INSIDE: Invitation to Change Lives • Friends of the Warming Center 

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Jan. 29:

• 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, Feb. 1:

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

Current Precautions

• Masking: masks are welcome and not required, and encouraged for those recently exposed.

• Social distancing: not required, but of course, we ask everyone to respect all who desire social distance.

• Hand sanitizing: stations are available at the entrance and near the welcome center.

• Stay home if you have any symptoms of COVID or had a recent positive diagnosis.

For a full description of current precautions, visit 1stlu.org/precaution.

Grade 2 Faith 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. Most sessions last for three weeks, and afterward, children will have a presence in worship in celebration of the Faith Building Block they learned about.

• Sunday, Jan. 29: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Grade 4 Faith Building Block: Apostles’ Creed

• Sunday, Feb. 5: parents/guardians only

• Sundays, Feb. 12 & 19: parents/guardians with children

• Sunday, Feb. 26: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Newsletter Assembly

It’s a relaxing way to volunteer! Monday, Jan. 30, at 10am, to assemble the February newsletter. See you there! 

Sign Up for Flowers for 2023

The sign-up sheets for 2023 altar flowers are on the bulletin board. If you would like to provide altar flowers in honor of or in 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 2022!

We’re looking for photos & videos from 2022: 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. Thanks!

Young Adults in Global Mission

The Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program invites young adults aged 21-29 into a transformative, yearlong journey in international service. Watch an update about some of the ways the YAGM team is bringing the program up to date and making it more welcoming for everyone. YAGM is ready for you! Applications close on Feb. 1, 2023.

Friends of the Warming Center   

The Warming Center opened Nov. 1 for unhoused people, and the area ELCA churches have agreed to provide evening meals the 1st and 2nd Friday of each month, November–April. Prepare the meal in your kitchen and drop it off at the Warming Center ready to be served. Other people serve the meal, you just prepare it. You are welcome to use the Hunger Task Force for meal ingredients. Next meal: Friday, Feb. 3. More info and reg at 1stlu.org/warm. Questions? Contact bridget@firstlu.org..

High School Winter Retreat @ Sugar Creek

Friday, Feb. 3–Sunday, Feb. 5. Do you, high-school-aged youth, miss camp? Come to Sugar Creek for a weekend of learning, connection and fun! We'll start Friday evening and end Sunday morning. COST: $125 (includes lodging, meals, and programming). More info: sgrcreek.org. (NOTE: this event is organized by Sugar Creek, not First Lutheran).

Baptismal Preparation

The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Feb. 4, 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, Jan. 29. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

Annual Potluck, Sunday, Feb. 5, 11:45am

All members are invited to attend First’s annual potluck on Sunday, Feb. 5, at 11:45am. We will reflect on 2022 and look ahead to 2023, 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! The annual report is available to pick up or download, and you will receive a 1-page summary with your 2022 contributions statement in the mail.

Sugar Creek Bible Camp Voting Members

Participate in guiding the future of our camp, Sugar Creek! The 2023 Sugar Creek annual meeting is scheduled for Feb. 19, at camp. Voting members are welcome to contribute their stories and perspectives to the conversation amidst reports and planning for the upcoming year. Support your camp by offering your voice and vote.

Nominations for Vision & Leadership

Nominations needed! First Lutheran will elect two new members to the Vision & Leadership Team at the Annual Meeting on Feb. 5. Read the following ‘job’ description and consider who you could nominate for this ministry. Send nominations to jason@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.

Assembly Voting Members

Participate in guiding the future of our synod! The 2023 La Crosse Area Synod Assembly is planned to be in-person June 9-11 (Friday evening through Sunday noon) 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 Stanton (jason@firstlu.org) or the church office (office@firstlu.org / 608.783.2236). It’s a great opportunity to be the church!

Nominations for First Lutheran Foundation Board

Nominations needed! First Lutheran will elect one new member to the Foundation Board at the Annual Meeting on Feb. 5. Read the following ‘job’ description and consider who you could nominate for this ministry. Send nominations to jason@firstlu.org.

POSITION: Member, First Lutheran Foundation Board
POSITION SUMMARY: Members of First Lutheran are eligible to serve up to two, three year terms on its Foundation Board, which meets quarterly to maintain accounts, supervise allocations and, most importantly, decide where Foundation money is granted. Four categories of recipients include: academic scholarships, community outreach, missions of the ELCA and capital improvements of First Lutheran Church.

Global Missions Variety Show for the La Crosse Area Synod

Sun., Feb. 19, 3pm, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1010 Sill St., La Crosse, WI 54603. Come see some incredible talent in our area. Join the La Crosse Area Synod in a fundraiser for our companion synod, Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren (ECCB). All money raised will go toward assisting their mission to help Ukraine refugees.

Meal Train for Payne Family

A meal train has been created to support the Payne family over the next few months, following the death of their daughter. To sign up for a meal, go to 1stlu.org/next.

Bible Readers Deep Dive: Revelation

Join Pastor Stanton online for 7-10 minutes per weekday for a study of Revelation. He will read the Rev. Dr. Barbara Rossing's excellent book, The Rapture Exposed, as well as the Rev. Dr. Craig Koester's commentary, in addition to M. Eugene Boring's commentary… so you don't have to! Revelation is the source of so much controversy. What if it could be a primary source of HOPE for the church in 2023? Find the posts each weekday by 5am on First Lutheran's Facebook page or YouTube channel.

New-Member Social

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 invited to a social at David Reay’s on Thursday, Apr. 20, 6pm, where you will get to know more about First and the staff in a relaxed atmosphere. To register your family or ask questions, call our church office at 608.783.2236 or email office@firstlu.org.

Sugar Creek Summer Reg Now Open!

More children, youth, families and leaders are putting “first things first” with a retreat at Sugar Creek. Why? Because fun, safe, meaningful adventures in the great outdoors make the difference! Reserve your adventures and encourage practical leadership skills and a deep sense of purpose rooted in God’s love. Sign up today at www.sgrcreek.org (no risk; refundable deposit before June 1).

410 Prayers

Join Kathryn for a time of prayer, every Monday–Friday, at 4:10pm, on our Facebook page.

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.

Help Those in Need

If you are looking for ways to help locally, go to the Ugetconnected site to find a variety of needs, from writing letters or drawing pictures to seniors, to delivering pre-packaged meals or sewing. It's hard to keep track of all the organizations, so this is a great spot to find out how you can help. Go to 1stlu.org/needs.

Sunday School

• Sunday, Jan. 29

  • 9:15am Sunday School

• Sunday, Feb. 5

  • 9:15am Sunday School

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

Confirmation

• Sunday:

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

• Wednesday:

  • 5:30pm Confirmation Dinner - Fellowship Hall

  • 7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups

Questions about Confirmation? Visit 1stlu.org/confirm.