NEW HORIZON NEWS A UNITED METHODIST CONGREGATION What are You Grateful For? We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Thess. 1:3. It is hard to believe but it has been 6 months since we moved into our new facility and home next to Ridge Community High School. As I reflect on our first East Central District Charge Conference and its theme of "Intentional Community Engagement", I think deeply on where God has brought us thus far. I would like to thank our Building Committee lead by Dr. John Bonie who did an excellent job with our biggest capital campaign to date. I am thankful for all our members who stuck with us as we continue to correct issues at the church. I am very appreciative of all the new faces we have seen on Sundays and the return of several old ones as well. We have added new ministries such as our Evangelism and Diversity ministry (led by Dr. Leo and Carmen), Congregational Care (led by Rev. Glenn), active Pastoral Care ministry (led by Rev. BJ), Creation Care (Paul & Judy), and our very own Decorating team (Sue, JoAnn, Connie, Jan, John, Kathy, and Judy). I have also been touched by the outpouring of personal generosity I have seen from individuals who gave gifts to the church such as a prayer blankets, signage, furniture, pictures, chairs, shelving units, receptacles, murals for the nursery, lawn mowing services and equipment, and most importantly, people s time and effort. I want to thank Judy Thompson for being our Church Historian and creating our beautiful historical timeline cabinets. Along the way, we have said goodbye to several of our family members either through transfers, relocations or promotions to glory but we have added a few new friends, members, staff, and constituents along the way who bring new excitement, new leadership, and new vision for God s work through our church. I believe we should follow God s calling to wherever God leads us. Likewise, we must thank God for our new staff members (Doris, Jabez, Darien, Sarah, and Mookie) and volunteers who have joined our church and used their gifts and talents to help us do the work of ministry in this community. I am thankful to Jim and Mary Summers for going above and beyond the call of duty at House Blest which continues to be our most important ministry in the community. I appreciate the commitment and dedication of people such as Julie Weed and her husband, Nyla Sharp, Darin and Kari Larson, Bill and Maggie Huff, John and Katy Bonnie, Cindy Mickel, Marion Weaver, Janey Russell, Rev. Jan Price and her husband, Stephen Petrocelli, Trish Aimes, and my lovely wife, Molly. They have been valuable parts of the engine that keeps this local church moving onward and upward. This Thanksgiving holiday, I have much to be thankful and I believe you do as well. I am grateful of all the partnerships we have established with Ridge Community High School, the City of Haines City, and the Unity in the Community organizations. I am thankful for Rodda Construction Company, Entertainment Arts, and Trinity Technologies for assisting us with much of our warranty and troubleshooting concerns throughout this year. And obviously, I am thankful for the faithfulness God has shown us and for every member of this church who kept believing and trusting in God s promises. We have an exciting year ahead of us and we will need everyone s help to grow our church into the biggest and best church in Haines City and Davenport. I know 2018 will be our best year yet if we maintain an "attitude of gratitude which is also the name of our sermon series in November. This series offers opportunities to teach gratitude by calling out the things that keep us from being truly grateful and seeing all the blessings that are right in front of us. So, may all your blessings be plentiful and troubles few this holiday season and beyond. Pastor Frank 1
New Horizon Church November Report from House Blest By Jim Summers REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER Total families served = 596 New families registered = 77 Total people in families served = 2159 Total lbs. of food distributed = 14166 Number of days open = 6 (House Blest was closed for two days due to hurricane Irma) Judy Fournier has accepted the position of Director of Daily Activities at House Blest. We welcome her to this position and wish her much success. This job requires a great deal of work and the rewards are small! Help Needed!! We are in need of several additional New Horizon volunteers at House Blest. New Horizon is responsible for manning the food bank the Tuesdays and Thursdays the first week of each month. If available or you have any questions please contact Judy at 863-268-8740 From the Desk of Ron Lacey A Call to Fast Negative news seems to permeate the society of today. This is true when reading the newspapers or listening to individuals reporting it. On occasion a reporter may give a positive report. Taking this thought even further, many individuals often focus on the negative about others. Possibly you have been riding in a vehicle and heard the driver say a negative comment about another driver; or you may be driving and do the same. Speaking in a negative manner has become a way of life for many, but as people who love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ this should not happen. I recently heard about a Pastor who called his church to fast from speaking negatively about others for thirty days. Shortly after that my wife and I asked the Lord to help us in this area. It has been a wonderful experience (although we fail occasionally, but ask forgiveness and try harder). Here are some scriptures related to this area. Please note that James 4:11 12, indicates we should not judge another person, which is what happens when we speak evil of another individual. Psalm 141:3 Titus 3:2 James 4:11-12 Proverbs 13:3 2 Corinthians 10:5 Philippians 2:14 15 Philippians 4:8 Calling everyone to fast!! No, not a fast from food, but a fast from speaking negative about anyone. We are bombarded with negative news and it is time for the People of God to shine brightly. By speaking only in a positive manner we lift up one another. Soooo let us follow the above scriptures and be a blessing for Jesus. 2
New Horizon Church November 2017 Children s Ministry By Trish Ames Sue & Cindi. We would like some other volunteers as they are helping until we can get someone willing to help regularly. 11:15 service Mookie covers the nursery, infant to 5 years old. Sarah works with the Awakening Kids, kindergarten 6th grade. Molly helps but she can t be in both rooms at the same time. We still need more people who are willing to help. If you would like to help, please see Trish or Pastor Frank. You will just have to give a copy of your driver s license for a background check. Fall-ing for Jesus. Fall on your knees and pray!! Jesus Happy Thanksgiving! I pray for traveling mercies for all of never Leaves you. our snowbirds as they make their way down for the winter The children are having lots of fun learning about Jesus and season. the Bible at 10:00am Sunday School, Awakening Kids at 11:15am and in the nursery. We still need some volunteers. All the children s ministries May God Bless you abundantly, need to have two adults. Children s Ministries Trish teaches the 10:00am Sunday school with the help of Sunday, November 5 Set your clocks back one hour Saturday night when going to bed. Which group do you belong to? 3
Script Program By Joyce Christenson WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT SCRIP WHAT IS SCRIP Scrip is a term that means "substitute money". When your purchase scrip, you're purchasing negotiable gift certificates and prepaid gift cards that can be used like cash. You can use scrip to purchase everyday items like food, gasoline, clothing, and other daily essentials. With every purchase, you earn money for New Horizon Church. HOW SCRIP GENERATES CASH FOR NEW HORI- ZON CHURCH A large scrip supplier, Great Lakes Scrip in Kentwood Michigan, acts on behalf of churches, school, and other non profit organizations to purchase large amounts of scrip from grocery to department stores, and hundreds of other retailers around the country. Because the scrip is purchased with cash up front, the participating retailers offer a substantial discount. New Horizon Church buys the scrip from Great Lakes Scrip at a discount, and resells the gift cards to families at face value. The discounts we receive are from 1.25 to 20% and that becomes our church's revenue. SCRIP IS THE NEW FUND RAISING PHENOMENAL Scrip has become a popular fundraiser because families don't have to sell anything. You don't have to volunteer or even lift a finger to help. Families and other church members can help produce revenue for our Church by making regular household purchases you would make anyway. Groceries, gasoline, clothing, pet supplies, motel reservations, dining out, home improvements, gifts, and everything else you spend money on. The only thing different is you use gift cards/scrip instead of cash or credit cards. NEW INNOVATIONS FOR THE FUTURE Yes, the scrip program is continuing to evolve. We have brought into our scrip program eight wonderful local vendors. They are Beef O Brady, Southern Dunes, LaFiesta Mexicana, Sizzling Grill, Golden Corral, Cici Pizza, Culver's Custard, and Nothing Fancy. Cici is one of our most valued vendor. They are giving our church 20% which relates to $2.00 for every card you purchase. All the other vendors are giving us 10%. We are always looking for new ways to excite you into participating. "SCRIP BUCKS" are available in $5, $10, and $25 denominations. Many times you would like to purchase a card for someone but you just don't know what type of card they would like. These "BUCKS" can be purchased by you and the recipient member can exchange these "BUCKS" into a card of their choice at the scrip table. WHO AND WHERE CAN YOU PURCHASE SCRIP Scrip it available to everyone who attends New Horizon Church, their friends, and families. I have sold cards to area HMO's and management personnel. Cards can be purchased every Sunday before the 9:00 service in the narthex. I also am available every day at my home. You need only call me, Joyce, at 863-419-9374. I only ask that you call before 8 PM. QUESTIONS Questions can be directed to Joyce Christenson, Scrip Coordinator, at 863-419-9374. I can also be reached at jjinfl@tampabay.rr.com by email, or mail at 3000 US Hwy 17/92 West Lot 111, Haines City FL. 33844. Stop by the Scrip table and pick up our brochure with a list of all the cards we have in stock. You can choose from over 750 vendors, surly you shop at a lot of them. Currently all monies earned from this program will be used to purchase a large shed. We are renting storage space and with the purchase of a large shed on our property our church can save money. All we need is YOU. 4
Pastoral Counseling and Care Ministry By B.J. Coryer Grief is defined as deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone s death. But it can also be over the loss of a job, loss of possessions due to a storm or fire, the loss of a relationship, and/or the result of a life-threatening illness. One must keep in mind that grief is a natural response to loss. How we grieve varies from person to person and for event to event. it is true that we all do not grieve in the same manner even though we have similar experiences of loss. The journey of grief involves several stages or phases. Basically, there are five stages in the grief cycle: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. How one goes Reception of New Members through these stages varies by the individual and the circumstances. Counselors generally agree that it is essential for those who are grieving to seek grief counseling from their pastors or counselors. The big factor here is for those grieving to go through the grieving stages with someone who will be there for them and help them to express their grief and not repress the grief. Repressing grief leads to other health issues and can adversely impact personalities and relationships. Seeking grief counseling does not say that you are crazy. It merely says that for a time you are seeking assistance in rebuilding and regaining your coping skills to deal with the grief. With that being said, we at New Horizon Church offer grief counseling to all who are grieving and wish to avail themselves of this service. Keep in mind that this counseling service is free of charge. Consider getting help with your grief and rebuilding your coping skills for a healthier life. It was a great pleasure to welcome this group of eighteen individual into our church membership on Sunday, October 22: Iris Reyes, Cathy Murphy, Sue & Doug Bishop, Adarin Arroyo, Nidia Soto, Juliesy Casiano Rodriguez, Ileana Pabon, Wileisha Rodriguez, Wilkins Rodriguez, Doris Faillace, Isabelo Fonseca, Osvaldo Fonseca, Isabel Fonseca, Lee Nico Middlebook, Lisa Middlebrook, J.T. Middlebrook and Joan Greenlee. 5
Building Committee Report By John Bonie The Building Committee and the Board of Trustees have approved the installation of the sound boards in the sanctuary. They have resulted in a decided improvement in the acoustics. The panels are installed on all walls front, back and sides. The picture to the left shows some which are installed on the back wall. IMMANUEL'S FEAST We are quickly coming up on the Holiday season and it is the time of the year we most often think of others. For the past 6 years, your generosity has enabled this Church to give a Holiday meal to those who would not have been able to have such a meal. In previous years we switched to giving turkeys for Thanksgiving as that was the most requested by our clients at House Blest. more. As a result of our combined efforts, New Horizon Church purchased hundreds of turkeys in the past years and with other donations, many, many We will be collecting funds this year through Sunday, November 12th for the give away to be held Saturday, November 18th. Please identify your donations of cash or check as specifically for Immanuel's Feast. MUFFIN MONDAY Monday, November 13 Please bring all muffins to church by the church service Sunday, November 12. 6
Financial Committee s Report By Sue Clements Finance Committee Report for September 2017 Income: $14,012.00 Expenses: Church Ministries 806.69 Staff Salaries/Benefits 12,825.58 Utilities/Upkeep 3,800.31 Insurance 1,356.46 Office/Administration 453.57 Apportionment's 738.90 Total Expenses $19,981.51 Auction and Dinner - October 21, 2017 By Darin and Kari Larson Thanks goes to Darin and Kari Larson and crew for another successful dinner and auction. About fifty four members enjoyed the dinner which was followed by music from our new Contemporary Worship Leader Jabez Gill. As a part of the evening festivities there was a silent auction of various baskets, craft and baked goods. The combined auction and dinner resulted in a profit of over $1100 for the church. Above meet Jabez Gill. Jabez is our new part time Contemporary Worship Leader and Youth Leader. Currently he is a student at a Florida college seeking to complete his degree work. He is at New Horizon Church on Sundays of each week. He has had a varied background in church music for his age of 27. Please welcome him as you see him at church. 7
2018 Committee Leadership Officers and Members 8
Call to the church to observe Global Migration Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017 Brothers and Sisters of The United Methodist Church, Grace and peace to you in the compassionate name of our Lord Christ Jesus. I write to you on behalf of our Council of Bishops to invite you to observe Global Migration Sunday on December 3, 2017. This is the first Sunday of the season of Advent, a time when we remember the coming birth of the Christ child who himself was a migrant. From Asia and Europe to Africa and the Americas, the plight of more than 65 million men, women and children forced to leave their homes and migrate to places unknown calls all Christians to remember what God requires of us. Wars, natural disasters, persecution, economic hardships and growing violence around the world are the major root causes of the unprecedented global migration we witness with grave concern today. As if these deadly forces were not enough, migrants also face myriad problems including hazardous travel, cultural barriers and the physical and emotional costs of arriving in strange lands where they are not always welcome and they often face persecution. For most of these migrants, the decision to flee their homeland comes as a last resort effort to live. We are reminded of Joseph and Mary as they sought to save their lives and especially the life of the Christ child as they fled to Africa to escape the wrath of King Herod, who (threatened by the birth of Jesus) ordered the massacre of children (Matthew 2:13 14). As United Methodists, we believe that the prayers of God s people can cause the outpouring of God s mercy and justice. As your bishops, it is our fervent hope that on Global Migration Sunday on December 3, United Methodist congregations in all the places we serve around the world will join our voices to pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering the journey of forced migration. In addition, as a people who pray and act upon those prayers, we ask that all our congregations gather an offering dedicated to the human suffering inflicted by forced migration. Offerings collected should be sent to the Migration Advance No. 3022144. We are grateful for our general agencies who have prepared excellent resources for Global Migration Sunday in English, Arabic, French and Spanish including the prayer that we ask all pray on December 3rd. Jesus said, When you welcome the sojourner, you welcome me. (Matthew 25:35) Let us welcome our migrant brothers and sisters with compassionate care, pray for them without ceasing and give generously that they, too, may have life. Grace and peace, Bishop Bruce R. Ough President, Council of Bishops New Horizon Church - A United Methodist Congregation 400 Orchid Drive Haines City, Florida 33844 Phone: 863-422-1290 Email Editor: jsum@tampabay.rr.com 9
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 31 HOUSE BLEST CLOSED 1 9:30 Prayer Group 10:30 AM Bible Study 4:00 PM Choir 5:30 Glory Lights 2 8:30 AM Men s Sm. Group 6:30PM Band Practice 3 4 5 9:00 AM Trad. Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:15 AM Awakening 11:15 AM Kids Awakening 5:00 PM Youth 6 5:30-7 PM Weight Watchers 6:30 PM Leadership Meeting 7 8 9:30 Prayer Group 10:30 AM Bible Study 4:00 PM Choir 5:30 Glory Lights 9 8:30 AM Men s Sm. Group 1:00 PM Grace Circle 6:30PM Band Practice 10 11 Daylight Saving Time ends Veterans Day 12 9:00 AM Trad. Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:15 AM Awakening 11:15 AM Kids Awakening 4PM-8PM New Point Dance Recital 5:00 PM Youth 13 MUFFIN MONDAY 1:00 PM UMW Unit Meeting 5:30-7 PM Weight Watchers 14 7:00 PM Trustee Meeting 15 9:30 Prayer Group 10:30 AM Bible Study 4:00 PM Choir 5:30 Glory Lights 16 8:30 AM Men s Sm. Group 6:30PM Band Practice 17 18 8 AM-Noon Immanuel s Feast Give-Away @ House Blest 19 9:00 AM Trad. Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:15 AM Awakening 11:15 AM Kids Awakening 5:00 PM Youth 20 5:30-7 PM Weight Watchers 21 9:30 AM MM/Ruth Circle 22 9:30 Prayer Group 10:30 AM Bible Study 4:00 PM Choir 5:30 Glory Lights 23 24 25 Thanksgiving Day 26 9:00 AM Trad. Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:15 AM Awakening 11:15 AM Kids Awakening 5:00 PM Youth 27 5:30-7 PM Weight Watchers 28 29 9:30 Prayer Group 10:30 AM Bible Study 4:00 PM Choir 5:30 Glory Lights 30 8:30 AM Men s Sm. Group 6:30PM Band Practice 6:30PM-8:PM ECD-SPR Mtg. November 2017 10