Inside: Juneteenth Celerbration and Sugar Creek Bible Camp updates

Online Worship

• Join us for worship online this Sunday at 9:15am and on Wednesday at 6:15pm, at 1stlu.org/live.

Cancellations

• In-person worship, weddings, funerals and small groups will not be taking place in-person until further notice.

• For an up-to-date list of online options and cancellations please visit firstlutheranonalaska.org/thisweek.

Sanctuary Book Discussion & Sermon Series

Do you ever feel overwhelmed? Do you crave time and space to replenish? Can you name a sanctuary in your life? These are just a few of the questions addressed by Sanctuary, a short, easy-to-read, powerful book by Terry Hershey that is great for individuals and even better for couples, families and groups of friends. All members and friends of First Lutheran are strongly encouraged to read Sanctuary and engage in the questions at the end of each chapter. Teens would greatly benefit from this little book, too. It is a great summer read! Each Wednesday worship throughout the summer is rooted in a chapter from Sanctuary. The book is available to purchase directly from the author Terry Hershey at terryhershey.com. He has updated his website to offer a special price: $10 per book plus $4 shipping. 

Bible Readers Bible Study

Ever wanted to read the whole Bible? Pastor Stanton is leading a year long, 5 days-a-week journey! From Pastor Stanton: I want to bring a daily Bible study into your internet machine. I’ll post a 3-5 minute video by 5am Monday through Friday on Facebook and Youtube. If social media isn’t your thing, I could also e-mail each day’s video, just send me a request. By June next year… we will have read through the whole Bible, having read for about 15 minutes a day. This study is for ANYone who can read, 3rd graders to our eldest friend; members and acquaintances far far away. Use whatever Bible you’d like!

Coffee & Conversation: The Art of Downsizing

We spend our adult lives selecting furniture, cookware, souvenirs and decor to make our living happy and comfortable. When it comes time to move into a smaller place, it’s not easy to decide which items won’t make the trip. Join us for the conversation on Monday, June 22 from 10:30–11:30am. Sara Wrobel, Executive Director of Causeway Caregivers and Facilitator of Before the After, will have some prompts to help you think about your living space and the heirlooms your children will (or won’t!) want. This will be an online conversation; request access from Julie Nelson at jnelson@gruw.org.

Courageous Men’s Group

The Courageous Men’s Group are men of all ages who meet weekly on Wednesdays at 6am via Zoom for a time of fellowship and study. Contact Chad Schultz or the church office for more info: courageous@firstlu.org.

Census Takers Needed for 2020 Census

The U.S. Census Bureau is currently looking to hire 2020 census takers in the La Crosse area. By working for the 2020 census you can help ensure everyone is counted. Accurate counts have a huge impact on our community: data influences decisions about which roads are fixed, which schools are built, businesses opened, what medical services (medicaid) are offered and more. Positions are part-time, flexible, and pay $17-$22/hr. Apply online: 2020census.gov/jobs. Questions? Contact Kay DeLanzo, Recruiting Assistant, Madison Area Census Office, 720.966.4327, Kay.a.delanzo@2020census.gov.

Sugar Creek Family Getaway Camps

Sugar Creek has cancelled overnight summer youth programs for 2020. In place of the 4 weeks of youth camps, you are invited to any of the 8 NEW sessions of "Family Getaway" camps! With safe practices in a beautiful getaway setting, you can still get a fun and meaningful faith-filled outdoor adventure this summer—together as a family. Over 15 separate family spaces available for each session. Be safely physically distanced in outdoor group times, and explore tons of new activities for youth and adults. All shapes and sizes of families are welcome. This can still become a joyful summer camp season to remember for your whole family! Click here to learn more.

Sugar Creek Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Mon, Aug. 17, at Viroqua Hills Golf Course. $75 for 18 holes. Click here for tournament flyer and more details.

Sugar Creek Annual Quilt and Antique Auction

Sat, Sept. 12. Events beginning at 8am: 5K Trail Run and Fun Walk, country store, craft fair, quilt and antique auction. Click here to view flyer for more details.

Bible Bits

A project that we are starting to work on is to send a Bible verse video to Sunday school students. This video and verse from you would fill up the student's Bible with peoples names that are important to them and remember that God loves them and so do we! Beth will send a video (made by members) with directions to the Sunday school students that would give the opportunity for the youth to highlight the verse and write your name near it. This is a way to stay connected to our Bibles and our congregations' youth during this time. For more information, contact Beth at beth@firstlu.org.

Morning Musings

Where is God in all this? Who/what shall we pray for today? What are our questions? What is grounding us in a time when everything is shifting? Go to First Lutheran's website, Facebook page or our Youtube channel where each morning, Monday through Saturday by 8am, Pastor Stanton or Pastor Karyn post a "morning musing". It's a great way to stay connected!

Keep Up with Cancellations: Update Your Contact Info

Make sure the office has your current contact info, including current address, mobile number(s), carrier info (for reminders by text), and email(s). Send to office@firstlu.org.

AV Ministry

Our live stream set-up is starting to get into place, and the next phase involves members learning the set-up so we can continue to provide this ministry to everyone at home. We will be in need of two leaders/volunteers each Sunday: 1) to run projection (as we always have) and 2) to direct the live stream. Ideally we’d like a 2 week commitment on both Sundays and Wednesdays, the first week to lead projection and the second week to learn the live stream. If you know someone with these gifts, or if you are interested in being a part of this ministry, pass their name or your name to andy@firstlu.org.

Readers!

We are seeking people of all ages who would be willing to be our readers each week. This would mean doing a video of yourself or family reading the assigned text and then uploading it to a google folder. If you are willing to do this, email Pastor Karyn: karyn@firstlu.org.

Prayers!

Pastor Karyn is looking for people who are willing to be our pray-ers. If you are willing to offer up a prayer or let us know a way we can be praying, send me an email to karyn@firstlu.org. Thanks!

Help Those in Need

If you are looking for ways to help locally, go to the Ugetconnected site to find a variety of needs, from writing letters or drawing pictures to seniors, to delivering pre-packaged meals or sewing. It's hard to keep track of all the various organizations, so this is a great spot to find out how you can help. Go to 1stlu.org/needs.