Announcements for Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020
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Rescheduled: Annual Potluck
Due to last week’s winter storm, First’s Annual Potluck was rescheduled to THIS Sunday, Feb. 16, at 11:45am. All members are invited; we will eat together, and our kids will play together, all while the adults share our greatest faith stories from the past year. God is doing all kinds of things at First Lutheran, so our Annual Potluck will be a celebration of what has been and a look ahead to what will be.
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? Join our small group that aims to move toward being a more eco-friendly congregation. This group is open to all ages, and will meet next on Sunday, Feb. 16, 9:15am at the House. Contact Jenn Wiesjahn for more info: jjk2880@yahoo.com or 608.397.6897.
Faith Alive! U: Lutheran Worship … Why?
Presented by Pastor Stanton, Sunday, Feb. 16, at 6pm. In worship... why do Lutherans stand up and sit down so often? Why sing the Kyrie in Latin? Why sing the Kyrie at all? Too often, Lutherans apologize for our style of worship without understanding how effective it is at shaping humans into Jesus-followers. In an era when many churches are moving toward 'entertainment-as-worship', ELCA Lutherans have an opportunity to distinguish our Christian personality by claiming the rich depth of meaning our worship holds. Join Pastor Jason Stanton for a conversation that promises to be fun, informative and challenging! Childcare is available: a supervised kid zone for grade-schoolers, adult supervision in the nursery for younger kids. Community meal beforehand at 5:30pm. Sign up to help with meal at 1stlu.org/meal.
Mission Trip
From July 25-Aug. 1 in 2020, our middle and high school youth will serve in Niagara Falls, NY. The registration deadline is THIS MONDAY, Feb. 17! For more info & registration go to 1stlu.org/missiontrip, or contact Karissa Grunden at ym@firstlu.org or 608.790.5631. You don’t need to be a youth to support this ministry! To do so, pick a pledge level from the “Support Their Faith Journey” banner in the narthex. Thanks!
OWLs
On Wednesday, Feb. 19 the OWLs, a group for those 55+, will have their monthly potluck at noon in Fellowship Hall. On Saturday, Feb. 29, the OWLs will fly to UWL to see Little Women, the Broadway musical. Meet at church at 4:30pm. Cost: $18. RSVP to Brian Narveson (630.816.5917 / owls@firstlu.org) by Monday, Feb. 24.Young YouthMP3 Night
For grades K-5, on Friday, Feb. 21, 5:30-8pm, in Fellowship Hall. Why? To have fun and build faith-based relationships!!! Wear your most comfy pajamas and bring a sleeping bag and pillow to lounge on if you like. We’ll meet, eat, play a couple of games and settle in for a movie and popcorn.
Remembrance Of Haiti Earthquake
On Sunday, Feb. 23, at Good Shepherd Lutheran, La Crosse, Rev. Renee Splichal Larson, widow of Ben Larson, will preach at morning services and then present a program in the afternoon. She is the author of the book, “A Witness: The Haiti Earthquake, a Song, Death and Resurrection.”
Ash Wed Worship
Join us for worship on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 11am or 6:15pm. A light lunch will follow the morning service. Lent small groups start Sunday, Feb. 23. Sign up for the small groups at 1stlu.org/lentsmlgrp.
Offering Envelopes
If you contribute to First Lutheran through Simply Giving or another automatic-payment method, you can opt out of receiving monthly offering envelopes in the mail. Contact the office: 608.783.2236 or office@firstlu.org.
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 Sunday afternoon, Feb. 23, 1-5pm. There’ll be snow tubing, broom ball, snow shoeing, wagon rides, and more! Cost (includes lunch): $7/person or $30/family. Call or email to register your fam: 608.734.3113 or camp@sgrcreek.org.
Bug Spray Fundraiser
Feb 23 thru March 25. 50% of sale goes towards youth funds. Information packet will be available to pick up from church office, at mission trip meetings, or at youth group on Sundays.
Habitat for Humanity
Applications from low-income individuals and families for Habitat for Humanity housing will be accepted from Feb. 27–Mar. 20. Informational meetings about Habitat's homeowner program will be on Feb. 27, 28 and 29. For more information or to sign up for an informational meeting, go to www.habitatlacrosse.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.
2020 Flowers
The sign-up sheet for 2020 flowers is on the bulletin board. If you would like to honor a loved one, check the bulletin board and sign up for an open week of your choice.
Preschool Open House
Join us for our open house on Thursday, Mar. 12 from 4:30-5:30pm. Come meet the teachers, see the classrooms, get class options and registration info for the 2020-2021 school year. We accept children ages 2 and up who are potty trained. Registration is Monday, Mar. 16, from 9:30am–noon for church members, and 10:30am–noon for the community. To register stop into the First Lutheran Preschool during the registration times above, or call the preschool at 608.779.4504.
Parent Date Night
Save the “Date”: Friday, Mar. 13. Time: Registration from 4:45-5:30pm, followed by dinner and activities till 8:30pm (parents can pick up early if needed). Bring your children for an evening of fun with the middle and high school youth groups’ Date Night Fundraiser! Ages: birth to 12 are welcome. Event is open to the public. Cost: Donations to help middle and high school students with their mission trip in 2020.
Lock-In!
RESCHEDULED! (3rd time’s the charm!) FIRST EVER YOUTH GROUP LOCK-IN for grades 6-12! Escape rooms, dancing, basketball match-ups, movies, and lots of FOOD! Starts at 5pm on Friday, Mar. 20, in Fellowship Hall, ends Saturday, Jan. 25, at 9am. Bring your air mattress and sleeping bag, but DON’T PLAN TO SLEEP! Questions? Text Andrea: 608.790.5631.
Spiritual Gifts Retreat
Fri. March 20, 7pm - Sat., March 21, 3pm at Sugar Creek Bible Camp. Fee: $50, includes one night’s lodging and 2 meals. To register contact the synod office office@lacrosseareasynod.org / 608.788.5000.
Memories Community Grounds Cafe
March 26, 1–2:30pm. For persons living in the community with dementia, memory concerns, caregivers and friends. You're invited to join our memory cafe community as we make memories along the journey! Registration not required. If you or someone you know would benefit from attending these memory cafes, please invite them. Questions? Contact bridget@firstlu.org.
Cancellations Due to Inclement Weather
If the weather ever makes you wonder whether your group is meeting for their ministry, check our Web:, Facebook page, or update the office with your cell number and provider so that we can text you. 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!
Baptismal Preparation
A baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Apr. 4, 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, Mar. 29.
Min. attendance required: 2 families.
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 Red Pines on Thursday, Apr. 16, 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.
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.
Grief Support Group
Carrying on after the death of a loved one can be difficult and lonely. Join with others who have experienced loss, and listen and care for each other. Meeting the third Thursday of the month, 1pm in the Upper Room. Questions? Contact Director of Small Group Ministry, Bridget Crave: bridget@firstlu.org. More info at 1stlu.org/griefsupport.
Helping Hands
If you need help with small jobs around the house or if you need a couple of meals or groceries delivered, just go to the “Helping Hands” board by the nursery and make out a slip with a description of what you need help with and your telephone number. Then anyone who thinks they can help out can take the slip and call the number to work out the details. This ministry is open to all in need of help AND to those who can provide the help. There is no set group of “helpers” so we need involvement from all who can be a blessing to someone else. Thanks!
Sunday School
Sunday, Feb. 16
Gr 4 FBB: Apostle's Creed, lifted up in worship
9:15am Kindergarten FBB: Lord's Prayer (1st meeting, parents/guardians only)
9:15am Sunday School
Sunday, Feb. 23
9:15am Kindergarten FBB: Lord's Prayer (2nd meeting, parents/guardians & child)
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
9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Bible Classes
6:00pm Faith Alive! U: Lutheran Worship... Why? (elective op.)
Monday
Deadline for mission trip registration (service op.)
Wednesday
5:00pm Confirmation Class: The Many Names of God
7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups
Questions? Contact Pastor Stanton, jason@firstlu.org.