INSIDE: Faith Alive! U • Invitation to Change Lives • Screwtape Letters Book Study

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Jan. 7:

• 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. 10:

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

Invitation to Change Lives with Hope Restores

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 (coming this month in the mail) at the church office no later than Feb. 18, 2024.

Faith Alive! U Weekend Workshops

Join others for an afternoon of exploring, questioning and learning about your faith. The Faith Alive! U Weekend Workshops 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:

• Pastor Stanton: Why Hockey Players Aren't Born in December (and the connection to how this informs the way we follow Jesus!)

• Joel Miller: Churchwide Happenings and YOU!

• Pastor Karyn: Sabbatical Experiences

RSVP at 1stlu.org/next to help us get a head count for the lunch.

Coffee with Pastor Karyn

Coffee with Pastor Karyn is open to all and meets at 6:30am each Wednesday in the narthex. See you there! Questions? Contact karyn@firstlu.org.

FLY Flight Crew

"FLY" is the name our kids have chosen for their "First Lutheran Youth" group. And FLY "Flight Crew" is the name our adults have chosen to describe how we plan to move forward with Faith Formation at First. Much like a sports, show choir or band booster club meets to dream about how to support our kids in their activities (and then shows up to actually support the activities) we want parents to do the same as we shape the faith formation of our kids. Meeting the second Wednesday of the month; NEXT: Jan. 10, 5:30pm. Food and child care provided.

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.

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. 10 (NEW START DATE)–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.

Drawing from the Well

This group is for women of First and the greater La Crosse area seeking to support one another in their spiritual growth. We gather to develop a deeper relationship with one another, meeting on the second Saturday of the month, 9:30–11am, in the narthex. NEXT: Saturday, Jan. 13. Contact Bridget Crave for more info: bridget@firstlu.org.

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.

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

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.

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.

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: Share any sports or activity calendars with each other so you can attend each others extracurricular activities! 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. 

Sunday School

Sunday, Jan. 7

• 9:15am Sunday School

Sunday, Jan. 14

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

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.

• 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:

• 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.