INSIDE: Beyond Question study now available • Grief Support • Response to Earthquake in Turkey and Syria

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Feb. 12:

• 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. 15:

• 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.

Response to Earthquake in Turkey and Syria

We know Lutheran congregations are always among the first to respond and the last to leave in times of emergency. 

Lutheran Disaster Response and its partners are prepared to accompany our neighbors impacted by these earthquakes. 100% of your gifts to "Middle East Crisis" go to supporting earthquake survivors and other people affected by disasters in the region. Give now at 1stlu.org/LDR.

Lutheran World Relief teams are already coordinating a response, and it is your compassion and generosity that will rush emergency care. Gifts to LWR's emergency response fund will deliver critically needed care for families like water, medical care, shelter and essential supplies. Give online at lwr.org/quake or mail a check to Lutheran World Relief, PO Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061. Write QUAKE in the memo.

Grade 4 Faith Building Block: Apostles’ Creed

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

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

New Vision & Leadership Member Elected at Annual Meeting

66 members of First Lutheran attended the annual get-together/annual meeting on Sunday, Feb. 5. Meredith Hougen was elected to the Visioning & Leadership team; on May 1, she will replace Derrick Knight on the board. Joel Miller was elected to the First Lutheran Foundation board; he replaces Meredith Hougen, starting immediately. Voting members also named representatives to the Sugar Creek Bible Camp annual meeting (Ann & Rob Nelson) and to the Synod Assembly in June (Ann & Rob Nelson, Michelle Logan, Indiana Hauser, Pete Kirkegaard and Sam Renkas). Members also approved the 2023 budget.

Grief Support Group

Carrying on after the death of a loved one can be difficult and lonely. Join with others who listen and care for each other. Two opportunities every third Wednesday: 10am in the Upper Room, 7pm at the house. NEXT: Feb. 15. Led by Carla Stanton.

Prostate Cancer Support

Navigating a prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment(s), and after-effects is tough and worthy of peer support. Recently, a non-medical First Lutheran member found himself on this path and would like to make himself available for e-mail, phone or in-person conversations with anyone interested in having a friendly ear to listen and provide mutual support. Email awh051230@gmail.com or call the church office who will provide a phone number. 

OWLs

On Wednesday, Feb. 15, the OWLs, a group for those 55+, will have their monthly potluck at noon in Fellowship Hall. The program will be a speaker from Safe Families for Children. This is one of the charities we hope to give $10,000 of increased giving to in 2024. Come and hear about the great things they are doing for families and children in the area.

Then on Saturday, Feb. 18, the OWLs will fly to the LaCroix Black Box Theatre at Viterbo to see the romantic comedy Significant Other. They’ll meet at the church at 4:30pm and go to dinner before the play. Cost of the play: $20; dinner costs on your own. Tickets will be bought as people sign up. Please contact Brian Narveson (owls@firstlu.org) by Friday, Feb. 17, if you would like to attend. You can pay Brian the night of the performance for the tickets.

Questions? Contact volunteer coordinator Brian Narveson at owls@firslu.org or 630.816.5917.

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.

Ash Wednesday Worship

Join us for worship on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, as we begin the season of Lent.

• 12:15pm in-person worship

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

All services will include the imposition of ashes.

Lenten Devotion: Beyond Question

Oftentimes, a person reads a book to discover answers. What if you invested a few minutes a day throughout Lent, using a devotional so that you could dwell longer in questions? Beyond Question is a daily devotional that provides a question rooted in a gospel text along with a connecting piece of “Biblical Wisdom”, a “Transformative Thought”, a “Psalm Fragment”, “Questions to Ponder” and a “Prayer for Today”. You may choose to use Beyond Question on your own, but it will likely become much more meaningful by gathering with a small group once a week. Small groups will meet once a week on Wednesdays or Sundays throughout Lent beginning Wednesday, Feb 22, and Sunday, Feb 26. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next and more information will follow. Invite a friend to join you! The book Beyond Question is now in stock at the Resource Center and available for purchase. COST: $10.

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, Feb. 24, 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 8pm (parents can pick up early if needed)

COST: Monetary donations will assist the middle and high school students with 2023 Sugar Creek Bible Camp and potential mission trip. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout, by Wednesday, Feb. 22.

Synod Study for Lent: “Church & State”  

Sunday evenings during Lent, Feb. 26–Mar. 26, 6:30–7:30pm via Zoom. Join Pr. Joanne Richmond of the synod Church in Society Committee in this study regarding the relationship between faith and nation, church and state, which exists in each of us while simultaneously being lived “out” in our daily lives.The purpose of this study: to engage in conversations about citizenship in the context of Lutheran thought, most specifically a Lutheran understanding of baptism, with the hope of relieving any confusion we experience as we live as baptized children of God. Registration required for ZOOM link and for ongoing preparatory info. For reg email office@lacrosseareasynod.org or call 608.788.5000. COST: Free.

Bible Readers Deep Dive: Revelation

Join Pastor Stanton online for 10-15 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 and YouTube channel.

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, or ask for a flier in the office. Prices typically increase March 1.

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, Mar. 3. More info and reg at 1stlu.org/warm. Questions? Contact bridget@firstlu.org.

Volunteer Appreciation Party

Sunday, Mar. 5, 11:45am. A warm thank you for everyone who brings Faith Alive at First Lutheran! RSVP at 1stlu.org/vaparty. Questions? Contact kathryn@firstlu.org.

Sugar Creek Events

• March 15: EARLY Enrollment Deadline for Summer Camp

• March 17-19: Middle School Retreat

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

Preschool Open House

Join us for our open house on Thursday, Mar. 16, from 4:30-5:30pm. Come meet the teachers, see the classrooms, get class options and registration info for the 2023-24 school year. We accept children ages 2 and up who are potty trained.  Registration is Monday, Mar. 27, 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.

Baptismal Preparation

The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Apr. 1, 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. 26. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

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).

Sponsoring Ukrainian Refugees

Refugee sponsorship information from Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service: Sponsorship is a huge honor, gift and responsibility. Learn about what sponsors do by visiting this website for more information on how you can support Ukrainians.

Make Worship Happen!

Worship assistants make worship happen! Usher, read, bake bread, serve communion, lead projection and more. To assist with Sunday worship sign up at 1stlu.org/assistSUN.

Want to volunteer? Need help?

Causeway Caregivers serves elderly and disabled adults in La Crosse County by providing volunteer services, without charge, to those in need. Tasks include raking leaves, grocery shopping, doing errands and helping after a snowfall. Would you like to be a Causeway Caregivers volunteer? Do you need a volunteer? Contact Causeway Caregivers at 608-775-9999.

Sunday School

• Sunday, Feb. 12

  • 9:15am Sunday School

• Sunday, Feb. 19

  • 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.