New Day Community Church, Nichols Campus

09/06/2026

This special service is dedicated to praising God, listening to His voice, and responding as the Holy Spirit moves. As a church body, we value getting even stronger at corporately hosting God's presence and being challenged by the call to participate in what he's doing. Come with expectation and readiness to share what the Holy Spirit has put in you.

09/02/2026

BOLDLY APPROACH THE THRONE
by Pastoral Assistant Lewis Wright

This year, I’ve been digging into many various areas of my life to receive healing in places I’ve experienced hurts. This year, I’ve also been catching myself routinely distracting myself from these things via social media, entertainment, getting to chores I’ve been putting off, etc. Boiled down, I’ve found that as I’ve dug into uncomfortable issues in my life, I tend to distance myself from those very things. Ever relate? (Who are we kidding, who hasn’t been there?)

This problem isn’t new. Distraction didn’t originate with social media, humans have been running from difficulty since the Garden. The thing is, this doesn’t actually solve anything, right? All it manages to do is maybe delay addressing the issue, all the while giving it more time to fester into something worse.

We know this isn’t healthy, yet we find ourselves in it day after day. So what can we do? Jesus has an incredible option for us.

In Hebrews 4, there’s an audacious declaration. The scripture talks about how no matter what we do or don’t do, God sees the truth of who we are and what we’re going through (verse 12). After this, He doesn’t say we ought to be ashamed of what state He finds us in, rather, this passage follows:

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:14–16)

Not only does Jesus know where we’re at, He understands what it’s like to be there. He knows what it’s like to struggle, but even more so, He invites us to come to Him when we’re in the thick of it, not after we’ve dealt with the worst of it on our own! At the first sign of struggle, we are welcomed to turn to our loving, understanding Savior, not pressured to avoid Him.

When we catch ourselves running from our problems, we have the opportunity to turn from that pattern, instead running to our Savior. As we do this, He heals those parts of us that are in distress and fear, and welcomes us into a renewed, trusting relationship with Him.

So, I invite you to join me in learning to run towards Him when the going gets tough, rather than away. You’ll find love and peace you never could have imagined.

This year, I’ve been digging into many various areas of my life to receive healing in places I’ve experienced hurts. This year, I’ve also been catching myself routinely distracting myself from these things via social media, entertainment, getting to chores I’ve been putting off, etc. Boiled ...

08/30/2026

Proverbs 15:23 highlights the joy and benefit of a timely word. We typically organize New Day sermons into series that provide time to meditate on a given theme or biblical text, and apply it to our lives. Occasionally, we opt to make space for a standalone sermon to bring a timely word in its season. We see the Holy Spirit at work in both formats to teach, guide, and produce good fruit in our lives.

08/17/2026

BEHOLDING GOD'S WORD
by Bill Menser

The Bible carries the power to transform our lives and connect us to God. For six weeks this summer, about 25 New Day-ers put that statement to the test! In the Beholding God’s Word Seminar, we listened to, carefully observed, meditated upon, and discussed God’s Word. It was a truly enriching experience.

Our motto came from Psalm 119:18, which says: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” We learned about how a doctoral zoology student spent his first several days simply beholding a strange fish specimen. His renowned professor, upon meeting him for the first time, simply pulled out the specimen, told him to “look, look, and look again,” then left him alone for three days to build the skill of beholding.

If productive observations can be made from a fish for three days, just imagine how long one could spend observing the book in which the Creator reveals himself! And yet, like the young zoology student, we often think we’ve exhausted all a Bible passage has to offer within the first 10 minutes (or less, if we’re honest). In this seminar, we challenged ourselves to linger, we learned techniques to enhance our abilities, and we repeatedly practiced to build the skill of beholding God’s Word.

We sat with passages in silence and contemplation for an uncomfortably long time. We learned about how God uses things like repeated words, figures of speech, comparisons, cause & effect, inclusio, and chiasm to communicate in his Word. We practiced looking for these “keys for beholding” and discussed our observations. In one sense, it was simple. In another sense, it was profound. God’s Word came to life as our eyes opened to see more, our hearts broadened to receive more, and our conversation extended to share more.

What does your relationship with God’s Word look like? When you open the Bible, do you get to know God better? Do you linger with it? Savor it? Do you engage with it through different pathways (spiritual, emotional, intellectual, etc.)? Do you give it time to do its transforming work in your life?

Beholding God’s Word takes practice. There are skills involved. But as we said each week at seminar: “We’re not here to master Scripture – we’re here for Scripture to master us.” I pray you spend lots of quality time in the Word. I pray you surrender yourself to its instruction, commands, and precepts. I pray you find that the Bible always reveals God, reveals your heart, and lights up the way to close the gap between the two.

The Bible carries the power to transform our lives and connect us to God. For six weeks this summer, about 25 New Day-ers put that statement to the test! In the Beholding God’s Word Seminar, we listened to, carefully observed, meditated upon, and discussed God’s Word. It was a truly enriching ex...

08/16/2026

As we behold Jesus, our perspectives shift, our values adjust, and a transforming work begins to renew our minds. Each week of this series will cover a passage from the Gospel of Luke. As we see Jesus teach, heal, confront, and tell parables, let’s open our minds to God’s renewing work. And let’s follow the example of the wise builder Jesus commends for not only hearing his words, but putting them into practice (Luke 6:47).

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08/06/2026

GO!
by Pastor Kathy Spaulding

Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18–20)

Matthew records these as Jesus' final words, often referred to as the Great Commission.

The month of August at New Day is full of opportunities to do exactly what Jesus commanded. We have a team traveling to Mexico, missionaries from Detroit joining us on August 23 to share about their ministry, signups for a mission trip to Japan, and an opportunity to serve locally through outreach in the Vine Neighborhood.

But those aren't the only opportunities!

Jesus' command isn't limited to mission trips, other countries, or special events. He calls each of us to share the good news of salvation with everyone. When we look at the way Jesus ministered, we find the perfect example to follow.

Jesus reached out to people from every walk of life. He met with the poor, the overlooked, the hurting, and those who seemed to have it all together (think of Nicodemus). Jesus ministered to people in His own community and traveled to neighboring regions to reach others. He even extended love and truth to those who opposed Him.

We can begin by simply having conversations with the people God has placed around us, the people we work with, attend school with, meet while shopping, or encounter through hobbies and everyday life. One of the most important things we can do is listen. Truly hear what is on their hearts. Pay attention to their hopes, fears, disappointments, and struggles. As you listen, pray that the Holy Spirit will guide your response.

You may have the opportunity to pray with them, share how God has been faithful to you during a difficult season, or simply be a caring friend and invest in a relationship. Whatever the situation, continue praying for the opportunity to share your faith when the time is right.

This month, I encourage you to intentionally look for opportunities to do what Jesus has called us to do. Start with the person God has placed right in front of you. Trust Him with the conversation, trust Him with the outcome, and remember His promise: He is always with you.

GO!

Jesus said,

07/22/2026

LIKE SHEEP
by Pastor Marilee Menser

“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him [Jesus] the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).

I’ve often wondered about the implications of comparing humans to sheep so frequently in Scripture. There are a few reasons why this is the case.

First, it is in a sheep’s nature to wander. Sheep frequently get distracted while grazing and simply wander off without realizing their flock has moved. A single sheep will often slip away due to curiosity or the desire to seek better grass to nibble on.

Next, a stray sheep is an animal in great danger. Being a defenseless creature, when separated from its flock, it becomes easy prey for predators.

Finally, sheep have a poor sense of direction. When lost, they are generally unable to find their own way back home. This is why farmers rely on secure fences and vigilant shepherds to keep the flock together, and to track down any sheep that go astray.

These sheep-like tendencies are relatable to our human inclinations. We so easily go our own way, putting ourselves in danger, and sin in doing so. Isaiah 53:6 declares that the Lord, in his great mercy, planned for the just punishment of sin to be laid upon another—Jesus Christ.

The Old Testament teaches that annually, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest was to cast lots over two male goats. One was sacrificed as a sin offering to the Lord. The other, called the scapegoat, had the sins of the people symbolically placed upon it, then was cast out into the wilderness to carry the guilt away.

“He [the priest] is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head … The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a solitary place” (Leviticus 16:21-22).

That ceremonial rhythm pointed toward Jesus. He took mankind’s iniquity upon himself and carried away our guilt, leaving those who receive him cleansed and free to live for godliness.

“He [Jesus] himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24).

What relief there is in knowing our Lord already paid the penalty for our sin and knows how much we are like sheep, in need of constant care, guidance, and restoration. Thankfully, he is really good at being a shepherd.

“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him [Jesus] the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).I’ve often wondered about the implications of comparing humans to sheep so frequently in Scripture. There are a few reasons why this is the ca...

07/09/2026

A SOUL AT REST
by Pastor Bill Menser

Anybody remember Newton’s first law from science class? “An object at rest remains at rest, and an object in motion remains in motion at constant speed and in a straight line unless acted on by an unbalanced force.” In simpler terms, it’s called inertia. It means something at rest will stay there. And something in motion will just keep on being in constant motion unless something changes.

I’m here to tell you: our souls follow something along the lines of inertia too! And if you’re feeling the heavy burden of living in a state of constant motion—busyness, information overload, social pressure, political pressure, and perfectionistic pressure—something’s got to change. And it can!

There’s another, subtle kind of constant motion our souls suffer from too. It comes from endless hours of games, entertainment, news, and social media that don’t actually bring your soul to rest. It’s false rest. It’s actually a state of constant motion that takes you nowhere, like a hamster wheel of the soul. If you’re stuck spinning that wheel…something’s got to change. And it can!

I’m going to let you in on the secret to high-quality rest that will change your life: the kind of rest Bible footnotes describe as “a state of unthreatened well-being.” The plan to get there is so simple anyone can do it, but few will. I dare you to join the few: the rested.

A simple plan that will change your life:

1. Read your Bible
2. Spend time quietly (distraction-free) before the Lord

It’s based on two biblical principles desperately needed in a world of constant motion:

1. God’s Word is essential for you
- Jesus called the Word life (Mt. 4:4), truth (Jn. 17:17), and freedom (Jn. 8:32)
- It refreshes the soul and gives joy to your heart (Ps. 19:7-8)
- It’s a lamp and light to guide you (Ps. 119:105)
- It leads to blessing and prosperity (Ps. 1:1-3)

2. God wants to give you rest and refreshing
- He gives rest and a light yoke to the weary (Mt. 11:28-30)
- His goodness (Ps. 116:7) and salvation (Ps. 62:1) are your rest
- He makes you lie down in green pastures (Ps. 23:2)
- He leads you to still waters and restores your soul (Ps. 23:2-3)

So if you find yourself in need of peace…if you’re feeling stuck or weary…if little things set you off…I want you to know that your soul will sustain a restful inertia if you make a practice of implementing this verse:

Psalm 116:7 — “Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.”

Anybody remember Newton’s first law from science class? “An object at rest remains at rest, and an object in motion remains in motion at constant speed and in a straight line unless acted on by an unbalanced force.” In simpler terms, it’s called inertia. It means something at rest will stay ...

06/25/2026

Dealing with Disappointment
by Kathy Spaulding

Have you ever felt disappointed? Plans that fell through. Relationships that didn’t turn out. Prayers that went unanswered. Regardless of how much I did, prayed, wished, or hoped, I found myself sad, disappointed and discouraged.

So, what do we do with our disappointment? Fortunately, we have great biblical examples to learn from.

First, let’s look at Naomi in the book of Ruth. Her husband and both sons died. How did she respond? “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has witnessed against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?” (Ruth 1:20-21). She blamed God and chose to be bitter.

Now let’s look at Job. He, like Naomi, had tragedy strike his life. All his children died, he lost all his wealth, and he became sick. How did he respond? “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped” (Job 1:20). He turned to the Lord in worship.

Both Naomi and Job faced intense circumstances; yet each responded differently. Naomi chose disappointment and bitterness while God was still working in her life. When her daughter-in-law ends up marrying and having a son, the women in Naomi’s life declare, “Praise the LORD, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!” (Ruth 4:14-15)

Job turned to God in worship and had an encounter with the Lord. He ended up with a right view of the Lord and even prayed for his friends that had been so hard on him. “When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before” (Job 42:10). What a transformation!

Let us respond to disappointment by taking it to the Lord. He knows our hearts and will speak truth to us if we will listen. “Therefore we do not lose heart. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Have you ever felt disappointed? Plans that fell through. Relationships that didn’t turn out. Prayers that went unanswered. Regardless of how much I did, prayed, wished, or hoped, I found myself sad, disappointed and discouraged. So, what do we do with our disappointment? Fortunately, we have grea...

06/10/2026

Renewed Strength
by Pastor Marilee Menser

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
(Isaiah 40:28-31)

I have a close friend who, nearly every time I see her, excitedly greets me with her latest amazing story of something glorious God has done. I feel like Isaiah is that friend for all of us when he penned this passage.

The good news from the Lord through the prophet Isaiah in these verses exclaims, Listen everybody! I’ve just got to tell you about something amazing! Have you heard?

And what was Isaiah bursting to tell us? That when we run out of strength, which is bound to happen, the Lord will renew it if our hope is in him!

That lands as a huge encouragement, as I find running out of strength to be quite a regular occurrence. It seems we all can relate, especially if even energetic young people get tired and agile young men stumble. Yet the One we can rely on never gets sleepy or stumbly. In fact, he is the God who created the whole world and has understanding toward us that is unimaginable. That powerful, present, and thoughtful God is the one in whom we place our hope.

If we are going to set our hope down somewhere safe, what better place than with him? And when we do decide to place our hope into his safekeeping, he gives us something in return — renewed strength. Strength that we can soar and run with!

In what or with whom does your hope lie? You may need to relocate it to the most trustworthy place. Then — side benefit — you get to receive renewed strength when weariness comes.

That is good news worth hearing from a friend (thanks, Isaiah)! And good news worth sharing with a friend! Who will you tell?

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men st...