INSIDE: Sacred Storytelling and Easter Sunday

Worship

• Good Friday, Apr. 2:

  • 6:30pm in-person (reg required) & live streamed

• Holy Saturday, April 3:

  • 9:00am Sugar Creek Easter Brunch & Egg Hunt (more info & registration)

  • 6:30pm Sacred Storytelling worship, in-person (reg required) & online

• Easter Sunday, Apr. 4:

  • 6:30am sunrise service outdoors (reg required); Forecast for Sunday: Partly cloudy and 42º.

  • 8am indoors (FULL) and live streamed (praise band)

  • 9:30am indoors (FULL) and live streamed (organ/piano)

  • 11:00am outdoors AND NOW INDOORS (reg required) (praise band): Forecast for Sunday: Partly cloudy and 61º.

• Wednesday, Apr. 7:

  • 6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person (reg required)

The office will close at noon on Friday, April 2, & all day Monday, April 5.

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 & in-person with precautions

  • Education: Peer Ministry and confirmation small groups in-person with limits & precautions, all others online

  • Small groups: online & in-person with precautions

Coffee with Pastor Karyn

Coffee with Pastor Karyn is open to all and meets at 7:30am each Wednesday, currently via Zoom. Questions? Contact karyn@firstlu.org.

Drawing from the Well

This group is for women of First and the greater La Crosse area seeking to support one another in their spiritual growth. We gather to develop a deeper relationship with one another. We meet on the second Saturday of the month, 9:30–11am via Zoom, with the next one on Saturday, Apr. 10. Contact our Bridget Crave for more info: bridget@firstlu.org.

New Members

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 typically invited to a social at Red Pines where you would get to know more about First and the staff in a relaxed atmosphere. When gathering in such a way is safe, we will celebrate our new members in this way. For now, please let us know if you are interested in membership. One of our pastors will connect with you to find out how we may best be church together in the months and years to come. Call our office for more information at 608.783.2236 or email office@firstlu.org.

Faith Alive! U: Who Are the Hungry?

Executive Director Shelly Fortner from The Hunger Task Force of La Crosse will help us understand the issue of hunger locally, including how Foodshare (SNAP) helps families, and why there is still a need for food pantries. She will also discuss the unique circumstances of the past year. Join in-person in the sanctuary, or via Zoom, on Sunday, Apr. 11 at 6pm. 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.

Mabel Anderson Scholarship

Applications are now available. Completed applications are due no later than 3pm on Thursday, April 15. 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. Application forms are available at 1stlu.org/scholarship.

Sugar Creek Family Getaway Camps

Friday, Apr. 23 through Sunday, Apr. 25, Looking for a weekend family escape? Get-away to Sugar Creek for our Spring Family Camp! Our dynamic staff hosts your family with crafts, hiking, interactive campfires, horseback rides (pony rides for 7 and under), and more! Grow your faith in an uplifting, Christian community with campfire worships at night and Bible study during the day. Put your mind at ease knowing that, as a member of the American Camp Association, we at Sugar Creek hold ourselves to the highest standards in cleaning and safety. Registration and more info at www.sgrcreek.org.

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.

Small Groups May Consider Being In-Person

First Lutheran small groups may gather in-person with precautions:

1. Capacity of gathering spaces will be capped at 25%.

2. Masks will be expected to be worn at all times, in all places.

3. There will be no food or beverages at this time.

4. Distances of 6 feet will be kept between small group participants.

5. Hugging, handshakes and other physical contact are discouraged.

For full guidelines, see our one-page document: Small Group Expectations During a Pandemic. Small group leaders should do the following:

1. Connect with Bridget Crave for details.

2. Connect with Tamara Schonsberg regarding room usage.

3. Connect with Andy Stutesman regarding promotions.

Keep Up with Changes: 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.