Sunday, August 23, 2026
Worship Services - 8:30am and 11:00am
Communion will be served in both worship services this week.
Nursery care for children 0-2 is available during the 11:00 service.
Children’s Church for ages 3-5 is available during the sermon portion of the 11:00 service.
New Sermon Series begins September 13
What does your faith actually rest on? In a world of endless noise, competing voices, and spiritual exhaustion, it's easy to lose sight of the foundations. This fall, we're diving into five truths that the church has always held — truths so radical that they once changed the world, and so solid that they still hold today.
Enough: Rediscovering the Foundations of Our Faith is a ten-week journey through the five solas of the Reformation — Scripture, Christ, Grace, Faith, and the Glory of God alone. Whether you're new to faith or have followed Jesus for decades, these truths aren't just historical landmarks. They're the ground beneath your feet. Join us starting September 13 as we rediscover together why, in Christ, we truly have enough.
Sunday School classes are taking a break for the summer.
We will have coffee and cookies available in the foyer between the two worship services. It’s a great time to catch up with a friend or meet someone new!
September 13 | Annual Ministry Fair, 10-11am
September 20 | Sunday School resumes for all ages, 10-10:45am
Join us to pray together!
Connection Cards
We have Connection Cards available on the backs of the chairs in the sanctuary. Guests can fill them out and take them to the Info Center for a free gift. Anyone can use them to submit prayer requests, request more information about ministries, update personal contact information, ask a question, or give feedback. Cards can be dropped into the offering boxes at the entrances to the sanctuary.
Upcoming Events at a Glance
August 23 | Church Picnic & Baptisms, 5:30pm at Stokes-Thomas City Park
August 30 | Annual Congregational Meeting, 9:45-10:45am
September 1 | Young Adult Group kick-off night, meets Tuesdays at 6:30pm
September 2 | Youth Group kick-off night, meets Wednesdays at 6:30pm
September 9 | Awana Carnival and Club 56 Fun Night, 5:00-6:30pm
September 13 | Ministry Fair, 10-11am
September 16 | First regular night of Awana and Club 56, 5:00-6:30pm
September 20 | Sunday School classes begin, 10:00am
September 20 | Pizza with Pastors, for those new to New Life, Room 209 after the 11:00 worship service
(keep reading for more details)
It’s Time to Update our Church Photo Directory…
If you would like to be included in the church directory, please use the button below to fill out a short form. In the form you will be able to give us new information or let us know that nothing has changed and we can print what we used last year. You are also welcome to call the church office (886-1977) or contact Sherry by email (sherryd@newlifeefree.org) with any information or questions.
We’ll be taking family photos in Room 201 (across from the nursery) between the worship services on August 16 and August 23. If you already have a photo you’d like us to use, please send it to Sherry.
Annual Congregational Meeting
Our Annual Meeting will be held Sunday, August 30 at 9:45am (between the two worship services). Everyone is welcome to attend! We’ll hear reports from our elders, pastors, and ministry leaders. Members will be voting on the proposed budget for 2026-27 and elder candidates. You can pick up a printed copy of the Annual Report with more information about the budget and elder candidates in the foyer on Sunday or in the church office during the week. The button below will take you to a digital version of the same booklet.
The Club 56 room will be open and supervised for kids age 3-6th grade during the Annual Meeting.
Praying for Pastor Glenn
Pastor Glenn will be taking a sabbatical for 8 weeks this fall, August 31 through October 26, 2026. He will be using his time away to pursue God, to grow deeper spiritually, and to seek God’s will and vision for the ministry years ahead as he continues to serve the New Life Body in the future.
Please join us in committing to pray for Pastor Glenn and Julie during their time away!
Kids Hope USA - Weekly Mentors Needed!
New Life has partnered with our local elementary schools since 2022 to provide a mentor for each selected student who might benefit from a positive, caring adult relationship. Do you have one hour a week (to read together, do crafts, play games, complete school assignments... and just have fun!) during the school year to make a difference in the life of a child? Please contact Francie Johnson for more information about Kids Hope mentoring...
call/text 952-426-2347, franciejohnson87@gmail.com or make a note on a Connection Card.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers of the Colossian church, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom.” (Colossians 3:16)
In Ephesians Paul reminds the church that God’s plan is for us, “the saints,” to be equipped to do the work of ministry, building up the body of Christ, causing us to all mature, growing up in every way into Him Who is the Head. (Ephesians 4:11-16)
We’re excited because this fall In Adult Sunday School we will be going through a 12 week study called Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands which will help equip us to be ministers to one another as we learn to use the Word of God to build up the body here at NLC. Join us starting September 20 and together we will learn how to become useful Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands!
Youth Group will be meeting regularly again starting September 2!
Students in grades 7-12 are welcome to join us.
Our Youth Group meets on Wednesdays at 6:30pm during the school year. This is a great opportunity for teens to build relationships with other students, to connect with leaders/mentors, and to search the Scripture for a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ and God's plan for our lives. We have worship, teaching time, small group discussion, and opportunities for deeper learning.
Our study for 2026-27: Gospel of Mark
Who is Jesus? What did he do? Why has he had such an impact on our world?
These are questions that have eternal significance to how you answer them. These are also questions that many in our world today do not know how to answer. That’s why this year we are going to be learning about the most important person who has ever walked this Earth, Jesus! We are going to be reading one of the earliest Gospel accounts that we have, Mark, and learning who Jesus really is and what he accomplished in his earthly ministry. Be ready to be amazed at what the Bible actually says about Jesus Christ.
Invite a friend, classmate, or someone you know to join us to find out who Jesus really is!
Young adults 18-26(ish) are welcome!
Kick-off Night is Tuesday, September 1
Tuesdays, 6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall (sept-may)
Meal, Teaching, Discussion Groups
Have you ever wanted to be more certain and confident in your faith? Can you prove that God exists? Do you know the reasons you can trust the Bible? Who Jesus is? That you can actually have a relationship with the God of the universe?
This year in Young Adults we are going to be reading John’s (the “beloved” Apostle’s) Epistles and learn how he could have such confidence in his faith in Christ. We are going to see that John wants his readers to know, that they can know, that they know, who God is.
Along the way we will be taking the time to explore apologetics topics so that we can learn to better give a defense for our faith. Exploring questions like: How can we know that there is a God? How did we get the Bible? How do we show the logical consistency of a Christian worldview?
Come join us this year as we grow in confidence in our faith!
Please call the church office or send an email to Pastor Billy if you have any questions - 605.886.1977 or billye@newlifeefree.org
Are you able to provide a meal?
We like to start each young adult evening with a meal. It's a good time for them to come together and have some fellowship time prior to teaching and discussion. Meals can be dropped off at the church kitchen during the day on Tuesdays or you and your life group can serve the meal starting at 6:30pm.
We need to have enough for 75-80 (young adults and leaders). If you have questions about the amount or any other questions please contact Pastor Billy - billye@newlifeefree.org
Bring the whole family on Wednesday, September 9, 5:00-6:30pm for the Awana Kick-off Carnival and Club 56 Fun Night. We’ll be serving pizza. Parents stay with the Awana kids (age 3-4th grade) at the carnival - our leaders are busy running the games! 5th and 6th graders will go with their leaders for “older kid” activities.
Our Awana program is for kids age 3 - 4th grade. Children need to be 3 by September 1 and need to be independent in the the bathroom in order to register for Awana. Our 5th and 6th graders meet together on Wednesday evenings during the school year for a teaching time and then split up into small groups for discussion. We will also have lots of fun activities and games throughout the year - a great way for this age group to learn, build relationships with friends & leaders, and eventually transition into youth group.
Registering early is not required, but it helps us to have our leaders prepared and in the right groups. It will also make the first night easier for you as parents!
Each month, we highlight a missionary or organization that is supported by New Life. We encourage you to be praying for them and also learning more about how God is working through them in their area of ministry.
Discipleship Pathway
Are you ready to take the next step? Find out more about how to get involved in a Life Group or a D-Group.
