New Life Church
Weekly Update
December 15, 2021
|
|
|
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Join us for Traditional Worship at 8:15 a.m. and Praise Band Worship at 9:30 a.m. this Sunday, December 5th. The 9:30 a.m. service is also livestreamed on Facebook Live. On the Fourth Sunday of Advent as we continue our look at the "Promise Fulfilled," Pastor Heather's message will bring us to Micah 5:2-5 - "Jesus Rules."
|
|
PLAN TO JOIN US TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS
We hope you’ll join us for these many ways to welcome the Christ child!
Sundays in Advent – Pastor Heather is doing a sermon series entitled “The Promise Fulfilled” looking at all the ways Jesus’ coming was foretold throughout the ages – and what that means for us today! Listen to the voices of prophets in this season of waiting and watching!
Wednesdays in Advent – come each Wednesday for dinner at 5:30pm and then stay for a reflective brief worship service at 6:30pm focused on “The Gifts of Advent” - Join us TONIGHT to look at the Gift of Hope. Tonight's worship will be the final Wednesday in Advent worship service.
|
|
|
|
Longest Night Service – Tuesday, December 21st at 6:30 p.m.– in person at St. Stephen’s (Monona) or live streamed. December 21st is the longest night, and for so many this symbolizes the grief that can be associated with this time of year.
This special service is to acknowledge that not all things are "merry and bright." May this bless you as we all wait and watch. Click here for the link to the livestream event.
|
|
Christmas Eve Worship
5:00 p.m. – a family-friendly service with an impromptu pageant, favorite Christmas carols, candles, and glowsticks!
7:00 p.m. – a candlelight service filled with all your favorite Christmas songs
Holy Communion served at both services – all are welcome! The 7:00 p.m. service will be live-streamed on our Facebook page as well.
Sunday December 26
There will be ONE service at 9:30am this festive morning. Come join us for a service of Lessons and Carols as we hear the greatest story ever told!
Sunday, January 2, 2022
Pastor Heather is excited to welcome again Pastor Walter Baires, who will preach during both services, at 8:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. She also looks forward to introducing Jessica Korrison that morning.
|
|
Thank you to all who have been participating in our weekly worship!
If you missed last week's service, here is a link to it:
|
|
How to Access Worship
Our 9:30 am service will always be live streamed and available via our Facebook page so if you’re out of town and can’t attend in-person, you can always worship with us! Please also share this as a resource with others – it’s available anytime, not just when we’re live – as well as on our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4F48R7NG-hzy-2EOk0EG-g) and website beginning on Monday mornings.
Certainly, we’d love to have you come and worship with us in-person anytime it’s possible:
Traditional Worship Service at 8:15 a.m.
Praise Worship Service at 9:30 a.m.
Masks required inside for worship
|
|
|
|
New CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRY COORDINATOR to Begin Duties at New Life Church in January
Jessica Korrison is excited to start her ministry with us! She comes with lots of experience leading the youth group of her home church, Grace Lutheran in Grafton, WI. She has a degree and work experience in the hotel management and hospitality industry, but has always felt God’s tug to be in ministry as an occupation instead of volunteer. She has led middle school and high school classes, events, retreats, and youth trips plus helped in children’s ministry as well. She has led a youth trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northern MN for several years. Growing up, youth group was such an important part of her faith and life, and she looks forward to making that experience a reality for our kids as well.
She recently moved to Sun Prairie with her college friend, Sam, and cat, Phoebe, after the unexpected loss of her beloved fiancé, John, this past August. She is looking forward to this opportunity as a chance to share the reality of God's love with the youth of New Life.
She looks forward to meeting you all as she begins her work among us on January 2, 2022. Come meet her that morning!
|
|
Reconciling In Christ Welcome Statement
WE NEED YOUR INPUT!
Our Welcome Statement – an intentional welcome to LGBTQIA+ and Transgendered people as well as a commitment to racial equity and justice – has been approved by the Church Council and now comes to you for conversation! Please take this 30-second survey about the statement. Thanks to our team (Terri Beck-Engel, Jillene Fisch, Sandy Kowal, Margo McBain, Wayne and Barb Meyer, Noah Peck, and Barb Zimmerman).

We will vote as a community on this statement at our Annual Meeting on January 30th.
To read the Welcome Statement and vote in the survey, please click here.
|
|
IN CASE OF WEATHER
Tis the season…for snow and nasty weather! In the case of inclement weather, please check our website for event cancellations, but worship will never be cancelled. If you can safely get here, we will worship together. Please always use your best judgement on traveling on slippery roads. If you’re wondering about an event, please contact the office in advance.
|
|
WEDNESDAY DINNERS
Tonight will be our last dinner for December, before the worship. If you'd like to help host a dinner in 2022, please see the sign-up sheet on the right kitchen serving window to choose a week. There will NOT be a Wednesday dinner on Dec. 22 or Dec. 29; they'll restart on January 5th.
There's a new sheet posted for 2022!
|
|
DO YOU LIKE BREAKFAST?
Enjoy delicious breakfasts on the first Sunday of the month! The next breakfast will be SUNDAY, January 2, 2022 from 9-11 a.m. hosted by Debby Deutsch and Dennis Barnum.
Thanks to those who signed up to prepare meals for 2021.
WE NEED PEOPLE TO SIGN UP FOR NEXT YEAR ALREADY! See sign-up sheets for 2022 on the left kitchen serving window.
If you'd like to help Debby & Dennis on January 2nd, sign up on the sheet!
If you'd like to consider signing up beginning in January 2022, 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 the details.
|
|
EPIPHANY PARTY JANUARY 5th
The day of Epiphany is a celebration to recognize the Magi who brought their gifts to Jesus. It’s typically celebrated on the twelfth day of Christmas, Jan. 6, but we will do it a day early! Come for dinner on Wednesday, January 5 at 5:30pm and then stay for a party! We’ll help take down the Christmas decorations, listen one last time to those favorite songs, eat some cookies, and exchange some white elephant gifts with others who gather! Also, this will be the perfect opportunity to meet our new Children & Youth Ministry Coordinator, Jessica Korrison! It will be a fun night of celebration!
|
|
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Bring your strengths & skills to help at New Life!
~ Sound Board (Operate sound & video equipment)
~ Altar Care (Worship set-up & supplies)
~ Coffee Server (Make pots & serve coffee)
~ Teller/Counter (2-person team to count offerings)
~ Welcome Team (Greet & guide people as they enter worship)
For info on these opportunities, call the church office—223-9337.
We especially NEED new people to help with A/V & Sound Board—no experience needed, we’ll train you and it’s FUN! Just let us know if you're interested and we'll connect you with that team.
Look for the Google doc form to sign up each month for Welcome Team!
|
|
YEAR-END GIVING
First of all, we are so thankful for all the ways you already financially support the ministry of St. Matthew New Life! We pray that you will continue to give in any way that you can, and potentially consider an additional end of the year gift. We all know that 2020 and 2021 have been unprecedented years for all industries – and the church hasn’t been exempt from that! As we look toward a bright future in 2022 and beyond, we hope that you’ll help New Life end the year on a very strong note! There are also other ways to give: from your IRA (if you're over age 70 ½ ), stock appreciation transfer, or living will or trust giving. If you have questions about any of this, please let the office know and we can give you more information. Please remember that all year-end giving needs to be postmarked by Dec. 31! As always, this ministry only happens in and through you! Thank you!
Don’t forget our online option and automated giving! Just go to our Vanco page where you can log in to your account. Once you’ve logged in, it should take you to your giving detail. If you click “Edit” you can edit amount, frequency, and account. Once you've signed up to give electronically, please let the office know if you no longer need offering envelopes and we can have those discontinued for you.
|
|
Your Offering
Thanks for your support to meet our financial obligations. Consider giving online, if you don't already. You can select a one-time or recurring donation. It's very easy to do - please click the box below to get started.
|
|
|
If you would prefer to mail in your donations, they can be sent to the address at New Life: 7564 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, WI, 53718. |
|
Social Purpose Team is here just for you
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).
And of course, if you would like to give to this fund, please submit checks with "Social Purpose Fund" in the memo or give online to that fund. Again, thank you New Life for your caring and sharing!
____________________________________________________
WAYS TO PARTNER
We have established a partnership with the Nehemiah Center, which means that we will be looking for and offering ways for you to connect with their leadership in our area serving communities of color. As the months go along, we will highlight ways that you can personally and with your family grow this partnership alongside what we’re doing as a congregation.
This month, we’re asking for donations of any size diapers in small packages. You can bring these to the church entryway and we will deliver them to Nehemiah directly. Thank you!
Other ways you and your family can partner: support black-owned businesses (click here for a list), visit www.lirs.org to support refugees, visit www.ldr.org to help with disaster response around the nation, or www.elca.org to find another way to give back to people in need.
|
|
|
LUTHERAN DISASTER RELIEF - TORNADOES
On the night of Dec. 10, a devastating outbreak of more than 30 tornadoes swept through six states. Kentucky was impacted the most, with more than 70 people reported dead. Homes and businesses were destroyed, including a candle factory in Mayfield, Ky., where first responders are still searching for survivors. More than 330,000 people are without electricity across multiple states. The full extent of the damage is expected to become clear in the coming days. Pray for those affected, and please consider providing a gift to help with the disaster response efforts. Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response designated for “U.S. tornadoes" will be used entirely (100%) to assist those affected by tornadoes until the response is complete.
|
|
BLACK HISTORY FOR A NEW DAY COURSE
We will again be encouraging you to sign up for this life-changing educational opportunity. This 9-week course begins again on Monday, February 7, 2022 – registration closes on January 21 so please go to https://nehemiah.org/blackhistorycourse to register. If you need financial assistance, we have scholarships available!
Here’s what previous participants have to say: “This is the most important and impactful course I've ever taken. It served to provide a completely new perspective on the things I learned in school.” (Noah Peck) and “The complexity of Black History goes further back and is more intricate than I ever comprehended. The resiliency and power of people of color, both back then and now, is something that is both beautiful and awful. This course is a must and not just once.” (Jocelyn White)
|
|
COMMON THREADS
Ginny Olson and Gail Kriel have started up a Common Threads group again, that anyone is welcome to participate in. You'll learn how to knit or crochet, or if you have experience could work on your own project as well as make prayer shawls and blankets for the prayer shawl ministry.
Sessions take place at Ginny's studio on the second Tuesday evenings of the month from 6:30-8:30 pm and the fourth Tuesday mornings of the month from 9:30-11:30 am.
To sign up and for more information, please email Ginny Olson by clicking here. Also, if you have any yarn you'd like to bring in to the church, the group would welcome that.
PLEASE NOTE: On the table near the entrance to the Community Room there are Prayer Shawls available for anyone who needs/wants one for comfort. These beautiful shawls were made by the Common Threads group, and they would like people to have them.
|
|
This Sunday and This Week at New Life |
|
December 19, 2021:
Fourth Sunday of Advent
8:15 a.m. Traditional worship service
9:30 a.m. New Life Kids Message in worship
|
Upcoming Schedule of Events This Week
Monday, December 20
10 a.m.-Noon Gift Cards Distribution (Social Purpose Team)
6:00 p.m. Council Meeting (Classroom A)
7:00 p.m. Silver Eagles Youth Group (led by the Erbs) (Re-Creation Center)
Tuesday, December 21
6:30 p.m. Longest Night Service at St. Stephen's in Monona.
Wednesday, December 22
5:00-6:00 p.m. Band Rehearsal for Christmas Eve 5 p.m. service
Thursday, December 23
6:00-7:00 p.m. Band Rehearsal for Christmas Eve 7 p.m. service
7:00-8:00 p.m. Band Practice for Sunday, Dec. 26 Lessons & Carols service
7:00-8:30 p.m. - Shawn Peters MCF Band Rehearsal (Re-Creation Center)
Friday, December 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE (Office will be CLOSED during the work day)
Saturday, December 25 - CHRISTMAS DAY (Office CLOSED)
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Sunday, December 26
9:30 a.m. Lessons & Carols service (one service only today)
|
Please keep the following in your prayers this week:
Donna Butler's daughter Michelle along with her sister Beverly and the family of her late cousin Simon, Boyd Fleming, Felicia Jones & family, Johnnie Jones, Michele Kiefer, Gail Kriel, Trish Krueger, Hailey Lennberg, Laurie Neuendorf, Jade Peck, Stephanie Peck's friend Jessie, Kishia Peters, Alvina Phillips,
Vern Richmond, Jeremy Showers, Bobby Spridco, Bill Sterud, Darrick Thompson, and Carolee Zick.
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. 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.
|
|
608.223.9337 phone/voicemail
Email: newlifelc@newlifelc.com
Office hours are Monday through Thursday mornings.
Please feel free to contact staff members of New Life via email or by calling the office. Contacts are listed here.
New Life Staff:
Rev. Heather Hayward, Pastor
(VACANT until Jan. 2) Children & Youth Ministry Coordinator
Kathy Scholl, Office Assistant
Nancy Schmidt, Bookkeeper
Shakia "Queen" Turner, Property Manager
Shane Peters, Custodian
ELCA South-Central Wisconsin Synod website:
|
|
|
New Life Church Council:
Brian Coel
Jim DePass
Rick Krueger
Joe Milanese, Vice President
Kathy Nelson, President
Janice Newell, Secretary
Shawn Peters
Linda Sime
MacKenzie Swanson
Jan Wilson
Ken Wundrow, Treasurer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
‌
‌
‌