Announcements for Sunday, November 29
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Little LEAPs
This group is for parents/guardians and their children ages birth to 3 years old, and meets the last Sunday, at 9:15am in room 102. We sing, dance, play, and pray together to learn ways to raise our little Christians in the home. We have time with the kids and time with just the adults. During the adult time, we have volunteers come in and play with our children as we talk. We welcome newcomers all the time—join us! If you are interested in becoming a volunteer who helps our children during adult time, please contact Carla Stanton, carla@firstlu.org.
Thankful Sunday Food Drive
We are all blessed with God’s graces. This Sunday, Nov. 29, we will pass on God’s grace to those in need. Between services join in packaging our food donations for the Onalaska Food Pantry. Last-minute donations welcome, and adult and high school volunteers to help our Sunday School youth are appreciated!
Flowers in the sanctuary are in honor of LeRoy & Charlotte Hougom’s 65th wedding anniversary, from their children (and their spouses), grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Caring Connections
Be part of this wonderful ministry, which offers support and friendship to our young adult members. Simply select a manila envelope for one of our young adults; available for pick-up in the narthex. More info at firstlu.org/caringconnections.
Young adults: It’s not too late to be included in Caring Connections! Whether you are college-bound or not, stop in the church office or email grads@firstlu.org your new address so that we can keep you connected in our Caring Connections Ministry!
Sunday School Update
- Sunday, November 29
- 9:15am: Students assembling food for food drive
- Sunday, December 6: Rehearsal
- K–5th graders will have extended opening in their opening classrooms and then go to class
- 3 and 4 year olds will have opening in their usual location
New registrations welcome any time of the year. Contact Sunday School superintendents Sheri Betz and Tawni O’Rourke at sundayschool@firstlu.org or stop in the Sunday School office in room 206.
Sunshine Boys
The Sunshine Boys serve at First on the first Thursday of each month; the next meeting will be Thur., December 3, at 9am. The Sunshine Boys 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.
HS Lock-in!
Stay up all night hanging out with fellow youth! Joint lock-in with English Lutheran in La Crosse (at English Lutheran). Bring friends!! Fri., Dec. 4, 9pm – Sat. 7am
Baptismal preparation
A baptism preparation session will be Sat., Dec. 5, 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.
Tables of Blessing
On Sunday, December 6, our congregation will celebrate “Tables of Blessing” to recognize the many ways God loves us and to celebrate our thoughtful response to God’s grace in our lives. We urge you to plan now to attend two important events:
- Sunday morning worship at either 8am or 10:30am and...
- The “Tables of Blessing” meal later that day.
More details at: firstlu.org/tablesofblessing
OWLs Fly to Sugar Creek for Yesterday’s Youth
The morning program is “Eternity in Our Hearts” presented by Pastor Ron Nowland, and Sheila Champlin will present a “Tour of Ireland.” Date: Monday, December 7, leaving church at 8am. Cost: $10 (includes lunch). The OWLs are a group at First that welcomes anyone, First Lutheran members or not, who are 55+. For more info contact Brian Narveson at owls@firstlu.org.
HS Movie Night
Are you a movie buff? High schoolers, come teach Tina your ways! We will get together once a month to watch a movie and discuss after. Bring popcorn to share! Tuesday, December 8 @ 7–8:45pm, at the house.
Women’s Cookie Baking Party
Thursday, December 10, 7–9pm. Baking cookies to give as gifts during caroling, in the kitchen off the fellowship hall. It’s more about the fellowship than the baking!
Young Youth Cookie Decorating
Decorating the cookies baked above, on December 11 from 6–7pm down in the Fellowship Hall. Parents are more then welcome, even encouraged, to attend the cookie decorating event! Young Youth is a group for youth in grades 2–5. For information contact Katie Everson: katie@firstlu.org
HOLY COMMUNION INSTRUCTION
Holy Communion instruction is the 5th grade milestone, but all the baptized (of any age) are welcome to commune. If your child is baptized but younger than 5th grade and you wish to allow your child to commune, please attend a special instruction time as a family on Sunday, December 13, at 9:30am in the Fellowship Hall.
Clothes Closet Needs
Needs include sweatshirts and hoodies (teens prefer these over coats) and lightweight knit gloves and mittens, and monetary donations to purchase toiletries, undergarments, pajamas and healthy snacks to have available for our clients and their families. Volunteers are also needed to help host appointments with clients; contact Bridget Crave: bridget@firstlu.org.
Can you help the quilters?
Our quilters need supplies, especially sheets and lightweight blankets. Worn sheets are used as liners, and gently used sheets are used for quilt backs. Fabric is always welcome and even spools of thread, any color. Thanks!
NEW MEMBER SESSIONS
We offer several new member sessions each year to acquaint new members with First and a small group of other newcomers. The next new member session will be Sunday, January 17, 2015 from 11:45am–2:30pm, with New Member Sunday on January 24. The nursery is available for use, but children are also welcome to be present. To register your family or ask questions please call our church office at 608.783.2236 or email office@firstlu.org.
Snow Birds
If you will be leaving town for the winter, we want to make sure you still get the monthly newsletter and other mailings. Please provide us with your winter address, and the dates you will leave and come back, so that we can keep our mailing information for your household up to date. You can mail us the information, or email it to us (office@firstlu.org), or call us (608.783.2236).
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 # 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 5:00 PM at the latest so everyone knows what to expect. Be safe this winter!
YOUTH PRAISE BAND
Rehearsing Sundays in the sanctuary at 11:45am. All young people who want to play or sing in a praise band are encouraged to attend!