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!

View last Sunday's 9:30 am service from Sunday, October 30th - click here.

STILL REFORMING

Last Sunday, Pastor Heather invited us to think about the ways that the Church is still reforming. What are some ways the worldwide Church can continue to seek out the Spirit’s power for change? Here are the ideas you shared in worship:

• Acceptance of everyone
• Invite outsiders
• Better ability to articulate our faith
• More dialogue between “sides”
• More diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Confirm spiritual gifts
• Non-judgmental interactions
• To trust God more for all outcomes
• That the Church would “walk the talk”
• Look outside the building for what God is doing
• Less hypocrisy
• Always remember the poor

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.

COMMUNION CHANGES

As many have expressed a desire to return to bread and wine, this coming Sunday, November 6 we will begin to offer that during Communion. The pre-filled cups we’ve been using throughout Covid will be available as well, but if you desire bread and wine or grape juice, they will also be available as you come forward. If you would like to help with set up, clean up, or serving any Sunday please let Pastor Heather or Ann Krebs Byrne know.

MAKE NOTE FOR THIS COMING SUNDAY

THIS Sunday, November 6th, is All Saints Sunday — it’s also when Daylight Savings Time ends (“fall back” = an extra hour).

Enjoy a First Sunday Breakfast hosted by Judy Goke and Shirley & Russ Theel. The menu is: Sausage & Egg Breakfast Bites (Gluten free options); Blueberry French Toast Bake; Fruit Salad (gluten free ); and, Apple Cider. 

If you would like to submit names of those to be remembered on All Saints Sunday, please send them to Pastor Heather.

In addition, please join in the "Let's Watch it Together: Leaders of Madison's Black Renaissance" event (see below) - we'll watch and discuss it after the 9:30 a.m. service.

Let's Watch it Together: Leaders of Madison's Black Renaissance - a documentary that captures an important historical moment in Madison's history. Dates are THIS SUNDAY, Nov. 6th and Nov. 13th, after the 9:30am service. The first week will cover Education, Youth Services, Human Services, Healthcare and Business; the second week will cover Artists, Criminal Justice, Politics, Black Church/Community Services, and Media. Each session will be about one hour - watch the video and share our thoughts.

New Life will have the video available in our library to borrow afterwards.

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

SAVE THE DATE!

Come join us for an evening of blessing and thankfulness as we take part in a Thanksgiving Eve service at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23rd. Enjoy pie and conversation in the Community Room after the service! If you'd like to bring in a pie, please let us know.

NEUENDORF MEMORIAL

We will gather as a community to celebrate the life of Laurie Neuendorf this Saturday, November 5 at 3 pm, with a visitation from 1-3 pm. Thank you for your prayers for Laurie’s husband John, their children, Amy and Justin, and three grandchildren. 

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Saturday December 3

8:30-11:00am

Come start the season off with a wonderful family-friendly morning. Pictures with Santa, a filling breakfast, items for kids to “purchase” as gifts for adults in their lives (donations welcome but not necessary), and a festive atmosphere! In order to provide the gifts for kids to give to their family, we are collecting new or gently-used small adult gifts ONLY! Items such as ties, socks, candles, scarves, mittens/hats, purses, etc. We will not be accepting any large items, clothing, or gifts for children. This FREE event is open to the whole community, so please invite your neighbors and friends! If you would like to help at the event or donate food items, on Sunday there will be a Sign Up Genius form available on the front table to fill in. 

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. Or as always, you can mail in your donations to New Life.

WEDNESDAY DINNER AND PRAYER COURSE CONTINUES!

You are invited to join others in the New Life community for dinner every Wednesday night at 5:30 pm – this week we'll have Pizza (thanks Jean & Vickey Hoover!) and Salad; please bring a Dessert to share if you'd like. And then at 6:30 pm, let’s continue with our prayer conversation with The Prayer Course. It’s a video-based small group discussion that helps us wrestle with all the aspects of our prayer lives. This study will continue until Nov. 9. so you still have time to attend. Pastor Heather recommends these books: “how to pray: a simple guide for normal people” and “how to hear God: a simple guide for normal people.” Order at:

 https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/how-to-pray-book/

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. THIS Sunday we will be helping pack bags for the Monona Grove weekend snack program. We will meet in the ReCreation Room. 

High School Volunteer Opportunity! 

THIS Friday, November 4th we will be helping at St. Mark's Community Lunch. We will be there from 10:30am - 1:30pm to help prep, serve and clean up. We will meet in the New Life parking lot at 10am and return back at 2pm. There is still room to sign up here! Friends are welcomed and encouraged to come. 

Youth Team

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, November 8th at 6pm in the classroom! See you there!

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. Most recently, due to inflation especially at the gas pump, we have distributed almost $2000 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. Again, thank you for caring and sharing!

WEEKEND SNACK PACK PROGRAM FOR KIDS

There is a wonderful program in the Monona Grove schools through the Monona Grove Education Foundation that provides much-needed extra food for kids over the weekends – and now New Life gets to be a part of it! During the month of November, we will help to pack 150 bags every week that will help families in our community!

We have a full complement of helpers who signed up to help on

Sunday , Nov. 6.  We will also have a group on Wednesday, Nov. 16 to cover.  NOTE: Due to a miscommunication in scheduling, we will NOT need anyone to pack food on NOV. 20th. Thanks 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, please consider a gift to the Foundation at www.supportmgef.org  Look for another opportunity in February. Thanks!

BIBLE STUDY GROUP

The Bible Study Group that meets on Thursday mornings, led by Betty Sundbakken, will meet at their usual time of 9:00-11:00 a.m. tomorrow, November 3rd to start their next series, which will run for six weeks. It's called "The Case for Christmas/Easter" by Lee Stroebel. The group will watch a DVD and discuss it. All are welcome!

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 on Saturday, November 19th from 8:00-9:00 a.m. at the church. The group leaders, Shawn Peters and Jim DePass, would like to gather up some contact information (names, emails, cell phone numbers for group text messages) - please put your info on the blue notepad on the high table in the lobby if you'd like to join us! We are working on some potential projects and gatherings.  If you have questions, please let the office know.

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, Nov. 8 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

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

NEW LIFE SATURDAY BOOK CLUB

The New Life Book Club led by Melanie Stepherson will hold its next meeting on Saturday, November 12 at 9:30 a.m. in the Classroom, discussing

"The Surburban Christian" by Albert Hsu. This book explores how the plenty of surburbia crafts our thoughts and Christian life.

Please Keep These People in Your Prayers

Donna Butler’s grandson Anthony, Shaq Brown, the friends and family of Carolyn Dawson, Boyd Fleming, Terry Hines (Dave Kolmodin's cousin), Michele Kiefer, Dave Kohlwey's brother Neil, Gail Kriel, Patti Kolmodin, Vicki Landes, Hailey Lennberg, Jeff Lennberg, the family of Laurie Neuendorf, Annie O'Kane, Stephanie Peck (grandfathers in hospice), Alvina Phillips, the family of Gerald Polkinghorn, Vern Richmond, Jeremy Showers, Trish Splettstoesser, Bobby Spridco, Cheryll & Bill Steinke, Bill Sterud, Russ & Shirley Theel's son-in-law Gil Franco, 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

November 6, 2022 - ALL SAINTS SUNDAY 

8:15 a.m. Traditional Worship Service

9:30 a.m. Praise Band Worship Service

(also livestreamed on Facebook Live)

10:30 a.m. Youth Faith Formation (Community Room)

10:30 a.m. FOOD PACKING for Monona Grove Education Foundation (ReCreation Center)

Schedule of Events This Week

Wednesday, November 2

5:30 p.m. — Community Dinner (Community Room)

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Adult Faith Formation - PRAYER COURSE with Pastor Heather

Thursday, November 3

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)

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

Friday, November 4

10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. — Youths helping serve lunch at St. Mark's (Jessica)

3:00 p.m. — Burial of Laurie Neuendorf

Saturday, November 5

8:30 a.m. -Noon — Awaken Dane (NLC team to attend) (Upper House)

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

1:00-3:00 p.m. — Laurie Neuendorf Visitation//3:00 p.m. Celebration of Life

Monday, November 7

10:00 a.m. - Noon — Gift Cards Distribution

7:00 p.m. — Athletes of Faith (Monona Grove Faith Group) (ReCreation Center)

Tuesday, November 8

6:00-7:00 p.m. Youth Team (Classroom A)

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Finance Team (Bookkeeper's Office)

6:30-8:30 p.m. — Common Threads (led by Ginny & Gail at Ginny's studio)

Wednesday, November 9

5:30-6:15 p.m. — Community Dinner (Community Room)

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Adult Faith Formation - PRAYER COURSE  (last session)

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