NEW LIFE CHURCH ELCA
WEEKLY E-MAIL NEWSLETTER
Regular Sunday Worship Times:
Traditional Worship 8:00 a.m.
Praise Worship 9:45 a.m.
also livestreamed on Facebook Live
New Life Kids (Sunday School) 9:00 a.m. (Sept-May)
7564 Cottage Grove Rd. Madison WI 53718
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday
Contact us at newlifelc@newlifelc.com or (608) 223-9337
Website: www.newlifelc.com
| | | Reminder: The last section of the newsletter is always the calendar. If your email ends before that, it may have been "clipped." If you see that message, just click on the "View entire message" link next to it to view the newsletter in its entirety. | | |
Sunday, November 1, 2026
This week's message is:
"The Blessed Saints"
Matthew 5:1-12
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ALL SAINTS SUNDAY IS THIS SUNDAY!
We will be remembering those who have died this past year as well as the Saints in your life this Sunday in worship. Please email Pastor Heather with any additional names no later than Thursday. And don't forget, the time change and our combined service at 9 am!
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JOIN US FOR BREAKFAST!
After our combined service, we will have breakfast provided by our Men's Group! They will be serving French Toast, sausage, egg bakes, fruit, juice, and assorted pastries! Please plan to join us!
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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.
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YOUR GIVING MATTERS!
Giving from your resources makes it possible for St. Matthew's New Life Church to be part of the greater community and to deliver God’s word and hope to all who would hear it! Please prayerfully consider your increased giving to our General Fund that enables even more great things to happen here. Your gifts can be accomplished through electronic giving - THERE IS A FIELD TO CLICK IN VANCO, by check, or transfers. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Heather or
Ken Wundrow.
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VENMO
St. Matthew's New Life offers a different way for you to give! Venmo is an easy to use and safe way to give directly to your church! Please click the link or use the QR code in order to link to our Venmo page. Consider giving for a special occasion or giving your regular offering in this way.
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THE WELCOME TEAM NEEDS YOU!
We always encourage and appreciate volunteers for the Welcome Team to help out parts of the worship service, such as greeter, welcome table, usher, tellers, coffee server and Communion helpers. If you would like to know more about these roles, please contact Pastor Heather as we need more hands here!
Here is the November Welcome Team Sheet
These sheets are on the Sign-Up table to write your name in while you're here or please enter in your name from a computer or laptop.
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FALL ADULT FAITH FORMATION
Join in these uplifting conversations and grow your faith this fall! All are welcome so please share this information!
On SUNDAYS at 11am in the Classroom, we are talking about Honoring Our Neighbors Faith - looking at different denominations and faiths and how they compare with our Lutheran beliefs. Each week we will look at least a couple of denominations - this Sunday Nov 1 we will not meet to enable you to enjoy breakfast with the community. But on Nov. 8 we will discuss the Amish/Mennonite, Evangelical Free, Christian Science, and Baptist faiths. Come join us for these inspiring and insightful conversations!
On WEDNESDAYS at 6:00pm it's not too late to join us for a great book called Reclaiming the "E" Word, meaning Evangelical. Being evangelical is part of our Lutheran heritage, but that word has been usurped by Christians that don't always reflect our values. It's time to reclaim this part of what it means to follow Jesus! Come for lively discussion! Please feel free to bring your dinner!
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NEW PRAYER GROUP
Have you wanted to experience prayer differently? Have you wanted to dive deeper into prayer but not sure where to begin? Look no further! There is a new prayer group meeting Mondays at 11 am at the church. If you have questions, reach out to Susan Marsh: slanphier@yahoo.com.
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NOVEMBER WOMEN'S EVENT
Our next Women's Event will be at Drumlin Ridge Winery in Waunakee on November 12th! We will have wine, food, and great conversation. If you would like to carpool, we will be meeting at the church at 5:30 PM, or you can meet us directly at the winery at 6:00 PM. We hope to see you there! There will be a signup sheet or please let Heather Strand know if you will be attending. Thank You!
Save the date for our December Women's Event - Advent by Candlelight on December 10th.
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WOMEN'S GROUP
Thank you to those of you who were able to attend this past Thursday's gathering! Going forward, we will be meeting monthly on the third Thursday of each month. The next gathering will be November 19th at Kim Schuette's house (323 Huntsville Ridge in Sun Prairie). We will be using a resource called "A Beautiful Year in the Bible" that goes through the Bible by topic. Save the date for our December gathering - the 17th at Deb Shepherd-Wundrow's!
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PRAYERS AND PIE
Our Thanksgiving Eve Service "Prayers & Pie" will be on Wednesday, November 25th at 6:30pm. Please come and give thanks with our community! If you would like to bring a pie for our celebration, please sign up at the Sign Up Table. Please note: the Prayers & Pie service will NOT be livestreamed.
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POINSETTIA ORDERS
Please help us beautify our Worship Center for Christmas Eve with your order of a poinsettia plant. The deadline to submit your order is Sunday, November 22nd.
Ways to order: 1) Sign up on the hard copy sheet on the Sign Up Table; or, 2) Contact the church office. They can be in honor or memory of a loved one. They'll have a label on the back so that you may take your poinsettia home with you following Christmas Eve services. Options are: Red or White plant color, and sizes and prices are 6 1/2" - $17, 7 1/2" - $28, 8" - $36. Please indicate these options with your order and payment before November 22! The colors and prices are also listed on the order form. Payment may be made by check to New Life Church or on Vanco/Venmo with Poinsettia in the memo.
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COLLECTING WOMEN'S GOODS
For a women’s clothing exchange in January, we are collecting women’s clothes, shoes, jewelry, purses, etc. as you turn your wardrobes from summer to fall, please consider dropping them off at church with Jillene. This is not Super Sale!! Please, just women’s wearables. More details about the women’s event will follow—stay tuned!
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SUNDAY SCHOOL
New Life Kids and Tweens & Teens meet Sundays at 9 am.
THERE IS NO SUNDAY SCHOOL NOV 1
WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS! If you're able to help teach or help with New Life Kids and/or our teens & tweens group, please let Ashley know. SIGN UP TODAY TO HELP!
Bible story for this week:
Joseph and the Pharaoh
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A HUGE thank you to our donors and volunteers for making our fall events a complete success!
We had 350 Trunk-or-Treaters!
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JOIN US FOR THE INVITATIONAL CHRISTIAN WORKSHOP
LEAD BY REV. DAVID DAUBERT
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026.
Time: 9am-12:30pm
Location: New Life Lutheran Church, Madison, WI
Registration fee: $35 - Deadline: next Monday Nov 2
Designed for congregations across our synod, this workshop will equip leaders and members alike to look at how the biblical story grounds our stories as God’s people. It will help people tell their stories and be better at listening to each other’s stories. The goal is to form deeper story communities where people share deeply and faith is nurtured. Through conversation, reflection, and real-life application, you will discover how small, intentional practices can open the door to deeper relationships and spiritual curiosity in your community.
We look forward to being together!
For more information contact the Rev. Walter Baires, Director for Evangelical Mission and Associate to the Bishop.
REGISTER
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CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK VISIT
As part of the "Honoring Our Neighbor's Faith" adult faith formation, we will be attending a worship service at Christ The Solid Rock Baptist Church. In addition to serving as this congregation's pastor, Reverend Everett Mitchell is a Dane County Judge who presides over the Juvenile Division. He also is an active member for social justice in our community and a great speaker.
We look forward to worshipping with this community on Sunday, November 8th at 11:30 am. We will carpool from New Life after our 9:45 service. Please text/call Kathy Mullen at (608) 469-8811 or email, kathy.mullen@sbcglobal.net, if you plan to attend.
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ST MARK'S FOOD PANTRY
Our congregation continues to give generously to St Mark’s food pantry. Many thanks to those who support this ministry. Although any shelf stable food, household essential or personal care item is appreciated, here are some items currently requested, but are in short supply: canned peas and canned potatoes, condiments, toilet paper and bar soap/body wash. Donations can be placed on the St. Mark's table in the community room. Plastic, paper and reusable bags are also a continuing need.
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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 $1,200 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).
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Hospitalized, Injured, Ill or Medical Prayers
Barb Zimmerman
Mary Leatherman- Roberts
David Michaelis
Bishop Joy Mortensen-Wiebe
Donna Butler
Lukas Weber
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Every Day Prayers
Shane Peters
Connie Losse
Ed Damon
Rick Krueger
Don Skaar
| | | 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
Uriah Reppert, Secretary
Ken Wundrow, Treasurer
Iris Christenson
Shannon Erb
Jackie Jensen
Jeff Meicher
Louise Miller
Tom Olson
Shawn Peters
Derek Schuette
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