INSIDE: Sugar Creek Winter Fun Days • Invitation to Change Lives • Nominations

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Jan. 14:

• 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, Jan. 17:

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

Invitation to Change Lives by Providing Transportation to Those in Need

At First Lutheran, we can change lives with Hope Restores, providing transportation for those in need, and with the First Lutheran Foundation. We invite you to join us in prayerfully considering an increase to your giving in 2024, so these life-giving ministries may continue. Join us by providing your Statement of Intent by Stewardship Sunday, Jan. 28, in these ways: 1) filling out the intent form at 1stlu.org/next, or 2) mailing in/dropping off the intent card (in the pews and coming this month in the mail) at the church office no later than Feb. 18, 2024.

Office Closures

The office will be closed at the following times in the coming months…

• Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 15

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration

Monday, Jan. 15, at 7pm. Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre and live on Facebook

Israel/Hamas Conflict Information Session

Tuesday, Jan. 16, noon–1:30pm via Zoom. You are invited to join the Southeastern Iowa Synod Peace Not Walls Working Group to learn more about the Israel-Hama conflict and hear updates about Gaza, the West Bank, and our partners in the region. There will be a short time for questions and answers. Register HERE.

OWLs

On Wednesday, Jan. 17, the OWLs, a group for those 55+, will have their monthly potluck at noon in Fellowship Hall. This is usually the coldest month of the year so bring some great comfort food to share. For the program, Dr. Tuenis Zondag will talk about pain management: What you should know about options available and what questions you should be asking your doctor. Tuenis was a practicing pain specialist before he retired. Come and find out the options you have to handle those aches and pains. Questions? Contact volunteer coordinator Brian Narveson at owls@firslu.org or 630.816.5917.

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. Every third Thursday: 10am in the Upper Room. NEXT: Jan. 18. Led by Carla Stanton.

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.

Synod Volunteer(s) Needed

The synod office is getting a face lift in one of the conference rooms used especially by W-ELCA. We are looking for volunteers to install 300 ceiling tiles in the space. Please contact sara@LaCrosseAreaSynod.org if you are available get this project done.

Attention! Seeking Nominations!

First is seeking leaders for the following positions, to be elected at our next annual meeting, Sunday, Feb. 11. If you or a member you know is interested in serving, please talk to/email Pastor Stanton (jason@firstlu.org) or complete a nomination insert (which 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 Jan. 23 meeting. That list will then be presented along with the annual report on January 28. No more nominations will be received after Jan. 23.

• Vision & Leadership: The Vision & Leadership Team will be electing leaders at the annual meeting. Two current members are willing to serve a second term, while a third has reached their term limit. A V&L Job description is available upon request in the church office. 

• Sugar Creek Bible Camp Voting Members: Participate in guiding the future of our camp, Sugar Creek! The 2024 Sugar Creek annual meeting is scheduled for Feb. 18, at camp. Voting members are welcome to contribute their own stories and perspectives to the conversation amidst reports and planning for the upcoming year. Support your camp by offering your voice and vote.

• Assembly Voting Members: Participate in guiding the future of our synod! The 2024 La Crosse Area Synod Assembly is planned to be in-person June 7-9 (Friday evening through Sunday noon) in Warrens, WI. An elected voting member will need to attend the assembly & various pre-meetings. It’s a great opportunity to be the church!

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, Jan. 26, 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, Jan. 24.

Faith Web Ideas for January

Here’s an idea for what you can do to strengthen the bond of your Faith Web this January: Attend together the winter fun days at Sugar Creek this Sunday! Even more ideas & caring conversation questions in handout at the Faith Webs table and to download at 1stlu.org/webs.

You can still join a web! Stop by the Faith Webs table in the narthex after any worship service, and learn more at 1stlu.org/webs.

Sign Up for Flowers for 2024

The sign-up sheets for the 2024 altar flowers are on the bulletin board. If you would like to honor the memory of a loved one or mark a special occasion, 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 2023!

We’re looking for photos & videos from 2023: 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!

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. 

Annual Tailgate! Sunday, Feb. 11, 11:45am

All members are invited to attend First’s annual potluck on Sunday, Feb. 11, at 11:45am. We will reflect on 2023 and look ahead to 2024, elect 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 will be available to pick up and download on Sunday, Jan. 28.

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! Explore sugarcreekbiblecamp.org for more information about next summer.

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. 

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.

Calling All Bakers! Cookies for LuMin!

#CookiesOnCampus is back with LuMin Campus Ministries! Interim Pastor Paul Drees will continue the tradition of bringing hundreds of cookies to UW-La Crosse each week. Five hundred cookies are needed each week. (That’s about 42 dozen!) Our synod congregations have lovingly provided home-baked goodies so students can have a little taste of home. Find more information and sign up here, or contact Jen (admin@luminlax.org) to sign up!

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, Jan. 14

• 9:15am Sunday School: Winter Olympics & Sugar Creek Sunday

Sunday, Jan. 21

• 9:15am Sunday School

More info and online registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool.

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.

• Sundays, Jan. 21 & 28: parents/guardians with children

• Sunday, Feb. 4: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

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

More info and online registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.