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Sunday, February 8, 2026

This Week's Message is:

“Salt and Light”

Matthew 5:13-20

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.

ASH WEDNESDAY

Join us for the beginning of Lent on Wednesday February 18 at 6:30pm. Our theme for this season is "Tell Me Something Good." We will remember that the good news really is good news. It is joyful—like fine wine saved for celebration. It grows like a mustard seed and smells like perfume poured from an alabaster jar. It tastes like bread passed endlessly through a hungry crowd. It sounds like laughter and feels like mercy. The good news is alive in the world. Come begin your Lenten journey on Feb. 18!

WEDNESDAY FAITH FORMATION

To follow up our fall study of Paul, we will be diving into one of his most celebrated letters - the Book of Romans. Join Pastor Heather on Zoom each Wednesday at 6pm. HERE is the Zoom link which will be the same every week or contact Pastor Heather directly to receive it via email. This study will go through Feb. 11. All are welcome!

NEW FLOORING PROJECT

The Council has approved the expenditure of replacing the flooring in the entry way, kitchen, and Worship Center. The current original flooring is showing signs of its age and we're so pleased to be able to do this update. The total cost will be approximately $35,000 which we have in the 2026 Spending Plan and have available in savings. However, if you would be able to help us keep our savings intact, please consider giving an extra gift toward this project. Currently, we have some families able to cover about $15,000 of this total cost. Could you add to that total to make this happen?

In addition to financial help, thank you for all the help in getting ready - after worship again this week, we will ask for help to move things off the stage, out of the entry way and kitchen and side closets.

Also, if you'd be available to help move chairs back into the Worship Center, please come anytime after 5:30pm this Thursday Feb. 5. We will also move things back onto the stage next Thursday Feb. 12 after 5:30pm. Thanks!

THURS. MORNING WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY at 9am

Join us as we continue our next study on the Sermon on the Mount by Jen Wilkin. We will be studying the complete teaching with subjects including blessedness, the Lord's Prayer, religious devotion, money, ambition, and relationships. For more information or to be added to the email list, please reach out to Melanie Stepherson.

A NEW EARTH BOOK STUDY

Continuing this Sunday 2/8 at 11am, Jeff Lennberg will lead us through Eckhart Tolle's book "A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose." Come discover what it means to deny yourself and follow Jesus in a deeper way. If you would like to be on the email list for updates about this class, please contact Jeff. His emails about what section to read have begun! Start the New year off with this commitment to discover more about following Jesus! If you would like the video of January 18th's conversation, please reach out to the church office.

Kathy Mullen is also offering an opportunity to discuss this material outside of Sunday mornings. This group meets on Thursday mornings at 11:30am at church. If you would like to be a part of this group or would like more information, please email Kathy at kathymuln@gmail.com.

STAMPING GROUP

On the second Monday of the month, New Life Church hosts a rubber stamping group in the Community Room. We make beautifully designed and crafted greeting cards. The next gathering is Monday, February 9th at 6:30pm in the Community Room. All are welcome to join in the fun. Contact Cheryll Steinke to let her know you'll be participating or with any questions.

COMMON THREADS

Twice a month, our Common Threads ministry meets at Ginny Olson's studio to crochet, knit, or whatever fiber crafting you like! We make blankets to donate to the church, or you can work on your own project! The next gathering is Tuesday, February 10th at 6:30 pm. The studio address is 2454 Gaston Rd, Cottage Grove, WI. Please note that Common Threads will only be meeting once in February.

WOMEN'S EVENT - "ALL THINGS LOVE"

The women's Valentines Party is coming up on Thursday, February 12 from 6:00 to 7:30. We have a short devotion on the theme of "All Things Love," followed by a short craft by Cheryll Steinke (thank you, Cheryll!). After that, we are going to play BINGO! And, yes, there will be prizes! It should be a fun evening, and we hope you all can make it! If you’d like to sign up, you can do so on the sign up sheet at church or email Janice Newell at buckyshome6@yahoo.com.

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.

NEW LIFE GOLFERS - SIGN UP TODAY!

Even though we have bitter cold now, we are looking ahead to summertime! In order to have a second tee time, we need three more golfers to sign up! New Life Golfers play Thursday evenings at Door Creek Golf Course. All golfers welcome! To sign up or to get more information, please reach out to Verne Scholl at verne.scholl@wisc.edu

NEW LIFE KIDS meets each Sunday at 8:50a in the ReCreation Center. This week, we will be learning the story of The Sower through a science experiment! We will be meeting in the Classroom this week!

NEW LIFE KIDS - 2026 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Please consider signing up to lead a Sunday school lesson in 2026! We have many different lesson options, from art to games to videos- it's up to you! Sign up here

LISTENING SESSION AT NEW LIFE

The migrant community is experiencing fear and uncertainty due to the on-going threat of family separation and massive deportations. After a community listening session this past week, we'd like to share what is happening locally. Come and join us to express your support to our migrant siblings and to explore together how to provide accompaniment during this challenging time. We will meet for conversation and next steps on Sunday February 15 at 11am in the classroom. Come find out any recent updates and what you can do!

AZAD FAMILY FUNDRASING

Please consider helping Najib Azad reunite with his family members who are still trapped in Afghanistan and in danger because they worked with the US military for many years before the Taliban took over the country in 2021. His family members have approved Special Immigrant Visas but need help covering their costs to leave Afghanistan and travel to the US. The purpose of this fundraiser is to cover expenses for at least 6 family members.

Based on precise expense calculations, the cost for each individual is about US $5,000, including visas, travel from Kabul, accommodation in the third country, medical exams, and the travel leg to Wisconsin. The total needed now is $23,000 ($7,000 was raised in December).

Donations can be made using the QR code in this message or by writing a check. The check should be made payable to: Focus Development Organization, Inc. (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization) and mailed or delivered to Iris Christenson at the following address: 5 Kiowa Ct., Madison, WI 53713. If you have any questions, call or text Iris: 1-608-239-6060. Your donation will be tax deductible. We know this family well since Najib and his wife, Sarwat, have given educational programs at New Life. Additionally, Iris and her husband (Gregg) are their US sponsors.

CarePortal UPDATE

We are still in a bit of a holding pattern on our whole community's involvement with CarePortal. They have some new local leadership and are trying to forge new partnerships with local social service agencies as well as the Madison school district. Please stay tuned - as soon as some of these changes get settled, we will be gathering the New Life CarePortal team for an update and additional training. If you would like more inofmration about this ministry, please email Nicole Hines.

ST MARK'S FOOD PANTRY

Last Thursday another large donation was dropped off at St Mark’s food pantry. The back of our larger SUV was filled to the brim. We had to maneuver things around to make it all fit! It was a total of 27 bags and boxes of food plus packages of toilet paper. Thank you to all who donate. The donation was timely as Friday was a very busy day at the pantry. Cheryll Steinke, a pantry volunteer, shared they had 20 families/individuals shopping for food that day. A very busy 2 hours for a food pantry about the size of our kitchen at New Life. Donations can be placed on the table in the community room. Paper, plastic and reusable bags are a continuing need and can also be left on the table. 

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

Rick Krueger

Deb Reed

Pam St. John

Every Day Prayers

Shane Peters

Ken Wundrow

Barb Zimmerman

Dawn & Jim Melka

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

Shannon Erb

Jackie Jensen

Jeff Meicher

Louise Miller

Shawn Peters

Uriah Reppert

Derek Schuette