Everywhere we look

the signs of Christ-

mas are appear-

ing! Of all the holi-

days we celebrate,

Christmas has such a

special place in all of

our hearts. The

beauty of the season

romances our hearts

to believe again in

the power of Love’s

extravagance.

Even in the midst of

all the sales, crowds,

and crazy shopping

experiences, we find

such joy in finding

just the right gift for

those whom we love

so dearly. Oh how

we love to see those

gifts under the tree on

Christmas morning

and then to have our

gifts placed in our lap

to open. Those in the

room wait with smil-

ing faces as we open

the gift with anticipa-

tion.

But of course, even in

all of the hustle and

bustle, we always

return to the true rea-

son for the sea-

son. Christmas liter-

ally means the

“mass” celebration of

“Christ.” We re-

member that the

heavenly gift that we

have received in the

person of Jesus Christ

is the most precious

gift of all. Can you

imagine the excite-

ment in the heart of

God as one of His

children opens up

their heart to receive

the gift of Jesus, the

most extravagant gift

ever given? Can you

hear the celebration

in heaven when one

man, woman, or child

is overwhelmed by

Love’s extrava-

gance?

This Christmas sea-

son, I pray that…

18 you'll be able to

take in with all Chris-

tians the extravagant

dimensions of

Christ's love. Reach

out and experience

the breadth! Test its

length! Plumb the

depths! Rise to the

heights! Ephesians

5:18

Pastor Tom

CHURCH OF THE NEW COVENANT

NEWSLETTER

STAFF

Tom Herbert, Lead Pastor

Rich Webb, Associate Pastor

Judy Herbert, Pastoral Assistant

Janet Webb, Administrative Assistant

Senior Leadership Team

Ed Wainscott

Sharon Ward

Chuck West

Getting to Know You 2

KingdomQuest News 2

Arenzville Update 3

Holiday Schedule 4

Kent Henry 5

Webb Site 8

Birthdays & Anniversaries 9

Inside this issue: Lif

eli

ne

Volume 7

November 2011

Opening our hearts to love is

the reason why Debbie and I

first met. My name is Marc and

I am from the city of Montreal,

Canada. Debbie, my wife, has

lived in Jacksonville for the last

30 years. With more then 1000

miles separating each other,

living in different countries and

being born and raised using a

different language, I personally

don’t see any other reason than

the power of love that could

have brought us together.

I suspect that for every couple

God has given them a unique

story on how they got together.

After my third trip to Jackson-

ville in November 2009, I knew

that Debbie was the one for me.

What Debbie and I did not know

was how our relationship was

going to change our life. We

were calling twice a day, I was

traveling from Montreal to Jack-

sonville every weekend and still

we were not close enough. We

did not know where we would

end up living when I proposed to

Debbie during the Christmas

Holidays of 2010.

Overcoming obstacles is a

good test of our faith. We came

to the conclusion that I should

move south to Jacksonville since

Montreal’s winter is hard to

sell… Friends and relatives

back home had put tremendous

efforts to persuade me to stay in

Montreal and that almost broke

our relationship. Debbie was

hurt by my lack of faith in us

and I came to the conclusion that

we sometimes need to go over

high fences to live our love.

Selling my place, my cars and

furniture as well as quitting my

job was nothing compared to

explaining to my family that

love was carrying me far from

them.

The reward was there like a

promise. After the long wait of

the immigration papers, we

were ready to marry. Pastor

Tom accepted to marry us last

May and we are proud to be part

of the congregation of the

Church of the New Covenant.

Watch as we trans-

form our children’s

area and our hearts

Big changes are

coming to Kingdom-

Quest!!

We’re going on a

“Quest for God’s

Kingdom” and we’re

doing it in the

JUNGLE!!!

as we continue to

seek God and all He

has for us!!!

All children age 4 –

5th grade are

welcome to join us

on our quest!!

Page 2

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

KingdomQuest News!

LIF ELI NE

Marc and Debbie

LeBouef

Marc & Debbie will be moving to

Missouri due to a job change.

V OLU ME 7

The emerging vision of New

Covenant is to multiply worship

centers in Jacksonville and the

surrounding small towns. In

September, we began gathering

in Arenzville to pray and wor-

ship once a month.

There has been a consistent

small group from New Covenant

as well as several individuals

and families from the Arenzville

area who have begun to gather

around this vision.

We will continue to gather in

Arenzville on a monthly basis

and we are praying about how to

increase our presence there in

the future also.

Please continue to pray for God

to show us His perfect plan for

this vision. We know that God’s

kingdom is always advancing

and it is a joy to follow His lead

into a new mission field.

The glory of the heavens, shines round about you so.

Did you know? Did you know?

Did you know, Baby Jesus- Did you know?

That from your birth, a river of eternal life would flow.

Or that the shadow of a cross, would cast a crimson stain.

By J.E. Westerfield

Did you know, Baby Jesus- Did you know?

As you lay there in the manger, your linen white as snow.

The angels sing about you, shepherds bow to their knees.

The star that led the wise men, shining through the trees.

Or all who longed to pray to God, would do so in your name.

Or the many, many, lives that changed, just because of you.

As I reflect upon it now... I really think you knew.

Page 3

Arenzville Update

Did You Know Baby Jesus?

In a quiet, peace filled

atmosphere come and

experience the power of

blessing in your life. A

time of fellowship will

also be held throughout

the evening.

The Family Blessing is a

special evening of ministry,

prayer, and fellowship. You

are encouraged to come and

receive prayer from our

Senior Leadership Team for

yourself and your family.

November 26th : Ring the Bells

Shopko 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

November 27th : 1st Sunday of

Advent

Nov. 30th : Decorate the church

December 3rd: Ring the Bells

Midlands 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

December 4th: Youth Christmas

Caroling

December 10th: Kent Henry:

Christmas Is For Worship

Ring the Bells

Midlands 12:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m.

December 11th: Kent Henry:

ONE SERVICE IN THE

MORNING AND ONE SER-

VICE AT NIGHT

December 17th: Ring the Bells

Shopko: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

December 18th: Youth

Christmas Party

December 21st : Family Bless-

ing/Fellowship

December 24th : Christmas Eve

Service

December 25th: Christmas

(ONE SERVICE 10:30 a.m.)

January 1st New Years Day

(ONE SERVICE 10:30 a.m.)

Times:

Sat. 11/26 - Shopko

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Sat. 12/3 - Midland

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Sat. 12/10 - Midland

12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Help us help others this holiday

season by volunteering to ring

the bells at one of the local

retailers.

Sign up sheets are in the lobby.

Sat. 12/17 - Shopko

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Page 4

FAMILY BLESSING

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

RING THE BELLS

Wednesday Night

December 21st

Beginning at 6 p.m.

LIF ELI NE

V OLU ME 7

Christmas Eve

7 - 8 p.m.

Join us for this special

evening filled with joy,

wonder, and celebration

as we celebrate the birth

of Jesus.

Merry

Christmas

Christmas Day

10:30 -11:30 a.m.

There will be one service

on Christmas Day. All

are invited to worship

the new born king and

the best gift ever given!

My Refuge,

The Secret

Place, and

So Close to

You.

He has also

produced 22 of his own

For over thirty-five years,

Kent Henry’s ministry

has been totally devoted

to worship leading and

training. He has led wor-

ship on six of Integrity

Music’s Hosanna! re-

cordings, including:

worship recordings,

including: Captivated,

Bulletproof, Jeremiah

29:11, Children Worship,

The Psalm Series and

Dance in the Glory.

Page 5

Christmas Services

KENT HENRY: DECEMBER 10-11

Saturday

December 10th

6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

"Christmas In Oberammergau" by R.J. Henne and J.E. Westerfield.

There was a knock on the door, and in came the whole family, laughing and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. April ran and showed Hilda her doll, and then they all had to see it. Moreen and Jake were the last ones in, and they brought the first breakfast cart calling for everyone to help themselves. "There's more food coming!" Moreen called out, trying to be heard over all the joyful noises. Everyone was still in their pajamas as they found a place to sit in this now crowded little area.

The children handed the gifts out, and you could hear laughter and joy, just like they were home in their parents' family room. Horace had brought his old book along on their trip. April spotted it lying on the coffee table and handed it to him, asking,

"Mr. D., will you read us a poem from your book?" As he took it, eyes twin-kling, smiling at her standing there with bare feet, clutching tightly to her new doll, he said, "If you and your new dolly will help me turn the pages." She smiled and eagerly climbed up on his lap.

Sylvia called out for everyone to settle down and help themselves to the donuts and coffee, "And, there is milk in the frig for the kids. Someone needs to help them with their glasses and pour it, then let's listen," she instructed as she settled in a chair near Horace.

So, everyone quickly found a comfy spot to settle down and listen to Horace's special treat, a story all except J.C. and his brother and sister, had heard every year, yet never grew tired of. A story of the very first Christmas - "A Special

Christmas."

Many stars shone bright that night with one much brighter than the rest.

Even shepherds tending flocks noticed a star that traveled West.

Realizing it was foretold, three wise men journeyed from afar.

Rejoicing angels brought the news of the meaning of that star.

Yuletide spirits, joyful singing, all proclaiming a proud event.

Christ is born in Bethlehem, a gift from God, heaven sent.

"Hosanna," sang the angels loudly, "Glory to the newborn King!"

"Receive the news with celebration, let all who hear rejoice and sing!"

In a stable, in a manger, lies a miracle of birth.

Shepherds gather by his bedside, wise men bring their gifts of Myrrh.

The animals lay strangely quiet, as if a sound would break the spell.

Much more was taking place than even songs of joy could tell.

A baby lying in a manger, as innocent as a newborn dove,

Soon would give new meaning to the words, "Eternal Hope, Everlasting

Love."

(From the book, "Rhymes And Reasons, Changing Seasons.")

Harry sat on the arm of the recliner next to Horace as April snuggled against his chest. They were thoroughly enjoying the sights and sounds of their very first family Christmas. Luke came in, and handed Horace the phone, saying, "Dad, I think you'd better take this call." His face was serious. What he said next caused the room to suddenly go still. "It's the Judge..."

(The above is an excerpt from the book “ A Christmas In Oberammergau” co-authored by New Covenant member, Joe Westerfield and R.J. Henne. Joe wrote the poetry in this book along with adding story lines and dialogue. R.J. came up with the story and the basic presentation of it. Joe’s wife, Sheri, edited the book. If you are interested in reading the en-

tire book, they have a few copies available.)

1 John 3:1 begins with a proc-

lamation, “How great is the

love the Father has lavished on

us, that we should be called

children of God!” Imagine that

God has lavished his love on

us. Webster’s Dictionary de-

fines lavished as “marked by

excess and abundance.” I love

that imagery. Close your eyes

for a minute and think about

God’s love being lavished on

you and me. How is it that

God lavishes his love on us?

God is love. That is who he is

and what his character is.

When he lavishes love on us,

he is merely drawing from the

limitless well within himself

unbound by fear, conditions or

expectations. Wow!

We are entering the holiday

season where it seems all the

advertising attempts to capture

this idea of lavish gifts and

decorations to set a mood and

convey feelings of love for

those around us. The television

is loaded with advertising about

gifts ideas all designed to con-

vey the same thought; if you

really love someone, this is

what you buy them. Love

equals possessions is a simple,

yet effective, advertising tech-

nique. Yet, gifts fade. They

get broken. Relationships

change. Our wants change.

Our children want the next “hot

toy.” The lavishness that we

seek through our own means

ends up being nothing more

than a shadow or a veneer

when compared to God’s ex-

travagant love for us.

Yet, ever-constant in the hustle

and bustle, the stress of gift-

buying and giving, the decorat-

ing, the entertaining that marks

this season, is the ultimate re-

minder of God lavishing his

love on us. The place where

his extravagant love for us be-

came flesh and began to dwell

among us: the manger. While

it is easy to dismiss the manger

as nothing more than a scene

worthy of a Norman Rockwell

painting, the reality is that the

manger points to the cross as

much as any other event in Je-

sus’ life. It is the beginning of

the climax in this extravagant

story of God’s love for his peo-

ple. I hope that you will join

me in thanking God that “while

we were yet sinners, Christ

died for us.”

Maranatha, Pastor Rich

ber to pray for them too.

Listed below is there name and region in which they work:

Elijah Wafula: Kenya

Mark Papierski: S. America

Please continue to remem-ber these missionaries who we support around the world. Every month, we send a financial gift to these important ministries, but we must also remem-

Paul Laursen: China and the Middle East

Popet’s: Romania

Page 8

THE WEBB SITE

World Missions

“How great is the love the

Father has lavished on us.”

LIF ELI NE

V OLU ME 7

NOVEMBER

Howard Snodgrass 3

Alex Wisdom 11

Karen Fanning 14

Samuel Morris 17

Emily Corbridge 20

Eric Thomas 20

Debora Brune 22

Rick Berry 23

Jim & Venita Beal 21

Ed & Sharon Ward 29

DECEMBER

Jay Diers 1

Kathy Owen 7

Wanda Dame 10

Garet VanHyning 14

Arieanna Morris 17

Evan Wyatt 17

Carol Busen 23

Angela Surratt 28

Isaiah Scoggins 29

Lee & Carol Schuster 25

Rich & Martha Morris 29

JANUARY

Alex Burchard 3

Seth Burchard 3

Diane Darnell 5

Jeanette Allen 6

Mitch Adams 12

Kenneth Brown 12

Jennifer Corbridge 12

Lee Schuster 24

Amanda Scoggins 28

Wayne Surratt 28

Sheri Westerfield 28

Cathy Zimmer 30

Howard & Christy

Snodgrass 8

7Of the in-crease of his government and peace there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the govern-ment will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,b Mighty God, Ever-lasting Father, Prince of Peace.

and over his kingdom, estab-lishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Page 9

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

The Prophetic Promise: Isaiah 9: 6-7

Worship Schedule

Sunday

8:45 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

**KingdomQuest Kids Church &

nursery

10:30 a.m. service only

Elizabeth celebrated

the good news that

Gabriel had shared.

In the gospel of Luke

(1:46-54) we read a

wonderful song written

by Mary the mother of

Jesus.

This Advent season we

will study the incredible

truths that Mary

declared in this power-

ful song of worship.

What an amazing day

that must have been

when Mary and

Mary burst forth into a

song that is a patchwork

of Old Testament prom-

ises all woven together

to declare God’s glory.

Like Mary, your heart

will rejoice in the good

news of Christmas!

This sermon series will

begin on Sunday,

November 27th.

THE MAGNIFICAT: A CHRISTMAS SERMON SERIES