Announcements for Sunday, July 5 2020
Inside: Family Getaway at Sugar Creek Bible Camp & communion begins in July.
The communion liturgy will begin on Sunday, July 26. Bread baking classes and communion assistant training will be provided online; learn more below.
Online Worship
Join us for worship online this Sunday at 9:15am and on Wednesday at 6:15pm, at 1stlu.org/live.
COVID-19 Update
Compass status for La Crosse County this week is at severe risk:
Worship: online
Education: online
Small groups: online
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 JUST STARTED 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! Check out the reading schedule here.
Coffee with Pastor Karyn
Coffee with Pastor Karyn is open to all and meets at 6:30am each Wednesday, currently via Zoom. Questions? Contact karyn@firstlu.org.
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, July 10–August 8! 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.
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 develop a deeper relationship with one another. We meet on the second Saturday of the month, 9:30–11am via Zoom, with the next one on Saturday, July 11. Contact our Bridget Crave for more info: bridget@firstlu.org.
Online: Steering Into the Skid: A One-Act Dementia Play
Monday, July 13, 10:30am–12:30pm. In 12 short scenes, all taking place in Tim and Amanda's SUV, the audience comes to know this loving couple as they navigate the early progression of dementia. As months pass, the audience sees the subtle changes and adjustments the couple is forced to make on this journey together. To register, visit: www.bit.ly/steering713 or call the Alzheimer's Association at 800.272.3900.
Our OWLs Be Zoomin’
The OWLs are a group at First that welcomes anyone, First Lutheran members or not, who are 55+. OWLs: If you are having technical problems viewing worship services or pastors’ morning musings please call volunteer coordinator, Brian Narveson for help: 608.526.9700. For those already connected with a computer, tablet or smart phone, or even just a regular phone, the OWLs will be holding “Virtual Potlucks” via Zoom. Zoom is a two way video conferencing system where you can both see and hear the people you are talking with. The next one is Wednesday, July 15 at 1pm. Brian wants the OWLs to know they can participate in these virtual potlucks with just a regular phone. For help with Zoom, feel free to contact Brian: owls@firstlu.org / 608.526.9700.
Bread Baking Classes
Families will provide the bread and wine and the vessels needed for communion. Pastor Karyn will have two online “lessons” for those who would like to learn how to bake communion bread. They will be on July 21 at 7pm and July 25 at 8am. Pastor Karyn will have a sign up ready to go in the coming days. A Zoom link will be sent to you the week of, so make sure to sign up.
Communion
In July we will begin to commune, virtually. To do this well, we will need each single person/family who expects to participate to designate at least one confirmed Christian who will act as the ‘assisting minister’ in their household. Maybe family members rotate week-by-week. All designated assisting ministers are required to attend a virtual training date lead by Pastor Karyn and Pastor Stanton on Wednesday, July 22 at 7:15pm, Thursday, July 23 at 7:15pm and Sunday, July 26 at 8am (before worship at 9:15am, when we will commune this way for the first time). Sign up for a training date at 1stlu.org/training. We believe God meets us where we are at… so we will celebrate God meeting us online.
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.
