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 January 15, 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 encouraged if people want to wear them.

HAPPENING IN JANUARY...

DINNERS AND ADULT FAITH FORMATION

AS A REMINDER: NO WEDNESDAY DINNERS UNTIL MARCH 1

Pastor Heather leads another Adult Bible Study, spending six weeks doing our study online together (we will also forgo dinner for this period of time). On Wednesdays at 6:15 pm we're exploring a wonderful study of the always-intriguing Book of Revelation. If you would like to get a copy of the book Pastor Heather will be using (which she would recommend), please find it HERE for $15. Here is the Zoom link for the class. We hope you’ll plan to dive into this great study with us!

STEWARDSHIP OF SPACE BEGINS!

COME HELP CLEAN THE KITCHEN ON SUNDAY

Pastor Heather said in her New Year’s message that 2023 will be the year of “Stewardship of Space,” and we got a good start in the kitchen last Sunday, but we could use a little more help this Sunday, January 22 by doing some more cleaning and reorganizing! If you’re able and willing, please come after the second service to help clean and clear out the cabinets as well as clearly label where things should be found. This is a great help to all who use the kitchen, so please come help out! We will work for an hour and see how far we can get! If you can’t help this time, please watch for other opportunities throughout this whole year!

ANNUAL MEETING

Come join us for a look back at 2022 and forward to 2023 for our ministry and financial implications of that ministry, plus the election of new Council members. This is an important conversation about where God is leading us, so make every effort to be a part of this conversation. It will occur after the 9:30 am service (10:30 am approximately) on Sunday, January 29. A light lunch will be provided (gumbo from the Reeds, chili from Wundrows, vegetarian option from Fisches) – please plan to bring a dish to pass to fill this meal out (salad, dessert, drinks, etc.). Paper copies of the Annual Report (except financials) will be available on Sunday, Jan. 22 and the 2023 Spending Plan/Treasurer’s report will be available at the meeting.

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO ACCESS THE CHURCH DATABASE (Community Church Builder, or "CCB")

Curious about the church's database? Did you know you can enter and update your contact information and view your own giving profile? Follow this link with step-by-step directions provided by our church treasurer Ken.

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.

YOGA CLASSES IN JANUARY

Daughter of the congregation, Kathryn Wundrow, has recently completed a 200-hour training to become a yoga instructor and is sharing this gift with the New Life community! All are welcome and any amount of experience is fine. There is no cost except for a very modest suggested donation collected for The Rainbow Project (www.therainbowproject.net) and for the energy cost at the church. We also ask that everyone bring their own yoga mat. This is a 4-WEEK CLASS (it began on Jan. 10th but you are still welcome to join) held on Tuesdays from 6-7 pm. Just email Kathryn.

Do You Like Breakfast?

On the First Sunday of the Month we like to enjoy a nice breakfast between services, hosted between 9:00-11:00 a.m. Due to the Gumbo, etc. for the Annual Meeting and the "Souper Bowl" Sunday on February 12, there will NOT be a "First Breakfast" during the month of February. The next "First Breakfast" will be on March 5th, and we DO NEED someone to sign up to host it! 

See sign-up sheets for 2023 on the left kitchen serving window. We'd love to have your help! It could be a couple of families/friends, a small group you meet with, even a whole ministry team! It's fun and easy to do, and we can help you with details. Contact us in the church office to let us know.

Sunday Mornings

New Life Kids

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

Explorers & eMerge

Youth Faith Formation is every Sunday after 9:30 service.

MISSION TRIP 2023 - Sarasota, FL

Who: Youth currently in grades 8-12

What: Partnering with Luther Springs and Lutheran Disaster

Response, we will work alongside those impacted by

Hurricane Ian, helping to clean up, repair and rebuild. 

Where: Based out of Faith Lutheran Church, Sarasota, FL 

When: Sunday, July 9th - Friday, July 14th, 2023

Registration can be completed here and the $100 deposits can be made by check or online. We are asking that the next payment of $200 be made by February 26th and the remaining balance due on April 30th. I will be reserving flights next week and we will finally have the final flight cost.

SOUPer Bowl Sunday is back!

After each service on Sunday, February 12th the Mission Trip youth will be hosting a SOUPer Bowl fundraiser. If you would like to donate soup, let Jessica know! This year we will have the option for to-go or dine in.

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!

COLLECTING COATS

New Life will be collecting coats in January to benefit the communities served by the Madison Area Jail Ministry and River Food Pantry. They are looking for winter coats of all sizes, especially men’s size large and extra large.

Look for a bin in the narthex on January 8th. We will be collecting through January 29th.

Thank you in advance for your donation!

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE JANUARY 30TH

New Life Church will be the venue for a Blood Drive of the American Red Cross on Monday, January 30, 2023. 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 hoping for about 20-25 blood donations. All donation appointments will be made through their website:

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

Donors will receive a free long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt while supply lasts.

WEEKEND SNACK PACK PROGRAM FOR KIDS

We helped pack bags for this wonderful program in the Monona Grove schools last November – and we will be doing it again in February and March! Click here for sign up and watch for more details coming next week, but make plans to help starting Sunday, February 19! Most of the packing events will be on Sundays. Thanks again to Nicole Hines and Vicki Schultz for heading up New Life’s involvement in this great program! If you’re unable to help with the packing, consider a gift to the Foundation at www.supportmgef.org  Thanks!

Common Threads

Ginny Olson and Gail Kriel lead knitters and crocheters in the Common Threads group, to 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 p.m. and the fourth Tuesday mornings of the month from 9:30-11:30 a.m. To sign up and for info, email Ginny.

The group meets next on Tuesday, Jan. 24 from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Free prayer shawls are available at the church for anyone who would like one.

MEN’S GROUP

Hey guys! We're offering a time for the men of our community to gather and be strengthened in their faith, and we invite new people to join us anytime! The next time we'll get together will be THIS Saturday, Jan. 21st from 8:00-9:00 a.m. at the church. Questions? Contact group leaders Shawn Peters and Jim DePass.

Please Keep These People in Your Prayers

Maggie Andres' daughter Kelli (medical treatments), Donna Butler’s grandson Anthony, Shaq Brown, Boyd Fleming, Jodi Franco and her daughter-in-law (medical issues), Raja Hassan's father (medical treatments), 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, the family of Stan's sister-in-law Melva Phillips, the family of Steve Rayments (friend of Jeff Lennberg), Trish Splettstoesser, Bobby Spridco, Cheryll & Bill Steinke, Bill Sterud, Russ & Shirley Theel's son-in-law Gil Franco, family of Grace Volkman, 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 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

January 22, 2023

8:15 a.m. Traditional Praise Worship Service

9:30 a.m. Contemporary Praise Worship Service

(also livestreamed on Facebook Live)

9:30 a.m. New Life Kids

10:30 a.m. Youth Faith Formation (ReCreation Center)

Schedule of Events This Week

Wednesday, January 18

6:15-7:30 p.m. — Adult Faith Formation (via Zoom) (led by Pastor Heather)

Thursday, January 19

9:00-11:00 a.m. — Bible Study Group (led by Betty Sundbakken) (Classroom A)

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

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Contemporary Praise Worship Band Practice (Worship Center)

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Shawn's MCF Band practice (ReCreation Center)

Saturday, January 21

8:00-9:00 a.m. — New Life Men's Group (led by Shawn & Jim) (Classroom A)

Monday, January 23

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

6:00-7:30 p.m. — Congregation Council Meeting (Classroom A)

Tuesday, January 24

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

6:00-7:00 p.m. — Social Purpose Team meeting

6:00-7:00 p.m. — Yoga with Kathryn (ReCreation Center)

Wednesday, January 25

6:15-7:30 p.m. — Adult Faith Formation (via Zoom) (led by Pastor Heather)

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 Assistant/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:

Iris Christenson, Secretary

Brian Coel, Vice-President

Jim DePass

Rick Krueger

Joe Milanese

Janice Newell, President

Tom Olson

Shawn Peters

Linda Sime

MacKenzie Swanson

Jan Wilson

Ken Wundrow, Treasurer