Announcements for Sunday, September 25
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Half Truths Small Group
- 6 weeks, Wednesdays, Oct. 5-Nov. 9, 7-8pm in the Upper Room
- All are welcome
- Childcare provided
God helps those who help themselves and other things the Bible doesn’t say. Simple phrases that sound Christian—like something you might find in the Bible. This book- and DVD-based study will help you search for the whole truth by comparing common Christian cliches with the wisdom found in scripture. You don’t have to be an expert with the Bible to explore the truth in these popular sayings. Join in to understand the whole truth. Sign up at 1stlu.org/halftruths.
Healing Democracy Action Circle
- Monthly, 2nd Sundays, starting Oct. 9, 5-7pm, Oct.-Mar.
- All are welcome
- Childcare provided
During this time when media does a good job of creating polarity, opt instead to develop new habits of the heart. Explore the habits of the heart that Parker Palmer describes in Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit. Once a month, over the course of 6 months, this group will meet to explore 5 new habits. Sign up at 1stlu.org/actioncircle.
Wedding blessings are extended to Kalynn Raifsnider & Tyler Krueger
Little LEAPs
This group is for parents/guardians and their children ages birth to 3 years old, and meets THIS SUNDAY (and every last Sunday of the month) 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! .
Sunday School
- Sunday, September 25
- Sunday School, 9:15am
- 3- & 4-yr-olds, parent drop-off in 4K Rm
- Gr K-5, parent drop-off in Choir Rm
- Gr 3 Faith Building Block: Bibles (2nd meeting, parents/guardians with child) - SN
- Sunday School, 9:15am
- Sunday, October 2
- Sunday School, 9:15am
- Gr 3 Faith Building Block: Bibles (3rd meeting, parents/guardians with child) - SN
New registrations welcome any time of the year. Contact Sunday school superintendents Beth & Joel Miller at sundayschool@firstlu.org or stop in the Sunday school office in room 206.
Confirmation
- Sunday:
- 9:15am Gr 6 Middle School Milestone - FH
- 9:15am Gr 7 Confirmation Bible Class
- 9:15am Conf Class: Stewardship - TR
- 12:00pm Conf Class: Church History - FS
- Mon.-Fri., Sept. 26-30: Gr 8 Confirmation Registration (1stlu.org/gr8reg)
- Wed. 7pm: Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups
High School Praise Band
A modern, upbeat, Christian music band for high school youth. Practice on Sunday at 5pm in the sanctuary. Contact our Director of Discipleship for Youth, Tina Nelson for more info: tina@firstlu.org.
COME FOR SUPPER
First Lutheran is assisting with Come for Supper on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 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.
Peer Ministry Regroup
Sept. 28, 6pm, Mary Room: This is a chance for our previous Peer Ministers to get together and talk about their highs and lows and refresh the skills they learned!
NEWSLETTER ASSEMBLY
It’s a relaxing way to volunteer! Thursday, September 29, at 9am, to assemble the October newsletter. See you there!
Communion Prep
We are looking for help with setting up communion for first service, the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month. Please contact Katy Wood if you would be interested in helping: 608.304.0374. Training will be provided.
Fill the Closet!
With the changing seasons, we are hosting a lot of guests at the First Teen Clothes Closet. These are the items we need most:
- Sweat pants for guys
- Sport shorts for both girls and guys
- Winter coats and jackets, especially guys
- Athletic shoes for guys
- Winter boots/shoes
- Jeans in smaller sizes for guys
- Hats and gloves for guys
- Pajama/lounge pants for guys
- Jeans for girls - larger sizes (22-24)
- Dresses in larger sizes
Prayer Team
We are creating a prayer team at First Lutheran. If you are interested in being a part of the team that prays for people and helps members grow in their prayer practices, you are invited to gather with Pastor Karyn on October 16 at 9:15am for an introductory meeting. Coffee and treats will be provided!
Quilts
The quilts on display were made by First’s quilters and will be sent to Lutheran World Relief for disaster relief, etc. The quilters meet at church every Tuesday at 9am and made more than 160 quilts. They can always use sheets, either flannel or cotton, and material. Volunteers are welcome! Also being shipped to Lutheran World Relief are the 177 school kits that were assembled with school supplies donated by First Lutheran members.
NEW MEMBER SESSIONS
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 four-week introduction to the church, presented in a small-group setting. The group will meet from 6–7:30pm, at the church, on these Sundays: Oct. 23, Oct. 30, Nov. 6 and Nov. 13. To register your family or ask questions please call our church office at 608.783.2236 or email office@firstlu.org.
Martin Luther: Art and the Reformation
Coach bus leaves La Crosse at 8am, November 12 for a guided tour of the exhibit: Martin Luther, Art and the Reformation at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Cost for exhibit and bus: $75. Early dinner following the exhibit at the German restaurant: Black Forest Inn. Returning to La Crosse by 9pm. More info & online reservations at 1stlu.org/lutherexhibit.
Blood Drive
Tuesday, November 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. Online scheduling available at www.bcw.edu/firstluthona closer to the date of the drive. Please bring a photo ID.
Caring Connections
Young adults and parents: it’s that time of the year to update us with your new address for the fall! Whether you are college-bound or not, go to 1stlu.org/caringconnect to send your new information online, so that we can keep you connected in our Caring Connections Ministry. Thanks!
DO YOU SPEAK GERMAN OR CZECH?
The synod Global Mission Committee is looking for individuals in our synod who speak one or both languages. They are working to develop a companion synod relationship with the Evangelical Church of the Czech Brethren and linguistic assistance with one of these languages
would be very helpful. Respond to
office@lacrosseareasynod.org
or 608.788.5000
Family Photos… a Cloud of Witnesses
Help us create a visual cloud of witnesses this All Saint’s Day. We are looking for pictures of loved ones who have died, not just this past year. If you had a loved one die this past year (Nov. 1, 2015 – Oct. 31, 2016) and they were a member of our congregation, a letter will be sent to you with a special request. We are also looking for pictures of those who have been baptized this past year. Pictures should be 4x6 and copies that you don’t need back. You can either email pictures to karyn@firstlu.org or drop them off at the church office. Thanks for your help in creating our cloud of witnesses.
Sunshine Boys
The Sunshine Boys serve at First on the first Thursday of each month; the next meeting will be Thur., October 6, 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.
To learn more about these and other announcements, head to our website at www.FirstLutheranOnalaska.org
Sermon Notes & Audio
Sermon notes are available from ushers during worship; they are also available online, along with the sermon audio, at 1stlu.org/sermons. Sermon notes 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.
