Announcements for Sunday, January 31
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Annual Report NOW Available
In advance of First’s Potluck on Sunday, Feb. 14, the 2015 annual report for First Lutheran is now available and can picked up in the narthex, the office, or downloaded online at firstlu.org/report.
Sermon Notes: Not Just for Confirmands!
Available from ushers during worship and at firstlu.org/sermons. They are meant to be used…
- During worship to write down things you hear that surprise, shock, or otherwise strike a chord with you.
- At home, to think about what you heard during the sermon and what it means to you, in your life, right now.
- In small groups, to share your thoughts and to listen to others talk about how they heard the sermon and were moved by it.
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.
Sunday School Update
- Sunday, January 31
- 9:15am 4th Grd Faith Building Block: Apostle’s Creed (1st Mtg, parents/guardians only) in fellowship hall
- Sunday, February 7
- 9:15am 4th Grd Faith Building Block: Apostle’s Creed (2nd Mtg, parents/guardians with child) in fellowship hall
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.
Luther College Nordic Choir
Tuesday, February 2, 7pm at First.
Almost sold out!
Get tickets today at www.firstlu.org.
Sunshine Boys
The Sunshine Boys serve at First on the first Thursday of each month; the next meeting will be Thur., February 4, 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.
Baptismal preparation
A baptism preparation session will be Saturday, February 6, at 10am in the narthex for anyone who is considering or has scheduled a baptism. To register or ask questions call the church office, 608.783.3326.
Mt. Lacrosse
Sunday, February 7, 1–6pm
Sign up at the Connecting Point Table to receive a discounted price for your lift ticket:
- Checks for payment need to be given to Tina in advance — by Tuesday, February 2
- Checks need to be written out to ENGLISH Lutheran
Lift ticket packages and pricing:
- Lift ticket: $19
- Lift ticket and ski rental: $24
- Lift ticket and board rental: $34
All packages include group lesson for ages 10+ (lesson starts at 1pm sharp) and lunch (hot dog, chips and soda).
First’s Annual Potluck!
Sunday, February 14, 11:45am
All members are invited to First’s Annual Potluck. We will eat together, and our kids will play together 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. Save the date!
Needed: Voting Members
The 2016 La Crosse Area Synod Assembly is June 10–12 (Friday—Sunday) at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. An elected voting member will need to attend the assembly & various pre-meetings. If you are interested in serving our synod and congregation as one of First Lutheran’s five voting members, contact Pastor Stanton or the church office. It’s a great opportunity to be the church!
Clothes Closet Needs
December was a busy month, with 24 teens receiving items. This has left the closet short on boys’ jeans, especially. Other needs include boys’ khakis in tall sizes, boys’ lounge/pajama pants and underwear.
To learn more about these and other announcements, head to our website at www.FirstLutheranOnalaska.org
Share your Faith Alive! experience and tag your posts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook with #faithaliveinOna.
WHO WILL BE OUR SYNOD’S NEXT YOUNG ADULTS IN GLOBAL MISSION (YAGM)?
“As they offer themselves in service, ELCA young adults are shaped by the witness of our global neighbors.” If you are interested in this year-long service assignment in another country—or know of someone who would be—learn more at 1stlu.org/1UtgBXE and then apply by Feb. 15, 2016. This opportunity is for young adults from age 21-29 with service to begin in August 2016.
Privilege—What is it and Why does it Matter?
Thursday, February 25, 6–8:30pm at English Lutheran Church, 1509 King Street, La Crosse. Join community activist and educator Sam Scinta for an interactive conversation about privilege, its historic al basis and its presence in society today. Through this informative session, consciousness and awareness of the topic will be developed in a supportive and constructive environment. We will examine privilege in the context of race, as well as socio-economic differences and other factors. Please call 608.788.5000 or email the synod at
office@lacrosseareasynod.org
to let them know you plan to attend. Space is limited to 20 people at each session.
Sugar Creek Winter Fun Day!
This is a middle school, high school and a Young Youth family event!! On Sunday, February 28 at Sugar Creek. We will be leaving after church (second service) and will return around 6pm. Come on out for an afternoon of snow tubing, broom ball, snow shoeing, wagon rides and more!! They have tubes, snow shoes, broom ball equipment, warm drinks, good food (dinner is included) and a toasty fire ready for you! Bring your cross country skis and/or ice skates. Cost is $5/person.Young Youth RSVP to katie@firstlu.org. Middle and high school RSVP to tina@firstlu.org.
Blood Drive
Tuesday, March 8, 12:30-5:30pm, in the fellowship hall. 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. To schedule your appointment go to www.bcw.edu/firstluthona. Please bring a photo ID.
Engaging Adults Workshop
Wed, May 4, 9am–3:30pm at Holmen Lutheran. Spend a day exploring effective adult faith formation in the congregation! “The transmission of faith to the next generation lies not in our work with children and youth, but rather with adults.” In the context of the varying “seasons” of adulthood you will explore:
- Practical approaches that reach beyond traditional practical approaches,
- New models that show real promise,
- Digitally enabled efforts that are doable, and
- Design and planning processes for building a networked approach to adult faith formation.
You’ll come away with:
- A renewed vision for empowering adults in their journey of faith,
- A host of methods and strategies that you can customize and integrate,
- A planning and implementation process that you can take home and utilize right away,
- An introduction into a plethora of tested and proven resources that enhance adult faith, and
- A positive experience of adult learning and growth for yourself.
Workshop facilitated by Leif Kehrwald from Vibrant Faith. RSVP to bridget@firstlu.org.
Registration Now Open for Summer Camp at Sugar Creek!
Sugar Creek Bible Camp...
- Strengthens faith in Christ
- Develops critical thinking skills
- Encourages face-to-face interaction
- Allows “screen free” time in God’s creation
- Empowers young people for service
- IS A LOT OF FUN!
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! Register today to reserve your spot!
Flowers!
The sign-up for 2016 altar flowers is now on the bulletin board. If you would like to honor the memory of a loved one, please check the bulletin board and sign your name on an open week of your choice.
Calling all snapshots!
We’re looking for photos from 2015: weddings, baptisms, Christmas program and ALL OTHER special events and ministries. Help us to collect and remember all the events from this past year! Email them to andy@firstlu.org or post them to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with hashtag #faithaliveinOna.