Announcements for Sunday, Apr. 26 2020
Inside: scholarship deadline extended, OWLs Virtual Potluck, HLC Food Pantry needs, and sidewalk chalk art wanted
Online Worship
Join us for worship online on Sunday at 10:30am and on Wednesday at 6:15pm, at 1stlu.org/live.
In compliance with the recent extension of Governor Evers’ stay at home order, in-person worship has been canceled through May 26, including weddings and funerals. Sunday School, confirmation and many small groups are also affected. Vision & Leadership will determine how we will begin to gather again.
Cancellations
For an up-to-date list of online options and cancellations please visit firstlutheranonalaska.org/thisweek.
Sunday Morning with Coffee
This small group is starting back up via Zoom meetings, and will meet each Sunday at 9am (not 9:15am as promoted last week). So grab a cup of coffee and join in the Christian discussion of this small group. Open to all. Questions? Contact bridget@firstlu.org.
Courageous Men’s Group
The Courageous Men’s Group are men of all ages who meet weekly, currently via Zoom, on Wednesdays at 6am, for a time of fellowship and study. Contact Chad Schultz, Jim Sysimaki, or the church office for more info: courageous@firstlu.org.
Our OWLs Be Zoomin’
The OWLs are a group at First that welcomes anyone, First Lutheran members or not, who are 55+. OWLs: If you are having technical problems viewing worship services or pastors’ morning musings please call volunteer coordinator, Brian Narveson for help: 608.526.9700. For those already connected with a computer, tablet or smart phone, or even just a regular phone, the OWLs will be holding “Virtual Potlucks” via Zoom. Zoom is a two way video conferencing system where you can both see and hear the people you are talking with. The next one is Wednesday, April 29 at 1pm. Brian wants the OWLs to know they can participate in these virtual potlucks with just a regular phone. For help with Zoom, feel free to contact Brian: owls@firstlu.org / 608.526.9700.
Mabel Anderson Scholarship
Applications are available online. The deadline has been extended: completed applications are due no later than 3pm on Thursday, Apr. 30. Students may apply if they will graduate from high school in the spring and have plans to pursue post-secondary education. The application includes writing an essay and completing a worksheet that reflects the student’s involvement in church activities. Applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications via email.
No Newsletter Assembly This Week
Volunteers can have the month of April off—we’ll leave the May newsletter assembly to staff. Keep in touch with each other, and let’s hope to see one another in May!
Virtual Memory Cafes
The ADRC of La Crosse County is excited to share with you this new endeavor to help Memory Cafe participants stay connected: they are offering memory cafés virtually! Let’s stay connected and have fun—we will get through it together! May 19, 10:30am-11:30am join us online, and come ready with your favorite pair of shoes. We will use them for our activity!! Get ready for community, fun and connection! TO REGISTER: Email kflock@lacrossecounty.org for the link to meet online. Use your computer or smartphone to join us! Call Kelsey at 608.785.5780 for help and support in setting this up. We look forward to “seeing” you!
Clothes Closet Not Accepting Donations
Due to the current situation, the First Teen Clothes Closet is not accepting clothing donations at this time. Please save your gently-used clothing for when we are again open for business or find another organization that can accept your donation. We appreciate your generosity and your understanding.
Readers!
We are seeking people of all ages who would be willing to be our readers each week. This would mean doing a video of yourself or family reading the assigned text and then uploading it to a google folder. If you are willing to do this, email Pastor Karyn: karyn@firstlu.org.
Prayers!
Pastor Karyn is looking for people who are willing to be our pray-ers. If you are willing to offer up a prayer or let us know a way we can be praying, send me an email to karyn@firstlu.org. Thanks!
Wanted: Photos of Sidewalk Art and Window Hearts
Have you been creating sidewalk art and windows full of hearts for #happyhearthunt? Andy would like to start using images of sidewalk art and windows full of hearts as backgrounds during the live stream. Here are some considerations:
No words
Basic shapes (hearts, crosses, sunshine and rays, stained glass, etc.)
Horizontal photo preferred
Take as “straight on” as possible (avoid angled shots if possible)
Send to andy@firstlu.org
Thanks!
Stephen Ministry
If you know of someone who needs a caregiver, please speak with Pastor Karyn, or call the church office: 608.783.2236.
Sewing Face Masks
The La Crosse County Health Dept. provides direction on making face masks for healthcare workers: Go to 1stlu.org/sewmasks for info, modifications to the pattern, and drop-off locations.
Warming Center Needs
Warming Center has moved back to the 3rd Street Catholic Charities building. There are 22 clients continuing to shelter in place, 24/7 at the downtown location. The shelter will continue services 24 hours a day until the Safer At Home order issued by Gov. Evers ends, including any additional time beyond the end of April when they would normally close the Warming Center. The volunteer signup at 1stlu.org/warm has been updated with their current needs. If you have any questions please contact Nora at nknapik@cclse.org.
50/40/10 ELCA Celebrations in 2020
50 Years On: Half a Century of Ordaining Lutheran Women: Take time to check out this wonderfully informative website put together by a student and professor at St. Olaf College during this year of celebrating 50 years of ordaining women in our church, 40 years of ordaining women of color and 10 years of ordaining those in the LGBTQA+ community. There are photos, biographies, stories, maps, facts & figures, timeline, videos, etc.
Morning Musings
Where is God in all this? Who/what shall we pray for today? What are our questions? What is grounding us in a time when everything is shifting? Go to First Lutheran's website, Facebook page or our Youtube channel where each morning, Monday through Saturday by 8am, Pastor Stanton or Pastor Karyn post a "morning musing". It's a great way to stay connected!
Blood Donations Needed
In times of crisis we lift each other up and ensure a safe and caring place for our neighbors. Your neighbors, friends, and loved ones are at an elevated risk during this latest crisis in our nation. The latest virus we are living through is very serious, but more so is the severely declining availability of blood. We are a beacon of hope. Ensuring an adequate blood supply to our communities is not only Versiti’s core mission, but it is our commitment to our hospitals, patients and communities in times of crisis. Versiti Blood Centers will continue to provide its service to the community by accepting donors at all its donor center locations, as well as community blood drives, when possible. They encourages all donors to make an appointment to lessen the amount of people waiting at our donor centers. Appointments for donating blood can be made at 1stlu.org/blooddrive. To learn more about the safety precautions Versiti is taking during this pandemic, click here.
Keep Up with Cancellations: Update Your Contact Info
Make sure the office has your current contact info, including current address, mobile number(s), carrier info (for reminders by text), and email(s). Send to office@firstlu.org.
Online Directory
During this time of “social distancing,” it would be good to remind members that you can access on online directory on our website. Just head to 1stlu.org/directory to request access. Keep in mind our director of communications, Andy Stutesman, will need to create an account for you, so please allow time for turning that around.
#ELCAChurchTogether
If you have questions or need prayerful support during this challenging time, the ELCA is prepared to help. Call 800.638.3522 ext. 4 or email HereToServe@elca.org with your questions or prayer requests. #ELCAChurchTogether
Sugar Creek Summer Reg Still Open!
Your child or grandchild can have an amazing new experience this summer with the caring staff and beautiful creation of Sugar Creek! More info & reg at www.sgrcreek.org.
