INSIDE: Volunteer Appreciation Party Postponed, Office Closed Monday, OWLs Potluck and Fly to See “Looney Lutherans”

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Jan. 16:

• 8am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person wearing masks. Nursery available.

• 10:30am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person wearing masks. Nursery available.

Wednesday, Jan. 19:

• 6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person wearing masks. Nursery available.

COVID-19 Update

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

  • Worship: online & in-person wearing masks

  • Small groups: online & in-person; precautions determined by entire group

Precautions for In-Person Worship

Worship services are offered in-person, indoors at all services. Currently we are asking, for the safety of ALL members, that everyone wear a mask during worship. Registration and social distancing are currently not required for most services. For a full description of current precautions, visit 1stlu.org/precaution.

Grade 2 Faith Alive Building Block: What’s Fair

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 (in Fellowship Hall), sharing in conversation and growing together in faith. The session lasts for 2-3 weeks, and afterwards, children will have a presence in worship to celebrate the Faith Building Block they have learned.

• Sundays, Jan. 16, 9:15am: parents/guardians with children

• Sunday, Jan. 23: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Volunteer Appreciation Party

Due to the high COVID case rate, First has decided to postpone the Volunteer Appreciation Party to a later date, TBD. Questions? Contact kathryn@firstlu.org.

Office Closures

The office will be closed Monday, Jan. 17 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

OWLs

The OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First, for anyone 55+) will kick off January with a potluck on Wednesday, Jan. 19, at noon in the Narthex. Bring a dish to share. For our program, Pastor Karyn will discuss what it means to explore being a “Reconciling in Christ Congregation.” She will explain what the program is, what the congregation needs to do, what we as individuals can do and if there is anything the OWLs as a group can do. If you have questions, please bring them; Pastor Karyn will be glad to interact with us.

For their January outing the OWLs will fly to see “Looney Lutherans” at the Heider Center in West Salem. The Looney Lutherans are a trio of wacky gals who use music, comedy and some help from the audience to share their age-old wisdom for living a long and lively life, the Lutheran way. DATE: Thursday, Jan. 20; meet at the church at 4:30pm and car pool to West Salem. If you don’t want to drive to West Salem, we will find you a ride. Before the show, we will have dinner at the Westview Inn. COST OF SHOW: $22, dinner is on your own. RSVP to owls@firstlu.org / 630.816.5917; most area shows are selling out fast so let Brian know ASAP if you plan to attend. Brian will buy the tickets; you can pay Brian the night of the outing.

Parents’ Night Out

Bring your children for an evening of fun with the middle and high school youth groups’ fundraiser! WHERE: at First Lutheran, NEXT: Friday, Jan. 28, FOR: Birth–12 are welcome (Birth–3 will be in the nursery, ages 4 and up in Fellowship Hall)

• Registration from 4:45pm-5:30pm

• Followed by dinner and activities till 8:30pm (parents can pick up early if needed)

COST: Free will donations will assist the middle and high school students with 2022 Sugar Creek Bible camp, mission trip and ELCA Youth Gathering.

Sugar Creek Events

• Sunday, Jan. 30: Winter Fun Day

• Sunday, Feb. 13: Winter Fun Day

• Feb. 17-20: Craft Retreat

• Feb. 25-27: High School Youth Retreat

To register for the above events, contact the camp at 608.734.3113 / camp@sgrcreek.org.

The Mountaintop

First Lutheran encourages our members to attend The Mountaintop at the La Crosse Community Theatre, Jan. 28–Feb. 6. On Apr. 3, 1968, after delivering one of his most memorable speeches, an exhausted Dr. King retires to his room at the Lorraine Motel while a storm rages outside. When a mysterious stranger arrives with some surprising news, King is forced to confront his destiny and his legacy to his people. Winner of the Olivier Award for Best New Play, The Mountaintop is a gripping re-imagination of events the night before the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Info and tickets at 1stlu.org/mtop.

Invitation to Change Lives by Providing Hope for the Homeless

At First Lutheran, we change lives by providing food, shelter and faith formation ministries. We invite you to join us in prayerfully considering an increase to your giving in 2022, so these life-giving ministries may continue. Join us by providing your statement of intent in worship on Stewardship Sunday, January 30, 2022, by 1) filling out the intent form at 1stlu.org/intent, or 2) mailing in/dropping off the intent card (coming this month in the mail) at the church office no later than February 13, 2022.

Sugar Creek Summer Reg Now Open!

Your child or grandchild can have an amazing new experience this summer with the caring staff and beautiful creation of Sugar Creek! Now is the time to register, before your desired week fills up. Popular programs fill up fast! More info & reg at www.sgrcreek.org.

Quilters Need Sheets

First Lutheran's quilters need sheets, sheets & more sheets! They can be cotton, cotton-blend or flannel. They can be any size. They can be used, but please, be sure they're clean. Drop them off at the church office during regular hours or when you're here for church on Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings. The quilters say thank you!

Sign Up for Flowers for 2022

The sign-up sheets for the 2022 flowers are on the bulletin board. If you would like to honor the memory of a loved one check the bulletin board and sign up for an open week of your choice. You can also contact the church office (office@firstlu.org / 608.783.2236) to inquire about openings.

Calling all snapshots from 2021! #faithalive365

We’re looking for photos & videos from 2021: weddings, baptisms, Christmas program and ALL OTHER special events and ministries. Help us to collect and remember all the events from this past year! Email them to andy@firstlu.org or post them to our Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram with hashtag #faithalive365. Thanks!

YAGM’s are Back for 2022 

ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) will be back in the world, in 9 foreign countries in 2022-23! YAGMs are young adults aged 21–29 and this is the time to reach out to new candidates. Application deadline: Feb. 1, 2022 (priority deadline Jan. 15.) Learn more at elca.org/yagm. 

Nominations For Vision & Leadership

Nominations needed! First Lutheran will elect two new members to the Vision & Leadership Team at the Annual Meeting on February 6. Read the following ‘job’ description and consider who you could nominate for this ministry. Send nominations to karyn@firstlu.org.

POSITION: Member, Visioning and Leadership Team.
POSITION SUMMARY: As a servant to the ministry of First Lutheran Church and working in conjunction with pastoral leadership, is responsible for the 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.

Annual Meeting, Sunday, Feb. 6, 11:45am

All members are invited to attend First’s annual meeting on Sunday, Feb. 6 at 11:45am, in the sanctuary. We will reflect on 2021 and look ahead to 2022, elect two new Vision & Leadership Team members, and complete a variety of other business. Save the date to be a part of the body of church at First!

“Courage Conversations” via Waking Up White Synod Read during Lent

Sundays: March 6, 13, 20, 27 and April 3, 6–7pm, via Zoom. Did you miss First’s study of Waking Up White, or want to revisit it? The Waking Up White synod read invites you to engage in conversations about the dynamics of race in your own life, congregations and community. Members of the Synod Church and Society Committee will lead these Zoom based conversations on Sunday evenings during Lent. There is no fee to participate. Register by e-mail ( melanie@lacrosseareasynod.org) or by calling the synod office (608.788.5000). More info: 1stlu.org/wakingup.

Summer Camp Job Openings

Both Bible camps in our synod are in the process of hiring summer staff in various positions…

• Luther Park Bible Camp: What are the benefits to working at camp during the summer time? Listen to this video with some of the Luther Park Bible Camp 2021 Summer Staff expressing their favorite moments. Then share with adults young and old in your congregation and community. Find more about summer employment. Positions available for counselors, lifeguards, worship leaders, cooks, nurses, and more.

• Sugar Creek Bible Camp: Apply yourself or recommend others for camp staff positions. Few jobs are as meaningful as the life-changing role of a professionally-trained Bible camp counselor.

Needed: Assembly Voting Members

Participate in guiding the future of our synod! The 2022 La Crosse Area Synod Assembly is planned to be in-person June 10-12 (Friday evening through Sunday noon) at UWL, in La Crosse. An elected voting member will need to attend the assembly & various pre-meetings. If you are interested in serving our Synod and congregation as one of First Lutheran’s five voting members, contact Pastor Karyn (karyn@firstlu.org) or the church office (office@firstlu.org / 608.783.2236). It’s a great opportunity to be the church!

Volunteer at the ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis

Wish you could attend and be a part of the fun and excitement of the ELCA Youth Gathering, but you’re no longer a teenager? Then check out the volunteer opportunities! Volunteers make the ministry of the gathering happen, and there’s no registration fee! Sign up at 1stlu.org/ygvolunteer. The ELCA Youth Gathering runs July 24–28, 2022 in Minneapolis.

Baptismal Preparation


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

A baptism preparation session will be Saturday, MON @@, at 10am in the narthex for anyone who is considering or has scheduled a baptism. To register or ask questions call the church office at 608.783.3326 by Sunday, @@@. @@. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

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.

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.

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. 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.

Sunday School

• Sunday, Jan. 16

  • 9:15am Gr 2 FBB: What's Fair (2nd meeting, parents/guardians & child) - FH

  • 9:15am Sunday School Classes

• Sunday, Jan. 23

  • Gr 2 FBB: What's Fair, lifted up in worship

  • 9:15am Sunday School

Questions regarding Sunday School? Visit 1stlu.org/sunschool.

Confirmation

• Sunday, Jan. 9:

  • 9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Classes - Fireside Rm

• Wednesday, Jan. 12:

  • 6:15pm Confirmation Class - Fireside Rm

  • 7pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups

Questions regarding confirmation? Visit 1stlu.org/confirm.