INSIDE: Congregational Meeting on Sunday, Feb. 27 at 11:45am; Peer Ministry Kick-off; Lent Devotion Booklet and Card Deck available at Welcome Center; Ash Wed March 2

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Feb. 27:

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

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

Ash Wednesday, Mar. 2:

• 11:30am: light lunch.

• 12:15pm: in-person.

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

  • 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. As of February 16, 2022, masks are welcome, optional, and encouraged for those not vaccinated. For a full description of current precautions, visit 1stlu.org/precaution.

Lenten Devotion: Full to the Brim

The origins of Lent were that one was to leave their old life behind to fast and prepare to be baptized into a new way of living. In essence, this was a practice of stepping away from corrupt power, scarcity mentality, and empty rituals in order to live a more expansive and full life of faith. And so, our Lenten theme, Full to the Brim, is an invitation—into a radically different Lent, into a full life. Full to the Brim reminds us to live fully—as we pursue justice and hope, or express grief and gratitude. If love is our beginning, how can we live our lives led by love’s promises? And so, this Lent, let us trust—fully—that we belong to God. Let us increase our capacity to receive and give grace. Let us discover the expansive life God dreams for us.

The Lenten devotional booklet and card deck are now available to be picked up at the Welcome Center at First. In this self-guided devotional, we encourage you to make notes or journal as you read through the devotions and the card deck, and to follow Pastor Stanton’s and Pastor Karyn’s reflections on the devotional in their Morning Musing videos, posted to both Facebook and YouTube.

Peer Ministry Kick-Off

Peer Ministry is a great way for our 10th-graders to learn about how to deal with any situation that arises, large or small. It makes handling conflicts simple and equips them to be better listeners and be welcoming to all those around them. Meeting most Sundays from 7-8:30pm in the Mary Rm, starting THIS Sunday, Feb. 27. RSVP to jason@firstlu.org.

Courageous Men’s Group

The Courageous Men’s Group are men of all ages who meet weekly on Wednesdays at 6am in the Fireside Room for a time of fellowship and study. Contact Jim Knutson or the church office for more info: jim@firstlu.org.

Ash Wednesday Worship, Mar. 2

Join us for worship on Ash Wednesday as we begin the season of Lent.

• 11:30am light lunch

• 12:15pm in-person worship

• 6:15pm in-person worship and live stream

All services will include the imposition of ashes.

Synod School of Theology - Spring Session

The spring 2022 term of the Synod School of Theology will run from Mar. 3–Apr. 7 (all classes on Thursday evenings), with Preaching 101 by Rev. Meg Hoversten. For more info and registration go to 1stlu.org/theology.

Brothers Of All Colors Learning To Love

Join Coach Rob from coachrobmotivations.com, Pastor David Smith, Walfsty Pierre and others as we break the cycle and innovate love amongst our brothers. Thursday, Mar. 3, 5:30pm, at the YMCA Youth Center, 1105 King St., La Crosse. Dinner and childcare provided.

La Crosse Area World Day of Prayer 2022

World Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumenical movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer and action each year on the first Friday in March. Each year a different country serves as the writer of the worship service, interpreting the Bible in their own context, and lifting up issues of mission, justice and peace. This year the service is based on Jeremiah 29:1-14 and was written by the women of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The La Crosse area will celebrate World Day of Prayer 2022 at West Salem Presbyterian Church on Friday, Mar. 4, at 9am. There will be a fellowship gathering at the church, followed by a prayer service, led by women from various churches in the area, at 10am. All are welcome! For more info contact: 608-786-0910 or preschurchws@gmail.com.

Western Donation Drive-Thru events

Western Technical College is hosting a number of drive-thru donation events next Friday, Mar. 4, 8am–5pm at Western’s Lot C in front of the Student Success Center & Business Education Building, 400 7th St. N., La Crosse. You can enter from the 8th Street entrance. Participants are asked to remain in their vehicles. Donations should be transported in a vehicle trunk, pickup bed or trailer to reduce face-to-face contact. Masks are required.

• E-Waste Recycling Event: will accept modems, cable boxes, speakers, mice, PCs, networking equipment, mobile devices, keyboards, gaming systems, LCD monitors, laptops, and printers.

• Suits for Success Donation Drive: collecting new or gently used professional clothing and medical scrubs. 

• Cavalier Cupboard Food Drive: collecting food items such as peanut butter, fruit cups and pasta.

Fourth Grade Faith Building Block: Apostles’ Creed

• Sunday, Mar. 6: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Kindergarten Faith Building Block: Lord's Prayer

• Sunday, Mar. 6: parents/guardians only

• Sundays, Mar. 13 & 20: parents/guardians with children

• Sunday, Mar. 27: 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. The session lasts for three weeks, and afterwards, the Faith Building Block will be lifted up in worship.

McKenna’s Blessing Bags Project

You can support McKenna's Blessing Bag Project by donating financially at 1stlu.org/give, or by donating supplies listed below and bringing them into First by Sunday, Mar. 6.

• Toothbrushes

• Toothpaste

• Bottled water

• Bandaids

• Chapstick

• Combs

• Kleenex

• Warm socks

• Non-perishable food items (instant oatmeal packs, granola/energy bars, tuna/cracker packs, trail mix, on-the-go coffee mixes, beef jerky sticks)

• Ziplock bags (1 gallon size)

Faith Alive! U: Community United To Support Families

On Sunday, March 6, at noon in the sanctuary, hear what support is needed for families with children in our area, in the short and the long term. Presented by: Tracy Trussoni (Development Director of Safe Families for Children), Jason Witt (Executive Director of La Crosse County Social Services) , Dianne Range and Kelli Hanson (Family and Children Center). This event is intended for confirmation students, high schoolers and all adults. A light lunch will be provided before the presentation. Childcare provided during presentation.

“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.

Sunshine Team

The Sunshine Team meets next on Mar. 10, 9:30am. Various jobs: cleaning, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, washing windows and cleaning carpets. Help make First look nice! Refreshments are supplied to replenish your reserves! Dues are free! Questions? Text/call Dave at 608.780.0135.

Monday Night Community Meals

For many years, Trinity Lutheran Church on the northside of La Crosse has hosted a meal on Monday nights. First Lutheran has agreed to help with this important community ministry, by preparing a meal, serving the food and cleaning up. We need people to plan and prepare the meal to feed 60-80 people, and folks to serve the meal (5-6pm) and help with cleanup. Meal prep can be done at your convenience. Many times people prepare the main course a week ahead, freeze it and reheat it. Food for the meal can be gotten at no charge from the Hunger Task Force in La Crosse. Our next date is Mar. 14. You can sign up at 1stlu.org/monmeals, or contact bridget@firstlu.org.

Preschool Open House

Join us for our open house on Thursday, Mar. 17, from 4:30-5:30pm. Come meet the teachers, see the classrooms, get class options and registration info for the 2022-2023 school year. We accept children ages 2 and up who are potty trained.  Registration is Monday, Mar. 21, from 9:30am–noon for church members, and 10:30am–noon for the community. To register, stop into the First Lutheran Preschool during the registration times above, or call the preschool at 608.779.4504.

Graduation Milestone & Recognition Dinner

Graduates: You and your parents/guardians are cordially invited to mark the milestone of your graduation at First Lutheran’s High School Graduation Recognition Dinner on Sunday, March 20, from 6–8pm at the church. Let us take this opportunity to honor you and your accomplishments as you prepare to become a 2022 graduate. RSVP to the church office by March 15: 608.783.2236 / office@firstlu.org.

SING!

The next performance will be for Palm Sunday, and rehearsals start up fresh on Wednesday, Mar. 23, at 7pm in the sanctuary. Open to all people ages 12 and up. No audition and no formal training required, just a desire to enhance worship through the beauty of music! Full schedule and sign up at 1stlu.org/choir. For more info contact Todd Saner at todd@firstlu.org.

Mabel Anderson Scholarship

The Mabel Anderson scholarship application is now available online at 1stlu.org/scholarship. Completed applications are due on Friday, April 1. 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.

Community Supported Agriculture

First Lutheran has, once again, offered to be a pick-up site for CSA boxes of produce from Small Family Farm in La Farge. Though deliveries won’t start until June, you can buy a share now. For info about products, prices and schedules, go to smallfamilycsa.com. Prices typically increase April 1.

Baptismal Preparation


The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Apr. 2, 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, Mar. 27. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

Upcoming Sugar Creek Bus Trips

• April 6: Fireside Dinner Theater, "Sound of Music"

• May 7-10: Holland Michigan Tulip Festival

• Aug 26-Sept 1: Ark Encounter and Nashville

• November 16: Fireside Dinner Theater, "White Christmas"

Sign up early! Spots fill quickly. Call for info: 608.734.3113.

Sugar Creek Summer Reg Now Open!

Summer camp registration at Sugar Creek is open and campers are signing up! Our new program, Art Camp, promises to help campers grow in their creative gifts and encourage them in sharing the joy of expression through guitar, dance, painting, photography, wood-crafts or writing. We can’t wait to celebrate each of their unique talents with them. We are also pleased to bring back our popular new programs from 2021: Elevated, Night Camp and Rangers. Spots for these programs are filling up quickly, so make sure you don’t miss out. Do you know about our early registration giveaway! Every camper who registers by March 21 will receive a $50 clothing store/snack shop credit. Reg and more info online: sugarcreekbiblecamp.org.

Cancellations Due to Inclement Weather

If bad weather ever makes you wonder whether your group is meeting, check our website, Facebook page, or update the office with your cell number and provider so that we can text you. The staff and leadership of First intend to ‘make the call’ by 5pm at the latest so everyone knows what to expect. Be safe this winter!

Stephen Ministry

If you know of someone who needs a caregiver, please speak with Pastor Karyn, or call the church office: 608.783.2236.

Warming Center

The La Crosse Warming Center will be open 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. To volunteer, contact John at jwadzinski@cclse.org.

Sunday School

• Sunday, Feb. 27

  • 9:15am Sunday School: Sugar Creek

• Sunday, Mar. 6

  • 9:15am Sunday School

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

Confirmation

• Sunday, Feb. 27:

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

• Ash Wednesday, Mar. 2:

  • No Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups

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