New Life UMC - Newsletter - November 2008
New Life UMC - Newsletter - November 2008
New Life UMC - Newsletter - November 2008
Millennium
November 2008 The Newsletter of New Life United Methodist
On The Inside:
Meet the Staff THE POWER OF PRAYER
Ladies Lunchl
Thanksgiving Events Will God hear me if I pray?
Hanging of the Greens
What if I don’t use the right words?
Prayer Request
Daily Devotions How do I know if I’m asking for the right things?
Shawl Ministry
Focus on Sunday School How could such a busy God have time for me?
Children’s Ministry If God knows what I’m going to say, does it make
Jobs Network a difference if I say it or not?
New Deadline for Newsletter
Music Notes from Mary Ellen Prayer can be a confusing, mystery and even frustrating or
Epiphany Prision Miistries disappointing mystery at times. Sometimes we wonder if it
Preschool is really worth our time or God’s time for that matter. When
Youth Stuff things don’t turn out the way we had hoped they would,
Older Adult Ministires was it something wrong with our prayer?
Thank You Notes Yet from the beginning, prayer has been the holy
Inclement Weather Policy conversation when we meet and relate with God. Jesus
Church Office Hours: doesn’t say, “If you pray…” he says, “When you pray…
Monday - Friday (Matthew 6:5).” Looking at the early followers of Jesus,
9:00a.m. until 3:00p.m. prayer became indispensable in their lives.
Church Staff checks phone
The same is true for
messages throughout the day.
followers of Jesus today,
Pastor Maxwell is available for prayer becomes the very
appointments days and eve- heartbeat of the believer.
nings and is glad to schedule at As Richard Foster says,
convenient times. “Coming to prayer is like
Worship Opportunities: coming home. Nothing
Christian Education (all ages): feels more right, more like
Sundays 9:45a.m. what we are created to be
Sunday Worship: and to do.”
8:30a.m. and 11:00a.m.
In worship during the month
Praise & Worship Service:
of November, we will be
6:30p.m. on 3rd Sunday focusing on these questions
and the role of prayer in
Family Night Dinner
our lives. We won’t be just talking about it, but practicing
November 16th, 5:30p.m. it together so that we might explore the experience of
intimacy with God in a safe place. As we pray together, I
Praise & Worship Service believe we will be brought closer to God, to ourselves, and
to follow at 6:30p.m. to our community. Let’s say our prayers!
November 2008 The New Millennium 2
MEET LORI EPPS
Youth Director
How can you hire one person and get: an enthusiastic
and energetic youth director, a talented Praise and
Worship singer, an aid to the preschool music program,
two very good junior choir members, a church
trustee and usher, two dedicated youth mission trips
councilors, and two volleyball and softball players.
Lori, her husband Brent, and daughters Hannah and Hailey, have become so involved in
our church congregation it is hard to remember when they were not with us. The whole
congregation has benefited from their joining us, and one look at the youth calendar will tell you
how involved the youth are.
Along with all of this, Lori brings an amazing amount of experience in Christian youth work.
Lori is the daughter of founding members of Woodlake UMC, and her Christian experience
continued with Young Life while at Manchester High School. Lori later interned at the United
Methodist building and during part of her college years, she was Youth Director at Ramsey
Memorial UMC with Pastor Tom Sweat.
In 1995, Lori became the full time Youth Director at St. Marks
and served there until 1998. In 1998 she became the Youth
Director at Mt. Pisgah and served there until 2001, when the
work load of 100 plus youth and a growing family caused her to
give up full time leadership, but she continued to volunteer her
time with the church programs.
Lif UMC.
If you would like to know more, ask her how she ended up at New Life UMC You’ll
Y ’ll love
l th
the
story.
DAILY
DEVOTIONS
Again, the Worship Team
would like to recommend
you pick up a copy of THE Anyone interested in helping with
UPPER ROOM from the the Shaw Ministry should contact
table in the Gathering Joan Bowers at her new email
Area. This is an excellent address msjoanbowers@verizon.
guide for your personal net or at at 639-9306. This ministry
daily devotions. Each knitts or crochets Prayer Shawls,
day’s entry is written by then they pray over them. The
shawls are given to individuals in
United Methodists just like
the hospital, hospice, a nursing
you from around the world and contains a suggested home, or who are going through a
scripture, short devotional thought and prayer. difficult time. Lessons will be given
to those interested. Everyone is
invited!
November 2008 The New Millennium 5
If you would like to speak with Lori about helping out or if you have questions, you can
call her at 897-4537 or email her at [email protected].
Does your child want to sing &/or act in the Christmas Pageant?
It’s not too late to sign up your child (preschool – 6th
grade) to be a part of the Christmas pageant! There are
many speaking and non-speaking parts, and the Children’s
Choir will sing as part of the performance. Your child can
be part of the skit and/or the chorus. Most practices are
Sunday afternoons and the performance will be December
14th at 4:30.
Please contact Tim Gettemy (403-3494) if your child wants
a speaking or non-speaking part. Contact Lori Epps (897-
4537) to be a part of the chorus.
November 2008 The New Millennium 6
Please continue to pray for this ministry and these young men. And if you ever feel
God calling you to serve in this manner, please let me know. The next weekend will
be in May.
New Life Preschool is a ministry of New Life UMC. We are currently in our seventh year
of service. If you have a talent or skill you would like to share with the preschool, please
contact Tracy Cooper, Director at 794-4522. Also, we have three spaces available in our
3-year old classes. If you know of anyone looking for a school for their 3-year old, please
have them call the school at 794-4522.
November 2008 The New Millennium 9
For more information regarding Youth Praise Band or Youth Choir please contact
Sarah Cafazza.
November 2008 The New Millennium 10
Who? Anyone who wants to have tons of fun with Awesome Youth, Great
Food, Dynamic Programs, & an Amazing Location.
What? We will be hanging-out, learning about God’s plans for us & His
great love, playing games, and enjoying one another’s company.
For more information & to sign-up please talk with Lori Epps,
Director of Youth Ministries at 794-4522 or [email protected]
A Christmas Carol
Happy Thanksgiving
The Christian Youth Theatre will be putting on their
production of “A Christmas Carol” on Sunday, November No Youth Group
23rd at 2:00 p.m. at the Steward School. Advanced Sunday, November 30th
tickets are necessary. We will leave from church
following the 11:00a.m. service and go to lunch together
before the performance.
November 2008 The New Millennium 11
New Life
Older Adult Ministries Council
Be ready for fun and excitement!
We are not retired but re-treaded!!
Luncha Buncha
For our next luncheon on November 9th the Lunch Bunch would like
to invite the congregation of New Life to enjoy fellowship as we dine
together (dutch) at Jalapenos Mexican Restaurant, 13564 Waterford
Place, Midlothian. 12:00 pm. There is a report that we will have an
authentic Mariachi Band to serenade us. Sounds like FUN! Please join us!
Please make your reservation by calling Olive Jane at 897-0678 or email to MSANODIZE@
COMCAST.NET.
Older Adult Ministries (OAM) Bible Study Workshop (Twice a month now 2nd and 4th Thursday)
Our Bible Study is scheduled for November 13th.at 10:30 am at the church. If you missed last
month---that’s okay, this study will allow you to jump right in now. We will explore Revelation
via a short DVD presentation and workbook. (No cost to participants) This study helps separate
fiction from Revelation truth. Bring your Bibles. There will be no class on the second Thursday,
November 27.
Thank you New Life for supporting Adult Ministries first Brunswick Stew Sale on Sat. Oct 25.
Thank you to all the folks that have helped get our Adult Ministries Council activated. We have
had so many wonderful ideas for programs, recreation, and mission projects presented to us.
Please don’t stop with the feedback, you are an important factor in our planning. Pastor Jimy
Edwards 794-4570
Dear New Life Church: New Life family & Evangelism Team
Thank you for your thoughts and Thank you very much for the gift
prayers at the recent loss of our cards. They will come in handy.
friend and father. Harold Wilbanks. For those late night studies the
Our round-trip travel to Texas was Starbucks card will give me a pick up
without incident as we celebrated a for those early mornings. And when
life well lived by one who loved the I am pressed for time the Wendy’s
Lord. & Chick-fil-a cards can be used for
We are deeply grateful for a praying lunch.
church family. Thank you again!
Pastsy & Jerry Reid God Bless!
Shana Morris
The Epps family would like to say a
special thank you to everyone for their New Life -
prayers, presence, gifts, and service.
We have felt such joy & love from our Thank you so much for my gift cards,
New Life Family during my father’s they will come in handy. I miss you
hospital visit and now recovery. It all so much. I am so glad to be apart
is such a blessing to call you our of New Life.
brothers & sisters-in-Christ. Thank
you for your kindness! Love Lynette Scott
The Trustees would like to thank everyone who came out to help with the Church
workday on October 18th. Windows were washed; floors stripped and resealed,
and trees were trimmed. Everyone’s help made it a fun day!
November 2008 The New Millennium 7
Believe it or not December is close at hand. We are constantly reminded while shopping,
through commercials, decorations and ads. One more flip of the calendar page and we are
entering a busy month. What gets you in the Christmas Spirit? Well you know MUSIC does
it for me. Just a reminder to have you mark, December 7th as an important date in the life
of our church with music. The Adult Choir and soloists will be presenting “One Incredible
Moment” at both services of worship, 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.
“One Incredible Moment” is a musical celebration. “The majesty of the manger, the splendor
of the star, the anthem of the angels brings heaven to our hearts; as we proclaim the
message, redemption’s timeless plan; in one incredible moment, our God became a man!”
The text is by Max Lucado and the music is composed by Tom Fettke. The choir and soloists
will be accompanied by an orchestral CD.
“More than two thousand years later, the miraculous circumstances of Christ’s birth still
astound us; yet everything from that night--the shepherds and the angels, the star and the
wise men, the virgin birth in a stable--remains in the shadow of the Child Himself. In one
incredible moment, God reunited Creator and created. His perfect plan appeared in the
flesh, becoming the cornerstone of man’s redemption. We pray that the wonder of that ‘One
incredible Moment’ will be experienced again and that lives will be transformed.”
Thank you to all who participated in the Favorite Contemporary Songs and the Favorite Hymns
survey. Here is a list in order of popularity which was conducted through September:
CONTEMPORARY SONGS: (Many more got one vote)
1. Look Where He’s Brought Me From
2. I Can Only Imagine
3. On Eagles’ Wings
4. A number of songs:
Amazing Grace Lord, I Life Your Name on High
Amazing Love He Is Exhaulted
Draw Me Close to You Over the Mountains and the Sea
El Shaddai This Little Light of Mine
HYMNS: (Too many hymns to list here got one vote.)
1. Here I Am Lord
2. Blessed Assurance
3. A number of hymns:
How Great Thou Art Onward Christian Soldiers
In the Garden Because He Lives
The Old Rugged Cross Pass It On
4. A number of hymns:
Go Tell It on the Mountain
God Bless America Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior Love Lifted Me
New Life
United Methodist Church
Office:
804-794-4522
[email protected]
Rev. Mike Maxwell:
[email protected]
www.newlifeumc.org