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!

To watch last Sunday's 9:30 am service from Sunday, September 25th, here is a link to view it.

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 will be featured in the weekly newsletters on Wednesdays. Masks are optional but encouraged if people would like to wear them.

GUEST PREACHERS OCTOBER 23

Please make plans to join us in worship on October 23^rd for a very special message from two of our own community partners. Come hear Terri Beck-Engel and Gregg Schieve – both artists and creative spirits – talk about their creative process and how it relates to their faith. They will share at both services that morning. 

SIGN UP FOR FALL CLEAN-UP!

THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1ST!

New Life Church is having a Fall Clean-Up Day on our grounds outside, and we could REALLY use your help! If you have a few hours to spare on Saturday, October 1st, we'll start at 8 a.m. and do some needed clean-ups until noon (back-up date is October 8 if the weather's not good on the 1st). PLEASE SIGN UP ASAP on this

Google doc. Contact Queen Turner or Joe Milanese with questions. Thank you, and let's look forward to the autumn season!

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.

COME PRAY WITH NEW LIFE



Join your fellow faithful companions in an exploration of the most basic aspect of our faith lives: PRAYER. Prayer is actually, surprisingly, pretty much the most important thing in life. When we’re stripped away from everything else, the deepest thing we have in life is prayer – our connection to God and each other. This is the most basic conversation we can have individually and as a community. We’re called to learn and practice this amazing gift and you can choose your course of study:

Prayer 101

On Sundays through mid-October, Pastor Heather's focus will be on an aspect of the Lord’s Prayer for us to contemplate together. The hope (and prayer 😊) is that this will be something that enhances or begins your prayer life.

Prayer 201

If you want to go deeper on these aspects of the Lord’s Prayer, come on Wednesday nights for Adult Faith Formation to invest your time in The Prayer Course. This is a wonderful video-based small group discussion about prayer. This will be offered in-person only unless community health becomes a concern – but switching to online would be easily done. We began with an introduction to this nine-week study on Sept. 7 but you can still join in - please sign up by contacting the church office or Pastor Heather directly.

Prayer 301

If you really want to dive into the reading that Pastor Heather has been doing to prepare for this conversation, she invites you to read two books by Pete Greig: “how to pray: a simple guide for normal people” and “how to hear God: a simple guide for normal people.”  They can be ordered here: https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/how-to-pray-book/.

The best gift Jesus gave his disciples was the gift of Prayer – let’s join in this vital conversation and go deeper with our prayer lives.

New Life Kids

Join us during the 9:30 a.m. service for a children’s message and craft. We will be learning about The Lord's Prayer for the next 2 weeks!

Families Save the Date!

Family Fall Day at Anderson's Pleasant Patch on Sunday, October 9th from 2-4pm.  All ages are welcomed! If your family would like to join let Jessica know. We will be meeting at the pumpkin patch at 2pm. 

Explorers & Emerge Students

Youth Faith Formation is every Sunday after 9:30 service. We will be joining in on the immigration and refugee presentation. After the speaker we will have our own discussion and game time together. See you there! 

Coming Soon!

CUB SCOUTS

There is a local Cub Scouts Pack that meets here at New Life Church on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month during the school year. Cottage Grove Cub scout pack 145 is looking for boys and girls grades K-5.  Join them for campfires, skits, camping, and many more adventures. They invite any youths from our congregation who would like to participate.  If you'd like more information, contact the church office and we'll help you get connected!

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

NEW MEMBERS INFORMATION SESSIONS COMING UP!

We've enjoyed seeing many new people attending New Life Church, and therefore it is fitting and timely for Pastor Heather to plan another New Community Partners Welcome this fall. She will be offering two "New Members Information Sessions" this Thursday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m. (NOTE this is a new time) OR Saturday, October 1 at 10:30 a.m. If you are new here or would like to join our community, you're welcome to attend either session. Just let Pastor Heather know! 

SPEAKER SERIES

Our Social Purpose Team invites you to the second week of our speaker series on the important topics of immigration and refugees. Join us for these conversations after the 9:30 am service in the Classroom. This Sunday, October 2, Raja Hassan will share his journey. Come learn more and spread the word!

DINNER WITH EVERETT MITCHELL

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church invites you to “Lasagna Night” - (Including a gluten free vegetarian lasagna for those who prefer.)  This will be held on Thursday, Oct. 13 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at 605 Spruce St., South Madison. And they are happy to announce that Judge Everett Mitchell will be a special guest and available for a Q&A session.  If planning to attend, please let Pastor Heather know.

FALL CONTEMPLATIVE RETREAT FOR EVERYONE!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15 FROM 9a-3p AT HOLY WISDOM

Pastor Heather along with Chris Roberts, local pastor and spiritual director, will be leading a Men's and Women's Retreat at Holy Wisdom Monastery. Come enjoy some personal reflection time along with group conversation about listening for God's voice. Sign up today using this link:  https://foundrysc.com/connect/fall-retreat.  Cost is $60 until Oct. 7 when registration closes.  It includes lunch and program materials. 

FIELD OF SCREAMS AND FIELD OF DREAMS

SAVE THE DATES!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22 - FIELD OF SCREAMS (7-9 pm)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23 - FIELD OF DREAMS (2-4 pm)

We're ramping up plans for some "Spooktacular" events again this year at New Life Church! We are going to need a LOT of helpers! Here are links to the Sign-Up Genius Forms for: Field of Screams and Field of Dreams. 

See the gold half-sheets on the tables too, to volunteer for Field of Dreams.

Watch for flyers and more information coming up soon, and sign up to help!

AUTHOR CLINT SMITH TO SPEAK LOCALLY

Recently the book How the Word is Passed was discussed at New Life Church. Author Clint Smith will be speaking November 1st, 7:00-8:30 pm, in Shannon Hall, Memorial Union, on the Madison campus. His talk will ALSO BE AVAILABLE online. There is no need to pre-register. A link for online access will appear on the UW Big Read webpage next to the author details on November 1st.  www.gobigread.wisc.edu/

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!

Please watch for the sign-up sheet in next week’s email that will ask for 4-5 people on Sundays Oct. 30, Nov. 6 and 20. We will also have groups on Wednesdays Oct. 26 and Nov. 16 to cover the other weeks. 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 Thank you!

CAN YOU HELP?

Most of you know Barb Zimmerman as a faithful community partner and servant at New Life, as well as in the synod, St. Mark’s food pantry, etc. Barb’s van recently died and will need to be replaced, and we would like to help her cover the extra cost of this. Barb has so faithfully served this congregation – and the whole community – for so long, this is a little bit of saying thanks! Please do not feel obligated but if you wish to contribute, a GoFundMe has been set up for her. Please click HERE to help. Thank you!

BIBLE STUDY GROUP

The Bible Study Group meets on Thursday mornings, led by Betty Sundbakken, from 9-11 a.m. in Classroom A.  The study guide and topic of this session is Help is Here, by Max Lucado. 

All are welcome to participate!

Please Keep These People in Your Prayers

Donna Butler’s grandson Anthony, 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, Bruce McBain (brother of Margo McBain), 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

October 2, 2022 - WELCOME 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. Speaker Series hosted by Social Purpose team (Classroom A)

10:30 a.m. Youth Faith Formation (ReCreation Center)

9:00-11:00 a.m. - "First Sunday" Breakfast hosted by the Kohlweys

Schedule of Events This Week

Wednesday, September 28

5:30 p.m. — Dinner in Community Room (hosts Judy Goke & the Theels)

6:30 p.m. — Adult Faith Formation (Prayer Course) (Classroom A)

Thursday, September 29

9:00-11:00 a.m. — Women's Bible Study (led by Betty Sundbakken) (Classroom A) 

6:30-7:30 p.m. — New Members Information Session (Community Room)

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Shawn’s MCF Band practice 

Saturday, October 1

8:00-Noon — Fall Clean-Up

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

10:30-11:30 a.m. —  New Members Information Session (Community Room)

Monday, October 3

10:00 a.m.-Noon — Gift Cards Distribution (Social Purpose Team)

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.

NOTE: The correct email address for Pastor Heather is no longer sbcglobal but is now: [email protected] for your contact info.

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