Announcements for Sunday, August 20
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OWLs
The OWLs, a group for those 55+, have moved their August potluck to the fourth Wednesday, August 23, at noon in Fellowship Hall. Bring your favorite picnic food for the potluck. The program will be Ruth Krett from the area food pantry talking about hunger in La Crosse County. Questions? Contact Brian Narveson at owls@firslu.org.
Blessing Those Working in Education
Thousands of students will return to school in next month, and hundreds of teachers, aides and coaches, custodians, groundskeepers and lunchroom workers, office staff and administrators will be there to keep them safe and help them succeed. We invite all staff of our local schools, universities & colleges to join us on Sunday, August 28, for worship and a special blessing to start off the new academic year.
$ Needed 4 Shoes
First Teen Clothes Closet is accepting monetary donations to purchase new shoes for teens in conjunction with the annual shoe distribution hosted August 30 by the Children’s Clothes Closet/Trinity Lutheran Church in La Crosse. We hope to provide at least 120 pair of shoes for middle school and high school students to get the new school year started on the right foot. Monetary donations may be dropped off in the church office or in the offering — please indicate it is for the First Teen Clothes Closet shoe drive.
Along with donating shoes, we hope to bring along 12-14 volunteers. Six volunteers will get shoes from the holding area and have the person try them on, making sure they have the correct size. You will work with kids of all ages. We need another 4-6 high schoolers and/or adults to help with games to provide a fun outlet for those who attend. Sign up at 1stlu.org/shoes or contact the church office. Thank you!
First Fest
On Sunday, September 10, we invite you to join us to relax, catch up with friends, introduce yourself to visitors or even members you’ve yet to meet, listen to great music, have lunch, and have some fun! This is also registration day for Sunday school, confirmation, and Frolic! (a small group for parents and their children birth to three).
Blessing of Backpacks
Youth and adults, bring your backpacks, briefcases, messenger bags, purses, etc. to church on Sunday, September 10, so that we may bless the start of your new school year!
Confirmation Kick-Off for Grades 8–10
Wednesday, September 13, 5:30-8pm. Come for food and fellowship and learn what this confirmation year has in store for your kids. We will walk through the program year together, and you can meet your kid’s small-group guide. For students in grades 8-10 and their parents/guardians. Location: Fellowship Hall.
Middle School Milestone
At First Lutheran we are deeply committed to bringing the presence of God into the lives of children everywhere they go. This life milestone is for sixth-graders and their parents/guardians as they transition from elementary to middle school, and celebrates that each child is made in the image of God. We spend our time in four weeks talking about being created in the image of God, how God is in the midst of change and ways that we can feel connected with God through spiritual practices. Week one starts Sunday, Sept. 17, 9:15am in the fellowship hall.
LifeTouch Church Directory Photo Sessions
First Lutheran is updating its membership directory this year, and photo sessions will be available from Oct. 10–21. We encourage you to book your session soon so that you can pick the best time for you and your family; do so by going to 1stlu.org/lifetouch, or call the church office for assistance. Members who have their photos taken for the directory will get a free color copy of their portrait and a free directory.
Welcome Baskets
Welcome baskets are a way to welcome a new neighbor into your neighborhood. The baskets are a gift bag tied with bow, filled with some goodies from church and from our community. They are available to sign out at the Resource Center across from the church office.
Helping Hands
If you need help with small jobs around the house or if you need a couple of meals or groceries delivered, just go to the “Helping Hands” board by the nursery and make out a slip with a description of what you need help with and your telephone number. Then anyone who thinks they can help out can take the slip and call the number to work out the details. This ministry is open to all in need of help AND to those who can provide the help. There is no set group of “helpers” so we need involvement from all who can be a blessing to someone else. Thanks!
Clothes Closet Needs
- Hoodies: all sizes
- Guys belts: especially smaller sizes
- Wallets
School of Theology in La Crosse
The fall 2017 session of the Synod School of Theology will run from Sept. 21—Oct. 26 (all classes on Thursday evenings, 5:30pm and 7:30pm) with Bible Intro class for new students on Sept. 14. For more info and registration go to http://1stlu.org/theology.
Travel to the Holy Land
With Pastor Kent and Dr. Lee Johnson on November 2-13.
$3,999 includes flights from Mpls. Most Christian tours of the Holy Land focus entirely on the sites associated with the events and people of the Bible, especially those linked to Jesus. This 12-day tour does this and much more. We will visit key sites in Bethlehem, Galilee (Nazareth, Capernaum) and Jerusalem (Temple Mount, Mount of Olives, Church of the Holy Sepulchre.) Guided by our Synod’s commitment to accompaniment with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), you also will meet with members of the ELCJHL and Israeli and Palestinian groups struggling for peace and justice today. Contact Pr. Kent at pastorkentj@gmail.com. There are only a few seats left!
Sugar Creek Bus Trips
Adult Bus Trips:
- Aug. 23rd Fireside Dinner Theatre: “Church Basement Ladies”;
- Oct. 1-7 Washington D.C. and Gettysburg Tour
- Nov. 21 Fireside Dinner Theatre: “Miracle on 34th St.”
- Nov.26-Dec 2 Nashville Christmas Tour