NLC Connect - Nov. 26, 2025
connect with God's Word
Pastor Brad was interviewed last week by our partners at Gleanings for the Hungry. We are deeply grateful for the incredible work they do—both in our community and around the world.
We also welcomed Dina Gonzalez-Piña, Executive Director of West Coast MCC, as our final Missions Month speaker.
Our morning concluded with our Annual Thanksgiving Lunch and a Holiday Boutique supporting the HRC.
Here at New Life Community, our hearts are full. We truly have so much to be thankful for!
PC: Pastor Brad, Amanda Dover and Eva Morazan
We also welcomed Dina Gonzalez-Piña, Executive Director of West Coast MCC, as our final Missions Month speaker.
Our morning concluded with our Annual Thanksgiving Lunch and a Holiday Boutique supporting the HRC.
Here at New Life Community, our hearts are full. We truly have so much to be thankful for!
PC: Pastor Brad, Amanda Dover and Eva Morazan
connect your calendar
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 26: No Prayer Group this week
THURSDAY, NOV. 27:
Office closed Thurs./Fri. for Thanksgiving
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups & Thanksgiving meal - Education Center
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30
8:30 a.m. - Salt & Light Class - Room 114/115
9:30 a.m. - CONNECTING POINT
TUESDAY, DEC. 2
6:00 a.m. - Men's Bible Study - Dining Room
9:00 a.m. - LIFT Women's Bible Study - Room 114/115
6:30 p.m. - Healing Room Prayer Ministry - Library
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 3
DUHS "Be Future Ready" Student Conference -- FC Gym, Dining Room, Rooms 111 & 113
6:30 p.m. - Prayer Group - Room 113
THURSDAY, DEC. 4
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups - Education Center
SATURDAY, DEC. 6
5:30 p.m. - Dinuba Electric Light Parade - Downtown
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
8:30 a.m. - Salt & Light Class - Room 114/115
9:30 a.m. - CONNECTING POINT
5:00 p.m. - Youth Group - Room 207
TUESDAY, DEC. 9
6:00 a.m. - Men's Bible Study - Dining Room
9:00 a.m. - LIFT Year-End Party - Room 114/115
6:30 p.m. - Healing Room Prayer Ministry - Library
THURSDAY, NOV. 27:
Office closed Thurs./Fri. for Thanksgiving
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups & Thanksgiving meal - Education Center
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30
8:30 a.m. - Salt & Light Class - Room 114/115
9:30 a.m. - CONNECTING POINT
- Come meet and encourage others over coffee and snacks - Patio or Dining Room
- First Sunday in Advent
- Advent kits handed out to kids & youth
TUESDAY, DEC. 2
6:00 a.m. - Men's Bible Study - Dining Room
9:00 a.m. - LIFT Women's Bible Study - Room 114/115
6:30 p.m. - Healing Room Prayer Ministry - Library
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 3
DUHS "Be Future Ready" Student Conference -- FC Gym, Dining Room, Rooms 111 & 113
6:30 p.m. - Prayer Group - Room 113
THURSDAY, DEC. 4
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups - Education Center
SATURDAY, DEC. 6
5:30 p.m. - Dinuba Electric Light Parade - Downtown
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
8:30 a.m. - Salt & Light Class - Room 114/115
9:30 a.m. - CONNECTING POINT
- Come meet and encourage others over coffee and snacks - Patio or Dining Room
- 2nd Sunday in Advent
5:00 p.m. - Youth Group - Room 207
TUESDAY, DEC. 9
6:00 a.m. - Men's Bible Study - Dining Room
9:00 a.m. - LIFT Year-End Party - Room 114/115
6:30 p.m. - Healing Room Prayer Ministry - Library
Kids will get to experience the Wonder of Waiting for Jesus as we kick-off our Advent season on November 30th in the gym. Family advent kits will be sent home on the same day!
connect through giving
Offerings Received last week (11/23): ....... $29,468*
Offerings Received this year to date: .…. $105,808*
Budget to date: …………………............….…….. $96,831
Needed weekly to meet budget: ………...….. $7,845
*Includes $28,406 specified for Missions
toward goal of $25,300 this month—thank you!
Offerings Received this year to date: .…. $105,808*
Budget to date: …………………............….…….. $96,831
Needed weekly to meet budget: ………...….. $7,845
*Includes $28,406 specified for Missions
toward goal of $25,300 this month—thank you!
connect to God through prayer
- Pray for Manuel and Karen Madrid and for healing, peace and wisdom for decisions to be made about health issues. Pray for Zephaniah Solorzano as he recovers from surgery.
- Pray for those dealing with long-term health issues and cancer treatments.
- Also remember: Marilyn Chappell and other residents in Palm Village Healthcare, Harold Kruger and others in Sierra View, and Mary Salazar.
- Pray for those who have lost loved ones and those who attended the GriefShare support group
- Pray for those who are seeking employment.
- Pray for the undocumented in our community and those facing food insecurity and financial challenges due to the government shutdown.
- Pray for our missionaries: Pablo & Maricela Chavez (in US on furlough), Cecil & Tracy Ramos in Thailand, Jonathan & Joanna Gutierrez in Portugal, and Johnny & Denise Esposito in Cambodia.
- Pray for peace as violence and war affect so many families and children in Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, in the Middle East, and in parts of Africa.
Connect to Redemption
In May 2025, Michelle began her FFA journey, dreaming of working with animals one day. She chose a goat to raise for fair—an adorable brown-and-white little one from Manteca. She named her Lilly. Daily trips to the school barn, early mornings, feeding, training, and bathing became routine. Michelle worked hard, and the bond between her and Lilly grew deep.
Fair week arrived quickly. Michelle showed Lilly beautifully and earned 3rd place, and later a blue ribbon in showmanship. But the joy of the fair also carried a heavy reality: at the end of the week, the animals would be auctioned. As I watched the parade of well-cared-for animals and proud students, my heart ached. I prayed constantly that Lilly would be bought by someone who would spare her life.
When Lilly was auctioned, the fear of losing her hit hard—We came to the realization that Lilly's buyer had plans to slaughter her. The news was bleak but something in us refused to give up hope.
The next day, after calling around and praying nonstop, Michelle located the buyer’s number. She gave them Lilly’s ear tag and was told she could come see if Lilly was still there. We drove over immediately. And there she was—safe, alive, and still wearing her pink collar. When we asked the price, the worker smiled kindly and said, “Many families come back to buy their FFA animals.” Hope bloomed again.
Michelle contacted a farmer named John from Dutch Hollow Farms—someone who was willing to take Lilly as a pet if we could get her to Modesto. He agreed. Now all we had to do was get her home until he was ready. We placed Lilly temporarily in our backyard enclosure, but she cried nonstop, missing her herd. She cried at the school barn too. It reminded me of how we cry to God—fearful, uncertain—never realizing He is already working everything out for our good.
Finally, the day came to take Lilly to her new home. We loaded her gently into the back of our Ford, prayed for safety, and made the two-hour drive to Modesto.
When we arrived, Farmer John greeted us warmly. He led us through the barn photo area, then to the pens where she would live. He placed Lilly in her new pen, fed her hay, and she immediately relaxed—no more crying. She even turned back toward Michelle as if to say, “I’m safe now, Mom.”
Farmer John gifted Michelle a Dutch Hollow Farms hydroflask and a box to pick out miniature pumpkins. We took pictures, breathed deeply, and thanked God for every step He guided.
Lilly’s story could have ended at the auction ring.
But instead, it became a story of redemption, rescue, and God’s tender care.
Just as Scripture says:
God cared about a small goat named Lilly because she mattered to Michelle.
And if He cares this much about one little goat,
how much more does He care for each one of us?
We said our goodbyes with grateful hearts and hope to visit Lilly at future Dutch Hollow events. Her journey—and ours—reminds us that God redeems what seems lost and writes better endings than we ever could.
--Eva Morazan
Fair week arrived quickly. Michelle showed Lilly beautifully and earned 3rd place, and later a blue ribbon in showmanship. But the joy of the fair also carried a heavy reality: at the end of the week, the animals would be auctioned. As I watched the parade of well-cared-for animals and proud students, my heart ached. I prayed constantly that Lilly would be bought by someone who would spare her life.
When Lilly was auctioned, the fear of losing her hit hard—We came to the realization that Lilly's buyer had plans to slaughter her. The news was bleak but something in us refused to give up hope.
The next day, after calling around and praying nonstop, Michelle located the buyer’s number. She gave them Lilly’s ear tag and was told she could come see if Lilly was still there. We drove over immediately. And there she was—safe, alive, and still wearing her pink collar. When we asked the price, the worker smiled kindly and said, “Many families come back to buy their FFA animals.” Hope bloomed again.
Michelle contacted a farmer named John from Dutch Hollow Farms—someone who was willing to take Lilly as a pet if we could get her to Modesto. He agreed. Now all we had to do was get her home until he was ready. We placed Lilly temporarily in our backyard enclosure, but she cried nonstop, missing her herd. She cried at the school barn too. It reminded me of how we cry to God—fearful, uncertain—never realizing He is already working everything out for our good.
Finally, the day came to take Lilly to her new home. We loaded her gently into the back of our Ford, prayed for safety, and made the two-hour drive to Modesto.
When we arrived, Farmer John greeted us warmly. He led us through the barn photo area, then to the pens where she would live. He placed Lilly in her new pen, fed her hay, and she immediately relaxed—no more crying. She even turned back toward Michelle as if to say, “I’m safe now, Mom.”
Farmer John gifted Michelle a Dutch Hollow Farms hydroflask and a box to pick out miniature pumpkins. We took pictures, breathed deeply, and thanked God for every step He guided.
Lilly’s story could have ended at the auction ring.
But instead, it became a story of redemption, rescue, and God’s tender care.
Just as Scripture says:
“Look at the birds of the air… your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
— Matthew 6:26
God cared about a small goat named Lilly because she mattered to Michelle.
And if He cares this much about one little goat,
how much more does He care for each one of us?
We said our goodbyes with grateful hearts and hope to visit Lilly at future Dutch Hollow events. Her journey—and ours—reminds us that God redeems what seems lost and writes better endings than we ever could.
--Eva Morazan
Recent
Archive
2025
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
2024
January
February
March
April
June
July
August
September
October
November
No Comments