NLC Connect - May 6, 2026

We are so grateful for our incredible team of volunteers who make ministry happen every week at New Life Community—from Wednesday night childcare to Sunday services. Take a moment this week to thank a volunteer for all they do! 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6:
6:00 p.m. - Open Bible Night - Community Room

THURSDAY, MAY 7:
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups - Education Center

SUNDAY, MAY 10:
8:30 a.m. - Salt & Light Class - Room 114/115
9:00 a.m. - CONNECTING POINT FUNDRAISER - Patio

• Come meet and encourage others over coffee and pastries
• Donations welcome for our summer SOAR mission participants

10:00 a.m. - WORSHIP/NLC KIDS/NURSERY

• Mother's Day, with a special display table in the patio area!
• Dawnings' "Change For Life" fundraiser begins--pick up a bottle at the Welcome Table in the north foyer, and fill it with coins, currency, or a check (payable to Dawnings) to support their pregnancy resource work in Dinuba -- return it on or before Father's Day, June 21

No Youth Group or GriefShare meetings

TUESDAY, MAY 12:  
6:00 a.m. - Men's Bible Study - Dining Room
6:30 p.m. - Healing Room Prayer Ministry - Library

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13:
6:00 p.m. - Open Bible Night - Community Room

THURSDAY, MAY 14:
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups - Education Center

SUNDAY, MAY 17:
8:30 a.m. - Salt & Light Growth Class - Room 114/115
9:30 a.m. - Connecting Point - Patio

• Come meet and encourage others over coffee and pastries

10:00 a.m. - WORSHIP/NLC KIDS/NURSERY

• Last day to turn in graduate information
• Church camping trip payments are due by May 23 ($50)

5:00 p.m. - Youth Group - Community Room & Gym
6:30 p.m. - GriefShare Support Group - Room 114/115

TUESDAY, MAY 19:
6:00 a.m. - Men's Bible Study - Dining Room
6:30 p.m. - Healing Room Prayer Ministry - Library

The sign-up link is also available on the website under the Connect/Adults tab.

Offerings Received last week (5/3): …........ $3,089
Offerings Received this year to date: .…. $233,013
Received for Deacon Care Fund (5/3): ………. $270
Budget to date: ………….........………..…...….. $282,424
Needed weekly to meet budget: ……....….. $10,976

“Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” — Matthew 19:14
A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop at Fresno Pacific University, and something they said reiterated my belief about children and the Church:
Kids are not just the future of the church—they are the church right now.
It’s a simple idea, but it shifts everything.
In this passage, people were bringing children to Jesus, hoping He would bless them. But the disciples tried to send them away. Jesus’ response is powerful. He doesn’t just allow the children to come—He welcomes them. He protects their place in His presence.
“Do not forbid them.”
Jesus saw something in children that reflects the very heart of the Kingdom.
This past Wednesday during childcare at Open Bible night, I witnessed something small—but truly meaningful in light of this conversation about children and faith.
A 7-year-old girl shared that she had hurt her finger several weeks ago. Then she said, very simply and confidently: “God healed my finger.” There was no hesitation. No overthinking. No need to explain it away. Just certainty.
It struck me how matter-of-fact her faith was. She didn’t wrestle with doubt or try to rationalize what happened. She didn’t feel the need to prove it or qualify it. She just believed.
As adults, we tend to approach things differently.
When something goes wrong, our first instinct is often to:

• Analyze the situation
• Problem-solve
• Try to fix it on our own

And prayer becomes… second.
We rationalize. We question. We hesitate.
But children? They go to God first.
They trust that He sees them. That He cares. That He is present in even the smallest moments—like a hurt finger.
And maybe that’s exactly what Jesus was pointing to.
If children are the church of now, then moments like this matter more than we realize.
Every time a child:

• Prays with confidence
• Shares what God has done
• Trusts without hesitation

That is the Church in action.
Right now.
And maybe part of our calling isn’t just to teach children—but to learn from them.
To remember what it looks like to:

• Pray first
• Trust simply
• Believe boldly

Let’s Not Forbid Them
At New Life Community, we have the privilege of creating space for children to come to Jesus—not just physically, but spiritually.
And as we do, may we also allow their faith to shape ours.
This week, may we be a community that:

• Welcomes children fully
• Listens closely to their faith
• And remembers to go to God first

Because the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.
And maybe, just maybe, we’re being invited to become more like them.

Jessica Aquino