Social Worker, will also join us to share common practices while serving those in living facilities. Fresh Expressions is a wonderful ministry where New Covenant serves and reaches out to the residents who live in the memory, assisted and independent living facilities in The Villages and the surrounding areas. We hope that you will find a place to serve the underserved.

This opportunity to join in reaching the residents is a wonderful blessing as we become the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus Christ. We strive to provide meaningful mini devotions to the residents each week. If you have the gift of encouragement, prayer, or sharing a devotion, this may be the perfect fit for you. Our hope is to build meaningful relationships with the residents as we offer the love of Jesus Christ. With the meaningful relationships built, the residents learn they are not alone, they learn that they are loved by New Covenant, and most importantly they are reminded Jesus loves them.

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

Honoring Our Veterans: A Special Men’s Prayer Breakfast

Tuesday, November 10th at 7:30 AM

The Men’s Prayer Breakfast is holding a special event in observance of Veteran’s Day to honor our veterans. All members of the church are invited to attend this celebration. All veterans and their spouses will be provided breakfast for free. There will be a special presentation on the Honor Flight program, including the Villages Honor Flight President and a founding member of the Honor Flight program here.

Please join us as we honor those who have served, celebrate their sacrifices, and learn more about this remarkable program dedicated to recognizing our nation's heroes.

The Chosen



Tuesday, November 10, at 3 PM

We are excited to continue showing and discussing episodes of “The Chosen”, a multi-season series depicting the life and ministry of Jesus Christ through the eyes of those who knew him.

"The Chosen" returns with Season 4. Break-out discussions are planned to run until 5PM. There are eight episodes in Season 4, and we are currently on episode 6. Participants may attend any class as they are able.

Come see how Jesus establishes His church and how the disciples grow a deeper understanding of His mission.

Registration is NOT required.

If you have any questions, please contact Pat Hill, Care Coordinator - Discipleship.

Veterans Day
A Morning of Honor & Gratitude

Wednesday, November 11

Veterans are invited to participate in the Veterans Day Parade beginning at 8 AM at The Villages Charter School’s Buffalo Ridge Primary Center. Please bring a driver’s license for school admission. Veterans are encouraged to wear their military uniform, if able, and bring a sign displaying their branch and years of service. Refreshments will be served, and the TVCS Children’s Choir will perform for the veterans.

Following the brief parade, everyone is invited to New Covenant’s Serenity Garden at 10 AM for a Gathering of Honor & Gratitude featuring Horns A Plenty, the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, military recognition, and words and prayer with Pastor Harold Hendren.

There is plenty of time to attend both events.

If you have any questions or for additional information, please contact Donna Hendren.

Calling All Car Show Enthusiasts

Saturday, Nov 14 from 9 AM to 1 PM

New Covenant is excited to partner with the community by hosting a monthly car show!

If you have a “show” car that you’d like to share with the community, please contact Greg Sullins. All makes, models, and years are welcome!

Those participating by showing their cars will be supporting New Covenant ministries; for November, a suggested donation of canned goods will go to support our Outreach Missions.

Come join us for Cars, Community, Fellowship, and Fun! We are excited about this opportunity to welcome the community to New Covenant UMC….A Place to Call Home!

If you have any questions or for additional information, please contact Greg Sullins.

Terrific Tuesday (November 2026)

Tuesday, November 17 from 4:45 PM – 7 PM

Join us for our final Terrific Tuesday of the year as Pastor Harold takes us on a “Journey Through James”. The Book of James is a practical New Testament letter that focuses on living out a genuine Christian faith through concrete actions rather than passive belief.

Widely believed to be written by James, the brother of Jesus and leader of the early church in Jerusalem, this epistle serves as a direct, punchy guide to spiritual maturity and everyday wisdom. James highlight’s themes that we all can relate to in life such as faith and works, trials and perseverance, taming the tongue and humility vs. favoritism. This three-part series will help us explore the key components according to James to a deeper richer life. As James challenges us, “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1: 1-2 A great journey and adventure await!

Registration is required. Cost: $14.

Menu: Chicken Parmesan, pasta with marinara sauce, salad, and dessert.

The Redemption of Scrooge

Tuesday, December 1 at 9 AM

Ready for Advent? Join us for a 4-week group studying the book The Redemption of Scrooge, written by author and pastor Matt Rawle.

The Redemption of Scrooge leads us through the famous tale of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens as applied to the teachings of Jesus. We will spend the 4 Tuesdays of Advent journeying along Scrooge as he encounters the Ghosts and the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. If there is hope for Scrooge, there is hope for all of us! 

Registration and book are required.



Leader: Pastor Ellen Pollock

Make New Covenant Your Church Home

Thursday, December 10 at 1 PM

Have you been attending New Covenant regularly and wondering about taking the next step toward membership? We invite you to our next new member class to learn more, ask questions, and explore what it means to become a member of our church family.

Membership is a commitment to Christ through a local church, a way to grow in faith, serve together, and care for one another in love. Whether you call this area home year round, or join us seasonally, we have membership options to help you stay connected.

This will be our final new member class of 2026 and your last opportunity to join during New Covenant’s 25^th anniversary year. Come discover what taking this next step could mean for you. We would love to welcome you!

If you have any questions or need help with registration, please contact Ashley Hill, First Impressions Manager.

Christmas at New Covenant
Night of Hope, Night of Grace

December 12 & 13 at 5 PM

Make room for an evening of Christmas wonder and invite someone to share it with you!

Christmas at New Covenant brings together the Chancel Choir, Praise Ringers, and Orchestra for a Christmas celebration filled with beloved carols, beautiful music and the timeless story of Christ’s birth.

FREE tickets are available, with options to purchase premium seating and opportunities to make a donation in support of our music ministry.

Created by Joel Raney, with orchestration by Ed Hogan, this service of Lessons and Carols follows the Christmas story from the promise of a Savior to the joy of his birth. Familiar favorites including Silent Night, O Come, All Ye Faithful, and Ding Dong! Merrily on High; join Scripture and new musical settings in an evening full of hope and grace.

Sean Pollock conducts, with Amy Cornwall-Robinson directing the Praise Ringers, and Angie Rose, Mark Steven Schmidt, and other guest vocal soloists sharing in the celebration.

Whether this concert is part of your Christmas tradition or your first visit to New Covenant, there is a place for you. Bring a friend, gather your family, and celebrate the season with us.

Ticket reservations open this week, so reserve your FREE tickets or explore premium seating and donation options through Tix.

MOAMI 2027 Class

Thursdays, January 14-March 18, 2027

MOAMI (Moving On: Always Master Inspired) is a 9-week, faith-based program open to all women looking for joy and purpose in the second half of their lives.

MOAMI 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 is a Kickoff from 11 AM to 4 PM, and the last class is a celebration from 11 AM to 4 PM. All other classes are from 1 to 4 PM.

Registration is $45 and opens November 1.

If you have any questions, please contact Barb Dougal.

Holy Land Tours and Journeys of Paul Tour 2027

Pastor Harold will lead the trip to the Holy Land for next spring March 8 – 17, 2027.

In addition, Pastor Harold will be leading a cruise tour that follows in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul. The cruise, October 6 – 17, 2027, will take us to towns where Paul had established churches such as Philippi, Thessaloniki, Corinth, Athens, and Ephesus. There also will be stops in Rhodes, Mykonos, and Santorini, Greece.

If you are interested in knowing more about these tours, you can pick up a brochure at the Welcome Center in the East Narthex, download the information from the New Covenant website, or use the links below.

Pickleball

Sundays from 4 PM - 6 PM

Recreational Pickleball takes place at Pimlico Rec Center. Beginners are welcome! (We do not play if the temperature is over 90 degrees).

If you have any questions or for additional information, please contact Jeanette Kassing.

25th Anniversary Reflection

As we continue to celebrate New Covenant’s 25th anniversary, we’re taking a look back at the many memories, moments, and blessings that have shaped our church family over the years.

Generosity in Action: The History of Bargains & Blessings

Bargains & Blessings grew from an abundance of donated furnishings. After the Helping Hands ministry had built 19 homes, it found itself with 11 storage units filled with excess furniture and household goods. Led by the Holy Spirit, the committee prayed for a way to use those donations to bless others. They remembered the words of Matthew 7:7–8: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

The committee was challenged once again to step beyond its comfort zone—this time by considering the creation of a thrift store. Members studied other thrift-store operations and eventually located two rundown buildings for sale in downtown Wildwood. After careful research and planning, a proposal was presented to the church to borrow $300,000 through the United Methodist conference to purchase and renovate the buildings.

With the help of Helping Hands volunteers, the deteriorated buildings were transformed into a resale store. Bargains & Blessings opened in 2014 to serve the community by offering quality, gently used merchandise at affordable prices while generating resources for ministries serving people in need.

Over the past 12 years, Bargains & Blessings has grown far beyond its original vision. Supported by more than 200 volunteers, along with its leadership and staff, the ministry has expanded from two buildings to four and now generates approximately $1.6 million in annual sales. Its work has helped New Covenant contribute more than $5.5 million to 110 community and global ministries.



Bargains & Blessings has also provided funding for Helping Hands to build 17 additional homes. Through Family Outreach, approximately 3,000 families have received furniture and household goods at no cost. The Beds & Blankets Ministry has provided 2,000 beds and blankets to families, including many children who had never before had a bed of their own.

The story of Bargains & Blessings reflects New Covenant’s value of Generosity. What began with excess furniture became a ministry through which donated goods, volunteer service, and faithful stewardship continue to transform lives.

This ministry inspires us to trust in God’s grace, step out in faith, and be the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus Christ in our community and our world.

Memory shared by Bob Becker, member since 2005.

Weekly Prayer Concerns

Prayer Quilts

Debbie needs prayers of healing after her heart issues.

Lisa needs prayers for a successful surgery without any complications.

Robert needs prayers of comfort as he deals with the loss of his wife.

Steffi is in need of prayers of healing as she deals with multiple health issues.

We request your prayers for these prayer quilts. Please click on the quilt to be taken to our Facebook Page, where you can "Like" the post to virtually tie a knot. 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...

John Moulds; their children, Bill, Kathy, and Nancy; on the passing of Johns' wife and their mother, Priscilla.

Chuck & Mary Place on the passing of Chucks' brother, Richard.

Linda Crews, family and friends on the passing of her husband, Jim.

Christian Life Center Chancel Flowers

 Chancel flowers have been donated by Ann McBain in loving memory of her husband, Bob.

To place an order for Chancel flowers in the Christian Life Center for Sunday worship services, please use the button below. For any questions about Christian Life Center Chancel Flowers, please contact Sharon Weimert, Care Coordinator.



Flower orders for the Christian Life Center must be received by noon on Monday for flowers to be delivered that weekend.

Rev. Harold Hendren, Senior Pastor

Rev. Ellen Pollock, Associate Pastor