July 15-21, 2026
Pastor’s Reflection
There are moments when we know what love requires, but we still wish it required something easier. Speaking up can carry a cost. Showing up can interrupt our plans. Paying attention to another person’s pain can make it harder to keep pretending everything is fine.
Sunday’s message reminded us that courage is not always a feeling that arrives before we act. Often, courage is built through practice. Small, repeated acts of love train us to respond when the moment becomes harder. We learn to listen. When someone is missing we notice. We tell the truth. We stay beside people who feel alone.
Grace comes first. We are not earning God’s approval. In Jesus, God has already loved us, claimed us, and set us free. That freedom is what allows us to risk comfort for the sake of our neighbor.
This week, do not try to fix the whole world by yourself. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you one person or situation that needs love, and take the next faithful step.
– Pastor Hartman
From Sunday’s Message
The prophets and Jesus refuse to separate worship from care for people who are poor, oppressed, or overlooked. We are saved by grace, not by our good works, yet grace never leaves us turned inward. The Holy Spirit trains us through small, repeated acts of love so that we can show up, speak up, and keep going when love becomes costly.
“Courageous love calls us to act.” – Pastor Hartman
This Sunday at New Spirit
Join us Sunday at 10:00 a.m. as we bring our core values journey together and ask how the Holy Spirit is shaping New Spirit for the life ahead. Grace comes first. Belonging matters. Faith changes us. Love shows up. Mercy is practiced here. Courageous love leads us forward.
Adult discipleship and Sunday School for kids follow worship at 11:10 a.m.
Life at New Spirit
- Pray Without Ceasing – Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. Join us for a quiet, contemplative service centered on courageous love and prayer for our neighbors.
- Peanut Butter Drive – Final Push. Our Sunday-morning count showed that we were 220 jars short of our goal. Please bring any jars you have already purchased as soon as possible. The total may be lower by the time you read this, but every jar still matters.
- Sunday Worship – 10:00 a.m. Come as you are. Questions, doubts, hopes, and all are welcome here.
- Learning After Worship – 11:10 a.m. Adult discipleship and Sunday School for kids continue after the worship gathering.
Upcoming Opportunities
Courageous love is practiced in ordinary moments. This week, look for a place to serve, encourage, give, advocate, or simply remain present. Watch New Spirit’s calendar and announcements for additional opportunities to participate in the life and ministries of the congregation.
Weekly Spiritual Practice
Each morning, pray: “Holy Spirit, show me who needs love today.” Notice one person or situation you might otherwise pass by. Before the day ends, take one concrete action: listen, call, give, advocate, apologize, invite, or stand beside someone.
Prayer Requests
How can we pray with you? Share a request with Pastor Hartman or the church office. Requests may be kept private or shared with the praying community according to your wishes. This week we especially remember people facing hunger, housing instability, illness, grief, exclusion, and all those without someone to pray for them.
