Announcements for Sunday, Jan 5 2025
INSIDE: High School Gathering • Blood Drive • Invitation to Change Lives
High School Gathering THIS Sunday, Jan. 5, 11:30am(ish). 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.
Join us for worship!
Sunday, Jan. 5:
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. 8:
6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
Invitation to Change Lives by Supporting the Homeless
At First Lutheran, we can change lives by helping Pathways Home achieve Functional Zero among the unsheltered homeless population. We invite you to join us in prayerfully considering an increase to your giving in 2025, so these life-giving ministries may continue. Join us by providing your Statement of Intent in worship by the start of Stewardship Week, Jan. 26, in these ways: 1) filling out the intent form at 1stlu.org/next, or 2) mailing in/dropping off the intent card (coming this month in the mail) at the church office no later than Feb. 23, 2025.
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.
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.
First Sunday High School Gathering
THIS Sunday, Jan. 5, 11:30am(ish). 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.
OWLs Fly to the Movies
The OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First, for anyone 55+) will kick off January with a Tuesday night at the movies to see Mufasa: The Lion King, on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Meet at the church at 3:45pm. Dinner at a local restaurant after the movie. RSVP to Brian at owls@firstlu.org / 630-816-5917 by Monday, Jan. 6. The OWLs next potluck is Wednesday, Jan. 15 at noon in the Fellowship Hall. Bring you favorite warm comfort food.
FLY Flight Crew
"FLY" is the name our kids have chosen for their "First Lutheran Youth" group. And FLY "Flight Crew" is the name our adults have chosen to describe how we plan to move forward with Faith Formation at First. Much like a sports, show choir or band booster club meets to dream about how to support our kids in their activities (and then shows up to actually support the activities) we want parents to do the same as we shape the faith formation of our kids. NEXT: Wednesday, Jan. 8, 5:30pm, in the Choir Room. Food and child care provided.
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. No more nominations will be received after Jan. 21. 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.
Office Closure
The office will be closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 20
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.
Faith Web Ideas for January
Here’s an idea for what you can do to strengthen the bond of your Faith Web this January: Share any sports or activity calendars with each other so you can attend each others extracurricular activities! Even more ideas & caring conversation questions in handout at the Faith Webs table and to download at 1stlu.org/webs.
You can still join a web! Stop by the Faith Webs table in the narthex after any worship service, and learn more at 1stlu.org/webs.
Sign Up for Flowers for 2025
The sign-up sheets for the 2025 flowers are on the bulletin board. If you would like to honor the memory of a loved one, check the bulletin board and sign up for an open week of your choice. You can also contact the church office (office@firstlu.org / 608.783.2236) to inquire about openings.
Calling all snapshots from 2024!
We’re looking for photos & videos from 2024: weddings, baptisms, Christmas program and ALL OTHER special events and ministries. Help us to collect and remember all the events from this past year! Email them to andy@firstlu.org. Thanks!
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.
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)
Baptismal Preparation
The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Feb. 1, 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, Jan. 26. Min. attendance required: 2 families.
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.
Prostate Cancer Support
Navigating a prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment(s), and after-effects is tough and worthy of peer support. Recently, a non-medical First Lutheran member found himself on this path and would like to make himself available for e-mail, phone or in-person conversations with anyone interested in having a friendly ear to listen and provide mutual support. Email awh051230@gmail.com or call the church office who will provide a phone number.
HELP ministry
The Health Equipment Lending Program (HELP) is a ministry offered by Holmen Lutheran Church. People can borrow health-care equipment, ranging from crutches, walkers and wheelchairs to commodes and shower chairs. Also available are items to keep, such as transfer belts, braces and disposable briefs. For more information, contact Mary Nicolai at 608-498-0439 (text or leave a voicemail).
“Bring in their trash cans.”
Sunday School
Sunday, Jan. 5
9:15am Sunday School
Sunday, Jan. 12
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:
Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Class
Wednesday:
5:05pm Confirmation Class: “You Say Worship is Boring? Let’s Fix It!” - Fireside Rm
7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.
