INSIDE: Full to the Brim Small Group • Faith Alive! U: Community United To Support Families this Sunday at noon • Monday Night Meals at Trinity on Mar. 14

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Mar. 6:

• 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.

Wednesday, Mar. 9:

• 5:15pm: Dinner with Pastor Karyn

• 6:15pm: Holden Evening Prayer 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 Feb. 16, 2022, masks are welcome, optional, and encouraged for those not vaccinated. For a full description of current precautions, visit 1stlu.org/precaution.

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.

Full to the Brim Small Group

This small group will be discussing the devotions in Sanctified Art’s Full to the Brim Lenten devotional, and may include Pastor Stanton’s and Pastor Karyn’s reflections on the devotional, posted to both Facebook and YouTube during their Morning Musings. Meeting Sunday mornings at 9:15am in the Thomas Room. Open to all and led by Bridget Crave. The Full to the Brim devotional is available to be picked up at the Welcome Center in the church narthex/lobby.

Parent Share 

Join Carla Stanton, member of First, certified spiritual director and mom of three, in room 201 every Sunday morning at 9:15am. At Parent Share, we pray and talk about raising our children faithfully. Questions? Click here to contact Carla.

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.

• 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)

“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.

Coffee with Pastor Karyn

Coffee with Pastor Karyn is open to all and meets at 6:30am each Wednesday in the narthex. See you there! Questions? Contact karyn@firstlu.org.

Dinner with Pastor Karyn

This Lent, join Pastor Karyn for a light dinner each Wednesday at 5:15 p.m. in the Narthex. This casual gathering is a perfect time to enjoy some food and fellowship before worship. See you there!

Holden Evening Prayer

Join us for Holden Evening Prayer during our Lent worship, on Wednesdays at 6:15pm.

Free Series For Caregivers

The Franciscan Spirituality Center and the Aging and Disability Resource Center have collaborated on a new series designed to support caregivers. “Refresh and Renew: A Caregiver Series” will meet in person, once a month, initially at the FSC’s temporary space at River Crossing Square, 500 Second St. S., Suite 201, and later this fall at 920 Market St. Sessions are free, but registration is required at www.FSCenter.org or 608.791.5295. Participants may attend any or all of the sessions in the series…

• “Walking the Labyrinth,” March 9, with Jean Pagliaro.

Sunshine Team

The Sunshine Team meets next on March 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.

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, meeting on the second Saturday of the month, 9:30–11am, in the narthex, with the next one on Saturday, March 12. Contact Bridget Crave for more info: bridget@firstlu.org.

Spring Ahead!

Daylight Savings begins next weekend, so make certain to set your clocks ahead one hour when you go to bed Saturday night or you’ll be late for church on Sunday morning!

Monday Night Community Meals

Trinity Lutheran Church has been serving about 100 meals every Monday night. It's First Lutheran's turn to prepare and serve the meal on March 14. Can you help out? Kids are welcome and encouraged to help . Tasks includes sorting and bagging food, putting food in trays, trays in bags, washing dishes, etc on site at Trinity Lutheran, 1010 Sill Street. They are still serving the food to-go only but might switch to in-house meals, which will require more help to clean up and wash dishes. We would also LOVE help planning and making the main entree. Please sign up, and forward to your friends to sign up too! You can sign up at 1stlu.org/monmeals, or contact bridget@firstlu.org.

Wisconsin Church Matching Donations For Ukraine

Lutheran World Relief received tremendous news this week: Nelsonville Lutheran Church in Wisconsin will double all gifts from congregations – up to $100,000 – for our neighbors suffering in the Ukraine crisis. Our teams are working with partners in and around Ukraine so your gifts will deliver urgent support and care, like: food, shelter and other critically needed items; Mission Quilts and Kits for families who fled their homes; and medicine and supplies for clinics. Gifts will be matched through March 15. You can give at 1stlu.org/LWR or by mail to LWR, PO Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061. Please write “Ukraine Match” in the memo line.

You can also donate to support Ukraine through Lutheran Disaster Response…
Lutheran Disaster Response is accompanying our companion churches in Ukraine, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, as well as such ecumenical partners as the Lutheran World Federation and Church World Service, in their humanitarian responses to the crisis. These partners provide refugees with immediate support and supplies such as food, blankets, water and hygiene kits. Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has joined other religious leaders from Europe and around the globe in issuing an interfaith call for peace in the region. Gifts to “Eastern Europe Crisis Response” will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by the crisis in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Donate at 1stlu.org/LDR.

OWLs

On Wednesday, March 16, at noon, the OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First Lutheran, for anyone 55+) will have their monthly potluck. Questions? Contact volunteer coordinator Brian Narveson at 630.816.5917 / owls@firstlu.org.

Preschool Open House

Join us for our open house on Thursday, March 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, March 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, March 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, April 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, March 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.

Holy Week Schedule

Holy week is the week leading up to Easter Sunday on April 17, starting with Palm Sunday on April 10. Join us for worship every day of Holy Week…

• Palm Sunday, Apr. 10, worship at 8:00am & 10:30am.

  • Palm Sunday breakfast in Fellowship Hall.

  • No Sunday School nor Confirmation classes.

• Monday, Apr. 11, worship at 6:15pm.

• Tuesday, Apr. 12, worship at 6:15pm.

• Wednesday, Apr. 13, worship at 6:15pm.

  • Gr. 5 Faith Building Block, bread baking, 4pm.

• Maundy Thursday, Apr. 14, worship at 12:15pm & 6:15pm.

  • Gr. 5 Faith Building Block lifted up at 6:15pm worship.

• Good Friday, Apr. 15, worship at 12:15pm & 6:15pm.

• Sacred Storytelling Worship, Apr. 16, worship at 5:30pm.

• Easter Sunday, Apr. 17, worship at 6:30am, 8:00am, and 9:45am.

  • No Sunday School nor Confirmation on Easter Sunday.

The office will be closed at noon on Friday, Apr. 15 and all day Monday, Apr. 18.

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.

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.

Sunday School

• Sunday, Mar. 6

  • 9:15am Sunday School

• Sunday, Mar. 13

  • 9:15am Sunday School

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

Confirmation

• Sunday, Mar. 6:

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

• Wednesday, Mar. 9:

  • 6:15pm Confirmation Class - FS

  • 7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups

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