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Sunday, November 2, 2025

This Week's Message is:

“The Blessed”

Luke 6:20-31

ALL SAINTS SUNDAY

Pastor Heather would like to recognize those who have died this past year as well as the Saints in your life that you are remembering. Please email her with names you'd like remembered in worship this Sunday November 2nd. Please email these names no later than tomorrow October 30!

FALL BACK

Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday! Remember to set those clocks back an hour!

BREAKFAST TIME!

Please join us for breakfast on Sunday! Special Thanks to: Jackie Jensen, Rudy Knutson, Mary & Jeff Nelson-Meicher, and Deb & Dave Kohlwey for this week's meal!

Menu: Egg Casserole, Stuffed French Toast, Sausages, and Muffins!

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.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY for Quarter 3

Income Trends

Income remained steady with a slight increase from $90,000 in the second quarter to $97,000 for the quarter ending September 30th. Income year-to-date was $321,000, compared with $317,000 at this time last year. The finance team remains confident that we can reach or exceed our year-end estimate of $431,000. For this, we are extremely thankful for the giving of financial resources we see from the members of this church.

Expenses

Expenses, year to date, for 2025 totaled $333,000, which included just over $15,000 in building improvements and equipment replacement. Though this left us with a net loss of $13,000 year to date, the painting of the building and improvements to some equipment were both necessary and done at a very reasonable cost.

Projects

Our Bell project is in its final stages, and we have a hoped-for completion scheduled for end of October. As this is the church’s 70th anniversary, this has been a very fitting project, and we hope to dedicate it along with a 70th birthday party for the church. We have raised most of the money for this project through two generous gifts but are still looking for additional gifts.

Looking forward, we are currently getting quotes for replacement of the carpeting in the sanctuary. We will keep the congregation informed as we move forward.

Cash Position

As of September 30th, we were carrying a cash balance of $193,000 with liabilities of $580,000, all of which is our mortgage balance. Fixed assets, buildings and land are conservatively valued at $2,250,000.

In Closing:

We are extremely thankful for this congregation’s willingness to give so freely of your time, talents and especially, your financial resources.

COMMITMENT SUNDAY(S)

In the past couple of years, we have done something called a Commitment Card where you prayerfully considered your giving to St. Matthew's New Life for the coming year. This year, the Spiritual Resources Team wanted to offer a different way of thinking about this. In worship on Sunday November 16 and 23, there will be a creative experience offered about this. Be in prayer until then about your 2026 commitment - with time, talent and treasure!

NEXT WOMEN'S EVENTS

THIS Saturday, November 1 8:00 am to 3:00 pm – We will attend the Greater Things Women's Conference in Sun Prairie. More information (and to purchase tickets) can be found here: Greater Things Conference – A Day of Hope, Faith, Joy & Connection! Tickets are $40 while supplies last. (They did sell out last year, so get your ticket TODAY.)

Thursday, December 11 6:00 to 8:00 pm - Advent by Candlelight, a devotional and fellowship women's event will be held at New Life Church. This beautiful night of worship and togetherness will be all by candle- and Christmas tree light. Each table will be decorated by the hostess of that table, and after a brief worship we will share dessert and time together. More information about hosting and sign up will be available soon! (No cost)

Stay tuned for the 2026 events coming soon! 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 at buckyshome6@yahoo.com.

FALL CLEAN UP

Thanks to so many amazing people, there is not a lot for us to do to be ready for winter, but we do have some trimming of trees, water to shut off, and some other minor projects. So if you're able to help out, many hands will make this really light work! Come on Saturday November 1 from 9a-noon to help us get ready for the next season! Thank you for your care of this space!

PRAYERS AND PIE

Our Thanksgiving Eve Service "Prayers & Pie" will be on Wednesday, November 26th at 6:30pm. Please come and give thanks with our community! If you would like to bring a pie for our celebration, please sign up at the Sign Up Table, or sign up here.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

Sundays at 11am: there's no Faith Formation this week so we can enjoy breakfast together. Come the next two Sundays, on Nov. 9 & 16 for a preview of a class we will be offering in the New Year led by Jeff Lennberg based on the book by Eckhart Tolle, "A New Earth." Here's a word from Jeff about this class:

Hello New Life family,

Have you ever thought to yourself that you are not enough? Have you ever felt so lost that you feel there is no way to feel found? Have you every experienced trauma in life that affected you in a negative way, leading to it sneaking up again and again in your life? Do you often wish you could go deeper in faith? If you have ever said or thought any of these questions, then you are on the right path. I know, that sounds strange to say, but it is true. This is your inner self telling you change is needed. 

On August 17, 2025 I shared a personal message with you in regard to removing the tallest wall we face in our lives. It's a wall that affects every single one of our relationships, including our relationship with ourselves. In August 2021, my life had gotten out of control and on the 21st day of that month in 2021, I made the conscious decision to truly seek depth in my faith, love, relationships and compassion. Gretchen and I, both agreeing to take this journey together as one flesh, started digging beyond the surface to find out what needed to change in order for us to be more effective in our lives, faith and ministry.  

The material I covered in the August 17, 2025 message was based off of a culmination of a four year study into dissolving ego, being present in every moment and embracing life as it is. In the message I spoke about an author/teacher and a book that is central to my own personal transformation. The book is entitled "A New Earth", by Eckhart Tolle. I had mentioned in the message that I would be hosting a study on the book at New Life. It was my hope to start that in November, but after consideration of the depth of the material, we will be starting the actual study in January, 2026. 

On Sundays November 9th and 16th, 2025, at 11:00am, following worship, I will be hosting a time for people who are interested in this study to come, ask questions and sign up for the study. The study will require the purchase of the book "A New Earth' and the format will be a group study/discussion of the book. I will explain more during the meetings on November 9th and the 16th. It is my hope that you can join the study and can make it to one of these two introductory meetings.

If you do not have the resources to get a copy of this book, Pastor Heather has several free copies available or please purchase the book on Amazon for less than $10.00.

I hope you take advantage of this study and taking positive steps in going deeper in love, compassion, faith and life.

Jeff Lennberg

Wednesdays at 6pm: There will be NO Faith Formation TODAY. Then next week, we will come back to our connection to The Chosen. We will watch three episodes from Season 3 in November. Come for this powerful series!

COME MEET OUR NEW OFFICE MANAGER!

We are so pleased to have hired Sarah Sheffer.

Sarah and her husband Brad will be with us in worship this Sunday, November 2nd!

NEW LIFE KIDS

New Life Kids is back in full swing! Join us 8:50-9:40a Sunday mornings in the Recreation center. This week we will do a craft that connects to the story of Moses and the burning Bush. Ashley is looking for volunteers for this fall. Please reach out to Ashley find out about volunteer opportunities with New Life Kids.

We are also offering youth conversations in the youth classroom at the same time as New Life Kids (8:50-9:40am Sundays). Please talk to Ashley about this as well!

BIBLES FOR KIDS and YOUTH

If your child(ren) did not receive a bible from New Life Church last Fall or they received a children's Bible and are ready for a youth Bible, please reach out to Ashley: youtheducator@newlifelc.com.

MADISON AREA JAIL MINISTRY WINTER COAT DRIVE

We will again be collecting new/gently used coats, boots, scarves, gloves and mittens for those reentering society after incarceration.

Both men’s and women’s items sizes large through 4X will be accepted.

Please look for a bin in the entryway beginning 11/2 and going through 11/16.

Thank you in advance for your donations.

The Holidays are coming - and so it is time to start thinking about the TEEN GIFT DRIVE.

Once again we will be working with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County providing gifts for their "Littles" at their Holiday Party.  

The box for collecting items will be at church starting November 16th. Our deadline for delivering the gifts to them is Dec 9th. We ask that you bring items to fill the box (unwrapped please) OR you may opt to purchase from the Amazon wish list linked HERE and items will be delivered directly to BBBS.

HURRICANE MELISSA RESPONSE

If you were watching the news this week, you saw the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean. If you would like to directly respond, please consider donating though the Lutheran Disaster Response. They are on the ground and ready to help. Please go to their website HERE to learn more and donate.

CarePortal UPDATE

We continue as a community and individuals to meet local needs through this wonderful new resource. More to come on next steps and how you can be more involved. Thank you to our CarePortal team for making this ministry continue to grow! If you would like to know more about CarePortal, please contact Nicole Hines.

ST MARK'S FOOD PANTRY

Our congregation continues to generously support St. Mark’s food pantry. Again the back of my SUV was filled with the delivery made the last week of September Donations of shelf stable food and personal hygiene products (laundry pods, toilet paper, toothpaste and brushes, dish soap and body soap/wash) are appreciated. Food items currently requested and in short supply are canned peas and carrots, jam, and hearty soups. Cheryll Steinke, a member of our congregation who volunteers at the pantry, let me know Sunday that supplies of toilet paper and laundry pods are also extremely low. Donations can be placed on the table in the community room. Any paper, plastic and reusable bags can also be donated as that is an ongoing need of the pantry. Be watching for a special drive during the month of December to fill the shelves!

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



Russ and Shirley Theel

Barb Zimmerman

Ginny Qualmann

Every Day Prayers

Vickey and Jean Hoover

Shane Peters

Condolences



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