Announcements for Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020
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Faith Alive! U: Cultural Humility
TIME CHANGE! The Faith Alive! U course presented by Amanda Goodenough, is THIS Sunday, Jan. 12, at a new time: 12:30pm. 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 11:45am.
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.
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, volunteer coordinator, at ym@firstlu.org.
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.
OWLs Fly to the Movies
The OWLs, our group for anyone 55+, will fly on Tuesday, Jan. 21, to see the new Dr. Doolittle movie. After the movie we will have dinner at a local restaurant. Meet at church at 3:30pm. RSVP to Brian at owls@firstlu.org by Jan. 17.
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. Bring your air mattress and sleeping bag, but DON’T PLAN TO SLEEP! Questions? Text Andrea: 608.790.5631.
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.
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. 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 fam:
608.734.3113 or camp@sgrcreek.org.
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.
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.
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. Questions? Contact Director of Small Group Ministry, Bridget Crave: bridget@firstlu.org. More info at 1stlu.org/griefsupport.
SYNOD SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
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.
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!
New-Member Social
By choosing to become a member, individuals and families commit to being part of a shared mission. People who would like to become members of First Lutheran are invited to a social at Red Pines on Thursday, Apr. 16, 6pm, where you will get to know more about First and the staff in a relaxed atmosphere. To register your family or ask questions, call our church office at 608.783.2236 or email office@firstlu.org.
Knitters
Prayer shawl knitters meet every Sunday between services and on Wednesdays at 5:30pm in the narthex. Open to all!
Sunday School
Sunday, Jan. 12
9:15am Gr 2 FBB: What's Fair (2nd meeting, parents/guardians & child)
9:15am Sunday School
Sunday, Jan. 19
9:15am Gr 2 FBB: What's Fair (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
9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Bible Classes
12:15pm Faith Alive! U: Cultural Humility
Monday–Friday
Gr 9 Confirmation Registration Opens for Second Semester 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
No youth group this Sunday, Jan. 12. Youth in Grades 6–12 are encouraged to attend the Faith Alive! U presentation on Cultural Humility at 12:30pm. Questions? Text Andrea: 608.790.5631.