Inside: Stewardship Week, COVID Advisory Panel Q&A, Bible Readers begin 1 Thessalonians

Worship

• Join us for worship online this Sunday at 8am & 10:30am, and on Wednesday at 6:15pm, at 1stlu.org/live.

COVID-19 Update

• Pastors and the COVID Advisory Panel regularly evaluate when and how the church can be open. These are our current recommendations:

  • Worship: online

  • Education: online

  • Small groups: online

• For an up-to-date list of online options and cancellations please visit firstlutheranonalaska.org/thisweek.

Women’s Ministry: Dorcas Circle

The Dorcas Circle is meeting from 1-3:30pm every other Tuesday. Next meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 2, 1:30pm. They are meeting via Zoom, and are reading and discussing the book, Women of Easter, by Liz Curtis Higgs. If you are interested in joining, please contact Katy Wood.

COVID Advisory Panel Q&A

The entire First Lutheran COVID advisory panel will be making themselves available for a Q&A on Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 7pm via Zoom. It will be a time to ask ANY questions you may have about ANYthing COVID related... or church related (Pastor Stanton be there, too). Click here to join the Zoom meeting.

Read 1 Thessalonians in 3 Days!

In 1 Thessalonians we read the oldest writing from the early church, a letter from Paul to a young church in Thessalonica. In this letter Paul urges the early Christians to not grieve for those who have died in Christ “as others do who have no hope,” but assures them that the dead in Christ are not forgotten. Pastor Stanton will be introducing this book to Bible Readers starting Wednesday, Feb. 3. Join at any time! These studies are for ANYone who can read, 3rd graders to our eldest friend; members and acquaintances far far away. Use whatever Bible you’d like! Follow Pastor Stanton’s daily guides on Facebook or YouTube, and if you’d like the daily video guides emailed to you contact Pastor Stanton at jason@firstlu.org.

Baptismal Preparation


The pastors are considering baptisms on an individual basis. The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Feb. 5, at 10am. To register or ask questions contact the church office at 608.783.3326 / office@firstlu.org.

Knitters & Crocheters

The knitters and crocheters are meeting via Zoom every other Monday, 1-3:30pm. The next meeting is Monday, Feb. 8. Contact Katy Wood to join, or ask questions.

Needed: Voting Members

The 2021 La Crosse Area Synod Assembly is June 11–13 (Friday—Sunday) 
held via Zoom. If you are interested in serving our 
synod and congregation as 
one of First Lutheran’s 5 voting members, 
contact Pastor Stanton or the church office. 
It’s a great opportunity to be the Church!

Nominations for Vision & Leadership

Nominations needed! First Lutheran will elect two new members to the Vision & Leadership Team at the Annual Get-Together on Feb. 14. Read the following ‘job’ description and consider who you could nominate for this ministry. Position Summary: As a servant to the ministry of First Lutheran Church and working in conjunction with pastoral leadership, is responsible for development of the congregation’s mission and vision. Develops short- and long-term strategies for ensuring the spiritual and physical health and wellness of the congregation. Provides support to staff and congregation members to equip each member with skills to grow in faith and their own personal ministry. Send nominations to Pastor Stanton at jason@firstlu.org.

Annual Meeting, Sunday, Feb. 14 9:30am

The First Lutheran Annual Potluck and annual meeting will look different in 2021. All members are invited to attend an online annual meeting Feb. 14 at 9:30am; the link for the Zoom meeting will be provided closer to the date. We will discuss reopening strategies, elect two new Vision & Leadership Team members, and complete a variety of other business. Please help us meet quorum by attending, from the comfort of your own home! Click here to join the Zoom meeting.

In advance of the annual meeting, the one-page Annual Report can be downloaded here; the full booklet will be available later on Sunday.

Drive-In Worship, Sunday, Feb. 14, 10:30am

Weather permitting, the 10:30am service on Sunday, Feb. 14 will be a drive-in worship service, so we can gather together (even if we are in our cars) and give praise to our God! Worship will include communion. To reserve a spot for your vehicle at this service, you can sign up here. Trouble with SignupGenius? Contact the office and we can take care of it for you: office@firsltu.org / 608.783.2236.

Fourth Grade Faith Building Block: Apostles’ Creed

• Sundays, Feb. 21: parents/guardians with children

• Sunday, Feb. 28: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Throughout the year each age group will have a special “Faith Building Block” session in which parents or special adults are asked to attend class with their child on Sundays at 9:15am, sharing in conversation and growing together in faith. This session lasts for one week, and afterwards, the Faith Building Block will be lifted up in worship in celebration of what the students have learned. Gatherings will meet via Zoom; pastors will send out meeting codes to parents & guardians of youth in each grade before the first meeting.

Faith Alive! U: Teen Mental Health

Mental health issues are increasing for all of us right now, especially teens. What are some practical ways that we can do in our daily lives that will increase resilience and decrease distress? We will explore mindfulness and self-care through breath exercises, affirmations, and meditation, focusing on practices accessible to teens. Join us for a Zoom meeting on Sunday, Feb. 21, at 6pm with Sarah Hennessey, FSPA, a Franciscan sister and a spiritual director at the Franciscan Spirituality Center. A former junior high teacher, she is an active member of Depressed Anonymous and lives in recovery with mental health issues.This event is intended for confirmation students, high schoolers and all adults. To join the Zoom meeting go to the event page at 1stlu.org/FAUzoom.

Sugar Creek Summer Camp 2021

Back in the saddle again! Sugar Creek is excited to be back with world-class summer camp programs for youth this coming summer! As vaccines are delivered nationwide, safety practices are honed, medical knowledge increases, and the camp program and facilities are adapted, the camp is confident in moving forward with plans for summer Bible camp. By the very nature of all their programs at Sugar Creek, the camp is, in many ways, even safer than schools during a pandemic since we keep youth in small groups and run camp activities in the open, fresh, outdoor air. As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, youth desperately need real connections in life and in faith. Kids need to be lifted up in ways that only happen in safe, small-group adventures at Bible camp. Leadership, life-long faith, healthy relationships, self-confidence – these are gifts you give your children and grandchildren with time at Sugar Creek. Sugar Creek hopes you will join them for wonderful, safe outdoor adventures in real Christian community. Registration is now open at sugarcreekbiblecamp.org.

Warming Center

The La Crosse Warming Center will be open beginning through April 30. The Warming Center provides a place for individuals who are living in homelessness to have a warm place to sleep overnight, shower, do laundry, and get a meal. As was done last year, the first two Fridays of each month are "Lutheran Night." A number of local ELCA churches are working together to staff those two Friday nights, and provide food for dinner. Orientation and training is provided. Click here for more information. Questions? Contact bridget@firstlu.org.