Announcements for Sunday, October 8
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National Youth Gathering Info Meeting
THIS Sunday, October 8, 5:30pm. The ELCA’s National Youth Gathering is less than a year away! June 27–July 1, 2018, in Houston, Texas! The gathering is open to all youths entering grades 9-12 in the fall of 2018, plus 2018 graduates. Come to learn more about this great, upcoming event!
LifeTouch Church Directory Photo Sessions
First Lutheran is updating its membership directory this year, and photo sessions are available between Oct. 10 and 21. We encourage you to book your session; do so by going to 1stlu.org/lifetouch, or call the church office for assistance. Members who have their photos taken for the directory will get a free color print of their portrait and a free directory. Don’t wait — make your appointment today!
Parent Share: Now with Wed option!
Join Carla Stanton, member of First, certified spiritual director and mom of three, in room 201 every Wednesday morning, 9:45-10:45am, or on Sunday mornings 9:15am-10:45am. At Parent Share, we pray and talk about raising our children faithfully. Childcare is available, too, during either session.
Drawing From the well
Next retreat: Sat., October 14, 8:30-10:30am at Panera. This group is for women of First and the greater La Crosse area seeking to support one another in their spiritual growth. We gather together once a month on Saturday mornings to be with each other, enjoy a breakfast, and develop a deeper relationship with one another. Come and get to know other women of the church, or renew friendships. RSVP to bridget@firstlu.org
Our Church ☩ Our Time
Sunday, October 15, 9am. Sunday school & confirmation classes are canceled! Small groups will take a break! Because it is...
Our Church ☩ Our Time. Join us for a kickoff event where we will launch our capital campaign!
- 9:00am Brunch & treats for the whole family
- 9:30am “Our Church ☩ Our Time” keynote address
- 10:00am The BIG Announcement
After brunch, kids will play lots of games led by Youth Director Jared Oelke and Young Youth Director Beth Miller, while adults stay for the program in the sanctuary. The nursery will be staffed throughout the event. Join us!
NEW-MEMBER SESSIONS
We offer several new-member sessions each year to acquaint new members with First and a small group of other newcomers. People who would like to become members of First Lutheran are invited to a 3-week introduction to the church, presented in a small-group setting. The group will meet in the evening on Oct. 22, Oct. 29 and Nov. 2. To register your family or ask questions, call our church office at 608.783.2236 or email office@firstlu.org.
No Quilting on Oct 10
The First Lutheran quilters will not meet on Tuesday, Oct. 10. They’ll be back in action on Tuesday, Oct. 17.
Food Basket Needs
The following items have been requested to fill the food basket for those in need: pork & beans, rice, Hamburger Helper, ravioli, canned chicken, canned tuna, peanut butter.
Snow Birds: Keep Us Updated
Had enough of snow already and about to winter in warmer climes? Keep us up to date by letting us know your winter address / contact info. Contact the church office with your updated information: office@firstlu.org / 608.783.2236. Thanks!
Family Photos: a Cloud of Witnesses
In the coming weeks, we will ask for photographs of your beloved dead so that we can be surrounded by their witness on All Saints Day. These pictures can be sent electronically (karyn@firstlu.org) or brought in. They will be printed as 4X6, so resolution should be such that they can be printed well from what you submit. If your loved one was a member of our congregation and died this past year, you will receive a letter from Pastor Karyn with a special request. Please note, we will continue to use the photos submitted last year, so no need to resend those photos.
Art and Spirituality Retreat in Chicago
Join Pr Karyn to learn and practice Visio Divina, the spiritual practice of praying with images. The group will visit the Art Institute in Chicago and in addition to other sites, and some free time to shop, site see, or rest. Traveling by van, the group will leave Friday morning, Nov. 17, returning to Onalaska Saturday evening. Cost includes transportation to Chicago, hotel and Art Institute entrance fee. Contact Bridget Crave with questions: bridget@firstlu.org.
More info & reg. at 1stlu.org/artic.
Parish Internship Committee
A parish internship committee is being formed to serve our Vicar Tara Shilts. The committee of 5-8 people meets once a month and exists to give feedback directly to Vicar Tara in an informal, reflective way. Vicar Tara already receives critique and instruction from her supervisor, Pastor Stanton. This is your opportunity to offer leadership as we explore First’s role as a teaching congregation. Contact Pastor Stanton if you are interested in raising up a leader in ministry: jason@firstlu.org.
Sugar Creek Women’s Retreat
Fri., Oct. 20—Sun., Oct. 22. Ladies, this retreat is just what you need: time away from the stresses of work and home. Come away to meet other women, go for a hike, curl up by the fire with a good book, and more! As the seasons change and leaves fall, we will take time to join together and explore the theme: “Letting Go.” Our featured speaker, Carla Stanton, is a certified Spiritual Director and will lead us through various exercises to discover where God is working in our lives. We will consider the things we might need to let go of in order to make room for new growth. Info & reg. at www.sgrcreek.org.