LIFE Groups at New Life

Really looking forward to the LIFE Groups on June 2nd.  Stay tuned for detailed info in the bulletin.  Don't miss this opportunity to get connected.

See you Sunday at New Life.  Pastor Tom

The Gospel is . . . Grace and faith

What is the gospel really?  I know it's good news; but why?  I believe the gospel of Christ Jesus is good news because it releases us from the bondage of "self".   For most people today, "religion" is nothing more than a personally decided upon set of beliefs or philosophies -- that's what you call pluralism.  It's where you take a little bit of this and a little bit of that and "shazam", you've got religion.  It seems good at first, but the problem in the long run is that your religion is no bigger or better than you are??!?!  You become your own means to salvation, enlightenment, or whatever you call it.

The Christian message is different.  There's God and then there's you and me.  We can never measure up--that's the bad news.  The good news is that we don't have to measure up!  God took care of everything when he sent Jesus to take our place and pay our price--that's grace.  God offers you grace and we respond with faith in God's plan.  It's really that simple.  The gospel is good news because it is a relationship of grace and faith.  See you Sunday and bring all your friends.  Pastor Tom

Mothers' Day at New Life

Great day at New Life on Mother's day.  Thanks for joining us.  We had a great day celebrating motherhood.  I know there are many categories of "mom" in our world today.  There is the single mom, the stay-at-home mom, the mom who works to keep her family fed, or the mom with a career.  Yes, there are many types of moms, but one characteristic which defines them all is servant.  I think motherhood is one of our greatest examples of a servant.  So today, I want to salute all of the moms who tirelessly serve others.  May the Lord bless you today.

Summer intern at NLCC

Just wanted to get a shout out to all new lifers about our summer intern.  We are really looking forward to Aaron Vanderholen being with us this summer.  Stay tuned for lots of exciting summer activities.  Pastor Tom

The Gospel is . . .

Good news - that's the meaning of the word "gospel".   In the original language it is euangelion which literally means "eu" = good and "angelion" = message.  The early church went everywhere spreading the good news of Christ Jesus.  So what is the good news?  John 3:16 sums it up well, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."  the gospel is centered in the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  It is love, grace, forgiveness, freedom, transformation, and the hope of heaven.

The New Testament uses words such as redemption, sanctification, salvation, sin, and justification to describe the good news of the gospel.  Paul's opening words in his letter to the Galatians makes plain that their is only one gospel.  Any other gospel is a perversion of the truth.  So what is the core message of Christianity and the church?  Join us in May on Sundays @ the ARC as we take a deeper look at the gospel and Paul's letter to the Galatians - It's good news!