INSIDE: Annual Meeting THIS Sunday • Ash Wednesday • Lent Study: Everyday Ubuntu

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Feb. 11:

• 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.

Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14:

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

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 THIS 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. Be a part of the body of church at First! First will provide chili for the potluck; feel free (but aren’t required) to bring additional potluck/tailgate items to share! 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.

Bible Matters

Are you looking for the connection between scripture and everyday life? Or maybe a way to dig deeper into the gospel of Matthew? If so, join Pastor Karyn for a year-long journey through the lectionary (our schedule of readings) Monday evenings, 7–8pm, meeting in the narthex. Our yearly readings just “rebooted” with the start of Advent, so now is a great time to join this study! Cost of this class is $20 for the devotional study book we will use. Questions? Contact karyn@firstlu.org.

Second Home

A space for adults and youth to hang out, outside their homes. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays… Adults: 1-3pm, Youth: 3-5pm, at the First Lutheran house. Questions? Connect with volunteer coordinator Jodi Visker.

Ash Wednesday Worship

Join us for worship on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14, as we begin the season of Lent.

• 12:15pm in-person worship (with a light lunch offered beforehand, at 11:30am)

• 6:15pm in-person worship and live stream (with a meal offered beforehand, at 5:30pm)

All services will include the imposition of ashes.

Lenten Study: 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.

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: Feb. 15. Led by Carla Stanton.

Come As You Are Young Adult Retreat

Feb. 16-18, for adults ages 18-35. You are invited to Lutherdale for the Come As You Are Young Adult Retreat! Immerse yourself in the inspiring words, music, and art presented by AGAPE* and Joe Davis. Dive into meaningful discussions on topics that resonate with you, embrace the sense of community fostered throughout the weekend, and actively involve your mind, body, and spirit in this extraordinary retreat. Secure your spot by registering on our website at lutherdale.org/adult-retreats. If you require financial assistance, send an email to info@lutherdale.org. They offer scholarships to cover event costs.

Young Adult Border Immersion

The Young Adult Border Immersion is now accepting applications! A collaboration between ELCA Young Adults, AMMPARO, ELCA Witness in Society, and Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service), the border immersion aims to bring young adults to the border to encounter migration issues through a faith-based lens. A $50 deposit and travel to Las Cruces, NM (or El Paso) is required, but programming, accommodations, food, and local transport are covered. Travel assistance is available. Applications are open through Feb. 16, so get yours in today! Applicants must be 18-35 by the time of immersion. Learn more here.

Intent Card Challenge

At First Lutheran, we can change lives supporting Hope Restores, offering transportation to those in need, and supporting our 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. When we receive 200 intent cards by Feb. 18, a challenge gift of $10,000 will be donated. (Thank you Jeff & Cheryl Towner!) If you have not done so already, please remember to return or complete your intent card online. Join us by providing your Statement of Intent by 1) filling out the intent form at 1stlu.org/next, or 2) mailing in/dropping off the intent card (available at the usher stand in the sanctuary, and coming this month in the mail) to the church office no later than Feb. 18, 2024.

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 serving the food (5-6pm) and cleaning up. NEXT DATE: Feb. 19. You can sign up at 1stlu.org/monmeals, or contact bridget@firstlu.org.

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, Feb. 23, 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, Feb. 21.

Community Supported Agriculture

First Lutheran has, once again, offered to be a pick-up site for CSA boxes of produce from Small Family Farm in La Farge. Though deliveries won’t start until June, you can buy a share now. For info about products, prices and schedules, go to smallfamilycsa.com, or ask for a flier in the office. Prices typically increase March 1.

Connect With Your Faith Web!

We’re hosting the next Faith Web event on Sunday, Mar. 3 between services, in the sanctuary:

• elementary kids meet their supporting households from 9–9:15am

• middle school/high school kids meet their supporting households 10:15–10:30am

Questions about Faith Webs? Stop by the Faith Webs table in the narthex after worship!

Pre-Gathering Gathering

For youth and chaperones going to the ELCA Gathering: Plan to attend the next Pre-Gathering gathering on Sunday, Mar. 3, 6–7:30pm gathering (location TBD).

Preschool Open House

Join us for our open house on Thursday, Mar. 14, from 4:30-5:30pm. Come meet the teachers, see the classrooms, get class options and registration info for the 2023-24 school year. We accept children ages 2 and up who are potty trained.  Registration is Monday, Mar. 18, from 9:30am–noon for church members, and 10:30am–noon for the community. To register stop into the First Lutheran Preschool during the registration times above, or call the preschool at 608.779.4504.

Baptismal Preparation

The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Apr. 6, 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, Mar. 31. 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! Explore sugarcreekbiblecamp.org for more information about next summer.

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! (thru Dec. 2023)

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, Feb. 11

• Sunday School: Mardi Gras Party!

Sunday, Feb. 18

• Sunday School

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

Grade 4 Faith Building Block: Apostles’ Creed

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, Feb. 18 & 25: parents/guardians with children

• Sunday, Mar. 3: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Confirmation

Sunday:

• 9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Classes - Fireside Rm

Wednesday:

• 5:30pm Lent Dinner - Fellowship Hall

• Ash Wednesday worship

• No Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups

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