Sunday, May 28 , 2023

This Week's Message is “Pentecost”

Acts 2:1-21

We continue offering worship via Facebook Live at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays - please join us on our Facebook page for this opportunity!

If you have trouble joining 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!

To view the service from May 21, 2023 click here.

ACCESS WORSHIP

Join us for worship Sundays at 8:15 a.m. (Traditional) and at 9:30 a.m. (Praise Band Worship) which is also always livestreamed on our Facebook page and available on our YouTube page any time after, not just when we're live. Our most recent worship services are also posted to our website on Monday mornings and are featured in the weekly newsletters on Wednesdays. Masks are optional but welcomed if people want to wear them.

MEMORIAL DAY is Monday, May 29th

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and remembering U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May. The church office will be closed for the holiday. We remember and are thankful to our servicemembers and veterans who have passed on.

Affirmation of Baptism & Graduates Recognized



Last Sunday as we celebrated Affirmation of Baptism and High School Graduation! Ben Zielke told his faith story at both the Traditional and Contemporary services, and received blessings from the congregation. He and Natalie Mullen were presented with blankets made by Iris Christenson as mementos for their high school graduations. Congratulations to them!

(Photos courtesy of Gregg Schieve)

AWAKEN DANE EXPERIMENT

Come join the members of our Awaken Dane team as well as Council members as we get to know our neighbors and offer free coffee at Twisted Grounds Coffee (6067 Gemini Dr. Madison) tomorrow, Thursday, May 25th, from 10:00 am-noon. Stop by for coffee and conversation! (Funds provided by the Awaken Dane project.)

FINANCES

Recently, Ken Wundrow, our treasurer, brought us up to date on the church's finances. Regular giving has been down over the past several months and the Finance Team felt it was important to inform the congregation of some needs. Those needs are two-fold: one, we need folks to prayerfully consider increasing their monthly regular giving, and second as we seek to improve our property, to also consider a one-time gift for the Landscape Project. The Finance Team and Council, as well as the congregation at the Annual Meeting, approved the plan to move forward with the Landscape as we know the need to care for our property is important to both the congregation and the greater community we serve. We have signed contracts with a local landscaper and the work should be completed by mid-summer. During worship, cards were handed out and we were asked to consider writing down a personal pledge for an increase in regular giving and a second number representing our gift to the landscape project. Your gifts can be accomplished through electronic giving - THERE IS A FIELD TO CLICK IN VANCO, by check, or transfers. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Heather or Ken Wundrow.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR WELCOME TEAM

We always encourage and appreciate volunteers for the Welcome Team to help out with parts of the worship service, such as greeter, welcome table, usher, tellers, coffee server and Communion helpers.

Here is the sign-up for MAY. Also, here is the sign-up sheet for JUNE. You might need to enter in your name from a computer or laptop, or contact the office to sign up (or place your name on the sheet manually at the welcome table). Sorry for the inconvenience to mobile device users through Google docs.

Here is a link to a sign-up genius form for Communion/Altar Care shifts too.

Anyone is invited to join the Welcome Team at any time!

YOUR OFFERING

Thanks for your support to meet our financial obligations. Consider giving online, if you aren't already! You can select a one-time donor or recurring donation, and it's easy to do - just click the box below to begin and go to our Vanco page, where you can log in to set up or access your account. Once you’ve logged in, it should take you to your giving detail. If you click “Edit” you can edit amount, frequency, and account. Once you've signed up to give electronically, please let the office know if you no longer need offering envelopes and we can have those discontinued for you. Or as always, you can continue receiving envelopes and mail in your donations to New Life.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

There will be no dinner or Adult Faith Formation tonight, May 24. We will conclude our watching and studying of the popular series “The Chosen” next Wednesday May 31. We hope you’ll come and join us!

WACKY WEDNESDAYS

Make plans to join us for some fun summer gatherings again this year, starting with a favorite from last year – a pool party at the Wundrows' place! On Wednesday, June 28 we’ll gather at their house (513 Valley Rd. in Madison) anytime after 4:00 pm. Please plan to bring a dish to pass. We will also meet on the Wednesdays in July to prepare for Super Sale, have another gathering at Culver's for dinner together, and finish the summer with a bonfire in our new firepit! Come join us!

GARAGE CLEAN-UP

Thanks to everyone who helped with our Spring Clean-Up Day on May 20th! In keeping with the Stewardship of Space effort we’re making this year, we need to do some cleaning out of our garage space. Come join us to do this on Saturday, June 10 from 9 am-noon. We will have a dumpster at the ready, and be able to utilize this space so much more effectively! Come with your gloves and grubby clothes! Thanks! If you have questions, contact Joe Milanese.

The 2023 Synod Assembly is in the books! What an incredible day we had on May 20, from inspiring worship led by musicians Sharon Irving and Quincy Cochran, to a stimulating discussion with Peter Tan regarding built environments and creating a sense of place where people yearn to gather, to a joyful business meeting that included elections and the passage of three incredible resolutions and the 2024-2025 synod spending plan.

A special thank you to Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mount Horeb for their hospitality before, during, and after the assembly.

To see more information about this year's assembly, click here for a bulletin insert that includes details about the resolutions the assembly voted on and the names of those elected to leadership positions in the synod. 

Sunday Morning New Life Kids

Join us during the 9:30 a.m. service for a children’s message and craft.

We had a beautiful morning celebrating Ben and Natalie last Sunday! Congratulations on this great achievement!

Mission Trip Dinner & Informational Meeting

Tuesday, May 30th from 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.

We will have dinner together, a few get to know you activities and finish with trip specifics and any questions the group may have.

Middle Schoolers - Let's go back to Pine Lake!

Sunday, June 11^th – Friday, June 16^th



Deadline to sign up is TODAY!

New Life middle school youth are invited for a week camp experience at Pine Lake Camp in Waupaca! We will experience all of the classics camp has to offer like cabins, games, swimming, nature activities, campfires, new friends, cabin leaders, engaging Bible studies and worship. The trip is open to all New Life youth who are currently in grades 6^th – 8^th. Friends and family who are not community partners are welcome to join us as well!

The trip costs $200 per person. If the cost of the trip is a concern for any families, please talk to Pastor Heather or Jessica. We will work to help you financially so that your child can go on the trip.

If your child is interested, let Jessica know!

Sign up is LIVE for Vacation Bible School! Register here!

Monday, August 14 – Thurs., August 17 9am – 12pm

• Preschool – 5^th grade kids will have a great week with their crew moving through the stations!
• Middle & High School youth are invited to help lead groups or stations. Stations include music, drama, crafts, and games.

If you are interested or want more information on any of the activities, feel free to reach out to Jessica Korrison.

SOCIAL PURPOSE FUND

Throughout the pandemic, we have been able to help so many families in the community because of this fund. By the end of 2022, we have distributed close to $12,000 in much-needed gift cards. 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).

Also, because of these increased needs, if you would be able to give to this fund, please submit checks with "Social Purpose Fund" in the memo or give online to that fund.

Other ways you and your family can partner: support black-owned businesses (click here for a list and for other ways you can help).

Again, thank you for caring and sharing!

BRAT FEST

We would like to have some volunteers help at Brat Fest on Memorial Day weekend (May 26, 27, 28 & 29) to help raise funds for the Landscaping Project. Judy Goke is our coordinator, so please ask her for information.

We can earn $10 per hour. The money will go towards New Life Church for the Landscaping Project. *PLEASE NOTE: Every person has to go to bratfest.com to sign up - click on this link for InitLIVE: https://app.initlive.com/JE/63v6refjssjaf2. Create your own profile, select a charity (New Life Church is at the bottom of the list because we're new this year!) and then see the dates, job descriptions and volunteer shifts available. You can sign up for one shift or multiple shifts.

This is such a fun event – and helping out helps us reach our goal for this project! Mad City Funk is playing there Friday night, so you may want to be there that night regardless! Thanks in advance for helping out! 

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE

JUNE 30TH

New Life Church will be the venue for a Blood Drive of the American Red Cross on Friday, June 30th. Mark your calendar to save the date! Times will be from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 p.m. in the Community Room.

The Red Cross North Central Blood Services Division of Sheboygan Ave. in Madison is taking donation appointments through their website:

redcross.org/local/wisconsin/about-us/locations/southwest-chapter.html.

Also, if anyone wants to volunteer to register donors or make a dessert for donors, email Deb Kohlwey. Flyers about this event are on the kiosk.

HIRING OFFICE MANAGER

We are seeking candidates for the Office Manager position. It is a great schedule for parents, those who are semi-retired, and want a fulfilling part-time position. The job description is available on Indeed.com or by contacting Pastor Heather. Kathy Scholl is back in the role temporarily while we interview and hire. Please consider who might be interested that you know!

NEW LIFE BOOK CLUB

The book club will meet next on June 10 at 2:00 pm at Talamore Senior Living Center in Sun Prairie. They will be discussing “A year of Biblical Womanhood” by Rachel Heald. The author explores the role of Jewish women in the Old Testament. Each month she tries a new act of obedience to the law. This results in a humorous story of ancient laws in our modern environment and should inspire interesting discussion by the group. If you have any questions contact Melanie Stepherson at [email protected].

Please Keep These People in Your Prayers

Fred Thalacker, Maggie Andres' daughter Kelli (medical treatments), Donna Butler’s grandson Anthony, Shaq Brown, Boyd Fleming, Jodi Franco and her daughter-in-law (medical issues), Terry Hines (Dave Kolmodin's cousin), Michele Kiefer, Dave Kohlwey's brother Neil, Gail Kriel, Patti Kolmodin, Vicki Landes, Hailey Lennberg, Annie O'Kane, Kathy Nelson's brother LaVerne, Stephanie Peck's grandfathers, Alvina Phillips, Trish Splettstoesser, Bobby Spridco, Cheryll & Bill Steinke, Bill Sterud, Russ & Shirley Theel's son-in-law Gil Franco, Jan Wilson's sister Pat, Carolee Zick, and Barb Zimmerman.

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.

This Sunday and Updates for this Week

Sunday, May 28, 2023

8:15 a.m. Traditional Worship Service

9:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service

(also livestreamed on Facebook Live)

9:30 a.m. New Life Kids

Schedule of Events

Monday, May 29 -- MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY -- OFFICE CLOSED

Tuesday, May 30

5:30-6:15 p.m. -- Meeting about Mission Trip

7:00 p.m. -- Social Purpose Team meeting

Wednesday, May 31

5:30 p.m. -- Dinner

6:15 p.m. -- Adult Faith Formation (last session on The Chosen)

Thursday, June 1

5:20 p.m. -- Golf Group at Door Creek Golf Course

Saturday, June 3

7:00-8:00 a.m. -- Prayer Team

9:00-10 a.m. -- Praise Band Rehearsal

9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. -- Bristol Lutheran and St. Paul's Lutheran Shared Ministry meeting here at New Life Church (Classroom)

Office hours are Monday through Thursday. Please feel free to contact staff members of New Life by email at [email protected] or by calling the office at 608-223-9337. Contacts are listed here.

New Life Staff:

Rev. Heather Hayward, Pastor

[email protected]

Jessica Korrison, Children & Youth Ministry Coordinator

[email protected]

Kathy Scholl, Office Manager/Newsletter

[email protected]

Mike Berchem, Bookkeeper

[email protected]

Shakia “Queen” Turner, Property Manager

[email protected]

ELCA South-Central Wisconsin Synod website:

https://scsw-elca.org/

New Life Church Council:

Janice Newell, President

Brian Coel, Vice-President

Tom Olson, Secretary

Ken Wundrow, Treasurer

Iris Christenson

Shannon Erb

Jillene Fisch

Deb Kohlwey

Shawn Peters

Linda Sime

MacKenzie Swanson

Russell Theel