new life umc - newsletter - november 2008

8/14/2019 New Life UMC - Newsletter - November 2008

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The New

MillenniumNovember 2008 The Newsletter of New Life United Methodist

Church Office Hours:Monday - Friday

9:00a.m. until 3:00p.m.Church Staff checks phonemessages throughout the day.Pastor Maxwell is available forappointments days and eve-nings and is glad to schedule atconvenient times.

Worship Opportunities:Christian Education (all ages):Sundays 9:45a.m.Sunday Worship:

8:30a.m. and 11:00a.m.Praise & Worship Service:

6:30p.m. on 3rd Sunday

On The Inside:Meet the StaffLadies LunchlThanksgiving EventsHanging of the GreensPrayer RequestDaily DevotionsShawl MinistryFocus on Sunday SchoolChildrens MinistryJobs Network

New Deadline for NewsletterMusic Notes from Mary EllenEpiphany Prision MiistriesPreschoolYouth StuffOlder Adult MinistiresThank You NotesInclement Weather Policy

THE POWER OF PRAYER

Will God hear me if I pray?

What if I dont use the right words?

How do I know if Im asking for the right things?

How could such a busy God have time for me?

If God knows what Im going to say, does it makea difference if I say it or not?

Prayer can be a confusing, mystery and even frustrating ordisappointing mystery at times. Sometimes we wonder if itis really worth our time or Gods time for that matter. Whenthings dont turn out the way we had hoped they would,was it something wrong with our prayer?

Yet from the beginning, prayer has been the holyconversation when we meet and relate with God. Jesusdoesnt say, If you pray he says, When you pray(Matthew 6:5). Looking at the early followers of Jesus,

prayer became indispensable in their lives.The same is true forfollowers of Jesus today,prayer becomes the veryheartbeat of the believer.As Richard Foster says,Coming to prayer is likecoming home. Nothingfeels more right, more likewhat we are created to beand to do.

In worship during the monthof November, we will befocusing on these questionsand the role of prayer inour lives. We wont be just talking about it, but practicingit together so that we might explore the experience ofintimacy with God in a safe place. As we pray together, Ibelieve we will be brought closer to God, to ourselves, andto our community. Lets say our prayers!

Family Night Dinner

November 16th, 5:30p.m.

Praise & Worship Service

to follow at 6:30p.m.


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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.

The answer is easy. Hire Lori Epps!

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.

During part of her college career, she served as youth director

for both (at the same time) the Methodist and Baptist churches

in Kilmarnock, Virginia.

In 1995, Lori became the full time Youth Director at St. Marks

and served there until 1998. In 1998 she became the YouthDirector 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.

If you would like to know more, ask her how she ended up at New Life UMC. Youll love the

story.

Come have lunch with the women from new

Life Church! Several women met for lunch onOctober 10. We had a fun time of fellowship.We will meet again on Friday, November 14th, atPeking (next to the Food Lion in Midlothian).

Pease RSVP to Laura Adkins by Wednesday,November 12th, [email protected] or320-8358


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SPECIAL COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE

November is the traditional month of harvest and HANKSGIVING. As

we have done for the past several years, New Life will join with our sisterarea churches for a Community Wide Ecumenical Worship Service on

Wednesday Nov. 24, 2008. Worshiping together with Mt. Sinai and Beth-

el Baptists Churches, we will gather here at New Life for the combined

Tanksgiving Celebration. Te service begins at 7:00 PM and concludes

with a time of fellowship and sharing of various finger foods (bring your

favorite to add to the table).


The Second Annual

Thanksgiving With Friends . . .

Dont Want To Cook?!?

Grandmas Going Where?!?Cant Catch Your Turkey?!?

Congregational Care Would Like To Invite You To Come, Share Fellowship,

And A Meal, With Your New Life Friends On Thanksgiving Day! Location To

Be Announced. For More Information And To R.S.V.P., Please Call Robin Ann

Gauthier @ 804-350-9045.

The Congregational Care Team

Would Like To Wish You And Your Family A Happy Thanksgiving!

Loyce Edwards Robin Ann Gauthier Ann Pierce,

Tracy Swineford Midge Washburn Pastor Jimy

Pastor Mike


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HANGING OF THE GREENS

As we decorate our homes, so do we decorate our church homefor the coming of the Advent Season to prepare for the birth ofJesus. We will make this a meaningful and fun time.

Since the first Sunday of Advent is November 30, all this will

happen on Saturday, November 29 beginning at 2:00 PM. Wewill join together in the Sanctuary for the special Service of theHanging of the Greens - learning the symbols of Advent andChristmas as a family. After the service we will gather aroundfor Apple Cider and Christmas Cookies (please bring a plate ofyour favorites to share.)

DO YOU HAVE A PRAYER REQUEST

YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH THE CHURCHFAMILY?

1. Visit www.newlifeumc.org and click onEprayer to submit your prayer request. Ifsubmitting via computer is not for you,please call Robin Ann @ 804-350-9045.

2. On Sundays, at worship service, your prayerrequest can be placed in the offertory platefor the prayer team and/or church family.

IF YOU KNOW OF SOMEONE IN OUR

CHURCH COMMUNITY WHO IS IN

NEED OF CARE, PLEASE CONTACT

OUR CHURCH OFFICE OR Robin Ann

Gauthier @ 804-350-9045.

DAILYDEVOTIONS

Again, the Worship Team

would like to recommend

you pick up a copy of THE

UPPER ROOM from the

table in the Gathering

Area. This is an excellentguide for your personal

daily devotions. Each

days entry is written by

United Methodists just like

you from around the world and contains a suggested

scripture, short devotional thought and prayer.

Anyone interested in helping with

the Shaw Ministry should contact

Joan Bowers at her new email

address [email protected] or at at 639-9306. This ministryknitts or crochets Prayer Shawls,then they pray over them. Theshawls are given to individuals inthe hospital, hospice, a nursinghome, or who are going through adifficult time. Lessons will be givento those interested. Everyone isinvited!


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A FOCUS ON SUNDAY SCHOOL

The children are starting a new Sunday School theme: Isaiah, the prophecy of Jesus. Duringthe months of November and December the children will do activities that help them learnabout Isaiah, how God gave him hope that a Messiah will soon come, and that God keeps Hispromise to all of us! The children will do art projects, storytelling, cooking, science, play games,

and watch a video. Bob Andrus will visit us to read a Native American story about Christmas!

The Bible story is summarized in Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah9:6; and Isaiah 11:1-9 (Can you find the verses that Handel usedin The Messiah?). So often we only look at the Christmas storythrough the lens of the New Testament, but God planned Jesusarrival before the world was created! It is a joy to know that God isin control!

Every 2-monthed theme needs volunteers to make it a success. Ifyou would like to help out with this program, or if your child would

like to start coming and has questions, please contact Cindy Butler,[email protected], 379-3578, 690-4517.

Lori Epps is our new Childrens Choir Director!

She has volunteered to work with the preschoolers through fifth graders, starting with the

Christmas pageant. Lori has led music for Fun with Faith and Camp Kaleidoscope, and

currently teaches music at the New Life weekly preschool program and sings in the praise

band. Her own daughters have beautiful voices and a love for singing praises to God; its

easy to see where they get their passion and talent!

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?

Its 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 Childrens

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.


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Happy Birthday, Jesus!

The children (preschool through 5th

grade) are celebrating Jesus birth on

December 14th during the Sunday School

hour. There will be activities reinforcing

the reason for Christmas, as well as

a birthday cake for Jesus! For more

information, please contact Jean Hobbs at

378-9947.

New Deadline for the Newsletter

Starting in December, any information that

you would like to go in the newsletter should

be submitted to the office by the second

Thursday of the month. Please email your

articles to [email protected].

When writing your articles please make sureto include all pertenient information such

as when, where, who, etc. Also include

complete information for a contact person.

All emails will be acknowledged, so if you

do not receive a confirmation email, please

contact Corinne Campbell at 794-4522.

Christmas Pageant Performance!

Everyone is welcomed to come to the

childrens Christmas pageant on December

14th at 4:30. Afterwards we will have

pizza ($5 donation maximum per family),drinks, and dessert. Then we will drive

to Brandermill Woods Nursing Home to

sing Christmas carols. Please come and

be blessed by the childrens performance

and be a blessing to others as we carol

at Brandermill. If you have questions,

please contact Cindy Butler, education@

newlifeumc.org, 379-3578, 690-4517.

Need a Job? Know of a Job?

Congregational Care is putting together a

Jobs Network.

Do you know of employment opportunities

within your company or elsewhere that

you can share with those in our church

family that may be in need of work? If so,

please submit all opportunities for ourfile

in Congregational Care. Here is how to do

that:

1) On a standard index card, please

describe the position available and

contact information.

2) Submit to the Church office in a

sealed envelope to the attention

of Congregational Care/Robin AnnGauthier.


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New Life Weekday Preschool

Counts Its Blessings

New Life Preschool counts its blessings during this season ofThanksgiving. We are Thankful for:

The 40 families involved in our weekday program

Loving and caring teachers

Pastor Mike and Pastor Jimy teaching Chapel Time

Ms. Lori for teaching Music and Movement weekly

Our Annual Wheel-A-Thon fund-raiser taking place this month

Fun field trips (The Chesterfield Berry Farm Pumpkin Patch)

A solid Christian curriculum (Scripture Bites)

A supportive church congregation

And so many more

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.

Epiphany

We would like to thank our New Life family foryour support of the Epiphany Prison Ministrythrough your prayers, letters, and monetary do-

nations. The weekend was amazing! Once again, God was so faithful. He showedHimself in such powerful ways to 23 young men. They began to understand thegift of Gods love and forgiveness. They, themselves, started the process of forgive-ness, and ALL accepted a cross by the end of the weekend - Praise God! There wasa lot of joy and gratefulness from these young men, and they, too, send a big Thank

You for sharing the love of Christ with them.

Please continue to pray for this ministry and these young men. And if you ever feelGod calling you to serve in this manner, please let me know. The next weekend willbe in May.

May God Bless you for your faithfulness~Sherri Fleck and Tracy Swineford


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Rake & Run

Secret Mission on November 2 @ 12:30pm: To Help

those in our Congregation & Community by raking

leaves for those in need. If you chooseto accept this mission..bring a rake,

wear your tennis shoes, and come

prepared to be surprised!! We will eat

a pizza lunch following the service and

then head out to Rake & Run. For more

information, please contact Lori Epps.

Hows your prayer life?Are you struggling at school?

Could your relationships with

Parents, Siblings, and friends use

improvement? Are you hurting & lost?

Would you like to know

what to do with your life? Is

Prayer the answer? Join

youth at G.R.A.V.I.T.Y. on

Sunday, November 9th to

learn more about how we

can find the answers to lifes

questions through talking

with God. I am praying that

you will answer the call and

come.

Talking with God

Hey God.Can you hear me? Its

me.

Want to get connected to God? Do

you long for a relationship that is

unconditional and filled with love?

God is the answerCome and

Worship Youth Style as we talk to

God through our songs, our prayers, our

testimonies, and through each other. Godsaid, Where two or more are gathered, I

am here also. Step into His presence on

Sunday, November 16th from 4:30-6:00

p.m.

Youth Music News

Sunday, November 2nd 3:30-4:30 Youth Praise Band Practice

Sunday, November 9th No PracticeSunday, November 16th 3:30-4:30 Youth Choir Practice

Friday, Nov. 21 & Saturday, Nov. 22nd Youth Jam

Sunday, November 23rd No Practice

Sunday, November 30th No Practice

For more information regarding Youth Praise Band or Youth Choir please contact

Sarah Cafazza.


9/13

A Christmas Carol

The Christian Youth Theatre will be putting on their

production of A Christmas Carol on Sunday, November

23rd at 2:00 p.m. at the Steward School. Advanced

tickets are necessary. We will leave from church

following the 11:00a.m. service and go to lunch together

before the performance.


Take a ride on the waves &

join us for an exciting time at our Beach Retreat!

Who? Anyone who wants to have tons of fun with Awesome Youth, GreatFood, Dynamic Programs, & an Amazing Location.

What? We will be hanging-out, learning about Gods plans for us & Hisgreat love, playing games, and enjoying one anothers company.

When? December 5,6,7

Where? Gainsforths Beach Cottage in North Carolina

Why? Because it would not be the same without you!!!

Cost? $30, which will cover food, transportation & materials*scholarships available if needed

For more information & to sign-up please talk with Lori Epps,

Director of Youth Ministries at 794-4522 or [email protected]

Happy Thanksgiving

No Youth Group

Sunday, November 30th


10/13

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---thats 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.

Boomers and Beyond and Older Adults

After the Bible Study Workshop on November 13, at 11:30 there will be a time of fellowship, lunch

and a program. Please bring a sandwich of your choice. A side dish will be provided with hot applecider, not apple jack! A program will be presented by Linda Shields MSW from The Capital Area

Agency on Aging. Linda will bring to us a wealth of information that Boomers and Older will want

to have. There are many opportunities and offers available to these unique age groups. So attend

and enjoy the program and a delicious meal. Please call Olive Jane and Frank Stiller 897-0678, If

you plan to attend this event.

Also, Boomers and Beyond enjoyed a Wild and Wonderful West Virginia Train Ride on October

14th. God indeed ordered the colors, scenery, and fellowship of the day. Many participants had

enjoyed this train excursion before; however, they said that this was the most colorful and pleasant

time of all. God never fails to WOW us when we are attentive.

Alzheimers Support Group

On November 12th.or--- 2nd, Wednesdays well have our monthly Support Group Meeting at

the church at 10:00 AM. If you have or even think you may have a loved one with this disease,

come and learn more about it. Sometimes care giving can be a challenge and we all learn from

each other. A facilitator from The Alzheimers Association, Bridget Soyars will bring us up-to-date

information.



11/13


Older Adult Ministries Thank You

We enjoyed fine fellowship and food--- Thank you Peggy Lee Tsaclas for the delicious meal you

gave the Boomers and Beyond at our October meeting. We also thank you, Jill Dynia of Life Line

Screening for the informative program concerning Adult Health issues.

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 dont stop with the feedback, you are an important factor in our planning. Pastor Jimy

Edwards 794-4570

Dear New Life Church:

Thank you for your thoughts andprayers at the recent loss of ourfriend and father. Harold Wilbanks.Our round-trip travel to Texas waswithout incident as we celebrated alife well lived by one who loved theLord.

We are deeply grateful for a prayingchurch family.

Pastsy & Jerry Reid

New Life family & Evangelism Team

Thank you very much for the giftcards. They will come in handy.For those late night studies theStarbucks card will give me a pick upfor those early mornings. And whenI am pressed for time the Wendys& Chick-fil-a cards can be used forlunch.

Thank you again!

God Bless!

Shana Morris

New Life -

Thank you so much for my gift cards,they will come in handy. I miss youall so much. I am so glad to be apartof New Life.

Love Lynette Scott

The Epps family would like to say aspecial thank you to everyone for theirprayers, presence, gifts, and service.We have felt such joy & love from ourNew Life Family during my fathershospital visit and now recovery. Itis such a blessing to call you our

brothers & sisters-in-Christ. Thankyou for your kindness!

The Trustees would like to thank everyone who came out to help with the Churchworkday on October 18th. Windows were washed; floors stripped and resealed,and trees were trimmed. Everyones help made it a fun day!


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New LifeUnited Methodist Church

900 Old Hundred Road

Midlothian, Virginia 23114

Office:

804-794-4522

[email protected]

Rev. Mike Maxwell:

[email protected]

www.newlifeumc.org

Inclement Weather PolicyThe decision to cancel church activities for all or part of a day, or to have a delayedopening, is made as early as possible, but is often affected by changing conditions. Ingeneral, decisions regarding canceling church activities will be made by the pastor inconjunction with the Trustees Chair taking into consideration the safety of the facility andtravel conditions.

Announcements of canceled Sunday services or delayed openings can be found at thefollowing locations:

Church Website www.newlifeumc.org

NBC Channel 12

Church information line call 794-4522 for recorded message.

For cancellation of meetings or other church events:

Church Website www.newlifeumc.org

Church information line call 794-4522 for recorded message.

For closing of New Life Preschool:

Chesterfield County school systems schedule is followed. If Chesterfield County has aone-hour delayed opening, Preschool will open one-hour late (10:30 a.m.). However, ifChesterfield County has a two-hour delayed opening, the Preschool is closed.

new life umc - newsletter - november 2008

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