INSIDE: 4K Faith Building Block, Faith Alive! U: Who Are the Hungry?

Worship

Join us for worship!

• Sunday, Apr. 11:

  • 8am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person (registration required)

  • 10:30am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person (registration required)

• Wednesday, Apr. 14:

  • 6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person (no registration required)

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

4K Faith Building Block: The Keys

• Sunday, Apr. 11: parents/guardians only via Zoom

• Sundays, Apr. 18 & 25: parents/guardians with children via Zoom

• Sunday, May 2: 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: 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.

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.

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.

Our OWLs Be Zoomin’!

The OWL’s (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First Lutheran, for anyone 55+) are planning a fun Zoom potluck full of memories from favorite trips on Wednesday, Apr. 21, at 1pm. Zoom info will be sent to the OWLs mailing list before the meeting. If you are not on the OWLs mailing list and would like to be, please contact Brian Narveson at owls@firstlu.org or 630-816-5917.

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.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Tickets are now available for sale by youth through Apr. 18, or in the office, M–F, 8am–4pm (ring the doorbell to the left of the main entrance when you arrive) through Apr. 28. Meals cost only $10 presale before Apr. 26, $12 after Apr. 26 and at the door! And most importantly, all funds raised go to support youth going to Sugar Creek Bible Camp! Meals are provided by Premiere Catering, and will available for pick-up at First Lutheran on Thursday, Apr. 29, 11am–7pm. FOR YOUTH: You can pick up ticket packets to sell in the office; Tickets packets are due back to the church office by Sunday, April 18, by noon.

Blood Drive

Thursday, May 20, 12:30-5:30pm. Every day ordinary people are saved by some pretty extraordinary people. People who give blood. Your donation could be the most valuable gift you ever give. Just ask anyone who’s ever received. Walk-ins welcome; appointments encouraged, schedule yours at 1stlu.org/blooddrive. Please bring a mask and photo ID.

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.