Announcements for Sunday, March 17, 2019
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Sunday School
Sunday, March 17
9:15am 4K FBB: The Keys (2nd meeting, parents/guardians & child) - Rm 105
9:15am Sunday School
Preschool & 4K Sing at 10:30am Worship
Sunday, March 24
9:15am 4K FBB: The Keys
(3rd meeting, parents/guardians & child)9:15am Sunday School
New registrations welcome any time of the year. Contact Sunday School superintendent Beth Miller at sundayschool@firstlu.org or stop in the Sunday School office in room 206.
Confirmation
Sunday, March 17:
9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Bible Classes
6:00pm Keep Calm Class (Confirmation Elective)
Wednesday, March 20:
7pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups
Middle School Youth Group
Our middle school youth group gathers weekly on Sundays. Starting at 5:30pm with a meal, and then breaking off for fun, fellowship & devos. Questions? Contact Pastor Stanton, jason@firstlu.org.
Parents Gathering for Lent
In the midst of daily life, planning something meaningful to do with our family during Lent often gets lost. This year at First, we hope to help people plan for Lent using the resource Holy Solitude. We invite parents of Sunday School-age kids to get together and share ideas on ways to live into holy solitude as a family. Our next gathering will be Sunday, March 17, 9:15am in Fellowship Hall.
Lenten Guided Meditation
Sundays, 6pm, continuing TONIGHT, March 17. This group explores a variety of guided meditations and other contemplative prayers each week throughout Lent. Both men and women are welcome! Come for one session or for many. In the Fireside Room.
Preschool Registration
Registration for the 2019-2020 school year for First Lutheran Preschool opens on Monday, March 18, from 9:30am–noon for church members, and 10:30am–noon for the community. To register, stop into the First Lutheran Preschool during the registration times above, or call the preschool at 608.779.4504. Check us out on Facebook: facebook.com/flponalaska
Lenten Visio Divina
Mondays, 6pm, starting March 11. This small group will gather throughout Lent to learn the practice of Visio Divina, or divine seeing. Using visual art and a guided process, we will deepen our understanding of God and enrich our prayer lives. Open to all. Led by Pastor Karyn in room 207.
Grief Support Group
Carrying on after the death of a loved one can be difficult and lonely. Join with others who have experienced loss, and listen and care for each other. Meeting the third Thursday of the month, 1pm in the Upper Room. Lead by Nancy Beguin. Questions? Contact Director of Small Group Ministry, Bridget Crave: bridget@firstlu.org. More info at 1stlu.org/griefsupport.
Lenten Prayer Labyrinth
As part of your Lenten meditations First Lutheran invites you to walk a prayer labyrinth. Available every Friday in the narthex during Lent, 9am–7pm.
Remember, You Are Dust And To Dust You Shall Return
In conjunction with Tara Shilts’ Faith Alive! U course called Death Cafe on March 10, the pastors at First will offer a funeral planning workshop on Sunday, March 24, from 11:45am-1:15pm. Lunch will be provided. It’s a time to consider what a Christian funeral is for and how yours could be most helpful to those who love you. It promises to be a good discussion! No sign-up is required. Meeting in Fellowship Hall.
NEW-MEMBER SESSIONS
By choosing to become a member of First Lutheran, individuals and families commit to being part of a shared mission. People who would like to become members are invited to a two-week introduction to the church, presented in a small-group setting. The group will meet from 5:30 to 7:30 pm on two Sundays, March 24 & 31. To register your family or ask questions, call the church office at 608.783.2236 or email office@firstlu.org.
COME FOR SUPPER
First Lutheran is assisting with Come for Supper on Tuesday, March 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.
Milk Moola Program Ending
Please turn in all Milk Moola by March 22.
Holy Solitude Retreat
Join certified spiritual director Carla Stanton for a weekend of holy solitude at Sugar Creek Bible Camp, from Friday evening, March 29, through Sunday morning, March 31. Carla will lead those gathered with a balance of group exploration and solitude as they discover the inner fulfillment in Holy Solitude. Cost: $125. Register at 1stlu.org/hsr.
Graduation Milestone
Graduates: You and your parents/guardians are cordially invited to mark the milestone of your graduation at First Lutheran’s High School Graduation Recognition Dinner on Sunday, March 31, from 6-8pm. RSVP to the church office by March 24: 608.783.2236 / office@firstlu.org.
Chicken Dinner!
Thursday, April 25, 4-7pm, at Onalaska America Legion, 731 Sand Lake Rd. Tickets on sale now through April 17, sold by youth raising funds, or in the church office M-F, 8am-4pm. Youth can pick up ticket packets in the office. To donate food items or to sign up youth to serve at the chicken dinner, go to 1stlu.org/chixdin.
Clothes Closet
THANK YOU to all the generous donors! Our Closet is filled to the top, with our only real needs being athletic shorts for guys and girls and, of course, toiletries. Please consider these other wonderful options for donating your gently-used clothes in the coming weeks: Good Steward Shop, Salvation Army, New Horizons Shelter, Women’s Clothes Closet at Our Savior’s Lutheran, Men’s Closet at the Catholic Charities Warming Center, or the Rootin Crown shops in Onalaska, La Crosse and Holmen.
LA CROSSE WARMING CENTER
Volunteers still needed and they’d LOVE to get more Lutheran churches involved! The Warming Center is open Nov. 1–April 30, 7pm–8am. Open every day of the week (even holidays) at 413 S. 3rd St., La Crosse. Volunteers still needed to cover a variety of shifts. More info: 1stlu.org/warmcenter.
Community Supported Agriculture
First Lutheran has, once again, offered to be a pick-up site for CSA boxes of produce from Small Family Farm in La Farge. Though deliveries won’t start until June, you can buy a share now. For info about products, prices and schedules, go to smallfamilycsa.com, or ask for a flier in the office.
Eggstravaganza & Lego Build
Learn more about the Easter story at this fun, faith-filled Young Youth event in Fellowship Hall, Sunday, April 7, 6pm. For grades K–5. RSVP to beth@firstlu.org.
Faith Alive! U: The Image of God
A Faith Alive! U course presented by Carla Stanton, Sunday, April 7, 6pm. In your mind’s eye, what does God look like, feel like, sound like? Where do these feelings or impressions come from? How may they be helpful or perhaps harmful? Carla Stanton is a certified spiritual director and will facilitate a conversation and multiple experiences meant to help us name and claim our own image of God.
Palm Sunday Breakfast Fundraiser
Sunday, April 14: Fundraiser for youth going on mission trips and to Bible camp. No coffee hour nor Sunday School between services. Breakfast will be served 9-10:30am. Food donations are needed, and youth can raise funds by working at the breakfast; sign up for both at 1stlu.org/palmsun.
Mabel Anderson Scholarship
Applications are now available. Completed applications are due no later than 3pm on Monday, April 15. Students may apply if they will graduate from high school in the spring and have plans to pursue post-secondary education. The application includes writing an essay and completing a worksheet that reflects the student’s involvement in church activities. Application forms are available at 1stlu.org/scholarship or in the church office during office hours, M–F 8am–4pm.
Holy Week Schedule
Monday, April 15, through Wednesday, April 17, worship at 6:30pm
Maundy Thursday, April 18, and Good Friday, April 19, worship at 12:15pm & 6:30pm
Saturday Sacred Storytelling Worship, April 20, worship at 6:30pm
Easter Sunday, April 21, worship at 7:30am, 9am, & 10:45am. No Sunday School nor Confirmation
The office will close at noon on Friday, April 19, & all day Monday, April 22.
Sugar Creek Summer Reg Now Open
Your child or grandchild can have an amazing new experience this summer with the caring staff and beautiful creation of Sugar Creek! Now is the time to register, before your desired week fills up. Popular programs fill up fast! More info & reg at www.sgrcreek.org.
Cancellations Due to Inclement Weather
If the weather ever makes you wonder whether your group is meeting for their ministry, check our website, Facebook page, or update the office with your cell number and provider so that we can text you. We’ll also notify WXOW.com, news8000.com and the La Crosse Radio Group stations: 106.3, 104.9, 102.7, 100.1, and 1490 AM. The staff and leadership of First intend to ‘make the call’ by 5pm at the latest. so everyone knows what to expect. Be safe this winter!
‘19 Mission Trips
During the week of July 21–26 in 2019 our middle school youth will serve in Duluth, MN and our high school youth will serve in San Francisco, CA. For more info & registration go to 1stlu.org/missiontrip.
Welcome Baskets
Welcome baskets are a way to welcome a new neighbor into your neighborhood. The baskets are a gift bag tied with bow, filled with some goodies from church and from our community. They are available to sign out at the Resource Center across from the church office.
Helping Hands
If you need help with small jobs around the house or if you need a couple of meals or groceries delivered, just go to the “Helping Hands” board by the nursery and make out a slip with a description of what you need help with and your telephone number. Then anyone who thinks they can help out can take the slip and call the number to work out the details. This ministry is open to all in need of help AND to those who can provide the help. There is no set group of “helpers” so we need involvement from all who can be a blessing to someone else. Thanks!