Announcements for Sunday, December 23, 2018
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Sunday School
Sundays, Dec. 23 & 30: 9:15am No Sunday School; classes resume on Sunday, Jan. 6
New registrations welcome any time of the year. Contact Sunday School superintendent Beth Miller at sundayschool@firstlu.org or stop in the Sunday School office in room 206.
Confirmation
Sundays, December 23 & 30
No Gr 6 & 7 confirmation classes:
classes resume on Sunday, Jan. 6
Wednesday, December 26
No Gr 8 & 9 small groups; small groups resume Wednesday, Jan. 2
NEWSLETTER ASSEMBLY
It’s a relaxing way to volunteer! Friday, Dec. 28, at 9am, to assemble the January newsletter. See you there!
OWLs Fly to see Mary Poppins
On Friday, Jan. 4 the OWLs, a group for those 55+, will fly to the movies, leaving from church at 3pm to attend an afternoon matinee of the Disney hit “Mary Poppins Returns.” Dinner at a local restaurant afterwards. Cost: $6, with dinner on your own. Seats must be reserved ahead of time: RSVP to Brian (owls@firstlu.org or 630.816.5917) by Wednesday, Jan. 2.
Parent Share
Join Carla Stanton, member of First, certified spiritual director and mom of three, in room 201 to pray and talk about raising our children faithfully. Childcare is available, too, during either session: every Sunday morning 9:15am-10:45am starting Jan. 6 and Tuesday mornings, 8:30-9:30am starting Jan. 8.
Calling All Learners: Save These 2019 Dates
The Synod School of Theology’s winter term is ready to go. Jan. 10 at Galesville: Len Liptack leads an awesome Bible Introduction. Jan. 17-Feb. 21 on Thursday evenings at Our Savior’s, West Salem: Libby Howe on Congregational Dynamics, Jake Sorenson on Intergenerational Ministries, and Ben Morris on Gender in Ministry. Call the synod office to register for one or all, 608.788.5000. More info: 1stlu.org/theology.
Sugar Creek Winter Fun Days
Though First will not be going as a group this year, members are still invited to come to Sugar Creek for a wonderful family outing on these Sunday afternoons: Jan. 13 and 27, Feb. 10 and March 25, from 1-5pm. There’ll be snow tubing, broom ball, snow shoeing, wagon rides, and more! Call or e-mail to register your family: 608.734.3113 or kati@sgrcreek.org. Cost (includes lunch): $7/person or $30/family.
Faith Alive! U: Discernment
A Faith Alive! U course presented by Pastor Ben Morris on Sunday, Jan. 13, 6pm. Upon graduation, should I go to the less expensive tech school far away, the medium-priced state school a couple of hours away or the pricey private school nearby? Should I pursue a different career? How can I know whether we’re ready for retirement? Discernment at EVERY age is challenging. Our local campus ministry Pastor Ben Morris will provide fun ways to consider how to discern the will of God amidst our many options.
Blessing Tech Workers
We invite all technology workers to join us on Sunday, Jan. 20, for worship and a special blessing for all the tech support you provide to your co-workers, family and in-laws.
Family Snow Day
Sunday, Jan. 20. After second service we will have lunch together, load the van and go to Whitetail Ridge for some fun winter tubing! We will return before supper. Cost: $10/person.
Volunteer Appreciation Party!
Why? To thank everyone for being Christ’s hands and feet! Sunday, Jan. 27, 11:45–12:30pm in Fellowship Hall. RSVP by Jan. 23 RSVP at 1stlu.org/vap or by calling the church at 608.783.2236 by Jan. 23.
Stephen Ministry
If you know of someone who needs a caregiver, please speak with Pastor Karyn, or call the church office.
English Lutheran ski trip
Join members of English Lutheran for a ski trip to Winter Park, CO. The trip will be Feb. 7-11 and costs $550 for 4 nights of lodging and 3 days of skiing. Transportation and meals cost extra. Sign up before mid-January at skidaddy.com/EnglishLutheran. Call Glenda Ehler for more info: 608.385.8540.
NEW-MEMBER SESSIONS
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 three-week introduction to the church, presented in a small-group setting. The group will meet in the evening on Sunday, Mar. 24 & 31, and Thursday, Apr. 4. To register your family or ask questions, call our church office at 608.783.2236 or email office@firstlu.org.
Snow Birds: Keep Us Updated
Had enough of cold weather 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!
Cancellations Due to Inclement Weather
If the weather ever makes you wonder whether your group is meeting for their ministry, check our website, Facebook page, or update the office with your cell number and provider so that we can text you. We’ll also notify WXOW.com, news8000.com and the La Crosse Radio Group stations: 106.3, 104.9, 102.7, 100.1, and 1490 AM. 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!
Trinity Children’s Clothes Drive: Urgent Need!
Please help our partners at the Children’s Clothes Closet in La Crosse with donations of gently-used or new clothing from infant sizes through youth size 16-18. Their inventory is so low that they are closing the doors until after the first of the year. Donations may be dropped off in the First Teen Clothes Closet bins in the entry or in a donation bin located outside the Children’s Clothes Closet at Trinity Lutheran Church in La Crosse (1010 Sill St., near the covered entrance on the Charles Street side of the church).
Faith Alive Visitations
A group of First Lutheran members have initiated a new Faith Alive mission. Their goal is to “keep-in-touch” with our fellow members who are home bound. The visitation team will keep Faith Alive with phone calls, home visits or by mailing notes to remind “at home” members that our church loves and cares about them. Please notify the church office at 608.783.2236 or office@firstlu.org if you’re aware of an individual or care giver who is either long or short-term home bound.
‘19 Mission Trips
During the week of July 21–26 in 2019 our middle school youth will serve in Duluth, MN and our high school youth will serve in San Francisco, CA. For more info & registration go to 1stlu.org/missiontrip.
Baptismal Preparation
A baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Feb. 9, at 10am in the narthex for anyone who is considering or has scheduled a baptism. To register or ask questions, contact the church office: 608.783.2236 / office@firstlu.org.
Sugar Creek High School Retreat
6pm, Friday, Jan. 26-2pm, Sunday, Jan. 28. Come spend a weekend in the beautiful valley of Sugar Creek Bible Camp. This retreat will be full of outdoor activities, learning together, good food, campfires, night games and more! Cost is $85, and Jared will provide transportation in the church van. RSVP to jared@firstlu.org (Reminder: Jared is out of the office until Jan. 21).