Announcements for Sunday, September 24
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Quilts on display
The quilts on display in the sanctuary and narthex were made by First Lutheran’s quilting group, who thank you for your continued contributions of yarn, bed sheets and fabric. The quilts are sent around the world, across the USA and throughout the La Crosse area. Help ship the quilts: It costs LWR about $2.25 per quilt, and for every $1 you give, someone in need receives $8 worth of essential personal items. Donate toward shipping at
1stlu.org/shipLWR..
High School Youth Group 2.0
Weekly on Sunday nights during the school year, 6:30-8:30pm, in the Mary room. Want to feel connected to fellow youths in a deeper way? Come to youth group and find friends, fellowship, and modern worship music. We play games, dive into scripture, and challenge each other to grow in our faith. Come whenever you can and bring some friends along, too!
Frolic!
This group is for parents/guardians and their children ages birth to 3 years old, and meets the last Sunday, at 9:15am in room 102. We sing, dance, play, and pray together to learn ways to raise our little Christians in the home. We have time with the kids and time with just the adults. During the adult time, we have volunteers come in and play with our children as we talk. We welcome newcomers all the time—join us!
COME FOR SUPPER
First Lutheran is assisting with Come for Supper on Tuesday, September 26, at Our Savior’s in La Crosse. First Lutheran will help with food donations and volunteering to serve and clean up. The sign-up sheets are at the Welcome Center. Call Gloria Kubiak if you have questions, 608.498.2762.
NEWSLETTER ASSEMBLY
It’s a relaxing way to volunteer! Thursday, September 28, at 9am, to assemble the October newsletter. See you there!
Parent Share: Now with Wed option!
Starting October 4, join Carla Stanton, member of First, certified spiritual director and mom of three, in room 201 every Wednesday morning, 9:45-10:45am. (The Sunday Parent Share will also continue to meet at 9:15am between Sun. worship). For Parent Share we will simply come together to pray and talk about raising our children faithfully. Childcare is available, too, for all children who are not yet attending school.
Parish Internship Committee
A parish internship committee is being formed to serve our Vicar Tara Shilts. The committee of 5-8 people meets once a month and exists to give feedback directly to Vicar Tara in an informal, reflective way. Vicar Tara already receives critique and instruction from her supervisor, Pastor Stanton. This is your opportunity to offer leadership as we explore First’s role as a teaching congregation. Contact Pastor Stanton if you are interested in raising up a leader in ministry: jason@firstlu.org.
Baptismal Preparation
A baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Oct. 7, at 10am in the narthex for anyone who is considering or has scheduled a baptism. To register or ask questions, contact the church office: 608.783.2236 / office@firstlu.org.
LifeTouch Church Directory Photo Sessions
First Lutheran is updating its membership directory this year, and photo sessions are available from Oct. 10-21. We encourage you to book your session soon so that you can pick the best time for you and your family; do so by going to
1stlu.org/lifetouch, or call the church office for assistance. Members who have their photos taken for the directory will get a free color copy of their portrait and a free directory. Don’t wait — make your appointment today!
Sugar Creek Women’s Retreat
Fri., Oct. 20—Sun., Oct. 22. Ladies, this retreat is just what you need: time away from the stresses of work and home. Come away to meet other women, go for a hike, curl up by the fire with a good book, and more! As the seasons change and leaves fall, we will take time to join together and explore the theme: “Letting Go.” Our featured speaker, Carla Stanton, is a certified Spiritual Director and will lead us through various exercises to discover where God is working in our lives. We will consider the things we might need to let go of in order to make room for new growth. Info & reg. at
www.sgrcreek.org.
Drawing From the Well
We will gather at Panera at 8:30am on Sat., October 14, for conversation and food. Come and get to know other women of the church, or renew friendships. RSVP to bridget@firstlu.org.
NEW-MEMBER SESSIONS
We offer several new-member sessions each year to acquaint new members with First and a small group of other newcomers. People who would like to become members of First Lutheran are invited to a 3-week introduction to the church, presented in a small-group setting. The group will meet in the evening on Oct. 22, Oct. 29, and Nov. 2. To register your family or ask questions please call our church office at 608.783.2236 or email office@firstlu.org.
Art and Spirituality Retreat in Chicago
Join Pr Karyn to learn and practice Visio Divina, the spiritual practice of praying with images. The group will visit the Art Institute in Chicago and in addition to other sites, and some free time to shop, site see, or rest. Traveling by van, the group will leave Friday morning, Nov. 17, returning to Onalaska Saturday evening. Cost includes transportation to Chicago, hotel and Art Institute entrance fee. Contact Bridget Crave with questions: bridget@firstlu.org.
More info & reg. at 1stlu.org/artic.
Gift Cards for Youth Ministries: Target & Walmart Now available
We have added Target and Walmart to the assortment of gift cards we offer for sale in the church office. The cards come in denominations of $50 and $100. We continue to offer Kwik Trip, Woodman’s and Festival cards. People who buy these cards through the church help our young people go to Bible camp and on mission trips.
Clothes Closet Needs
- Hoodies: all sizes
- Guys belts: especially smaller sizes
- Wallets
With the new school year upon us, the First Teen Clothes Closet’s schedule is getting busy. We are in need of volunteer hosts, especially for Monday evenings when we shuttle teens from Trinity Lutheran Church’s Children’s Clothes Closet. Go to 1stlu.org/closethelp to choose a shift you can work. If you have never volunteered before, or need a refresher course, contact Bridget Crave at bridget@firstlu.org, or another one of the steering committee members. Thank you for helping us reach teens in our community!
Travel to the Holy Land
With Pastor Kent and Dr. Lee Johnson on November 2-13.
$3,999 includes flights from Mpls. Most Christian tours of the Holy Land focus entirely on the sites associated with the events and people of the Bible, especially those linked to Jesus. This 12-day tour does this and much more. We will visit key sites in Bethlehem, Galilee (Nazareth, Capernaum) and Jerusalem (Temple Mount, Mount of Olives, Church of the Holy Sepulchre.) Guided by our Synod’s commitment to accompaniment with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), you also will meet with members of the ELCJHL and Israeli and Palestinian groups struggling for peace and justice today. Contact Pr. Kent at pastorkentj@gmail.com. There are only a few seats left!
Sugar Creek Bus Trips
Adult Bus Trips:
- Oct. 1-7 Washington D.C. and Gettysburg Tour
- Nov. 21 Fireside Dinner Theatre: “Miracle on 34th St.”
- Nov.26-Dec 2 Nashville Christmas Tour