Sunday, May 21 , 2023

This Week's Message is “Jesus' Prayer”

John 17:1-11

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 view the service from May 14, 2023 click here.

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 are featured in the weekly newsletters on Wednesdays. Masks are optional but encouraged if people want to wear them.

Affirmation of Baptism & Graduation Recognition



Join us THIS Sunday as we celebrate Affirmation of Baptism and High School Graduation! As the school year winds down we would like to acknowledge all of the hard work put in and the next chapters that are in store whether that be Kindergarten, Middle School, High School, College or the work force!

FINANCES

This past Sunday, Ken Wundrow, our treasurer, brought us up to date on the church's finances. Regular giving has been down over the past several months and the Finance Team felt it was important to inform the congregation of some needs. Those needs are two-fold: one, we need folks to prayerfully consider increasing their monthly regular giving, and second as we seek to improve our property, to also consider a one-time gift for the Landscape Project. The Finance Team and Council, as well as the congregation at the Annual Meeting, approved the plan to move forward with the Landscape as we know the need to care for our property is important to both the congregation and the greater community we serve. We have signed contracts with a local landscaper and the work should be completed by mid-summer. During worship, cards were handed out and we were asked to consider writing down a personal pledge for an increase in regular giving and a second number representing our gift to the landscape project. Your gifts can be accomplished through electronic giving, by check, or transfers. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Heather or Ken Wundrow.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR WELCOME TEAM

We always encourage and appreciate volunteers for the Welcome Team to help out with parts of the worship service, such as greeter, welcome table, usher, tellers, coffee server and Communion helpers.

Here is the sign-up for MAY. NOTE: Due to recent technical difficulties, the edit mode might not work on mobile devices. Please contact the office to sign up. We are working on a solution.

Here is a link to a sign-up genius form for Communion/Altar Care shifts too.

Anyone is invited to join the Welcome Team at any time!

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 and go to our Vanco page, where you can log in to set up or access 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. Or as always, you can continue receiving envelopes and mail in your donations to New Life.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

This evening, May 17th, dinner (dumplings provided by the church and dessert provided by Michelle Oettinger), will begin at 5:30 pm and then a wonderful conversation of faith takes place at 6:30 pm. All are welcome! We will be watching and studying the popular series “The Chosen” based on the life of Christ. This will be a great way of deepening our understanding of the good news of Easter! If you would like to purchase the book (highly recommended but not necessary), click here for the link to do so. We hope you’ll come and join us!

And stay tuned for more information about the return of Wacky Wednesdays this summer! Pool party, gathering at Culvers, trivia nights, and more fun planned! Watch for more!

SPRING CLEAN-UP

Also this Saturday, May 20th - right after Men's Group - please come help us beautify our space from 9 a.m. - Noon on our Spring Clean-Up Day! We will be cleaning up spaces outside as well as inside - please dress for the weather, bring gloves and any equipment that might be helpful (shovesl, trimmers, rakes, etc.) If you have questions, contact Joe Milanese or Judy Goke. Thank you for helping care for our beautiful space!

PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS

In addition to getting started on the Landscape Project, we’ve had some donations of some indoor property improvements as well! Maybe you’ve noticed the new electric fireplace and new bookcases that add to our cozy space in the Community Room. Thank you to an anonymous community partner for that, as well as Thrivent Financial for funding a portion of those items, as well as the paint to restore the play structure outside. Thanks Thrivent Financial!

SYNOD ASSEMBLY

The South Central Synod of Wisconsin of the ELCA meets in assembly once a year to do important work of the Church. This year it will be held on Saturday, May 20 at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mt. Horeb. Our voting members will be Pastor Heather, Jessica, and Tom and Ginny Olson. Watch for news after that date!

Sunday Morning New Life Kids

Join us during the 9:30 a.m. service for a children’s message and craft.

Middle Schoolers - Let's go back to Pine Lake!

Sunday, June 11^th – Friday, June 16^th



Deadline to sign up is Wed., May 24th

New Life middle school youth are invited for a week camp experience at Pine Lake Camp in Waupaca! We will experience all of the classics camp has to offer like cabins, games, swimming, nature activities, campfires, new friends, cabin leaders, engaging Bible studies and worship. The trip is open to all New Life youth who are currently in grades 6^th – 8^th. Friends and family who are not community partners are welcome to join us as well!

The trip costs $200 per person. If the cost of the trip is a concern for any families, please talk to Pastor Heather or Jessica. We will work to help you financially so that your child can go on the trip.

If your child is interested, let Jessica know!

We have 8 youth and 3 adults signed up for the trip! There are at least two more fundraisers this summer and we hope to raise about $1,600 between the two of them. If you would like to donate towards the trip or sponsor a youth we currently need of $5,781. To sponsor a youth is $500 per youth. Thank you for your support of our youth and the Sarasota community!

Sign up is LIVE for Vacation Bible School! Register here!

Monday, August 14 – Thurs., August 17 9am – 12pm

• Preschool – 5^th grade kids will have a great week with their crew moving through the stations!
• Middle & High School youth are invited to help lead groups or stations. Stations include music, drama, crafts, and games.

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

SOCIAL PURPOSE FUND

Throughout the pandemic, we have been able to help so many families in the community because of this fund. By the end of 2022, we have distributed close to $12,000 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.

Other ways you and your family can partner: support black-owned businesses (click here for a list and for other ways you can help).

Again, thank you for caring and sharing!

THANK YOU MESSAGE

Dear Congregation of New Life Church:

Thank you for your generous donation of pillows and bedding! Please know that we've already delivered them and kiddos in our area are sleeping better and dreaming bigger.

Casey Klock, SHP - Madison Chapter

BRAT FEST

We would like to have some volunteers help at Brat Fest on Memorial Day weekend (May 26, 27, 28 & 29) to help raise funds for the Landscaping Project. Judy Goke is our coordinator, so please ask her for information.

We can earn $10 per hour. The money will go towards New Life Church for the Landscaping Project. *PLEASE NOTE: Every person has to go to bratfest.com to sign up - click on this link for InitLIVE: https://app.initlive.com/JE/63v6refjssjaf2. Create your own profile, select a charity (New Life Church is at the bottom of the list because we're new this year!) and then see the dates, job descriptions and volunteer shifts available. You can sign up for one shift or multiple shifts.

This is such a fun event – and helping out helps us reach our goal for this project! Mad City Funk is playing there Friday night, so you may want to be there that night regardless! Thanks in advance for helping out! 

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE

JUNE 30TH

New Life Church will be the venue for a Blood Drive of the American Red Cross on Friday, June 30th. Mark your calendar to save the date! Times will be from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 p.m. in the Community Room.

The Red Cross North Central Blood Services Division of Sheboygan Ave. in Madison is taking donation appointments through their website:

redcross.org/local/wisconsin/about-us/locations/southwest-chapter.html.

Also, if anyone wants to volunteer to register donors or make a dessert for donors, email Deb Kohlwey. Flyers about this event are on the kiosk.

HIRING OFFICE MANAGER

We are seeking candidates for the Office Manager position. It is a great schedule for parents, those who are semi-retired, and want a fulfilling part-time position. The job description is available on Indeed.com or by contacting Pastor Heather. Kathy Scholl is back in the role temporarily while we interview and hire. Please consider who might be interested that you know!

Please Keep These People in Your Prayers

Fred Thalacker, Maggie Andres' daughter Kelli (medical treatments), Donna Butler’s grandson Anthony, Shaq Brown, Boyd Fleming, Jodi Franco and her daughter-in-law (medical issues), Terry Hines (Dave Kolmodin's cousin), Michele Kiefer, Dave Kohlwey's brother Neil, Gail Kriel, Patti Kolmodin, Vicki Landes, Hailey Lennberg, Annie O'Kane, Kathy Nelson's brother LaVerne, Stephanie Peck's grandfathers, Alvina Phillips, Trish Splettstoesser, Bobby Spridco, Cheryll & Bill Steinke, Bill Sterud, Russ & Shirley Theel's son-in-law Gil Franco, Jan Wilson's sister Pat, 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 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.

This Sunday and Updates for this Week

Sunday, May 21, 2023

8:15 a.m. Traditional Worship Service

9:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service

(also livestreamed on Facebook Live)

9:30 a.m. New Life Kids

9:30 a.m. Affirmation of Baptism and Senior Recognition

10:30 a.m. Youth Faith Formation

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, May 17

5:30-6:15 p.m. Dinner

6:30 p.m. Adult Faith Formation

Thursday, May 18

9:00-11:00 a.m. Women's Bible study Breakfast (Off-site) - LAST ONE this session and summer break

5:20 p.m. & 5:28 p.m. Golf Group (Door Creek Golf Course)

5:30 p.m. Awaken Dane (SS Morris Church)

Saturday, May 20

7:00-8:00 a.m. Prayer Team

8:00-9:00 a.m. Men's Group

9:00-10 a.m. Band Practice

9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Spring Clean-Up

9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Synod Assembly (Mt. Horeb ELC)

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

Jessica Korrison, Children & Youth Ministry Coordinator

youtheducator@newlifelc.com

Kathy Scholl, Office Manager/Newsletter

newlifelc@newlifelc.com

Mike Berchem, Bookkeeper

bookkeeper@newlifelc.com

Shakia “Queen” Turner, Property Manager

shakiamturner@yahoo.com

ELCA South-Central Wisconsin Synod website:

https://scsw-elca.org/

New Life Church Council:

Janice Newell, President

Brian Coel, Vice-President

Tom Olson, Secretary

Ken Wundrow, Treasurer

Iris Christenson

Shannon Erb

Jillene Fisch

Deb Kohlwey

Shawn Peters

Linda Sime

MacKenzie Swanson

Russell Theel