News & Views April 22

APRIL MEMORY VERSES
But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.
Isaiah 53:5-6

APRIL 25th WORSHIP
CONNECTING POINT - 9:30 A.M. - Dining Hall
Grand re-opening continues
WORSHIP  - 10:00 A.M. -  Family Center Gym
NLC KIDS - 10:00 A.M. - Rooms 101,103
Pastor Mark, preaching  -  Music by Erica Vasquez, Al, Beth and Josh
"Your New Life is Meant to Be Fruitful"
Read ahead: John 15:1-8, Galatians 5:22-23

GRAB & GO MEAL after CHURCH (11:00 A.M.)
ALSO NOTE:
We have a limited number of 2-gallon bags of frozen apricots 
available for a donation of $50 each.  Each bag will make 3-4 pies.  
See Phyllis Enns after the service, or call the church office at 591-1176 to reserve a bag.

ONLINE - watch live from anywhere at 10:00 a.m. or when you can
Palm Village channel 2.1 - Sundays 6:00 p.m.

Last Sunday about 80 people stayed after worship for a member meeting. No official business was conducted, but we were able to present the staff reorganization and facility modifications as well as engage in discussion with each other over things that matter to us. Much of that discussion was focused on our care for long-time members who have not returned to church post-COVID or that some may know will not be returning at all.

In our Elder meeting this week and in conversation with the Deacons we are working to increase our contact with people who have not returned to gathered times of worship. We are aware of some of the reasons some people have for not attending church services in person or at NLC, and so we want to be careful not to make assumptions as we reach out to those whom we have not heard from. We want to listen, learn, and love.  

This week Norma Froese (on staff at Palm Village), informed me that pastoral visits are now permitted again on a limited basis for Assisted Living, Memory Care, and even Skilled Nursing. I was able to spend time and pray with several people I haven't seen in a year, including Vicky Barkman. Bus service may also be starting soon and bringing some who haven't otherwise been able to come to church. I'm also grateful that retiring chaplain Byron Neufeld has included our live-streamed service on their TV channel throughout the pandemic, now airing on Sundays at 6 p.m.

Since I have already written about staff reorganization and introduced you to our new staff in prior blogs, I want to say a bit about plans for our facility that were presented at the meeting. Chris Reimche and Eugene Enns shared plans to convert the former council room, now a storage room just inside the northeast entrance to the Worship Center, into a new Welcome Office. The location puts the office right off the patio and the parking lot so arriving members, guests, and vendors can easily see and access it. There are no stairs at the new location, making it fully accessible to people in wheelchairs or those who could not otherwise come to the office.

A new glass door and window will face the patio, and the office will have room for two staff, a counter, and a small waiting area. The current door into the northeast lobby will be for staff access. In total, the project (including furnishings and new AC) will run about $18,000. We hope it serves our church as well as our community with a ready welcome to all who come to our church campus!

Hey New Life Community! It has been an honor leading worship in God's house.
Worship is vital in our faith and relationship with God. Through worship the Holy Spirit
corrects our hearts before our King and we are ushered into His divine presence.

I want to humbly ask for you to share what songs have led you into His presence. You can email me (below) or we'll have paper ready on Sunday for those of you who wish to share in person.

I appreciate your time and most importantly your heart.
Blessings and prayers,
Erica Vasquez

Received Last Week (4/18):..... $11,498
Received this year to date: ...$315,804
Budget to Date: ………..…....... $324,764
Budget Goal: ………..……..........$521,591
Needed Weekly: ……..…......……$10,289

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COVID-19 precautions: Praise the Lord we may freely gather for worship!
As the coronavirus continues to mutate and spread, please maintain 6' of distance and wear a face covering on the church campus to protect yourself and others. Thank you.

Questions? Call 559-591-1176 or office@newlifedinuba.org

Men's morning Bible study, 6-7 a.m. Tuesdays.