Announcements for Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020
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Sunshine Boys & Girls
The Sunshine Boys & Girls serve at First once a month; the next meeting will be next Tuesday or Wednesday. The Sunshine Boys & Girls are an informal group that performs a variety of necessary tasks around the church; such as grounds clean-up, minor repairs and other small jobs. Rolls and coffee are supplied to replenish your reserves! Dues are free!
SYNOD SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
Winter Session Bible Intro class: Jan. 9, at Trinity Lutheran in Sparta. Additional winter courses offered Thursday evenings, Jan. 16-Feb. 13, at Our Savior’s in West Salem: Christian Theology 2, Pauline Letters and Church History. There also will be a spring retreat on spiritual gifts at Sugar Creek,
March 20-21. Register now: office@lacrosseareasynod.org / 608.788.5000.
Drawing from the Well
This group is for women of First and the greater La Crosse area seeking to support one another in their spiritual growth. We gather to enjoy a breakfast and develop a deeper relationship with one another. We meet on the second Saturday of the month, 9:30-11am, with the next one on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 9:30am. Contact our Director of Small Group Ministry, Bridget Crave, for more info: bridget@firstlu.org.
Faith Alive! U: Cultural Humility
A Faith Alive! U course presented by Amanda Goodenough, Sunday, Jan. 12, at 6pm. Cultural humility can enhance communication, foster trust, deepen connections and improve outcomes when interacting across differences. In the bigger picture, it’s a process that can radically transform organizations. Attendees will engage in racial identity reflection, gain a deeper understanding of individual and group membership and practice cultural humility along the way. Childcare is available: a supervised kid zone for grade-schoolers, adult supervision in the nursery for younger kids. Community meal beforehand at 5:30pm; sign-up to share at 1stlu.org/meal.
Survey Re: Next Bishop
The La Crosse Area Synod encourages all synod members to read the Our Next Bishop: A Study Guide and Survey and take the Synod Survey Response available at 1stlu.org/nextbishop. The survey is meant to foster the thoughtful discussion and prayerful discernment that is vital in making this call. Take your time; read, reflect and pray. Deadline to submit surveys is 5pm Wednesday, Jan. 15. Questions? Contact the synod office: office@lacrosseareasynod.org.
Parent Date Night
Save the “Date”: Friday, Jan. 17. Time: Registration from 4:45-5:30pm, followed by dinner and activities till 8:30pm (parents can pick up early if needed). Bring your children for an evening of fun with the middle and high school youth groups’ Date Night Fundraiser! Ages: birth to 12 are welcome. Event is open to the public. Cost: Donations to help middle and high school students with their mission trip in 2020.
Blessing Tech Workers
We invite all technology workers to join us on Sunday, Jan. 19, for worship and a special blessing for all the tech support you provide for your co-workers, family and in-laws.
Blood Drive
Monday, Jan. 20, 12:30-5:30pm. Walk-ins welcome; appointments encouraged, schedule yours at 1stlu.org/blooddrive. Please bring a photo ID.
Lock-In!
FIRST EVER YOUTH GROUP LOCK-IN for grades 6-12! Escape rooms, dancing, basketball match-ups, movies and lots of FOOD! Starts at 5pm on Friday, Jan. 24, in Fellowship Hall, ends Saturday, Jan. 25, at 9am. Questions? Text Andrea: 608.790.5631.
Sugar Creek Winter Fun Days
Though First will not be going as a group this year, members are still invited to come to Sugar Creek for a wonderful family outing on these Sunday afternoons: Jan. 12 and 26, Feb. 9 and 23, from 1-5pm. There’ll be snow tubing, broom ball, snow shoeing, wagon rides and more! Cost (includes lunch): $7/person or $30/family. Call or email to register your family: 608.734.3113 or camp@sgrcreek.org. Bring your air mattress and sleeping bag, but DON’T PLAN TO SLEEP!
Questions? Text Andrea: 608.790.5631.
Mission Trip Sunday!
Join on Sunday, Jan. 19 at either worship service to learn more about this service opportunity and the plans for summer 2020. Questions? Email Karissa at ym@firstlu.org.
Blood Drive
Monday, Jan. 20, 12:30-5:30pm. Every day ordinary people are saved by some pretty extraordinary people. People who give blood. Your donation could be the most valuable gift you ever give. Just ask anyone who’s ever received. Walk-ins welcome; appointments encouraged, schedule yours at 1stlu.org/blooddrive. Please bring a photo ID.
Volunteer Appreciation Party
Sunday, Jan. 26, 11:45am in Fellowship Hall. A warm thank you! Why? To thank everyone for being Christ’s hands and feet at First Lutheran! RSVP at 1stlu.org/VAP.
COME FOR SUPPER
First Lutheran is assisting with Come for Supper on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at Our Savior’s in La Crosse. First Lutheran will help with food donations and volunteering to serve and clean up. Sign-up sheets are at the Welcome Center. Call Gloria Kubiak if you have questions, 608.498.2762.
Baptismal Preparation
A baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Feb. 1, at 10am in the narthex for anyone who is considering or has scheduled a baptism. To register or ask questions call the church office at 608.783.3326 by Sunday, Jan. 27. Min. attendance required: 2 families.
YAGM APPLICATION DATES EARLIER THIS YEAR
The ELCA YAGM program invites young adults (ages 21-29) into a year-long international journey of service. If you, a friend, a church family member would be interested in such a journey, go to elca.org/yagm and begin the application process. The application window closes Feb. 15, with priority given to those who apply by Jan. 15.
Hosting Memory Cafe at First
The Memory Café is an opportunity for fellowship for people living with memory loss, Alzheimer’s & other related dementias and their care partners to enjoy regular, social interaction with others to laugh, to learn and create community. We are looking for people to help host March 26 at 1pm. Memory Cafes are informal, relaxed environments.
We need people to provide hospitality, beverages and a light snack and people to lead some sort of fun, engaging program or project. Themes and topics may include: Art, animals, music, creating, food and more. If you are interested in hosting the Memory Cafe, contact Bridget. If you or someone you know would benefit from attending the Memory Cafe, please invite them. The second cafe we are hosting is June 25.
Cancellations Due to Inclement Weather
If the weather ever makes you wonder whether your group is meeting for their ministry, check our Web:, Facebook page, or update the office with your cell number and provider so that we can text you. 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!
Parent Share
Join Carla Stanton, member of First, certified spiritual director and mom of three, in room 201 every Sunday morning at 9:15am. At Parent Share, we pray and talk about raising our children faithfully.
Parking Lot Ministry
This ministry needs warm and friendly faces to greet guests and worshipers who come into the parking lot, giving help if needed at the giving umbrellas to those who need one when it’s raining. Come to the Welcome Center to receive more information and sign up to help.
Companion Ministry
The gift of communion is Christ’s invitation for us all. Homebound members or those in nursing home care cannot make it to church and still would love to also receive that gift. Companion ministers help provide the service of delivering communion to them. They visit these members, usually monthly, give them communion and have wonderful conversations. Good friendships are formed and the members receiving the communion feel grateful for that gift. If you love visiting with and helping people, consider becoming a companion minister. It is a very fulfilling job. Talk to one of the pastors for more info.
COFFEE WITH PASTOR KARYN
Coffee with Pastor Karyn is open to all and meets at 6:30am each Wednesday at Panera. See you there!
Sunday School
Sunday, Jan. 5
9:15am Gr 2 FBB: What's Fair (1st meeting, parents/guardians only) - Fellowship Hall
9:15am Sunday School
Sunday, Jan. 12
9:15am Gr 2 FBB: What's Fair (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.
Confirmation
Sunday
9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Bible Classes
Wednesday
7pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups
Questions? Contact Pastor Stanton, jason@firstlu.org.
High School at the House
A time for high school members to meet and socialize in a welcoming space, on most Sundays, between services. Questions? Contact volunteer Katie Everson: arne_everson@hotmail.com
Middle/High School Youth Groups
Grades 6-12 gather together most Sundays for meal and fellowship from 5-5:30pm, then split for the remainder of the evening for separate activities. Questions? Text Andrea: 608.790.5631.
