Church guide

David Sunday's recent sermon from Psalm 77, "Moving from Gloom to Gratitude," is available online. https://www.newcbc.org/resources/sermons/sermon/2019-07-21/moving-from-gloom-to-gratitude

#ChurchFamilyFriday with Brandon Stern How did you come to faith in Christ? “I had the privilege of being raised in a Christian home where I heard the gospel on a regular basis. When I was 10 years old I prayed with my parents to trust in Christ.” How did you end up at NCBC? “I was a part of Fox Valley Bible Church during my high school years. After I had left for college FVBC merged with Grace to become New Covenant. My parents were a part of that merger and through visiting them over the years, I grew to love New Covenant. After serving at a church in Texas for 8.5 years God opened up an opportunity for me to come on staff here. My family and I moved up here at the beginning of this year.” In what ways do you serve at NCBC? “I have the joy of overseeing our Gospel Communities and pastoral care ministry, being involved in some counseling and discipleship, and doing some preaching and teaching. Currently I'm teaching the upper elementary Sunday school class which I love!” What is God teaching you right now? “How merciful and gracious he is. The more I read God's word the more taken I am by this. He is so willing and eager to forgive.”

"This is a story of the WWII sinking of the USS Indianapolis on July 30, 1945. I enjoyed the book because of the great detail the author put into it, providing background on the survivors, showing the determination and heroism of these men to survive against all odds, and the unique story of a warship that had just delivered the first atomic bomb to be dropped over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. An alternative book 'Out of the Depths' written by one of the survivors, gives the same story of courage, ingenuity, and faith in God's providence in the midst of the greatest catastrophe at sea in the history of the U.S. Navy." -Rick DeMott

You can prepare for worship by listening to the updated Sunday Morning Worship Spotify playlist. https://open.spotify.com/user/newcovenantbiblechurch/playlist/4L0cy145QrFxOIGux8IfzM?si=6j9CSKJMTkeY_k7bNZF3XQ

On Sunday, Joe Jones preached and encouraging sermon called, "Praying Through Betrayal," from Psalm 55. It is available to watch or listen to online. https://www.newcbc.org/resources/sermons/sermon/2019-07-14/praying-through-betrayal

Want to get to know elder candidate David Wollen better? Well, you’re in luck because he is our featured member for #ChurchFamilyFriday How did you come to faith in Christ “I was born into a believing family, and as soon as I was old enough to understand the Gospel I knew I wanted to follow Jesus. One of my earliest memories is praying with my parents asking Jesus to forgive my sin and be my Savior. I was 5 years old.” How did you end up at NCBC? “My family and I moved to Illinois in February of 2016 from Southern California. A friend in the area recommended New Covenant, so we came on our first Sunday in town. The depth of Gospel-centered preaching combined with the warm welcome we encountered convinced us we were where God wanted us.” In what ways do you serve at NCBC? “It's been a busy three years, but wonderful. I've been involved in worship ministries, teaching adult Sunday school classes and discipleship training, leading a Gospel Community, the Vine Project team, and leading a men's Bible study.” What is God teaching you right now? “When Paul says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," he didn't mean he was attempting to do all things. Only God has limitless energy and capacity. So I've been learning to say "no" to some good things I could do, so I have capacity to say "yes" to the things God has called me to focus on.”

"This is a wonderful daily devotional book with one-page readings that are full of scriptural truths, the gospel, and hope. They offer wisdom, insight, encouragement, comfort, and conviction while reminding the reader of the sufficiency of Christ and His grace. I love when the reading for a particular day is exactly what I need!" -Donna Strand

Our weekly Spotify playlist is ready. We are excited to worship with you on Sunday! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4L0cy145QrFxOIGux8IfzM

Yesterday, Brandon Stern preached a message from Psalm 56 called, "From Fear To Confidence In God." It is available for you to watch or listen to on our website. https://www.newcbc.org/resources/sermons/sermon/2019-07-07/from-fear-to-confidence-in-god

#ChurchFamilyFriday with Emilie Justice How did you come to faith in Christ? “I was not raised in a Christian home but my sister and I walked to a small Methodist church each Sunday. I was about 7 or 8 when the pastor of that church shared the gospel with me and I received it.” How did you end up at NCBC? “I was attending Fox Valley Bible Church since 1980 and ended up at New Covenant when we became a new church.” In what ways do you serve at NCBC? “My husband and I are Gospel Community leaders and also coach over 3 other Gospel Communities leaders. I also participate in the Kane County Jail Ministry.” What is God teaching you right now? “I love the series Praying through the Psalms. Praying scripture is so rich and fulfilling. I believe what God is teaching me now is how to trust Him and His word. The more we learn to trust the more we are living out the gospel in our lives each day.”

Sunday’s sermon from Psalm 107 is available for you to watch or listen to on our website. https://www.newcbc.org/resources/sermons/sermon/2019-06-30/let-the-redeemed-of-the-lord-tell-their-story

GOSPEL FLUENCY: SPEAKING THE TRUTHS OF JESUS INTO THE EVERYDAY STUFF OF LIFE. “In order to become fluent in something you need to immerse yourself in it. This book really helps clarify what it means to understand the gospel of Jesus and how to practice speaking it to yourself and to others. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it!” -Dan Leeper

The Spotify playlist is updated. We're excited to gather for worship this Sunday at 9:00 and 10:45. https://open.spotify.com/user/newcovenantbiblechurch/playlist/4L0cy145QrFxOIGux8IfzM?si=9P_Uf9ZsSCug0Oe4TE3UsQ

#ChurchFamilyFriday with Sean Gallagher How did you come to faith in Christ? “My wife Janet and I were attending a small Covenant church in Carol Stream back in the mid 1990's. The men of the church went to a Promise Keepers event in Minneapolis. It was at this event where I came to faith in Christ.” How did you end up at New Covenant? “My wife Janet ran into a member of Fox Valley Bible Church in 1999 at the first day of pre-school for our daughter Sarah. Janet got chatting with Amy (Fox Valley member) and Amy invited our family to church.......we never looked back. God has been good in bringing Grace and Fox Valley together!!” In what ways do you serve at New Covenant? “My wife Janet and I are in the greeting ministry, coffee ministry, and we lead a Gospel Community group.” What is God teaching you right now? “He is teaching me to patient and to trust Him.”

Pastor David Sunday wrote an article this week called How To Fight When You Fail. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-to-fight-when-you-fail "I’m writing for the Christian who’s reading this a few hours after you’ve fallen sexually. I’m thinking of the deacon who has just exploded in anger at his children. Or the campus ministry leader who went to college with every intention of following Jesus, but is now waking up with a hangover and can’t remember what she did the night before. I’m writing for the pastor who told a lie in last night’s elder meeting. Or the Bible study leader who became Peter-the-Denier when her upper-class neighbor asked her if she really thinks that everyone who does not believe in Jesus Christ will go to hell. For all who are weary of struggling with sin, I want you to be able to face your most disappointing failures without drowning in despair."

The playlist has been updated, and we are looking forward to gathering together for worship this Sunday! https://open.spotify.com/user/newcovenantbiblechurch/playlist/4L0cy145QrFxOIGux8IfzM?si=GnBdzJNjRp-m6EetCSCMqw

Sunday's sermon is available on our website. If you missed it, you can watch or listen here. https://www.newcbc.org/resources/sermons/sermon/2019-06-16/praise-the-bridegroom-king

#ChurchFamilyFriday with Brianne Uecke How did you come to faith in Christ? "I grew up in a Christian home..." a familiar start to many testimonies. Over time and through some deep waters, my understanding of faith has matured. In Christ alone my hope is found. The Spirit himself bears witness with my spirit that I am a child of God, no longer a slave to sin. "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God..." Romans 8:14-16” How did you end up at NCBC? “My husband and I had several friends that went to New Covenant so that’s what motivated us to visit. The community, the preaching, and many other things have kept us coming for the last 6 years!” In what ways do you serve at NCBC? “I enjoy making a joyful noise as a member of the music team! ; ) My husband and I are also in the nursery several times throughout the year.” What is God teaching you right now? “So many things. I’m learning to cast ALL my cares on Him for He cares for me. As a Mom of three precious little people, there is precious little time to be quiet and still. God meets me in the midst of it all, and I am thankful!”

Our weekly Spotify playlist is ready. We are excited to sing with you! https://open.spotify.com/user/newcovenantbiblechurch/playlist/4L0cy145QrFxOIGux8IfzM?si=JoVgd6HlQxSrmJflvm435w

#ChurchFamilyFriday with Ryan Larsen How did you come to faith in Christ? “I don't remember the exact time I asked Jesus to be my savior. It happened when I was a young kid.” How did you end up at NCBC? “I started going to Grace Community Bible Church a few years before they merged with Fox Valley Church to become NCBC.” In what ways do you serve at NCBC? “Right now I help out with AWANA and ushering.” What is God teaching you right now? “The last few years I have been struggling to be content and joyful in my life's situations. I'm still struggling with this, but God has been giving me just enough strength to keep going. In the past few months I've also gained more appreciation for knowing Him more personally. In the past I mostly wanted to just know what he wanted me to do, what to stay away from, and what the rules were. Considering that the greatest commandment is to love God I felt I needed to place knowing Him higher on my list of priorities. With our earthly relationships we want to know the people we care about, so I believe that I should do the same with the relationship that matters the most.”

Yesterday, David preached a sermon called "Crying Out For Justice" You can watch or listen on our church website. https://www.newcbc.org/resources/sermons/sermon/2019-05-19/crying-out-for-justice

Why does God allow pain and suffering? This sermon is part of our Explore God series. You can watch or listen to the full sermon here. https://www.newcbc.org/resources/sermons/sermon/2019-01-27/why-does-god-allow-pain-suffering

Every Tuesday, we lead Crossroads Kids Club at Anderson Elementary. We are hoping to start another club at a different elementary school in the Fall, but we'll need more volunteers. If you'd like to learn more about Crossroads, contact Dan Leeper at [email protected]

Join us this Sunday at 9:00 or 10:45 as we continue our Explore God series by discussing the question “Is there a God?” Whether you already believe that you know the answer or you are just curious, all are welcome, and we encourage you to invite a friend to come with you. Childcare and kids classes up to 5th grade are provided.

"You can expect Jesus to take what is small and obscure and invest it with everlasting greatness." Watch or listen to the full sermon from yesterday. https://www.newcbc.org/resources/sermons/sermon/2018-12-16/o-little-town-of-bethlehem-the-prophecy

We had a great time at our Christmas Concert last night! Thanks to the worship team for all of their work!

Our own pastor, Patrick Havens, along with four other men regularly get together to pray for this ExploreGod Chicagoland initiative! Enjoy this Promo video these men made!

Hope in the midst of burnout, depression, and anxiety. https://livestream.com/accounts/9226053/events/8392318