New Horizons Christian Church

Join us for worship in person or online!

This Sunday in worship we begin a new series called: “Write Your Own Story.”

This week’s message is titled “Write Your Own Story: Greater Faith and Forgiveness.”

WAYS TO WORSHIP AT NHCC: There are several ways you can worship with us. You can join us through Live Stream, by coming to the church and joining us in person, or online on our YouTube channel.

 Live Streaming and in-person worship begin Sunday mornings at 10:45 am. The recording of our Live Stream will be available on our YouTube channel after worship has concluded on Sunday morning.

You can find more information about our Safe Worship Practices on our blog page under the “Worship” tab.

CAMP CHRISTIAN UPDATE:  If you are thinking about going to camp this summer you MUST RSVP by April 19^th. No payment is necessary at this time. The RSVPs are simply for camp to have an idea of how many campers to prepare for. PLEASE RSVP!

PRAYER TEAM REMINDER: Our prayer team meets every Tuesday evening. If you have any prayer requests or are interested in being a part of the prayer team, contact Pastor Jim or Ali.

HOLY WEEK INFORMATION:  

MAUNDY THURSDAY: We will have an online only service which will be available on our YouTube channel sometime after 7:00 pm on Thursday April, 1^st

GOOD FRIDAY: There is a Good Friday prayer in our Lent Devotional for all of you to read at some point Friday April 2^nd. The prayer is also at the bottom of this page. We hope that you take a few moments of quiet to say the prayer and experience the importance of sitting in the quiet before the celebration.

EASTER SUNDAY INFORMATION:

The scripture for Easter Sunday is from Exodus 32 and the sermon is titled “Writing a New Story.” The theme for this week is Resurrection/Radical Freedom to Write Your Story and the object of focus for this week is a Pen.

Our Lenten series this year was inspired by the book “The Ultimate Exodus: Finding Freedom from what Enslaves you” written by Danielle Strickland.

WORSHIP OPTIONS FOR EASTER SUNDAY:

On Easter Sunday there will be three worship options for you to choose from.

We will hold in person worship at 9 & 10:45 am and we will have an online worship option available Sunday morning as well. Please choose the option that you are most comfortable with.

The 9:00 am service will be held inside in the Sanctuary.

The 10:45 am service will be outside in the parking lot. This will work just like our drive-in services did this past summer. Bring your own chair, blanket, coffee, and anything else you might need to be outside for worship. If we have inclement weather, we will hold worship inside.

*Masks are required at all in person events.

As always, there will be online worship option as well.

Prayers for Holy Week from our Lenten Devotional

Maundy Thursday, April 1^st

Meditation and prayer from “Feasting on the Word” Lenten Companion

Friends, this is the table of the Lord. From the night of his arrest through succeeding generations, Jesus’ disciples have continued to come to the Table for this holy meal. As he did that night in Jerusalem, so ever since in all times and places. Christ meets us here. We are included in this feast, whether we are filled with faith or emptied by doubt; whether we are first among saints, last among scoundrels, or somewhere in between. In bread broken and cup poured out, we remember the full extent of Christ’s love for us and give thanks. 

Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be for us the communion of the body and blood of Christ. Unite us with Christ in his suffering that we may also know his glory, and strengthen us to reveal your justice, until we are made whole again in your kingdom without end.  Amen

Good Friday, April 2^nd

Prayer from Chalice Worship

Our redeemer God, we bless you for meeting us in Jesus Christ, who for our salvation humbled himself to die for us. We bless you for all the burdens Christ has borne, for all the tears he has wept, for all the pains he has suffered, for every word of comfort he spoke on the cross, for every conflict with the powers of darkness, and for his eternal victory over the terrors of death.  Lead us through the valley of the shadow of death, that we may fear no evil, for you are eternally with us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Prayer for Easter Sunday of from Our Lent Devotional

 (Modified from various prayers from Chalice Worship)

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Loving God,

Always and everywhere, we give you thanks, especially today, when we greet our risen Lord. It is through this resurrection that we come to know your great love for us by giving us the one who is greater than death.

 So today we celebrate your great love through the life, death, and resurrection of your son Jesus the Christ.

May we know that this resurrection life is not lived and celebrated just this one day, but it is to be lived and celebrated each and every day. Eternal God, you have declared in Christ the completion of your purpose of love. May we live by faith, walk in hope, and be renewed in love, today and every day to come. – Amen

Christ the Lord is rise today!

Christ is rise!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Looking Ahead

Women’s Group

The Women’s Group will take the first week of April off but resume meeting the following Wednesday. We’ll keep you posted with more information.

Missions and Out Reach

We are looking for some new ways we might partner with some local non-profits to support them with their mission and outreach programs. We have a number of ideas around this already, but if you have any ideas you would like to share, please contact Pastor Jim or Ali and share those with them.

WORSHIP: Sunday March 28th– Palm Sunday and the Sixth Sunday of Lent

The scripture this week is from Exodus 32. The sermon this week is “The Golden Calf.” The theme for this week is Making Choices and the object of focus for this week is a Something Gold.

Our Lenten series this year is inspired by the book “The Ultimate Exodus: Finding Freedom from what Enslaves you” written by Danielle Strickland.

WAYS TO WORSHIP AT NHCC: There are several ways you can worship with us. You can join us through Live Stream, by coming to the church and joining us in person, or online on our YouTube channel.

 Live Streaming and in-person worship begin Sunday mornings at 10:45 am. The recording of our Live Stream will be available on our YouTube channel after worship has concluded on Sunday morning.

You can find more information about our Safe Worship Practices on our blog page under the “Worship” tab.

Prayer for the Sixth Sunday of Lent from Our Lent Devotional

 March 28^th – Written by Barb Jones

O God, as we enter Holy Week, turn our hearts to Jerusalem and to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As we walk with Jesus this final week, let us feel your presence, O God, so we will be prepared for the spiritual experience of the suffering of Jesus on the cross and the triumph of his resurrection.

Let us be willing to choose to make our own personal sacrifice of renewal and rededication to witness Jesus’ love to all.  Amen

NHCC WOMEN’S GROUP ZOOM MEETING: This Wednesday evening, March31st will be our final Women’s Group meeting during Lent. If you would like to join us, please let Ali know.

HOLY WEEK INFORMATION:  

Maundy Thursday: We will have an online only service which we will live stream at 7:00pm on Thursday April, 1^st on our YouTube channel. If you miss the live stream, the service will still be available on our YouTube channel after the live stream has finished.  

Good Friday: There is a Good Friday prayer in our Lent Devotional for all of you to read at some point Friday April 2^nd. We hope that you take a few moments of quiet to say the prayer and experience the importance of sitting in the quiet before the celebration on Sunday. The prayer will also be included in next week’s blog in case you do not have the devotional.

EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP INFORMATION: On Easter Sunday there will be three worship options for you to choose from.

You can worship in person at 9:00 am inside in the Sanctuary.

You can worship in person at 10:45 am outside in the parking lot. This will work just like our drive-in services did this past summer. Bring your own chair, blanket, coffee, and anything else you might need to be outside for worship. If we have inclement weather, we will hold worship inside.

You can worship online. The service will go live at 9:00 am Easter Sunday and be accessible anytime after that on our YouTube channel.

A Few Notes from Rose:

We now have a clothing ministry.  We could use your help with new socks for children and adults, Clothing for K-5th grade school children, men’s shoes and clothing.  We have clothing for children, women and men.  Our clothing ministry is open through the week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Friday will be from 12-3PM, Monday and Wednesday from 12-1.  A special thank you to Brent and Jennifer Fletcher for their hard work and dedication to organize our clothing ministry.  There are so many in need in our area.  When people come to the food pantry we will offer them the opportunity to go to the “Clothing Closet”.  Please help and support our ministries.  Donations are appreciated. If you have any questions please contact Rose in the church office.

Thank you to all who turned in Acme receipts. We received $214.77 from those receipts to use towards mission projects. Thank you!

WORSHIP: Sunday March 21st – The Fifth Sunday of Lent

The scripture this week is from Exodus 16. The sermon this week is “In the Wilderness.” The theme for this week is DIRECTION and the object of focus for this week is a COMPASS.

Our Lenten series this year is inspired by the book “The Ultimate Exodus: Finding Freedom from what Enslaves you” written by Danielle Strickland.

WAYS TO WORSHIP AT NHCC: There are several ways you can worship with us. You can join us through Live Stream, by coming to the church and joining us in person, or online on our YouTube channel.

 Live Streaming and in-person worship begin Sunday mornings at 10:45 am. The recording of our Live Stream will be available on our YouTube channel during and after worship has concluded on Sunday morning.

You can find more information about our Safe Worship Practices on our blog page under the “Worship” tab.

Prayer for the Fifth Sunday of Lent from Our Lent Devotional

 March 21st

Written by Karen Burridge

Lord, You are the God of new beginnings.

The Lord of fresh starts.

Open our eyes to see where we are.

Open our minds to see what we have.

Open our hearts to know what we want.

Be with us and lead us in a new direction. 

-Amen

SISTERS IN CHRIST GATHERING:  The Sisters in Christ group is gathering this Sunday from 11:45 to1:00- right after worship. It’s supposed to be a beautiful day so we will gather outside, (bring your own chair) have some lunch, reveal who our prayer partners are and receive new prayer partners for this next year. Boxed lunches will be provided or you can bring your own lunch if you prefer. If you would like a boxed lunch, please let Holly know which one you would like. Emails were sent out with more information. If you didn’t receive an email and need the information, contact Ali or Holly and we will get it to you! Even if you do not have a prayer partner, ALL women are invited to join us. If you have any questions, please contact Holly or Ali.

NHCC WOMEN’S GROUP ZOOM MEETINGS: Every Wednesday evening during Lent, from 7-8 pm, Ali is leading a Zoom gathering for the women of NHCC. If you would like to be connected to our women’s group page on Facebook, have the Zoom link emailed to you or you have any questions, please let Ali know. Our next Zoom gathering will be Wednesday, March 24^th.

HOLY WEEK:  

Maundy Thursday: We will have an online only service which we will live stream at 7:00pm on Thursday April, 1^st on our YouTube channel. If you miss the live stream, the service will still be available on our YouTube channel after the live stream has finished.  Good Friday: We are still working on plans for Good Friday. We will give you that information as soon as we have those details worked out.

EASTER SUNDAY INFORMATION: As of right now, our plan is to have two worship services at 9 & 10:45 am on Easter Sunday.

The 9:00 am service will be held inside in the Sanctuary.

The 10:45 am service will be outside in the parking lot. This will work just like our drive-in services did this past summer. Bring your own chair, blanket, coffee, and anything else you might need to be outside for worship. If we have inclement weather, we will hold worship inside.

As always, there will be an online worship option.

SPRING FORWARD: Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night. It’s daylight savings time this weekend so we “spring forward” and hour.

WORSHIP: Sunday March 14th^th – The Fourth Sunday of Lent

The scripture this week is from Exodus 14. The sermon will be about the parting of the Red Sea. The theme for this week is TRUST and the object of focus for this week is a COMB.

Our Lenten series this year is inspired by the book “The Ultimate Exodus: Finding Freedom from what Enslaves you” written by Danielle Strickland.

WAYS TO WORSHIP AT NHCC: There are several ways you can worship with us. You can join us through Live Stream, by coming to the church and joining us in person, or online on our YouTube channel.

 Live Streaming and in-person worship begin Sunday morning at 10:45 am. The recording of our Live Stream will be available on our YouTube channel after worship has concluded on Sunday morning.

INFORMATION ABOUT IN-PERSON WORSHIP:

Those who feel comfortable are welcome to attend worship on Sunday in the Sanctuary at the church. Worship begins at 10:45 am.

 If you choose not to attend, ONLINE SERVICES WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE!!! Online services are here to stay. As long as our technology is working, you will always have that option. Please make the decision that is best for you!

If you do choose to attend in-person worship in the Sanctuary, these are the guidelines that you need to be aware of:

– If you can, please try to RSVP to let us know you are planning to attend so that we can monitor the attendance numbers. You can call the church and leave a message on the machine or with Rose.

– You must wear a mask at all times when in the building.

– Follow social distancing guidelines of keeping 6 feet apart.

– Please refrain from hugs and handshakes. (A friendly wave is a perfect alternative.)

– Please keep your coats and jackets with you. Do not hang them up or leave them in the Gathering Area.

– Please fellowship with one another outside in the parking lot rather than inside the building.

What to expect when you show up:

We will have hand sanitizer stations in multiple locations throughout the building.

Every other pew is roped off to keep with social distancing guidelines. There will not be congregational singing, or passing offering plates. A box for your offering will be inside the Sanctuary doors or you can give online. Individual communion cups will available for you to pick up before you enter the Sanctuary. Deacons will be in various places to help make sure you have what you need for worship. Our services will function very similar to our drive-in services we had this past summer.

Please remember that even our best laid plans could end up changing at the last minute. Should that happen, we will communicate that with all of you as quickly as possible. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Jim or Ali.

Prayer for the Fourth Sunday of Lent from Our Lent Devotional for March 14th

  Written by Cheryl Salisbury

   Dear Lord, thank you for who you are; holy, trustworthy, and Lord of our lives. We honor your power and might.   You have told us over and over that you will never leave us. We place our trust in you and thank you for your faithfulness.  As the storms of life press down on us you are here with us, guiding us, strengthening us. Help us to always place our trust in you and discover your peace and strength for whatever lies ahead in these uncertain days.  Amen

NHCC WOMEN’S GROUP ZOOM MEETINGS: Every Wednesday evening during Lent, from 7-8 pm, Ali will be leading a Zoom gathering for the women of NHCC. We will spend an hour together checking in with one another and discussing the Lent theme for each week. If you would like to be connected to our women’s group page on Facebook, have the Zoom link emailed to you or you have any questions, please let Ali know. Our next Zoom gathering will be Wednesday, March 17^th.

LOOKING AHEAD:

HOLY WEEK: We are working on some options for Holy Week. We will have something for you to participate in on Maundy Thursday as well as Good Friday. Those details will be shared next week.

EASTER SUNDAY INFORMATION: As of right now, our plan is to have two worship services on Easter Sunday. Service times will be at 9 &10:45 am.

The 9:00 am service will be held inside in the Sanctuary.

The 10:45 am service will be outside in the parking lot. This will work just like our drive-in services did this past summer. Bring your own chair, blanket, coffee, and anything else you might need to be outside for worship. If we have inclement weather, we will hold worship inside.

There will also be an online worship option as well.

We will share updates about Easter Sunday as we get a little closer.