Announcements for Sunday, February 7
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Lent Small Groups start Ash Wed
Lent is a great time to return to God and re-focus our lives to be more in line with Jesus. At First Lutheran, we have a tradition of offering a church-wide small group study. This year’s study will focus on the Wednesday evening worship sermon. Join a small group to dig a little deeper into how the sermon speaks to you. A discussion guide will be available each week. If you miss the sermon, it will be available on our website or on a CD which can be picked up in the church office.
There are a variety of small-group meeting times. If you’ve been thinking of joining one of the existing weekly groups—Parent Share, The Story study group, Courageous Men and Coffee with Pastor Karyn—are all doing the Lenten sermon study and are open for new folks to join. Sign up in the narthex or on our website.
Baptismal blessings are extended to
- Liam James Cochrane, son of Greg & Laura Cochrane
- Archie Michael Spencer, son of Stace & Stacy Spencer
- Jasmine Dawn Tutlewski
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.
Nut & Candy Sale!
Get ready for Valentine’s Day, and help fund improvements in fellowship hall. Available for sale in the narthex. Prices have been reduced!!
Sunday School Update
- Sunday, February 7
- 9:15am 4th Grd Faith Building Block: Apostle’s Creed (2nd meeting, parents/guardians with child) in fellowship hall
- Sunday, February 14
- 9:15am 4th Grd Faith Building Block: Apostle’s Creed (3rd meeting, 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.
Drawing from the Well
First Lutheran invites all women to participate in this discipline, where we will explore the idea of wellness, exploring an aspect of the ELCA’s wellness wheel at each meeting. They meet on the second Saturday of the month, from 8:30am–1:30pm. Next retreat: Sat., Feb. 13; the focus will be on financial wellness. Contact Pastor Karyn for more info: karyn@firstlu.org.
GAME NIGHTS!
Come join in a fun night of fellowship and games. This is a once a month get-together for those game nerds out there! Bring your own favorite games to share with the group! HS game night: Sat., Feb. 13, 6–8:30pm, in Mary room. MS game night: Sat., Feb. 20, 6–8pm, in fellowship hall.
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; including a Q&A regarding Pastor Stanton’s sabbatical in 2017. 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!
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.
VBS: Mark your calendars!
Plan ahead to be here for Vacation Bible School this summer August 7-11. We will need teachers and helpers to make it a success. Please consider being a part of the fun adventure. Let Becky Runde know if you are interested in helping in some way. You can reach her at vbs@firstlu.org or 507.259.0295.
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 historical 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.
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.
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!
To learn more about these and other announcements, head to our website at www.FirstLutheranOnalaska.org
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