Announcements for Sunday, Mar 17 2024

Announcements
Written By Andrew Stutesman

INSIDE: Jazz Worship THIS Sunday, 10:30am • Graduation Milestone Recognition Dinner • Preschool Registration

Jazz worship this Sunday! Join us for a special worship service of jazz liturgy, at the 10:30am service, led by Jon Ailabouni.

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Mar. 17:

  • 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. Join us for a special worship service of jazz liturgy, led by Jon Ailabouni.

Wednesday, Mar. 20:

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

OWLs Fly to Hear Celtic Stories & Song @ Pump House

The OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First, for anyone 55+) will visit the Pump House for a performance of Irish music, dance and storytelling on Saturday, Mar. 16. It's an upbeat program with a Celtic theme. They will meet at the church at 4:30pm to head for dinner at Piggy’s. If you would like to join them for this event, reply to Brian at owls@firstlu.org. Tickets will go fast so reply ASAP. The cost of the program $15 plus tax and fees.

Family Photos & Member Directory

With the new format for our member directory we can easily make updates and changes… so it is once again that time of year where we’ll be reminding you to update your member info and to submit a family photo!…

Update your contact info!

  • The easiest way to do this is through our online directory; simply log in at 1stlu.org/directory. Need to set up an account? Email a request to andy@firstlu.org.

  • NOTE: Lots of fields for both family and individuals can be included or excluded from the directory. They are included by default, so any field you want to “exclude from directory” needs to be checked.

  • You can also send updated contact info to andy@firstlu.org, with the following updates: address, phone numbers, and emails, AND if you want them included or excluded from the directory

Provide a household photo!

  • The easiest way to do this is to send a household snapshot to andy@firstlu.org.

  • You can also get an informal snapshot taken between services at our “photo booth” to the right of the Welcome Center. Andy and other volunteer photographers will help take the photo. This is nothing formal! We just want to be able to connect faces with names! We plan to offer this opportunity on the following Sundays: Mar. 17, Mar. 24 (Palm Sunday), and Mar. 31 (Easter Sunday).

Questions about the online or print directory? Email andy@firstlu.org.

Parent Share 

Join Carla Stanton, member of First, certified spiritual director and mom of three, in room 201 every Sunday morning at 9:15am. At Parent Share, we pray and talk about raising our children faithfully. Questions? Click here to contact Carla.

Graduation Milestone & Recognition Dinner

Graduates: You and your parents/guardians are cordially invited to mark the milestone of your graduation at First Lutheran’s High School Graduation Recognition Dinner on Sunday, March 17, from 6–8pm at the church. Let us take this opportunity to honor you and your accomplishments as you prepare to become a 2024 graduate. Questions? Contact the office office@firstlu.org / 608.783.2236.

Preschool Registration

Registration for the 2024-25 academic year at First Lutheran Preschool opens on Monday, Mar. 18, starting at 8am, for church members and the community. To register you can now do so online at 1stlu.org/preschool., stop into the preschool, or call 608.779.4504 (all starting at the registration times above). The preschool accepts children ages 2 and older who are potty trained. 

Knitters

Prayer shawl knitters meet every Tuesday at 3:30pm in the narthex. Open to all!

Holden Evening Prayer

Join us for Holden Evening Prayer during our Lent worship, on Wednesdays at 6:15pm. There is a light supper beforehand at 5:30pm, in Fellowship Hall.

Sing on Palm Sunday!

The next choir performance will be for Palm Sunday, and rehearsals continue on Wednesday, Mar. 20, at 7pm in the sanctuary. Open to all people ages 12 and older. No audition and no formal training required, just a desire to enhance worship through the beauty of music! Full schedule and sign up at 1stlu.org/choir. For more info, contact Todd Saner at todd@firstlu.org.

Grief Support Group

Carrying on after the death of a loved one can be difficult and lonely. Join with others who listen and care for each other. Every third Thursday: 10am in the Upper Room. NEXT: Mar. 21. Led by Carla Stanton.

World Water Day, March 22

How would the world would be impacted for the better if everyone had accessible clean water? How can we take actions this year to work towards that goal? Projects and initiatives that provide access to clean water and sanitation have long been part of the work supported by ELCA World Hunger. And with good reason. Learn more about World Water Day this March, 22, and the intersection of hunger and water by reading a blog post from ELCA World Hunger.

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, Mar. 22, 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 till 8pm (parents can pick up early if needed)

COST: Monetary donations will assist the middle and high school students with 2024 Sugar Creek Bible Camp, the mission trip and the Youth Gathering. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout, by Wednesday, Mar. 20.

#NoPlasticsforLent 

The #NoPlasticsforLent initiative, led by Young Adults across the church, calls us to:

  • Prayer for creation

  • Lament the ways we have been complicit in the degradation of the earth

  • Care for our neighbor in fasting from the things that are hurting our planet

Develop a commitment to practice during this 40 days that turns your attention towards caring for creation. This could be fasting from single-use plastics, eating locally, using eco-friendly cleaning supplies, shopping at farmers markets, etc. Commit to sustainability practices that make sense for you and are possible for you in your context or community. Want to take a deeper dive? Consider joining a small group online for Lent. Weekly videos will be uploaded to ELCA Young Adults on Youtube at at the #NP4L website with discussion questions for use individually or in a group setting. Join a #NoPlasticsforLent Online Small Group for Lent.

Palm Sunday Breakfast Fundraiser

Sunday, Mar. 24: Fundraiser for youth going to Bible camp and the Gathering. No coffee hour, Sunday School nor confirmation between services. Breakfast will be served between services. Advanced prep is needed, and youth can raise funds by working at the breakfast; sign up for both at 1stlu.org/next.

Easter Flowers

Your gift of $15 to the Easter Fund will be used to purchase flowers to beautify the sanctuary on Easter Sunday. Remaining contributions go toward purchasing new paraments. Please make your gift by Sunday, Mar. 24. Gifts can be placed at 1stlu.org/next, or use the form in the announcements page and turn into the office.

Sugar Creek Events

To register for the above events, contact the camp at 608.734.3113 / camp@sgrcreek.org.

Faith Story Dinner Theater

On Holy Saturday, between the solemness of Good Friday and the good news of Easter Sunday, join us for a Holy Week edition of Faith Story Dinner Theatre, as we read and share some of the Bible stories that God has given us. WHEN: Saturday, Mar. 30, 5:30pm. Reserve your seat at 1stlu.org/next by Wednesday, Mar. 27.

Holy Week Schedule

Holy week is the week leading up to Easter Sunday on March 31, starting with Palm Sunday on March 24. Join us for worship every day of Holy Week…

  • Palm Sunday, Mar. 24, worship at 8:00am & 10:30am.

    • Palm Sunday breakfast in Fellowship Hall.

    • No Sunday School nor Confirmation classes.

  • Monday, Mar. 25, worship at 6:15pm.

  • Tuesday, Mar. 26, worship at 6:15pm.

  • Wednesday, Mar. 27, worship at 6:15pm.

    • Gr. 5 Faith Building Block, bread baking, 4pm.

  • Maundy Thursday, Mar. 28, worship at 12:15pm (live streamed) & 6:15pm.

    • Gr. 5 Faith Building Block lifted up at 6:15pm worship.

  • Good Friday, Mar. 29, worship at 12:15pm (live streamed) & 6:15pm.

  • Faith Story Dinner Theater, Mar. 30, at 5:30pm. Reserve your seat at 1stlu.org/next.

  • Easter Sunday, Mar. 31, worship at 7am (in-person only), 8:45am, and 10:30am.

    • No Sunday School nor Confirmation on Easter Sunday.

The office will be closed at noon on Friday, Mar. 29, and all day Monday, Apr. 1.

March Resource Center Reading Focus

The reading focus for March is Growing Faithful Readers. Suggested books:

Books available to look at and order at the Resource Center, outside the church office.

Mabel Anderson Scholarship

The Mabel Anderson scholarship application is now available online at 1stlu.org/scholarship. Completed applications are due on Monday, Apr. 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. Contact the office with any questions: office@firstlu.org / 608.783.2236.

Volunteer Work Weekend @ First

Who says the Sunshine Team has to have all the fun! Everyone is invited to help with spring cleaning at First Lutheran on Saturday, Apr. 6, at 9am. Great opportunity for youth needing volunteer hours! Great opportunity for all to make First look nice! Refreshments are supplied to replenish your reserves!

Baptismal Preparation

The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Apr. 6, 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. 31. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

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, Apr. 18, 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.

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.

Fundraising to Support Our Youth

Your weekly groceries, gas and shopping money can support youth ministry! Scrip cards are often sold in the narthex on Sundays between services, and are also available in the church office M–F, during office hours. We have Festival, Kwik Trip, Target, Walmart and Woodman's cards. We now accept credit cards as a payment method (transaction fees are added to the face value of the scrip card). 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.

Donations For Ukraine

Lutheran World Relief has committed $7 million to respond to the crisis in Ukraine, and expects to increase this amount as they receive additional support. With millions of individuals displaced in Ukraine and with citizens continuing to flee Ukraine each day, the needs grow daily. Donate at LWR.org.

Lutheran Disaster Response is accompanying companion churches and ecumenical partners in Ukraine, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia to respond to the crisis in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Gifts to “Eastern Europe Crisis Response” will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by the crisis in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Donate at elca.org/LDR.

From Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service: The U.S. will now welcome up to 100,000 refugees from Ukraine. We need to act fast to prepare for these refugees, currently 90% of whom are women and children. There is an urgent need for resources, including emergency medical care, temporary housing, financial support for basic necessities, and much more. Donate at LIRS.org.

OASIS Respite Program

OASIS is a weekly program for people in the beginning to mid-stages of dementia, Alzheimer's and other brain-related diagnoses. This respite time provides socialization, brain enrichment and activities while the person's caregiver gets a much-needed four-hour break. The suggested donation is $20 per visit for the activities and a nutritious lunch. OASIS is an outreach program of Causeway Caregivers and can be reached at 608-780-0417.

Sunday School

Sunday, Mar. 17

  • Sunday School: Holy Week Storytelling

Sunday, Mar. 24

  • No Sunday School; enjoy the Palm Sunday breakfast between services!

More info and online registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool.

Grade 5 Faith Building Block: Communion

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.

  • Wednesday, Mar. 27, 4-5pm: child only, baking communion bread in Fellowship Hall kitchen

  • Thursday, Mar. 28: Faith Building Block lifted up during the evening Maundy Thursday worship service

Confirmation

Sunday:

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

Wednesday:

  • 5:30pm Lent Dinner - Fellowship Hall

  • 7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups

More info and online registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.

Andrew Stutesman
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
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