New Sermon Series

In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, we find a collection of His teachings that ultimately lay the foundation to live our lives. With topics that range from anger management to almsgiving, Jesus hits the very heart of who we are and who we should be. With these teachings applied to our lives, and woven into our personal identity, we can develop as Christian heart that is not only stronger gut larger. Although our call to the gospel is to reach others with His love, Jesus; clear message hits home with one's personal relationship with Him. Growing the kingdom in numbers seems to be important to Jesus, yet the most important number to Christ is the number two. You and Him!                                         

May 12/13 - Mother's Day weekend

May 19/20 - Telling the Truth (Matthew 5:33-37)

May 26/27 - Spiritual Eyesight (Matthew 6:19-23)

June 2/3 - Two Masters...O Really?
                                                       (Matthew 6:25-24)

June 9/10 - Why Worry (Matthew 6:25 - 34)

June 16/17 - Judge Not (Matthew 7:1-5)

June 23/24 - The Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12)

June 30/July 1 - Let's Not Deceive Ourselves: Grace Receivers (Matthew 7:21-23)

July 7/8 - Building the Bedrock: We Can Trust what the Man said!
            (Overview of the Sermon on the Mount)

Please check the homepage of this website for the Sermon Series discussion guide or pick one up at the church.

Building Committee
Weekly Update

It's Happening!

Our facility expansion is now underway! We appreciate your understanding and patience as we make the changes necessary to accommodate
construction and keep safe entrance/exit pathways for everyone.

Please note that certain entrances/exits will no longer be available, including those located behind the Narthex and Classrooms 1 and 2. These doors will be clearly marked that they are no longer
available for entrance/exit.

Additionally, the Nametag table will be
moved to the Welcome Desk, and hospitality food service (cookies, coffee, etc.) will be suspended during this time. Our signup tables will move outside to the front of the church, and preferred golf cart
parking will move to the side parking lot (behind the Administration Building). Signs will direct you to this lot. Thank you for helping us ensure your safety during this exciting time in the life of our church.

We remain devoted to building God's Kingdom at New Covenant United Methodist Church, The Villages, Florida. If you have specific questions, please contact us at  BuildingCommitteeNCUMC@gmail.com

Discipleship
Classes and Learning Opportunities

Please be aware that due to construction, the back entrances/exits to the classrooms will not be accessible after Easter weekend.

What is Alpha?

Alpha gives everyone the opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed, friendly setting. Sessions begin with a meal, followed by a short talk and time to discuss what's been taught.

During the discussion, everyone is welcome to contribute their opinions and no question is considered hostile or too simple. Questions might include — Is there a God? Why am I here? Where did I come from? Where am I going?

Alpha is for people from all backgrounds to investigate questions about the existence of God, the purpose of life, the afterlife, the claims of Jesus, and more. Some people want to get beyond religion and find a relationship with God that really changes their life. Others come for the close, long-lasting friendships that are built during the Alpha course.

Alpha Facilitators Needed

Alpha will be offered this summer as the discipleship part of our Terrific Tuesday program. If you have taken this course before, we need your help as a discussion leader. If you haven't taken it but have had experience leading a small group, we need your help.

There will be an orientation and training session for facilitators on Tuesday, April 24 at 3:30 p.m. Please call Kathy Hudak in the church office at 750-4529, if you can help with this exciting opportunity.

Pursuing God’s Beauty: Stories from the Gospel of John

A Six-Week Summer Bible Study God created us to be drawn toward beauty — created us to pursue beauty so that we may know more about God’s character, attributes, and work in our world. Perhaps no book of the Bible paints a clearer picture of this than the Gospel of John. Throughout John’s Gospel, the beauty of God radiates in the person of Jesus Christ — the one in whom God displayed His whole heart for the world to see. It’s within the person of
Jesus that we find the invisible attributes of God being made visible, on display like fine pieces of artwork — to be enjoyed, celebrated, and reflected upon. Pursuing God’s Beauty reveals breathtaking portraits of the salvation, redemption, and restoration
that God the Artist longs to complete in us.

This six-week study will be held Thursdays beginning June 7 through July 12 from 6–8:30 p.m. Sign-ups will be Saturday and Sunday before and after Worship Services, May 5/6 and 12/13. There will be participant guides to purchase for a small fee. If you
would like more information, please call Susan House at 350-0689.

Name Tags

You may now request, or pick-up previously requested, name tags at the Welcome Desk in the Narthex.

Terrific Tuesdays
Doors open at 4:45 p.m.

May 1
Terrific Tuesday Dinner

Menu: Roast Pork, Sauerkraut, Mashed Potatoes, Salad, Soup, and Dessert

Please join Pastor Dan Jackson as he presents another perspective to our "The Greatest Sermon Ever" sermon series.

Reservations are required. Please enter "TT" and the number attending in the last column of the attendance pad during Worship Services, or by calling the church office by noon on Monday. If you need to cancel, please notify the office as soon as possible.

The price is $7 per adult, $3 per child under 12, or $15 per household (three or more people residing in the same household)

Lancaster Show Trip

The Grace Seeker Sunday School Class is sponsoring a trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, September 24–29. The six-day bus trip will
feature the Sight and Sound Theater production of “Jonah.” Registration is still open with 22 seats available. Bring your friends and neighbors to join the 78 people already signed up for a relaxing tour
of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. For reservations and information, please contact Dale Newland at 751-4283.

The Grace Seekers Sunday School class is putting together their sixth annual bus trip. The destination is the Sight & Sound Theater in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; the dates are September 24–29; the production is “Jonah.”

Stop by the sign-up table in the Narthex between Worship Services — March 3/4, March 10/11, and March 17/18. You may also contact Dale Newland at dnewland101@comcast.net or 751-4283 for reservations and information.

Wear Your Church!

New Covenant has made arrangements with Custom Apparel & Gifts in the Southern Trace Shopping Center (750-1600) to provide shirts to our congregation embroidered with our church logo. The price of the shirts varies, depending on the type of shirt you choose. Simply visit the store, pick a shirt, and let them know you’d like the New Covenant logo on it. (The logo is red and black.)

What is a Columbarium?

Are you just now hearing about the Columbarium? Do you have questions that you need answered? The Columbarium Committee invites everyone to attend an informal presentation in the Chapel
on Saturday, May 12 at 10 a.m. The scale model and plans of the Columbarium will be presented, along with details about this new ministry. Please join us.

If you have questions prior to the meeting, please contact Virginia Newland at 751-4283 or dnewland101@comcast.net

OUTREACH

Love INC

Love In The Name Of Christ, or Love INC helps churches help people. Learn more about this mission and what you can do to transform lives in our community in the name of Christ.  To learn more you may access The Love INC website below . The content is updated frequently, so check often. Have access to their newsletter and the most current volunteer needs as well as current ministries available.

The Love INC office is located in Baylee Plaza, Summerfield, two doors form its resale store, "Centsible Furnishings". We are always in need of more volunteers! Please call Susan House at 417-392-0000.

 

Love INC main office ... 245-8774

Centsible Furnishings ...245-4740

If you have a need, please contact our in-take office at 245-8774. All interviews are conducted over the telephone and no in-person interviews are accepted. An interview is required to take part in any of our services and ministries.

If you have donations or questions concerning donations, please contact our resale store, Centsible Furnishings, at 245-4740. Love INC has a new website: at www.loveincheartofflorida.org

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Love INC Needs Help
Preparing New Facility

Painting and construction crews began last week, but there will be more to do to prepare for Love INC’s move on Tuesday, May 15 to the old EZ Go building (north of Hwy 42 at 15797 S. Hwy 441 in
Summerfield — 1 mile north of the present facility in Baylee Plaza).

Both the Clearinghouse and Centsible Furnishings resale shop will be housed at this new facility with larger space to accommodate more client support activities.

Many hands help make the preparation, move, and set-up fun and quick. Drop by ready to work from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you have any questions, please call Love INC at 245-8774.

Helping Hands Golf Tournament

The Second Annual Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, June 30 at Cane Garden Country Club (for Villagers only). It will be a four-person scramble, and include goody bags, a silent auction, and a wrap-up
dinner on Sunday — all for $80 per person. Dinner only is $20.

Sign-up this weekend through May 12-13. Get your golf buddies together and sign up early. If you have any questions, please call Dale Newland at 751-4283, Jim Carroll at 259-2278, or Art Capaccio
at 751-6609.

Stamps for Habitat and
Cell Phones for the Military

The receptacle for your stamps (on envelopes or postcards is fine) and your no-longer-used cell phones (not to worry, information will be stripped) has been moved to the Family Room. The door to this room is located just to the right of the double doors leading into the Worship Center.

Thank you for helping fund the building of Habitat Homes with your cancelled stamps and for donating your old cell phones to assist our military to keep in touch with loved ones back home.

Female and Couple Mentors Needed

Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC) is currently in need of a woman and a couple (preferably married) to walk beside two clients in need.

Love INC will train you and work with you all the way.
One of our clients is a single lady who had to quit her job and relocate to take care of her ill mother. Her mother passed away and she fell into a deep depression. She is now on her way back up, ready to
get back into the workforce as an experienced social services counselor, but needs a female to walk beside and encourage her. Would you be willing?

Another mentor need is for a family with parents, two boys, and one girl who need role models to walk beside them as they navigate the waters of parenthood and difficult pasts. Father is in need of a job. Mother is awaiting disability. Both need spiritual and financial guidance, as well as positive modeling for their children.

If you would consider assisting as a mentor for either of these clients and wish more information, please call the Love INC Clearinghouse and speak with Dana Parker at 245-8774.

Nickels for Knowledge

Nickels for Knowledge = Books for Bombita!

New Covenant’s mission to help fund school books and supplies for our COPA mission children in the Dominican Republic is year-round.

We hope you’ve noticed the “Nickels for Knowledge” contribution jar in the church Library. Twice a year we bring the jar to you. Next weekend, May 5/6 is such a weekend. Please help these kids with whatever you can spare during the weekend services, because
every little bit helps.

Exciting News for Musical Folks!!

Following our first meeting of New Covenant’s “His Master’s Sounds” instrumental ensemble, we are now asking that all instrumentalists who may like to join us, pick up a sign-up sheet located on the piano
in the Music Rehearsal Room.

We Are on Our Way! With many plans for ensemble playing, we need everyone who may be interested. We suggest at least intermediate playing ability skills.