Offering December 29, 2020 New Life Christian Church

4701 E CR 462 Wildwood, FL 34785

352-261-5333

December 07, 2020 Number 48 Volume 10

Worship Attendance First Service: 139

Second Service: 131

Total: 270

Streaming Views: 264

Offering December To Date December Budget Building Fund

Lifelines SUNDAY WORSHIP

9am & 10:30am

www.nlchristian.org New Life Facebook Page

Matt Malott, Senior Minister

$ 23,682 $ 23,682 $ 57,200 $ 277

OUR MISSION:

Connecting Seniors with Christ

Sunday was just a great day at NLCC. We had both the choir and the orchestra on stage. In addi-tion to playing during the service, the orchestra presented 3 Christmas songs prior to the begin-ning of worship. The choir sang “How Far?” as a special number. Both were great additions to our service. We had a really good crowd and an out-standing offering. Thank you for your faithful-ness to God’s church.

I mentioned a few weeks ago in this column, the medical clinic in Sandia, Mexico that is being built by FAME. New Life contributed half of the $50,000 the building will cost. Just as things were about to get started the Corona Virus hit and everything was put on hold with the clinic. I got word this week that work had begun on the foundation of the building. The folks at FAME have promised to keep us up to date with what is going on.

In the sermon Sunday we read that Gabriel in his appearance to Zacharias, John the Baptist’s father, prophesied that John would bring joy to Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth and that many would rejoice because of John’s birth. That started me thinking about how that joy is associated with the events surrounding the birth of Christ. In addition to the scripture I just referenced there are several other references to joy connected with the birth of Jesus.

When Mary the mother of Jesus arrived at the home of Zacharias and Elizabeth the Bible says that John, even though he was in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy. (Luke 1:44) In Mary’s song she says “My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:47) Of course when the angels appeared to the shepherds on the night of Christ’s birth they told them they had brought them, “good news of great joy.” (Luke 2:10) Matthew tells us that when the wise men saw the star they “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” (Matthew 2:10)

It is undeniable that the coming of Jesus brought joy to many people on many levels. But joy isn’t reserved just for the nativity. Joy is a part of what we are. The Apostle Paul said that one of the fruits of the Spirit is joy (Galatians 5:22). John Piper says that joy is “a good feeling in the soul produced by the Holy Spirit.” Joy also is not dependent on circumstances. In fact, I don’t think it is incorrect to say that joy transcends circumstances. In the New Testament on several occasions Christians are encouraged to be joyful and to rejoice even though they found themselves endur-ing persecution for their faith. The Apostle Peter noted in his first letter that the Christians reading his words were rejoicing greatly even though at that very moment they were facing various trials. (I Peter 1:6)

Joy is something we choose regardless of the circumstances and I firmly believe that joy is one of the things high on Satan lists of things he would steal from us. 2020 has been a difficult year for many people and I have no doubt that Satan has had a field day stealing any trace of joy in the hearts of many. A few weeks ago Connie and I decided we were not going to allow Satan to steal any more joy from us. We have chosen to make this Christmas a season of joy and we refuse to give the devil access to it. You can join us and do the same thing. Choose joy! I join the Apostle Paul in his words of advice to the Christians in the church in Philippi, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

Matt Malott

News from New Life Christian Church

Fellowship Six (Couples & Singles)

Groups of 6 (keeping couples to-

gether) will be organized together

along with a host. Each group will

make arrangements to meet as often as they

like during January, February and March. Sign

up in the foyer. If you have questions call Mary

Donohue at 352-661-5202.

The Elders would like to thank you for your pray-ers for us and the leader-ship of NLCC.

We’re excited to announce the presentation of 3 new candidates for the Elder Board this Sun-day. Moving forward, our desire for the Elders is to be more visible, accessible and available to this great body of believers at New Life. We ask for your continued prayers as we seek the Holy Spirit for His guidance in all that we do.

Just a reminder if you would like to contribute to the Love Offering for our wonderful NLCC staff, this Sunday will be the last day to do so. Just note on the envelope or memo line of a check, “staff gift”, and place it in the offering basket at the back of the sanctuary or you can mail it to the church office.

David Wheeler and Ron Davis

Prayer Requests

Buddy Acton, Ocala Hosp., pneumonia

Sharon Acton, Covid, bronchitis

Fred Davis, chemo regimen

Marilyn Freeman, surgery recovery

Gail Graves, possible ulcer

Marilyn Koogle, Covid recurrence

Jennifer McElraff, upcoming surgery

John Rodier, surgery follow up this week

Carol Rodier, mastectomy recovery, chemo January

Jim Wiggins, ongoing issues

Long Term Care

Michelle Brantley, hospice care

Bob Galster, ongoing health issues

Bob Graves, home in Villages with Hospice care

Kiley Daniels, cancer

A grief support ministry,

Next Meeting:

December 22nd 10:30am

In the Fellowship Center.

Join us for the

New Life Christian

Men’s Bible Study

Ladies Fellowship Groups

Sign up in the foyer

for

January, February & March

Tuesdays from 8:30 - 9:30am in the

Fellowship Center

Currently studying Hebrews

Ladies Christmas Luncheon

This Saturday,

December 12th, 11:30am

Just a few reminders:

1. The Christmas Luncheon is THIS Saturday

2. Time is 11:30am

3. Location is the Church foyer

4. Please wear your church name badge

5. Items needed for Hands Helping Hands

Polyester Fiber Fill - Teddy Bear Stuffing

Dish or Hand Towels approx. 16 x 24

Fabrics - Textures, furs, etc., 1-2 yards

Elastic - 1 inch wide

Straight pins - long with plastic heads

Magnetic pin cushions

A full truck! Thank you helpers!

Thank you New Life family

For the abundance of

Christmas Blessings!