INSIDE: Pre-Gathering Gathering • Flight Crew Earlier than Usual • Lent Devo: Everyday Ubuntu

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Feb. 4:

• 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. 7:

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

Sugar Creek Winter Fun Day

WHAT: Sledding, tubing, broom ball, hot chocolate, hot dogs, hot chili and winter FUN! WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 4, noon–5pm. COST: $10/person, children 4 and younger free. RSVP at 608.734.3113 / camp@sgrcreek.org.

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.

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 earlier this month! NEXT: Feb. 7, 5:30pm. Food and child care provided.

Young Adults: Gather Driftless

FOR: young adults (18-35) from the Greater Driftless region. WHEN: Feb. 9 6:30–8:30pm. WHAT: in fellowship, worship, community, and discussion. Gather Driftless meets quarterly around a seasonal activity and musical worship experience. THE GOAL: to provide a meeting place for uplifting Christian community. Click here to learn more.

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.

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

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.

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 1st and 2nd Friday of each month, November–April. 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. Next meal: Friday, Feb. 16. More info and reg at 1stlu.org/warm. Questions? Contact bridget@firstlu.org.

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 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.

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.

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.

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, Feb. 4

• 9:15am Sunday School

Sunday, Feb. 11

• Sunday School: Mardi Gras Party!

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. 4: parents/guardians only

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

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

Grade 2 Faith Building Block: What’s Fair

• 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.