New Life United Pentecostal Church

I want to encourage each of you to maintain your spiritual disciplines during our Month of Devotion. We have set aside this time for prayer and fasting. It is a time for us to focus individually and collectively as we prepare to move forward into what God has for us.

Here are a few points of interest:

• January 21 & 28 will be packing and moving days. If you are available, please check with one of our ministry directors to see how you can help. Otherwise, men can check with Jerry Noble.
• Beginning February 1 we will only have use of the sanctuary in our current facility while we complete our new building. During this time there will not be Sunday school. We will have Sunday morning worship at 11:00. Sunday and Wednesday evenings will continue as scheduled.
• We will have revival services with Doug Klinedinst February 5, 8, 10 & 12.
• 2011 contribution statements will be mailed out this week. If you are claiming charitable contributions as a deduction on your taxes, you must receive this statement before you file your tax return.
• I will be sending a letter this week with additional information.
• Effective February 1, our offices will be located at 13717 Burnet Rd. # 230, Austin, TX 78729 (behind our new building, next to Pizza Hut at Wells Branch Parkway and Mopac).


 e-mail this

We are officially in the Holiday Season, and I hope each has a blessed season.

If you would like to assist those in need this year, the following are opportunities within our church:

• Christmas gifts to children of families needing assistance (See insert.)
• Assistance to families with other needs in our church and charitable projects in Austin (Mark offering for “Charity.”)
• Christmas for Christ is an annual offering which assists Home Missions churches in South Texas and across the United States and Canada. This is our way of giving Jesus a gift in honor of His birthday. (Mark offering “CFC.”)

Here is an overview of our holiday schedule:

• Annual Children’s Christmas Musical, 6:30 pm tonight
• Christmas Eve service, 6:30 pm
• New Year’s service will at 2:00 pm (There will only be one service.)

I will be traveling to Fiji this week to preach at their General Conference. Please be in prayer that I will have safe travel and that I will be used by God to encourage the church in Fiji.

 e-mail this

I trust you had a great Thanksgiving. We have so much for which to be thankful. Here are some recent victories: James Campbell's recent tests show his cancer has not grown or spread which allows him to have a two-month vacation from chemotherapy. Jayden Langley's tests came back normal, and he will not have surgery. Jamie Emerson delivered a healthy baby boy at thirty-eight weeks in spite of complications. Bryan Bootka has been declared cancer-free after weeks of numerous tests. Patricia Hall's recent biopsy was negative for cancer. Jonathan Bernard was protected during a potentially life threatening motorcycle accident. Derek and Janice Mireles finalized their adoption of Caleb James. Margret Medina, newborn daughter of Israel and Maura Medina, was healed.

Special thanks to all who participated in Service Saturday. Additionally, our church distributed 26 Thanksgiving baskets and turkeys to families in need. Your generosity is the love of Christ in action!

 e-mail this

Tonight we celebrate Communion. As we partake of this symbolic meal in obedience to our Lord, let us celebrate the victory we have through His broken body and His shed blood.

This week the church office will be closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of Thanksgiving. For those of you who are traveling this week, please travel safely.

 e-mail this

We are thankful for a tremendous series of children’s services last weekend! Four were baptized and five received the Holy Spirit! Special thanks to Michael and Norma Frances and our entire Children’s Ministry staff for coordinating a great weekend.

We are happy to have Bro. Bernard ministering in our morning service today. We appreciate his ministry to New Life as well as to the UPCI around the world. Open your heart in faith and receive what God has for us today!

Tonight is Rick and Laurie Tesno’s last service. They leave for Kauai in the morning. Please remember them in your prayers. If you would like to support their ministry financially, there is a link on our website with information.

 e-mail this

We are excited about our children’s worship services this weekend with the Borliks. They will be leading children’s worship in the gym this morning and here in the main service tonight. Let’s all rally together and support our children as they worship.

There has been an exceptional amount of circumstances in our church community involving illness and personal struggles. The intensity of these struggles is more than coincidental. I feel there is spiritual resistance against our church, and I am asking that we join together in prayer and fasting for the next two weeks. We will overcome by God’s grace!

 e-mail this

It is now possible to give to New Life church online! This is a pilot program with basic options. If the service is received well, we will upgrade this option in the future. Additionally, you can set up automatic bill payment through your financial institution.

Third quarter contribution statements have been mailed. This is an opportunity to review your stewardship. God loves a cheerful giver! Please review your statement for accuracy.

We are excited about our upcoming children's services with the Borliks. There will be services for children Friday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 6:30 pm. Famous Froese Corn Dogs will be served after evening service. The Borliks will also minister to our children in the gym at 11:00 am on Sunday. I will preach Sunday morning. There will be a children's ministry training seminar on Saturday open to anyone interested in learning more about ministry to children.

 e-mail this

We had a great revival! Eight received the Holy Spirit, five were baptized in Jesus’ name, and two testified of healing. We are believing in even more things to come!

The General Conference of the United Pentecostal Church International was a success. The movement continues to grow with more than 40,000 churches and preaching points worldwide. While we are committed to our theology and values, there is a fresh desire to move forward with whatever means possible to reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

One exciting outcome of the conference is that Urshan Graduate School of Theology will be acquiring Gateway College of Evangelism. This will become a new undergraduate Christian college as part of UGST with the goal of accreditation. It will start with several majors such as general studies, business, leadership, and education. The school will have a UPCI identity and biblical studies as part of the core curriculum.

I am pleased to announce that Regina Noble will be assuming the role of Women’s Ministry director. Jan Madden has been serving as in interim director, and we appreciate her service. I also am pleased to announce that Jerry Noble will be assuming the role of Men’s Ministry director. Ron Russell has served faithfully for several years but feels it is time to step down. We appreciate Ron’s faithfulness, particularly during his recent illness. I will be working closely with the Nobles to shape our Men’s and Women’s Ministries for the future. A primary focus of these ministries will be providing opportunities for service.

 e-mail this

We are blessed today with the ministry of Luke Levine. He will be ministering in both of our services today. If you need to receive the Holy Spirit, healing, direction for your life, or some other answer from God, turn your heart to God in faith.

The annual General Conference of the United Pentecostal Church is this week in Louisville, Kentucky. Please pray for God’s blessing as ministers from around North America gather to conduct business, worship, and fellowship. My wife and I, along with the Thompsons, will be attending the conference this week. Your faithfulness in our absence is greatly appreciated. We will be back on Saturday. If you need pastoral care, please contact the church office.

 e-mail this

We have revival services with Luke Levine on Wednesday, Friday, and next Sunday. Please be in prayer for these services and invite a friend! If you need to receive the Holy Spirit or a miracle, this is a time to focus your faith to receive. I am preaching at our Manchaca daughter work this morning. Bro. Bernard will be preaching in our service this morning.

Tonight we will hear a presentation from Rick and Laurie Tesno on Kauai, Hawaii, where they have been approved to start a church.

 e-mail this