Announcements for Sunday, December 30, 2018
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Sunday School
Sunday, Dec. 30
9:15am No Sunday School
Sunday, Jan. 6
9:15am Gr 2 FBB: What’s Fair (1st meeting, parents/guardians only) - FH
9:15am Sunday School
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
Sunday, December 30: No Gr 6 & 7 Bible Classes
Wednesday, January 2: 7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups
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.
Middle & High School Epiphany Party!
On Sunday, Jan. 6, starting at 5:30pm in Fellowship Hall, the middle and high school youth groups at First Lutheran will kick-off the new year with an Epiphany Party! Feel free to bring snacks to share!
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 email 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 at 1stlu.org/vap or by calling the church at 608.783.2236.
Parking Lot Ministry
This ministry needs warm and friendly faces to greet guests and worshipers who come into the parking lot, giving help if needed and giving umbrellas to those who need one when it’s raining. Come to the Welcome Center to receive more information and sign up to help.
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).
Companion Ministry
The gift of communion is Christ’s invitation for us all. Homebound members or those in nursing home care cannot make it to church and still would love to also receive that gift. Companion ministers help provide the service of delivering communion to them. They visit these members, usually monthly, give them communion, and have wonderful conversations. Good friendships are formed and the members receiving the communion feel grateful for that gift. If you love visiting with and helping people, consider becoming a companion minister. It is a very fulfilling job. Talk to one of the pastors for more information.
COFFEE WITH PASTOR KARYN
Coffee with Pastor Karyn is open to all and meets at 6:30am each Wednesday at Uptowne Cafe on the northside of La Crosse. See you there!
COME FOR SUPPER
First Lutheran is assisting with Come for Supper on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at Our Savior’s in La Crosse. First Lutheran will help with food donations and volunteering to serve and clean up. The sign-up sheets are at the Welcome Center. Call Gloria Kubiak if you have questions, 608.498.2762.
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).
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.
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.
‘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.
Share your Faith Alive! experience and tag your posts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook with #faithalive365.