INSIDE: Invitation to Change Lives • Annual Reports Available • Lent Devo: Everyday Ubuntu

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Jan. 28:

• 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. 31:

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

Newsletter Assembly

It’s a relaxing way to volunteer! Monday, Jan. 29, at 10am, to assemble the February newsletter. See you there! 

Courageous Men’s Group

The Courageous Men’s Group are men of all ages who meet weekly on Wednesdays at 6am in the Fireside Room for a time of fellowship and study. Contact Jim Knutson or the church office for more info: jim@firstlu.org.

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!

Sunshine Team

THE SUNSHINE TEAM WILL NOT MEET IN FEBRUARY. Next meeting: Mar. 7, 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.

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. 

Pre-Gathering Gathering

For youth and chaperones going to the ELCA Gathering: Plan to attend the next Pre-Gathering gathering on Sunday, Feb 4. Meet in the First Lutheran parking lot @ 5:30 in preparation for a 5:40 departure. We will take the church bus (15 passenger) along with one or two other vehicles to English Lutheran where they are hosting us for a 6:00—7:30 gathering. Snacks will be present. We will also be making our covenant and diving into a session that will start getting us excited about what we’ll be DOing in New Orleans.

OWLs Fly to Four Guyz in Dinner Jackets

The OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First, for anyone 55+) will fly to the Heider Center to see Four Guyz in Dinner Jackets on Saturday, Feb. 10. Meet at the church at 4:30pm. We will set the mood with dinner at the Westview Inn in West Salem. Cost of the show is $26, dinner is on your own. Because the Heider Center usually sells out please let Brian Narveson know if you plan to attend by emailing or calling (owls@firstlu.org or 630-816-5917) asap or by Monday, Feb. 5.

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 is available to pick up at the Welcome Center or download, and you will receive a 1-page summary with your 2023 contributions statement in the mail.

Lenten Devo: Everyday Ubuntu

We Build Community is one of the values we hold at First as we seek to live out Faith Alive! This year’s Lenten book will help us fully live into this value and our calling to love our neighbors. Everyday Ubuntu will help us make sense of the world and our place in it. Small groups will meet once a week on Wednesdays or Sundays throughout Lent beginning Wednesday, Feb. 14. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next and more information will follow. Invite a friend to join you! Everyday Ubuntu is available for purchase at our Resource Center before and after worship, and at the church office Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm. Cost: $18.

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: Feb. 19. You can sign up at 1stlu.org/monmeals, or contact bridget@firstlu.org.

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.

Stephen Ministry

If you know of someone who needs a caregiver, please speak with Pastor Karyn, or call the church office: 608.783.2236.

Puppet Ministry

The ministry provided by our puppeteers has returned to our second service! But the ministry can’t happen without shepherds—adults willing to walk our youth (4-yr-olds through grade 3) down to the choir room and then watch over them during the presentation. Sign up at 1stlu.org/assistsun!

Cancellations Due to Inclement Weather

If bad weather ever makes you wonder whether your group is meeting, check our website, Facebook page, or update the office with your cell number and provider so that we can text you. The staff and leadership of First intend to ‘make the call’ by 5pm at the latest so everyone knows what to expect. Be safe this winter!

Sunday School

Sunday, Jan. 28

• 9:15am Sunday School

Sunday, Feb. 4

• 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. 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.