Sunday February 23, 2025

This Week's Message is:

"Mercy Abounds"

Luke 6:27-38

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 service from February 16 click here.

LIBERATING THE PEACEMAKER WITHIN 2.0

There were many in our community who were able to enjoy this great class last year, and we're excited to say that Elton Tylenda and Josie Pradella have graciously agreed to offer it again! They've updated and streamlined it so even if you were a part of it last year, there will be new things. It will be a six-week class on Sundays at 11am only, and they would like to offer a time of introduction and Q&A on Sunday March 2 at 11am. The official class will then run from Sunday March 9 through April 13. Elton will take us on a journey to discover our inner peacemaker. Thank you Elton and Josie for offering this gift! Check out www.lifeworldreconnect.org for more information! Come on March 2 to hear more about it!

SABBATHING

Pastor Heather is back from her first time of Sabbatical, but we will continue to talk about our Sabbath practices. So please send those photos of your new Sabbath activities so we can celebrate them on Sunday mornings! Photos can be sent to Liz or Pastor Heather. AND be sure to fill out your Puzzle Piece!

SUNDAY BOOK DISCUSSION 

We will again discuss Iris Christenson’s book “My Good Kind of Trouble: An Activists Memoir” this Sunday! Iris' inspiring tales encourage us to do the same! She took the situations life brought before her and did what she was capable of doing. Iris inspires us to use situations God brings in our life to make a difference. We had a great discussion with Iris last Sunday. This week’s plan is to discuss the parts of the book that meant the most to you and how it inspires you to commit to an action. We will meet in the classroom from 11-12:00. Please join us. If you have any questions contact Melanie Stepherson at Melanie.stepherson@gmail.com.

FIRST SUNDAY BREAKFAST

On the First Sunday of the Month we like to enjoy a nice breakfast between services, hosted between services at 8:45 am-9:40 am only. The next "First Breakfast" will be Sunday, March 2 with items coordinated by Thursday Women's Bible Study! They will be serving egg dishes (with meat free and GF options), sausage and sweet rolls.



We need people to sign up to host breakfasts for future months! See sign-up sheet 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.

WEDNESDAY ADULT EDUCATION

Tonight the focus is on "Crafting A Rule of Life: How to Make a Plan for Our Spiritual Formation." On Zoom tonight at 6:30 pm - it's not too late to join in the discussion! Contact Kathy Michaelis for the Zoom link.

MEN’S GROUP

The Men's Group will meet this coming Saturday, February 22 at the church from 8:00-9:00 a.m. Please plan to join us! All are welcome!

WOMEN'S MINISTRY EVENTS!

We were so pleased to have 21 women join in the event last week hosted by Janice Newell. During that evening we discussed wanting to have more regular events and so here are the next two events to put on your calendar:

WINE & DESIGN NIGHT Thursday March 20 at 6:30pm

We will gather at their location on Willy St. to paint and have fun together. The cost will by $46 - UNLESS we have more than 21 women sign up; then the price is discounted $10! More to come, but start inviting people!

DECORATE WOOD ORNAMENTS WITH TYANNA LOTEGELUAKI

On Thursday April 10 come to New Life Church to design and create! More to come about cost and timing, but save the date and invite your girlfriends!

SAVE THE DATE FOR BRAT FEST 2025! (May 19-27)

The volunteer sign up goes live April 5th at 10am. After that date and time you can sign up at: www.Bratfest.com  The sooner we sign up the more choices we get for days, times, and jobs- take note our own Mad City Funk is playing on Friday at 1:40 PM-2:20 PM. We receive $12 for every hour we volunteer to go to New Life Church-if you check St. Matthew’s ELCA as your charity. This year absolutely everyone has to sign up online with their own email address. (If you don’t have one then contact Judy 608.348.9057 or stop in the office.) More information to come.

NEW LIFE KIDS needs YOU! VOLUNTEER!

If you would be interested in being a part of the New Life Kids teaching team, please let Ashley and take a look at the sign up sheet.

NEW LIFE KIDS - Sundays at 8:50am.

Kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to join us each Sunday morning in the ReCreation Center! They will be learning about The Lost Sheep and Lost Coin through Science!

BABY TO 4K FAMILIES - Sunday at 8:50am Families with babies - 4K are invited to meet in the Kidzone to spend time together. This is a time for children to play together and for families to connect.

DIAPER DRIVE

To celebrate Black History Month we will be collecting baby diapers for the month of February. Small packages of diapers will be donated to Nehemiah Center to benefit the community they serve. There will be a collection box in the entryway. Please no adult diapers. Thank you for your generosity!

ST MARK'S FOOD PANTRY

A resounding thank you to our congregation from St Mark’s food pantry. Another delivery of food, bags and calendars was made. Our continued support of this ministry is much appreciated as usage remains elevated. Donations of shelf stable food and personal care items are always needed. However, right now their stock of cereal and canned meals (stew, pork and beans, hearty soups, pasta with meat) is low. Donations can be placed on the table in the Community Room. Please continue to bring in paper/plastic/reusable bags for use by the shoppers 

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 keep confidential to her and our financial officers (treasurer and bookkeeper).

Prayers needed for

Hospitalized, Injured, Ill or Medical Prayers



Don Skaar

Barb Zimmerman

Dave Kolmodin



Dave Kolmodin Son Paul

Patti Kolmodin

Karen Tribbey

Greg Mueller-a friend of Karen Tribbey

Every Day Prayers

Connie Losse

Dave Kolmodin

Russ and Shirley Theel

Donna Butlers Stepson Lamarcus

Donna Butlers neighbor, Sally

Burke Bowie, friend of Wayne & Barb Meyer

Condolences

Cheryll Steinke in the death of her neighbor, Yoshi

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

Liz Rusch, 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

Russell Theel