INSIDE: Mask Optional; McKenna Everson’s Blessing Bag project; Congregational Meeting on Sunday, Feb. 27 at 11:45am.

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Feb. 20:

• 8am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.

• 10:30am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.

Wednesday, Feb. 23:

• 6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.

COVID-19 Update

• Pastors and our COVID Advisory Panel gather to evaluate when and how the church can be open. These are our current recommendations:

  • Worship: online & in-person

  • Small groups: online & in-person; precautions determined by entire group

Precautions for In-Person Worship

Worship services are offered in-person, indoors at all services. As of February 16, 2022, masks are welcome, optional, and encouraged for those not vaccinated. For a full description of current precautions, visit 1stlu.org/precaution.

Fourth Grade Faith Building Block: Apostles’ Creed

• CHANGED: Sunday, Feb. 20 parents/guardians with children, Fellowship Hall

• Sunday, Mar. 6: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Throughout the year each age group will have a special “Faith Building Block” session in which parents or special adults are asked to attend class with their child on Sundays at 9:15am, sharing in conversation and growing together in faith. This session lasts for one week, and afterwards, the Faith Building Block will be lifted up in worship in celebration of what the students have learned.

Blessing Bags

This Sunday we welcome McKenna Everson, who will speak about her Blessing Bags project. You can give to her project on our giving page, at 1stlu.org/give.

Newsletter Assembly

It’s a relaxing way to volunteer! Friday, Feb. 25, at 10am, to assemble the March/April mini-newsletter. See you there! 

Congregational Meeting

The attendance of all members is requested at this congregational meeting on Sunday, Feb. 27, at 11:45am, to approve the 2022 budget, elect Vision and Leadership members and finish other business that could not be done at the Feb. 6 annual meeting.

Volunteer Appreciation Party

Rescheduled to Sunday, Feb. 27, and coinciding with the congregational meeting. A warm thank you! Why? To thank everyone 
for being Christ’s hands and feet! RSVP at 1stlu.org/vaparty.

Ash Wednesday Worship, Mar. 2

Join us for worship on Ash Wednesday as we begin the season of Lent.

• 11:30am light lunch

• 12:15pm in-person worship

• 6:15pm in-person worship and live stream

All services will include the imposition of ashes.

Synod School of Theology - Spring Session

The spring 2022 term of the Synod School of Theology will run from Mar. 3–Apr. 7 (all classes on Thursday evenings), with Preaching 101 by Rev. Meg Hoversten. For more info and registration go to 1stlu.org/theology.

La Crosse Area World Day of Prayer 2022

World Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumenical movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer and action each year on the first Friday in March. Each year a different country serves as the writer of the worship service, interpreting the Bible in their own context, and lifting up issues of mission, justice and peace. This year the service is based on Jeremiah 29:1-14 and was written by the women of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The La Crosse area will celebrate World Day of Prayer 2022 at West Salem Presbyterian Church on Friday, Mar. 4, at 9am. There will be a fellowship gathering at the church, followed by a prayer service, led by women from various churches in the area, at 10am. All are welcome! For more info contact: 608-786-0910 or preschurchws@gmail.com.

Faith Alive! U: Community United To Support Families

On Sunday, March 6, at noon in the sanctuary, hear what support is needed for families with children in our area, in the short and the long term. Presented by: Tracy Trussoni (Development Director of Safe Families for Children), Jason Witt (Executive Director of La Crosse County Social Services) , Dianne Range and Kelli Hanson (Family and Children Center). This event is intended for confirmation students, high schoolers and all adults. A light lunch will be provided before the presentation. Childcare provided during presentation.

“Courage Conversations” via Waking Up White Synod Read during Lent

Sundays: March 6, 13, 20, 27 and April 3, 6–7pm, via Zoom. Did you miss First’s study of Waking Up White, or want to revisit it? The Waking Up White synod read invites you to engage in conversations about the dynamics of race in your own life, congregations and community. Members of the Synod Church and Society Committee will lead these Zoom-based conversations on Sunday evenings during Lent. There is no fee to participate. Register by e-mail (melanie@lacrosseareasynod.org) or by calling the synod office (608.788.5000). More info: 1stlu.org/wakingup.

Monday Night Community Meals

For many years, Trinity Lutheran Church on the northside of La Crosse has hosted a meal on Monday nights. First Lutheran has agreed to help with this important community ministry, by preparing a meal, serving the food and cleaning up. We need people to plan and prepare the meal to feed 60-80 people, and folks to serve the meal (5-6pm) and help with cleanup. Meal prep can be done at your convenience. Many times people prepare the main course a week ahead, freeze it and reheat it. Food for the meal can be gotten at no charge from the Hunger Task Force in La Crosse. Our next date is Mar. 14. You can sign up at 1stlu.org/monmeals, or contact bridget@firstlu.org.

Preschool Open House

Join us for our open house on Thursday, Mar. 17, from 4:30-5:30pm. Come meet the teachers, see the classrooms, get class options and registration info for the 2022-2023 school year. We accept children ages 2 and up who are potty trained.  Registration is Monday, Mar. 21, from 9:30am–noon for church members, and 10:30am–noon for the community. To register stop into the First Lutheran Preschool during the registration times above, or call the preschool at 608.779.4504.

Mabel Anderson Scholarship

The Mabel Anderson scholarship application is now available online at 1stlu.org/scholarship. Completed applications are due on Friday, April 1. 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.

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. For info about products, prices and schedules, go to smallfamilycsa.com. Prices typically increase April 1.

Baptismal Preparation


The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Apr. 2, 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, Mar. 27. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

Upcoming Sugar Creek Bus Trips

• April 6: Fireside Dinner Theater, "Sound of Music"

• May 7-10: Holland Michigan Tulip Festival

• Aug 26-Sept 1: Ark Encounter and Nashville

• November 16: Fireside Dinner Theater, "White Christmas"

Sign up early! Spots fill quickly. Call for info: 608.734.3113.

Sugar Creek Summer Reg Now Open!

Summer camp registration at Sugar Creek is open and campers are signing up! Our new program, Art Camp, promises to help campers grow in their creative gifts and encourage them in sharing the joy of expression through guitar, dance, painting, photography, wood-crafts or writing. We can’t wait to celebrate each of their unique talents with them. We are also pleased to bring back our popular new programs from 2021: Elevated, Night Camp and Rangers. Spots for these programs are filling up quickly, so make sure you don’t miss out. Do you know about our early registration giveaway! Every camper who registers by March 21 will receive a $50 clothing store/snack shop credit. Reg and more info online: sugarcreekbiblecamp.org.

Summer Camp Job Openings

Both Bible camps in our synod are in the process of hiring summer staff in various positions…

• Luther Park Bible Camp: What are the benefits to working at camp during the summer time? Listen to this video with some of the Luther Park Bible Camp 2021 Summer Staff expressing their favorite moments. Then share with adults young and old in your congregation and community. Find more about summer employment. Positions available for counselors, lifeguards, worship leaders, cooks, nurses, and more.

• Sugar Creek Bible Camp: Apply yourself or recommend others for camp staff positions. Few jobs are as meaningful as the life-changing role of a professionally-trained Bible camp counselor.

Happy Birthday!! 

If you have received a birthday postcard from First in the last several months and still have it, bring it into church Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm and pick up a small gift.

New Members

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 typically invited to a social at Red Pines where you would get to know more about First and the staff in a relaxed atmosphere. When gathering in such a way is safe, we will celebrate our new members in this way. For now, please let us know if you are interested in membership. One of our pastors will connect with you to find out how we may best be church together in the months and years to come. Call our office for more information at 608.783.2236 or email office@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.

Scrip Cards Are Available

Scrip cards are available from the church office. We have Kwik Trip, Woodman's, Target and Festival cards. To find out what's currently available and when you can buy them, call the church office at 608.783.2236 or send email to office@firstlu.org.

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.

Sunday School

• Sunday, Feb. 20

  • 9:15am Sunday School

  • 9:15am Gr 4 FBB: Apostle's Creed (2nd meeting, parents/guardians & child) - Fellowship Hall

• Sunday, Feb. 27

  • 9:15am Sunday School

Questions regarding Sunday School? Visit 1stlu.org/sunschool.

Confirmation

• Sunday, Feb. 20:

  • 9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Classes - Fireside Rm

• Wednesday, Feb. 23:

  • 6:15pm Confirmation Class - Fireside Rm

  • 7pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups

Questions regarding confirmation? Visit 1stlu.org/confirm.