It is great to be back after several weeks away. I am thankful for the rest before we start the fall season of ministry. We have had wonderful preaching in my absence and many of you have expressed your encouragement for our visitors and for our pastoral intern, Scott Whitener. The Lord has blessed us with wonderful talent.
For the month of August, we will be exploring the Old Testament book of Jonah. We will have the opportunity to see how God’s work through a prophet is still relevant for today. Jonah was a wayward prophet who was disappointed with God. He was upset at God’s love for outsiders, for enemies, for those far from God. God’s love for Jonah, the prodigal, will enlarge our hearts to love our neighbor and to love our enemies. Join us this weekend and prepare your hearts by reading this short book of the Bible before you come.
See you Sunday!
Join us this Sunday, August 3, as we celebrate The Lord's Supper during both of our worship services.
If you attend our 11am Contemporary Service and would like to familiarize yourself with the songs we will be singing this Sunday, here are the links to check them out:
PB&J day is next Thursday, August 7! You can bless homeless people in Lee County by dropping off pre-made, individually wrapped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to the New Hope kitchen on Thursday by noon.
"MOVE UP SUNDAY" IS COMING!
On Sunday, August 17, students entering kindergarten and 6th grade will move up to their new classes. New kindergarteners will check in at the Kids’ Ministry desk near Room 212 and new 6th graders will check in at Room 216 to join Common Ground. Also, some children may move classrooms within their current environment to match their new age/grade. If you have questions, please contact the appropriate staff member below!
• Early Childhood (8 weeks-VPK) - kellie@newhopefortmyers.org
• New Hope Kids (K-5th) - anita@newhopefortmyers.org
• Common Ground (6th-12th) - ashleigh@newhopefortmyers.org
STUDENT MINISTRY UPDATES
The youth group celebrated the end of summer this week with Youth Week: a week of activities every evening! Monday was Game Night and we played board games, card games, Sardines, Body Body, and backwards kickball. We cherish the quality time and fellowship we share.
We had a great time on Wednesday when almost 60 people joined us at our final summer Beach Night at Bowditch! The outnumbered girls beat the boys at volleyball! We read, swam, played spike ball, and ate a LOT of popcorn chicken. The night was topped off with some Love Boat Ice Cream. Can’t it always be summer?!?
NAME TAGS ARE READY!
Please pick up your name tag this Sunday in the Lobby or in your Sunday morning class. Your first one is complimentary! Replacements will be available for $10.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT:
MONICA TRICE
Monica Trice grew up outside of Atlanta where she and her twin sister are the youngest of six girls. Her father died of cancer at only 44 and her mom was widowed at 39. Her mom devoted herself to her girls, never remarried, and managed to get them all through college. “She had a very strong faith and was an amazing role model,” Monica remembers fondly. Monica was raised in the Catholic church and started playing a small organ in her church when she was 12! She then took up clarinet,and began studying with the Atlanta Symphony clarinetist... so began performing on clarinet at church as well.
Her life has been shaped by a series of profound experiences, including the grief of losing her father, grandmother, mother, and two sisters to cancer, as well as a divorce after 18 years of marriage at the age of 42. This period marked a turning point for Monica, leading to her spiritual rebirth during a 'Walk to Emmaus' weekend, where she solidified her walk with the Lord.
She began attending an evangelical church with her twin sister, Melissa, and later met Larry, her husband of 20 years, before moving to northwest Arkansas. Sadly, Monica lost Larry to dementia last September. After his passing, she found solace and community at New Hope.
"I absolutely love studying His Word," she remarks, as her faith and salvation are central to her life.
Since coming to New Hope, Monica eagerly joined the music ministry. With a degree in clarinet performance from Northwestern University, she has performed in various civic orchestras, but currently works as a law director for a large patent software company. While she enjoys her profession, being able to volunteer her time and talent to New Hope through music ministry truly fulfills her.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLIES NEEDED
Eight students sacrificed a summer afternoon to fill 75 backpacks with back-to-school items for children in the our area! Many thanks to our FamCon families whose donations made it possible to purchase new backpacks!
During the month of August, our whole church is partnering with Colonial Elementary and Fort Myers High School to supply more essential items for families as they begin a new school year! Below is a list of items that are still very needed. Stop by the mission table after the service to pick up a bag that you can fill any of the mentioned items in and then return to church to be distributed to the schools later this month.
For questions related to items or drop-off, look for our Director of Community Outreach, Rachel Frey, in the Lobby! Thank you for your generosity to families in our neighborhoods!
Items needed:
Small blanket or throw
Deodorant and body wash
Uniform top: any children or youth size - white, red, or blue
Uniform bottoms: any children or youth size - khaki or navy
Easy to eat pantry foods such as: Easy Mac, granola bars, PB&J, cup-a-soup, individually wrapped cookies/crackers/fruit cups
