Announcements for Sunday, January 8
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Middle School Youth Group
Sunday, January 8, noon-2pm. Come for a time of spiritual devotions, candle-lit singing, fellowship, games, and plenty of snacks! Lunch also provided.
Grief Groups
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. There are two groups to choose from; both meet on the first Thursday of the month:
- 1pm in the Upper Rm, led by Nancy Beguin
- 7pm at Gloria Kubiak’s home; call Gloria at 608.498.2762 if interested in joining
Questions? Contact Director of Small Group Ministry, Bridget Crave: bridget@firstlu.org.
More info at 1stlu.org/griefgroup.
Sunday School
Sunday, Jan. 8
- 9:15am Gr 2 Faith Building Block: What’s Fair (1st meeting, parents/guardians only) - Fellowship Hall
- 9:15am Sunday School
Sunday, Jan. 15
- 9:15am Gr 2 Faith Building Block: What’s Fair (2nd meeting, parents/guardians & child) - Fellowship Hall
- 9:15am Sunday School
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, January 8:
- 9:15am Conf Class: Sacraments
- 9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Bible Classes
- 12:00pm Conf Class: Meyers-Briggs - FS
Monday, January 9:
- Gr 9 Confirmation Registration Begins (thru Fri., Jan. 13; sign up for your registration time at 1stlu.org/confirmation)
Wednesday, January 11:
- 7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups
Sunshine Boys
The Sunshine Boys are moving their day of service to Monday, January 9, 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.
On Wed., Jan. 11, the OWLs, a group for those 55+, will have their potluck at noon in the narthex. Ron and Frieda Nowland’s will present their new program “Where Do Angels Come From?” Questions? Contact Brian Narveson at owls@firslu.org.
Middle and High School Sugar Creek Retreats
HS: Jan. 13-15, Fri. 6pm-Sun. 2pm
MS: Jan. 27-29, Fri. 6pm-Sun. 1pm
Come for a Spirit-filled weekend of new friends, Bible studies, winter activities and good food. Each retreat is better than the last, and we always come away wanting more! $85 (includes lodging and 5 meals). RSVP to tina@firstlu.org
Drawing from the Well
First Lutheran invites all women to participate in this discipline, where we continue our study of feminine spirituality with Bible study and continued study of Hildegard de Bingen. Lunch will be at the Blue Moon. They meet on the second Saturday of the month, from 8:30am-1pm. Next retreat: Sat., Jan. 14. RSVP to Pastor Karyn: karyn@firstlu.org.
Tough Questions
Special 8th- and 9th-grade small group event: Wed., Jan. 18, 7-8pm. Do you ever struggle with your faith or have unsolved questions when it comes to God? Now is your chance to hear a panel of pastors answer your toughest questions! Come with an open heart and mind.
Luther College Nordic Choir
One of the top a cappella college choirs in the nation, the Nordic Choir will perform under the direction of guest conductor Jeffrey Douma on Sunday, January 22, at 4pm at First Lutheran. The concert performance by the 72-member Nordic Choir is open to the public. For advance tickets, call 800-4-LUTHER or go to tickets.luther.edu. Tickets will be available for sale at the door if the concert isn’t sold out.
Special Blood Drive
The Blood Center of Wisconsin has scheduled a special blood drive because of low blood supplies, especially type O-negative. It will be Tuesday, Jan. 24, 12:30-5:30pm in the narthex at First. People who gave blood at the November blood drive will be able to donate again by then. Schedule your appointment online at www.bcw.edu/firstluthona .
COME FOR SUPPER
First Lutheran is assisting with Come for Supper on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Our Savior’s in La Crosse. First Lutheran will help with food donations and volunteering to serve and clean up. Sign-up sheets are at the Welcome Center. Call Gloria Kubiak if you have questions, 608.498.2762.
Young Youth MP3 Night
Movie, Pizza, Pajamas and Popcorn on Fri. Jan. 27, from 5:30–8:30pm, in the Fellowship Hall. Wear your most comfy pajamas and bring a sleeping bag and pillow to lounge on if you like. RSVP at 1stlu.org/YY or email katie@firstlu.org.
Terry Cloth Rags
Our head custodian, Mike Peper, is need of terry cloth rags. Drop off any donations in the church office. Thanks!
Mt. LaCrosse Ski Day
Sunday, January 29, 2–7pm
Sign up at the Welcome Center. To receive a discounted price for your lift ticket:
- Checks for payment need to be provided to Tina in advance by Tuesday, January 20
- Checks need to be written out to ENGLISH Lutheran
Lift ticket packages and pricing:
- Lift Ticket: $20
- Lift Ticket and Ski Rental: $25
- Lift Ticket and Board Rental: $35
All packages include hot dog meal and beginner group lessons: 10 and older is free, ages 6–9 is $10, age 5 and under is $18
Baptismal Preparation
A baptism preparation session will be Saturday, February 4, 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.
NOTICE: Amendment vote to First Lutheran’s Constitution
At our Annual Meeting and Potluck being held on Sunday February 12 at 11:45am, downstairs in the Fellowship Hall, you will have an opportunity to vote for amending our constitution to reflect the changes adopted at the 2016 ELCA church-wide assembly held last August in New Orleans. The primary changes in the ELCA Model Constitution as stated from the Secretary of the ELCA, Rev. Wm. Chris Boerger relate to the merging of the three lay rosters into a Roster of Ministers of Word and Service. Pastor Boerger recommends that these provisions should be added to each congregation’s constitution even if the congregation does not currently have under call a person on one of the lay rosters.
To help facilitate a timely annual meeting, we are providing you with the adopted amendments to the constitution on our website at 1stlu.org/amend. Please bring any questions you may have to the Annual Meeting. We can address these items during the discussion period of the motion.
Clothes Closet Specific Needs
Thank you to all for the wonderful donations to the First Teen Clothes Closet – we are stuffed full now, with only a few specific needs:
coats, shoes, boots, and items in hard-to-find XXL and larger sizes.
Sign-up for 2017 flowers
The sign-up sheets for the 2017 flowers are on the bulletin board. If you would like to honor the memory of a loved one check the bulletin board and sign up for an open week of your choice. You can also contact the church office to inquire about openings: office@firstlu.org / 608.783.2236.
Synod School of Theology
Grow in faith, develop your spirituality, deepen your discipleship, discern your baptismal vocation, and learn more about the Bible, theology and the Church. Three courses will be offered as 6-week sessions and offered three times each year in the fall, winter and spring. Courses include: Bible, Theology, Church History, Ministry Skills and Spiritual Development. The first session begins January 12, 2017. Talk to our pastors if you’re interested, and find more info at 1stlu.org/theology.