Announcements for Sunday, May 5, 2019
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Sunday School
Sunday, May 5
9:15am Sunday School
Sunday, May 12
9:15am Sunday School, Spring Program Practice - Sanctuary
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:
9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Bible Classes
Wednesday:
7pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups
Middle School Youth Group
Our middle school youth group gathers weekly on Sundays. Starting at 5:30pm with a meal, and then breaking off for fun, fellowship & devos. Questions? Contact Pastor Stanton, jason@firstlu.org.
High School Mission Trip Meeting
The high school youth and adult chaperons going on the high school mission trip will have a meeting THIS Sunday, May 5, from 11:45am–12:45pm in Fellowship Hall. Questions? Contact Pastor Stanton: jason@firstlu.org.
Preschool Springfest
Springfest, THIS Sunday, May 5, at 3pm, is our preschool’s major fundraiser and provides an opportunity for preschoolers to showcase their singing talents. After the concert there is an ice cream social and silent auction. For all family members, grandparents, friends and neighbors!
Peer Ministry Commissioning
RESCHEDULED: Wednesday, May 8, 6:15pm. Our Peer Ministers and their families are invited to come eat dinner in the Fellowship Hall at 5:15pm followed by a commissioning at the 6:15pm worship service. We want to celebrate all of their hard work this past year to become better ministers to their peers!
Peer ministers learn how to deal with large and small situations and conflicts and equips them to be better listeners and welcome those around them.
Bug Spray Fundraiser
Youths selling bug spray need to turn order forms in, with the money, to the church office by THIS Sunday, May 5. Checks should be made out to First Lutheran.
Sunshine Boys & Girls
The Sunshine Boys & Girls serve at First on the second Thursday of each month; the next meeting will be Thursday, May 9, at 9am. The Sunshine Boys & Girls are an informal group that performs a variety of necessary tasks around the church; such as grounds clean-up, minor repairs, and other small jobs. Rolls and coffee are supplied to replenish your reserves! Dues are free! Contact Mike, our custodian, with any questions: mike@firstlu.org.
Post Office Food Drive: BYOB
THIS Saturday, May 11, the Postal Service will collect food for the Onalaska Holmen Food Basket. HOWEVER, this year the post office is not able to provide bags to hang/place your food donations by the mailbox. So “BYOB” (bring your own bag), and use it to set out your donation early Saturday morning. The annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive is very important to the Onalaska Holmen Food Basket to provide food to those in need throughout the summer.
Faith Alive! U: Building a Winning Culture
A Faith Alive! U course presented by Dave Skogen, Sunday, May 19, 6pm. Every brother and sister in Christ has a story. Dave Skogen is a life-long member of First Lutheran whose story is still unfolding as he builds a winning culture in his life. A longtime follower of the ‘servant-leadership’ principles and teacher of “Leading with Power” seminars within his own Festival Foods, Dave will share his story, which will encourage us all.
OWLs Fly to Rochester Trolley
On Wednesday, May 22, the OWLs, a group for those 55+, will fly to Rochester, MN, for lunch and to board the Rochester Trolley for a private Rochester City & Mayo Historical Tour. Meet at the church at 9:45am. Cost: $20. RSVP to Brian Narveson by Monday, May 20: 630.816.5917 / owls@firstlu.org.
COME FOR SUPPER
First Lutheran is assisting with Come for Supper on Tuesday, May 28, 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.
Nursery Help
Looking for people available during the week to help staff the nursery for a few hours, in particular Tuesday mornings and on other days on an as-needed basis. Contact the church office: office@firstlu.org.
Lead Sun School & VBS
There are opportunities to serve as a Sunday School teacher and a leader in VBS. A Sunday School teacher is a 1-2 weekend a month commitment in which you connect with our congregations children! It is super easy with the curriculum! VBS is another way to connect, this is so fun and is high energy! If you like to play games or would like to help organize or help in anyway please consider! Contact Beth Miller: beth@firstlu.org.
Blood Drive
Friday, May 31, 12:30-4:30pm. 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.
Confirmation Celebration
May 22, 6:30pm at Rowe Park, shelter #1 This event is for all confirmation students, small-group guides and parents. We will have a cook-out to celebrate all the hard work the students put in this year! We will close the evening with a special worship, led by the students!
Now Hiring: Snow Plowing Service
The cost of plowing is negotiable. For details contact Mike Peper:
mike@firstlu.org.
Furnished Rooms Needed!
Gundersen Health System’s Summer Intensive Clinical Pastoral Education program runs May 28–August 9. This program educates professionals and lay persons for ministry in hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, mental health centers, congregations and other settings. We draw students from across the nation who leave their homes to come stay in La Crosse for eleven weeks. Many of these students are seeking housing for the summer that is affordable, furnished, and within 30 minutes of Gundersen’s La Crosse campus. If you have a spare room in your home that you would be willing to rent out, please contact the Spiritual Care department at 608-775-3620.
Fundraising Due for Sugar Creek
The final day to turn in funds raised to cover Sugar Creek registration expenses for summer 2019 is Sunday, June 2. Thanks!
Sugar Creek Summer Reg Now Open
Your child or grandchild can have an amazing new experience this summer with the caring staff and beautiful creation of Sugar Creek! Now is the time to register, before your desired week fills up. Popular programs fill up fast! More info & reg at www.sgrcreek.org.
Community Supported Agriculture
First Lutheran has, once again, offered to be a pick-up site for CSA boxes of produce from Small Family Farm in La Farge. Though deliveries won’t start until June, you can buy a share now. For info about products, prices and schedules, go to smallfamilycsa.com, or ask for a flier in the office.
YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID COURSE
Sat., June 1, 8:45am–5:30pm, at Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran. Rostered leaders, youth leaders and volunteers, or anyone who is working with youth in our churches are invited and encouraged to receive this certified training. Learn strategies to help support youth who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Cost: $10. Contact Elise Hynek at youth@immanuel-lc.org to register.
Luren SIngers of Decorah, IA
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear the oldest Norwegian-Aerican male chorus in the world sing and entertain you! Thursday, June 6, 7pm at First Lutheran. Pie and icecream social after concert; no admission charge; free-will offering.
Sugar Creek Explorer Day
For children entering grades 1–5, on Monday, June 24, 7:30am-4:15pm. Why? Experience a day at Sugar Creek (a parent is welcome/preferred)! How: Carpool/van/bus from First Lutheran! Additional info: wear tennis shoes and bring swim suit and towel. Snacks, lunch and water are provided! Cost: $20. RSVP to beth@firstlu.org by June 21; min. attendance: 3.
‘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.
ELCA CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY NEEDS VOLUNTEERS!
Churchwide Assembly (CWA), the triennial gathering of voting members from around the entire ELCA, is meeting this year in our own state… at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee, August 5-10. YOU are invited to consider attending the 2019 CWA as a volunteer; approximately 600 volunteers will be needed to serve as ushers or greeters, provide tech support, etc. Learn more about specific volunteer positions at 1stlu.org/cwa.
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 at the 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.
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 Panera. See you there!
Caring for Creation
Do you have a passion for sustainability? Ideas for how we at First Lutheran can become an “eco-congregation”? A desire to be a good steward to our land? Please join our new small group that aims to move toward being a more eco-friendly congregation. This group is open to all ages, & the meeting time is TBD! Please contact Jenn Wiesjahn for more information: jjk2880@yahoo.com / 608.397.6897