Announcements for Sunday, Apr. 18 2021
INSIDE: New Members, Chicken Dinner
10:30am worship THIS SUNDAY, Apr. 18, will be outdoors, and now no registration is required for outdoor worship. Join us!
Worship
Join us for worship!
Sunday, Apr. 18:
8am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person (reg required). Nursery available, limited to 4 children (reg required).
10:30am: outdoors (no registration required). Current forecast for Sunday: Partly cloudy and 51º.
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
New Members
Today we welcome the following new members: Don & Janice Ostreng; Meredith, John, Nicolas & Saydee Hink; Ryan, Jennifer, Samara & Blaine Wheeler; Patty Sprang, Amy, Jon, Brock & Paige Peterson; Bernie & Patty Niedercorn; Julie & Scott Reynertson, Cameron & Savannah Deml. 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.
4K Faith Building Block: The Keys
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.
Knitters and Crocheters
The knitters and crocheters are meeting via Zoom every other Monday, 1-3:30pm. The next meeting is Monday, Apr. 19. Contact Katy Wood to join, or ask questions.
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.
Women’s Ministry: Dorcas Circle
The Dorcas Circle is meeting from 1-3:30pm every other Tuesday. Next meeting: Tuesday, Apr. 27, 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.
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.
COVID-19 Vaccines
Now that everyone is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, you might have questions about how to find a vaccine appointment! Visit the website lacrossecounty.org/covid19 (click on the vaccine tab) to see all of the local vaccine options. If you are interested in signing up at the community-based vaccination site at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, register at vaccinate.wi.gov and check out the FAQ's about the site. Still have questions? Email covid19@lacrossecounty.org or call the State vaccine hotline at 1.844.684.1064.
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.
Baptismal Preparation
The pastors are considering baptisms on an individual basis. The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Jun. 5, at 10am. To register or ask questions contact the church office at 608.783.3326 / office@firstlu.org.
Small Groups May Consider Being In-Person
First Lutheran small groups may gather in-person with precautions:
Capacity of gathering spaces will be capped at 25%.
Masks will be expected to be worn at all times, in all places.
There will be no food or beverages at this time.
Distances of 6 feet will be kept between small group participants.
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:
Connect with Bridget Crave for details.
Connect with Tamara Schonsberg regarding room usage.
Connect with Andy Stutesman regarding promotions.
Happy Birthday!!
If you have received a birthday postcard from First in the last several months and still have it, bring it into church Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm and pick up a small gift. Remember to ring the doorbell on the left side of the doors and Tamara will be happy to help you.
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.
Scrip Cards Are Still Available
Scrip cards are still available from the church office even though the building is closed. We have Kwik Trip, Woodman's, Target and Festival cards. To find out what's currently available and when you can buy them, call the church office at 608.783.2236 or send email to office@firstlu.org.
