Announcements for Easter Sunday, Apr. 9, 2023

Announcements
Written By Andrew Stutesman

INSIDE: Christ is Risen! Hallelujah! Join us for Easter worship THIS Sunday!

Join us for Easter worship! Click the image above to print a copy of FLAT JESUS… Color Him in, cut Him out, and take Him with you on your travels this summer, both near and far, as a reminder that Christ is with us, everywhere!

Join us for Easter Sunday!

ASSIST WITH HOLY WEEK: To prepare our hearts for Easter Sunday, we worship every day during Holy Week. Individuals and families can assist with this holy time as readers, ushers, communion servers and more. Sign up at 1stlu.org/assistHW.

The office will be closed at noon on Friday, Apr. 7, and all day Monday, Apr. 10.

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.

Easter Season Study: A Gospel of Hope

A Gospel of Hope, by Walter Brueggemann, encourages readers to embrace the audacity required to live out one’s faith. Join Pastor Stanton as he offers a 2–3 minute online reflection each weekday rooted in Walter Brueggemann's wisdom on topics ranging from anxiety and abundance to partisanship and the role of faith in public life. Easter is a week of weeks: seven weeks before Pentecost, and a perfect time to explore what it means to live a new life NOW. Find this study on our YouTube and Facebook channels, starting THIS Monday, Apr. 10, through the end of May.

Sugar Creek Events

  • April 10: Deadline for LEAD application

  • April 29-30: Elementary School Retreat

  • May 6: Spring Volunteer Work Weekend

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

Household Photos & Upcoming Member Directory

This summer First plans to print new directories for members. But unlike previous years, which involved scheduling a sitting and enduring a sales pitch, this year we will create them ourselves and print them in-house. The new print directory will necessitate up-to-date info for members in our database, so we are asking the following of all members…

  1. Update your contact info!

    • The easiest way to do this is through our online directory; simply log in at 1stlu.org/directory. Need to set up an account? Email a request to andy@firstlu.org.

    • NOTE: Lots of fields for both families and individuals can be included or excluded from the directory. They are included by default, so any field you want to “exclude from directory” needs to be checked.

    • You can also send updated contact info to andy@firstlu.org, with the following updates: address, phone numbers and emails, AND if you want them included or excluded from the directory

  2. Provide a family photo!

    1. The easiest way to do this is to get an informal snapshot taken between services at our “photo booth” to the right of the Welcome Center. Volunteer photographers have offered their time and talents to help take the photo. This is nothing formal! We just want to be able to add faces to the names in our database!

    2. You can also email a family snapshot to andy@firstlu.org.

Questions about the online or print directory? Email andy@firstlu.org.

Sunshine Team

The Sunshine Team usually meets on the first Thursday of every month, but April’s meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday, April 13, 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? Contact Dan at dan@firstlu.org.

School of Theology Spring Classes

Thursdays, April 13–May 18: Leadership in Christian Community with Pastor Anna Sorenson at 5:30pm; Theology I with Pastor Chris Hallemeier at 7:30pm. More info at 1stlu.org/theology. RSVP to office@lacrosseareasynod.org.

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: Apr. 19. Led by Carla Stanton.

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.

Wanted: CANDY! (and Easter Eggs)

Easter is here and the First Lutheran Youth that work on Parents’ Night Out are excited to add an Easter egg hunt to the next night out (more info below). To make this event a success, the youth are kindly requesting donations of candy and Easter eggs for the hunt. Please bring your donations to the church office. They also want to remind parents/guardians who have signed up to bring baskets with their kids on Friday, Apr. 21.

Parents’ Night Out

Bring your children (AND YOUR EASTER BASKETS!) for an evening of fun with the middle and high school youth groups’ fundraiser! WHERE: at First Lutheran, NEXT: Friday, Apr. 21, 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 the Tri-syond Youth Gathering. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout, by Wednesday, Apr. 19.

4K Faith Building Block: The Keys

  • Sunday,  Apr. 23: parents/guardians only

  • Sundays,  Apr. 30 & May 7: parents/guardians with children

  • Sunday, May 14: 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 is lifted up in worship.

Advanced Care Planning Workshop

Did you know that Wisconsin is not a next-of-kin state for medical decision making? If you reside in the state of Wisconsin, designating a medical decision-maker is incredibly important, regardless of your age. Join this workshop on Sunday, Apr. 23, at 11:45, and learn more about how to legally designate a medical decision-maker. We'll also talk about Advanced Directives: a lifelong conversation with yourself and your loved ones about what medical decisions you would want them to make for you in case you can't make them for yourself. We'll learn and explore together, in hopes of leaving feeling empowered. Workshop led by Vicar Kathryn Thompson, who has experience with Advanced Care Planning as a chaplain. For anyone 18 and older.

Chicken Dinner!

Tickets are now on sale by youth through Sunday Apr. 16, or in the office, M–F, 8am–4pm. Meals cost only $12 presale, and $15 at the door while they last. And most importantly, funds raised support youth going on the synod youth gathering and to Sugar Creek Bible Camp! Meals are provided by Premier Catering, and will be available for pick-up at First Lutheran on Thursday, Apr. 27, 11am–6pm. FOR YOUTH: ticket packets are available in the office and due back in the office WITH THE MONEY by Sunday, April 16, by noon. Youth and families can sign up for a shift to help with takeouts at 1stlu.org/chixdin.

Preschool Springfest

Springfest, on Sun, Apr. 30, at 3pm, is our preschool’s major fundraiser and provides an opportunity for preschoolers to showcase their singing talents. After the concert there is an ice cream social and silent auction. For all family members, grandparents, friends and neighbors! All bids will support the ministry of First Lutheran Preschool… so consider any bid over face value as a donation to the preschool’s ministry (and a good way to lock in that bid)!

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. NEXT DATE: May 8. You can sign up at 1stlu.org/monmeals, or contact bridget@firstlu.org.

Sugar Creek Summer Reg Now Open!

Summer camp registration at Sugar Creek is open, and campers are signing up! Spots for programs are filling up quickly, so make sure you don’t miss out. First Lutheran is happy to reimburse the $100 registration fee (contact the office)! Reg and more info online: sugarcreekbiblecamp.org.

Baptismal Preparation

The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, June 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, May 28. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

Donations for Rummage Sale to Support Alzheimer’s

OWLs member Sharon Zimmer and her husband, Chuck, have been married for almost 40 years. Chuck was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at age 60, along with PPA dementia (same kind as Bruce Willis). Sharon has a huge goal of raising $5,000 for EndAlz and Alzheimer’s locally. To do so, she is having a rummage sale in mid-June and is asking for donations of all sorts: clothes, furniture, working appliances, toys, sports gear in good condition, etc. (Please no household paint, tires, cribs or outdated electronics that are costly to dispose of.) If you have something you would like to donate, she can be reached at 608.783.6757 / zimmers725@gmail.com. The money raised for Alzheimer’s will go to research and local education.

JOURNEY Tri-Synod High School Youth Gathering

July 24-27, 2023, All high-schoolers who are currently in 8th-12th grade are invited to join us for JOURNEY at UW River Falls where we will encounter God and one another in new ways through creative ministry, challenging conversation, inspiring guest speakers, service learning, and uplifting worship. This event will include participants from the Northwest Synod of WI, The La Crosse Area Synod, and the Northern Great Lakes Synod. RSVP to Pastor Stanton: jason@firstlu.org.

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.

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. 

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). Members can make these changes on their own at our online directory: 1stlu.org/directory. Or you can send them to office@firstlu.org.

Sunday School

  • Sunday, Apr. 9

    • No Sunday School; enjoy Easter worship!

  • Sunday, Apr. 16

    • Sunday School resumes

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

Confirmation

  • Sunday:

    • No Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Classes; enjoy Easter worship!

  • Wednesday:

    • 5:30pm Confirmation Dinner - Fellowship Hall

    • 6:15pm Confirmation Class - Fireside Rm

    • 7pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups

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

Andrew Stutesman
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
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Announcements for Palm Sunday, Apr. 2, 2023