Announcements for Sunday, March 31, 2019
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Confirmation
Sunday:
9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Bible Classes
Wednesday:
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.
Sunday School
The Sunday School has some new opening locations, starting THIS SUNDAY…
Sunday, March 31
4K FBB: The Keys, lifted up in worship
9:15am Sunday School
Preschool & 4K, opening in 4K Rm
Gr K-2, opening in Choir Rm
Gr 3-4, meet in Pertzsch Gym
Gr 5, meet in Fellowship Hall for Communion FBB (parents/guardians & child)
Sunday, April 7
9:15am Grade 5 FBB: Communion (2nd 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.
Lenten Guided Meditation
Sundays, 6pm, continuing TONIGHT, March 31. 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.
Lenten Visio Divina
Mondays, 6pm, through Lent. 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.
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. Cost goes up April 1.
For info about products, prices and schedules, go to smallfamilycsa.com, or ask for a flier in the office.
OWLs Fly to Rochester
On Friday April 5, the OWLs, a group for those 55+, will fly to Rochester, MN, for lunch and to board the Rochester Trolley for a private Rochester City & Mayo Historical Tour. Meet at the church at 9:45am on Friday. Cost: $20. RSVP to Brian Narveson by Thursday, April 4: 630.816.5917 / owls@firstlu.org.
Baptismal Preparation
A baptism preparation session will be Saturday, April 6, 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.
YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID COURSE
Sat., June 1, 8:45am–5:30pm, at Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran. Rostered leaders, youth leaders and volunteers, or anyone who is working with youth in our churches are invited and encouraged to receive this certified training. Learn strategies to help support youth who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Cost: $10. Contact Elise Hynek at youth@immanuel-lc.org to register
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, April 7, 9:15am in Fellowship Hall.
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 might 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 youths 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 youths can raise funds by working at the breakfast; sign up for both at 1stlu.org/palmsun.
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.
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.
Walk the Stations of the Cross
On Saturday, April 13 at 6pm all are welcome to walk the stations of the cross around our neighborhood. The Stations of the Cross are representations of the path Jesus bore on his way to the crucifixion. They involve Jesus enduring suffering, insults, moments of support, and relay the intense sacrifice that Jesus undertook for human salvation. Participants will take turns reading short scripture, and/or carrying the cross. Led by Glen Vilim. Meet in the narthex, be prepared to walk slowly for several blocks around First Lutheran’s neighborhood.
Bug Spray Fundraiser
From April 14 through May 5 youth can sell bug spray to their family and friends and make money toward their church trip this summer.
Information packet will be available to pick up from church office, at mission trip meetings, or at youth group on Sundays.
Youth selling bug spray need to turn order forms in, with the money, to the church office by Sunday, May 5. Checks should be made out to First Lutheran.
Youth can pick up their orders in the church office on May 15.
50% of sale goes towards youth funds.
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.
‘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.
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.
Caring for Creation
Do you have a passion for sustainability? Ideas for how we at First Lutheran can become an “eco-congregation”? A desire to be a good steward to our land? Please join our new small group that aims to move toward being a more eco-friendly congregation. This group is open to all ages, & the meeting time is TBD! Please contact Jenn Wiesjahn for more information: jjk2880@yahoo.com / 608.397.6897
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.
Easter Basket Raffle
The high school mission trip is heading to San Francisco this summer! To support our kids, all members of First Lutheran are invited to take part in the Easter Basket Raffle! Either... 1) Donate a basket: Before April 3, you purchase items and organize a basket centered on a theme of your choice (see possibilities below). Drop your finished creation at the office. 2) Buy tickets!: Tickets will be sold April 7–14 (Palm Sunday). You do NOT need to be present to win. Thank you for supporting our high schoolers! BASKET IDEAS:
Baby toys
Date night
Movie night
Game night
Gift cards
Sundae Kit
Take me out to the ball game
Box of sunshine (everything yellow)
Man’s basket
Dog basket
Camping
Baking
Easter
Crafts
Gardening
Spa
Italian dinner
BBQ
Car cleaning
Chocolate Galore
Money tree
Sports
ELCA CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY NEEDS VOLUNTEERS!
Churchwide Assembly (CWA), the triennial gathering of voting members from around the entire ELCA, is meeting this year in our own state… at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee, August 5-10. YOU are invited to consider attending the 2019 CWA as a volunteer; approximately 600 volunteers will be needed to serve as ushers or greeters, provide tech support, etc. Learn more about specific volunteer positions at 1stlu.org/cwa.
Courageous Men’s Group
The Courageous Men’s Group are men of all ages who meet weekly on Wednesdays at 6am in the Fireside Room for a time of fellowship and study. Contact Chad Schultz, Jim Sysimaki, or the church office for more info: courageous@firstlu.org.
Stephen Ministry
If you know of someone who needs a caregiver, please speak with Pastor Karyn, or call the church office.