Announcements for Christmas Eve, Dec 24 2023
INSIDE: Christmas Worship Times • Christmas Handout
Worship
Join us for worship!
Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24:
No 8am nor 10:30am services.
8:00am: Premiering short Advent 4 message on our Facebook and YouTube channels.
2pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
6pm: in-person. Nursery available.
8pm: in-person. Nursery available.
11pm: in-person.
Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25:
10:00am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person.
Wednesday, Dec. 27:
6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
Christmas at First
Christmas Eve worship times: 2pm (livestreamed), 4pm, 6pm and 11pm (there will be no morning worship services that Sunday). All will be candlelight, and all will be with Holy Communion. Christmas Day worship time: 10am, with Holy Communion.
Office Closures
The office will be closed at the following times in the coming months…
Closed Christmas day, Monday, Dec. 25
Closed New Years day, Monday, Jan. 1
Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 15
Faith Web
There’s STILL TIME to join a web, and there are 60 spots to fill! Stop by the Faith Webs table in the narthex after any worship service, and learn more at 1stlu.org/webs.
Winter Items for Teen Clothes Closet
In October we had 58 shoppers! Over 796 items taken. FTCC needs: teen style winter coats (L/XL/2XL/3XL), winter boots, hoodies (L/XL/2XL/3XL) and athletic pants (L/XL/2XL/3XL). Other than those items, the teen clothes closet is full and is not accepting donations of other items right now.
Last but not least: Our First Teen Clothes Closet has been chosen for Altra's Impact Award! Thank you to Altra Federal Credit Union for the $7,500 award, and a big thank you to all who work to bring this impactful ministry to our neighbors!
Blood Drive
Tuesday, Jan. 2, 12:30-5:30pm. Every day ordinary people are saved by some pretty extraordinary people. People who give blood. Your donation could be the most valuable gift you ever give. Just ask anyone who’s ever received. Walk-ins welcome; appointments encouraged, schedule yours at 1stlu.org/next. Please bring a photo ID and mask.
Screwtape Letters Book Study
C.S. Lewis, on his way out of church one Sunday, had an idea for a book about the forces of evil. That book was Screwtape Letters. Join Pastor Karyn on Wednesday evenings from 7–8pm, Jan. 3–Feb. 7 to explore this timeless classic. We will use a lecture series put together by the C.S. Lewis Institute that highlights the central themes and underlying issues, which will lead us to a clearer grasp of C.S. Lewis' insights into how the forces of evil work against human beings. To join, email Pastor Karyn at karyn@firstlu.org.
Faith Alive! U Weekend Workshops
Join others for an afternoon of exploring, questioning and learning about your faith. The Faith Alive! U Weekend Workshop takes place Jan. 7 from 11:30am–2:30pm, with lunch and childcare provided.
You will have the opportunity to choose among the following workshops:
Heidi Svee of New Horizons: presenting on human trafficking
Joel Miller: presenting on the ELCA’s social justice statement
Pastor Karyn: presenting on her sabbatical
RSVP at 1stlu.org/next to help us get a head count for the lunch.
Peer Ministry Kick-off
Starting Wednesday, Jan. 10. 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 those around them. Meeting most Wednesdays from 7–8:30pm at the house. Learn more at 1stlu.org/peermin.
Attention! Seeking Nominations
The Vision & Leadership Team will elect leaders at the annual meeting, Feb. 11. Two current members are willing to serve a second term, while a third has reached their term limit. If you or a member you know is interested in serving, please talk to Pastor Stanton, email jason@firstlu.org or complete a nomination insert that will be added to the announcements at worship on Jan. 7 and 14.
The Vision & Leadership Team will compile a list of all nominations at their January 23 meeting. That list will be presented, along with the annual report, on January 28. No more nominations will be received after January 23. A V&L Job description is available upon request in the church office.
Winter Fun Days @ Sugar Creek
WHAT: Sledding, tubing, broom ball, hot chocolate, hot dogs, hot chili and winter FUN! WHEN: Sundays, Jan. 14 & Feb. 4, noon–5pm. COST: $10/person, children 4 and younger free. RSVP at 608.734.3113 / camp@sgrcreek.org.
What the Hell?
Join Rev. Libby Howe for an exploration of hell: what it is and isn’t, how it is talked about in the Bible, as well as the spectrum of how Lutherans think about it. We will also explore historical, literary and religious thought that informs our contemporary conceptions of it, and hell’s social function related to the human need for justice for un-righted wrongs and unhealed wounds. Online Zoom class, 7pm–8:20pm, Thursday evenings, Jan. 18–Feb. 8. Register by emailing office@lacrosseareasynod.org.
Synod School of Theology
Winter Zoom Classes: Thursdays, Jan. 18–Feb. 8. COST: $35 each, or $60 for both
Becoming a Better Listener: 5:30pm with Pr. Nile Sandeen
What the Hell?: 7pm with Pr. Libby Howe
Register at office@lacrosseareasynod.org or 608.788.5000.
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 3rd and 4th Friday of each month, through April. NEXT: Friday, Jan. 19. 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. More info and reg at 1stlu.org/warm.
Volunteer Appreciation Party
Sunday, Jan. 21, 11:45am. A warm thank you for everyone who brings Faith Alive at First Lutheran! RSVP at 1stlu.org/next. Questions? Contact kathryn@firstlu.org.
New Class Starting in Jan: Financial Peace University
Start the New Year off right, and resolve to change your future by joining the Financial Peace University class at First. Learn to pay off debt fast, save more money, and build lasting wealth. Class starts on Sun., Jan. 21. Sign up today at 1stlu.org/next.
Baptismal Preparation
The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Feb. 3, 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. 28. 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. 18, 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
Sugar Creek Bible Camp offers 17 unique and powerful summer camp programs, plus retreat ministries for youth in elementary school, middle school and high school – and adults and families! The camp is located on 660 acres in the bluffs and valleys of southwestern Wisconsin. Come learn, relax, encounter Christ and have fun at Sugar Creek Bible Camp! Enrollment opened Dec. 4! Explore sugarcreekbiblecamp.org for more information about next summer.
Sunday School
Sunday, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve)
No Sunday School; join us for Christmas Eve worship later in the day!
Sunday, Dec. 31
9:15am Sunday School Birthday Party for Jesus!
More info and online registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool.
Grade 2 Faith Building Block: What’s Fair
Throughout the year each age group has 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. 7: parents/guardians only
Sundays, Jan. 21 & 28: parents/guardians with children
Sunday, Feb. 4: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship
Confirmation
Sunday:
No Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Classes; classes resume Sunday, Jan. 7
Wednesday:
No Gr 8-10 Small Groups on Dec. 27 nor Jan. 3; small groups resume Wednesday, Jan. 10
More info and online registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.