👋 New Life Weekly Update 01/19/2022

New Life Church

Weekly Update

JANUARY 19, 2022

This Sunday's message about discipleship and Jesus' mission to free the oppressed comes from Luke 4:14-21

"Receive"

We continue to offer worship via Facebook Live at 9:30 am on Sundays - please join us on our Facebook page for this opportunity! If you have trouble joining the Facebook Live, the worship videos will be available by each Monday on New Life's Youtube Channel.

Thank you to all who have been participating in our weekly worship!

If you missed last week's service, here is the link to it.

How to Access Worship

Our 9:30 am service will always be live streamed and available via our Facebook page so if you’re out of town and can’t attend in-person, you can always worship with us! Please also share this as a resource with others – it’s available anytime, not just when we’re live – as well as on our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4F48R7NG-hzy-2EOk0EG-g) and website beginning on Monday mornings.

Certainly, we’d love to have you come and worship with us in-person anytime it’s possible:

Traditional Worship Service at 8:15 a.m.

Praise Worship Service at 9:30 a.m.

Masks required inside for worship

COVID POLICIES

As we’re experiencing a surge of cases in our area, we wanted to remind you of our COVID procedures and policies. We continue to clean after each worship service as well as many times throughout the week, especially in high traffic areas. We continue to encourage you to remain distanced and wear required masks in the building. In addition, please be aware of your own symptoms and if you’re experiencing ones that are COVID related, we ask that you do not come into the building. This is all done to keep everyone as safe as possible. We ask that you fill out the white visitor cards, so that we have information if needed for contact tracing as well as helping keep an attendance count.

Thank you for helping us care for everyone in these uncertain times. For the month of January, out of an abundance of caution, we will return to taking Communion in our seats and not offering coffee fellowship. There will NOT be Wednesday dinners tonight or Jan. 26 but there WILL be Faith Formation for Youths and Adults, at 6:15 p.m.

At this time, there are no plans to shift to all virtual worship or events, but don’t forget that Facebook live worship is available every week. We pray for the health and safety of everyone in our community!

ANNUAL MEETING

The Annual Meeting of St. Matthew New Life Lutheran Church will take place after the 9:30am service on Sunday, January 30th (at approx. 10:30am). Please plan to attend in order to hear about upcoming ministry plans, meet Jessica Korrison (if you haven’t already!), vote on the 2022 Ministry Spending Plan, elect new Council leaders, and vote on the Reconciling in Christ Welcome Statement. We hope you’re already planning to join us for this vital conversation that maps out the coming year for our ministry together. We will likely have a virtual option (if you NEED a virtual option please let us know) – but there’s also an extra enticement to attend in person: the Reeds are making gumbo! We also need people to bring a few extra

"add on items" = bread, fruit, dessert, and drink -- please click on the SignUp Genius sheet here to help out! Come be a part of what God is doing in and through New Life!

Reconciling In Christ Welcome Statement

UPDATED STATEMENT

Our Reconciling In Christ Team as well as the Church Council approved our Welcome Statement – an intentional welcome to LGBTQIA+ and Transgendered people as well as a commitment to racial equity and justice. Then we held two listening sessions, took paper and online surveys, and have now edited this statement based on those conversations. As we will vote on adopting this statement at our Annual Meeting on January 30^th, please look this edited version over in advance of that vote. If you have questions, please speak with Pastor Heather or anyone on the Team. Thanks are owed to this team for their work and listening: Terri Beck-Engel, Jillene Fisch, Sandy Kowal, Margo McBain, Wayne and Barb Meyer, Noah Peck, and Barb Zimmerman.

To read the EDITED Welcome Statement, please click here.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNERS

As Covid numbers begin to recede again, we hope to start having Wednesday Night Dinners again, resuming on February 2nd prior to the Youth and Adult Faith Formation gatherings.

Families have been taking responsibility for coordinating dinner once a month on a rotating basis. If you would like to help out and take one of the weeks in February (and March!), please see the sign-up sheet on the door outside of the kitchen window (right side). We want to make this as easy as possible for busy families to have a night off of cooking, but also easy for those providing the meal.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

Last week we began a three-week series to extend our Fall conversation about sexuality. There is no dumb question in this conversation about gender identity, expression, or orientation. We’ll be discussing what the spectrum of these topics and how we can have better understanding. Last week, we were so privileged to host Bonnie Augusta, Ginny Qualmann’s sister, who spent many years in the Madison schools advocating for LGBTQ youth, and next week we’ll have Brenda Lovick, pastor, counselor and mom of a gender fluid child. These vital conversations happen on Wednesday nights from 6:15-7:30pm. In February, Pastor Heather will be offering a four-week study on the book of Ephesians; one of Paul’s letters that encourages us to strengthen our identity in Christ. It’s not necessary, but if you’d like to order the book, please click here.

WOMEN’S ‘PAINT & SIP’ EVENT

Want to have some fun with great company? Pastor Heather is offering a fun women’s night out on Monday, February 7 from 6:15-8:30pm at Twisted Grounds Coffee House (6067 Gemini Dr. in Madison). For the cost of $44 you will create (with some help 😊) a beautiful painting, have a glass of wine, and enjoy some time with your sisters in Christ! There are only 20 spots available so sign up today by clicking here and entering the Guest Code: pARTy207.

Friends and neighbors welcome!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Bring your strengths & skills to help at New Life!

~ Sound Board (Operate sound & video equipment)

~ Altar Care (Worship set-up & supplies)

~ Coffee Server (Make pots & serve coffee)

~ Teller/Counter (2-person team to count offerings)

~ Welcome Team (Greet & guide people as they enter worship)

For info on these opportunities, call the church office—223-9337.

We especially NEED new people to help with A/V & Sound Board—no experience needed, we’ll train you and it’s FUN! Just let us know if you're interested and we'll connect you with that team.

Look for the Google doc form to sign up each month for Welcome Team!

For the JANUARY 2022 sign-up sheet (CLICK HERE )!

And here is the Sign-Up Sheet for FEBRUARY - PLEASE SIGN UP!!

"Give"

Your Offering

Thanks for your support to meet our financial obligations. Consider giving online, if you don't already. You can select a one-time or recurring donation. It's very easy to do - please click the box below to get started.

Give Online

If you would prefer to mail in your donations, they can be sent to the address at New Life: 7564 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, WI, 53718.

Social Purpose Team is here just for you

Please know that if you are experiencing any financial need (rent/mortgage, utilities, groceries, medical, unemployment/furlough, etc.), you only need to let Pastor Heather know. This information will be kept confidential to her and our financial officers (treasurer and bookkeeper).

And of course, if you would like to give to this fund, please submit checks with "Social Purpose Fund" in the memo or give online to that fund. Again, thank you New Life for your caring and sharing!

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WAYS TO PARTNER

We have established a partnership with the Nehemiah Center, which means that we will be looking for and offering ways for you to connect with their leadership in our area serving communities of color. As the months go along, we will highlight ways that you can personally and with your family grow this partnership alongside what we’re doing as a congregation.

Other ways you and your family can partner: support black-owned businesses (click here for a list), visit www.lirs.org to support refugees, visit www.ldr.org to help with disaster response around the nation, or www.elca.org to find another way to give back to people in need.

Children & Youth Ministry

Middle School and High School Youth:

Join me tonight for some community and games!

New Life Kids:

This week we will talk about God’s love during the children’s message followed by a craft during the 9:30 a.m. service.

Children & Youth Team

Our first meeting is tonight at 5:30pm in the Community Room.

Have a blessed week!

Jessica Korrison

youtheducator@newlifelc.com

BLACK HISTORY FOR A NEW DAY COURSE

We will again be encouraging you to sign up for this life-changing educational opportunity. This 9-week course begins again on Monday, February 7, 2022 – registration closes on January 21 so please go to https://nehemiah.org/blackhistorycourse to register. If you need financial assistance, we have scholarships available!

Here’s what a previous participant had to say: "I was upset and confused by the increase in racially motivated violence in our country, and a friend recommended this course. I love history, so I thought it would be helpful. After the first lecture it was as if someone unlocked a door so I could walk through and clearly see and understand why things are so broken. Why didn’t I learn this in public school or College? It all made sense. Each week was more amazing than the last and my life has changed. My eyes are opened, and I now encourage others to educate themselves about Black History through this course. There are so many resources for you to use, as well as next steps towards outreach options, should you choose."

(Laurie Benson)

If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Heather or

Kathy Michaelis.

BIBLE STUDY GROUP

The Bible Study Group that meets on Thursday mornings, led by Betty Sundbakken, will begin a new 8-week study - starting this week - on January 13th. The group meets at New Life Church for discussion from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Thursday mornings. This course will run until March 3rd with the topic focusing on the book "Extraordinary Faith" by Sheila Walsh. If you have any questions, please contact Betty.

All are welcome to participate.

COMMON THREADS

Ginny Olson and Gail Kriel have started up a Common Threads group again, that anyone is welcome to participate in. You'll learn how to knit or crochet, or if you have experience could work on your own project as well as make prayer shawls and blankets for the prayer shawl ministry.

Sessions take place at Ginny's studio on the second Tuesday evenings of the month from 6:30-8:30 pm and the fourth Tuesday mornings of the month from 9:30-11:30 am.

To sign up and for more information, please email Ginny Olson by clicking here. Also, if you have any yarn you'd like to bring in to the church, the group would welcome that.

PLEASE NOTE: On the table near the entrance to the Community Room there are Prayer Shawls available for anyone who needs/wants one for comfort. These beautiful shawls were made by the Common Threads group - they are FREE - and they would like people to have them.

This Sunday and This Week at New Life

January 23, 2022

8:15 a.m Traditional Worship Service

9:30 a.m. Praise Band Worship Service

9:30 a.m. New Life Kids

Upcoming Schedule of Events This Week

Wednesday, January 19

1:00 p.m. Lonnie Polkinghorn Funeral (Worship Center)

6:15-8:00 p.m. Youth Faith Formation (led by Jessica) and

Adult Faith Formation (led by Pastor Heather)

Thursday, January 20

9:00-11:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study (led by Betty Sundbakken)(Classroom A)

5:30-8:00 p.m. Cub Scouts Pack 145 (Community Room)

7:00 p.m. Shawn Peters MCF Band Practice (Re-Creation Center)

Saturday, January 22

9:00-10:00 a.m. Praise Band Rehearsal (Worship Center)

Monday, January 24

10:00 a.m. - Noon Gift Cards Distributions (Social Purpose Team)

6:00 p.m. Council Meeting (via Zoom)

7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Silver Eagles group (led by Erbs) (Re-Creation Center)

Tuesday, January 25

9:30-11:30 a.m. Common Threads (led by Ginny & Gail) (Ginny's Studio)

Please keep the following in your prayers this week:

Donna Butler's daughter Michelle along with her sister Beverly and the family of her late cousin Simon, Boyd Fleming, Felicia Jones & family, Johnnie Jones, Michele Kiefer, Gail Kriel, Trish Krueger, Hailey Lennberg, Laurie Neuendorf, Jade Peck, Stephanie Peck's friend Jessie, Kishia Peters, Alvina Phillips,

Vern Richmond, Jeremy Showers, Bobby Spridco, Bill Sterud, Darrick Thompson, and Carolee Zick.

If you would like to be included on our prayer list, please contact the church office . Permission is required from the individual for us to print their name. Individuals will be on the list for one month unless requested. Please let us know if there is someone to be added, or if someone has improved or healed and can be taken off the list.