New Life Fellowship | Topeka, IN

November 23, 2022

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
This Sunday there will be two services at 9:00 and 10:30 am.
Pastor Drew Ryall will bring the morning message.
The service will be live streamed on FaceBook and on the church website nlf-online.church during the 9:00 am service. It will be accessible on both Face Book and the New Life website if you prefer to watch the service at a later time.


Connect Preteen Christmas Shopping:
Connect Preteens will be doing their adopt-a-family Christmas shopping this Sunday, November 27th after the second worship service. Contact Kerin Miller to RSVP to plan for transportation.

Soles For Jesus:
Our Preteens are collecting new or gently used shoes for their service project “Soles For Jesus”.  This will be the last Sunday they will be collecting shoes. There is a box in the foyer for you to drop your donations in! If you would like to help with the shipping cost, please place your money in an envelope marked “Soles for Jesus” and drop it in any offering box. Thank you!

Poinsettias for Christmas:
If you would like to purchase a poinsettia in honor or memory of a loved one, please stop by the Info Desk to sign up. The poinsettias will be displayed on the stage during the Christmas season and you may take them home after the Christmas Eve service. Thanks!

Blue Christmas Service:
This year we invite you to participate in a community service at Maple City Chapel on Wednesday, December 21st at 6:30 pm. The Blue Christmas Service is a quiet, candlelight service, where the community gathers together in the midst of challenges and struggles to acknowledge grief and loss while offering comfort and hope in Christ. This service is not just for those facing challenges. All are welcome to gather on December 21st, the longest night of the year, and bear witness that for some everything has changed. Your quiet attendance will add healing and comfort to those who are struggling to face the holidays.

Advent Devotional: “The Promised One”:
The Christmas season is upon us, whether we are ready or not.  The past few years New Life has recognized the Christmas Advent during the 4 Sundays prior to Christmas Day. NLF has purchased a small booklet of Advent readings from Christianity Today for the 2022 season.  We encourage individuals or families to take one.  Each day includes a scripture and a short devotional from various authors. There are also options for families as well as groups. The first Sunday of Advent is November 27 so don’t forget to pick one up in the foyer.


All Church Caroling:
If you would like to go Christmas caroling this year we will meet at the church at 5:00 on Sunday,  December 4th.  Groups will go to Shipshewana and Topeka.  There is a sign up sheet in the foyer. If you have questions,  ask Jessica Mast or Cathy Frey.

Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Box Project:
A big thank you to all who participated in the Shoe Box project! New Life was able to send 99 boxes to children around the world! Thank you!


Ladies Christmas Sock Exchange:
The NLF Women’s 3C ministry will be having a sock exchange on Tuesday Dec. 6th from 6:30-8:00 pm. If you would like to participate, please bring 2 pairs of colored/patterned socks; fill 1 pair with small gifts and treats to exchange and a second pair to donate to the LaGrange County Food & Clothes Basket. Please sign up at the Women’s ministry desk in the foyer.


Adopt-A-Family:
Would you like to adopt a family for Christmas? This year New Life will again be adopting families in need from the Westview school district. If interested please contact Michelle Sharick.

Spring Break Missions Trip Opportunity:
Do you have plans for Spring Break? Michelle Sharick will be leading a team to Jamaica from April 1-8, 2023. We will be visiting and staying at Caribbean Christian Center of the Deaf. It will be a week of loving on deaf children and supporting the staff. We will also have some opportunities for some work projects. If interested please reach out to Michelle Sharick. If you are under 18 years old you will need a parent to go along.


End of Year Giving:
If you would like to make a year end contribution to New Life Fellowship, you may send a check to: New Life Fellowship PO Box 399 Topeka IN 46571 or you may visit the church website (nlf-online.church) to make an on-line donation.

If you would like to view the New Life financial summary for October, copies are available at the Information Desk.

Counseling Services Now Available:
We are excited to announce that we now have a counselor available on-site at NLF on Wednesday evenings. Shannon Cross is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate who will use our building to provide counseling services by appointment. If interested please contact Shannon Cross directly at (574) 536-5285. Thank you!

Man Up:
On Monday evenings (6:30 pm) at New Life, Tony Bontrager is leading our men in small groups as they focus in on the Conquer Series:  The Battle for Purity.  Join with other men in this course to be equipped with the tools we need to help ourselves and other men in the fight for our pursuit of purity. For more information please contact Tony Bontrager.

Report on the “Thanksgiving Meal-To-Go” Project:
A huge thank you to all who helped in any way with the Thanksgiving Meal-To-Go project! Whether you donated food items, assisted with planning and prepping, or helped hand out meals on Monday evening, we want to say a big THANK YOU!! We had 83 people from NLF involved with this project!! New Life was able to bless 70 families (around 400 individuals) with all the necessities to prepare a warm thanksgiving meal. The response was overwhelming and our community was blessed by the food and the opportunity to be prayed over as they came to pick up their food. Thank you again for helping us meet needs of individuals right here in our community!

Reports:
Attendance Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022:
1st Service: 82
2nd Service: 157
Children: 104
Total Attendance= 343


On the Calendar:
Sunday, November 27: Preteens Christmas Shopping
Sunday, Dec. 4: Christmas Caroling (5:00 pm)
Tuesday Dec. 6: Ladies Christmas Sock Exchange (6:30-8:00 pm)
Saturday, Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Service (6:00 pm)
Sunday, Dec. 25: One Worship Service at 10:30 am
Sunday, Jan. 1: One Worship Service at 10:30 am