A message from the Pastor
2019 is off to an awesome start at New Creation! As we began the new year, we introduced our 5:17 Breakthrough Prayer. We want to thank you for making that a part of your daily routine! We believe there is tremendous power when God’s people join together in prayer. Many of you have shared with us how praying that prayer has impacted your life.
During the month of January our 5:17 sermon series focused on the first portion of the Breakthrough Prayer: “Make us a new creation. Transform us by the power and presence of your Holy Spirit.” We found that God and His Word is full of wisdom and direction to transform us, to make us a new creation in just about every area of life; our relationship with the Lord, our time, our health, and our finances.
As we move into the month of February, we are going to focus our attention on the next portion of the prayer. The Breakthrough Prayer continues, “Show us how to make a difference in our community and in the world.” If we truly mean what we pray as we offer these words, it leads us to ask ourselves some important questions: How well do we know our community? Who are our neighbors? Do we see them the way Jesus sees them? Do we really care about hurting people? Are we convinced that everyone we know, without exception, needs to find the forgiveness, friendship, life, and leadership Jesus offers? Do we really believe that? If so, are we willing to take risks to share that good news with them? And are we willing to invest our time, energy, and resources in developing a church that will attract, challenge, and teach them to step across that line of faith?
Join us on Sunday as we begin a new series entitled Loving the 757 as we explore some of these important questions.
As part of the series we challenge you to add to your daily 5:17 prayer a time to intentionally pray for our community. A guided prayer calendar is being provided to help you target your prayers.
Randy
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Luke 19:41-44 (NRSV)
Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem
41 As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. 44 They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”
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Coming Up at New Creation
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Sunday, February 3: Souper Sunday & Youth Cake & Pie Auction
Tuesday, February 5: Congregational Care Meeting 7 pm, Room 13
Tuesday, February 5: Grief Share 7 pm, Room 100
Tuesday, February 5: Chronic Pain Support Group 7 pm, Room 17
Wednesday, February 6: Churchwide Chili Cook Off 6 pm, FH
Friday, February 8: Confirmation Lock In
Sunday, February 10: Love Lights 6 pm, Sanctuary
Wednesday, February 20: Ukraine Mission Dinner 6 pm, FH
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Ass we continue to daily pray the 5:17 Breakthrough Prayer, please also pray for God to bless these places and people in the "757" on the date they are listed.
Friday, February 1: Western Branch Borough Schools, Students & Staff
Saturday, February 2: Taylor Bend & Portsmouth YMCAs
Sunday, February 3: Centenary, Covenant & Jolliff United Methodist Churches
Monday, February 4: Chesapeake Police Department 4th Precinct
Tuesday, February 5: The H.E.R. Shelter
Wednesday, February 6: Western Branch Community Center
Thursday, February 7: Chick-fil-A Owner, Employees & Patrons
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SPECIAL FOOD MISSION
Our food pantry will be supplying food for anyone in the Western Branch and Northern Suffolk areas that have been furloughed by the government shutdown (Government ID required.) This special food distribution will be February 1 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. We are in need of extra hands to help and also food donations. What we need: non perishable food items such as pasta and sauces, mac & cheese, cereal, canned goods, peanut butter, jelly; household items such as toilet paper, detergent, trash bags; kids stuff such as juice, fruit snacks, pop tarts, wipes, diapers. Basically anything that a family may need on a weekly basis. Contact the church office for more information 484-8217.
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BLOOD DRIVE ... Saturday, February 2
Donor hours 7:30 am - 1:30 pm (in the door by 1:00 pm). Invite your family and friends to join in. Make appointments online at http://www.redcrossblood.org/give/drive. Use RapidPass to read medical information and answer health screening questions at home on August 4 before your donation. Log on to: http://www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass. For more information, contact Karen and Jim Stricker at 757-439-8441 or via e-mail at Stricker321@aol.com
Give the Gift of Life, Give Blood.
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Breakthroughs
As a church we have been praying our 5:17 Breakthrough Prayer for a whole month. We would love to hear your breakthroughs, how God has answered your prayers and how God has been transforming you. Please email Pastor Randy or Pastor Stephanie with your stories (randy.duncan@newcreationumc.org and stephanie.parker@newcreationumc.org). God is breaking through all around us!
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This Sunday
Souper Sunday and Youth Cake & Pie Auction
Please join the Seekers Class and our Youth as we host "Souper Sunday and Youth Cake & Pie Auction".Enjoy home-made soups, grilled cheese sandwiches and a beverage all for $6 for adults and $3 for children, not to exceed $25 per family. Take-out meals will be available after Sunday School. Eat in or take-out after the 11:00 Services.
The Youth will be hosting a their annual Cake & Pie Auction. Proceeds will support local Missions and other Youth projects. And as always, your donations of baked goods are
greatly appreciated.
Please make a reservation so that we can provide enough food for everyone. Use the church bulletin tear-off sheet or call the church office at 757-484-8217 for reservations.
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2019 Fellowship Dinners
Come Join Us on the first Wednesday of the Month!
February 6th
Come out and enjoy a bowl of chili, cornbread, salad and dessert! Several chili varieties will be offered! You will be able to rate your bowl so we can determine who makes the best chili at New Creation UMC! The New Horizon’s class is in charge of the “Chili Cook Off” and if you have any questions, contact Tracy Grandon at mamag8888@cox.net. In addition, Brad Garrett will be providing some great music for us all to enjoy!
We look forward to seeing you! Come out and enjoy a great evening with your family and friends! The suggested meal donation is $5 per individual and $15 per family. Dinner is at 6:00 pm with the program following.
March 6th
Ash Wednesday Service - No dinner this evening.
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Love Lights Service
On Sunday, February 10 Come celebrate God's Love!
A donation of $3 for each lit candle will honor, appreciate, or memorialize a loved one. The funds raised will go to UMW mission ministries to help Women and children locally, nationally and around the world. The Music will be provided by Pastor Randy & Robin and Pastor Stephanie & Floyd. The candles will be lit at 6 pm and the service will began at 6:30.
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Kits for Conference
We are now collecting Hygiene Kits. To create a kit, please place: One Hand Towel, One Washcloth, One comb, no picket or rattail, Toenail or fingernail clippers, Bath size soap (No Ivory or Jergens). Adult toothbrush., 10 band aids, No TOOTHPASTE INCLUDE ONE DOLLAR, One One-gallon size resealable bag, One Dollar for shipping. Assembly Directions. Lay hand towel flat on a table. Lay the washcloth in the center of the hand towel. Place all remaining items on top of the washcloth (except the plastic bag). Fold the sides of the hand towel to cover the items. Grasp the bundle tightly and roll over the remainder of the towel. Place the tightly rolled bundle in the plastic bag, remove air, and seal.
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The Open Door Sunday School Class
During Lent we will explore C. S. Lewis's masterpiece, Mere Christianity. This is an 8-week study of one of the most beloved Christian books of all time. C. S. Lewis, who did not claim to be a Christian, explored the roots of Christianity originally in a series of radio messages which eventually became the book Mere Christianity. Over time, C.S. Lewis went on to write more than 30 books including The Screwtape Letters and The Chronicles of Narnia. This 8-week study will use both a video and a study guide to explore what relevance Mere Christianity has for us in 2019. Book on Cokesbury: Study Guide 9780310699842 $7.99 Mere Christianity - there are many versions - any will do!
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Friday Morning Women's Bible Study
Our winter study will be Broken and Blessed by Jessica LaGrone. It will be 7 sessions on Fridays 10 am - noon, beginning onFebruary 22 and will meet in room 17. Registration deadline is Sunday, February 17. The class fee of $13.00 will be collected and workbooks distributed during the first session. Free childcare will be provided for children ages 5 and under. This book provides a personal study experience five days a week plus viewer guides for the group video sessions of this women's Bible study. We will learn how God used one imperfect family to change the world in our study of the book of Genesis. Register by completing the SIGN-UP sheet from bulletin and place in offering plate or email Barbara Taylor at happyandhelpful@cox.net.
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Thursday Night Women's Bible Study:
Daniel by Beth Moore
Each session will introduce material to study deeper through the week. Part I: Lives of Integrity runs January 31 through March 14. Part II: Word of Prophecy will run April 4 through May 15. All sessions begin at at 7 pm. To register or for more information call or email Marta Pizzeck 739-6491 or martapiz@verizon.net.
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Women's Event
God is putting together a Women's Event on May 4th. Registration starts at 9:30 AM and the program at 10 AM. The theme is Simplicity. There will be 2 speakers, music and lunch. Cost is $10. More info on registering is forthcoming. For questions, input and to volunteer (as God leads) contact Lori Pierce at 757-228-9706 or email lhandmaiden@hotmail.com (the 1st letter is a lower case L, not a one). We are excited about what God is doing!
The Women's Event will be holding a fund raiser in conjunction with the blood drive February 2nd. We will have baked goodies for sale during the hours of the blood drive. We welcome donations of goodies that can be left at the church Thursday or Friday, just be sure they are marked for the women's event or brought Saturday morning. We would also welcome volunteers to help man the bake table. Thank you for your support. For more info contact Lori Pierce at 757-228-9706.
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Ukraine Mission Team Soup & Bread to Go
FREE BBQ DINNER! The Ukraine Mission Team invites you to a free BBQ Dinner on Wed 17 Feb at 6 pm. We are delighted to host Pastor Volodymyr from St. John's United Methodist Church, Lviv who will be in the US for an international youth conference. Join us as he shares the story of their congregation and their vision for the future. As you know, Bob Barnes, who recently passed, was a member of the Ukraine 2019 Mission Team. A love offering will be taken in Bob's name to present to Pastor Volodymyr (via UMVIM Advance #14055A). Please RSVP to the church office and bring a desert to share!
Honduras Mission Team Yard Sale
The Honduras Mission Team will host a Yard Sale on Saturday Feb 23. The sale is to raise funds for our mission trip. You can help, do you have items to donate? Do you want to come to the sale? You can help in either way or make a donation. Most importantly you can pray for our team and the children we will be going to help. You can contact Bill Canady with questions or about items you have to donate @ bcanady3@cox.net or call 757-615-6451.
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Children's Ministry
Looking to lose some marbles? The Ministries with Young People are working on a special project in 2019 and need to collect approximately 4,500 round marbles. If you have extra marbles lying around your home, please contact the church office or Jeremy.Crum@newcreationumc.org.
Want more information about the Children's Ministry? Contact Jeremy.Crum@newcreationumc.org or Gail.Irwin@newcreationumc.org
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Youth Ministry
We are forming our 2019 confirmation class
Youth Skip Sunday: January 27, 2019 It's that time again—time to skip church to be the church! Each quarter, our youth skip church to do mission projects and acts of kindness in the Western Branch, Churchland and Harbor View communities. Registration and new t-shirt uniforms are available for order online.
You can register online for Youth activities at newcreation757.churchcenter.com! If you have any questions about upcoming Youth activities, please contact Jeremy.Crum@newcreationumc.org or Kym.Pool@newcreationumc.org!
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"LINEN A HAND" for the H.E.R. Shelter
The H.E.R. Shelter is in need of the following items, especially those items which are marked with a star. Twin sheets, *Twin mattress covers. New pillows, Bath towels and wash cloths, Baby bedding and towels. *Paper towels, *Toilet paper, *Silverware. Please place donations in the H.E.R. basket, opposite the church office or in the blue bin in the commons area. All donations are greatly received. Thank you!
Also, the shelter is in need of *infant and toddler socks, *newborn and infant BOY clothing and *toddler and preschool BOY coats
There are numerous volunteer opportunities at the H.E.R. Shelter such as helping with homework, childcare, yard work, and sorting the pantry. If you are interested in volunteering e-mail Raven Watkins at volunteer@hershelter.com or see Val Heard.
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SKY
Seniors Keeping Young
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Watch the Gateway and the SKY Center in the Commons for more details and sign-up information on these events:
March 2019 – Spring Lunch and Games
April 2019 – Overnight trip to New Bern, North Carolina
SKY Lunch Bunch meets at 11 am on the Second Thursday of each month at NIX Restaurant in Churchland. No sign-ups needed. Just come and enjoy! Every "bunch" may be different, but you'll always find friends at NIX!
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Altar Flowers
The Altar Guild invites you to place flower arrangements on the altar for 2018. Each arrangement costs $25 and can be placed in honor, memory, and/or appreciation of loved ones. To sign up, in the commons or contact Denise Rowley at altar@newcreationumc.org
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For more information about UMW, contact Marta Pizzeck at 739-6491.
The Susannah Wesley Circle will meet on Tuesday, February 12 at 7 pm in room 208. Please come and join us for some fellowship.
The Dana Tyson Circle will meet on Tuesday February 12 at 7 pm in room 17. Please come and join us for some fellowship. Contact Robin Wilson or Debbie Armistead for more information.
UMW Book Club
Our next selection will be Threading My Prayer Rug.This enthralling story of the making of an American is also a timely meditation on being Muslim in America today. The book is a richly textured reflection on what it is to be a Muslim in America today. It is also the luminous story of many journeys: from Pakistan to the United States in an arranged marriage that becomes a love match lasting 40 years; from secular Muslim in an Islamic society to devout Muslim in a society ignorant of Islam, and from liberal to conservative to American Muslim; from student to bride and mother; and from an immigrant intending to stay two years to an American citizen, business executive, grandmother, and tireless advocate for interfaith understanding.
Beginning with a sweetly funny, moving account of her arranged marriage, the author undercuts stereotypes and offers the refreshing view of an American life through Muslim eyes. In chapters leavened with humor, hope, and insight, she recounts an immigrant's daily struggles balancing assimilation with preserving heritage, overcoming religious barriers from within and distortions of Islam from without, and confronting issues of raising her children as Muslims - while they lobby for a Christmas tree! Sabeeha Rehman was doing interfaith work for Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the driving force behind the Muslim community center at Ground Zero, when the backlash began. She discusses what that experience revealed about American society.
Our meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 5 at 2 pm at the home of Tracy Grandon. In addition to the church copy, the book is available at amazon.com in both print, kindle and audio format.
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Aldersgate KinderPrep
Registration for the 2019—2020 School Year
Yes! It’s time to think about preschool plans for the upcoming school year. You will want to know the following information: Registration Packs will be available after January 22. In House Registration—February 4, for current KinderPrep families and members of New Creation. Bring your registration packet to the KinderPrep Office no later than February 11. Open Registration—Begins February 11 and ongoing until all spaces are filled. Kindergarten Registration: Come by the KP office to pick up your Kindergarten registration packet. We will explain the Kindergarten registration process to you at that time. You will want to keep an eye on these dates; our smaller programs fill up quickly. Do not hesitate to come by and speak to someone in the KinderPrep office any weekday morning. We are happy to answer questions and anxious to show you our KinderPrep Magic!
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AA /Al-Anon and NA: These three community groups, Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, and Narcotics Anonymous, all meet in our facility on Thursdays at 8 p.m. in various rooms. Contact the church office at 484-8217 for further information.
Our Caregivers support group meets to share experiences and care tips from those care for others. Caregivers meet the third Tuesdays of every month at 7 p.m. in room 16. Contact the church office at 484-8217 for further information.
If you are suffering from chronic pain or if you know of someone who is in chronic pain, you are invited to join us in our support group that meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m., in room 14. For more information call Doris Swanson at 757-465-3357.
“Forward & Up Fitness” is a boxing style fitness program designed to help people with Parkinson’s slow the progression of the disease. It is a non-contact, intense, exercise class. Tuesday evenings, 6:30 – 7:30 pm, Wednesday evenings, 6:30 – 7:30 pm, and Saturday afternoons, 1:00 – 3:30 pm. All sessions are in room 13. Contact Jim Stricker for more information.
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