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NEW LIFE CHURCH ELCA


WEEKLY E-MAIL NEWSLETTER


Sunday Worship Times:

Traditional Worship 8:15 a.m.

Praise Band Worship 9:30 a.m., also livestreamed on Facebook Live


7564 Cottage Grove Rd. Madison WI 53718

Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday

Contact us at newlifelc@newlifelc.com or (608) 223-9337

Join us on Facebook or YouTube / Join our email list here

Website: www.newlifelc.com

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WORSHIP

This week's message is for the First Sunday of Advent

 "There's Room for Every Story"

Matthew 1:1-17

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, November 20 - 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.

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THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP

Come join us for an evening of blessing and thankfulness as we take part in a Thanksgiving Eve service at 6:30 p.m. TONIGHT, November 23rd. We will also kick off our collection for St. Mark’s Food Pantry with our Reverse Advent Calendar, so please bring to worship any items you wish to donate. Enjoy pie and conversation in the Community Room after the service!

NEW COMMUNION TABLES

We are honored to receive from the handy hands of Terry Phillips (and his dad, Stan) these beautiful pair of tables we’ll now be using for Communion. Terry created these in loving memory of his wife, Wendy, who died six months ago. Thank you, Terry and Stan!

ADVENT/CHRISTMAS

As we begin this wonderful time of year, we hope you can make plans to join the New Life Community as we give God thanks for the gift of Jesus’ birth!


Come help us prepare our building for this season as we decorate, set up Christmas trees, and hang garland on Wednesday, November 30 at 6:15 pm. All are welcome for dinner at 5:30 pm and there will be cookies and hot beverages while we decorate.

A lot of hands will be needed so please come help out!

Our theme for Sunday and Wednesday worship gatherings is “From Generation to Generation.” The holidays always bring with them memories of generations gathered together, rituals and traditions carried on from one generation to another – and like a tapestry woven throughout time, the Christmas story weaves us in too. With daily devotionals, poems and visuals, we will be emersed in hearing and telling this story for all the ages. Printed copies of the devotional are available at church.


Sunday Themes:

  • Nov. 27 – There’s room for every story
  • Dec. 4 – God meets us in our fear
  • Dec. 11 – We can choose a better way
  • Dec. 18 – We see God in each other

Advent Devotional Service

On Wednesdays, Dec. 7, 14, and 21 at 6:30 pm we will also gather for an Advent Devotional Service at 6:30 pm (after dinner – all are welcome!) to hear more about this theme, read Scripture and poems together, and sing some favorite Christmas carols.


On December 21st we will also include portions of the worship acknowledging the Longest Night, and the grief people manage during this time of year.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Our theme will connect to the telling of this great story at two services: 5 pm – a family-friendly worship with an impromptu Christmas Pageant and candlelight (glowsticks also available for young hands) and 7 pm – a classic Christmas service with favorite songs and candlelight.


CHRISTMAS DAY is a Sunday, but we believe we will all want to be with our families that day, so please tune in to Facebook at 9:30 am for a special devotional message from Pastor Heather. (There will be no in-person worship that morning!)

Come join us for all of these opportunities to sing God’s praises for the immeasurable gift of Jesus!

WE NEED HELPERS!

With some of the holiday services coming up, we are going to need helpers!


Decorators!! If you can help, on Wednesday, Nov. 30th at 6:15 p.m. we will need many hands for the "Hanging of the Greens" (garland, trees, ornaments) in the Worship Center! PLEASE help if you can.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT

OUR SAVIOR'S DECEMBER 2ND TO BENEFIT LOCAL FOOD PANTRY


Everyone is invited to join in on December 2nd at 7 pm at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Sun Prairie for the 21st Annual Food Pantry Christmas Concert. 550 Lincoln Drive, Sun Prairie.

Due to Covid, their last concert was in 2019. The time has come to reestablish this tradition with a night filled with beautiful holiday music and delicious Christmas treats. The concert is free and and benefits the Sun Prairie Food Pantry. Musicians from New Life Church will be participating in the concert, performing three songs.

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. We are also asking folks to donate gift bags and tissue paper. 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, click on this Sign Up Genius form!

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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. The next "First Breakfast" will be on Sunday, December 4 with items from Breakfast with Santa coordinated by Linda and Brian Sime, Verne Scholl, and Rick and Tricia Krueger.


We NEED people to sign up to host breakfasts in 2023! 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.

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.

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.


Below is the schedule for the remainder of November. We still have a few openings the last Sunday of November (27th) that need to be filled. If you can help, please let the office know as soon as possible.


Here is the link to the DECEMBER sign-up sheet!


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

ORDER CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS


We are offering the opportunity for you to order a Christmas Poinsettia (or more than one!) that will be placed up front in the worship center to adorn the altar stage for Christmas Eve service.




We will be placing one large order with Felly's Flowers, to be delivered to the church at the same time a couple of days before Christmas Eve. The deadline for you to submit your order will be Tuesday, November 29.


There are a few ways for you to order: 1) Click here or on the graphic at left for the Google.doc sign-up order form; 2) Sign up on the hard copy sheet on the Welcome Table; or, 3) Contact the church office. We will coordinate our order and ensure placement of the poinsettias on the altar stage.


The plants can be tagged in honor or memory of a loved one. They'll also be marked on the back with a label of your name so that you may take your poinsettia home with you following the service or come get it after Christmas. The colors and prices are listed on the order form. Payment may be made by check to New Life Church placed in the offering bowl or mailed to the church office. Please help us beautify our worship center with these colorful plants for Christmas!


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.

VANCO(Give Online)

CONNECTIONS

Ministry

Adult Ministry

WEDNESDAY DINNER AND EVENING ACTIVITIES

You are invited to join others in the New Life community for dinner every Wednesday night at 5:30 pm.  No dinner this week (we'll have pie after the Thanksgiving Eve service).

Next week (Nov. 30th) let's do a Potluck - bring leftovers from your Thanksgiving meal. After dinner (approximately) at 6:30 pm, we'll work on "Hanging of the Greens" (garland, trees, ornaments) in the Worship Center! We hope lots of people come out to eat with us and help with projects.

Children & Youth Ministry

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. This Sunday we will be putting the final touches on the ornament fundraiser!

MISSION TRIP 2023 - Sarasota, FL

Trip Dates: Sunday, July 9th - Friday, July 14th

We will be spending the week in Sarasota Florida to bring relief and restoration to the victims of Hurricane Ian.


Thank you to everyone who joined us at the informational meeting last Sunday. The majority agreed that they would rather fly. I will continue to look into flights and as of the right now we still plan on the cost being around $300 - $500.


There are only 15 spots available for youth and chaperones. The deposit and sign up are due by December 18th.

Mission Trip Fundraiser


Handmade New Life Church ornaments will be for sale starting November 30th. They will be $20 with $16 going towards next summer's mission trip!

Middle and High Schoolers!


On Sunday, December 11th after 9:30am service we will go shopping for the Big Brother Big Sister Teen Gift Drive.

Sign up here!

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

COMMUNITY

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.


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!

TEEN GIFT DRIVE


It's that time again - the annual New Life Teen Gift Drive to gather gifts for middle and high school students in our area. We will once again be working with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County to distribute the gifts we collect. The now familiar Gift Box will be set up at church on November 30 through Sunday, December 11.   


We do have a few gift ideas but the best approach is to get advice from a teen. If you would prefer, the BBBS folks have put together an Amazon Wishlist to purchase items and have them shipped directly to them.  This is the link for the wish list if you are interested: https://a.co/8r3x8tV.


Teen gift ideas: Paint by numbers, Card or board games, Bluetooth speaker, Hydroflask stickers, LED photo clip lights for a room, Headphones, sweaters, nail polish, socks, Carhart winter hats, glove spa-like face masks. OR gift cards to places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, etc.


New this year there's an option to donate money for our middle and high school youth to go shopping on December 11th.


Questions? Contact Kathy Michaelis at ksmichaelis@gmail.com. gref ple manage during this time of year.

One More Idea for the Holiday Gift Giving...you could donate towards the social purpose fund with a $50 Woodman's gift card and bring it to the church office.

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, Annie O'Kane, Stephanie Peck (grandfathers in hospice), Alvina Phillips, 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 27, 2022

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 (Community Room)



Schedule of Events This Week

Wednesday, November 23

5:00-6:00 p.m. — Praise Band Rehearsal

6:30 p.m. — Thanksgiving Eve in-person Worship (also streamed on Facebook Live)


Thursday, November 24 - THANKSGIVING DAY - OFFICE CLOSED

Friday, November 25— OFFICE CLOSED


Saturday, November 26

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

3:00 p.m. — Harrington family Birthday Party (Community Room)


Tuesday, November 29

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


Wednesday, November 30

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

6:15 p.m. — Hanging of the Greens decorating for Advent/Christmas 

CONTACT

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


Jessica Korrison, Children & Youth Ministry Coordinator

youtheducator@newlifelc.com


Kathy Scholl, Office Assistant/Newsletter

newlifelc@newlifelc.com


Mike Berchem, Bookkeeper

bookkeeper@newlifelc.com


Shakia “Queen” Turner, Property Manager

shakiamturner@yahoo.com



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