The New
Millennium
November 2008
On The Inside:
Meet the Staff
Ladies Lunchl
Thanksgiving Events
Hanging of the Greens
Prayer Request
Daily Devotions
Shawl Ministry
Focus on Sunday School
Children’s Ministry
Jobs Network
New Deadline for Newsletter
Music Notes from Mary Ellen
Epiphany Prision Miistries
Preschool
Youth Stuff
Older Adult Ministires
Thank You Notes
Inclement Weather Policy
Church Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
9:00a.m. until 3:00p.m.
Church Staff checks phone
messages throughout the day.
Pastor Maxwell is available for
appointments days and eve-
nings and is glad to schedule at
convenient times.
Worship Opportunities:
Christian Education (all ages):
Sundays 9:45a.m.
Sunday Worship:
8:30a.m. and 11:00a.m.
Praise & Worship Service:
6:30p.m. on 3rd Sunday
Family Night Dinner
November 16th, 5:30p.m.
Praise & Worship Service
to follow at 6:30p.m.
The Newsletter of New Life United Methodist
THE POWER OF PRAYER
Will God hear me if I pray?
What if I don’t use the right words?
How do I know if I’m asking for the right things?
How could such a busy God have time for me?
If God knows what I’m going to say, does it make
a difference if I say it or not?
Prayer can be a confusing, mystery and even frustrating or
disappointing mystery at times. Sometimes we wonder if it
is really worth our time or God’s time for that matter. When
things don’t turn out the way we had hoped they would,
was it something wrong with our prayer?
Yet from the beginning, prayer has been the holy
conversation when we meet and relate with God. Jesus
doesn’t say, “If you pray…” he says, “When you pray…
(Matthew 6:5).” Looking at the early followers of Jesus,
prayer became indispensable in their lives.
The same is true for
followers of Jesus today,
prayer becomes the very
heartbeat of the believer.
As Richard Foster says,
“Coming to prayer is like
coming home. Nothing
feels more right, more like
what we are created to be
and to do.”
In worship during the month
of November, we will be
focusing on these questions
and the role of prayer in
our lives. We won’t be just talking about it, but practicing
it together so that we might explore the experience of
intimacy with God in a safe place. As we pray together, I
believe we will be brought closer to God, to ourselves, and
to our community. Let’s say our prayers!
November 2008 The New Millennium 2
MEET LORI EPPS
Youth Director
How can you hire one person and get: an enthusiastic
and energetic youth director, a talented Praise and
Worship singer, an aid to the preschool music program,
two very good junior choir members, a church
trustee and usher, two dedicated youth mission trips
councilors, and two volleyball and softball players.

The answer is easy. Hire Lori Epps!

Lori, her husband Brent, and daughters Hannah and Hailey, have become so involved in
our church congregation it is hard to remember when they were not with us. The whole
congregation has benefited from their joining us, and one look at the youth calendar will tell you
how involved the youth are.

Along with all of this, Lori brings an amazing amount of experience in Christian youth work.
Lori is the daughter of founding members of Woodlake UMC, and her Christian experience
continued with Young Life while at Manchester High School. Lori later interned at the United
Methodist building and during part of her college years, she was Youth Director at Ramsey
Memorial UMC with Pastor Tom Sweat.

During part of her college career, she served as youth director

for both (at the same time) the Methodist and Baptist churches
in Kilmarnock, Virginia.

In 1995, Lori became the full time Youth Director at St. Marks
and served there until 1998. In 1998 she became the Youth
Director at Mt. Pisgah and served there until 2001, when the
work load of 100 plus youth and a growing family caused her to
give up full time leadership, but she continued to volunteer her
time with the church programs.
Lif UMC.
If you would like to know more, ask her how she ended up at New Life UMC You’ll
Y ’ll love
l th
the
story.

Come have lunch with the women from new

Life Church! Several women met for lunch on
October 10. We had a fun time of fellowship.
We will meet again on Friday, November 14th, at
Peking (next to the Food Lion in Midlothian).
Pease RSVP to Laura Adkins by Wednesday,
November 12th, cladkins@comcast.net or
320-8358
November 2008 The New Millennium 3

SPECIAL COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE

November is the traditional month of harvest and THANKSGIVING. As
we have done for the past several years, New Life will join with our sister
area churches for a Community Wide Ecumenical Worship Service on
Wednesday Nov. 24, 2008. Worshiping together with Mt. Sinai and Beth-
el Baptists Churches, we will gather here at New Life for the combined
Thanksgiving Celebration. The service begins at 7:00 PM and concludes
with a time of fellowship and sharing of various finger foods (bring your
favorite to add to the table).

The Second Annual

Thanksgiving With Friends . . .

Don’t Want To Cook?!?

Grandma’s Going Where?!?
Can’t Catch Your Turkey?!?

Congregational Care Would Like To Invite You To Come, Share Fellowship,

And A Meal, With Your New Life Friends On Thanksgiving Day! Location To
Be Announced. For More Information And To R.S.V.P., Please Call Robin Ann
Gauthier @ 804-350-9045.

The Congregational Care Team

Would Like To Wish You And Your Family A Happy Thanksgiving!
Loyce Edwards Robin Ann Gauthier Ann Pierce,
Tracy Swineford Midge Washburn Pastor Jimy
Pastor Mike
November 2008 The New Millennium 4
HANGING OF THE GREENS
As we decorate our homes, so do we decorate our church home
for the coming of the Advent Season to prepare for the birth of
Jesus. We will make this a meaningful and fun time.
Since the first Sunday of Advent is November 30, all this will
happen on Saturday, November 29 beginning at 2:00 PM. We
will join together in the Sanctuary for the special Service of the
Hanging of the Greens - learning the symbols of Advent and
Christmas as a family. After the service we will gather around
for Apple Cider and Christmas Cookies (please bring a plate of
your favorites to share.)

DO YOU HAVE A PRAYER REQUEST

YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH THE CHURCH
FAMILY?
1. Visit www.newlifeumc.org and click on
Eprayer to submit your prayer request. If
submitting via computer is not for you, IF YOU KNOW OF SOMEONE IN OUR
please call Robin Ann @ 804-350-9045.
CHURCH COMMUNITY WHO IS IN
2. On Sundays, at worship service, your prayer NEED OF CARE, PLEASE CONTACT
request can be placed in the offertory plate OUR CHURCH OFFICE OR Robin Ann
for the prayer team and/or church family. Gauthier @ 804-350-9045.

DAILY
DEVOTIONS
Again, the Worship Team
would like to recommend
you pick up a copy of THE Anyone interested in helping with
UPPER ROOM from the the Shaw Ministry should contact
table in the Gathering Joan Bowers at her new email
Area. This is an excellent address msjoanbowers@verizon.
guide for your personal net or at at 639-9306. This ministry
daily devotions. Each knitts or crochets Prayer Shawls,
day’s entry is written by then they pray over them. The
shawls are given to individuals in
United Methodists just like
the hospital, hospice, a nursing
you from around the world and contains a suggested home, or who are going through a
scripture, short devotional thought and prayer. difficult time. Lessons will be given
to those interested. Everyone is
invited!
November 2008 The New Millennium 5

A FOCUS ON SUNDAY SCHOOL

The children are starting a new Sunday School theme: Isaiah, the prophecy of Jesus. During
the months of November and December the children will do activities that help them learn
about Isaiah, how God gave him hope that a Messiah will soon come, and that God keeps His
promise to all of us! The children will do art projects, storytelling, cooking, science, play games,
and watch a video. Bob Andrus will visit us to read a Native American story about Christmas!
The Bible story is summarized in Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah
9:6; and Isaiah 11:1-9 (Can you find the verses that Handel used
in “The Messiah”?). So often we only look at the Christmas story
through the lens of the New Testament, but God planned Jesus’
arrival before the world was created! It is a joy to know that God is
in control!
Every 2-monthed theme needs volunteers to make it a success. If
you would like to help out with this program, or if your child would
like to start coming and has questions, please contact Cindy Butler,
education@newlifeumc.org, 379-3578, 690-4517.

Lori Epps is our new Children’s Choir Director!

She has volunteered to work with the preschoolers through fifth graders, starting with the
Christmas pageant. Lori has led music for Fun with Faith and Camp Kaleidoscope, and
currently teaches music at the New Life weekly preschool program and sings in the praise
band. Her own daughters have beautiful voices and a love for singing praises to God; it’s
easy to see where they get their passion and talent!

If you would like to speak with Lori about helping out or if you have questions, you can
call her at 897-4537 or email her at youth@newlifeumc.org.

Does your child want to sing &/or act in the Christmas Pageant?
It’s not too late to sign up your child (preschool – 6th
grade) to be a part of the Christmas pageant! There are
many speaking and non-speaking parts, and the Children’s
Choir will sing as part of the performance. Your child can
be part of the skit and/or the chorus. Most practices are
Sunday afternoons and the performance will be December
14th at 4:30.
Please contact Tim Gettemy (403-3494) if your child wants
a speaking or non-speaking part. Contact Lori Epps (897-
4537) to be a part of the chorus.
November 2008 The New Millennium 6

Christmas Pageant Performance!

Everyone is welcomed to come to the
children’s Christmas pageant on December
14th at 4:30. Afterwards we will have
pizza ($5 donation maximum per family),
drinks, and dessert. Then we will drive
to Brandermill Woods Nursing Home to
sing Christmas carols. Please come and
be blessed by the children’s performance
and be a blessing to others as we carol
at Brandermill. If you have questions,
please contact Cindy Butler, education@
newlifeumc.org, 379-3578, 690-4517.
“Happy Birthday, Jesus!”
The children (preschool through 5th
grade) are celebrating Jesus’ birth on Need a Job? Know of a Job?
December 14th during the Sunday School Congregational Care is putting together a
hour. There will be activities reinforcing “Jobs Network”.
the reason for Christmas, as well as
a birthday cake for Jesus! For more Do you know of employment opportunities
information, please contact Jean Hobbs at within your company or elsewhere that
378-9947. you can share with those in our church
family that may be in need of work? If so,
please submit all opportunities for our file
in Congregational Care. Here is how to do
New Deadline for the Newsletter that:
Starting in December, any information that 1) On a standard index card, please
you would like to go in the newsletter should describe the position available and
be submitted to the office by the second contact information.
Thursday of the month. Please email your
articles to office@newlifeumc.org. 2) Submit to the Church office in a
sealed envelope to the attention
When writing your articles please make sure of Congregational Care/Robin Ann
to include all pertenient information such Gauthier.
as when, where, who, etc. Also include
complete information for a contact person.

All emails will be acknowledged, so if you

do not receive a confirmation email, please
contact Corinne Campbell at 794-4522.
November 2008 The New Millennium 8
Epiphany
We would like to thank our New Life family for
your support of the Epiphany Prison Ministry
through your prayers, letters, and monetary do-
nations. The weekend was amazing! Once again, God was so faithful. He showed
Himself in such powerful ways to 23 young men. They began to understand the
gift of God’s love and forgiveness. They, themselves, started the process of forgive-
ness, and ALL accepted a cross by the end of the weekend - Praise God! There was
a lot of joy and gratefulness from these young men, and they, too, send a big “Thank
You” for sharing the love of Christ with them.

Please continue to pray for this ministry and these young men. And if you ever feel
God calling you to serve in this manner, please let me know. The next weekend will
be in May.

May God Bless you for your faithfulness~

Sherri Fleck and Tracy Swineford

New Life Weekday Preschool

Counts Its Blessings
New Life Preschool counts its blessings during this season of
Thanksgiving. We are “Thankful” for:
• The 40 families involved in our weekday program
• Loving and caring teachers
• Pastor Mike and Pastor Jimy teaching Chapel Time
• Ms. Lori for teaching Music and Movement weekly
• Our Annual Wheel-A-Thon fund-raiser taking place this month
• Fun field trips (The Chesterfield Berry Farm Pumpkin Patch)
• A solid Christian curriculum (Scripture Bites)
• A supportive church congregation
• And so many more…

New Life Preschool is a ministry of New Life UMC. We are currently in our seventh year
of service. If you have a talent or skill you would like to share with the preschool, please
contact Tracy Cooper, Director at 794-4522. Also, we have three spaces available in our
3-year old classes. If you know of anyone looking for a school for their 3-year old, please
have them call the school at 794-4522.
November 2008 The New Millennium 9

Rake & Run

Secret Mission on November 2 @ 12:30pm: To Help
those in our Congregation & Community by raking
leaves for those in need. If you choose
to accept this mission…..bring a rake,
wear your tennis shoes, and come
prepared to be surprised!! We will eat
a pizza lunch following the service and
then head out to Rake & Run. For more
information, please contact Lori Epps.

How’s your prayer life? Talking with God

Are you struggling at school? Hey God….Can you hear me? It’s
Could your relationships with me…….
Parents, Siblings, and friends use Want to get connected to God? Do
improvement? Are you hurting & lost? you long for a relationship that is
Would you like to know unconditional and filled with love?
what to do with your life? Is God is the answer…Come and
Prayer the answer? Join Worship – Youth Style as we talk to
youth at G.R.A.V.I.T.Y. on God through our songs, our prayers, our
Sunday, November 9th to testimonies, and through each other. God
learn more about how we said, “Where two or more are gathered, I
can find the answers to life’s am here also.” Step into His presence on
questions through talking Sunday, November 16th from 4:30-6:00
with God. I am praying that p.m.
you will answer the call and
come.
Youth Music News
Sunday, November 2nd 3:30-4:30 Youth Praise Band Practice
Sunday, November 9th No Practice
Sunday, November 16th 3:30-4:30 Youth Choir Practice

Friday, Nov. 21 & Saturday, Nov. 22nd Youth Jam

Sunday, November 23rd No Practice

Sunday, November 30th No Practice

For more information regarding Youth Praise Band or Youth Choir please contact
Sarah Cafazza.
November 2008 The New Millennium 10

Take a ride on the waves &

join us for an exciting time at our Beach Retreat!

Who? Anyone who wants to have tons of fun with Awesome Youth, Great
Food, Dynamic Programs, & an Amazing Location.

What? We will be hanging-out, learning about God’s plans for us & His
great love, playing games, and enjoying one another’s company.

When? December 5,6,7

Where? Gainsforth’s Beach Cottage in North Carolina

Why? Because it would not be the same without you!!!

Cost? $30, which will cover food, transportation & materials

*scholarships available if needed

For more information & to sign-up please talk with Lori Epps,
Director of Youth Ministries at 794-4522 or youth@newlifeumc.org

A Christmas Carol
Happy Thanksgiving
The Christian Youth Theatre will be putting on their
production of “A Christmas Carol” on Sunday, November No Youth Group
23rd at 2:00 p.m. at the Steward School. Advanced Sunday, November 30th
tickets are necessary. We will leave from church
following the 11:00a.m. service and go to lunch together
before the performance.
November 2008 The New Millennium 11

New Life
Older Adult Ministries Council
Be ready for fun and excitement!
We are not retired but re-treaded!!

Luncha Buncha
For our next luncheon on November 9th the Lunch Bunch would like
to invite the congregation of New Life to enjoy fellowship as we dine
together (dutch) at Jalapenos Mexican Restaurant, 13564 Waterford
Place, Midlothian. 12:00 pm. There is a report that we will have an
authentic Mariachi Band to serenade us. Sounds like FUN! Please join us!
Please make your reservation by calling Olive Jane at 897-0678 or email to MSANODIZE@
COMCAST.NET.

Older Adult Ministries (OAM) Bible Study Workshop (Twice a month now 2nd and 4th Thursday)
Our Bible Study is scheduled for November 13th.at 10:30 am at the church. If you missed last
month---that’s okay, this study will allow you to jump right in now. We will explore Revelation
via a short DVD presentation and workbook. (No cost to participants) This study helps separate
fiction from Revelation truth. Bring your Bibles. There will be no class on the second Thursday,
November 27.

Boomers and Beyond and Older Adults

After the Bible Study Workshop on November 13, at 11:30 there will be a time of fellowship, lunch
and a program. Please bring a sandwich of your choice. A side dish will be provided with hot apple
cider, not apple jack! A program will be presented by Linda Shields MSW from The Capital Area
Agency on Aging. Linda will bring to us a wealth of information that Boomers and Older will want
to have. There are many opportunities and offers available to these unique age groups. So attend
and enjoy the program and a delicious meal. Please call Olive Jane and Frank Stiller 897-0678, If
you plan to attend this event.
Also, Boomers and Beyond enjoyed a Wild and Wonderful West Virginia Train Ride on October
14th. God indeed ordered the colors, scenery, and fellowship of the day. Many participants had
enjoyed this train excursion before; however, they said that this was the most colorful and pleasant
time of all. God never fails to WOW us when we are attentive.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

On November 12th.or--- 2nd, Wednesdays we’ll have our monthly Support Group Meeting at
the church at 10:00 AM. If you have or even think you may have a loved one with this disease,
come and learn more about it. Sometimes care giving can be a challenge and we all learn from
each other. A facilitator from The Alzheimer’s Association, Bridget Soyars will bring us up-to-date
information.
November 2008 The New Millennium 12
Older Adult Ministries Thank You
We enjoyed fine fellowship and food--- Thank you Peggy Lee Tsaclas for the delicious meal you
gave the Boomers and Beyond at our October meeting. We also thank you, Jill Dynia of Life Line
Screening for the informative program concerning Adult Health issues.

Thank you New Life for supporting Adult Ministries first Brunswick Stew Sale on Sat. Oct 25.

Thank you to all the folks that have helped get our Adult Ministries Council activated. We have
had so many wonderful ideas for programs, recreation, and mission projects presented to us.
Please don’t stop with the feedback, you are an important factor in our planning. Pastor Jimy
Edwards 794-4570

Dear New Life Church:
Thank you for your thoughts and
prayers at the recent loss of our
friend and father. Harold Wilbanks.
Our round-trip travel to Texas was
without incident as we celebrated a
life well lived by one who loved the
Lord.
We are deeply grateful for a praying
church family.
Pastsy & Jerry Reid
The Epps family would like to say a
special thank you to everyone for their
prayers, presence, gifts, and service.
We have felt such joy & love from our
New Life Family during my father’s
hospital visit and now recovery. It
is such a blessing to call you our
brothers & sisters-in-Christ. Thank
you for your kindness!
New Life family & Evangelism Team
Thank you very much for the gift
cards. They will come in handy.
For those late night studies the
Starbucks card will give me a pick up
for those early mornings. And when
I am pressed for time the Wendy’s
& Chick-fil-a cards can be used for
lunch.
Thank you again!
God Bless!
Shana Morris
New Life -
Thank you so much for my gift cards,
they will come in handy. I miss you
all so much. I am so glad to be apart
of New Life.
Love Lynette Scott

The Trustees would like to thank everyone who came out to help with the Church
workday on October 18th. Windows were washed; floors stripped and resealed,
and trees were trimmed. Everyone’s help made it a fun day!
November 2008 The New Millennium 7

MUSIC NOTES from Mary Ellen

Believe it or not December is close at hand. We are constantly reminded while shopping,
through commercials, decorations and ads. One more flip of the calendar page and we are
entering a busy month. What gets you in the Christmas Spirit? Well you know MUSIC does
it for me. Just a reminder to have you mark, December 7th as an important date in the life
of our church with music. The Adult Choir and soloists will be presenting “One Incredible
Moment” at both services of worship, 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.
“One Incredible Moment” is a musical celebration. “The majesty of the manger, the splendor
of the star, the anthem of the angels brings heaven to our hearts; as we proclaim the
message, redemption’s timeless plan; in one incredible moment, our God became a man!”
The text is by Max Lucado and the music is composed by Tom Fettke. The choir and soloists
will be accompanied by an orchestral CD.
“More than two thousand years later, the miraculous circumstances of Christ’s birth still
astound us; yet everything from that night--the shepherds and the angels, the star and the
wise men, the virgin birth in a stable--remains in the shadow of the Child Himself. In one
incredible moment, God reunited Creator and created. His perfect plan appeared in the
flesh, becoming the cornerstone of man’s redemption. We pray that the wonder of that ‘One
incredible Moment’ will be experienced again and that lives will be transformed.”
Thank you to all who participated in the Favorite Contemporary Songs and the Favorite Hymns
survey. Here is a list in order of popularity which was conducted through September:
CONTEMPORARY SONGS: (Many more got one vote)
1. Look Where He’s Brought Me From
2. I Can Only Imagine
3. On Eagles’ Wings
4. A number of songs:
Amazing Grace Lord, I Life Your Name on High
Amazing Love He Is Exhaulted
Draw Me Close to You Over the Mountains and the Sea
El Shaddai This Little Light of Mine
HYMNS: (Too many hymns to list here got one vote.)
1. Here I Am Lord
2. Blessed Assurance
3. A number of hymns:
How Great Thou Art Onward Christian Soldiers
In the Garden Because He Lives
The Old Rugged Cross Pass It On
4. A number of hymns:
Go Tell It on the Mountain
God Bless America Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior Love Lifted Me
 New Life
United Methodist Church

900 Old Hundred Road

Midlothian, Virginia 23114

Office:
804-794-4522
office@newlifeumc.org
Rev. Mike Maxwell:
pastor@newlifeumc.org
www.newlifeumc.org

Inclement Weather Policy

The decision to cancel church activities for all or part of a day, or to have a delayed
opening, is made as early as possible, but is often affected by changing conditions. In
general, decisions regarding canceling church activities will be made by the pastor in
conjunction with the Trustees Chair taking into consideration the safety of the facility and
travel conditions.
Announcements of canceled Sunday services or delayed openings can be found at the
following locations:
Church Website www.newlifeumc.org
NBC Channel 12
Church information line – call 794-4522 for recorded message.
For cancellation of meetings or other church events:
Church Website www.newlifeumc.org
Church information line – call 794-4522 for recorded message.

For closing of New Life Preschool:

Chesterfield County school systems schedule is followed. If Chesterfield County has a
one-hour delayed opening, Preschool will open one-hour late (10:30 a.m.). However, if
Chesterfield County has a two-hour delayed opening, the Preschool is closed.