New Life Lutheran Church is committed to helping others. We are so blessed to be able to provide for those in need. Ten percent of our offering is designated to aid others. In 2011 over $40,000 has been donated to provide assistance to many local, national and international agencies.

We have been able to provide monetary gifts to the following local agencies:
Agape Care Clinic
The Caring Place
Good Neighbor Emergency Center
Home of Hope Cancer Resource Center
Hospice of the Rock River Valley
Northern Illinois Council of Independent Living
Self Help
Sauk Valley Food Bank
Twin Cities PADS Homeless Shelter
Whiteside County Senior Center
YWCA Domestic Abuse
A discretionary fund utilized for emergency situations

Nationally we have assisted;
Bible Alive-Bible Alive provides tools for effective personal Bible study.
Institute of Lutheran Theology-The Institute of Lutheran Theology provides seminary and lay ministry education.
Lutheran Youth Encounter -Lutheran Youth Encounter offers youth and family resources.

Internationally we have provided financial assistance to
Eastern European Mission Network-Eastern European Mission Network assists field missionaries and international partners in Central an Eastern Europe, Russia and Turkey.
Lutheran World Relief (LWR)-LWR helps impoverished communities in developing nations to grow food, earn income and build better lives.
World Mission Prayer League (WMPL) - WMPL is a fellowship of Lutheran men and women committed to Jesus Christ and to the fulfillment of his Great Commission to make disciples, teaching and baptizing as Jesus commanded.
Heart of the Bride Orphanage -Through Heart of the Bride orphanage we sponsor two children in Kenya.

New Life has gone above and beyond the designated benevolence giving to help others. Many members have identified needs in our community and have planned events to meet those needs. A list of the events and charities are listed below.

February
“Souper Bowl Sunday” – cans of soup were donated to area food pantries.
Hope Life Center “Baby Bottles” - Baby bottles filled with change donated to Hope Life Center.

April
New Life donated grocery gift cards to Amanda and her family. Amanda’s mother had recently died leaving Amanda and her husband with her 5 young siblings along with their own 3 children to care for.

“Socks & Undies Sunday” The local chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans hosted a collection drive during the entire month of April. Items were distributed to local PADS and school nurses, as well as homeless shelters from here to Chicago.

May
“Peanut Butter and Jelly Sunday” – Donation of jars of peanut butter and jelly for the free summer lunch program for Sterling and Rock Falls children sponsored by the United Way of Whiteside County.

Scholarships for students attending Christ Lutheran School K-8 for the fall of 2011.

Aid to Tuscaloosa, Alabama- 100% of New Life’s donations went to help the families of Alberta Elementary School in Tuscaloosa after the tornado devastated their town.

June
Collection of gift cards for the relief effort in Joplin, Missouri following a devastating tornado.

September
“Talents and Treasures Sale” - The proceeds from this sale were split between Good Neighbors, The Caring Place and New Life Lutheran Church coffee bar/kitchen fund.

“Turn on the Tap” - A program of Samaritan’s Purse which is providing clean water to people in many parts of the world. All proceeds to Samaritan’s Purse.

October
“2nd Annual Keep Babies Warm and Dry” – Collection of baby items through October with all items going to Whiteside County Health Department.

“Operation Christmas Child”– A collection of small toys, school supplies, hygiene items and hard candy for children in need.

“Thanksgiving Baskets” for area families. Stuffing, Jell-O, and monetary donations collected. All items donated to Coloma and Sterling Townships.

“Quilt Raffle” held by the New Life Quilt Ladies to help purchase adjustable tables. Half of the proceeds will be donated to a local food bank.

November
“Festival of Trees Country Store” - A donation of cookies went to Hospice on Nov. 18 with all proceeds from sale of cookies to go to Hospice of the Rock River Valley.

“Hometown Holidays” A donation of cookies for the Rock Falls Christmas Walk. This was a gift to the community from New Life.

“New Life Giving Tree” The “Giving Tree” Ministry Team has identified six needy families in the area that will be unable to have Christmas this year due to financial difficulties.

May we as members of New Life provide for others as our Lord has so generously provided for us.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me,………….Matthew 25: 35 & 36

New Life Lutheran Benevolence Ministry Team