Announcements for Sunday, Dec 29 2024
INSIDE: LuMin Campus Ministries • Young Youth Play Date • No Worship on New Year’s Day
Young Youth (1st-5th grade) are invited to a Winter Break Play Date in the Fellowship Hall on Monday, Dec. 30, from 1-2:30pm. Questions? Connect with our Young Youth Events Director, Katie Pierre: katie@firstlu.org.
Join us for worship!
Sunday, Dec. 29:
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, Jan. 1:
No evening worship on New Year’s Day
LuMin Campus Ministries
This Sunday we welcome back Pastor Kathryn Thompson, who will be leading worship and giving us an update on LuMin campus ministries. LuMin is a Christ-centered community in the Lutheran tradition (ELCA & RIC), serving our campuses in La Crosse, and committed to being a place of the same radical hospitality that Jesus showed all people. You can support LuMin and its ministries by going to 1stlu.org/lumin.
Young Youth Dec Event!
Young Youth (1st-5th grade) are invited to a Winter Break Play Date in the Fellowship Hall on Monday, Dec. 30, from 1-2:30pm. Questions? Connect with our Young Youth Events Director, Katie Pierre: katie@firstlu.org.
Office Closures
The office will be closed at the following times in the coming months…
Closed at noon, New Year’s eve, Tuesday, Dec. 31
Closed New Years day, Wednesday, Jan. 1; no Wednesday evening worship
Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 20
Middle & High School Mission Trips in 2025
Middle school youth will serve in St. Louis, July 27–Aug. 1
High School youth will serve in North Carolina, July 25–Aug. 3
For more info visit 1stlu.org/next, and contact Pastor Stanton, jason@firstlu.org.
Faith Webs
Those looking to connect with and support youth in their summer ministries can still do so! Learn more about Faith Webs at 1stlu.org/webs and by stopping at the Faith Webs table in the narthex. Thank you for entering into the shared goal of raising and supporting our kids! Together we are building community!
Friends of the Warming Center
The Warming Center provides shelter for the unhoused from November through April. There are many ways to serve, from taking a shift in the shelter to providing a meal. Learn more and sign up at 1stlu.org/next.
La Crosse Jail Ministry Needs
La Crosse Jail Ministry offers residents and former residents of the jail spiritual direction, rehabilitative support, and connections to faith communities. La Crosse Jail Ministry is in need of warm boots, coats and sweatpants (all sizes and mainly for men). They also need bus tokens. Items can be dropped off at English Lutheran Church 1509 King St, La Crosse.
Snow Birds
Are you heading out? Please let us know if you'll be spending the winter somewhere else. If we know your seasonal address, we can keep in touch by sending you the monthly newsletter. Call or email the office with your winter address: 608.783.2236, office@firstlu.org.
No Worship New Years Day
There will be no evening worship on New Years Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1.
Sugar Creek Summer Reg Now Open
Sugar Creek Bible Camp offers 17 unique and powerful summer camp programs, plus retreat ministries for youth in elementary school, middle school and high school – and adults and families! The camp is located on 660 acres in the bluffs and valleys of southwestern Wisconsin. Come learn, relax, encounter Christ and have fun at Sugar Creek Bible Camp! Explore sugarcreekbiblecamp.org for more information about next summer.
Sunshine Team
The Sunshine Team meets on the first Thursday of every month. NEXT: Jan. 2, 9:30am. Various jobs: cleaning, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, washing windows and cleaning carpets. Help make First look nice! Refreshments are supplied to replenish your reserves! Dues are free! Questions? Contact Dan at dan@firstlu.org.
First Sunday High School Gathering
NEXT: Sunday, Jan. 5, 11:30am(ish), for tubing at the Omni Center (weather permitting). Parents/guardians take turns providing the meal each month; serving and cleaning up. Sign up for just one of the months, and we'll be set for the year! Sign up at 1stlu.org/next.
Blood Drive
Monday, Jan. 6, 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.
Faith Alive! U Weekend Workshops
Join others for an afternoon of exploring, questioning and learning about your faith. The Faith Alive! U Weekend Workshops takes place Jan. 12 from 11:45am–2:15pm, with lunch and childcare provided.
Keynote: La Crosse County's Pathways Home
Jon Ailabouni, Listen with Courage: Jazz Music as a Metaphor for Servant Leadership: From Congo Square in antebellum New Orleans to the music of Duke Ellington, Mary Lou Williams and John Coltrane, jazz music has a long history of being explicitly tied to worship and spirituality. This workshop will explore how jazz carries meaning through sound and how this music offers a model for listening courageously and using our gifts to serve one another.
Care for Creation team, The whys and hows of solar panels: Why are solar panels important to our community and what does it have to do with faith? How is the church's solar panel project going and how can I install them at my home? The Care for Creation team will talk about all of these things, encouraging us to be good stewards of creation.
RSVP at 1stlu.org/next to help us get a head count for the lunch.
Sugar Creek Events
Below are some upcoming events offered by Sugar Creek. For more info or registration, visit www.sgrcreek.org or call 608.734.3113.
January 12 – Winter Fun Day
February 7-8 – High School Youth Retreat
February 9 – Winter Fun Day
February 13-16 – Winter Craft Retreat
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 helps 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 150-200 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. NEXT DATE: Jan. 13. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next.
Wednesday Night Study Group
Pastor Stanton and Pastor Karyn continue to lead their Wednesday Night Study Group, which will renew again on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 7pm in Fellowship Hall. The class will start fresh with Opening the Book of Faith: Lutheran Insights for Bible Study, providing an introduction to the Bible and Lutheran perspectives that guide understanding of Scripture. Make a New Year’s resolution to grow in your faith! RSVP at 1stlu.org/next.
Attention! Seeking Nominations
First is seeking leaders for the following positions, to be elected at our next annual meeting, Sunday, Feb. 9. If you or a member you know is interested in serving, please talk to Pastor Stanton or complete a nomination insert which is available at the usher stand and will remain available through Jan. 19. The Vision & Leadership Team will compile a list of all nominations at their Jan. 21 meeting. That list will be presented, along with the annual report, on Jan. 26. A V&L Job description is available upon request in the church office. Thanks for prayerfully considering our leadership.
Vision & Leadership: First Lutheran will be electing two members to The Vision & Leadership Team at the annual meeting. One current member is willing to serve a second term, while another has chosen to step away after their first term. A V&L Job description is available upon request in the church office.
Sugar Creek Bible Camp Voting Members: Participate in guiding the future of our camp, Sugar Creek! The 2025 Sugar Creek annual meeting is scheduled for Feb. 23, at camp. Voting members are welcome to contribute their own stories and perspectives to the conversation amidst reports and planning for the upcoming year. Support your camp by offering your voice and vote.
Assembly Voting Members: Participate in guiding the future of our synod! The 2025 La Crosse Area Synod Assembly is scheduled for June 6–8 (Friday evening through Sunday noon). An elected voting member will need to attend the assembly & various pre-meetings. It’s a great opportunity to be the church!
Foundation Team: Participate in the continuing work of growing our Foundation and awarding grants each year. The Foundation Team meets once a quarter and is seeking 2 new members to be elected at the Annual Tailgate on Feb 9.
Parents’ Night Out
Bring your children for an evening of fun with the middle and high school youth groups’ fundraiser! WHERE: at First Lutheran, NEXT: Friday, Jan. 24, FOR: Birth–12 are welcome (birth–3 will be in the nursery, ages 4 and up in Fellowship Hall)
Registration from 4:45pm-5:30pm
Followed by dinner and activities until 8pm (parents can pick up early if needed)
COST: Monetary donations will assist the middle and high school students with their 2025 camp and trip expenses. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout, by Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Sugar Creek Youth Retreats 2024-25
Retreats are one of the best ways to build relationships among youth, adult leaders and the wider community. Sugar Creek retreats allow you to show up and be with your age group, knowing that you can enjoy all of the fun and activities. Save these dates for your calendar now! And NEW this season: One retreat is FREE for 2024 summer campers!
February 7–8: Your Kingdom Come High School Retreat (Grades 9-12)
March 7–8: As it is in Heaven Confirmation Retreat (Grades 6-10)
April 26: Daily Bread Elementary Retreat (Grades 1-5)
Annual Tailgate and Appreciation Party!
All members are invited to attend First’s Annual Tailgate on Sunday, Feb. 9, at 11:45am. We will reflect on 2024 and look ahead to 2025, elect new Vision & Leadership Team and Foundation members, along with Sugar Creek, Assembly delegates, complete a variety of other business and cap it all off with appreciation of our volunteers! Save the date to be a part of the body of church at First! The annual report will be available to pick up and download on Sunday, Jan. 26.
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 David Reay’s on Thursday, May 1, 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.
Cancellations Due to Inclement Weather
If bad weather ever makes you wonder whether your group is meeting, check our website, Facebook page, or email office@firstlu.org 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!
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.
“Host a family game night! You can have volleyball, corn hole, bingo, etc. Have popcorn & drinks for everyone to enjoy!”
Sunday School
Sunday, Dec. 29
No Sunday School
Sunday, Jan. 5
9:15am Sunday School
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool
Grade 2 Faith Building Block: What’s Fair
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 (in Fellowship Hall), sharing in conversation and growing together in faith. Most sessions last for three weeks, and afterward, children will have a presence in worship in celebration of the Faith Building Block they learned about.
Sunday, Jan. 5: parents/guardians only
Sundays, Jan. 12 & 19: parents/guardians with children
Sunday, Jan. 26: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship
Confirmation
Sunday:
No Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Class (resume Jan. 5)
Wednesday:
No Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups (resume Jan. 8)
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.
