INSIDE: Deadline for Intent Cards is THIS Sunday • Holden Evening Prayer starts Wed

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Feb. 18:

• 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, Feb. 21:

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

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 THIS SUNDAY, 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 (sent to you in the mail, but also available at the usher stand in the sanctuary) to the church office no later than Feb. 18, 2024.

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; some start THIS Sunday, Feb. 18. 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.

#NoPlasticsforLent 

The #NoPlasticsforLent initiative, led by Young Adults across the church, calls us to:

• Prayer for creation

• Lament the ways we have been complicit in the degradation of the earth

• Care for our neighbor in fasting from the things that are hurting our planet

Develop a commitment to practice during this 40 days that turns your attention towards caring for creation. This could be fasting from single-use plastics, eating locally, using eco-friendly cleaning supplies, shopping at farmers markets, etc. Commit to sustainability practices that make sense for you and are possible for you in your context or community. Want to take a deeper dive? Consider joining a small group online for Lent. Weekly videos will be uploaded to ELCA Young Adults on Youtube at at the #NP4L website with discussion questions for use individually or in a group setting. Join a #NoPlasticsforLent Online Small Group for Lent

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.

Holden Evening Prayer

Join us for Holden Evening Prayer during our Lent worship, on Wednesdays at 6:15pm. There is a light supper beforehand at 5:30pm, in Fellowship Hall.

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: We will meet again Mar. 3 at First from 6–7:30pm. Participants are welcome to come at 5:30 for a pizza feast beforehand. During our time together in March we will unveil our extra New Orleans activity—as voted on by our kids—as well as construct the final pieces of our covenant before moving ahead with more small group activities, games and more. Departure/arrival times, final costs and other details are firming up. And please know that if you are in a Faith Web, your family is responsible for at least the first $300—which can still be fundraised through scrip cards, the Pancake Breakfast on Palm Sunday and by selling Chicken Q tickets. Your $300 is due June 1.

Winona Avenue Concert

March 10, 6pm, at the Westby Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $10 with proceeds supporting travel to the Youth Gathering. Sponsored by Westby Coon Prairie & Immanuel Lutheran. Check out Music.

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 older 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.

Easter Flowers

Your gift of $15 to the Easter Fund will be used to purchase flowers to beautify the sanctuary on Easter Sunday. Remaining contributions go toward purchasing new paraments. Please make your gift by Sunday, Mar. 24. Gifts can be placed at 1stlu.org/next, or use the form in the announcements page and turn into the office.

Holy Week Schedule

Holy week is the week leading up to Easter Sunday on March 31, starting with Palm Sunday on March 24. Join us for worship every day of Holy Week…

• Palm Sunday, Mar. 24, worship at 8:00am & 10:30am.

  • Palm Sunday breakfast in Fellowship Hall.

  • No Sunday School nor Confirmation classes.

• Monday, Mar. 25, worship at 6:15pm.

• Tuesday, Mar. 26, worship at 6:15pm.

• Wednesday, Mar. 27, worship at 6:15pm.

  • Gr. 5 Faith Building Block, bread baking, 4pm.

• Maundy Thursday, Mar. 28, worship at 12:15pm (live streamed) & 6:15pm.

  • Gr. 5 Faith Building Block lifted up at 6:15pm worship.

• Good Friday, Mar. 29, worship at 12:15pm (live streamed) & 6:15pm.

• Faith Story Dinner Theater, Mar. 30, at 5:30pm. Reserve your seat at 1stlu.org/next.

• Easter Sunday, Mar. 31, worship at 7am (in-person only), 8:45am, and 10:30am.

  • No Sunday School nor Confirmation on Easter Sunday.

The office will be closed at noon on Friday, Mar. 29, and all day Monday, Apr. 1.

Mabel Anderson Scholarship

The Mabel Anderson scholarship application is now available online at 1stlu.org/scholarship. Completed applications are due on Monday, Apr. 1. Students may apply if they will graduate from high school in the spring and have plans to pursue post-secondary education. The application includes writing an essay and completing a worksheet that reflects the student’s involvement in church activities. Contact the office with any questions: office@firstlu.org / 608.783.2236.

Volunteer Work Weekend

Who says the Sunshine Team has to have all the fun! Everyone is invited to help with spring cleaning at First Lutheran on Saturday, Apr. 6, at 9am. Great opportunity for youth needing volunteer hours! Great opportunity for all to make First look nice! Refreshments are supplied to replenish your reserves!

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.

Sunday School

Sunday, Feb. 18

• Sunday School

Sunday, Feb. 25

• 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.

• Sunday, Feb. 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

• 7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups

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