Reminder: The last section of the newsletter is always the calendar. If your email ends before that, it may have been "clipped." If you see that message, just click on the "View entire message" link next to it to view the newsletter in its entirety.

Sunday, January 18, 2025

This Week's Message is:

“The Lamb of God”

John 1:29-42

ACCESS WORSHIP

Join us for our Traditional worship Sundays at 8:00 a.m. and at 9:45 a.m. for Praise worship which is livestreamed on our Facebook and available on YouTube any time after. Our most recent worship services are also posted to our website. To view the last Sunday's Service click below.

ANNUAL MEETING

On Sunday, February 1st we will be having our Annual Meeting. Please join us for one worship service at 9 am, with brunch to follow. The meeting will start at 10:30 am.

WEDNESDAY FAITH FORMATION

To follow up our fall study of Paul, we will be diving into one of his most celebrated letters - the Book of Romans. Join Pastor Heather on Zoom each Wednesday beginning TONIGHT at 6pm. HERE is the Zoom link which will be the same every week or contact Pastor Heather directly to receive it via email. This will be a five-week study. All are welcome!

ANNUAL REPORTS DUE JANUARY 15

In preparation for the Annual Meeting on Sunday February 1, we are compiling our 2025 Annual Report. Any team or group leaders that would like to submit a report of the year, please have it in to the Office Manager no later than TOMORROW, January 15.

NEXT WOMEN'S EVENT - "HANDS AND FEET OF JESUS"

TOMORROW, January 15 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm

We will have a short devotion and share some snacks and then we’ll use our feet and learn line dancing! Thank you to Joan Lampert for getting this set up! To use our hands, we’ll bring offerings for our food pantry. Please RSVP to Janice Newell (buckyshome6@yahoo.com) if you are planning to attend so we can plan appropriately and bring a friend! Also, if line dancing isn’t “your thing,” feel free to come for the fellowship and watch the fun.

We hope all women and their friends will join us for times together to grow in faith and fellowship! If you’d like to be added to the email list to hear details about these events, please email Janice Newell.

A NEW EARTH BOOK STUDY

Continuing This Sunday (1/18) at 11am, Jeff Lennberg will lead us through Eckhart Tolle's book "A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose." Come discover what it means to deny yourself and follow Jesus in a deeper way. If you would like to be on the email list for updates about this class, please contact Jeff. His emails about what section to read have begun! Start the New year off with this commitment to discover more about following Jesus! If you would like the video of January 4th's conversation, please reach out to the church office.

Kathy Mullen will be offering an opportunity to discuss this material outside of Sunday mornings. This group will be meeting on Thursday mornings at 11:30 am at church. If you would like to be a part of this group or would like more information, please email Kathy at kathymuln@gmail.com.

THURS. MORNING WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY: SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Join us starting January 29th as we begin our next study. We will be starting a study on the Sermon on the Mount by Jen Wilkin. We will be studying the complete teaching with subjects including blessedness, the Lords Prayer, religious devotion, money, ambition, and relationships. We will learn to be to think differently about what it means to be a follower of Christ and a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. Come and learn from Jesus as the disciples did.

For more information or to be added to the email list, please reach out to Melanie Stepherson.

NEW LIFE KIDS meets each Sunday at 8:50a in the ReCreation Center. This week, we will be creating art around the parable of building our houses on solid foundations.

NEW LIFE KIDS - 2026 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Please consider signing up to lead a Sunday school lesson in 2026! We have many different lesson options, from art to games to videos- it's up to you! Sign up here

NEW LIFE CHURCH BLOOD DRIVE

Monday, January 26th from 12 pm to 5 pm

One great way to give back and help save lives is by donating blood! For an appointment call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter Sponsor Code: Newlifechurchmadison. Walk-ins Welcome! Please like and share our Facebook event!

If you wish to volunteer or donate items, check out the Sign Up Table!

Listening Session

in Support of our Latinx ministries and the migrant community

Saturday, January 29th at 6 pm

St. Stephen's Lutheran Church

5700 Pheasant Hill Road, Monona WI 53716

The migrant community is experiencing fear and uncertainty due to the on-going threat of family separation and massive deportations. Come and join us to express your support to our migrant siblings and to explore together how to provide accompaniment during this challenging time.

To follow this up, Iris Christenson and Pastor Heather will offer another Listening Session at New Life on Sunday February 15 at 11am in the classroom. Come find out any recent updates and what you can do!

AZAD FAMILY FUNDRASING

Please consider helping Najib Azad reunite with his family members who are still trapped in Afghanistan and in danger because they worked with the US military for many years before the Taliban took over the country in 2021. His family members have approved Special Immigrant Visas but need help covering their costs to leave Afghanistan and travel to the US. The purpose of this fundraiser is to cover expenses for at least 6 family members.

Based on precise expense calculations, the cost for each individual is about US $5,000, including visas, travel from Kabul, accommodation in the third country, medical exams, and the travel leg to Wisconsin. The total needed now is $23,000 ($7,000 was raised in December).

Donations can be made using the QR code in this message or by writing a check. The check should be made payable to: Focus Development Organization, Inc. (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization) and mailed or delivered to Iris Christenson at the following address: 5 Kiowa Ct., Madison, WI 53713. If you have any questions, call or text Iris: 1-608-239-6060. Your donation will be tax deductible. We know this family well since Najib and his wife, Sarwat, have given educational programs and New Life and Iris and her husband (Gregg) are their US sponsors.

CarePortal UPDATE

Here is an update from Nicole Hines:

I’m excited to share a recent CarePortal update! New Life was able to fully fund and take the lead on a request for a young mother in need of a car seat and an umbrella. I had the privilege of personally delivering the items and was honored to meet her—as well as several others—during my visit to Shelter from the Storm.

The experience was incredibly moving and has only deepened my desire to continue partnering with CarePortal. I’m grateful for this ministry and hopeful that we can keep responding generously to future requests. I look forward to engaging our team even more as new opportunities arise. As always, please let me know what questions you have about CarePortal. 

ST MARK'S FOOD PANTRY

The reverse Advent food drive for St Mark’s food pantry was a tremendous success. Our congregation is extremely supportive of this mission. Last Thursday Ed and I made our second delivery in December, and because of your generosity the donations completely filled the back of my SUV again. We dropped off 17 bags/boxes of food. 

In addition, the Social Purpose Committee recommended, and the council approved, another $2,000 donation. Mark Taylor, the coordinator of the pantry, sends a huge thank you to our congregation. According to Mark, our monetary gift will primarily be used to purchase perishable items-meat, eggs and milk again. Donations can be placed on the table in the community room. Paper, plastic and reusable bags are a continuing need and can also be donated.

SOCIAL PURPOSE FUND

We continue to need your help in order to be able to distribute gift cards to those in need - which totals on average about $1,000 every month! Because of the increased need, 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. Thank you! Also, 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).

Prayers needed for

Hospitalized, Injured, Ill or Medical Prayers



Barb Zimmerman

Ken Wundrow

Jim Melka


Marge McEwen

Kathy Statz

Nick Stowell

Jason Thomas

Joel Jacobs

Rick Krueger

Deb Reed

Pam St. John

Every Day Prayers

Shane Peters

Condolences

Sandra Cummins in the death of husband Rex

Cheryl Phillips and Family in the death of her dad James

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 to office.

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

New Life Staff:

Rev. Heather Hayward, Pastor

pastor@newlifelc.com

Ashley Reinke, Children & Youth Ministry Coordinator

youtheducator@newlifelc.com

Sarah Sheffer, Office Manager/Newsletter

newlifelc@newlifelc.com

Jim Manos, Bookkeeper

bookkeeper@newlifelc.com

Shakia “Queen” Turner, Property Manager

shakiamturner@yahoo.com

New Life Church Council:

Jillene Fisch, President

Linda Sime, Vice President

Tom Olson, Secretary

Ken Wundrow, Treasurer

Iris Christenson

Brian Coel

Shannon Erb

Deb Kohlwey

Louise Miller

Shawn Peters

Uriah Reppert

Derek Schuette