First Lutheran Church

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Announcements for Palm Sunday, Mar 24 2024

Andrew Stutesman

INSIDE: Palm Sunday, Holy Week Schedule, Chicken Dinner Tickets for Sale

Join us for Palm Sunday worship THIS Sunday, at 8am or 10:30am, and then for our pancake breakfast fundraiser between services! And then join us for worship everyday throughout Holy Week, as we prepare our hearts and minds for the good news of Easter Sunday!

Join us for Holy Week!

  • Palm Sunday, Mar. 24

  • Monday, Mar. 25

  • Tuesday, Mar. 26

  • Wednesday, Mar. 27

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

    • 6:15pm worship in-person & live stream.

    • 7pm Choir rehearses for Easter Sunday.

  • Maundy Thursday, Mar. 28

    • 12:15pm worship in-person & live stream

    • 6:15pm worship in-person.

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

  • Good Friday, Mar. 29

  • Saturday, Mar. 30

  • Easter Sunday, Mar. 31

    • 7am sunrise service

    • 8:45am worship in-person & live stream.

    • 10:30am worship in-person & live stream.

    • No Sunday School nor Confirmation on Easter Sunday.

ASSIST WITH HOLY WEEK: To prepare our hearts for Easter Sunday, we worship every day during Holy Week. Individuals and families can assist with this holy time as readers, ushers, communion servers and more. Or help prep as part of the “stage crew!” Sign up for both at 1stlu.org/next.

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

World Water Day This Friday

How would the world would be impacted for the better if everyone had accessible clean water? How can we take actions this year to work towards that goal? Projects and initiatives that provide access to clean water and sanitation have long been part of the work supported by ELCA World Hunger. And with good reason. Learn more about World Water Day THIS Friday, March, 22, and the intersection of hunger and water by reading a blog post from ELCA World Hunger.

Water is Life Synod Project

Why is there a well in the narthex? To make a wish for water, raising money for the La Crosse Area Synod Hunger Team safe water project! Safe and abundant water in a community means better health, better crops, better nutrition, and better quality of life. Water is life… water changes everything!

  • Globally, 1.8 billion people—1 out of every 4 people—drink from contaminated water sources.

  • Unsafe water claims the lives of 840,000 people each year, half are children under five.

  • On average, women in Sub-Saharan Africa walk 3.7 miles each day to fetch water. The traditional five-gallon jug used weighs 40 pounds when full!

Place your donations in the well, or donate online at 1stlu.org/next.

Palm Sunday Breakfast Fundraiser

Sunday, Mar. 24: Fundraiser for youths participating in Bible camp, the mission trip or the Youth Gathering. No coffee hour, Sunday School nor confirmation between services. Breakfast will be served between services. Advanced prep is needed, and youth can raise funds by working at the breakfast; sign up for both at 1stlu.org/next.

Family Photos & Member Directory

With the new format for our member directory we can easily make updates and changes… so it is once again that time of year where we’ll be reminding you to update your member info and to submit a family photo!…

Update your contact info!

  • The easiest way to do this is through our online directory; simply log in at 1stlu.org/directory. Need to set up an account? Email a request to andy@firstlu.org.

  • NOTE: Lots of fields for both family and individuals can be included or excluded from the directory. They are included by default, so any field you want to “exclude from directory” needs to be checked.

  • You can also send updated contact info to andy@firstlu.org, with the following updates: address, phone numbers and emails, AND if you want them included or excluded from the directory

Provide a household photo!

  • The easiest way to do this is to send a household snapshot to andy@firstlu.org.

  • You can also get an informal snapshot taken between services at our “photo booth” to the right of the Welcome Center. Andy and other volunteer photographers will help take the photo. This is nothing formal! We just want to be able to connect faces with names! We plan to offer this opportunity on the following Sundays: Mar. 24 (Palm Sunday), and Mar. 31 (Easter Sunday).

Questions about the online or print directory? Email andy@firstlu.org.

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 THIS Sunday, Mar. 24. Gifts can be placed at 1stlu.org/next, or use the form in the announcements page and turn into the office.

Sing for Easter Sunday!

After Palm Sunday, our choir will prepare to sing on Easter Sunday, and rehearsals continue on Wednesday, Mar. 27, at 7pm in the sanctuary. Open to all people ages 12 and older. No audition and no formal training required, just a desire to enhance worship through the beauty of music! Full schedule and sign up at 1stlu.org/choir. For more info, contact Todd Saner at todd@firstlu.org.

Sugar Creek Events

To register for the above events, contact the camp at 608.734.3113 / camp@sgrcreek.org.

Faith Story Dinner Theater

On Holy Saturday, between the solemness of Good Friday and the good news of Easter Sunday, join us for a Holy Week edition of Faith Story Dinner Theatre, as we read and share some of the Bible stories that God has given us. WHEN: Saturday, Mar. 30, 5:30pm. Reserve your seat at 1stlu.org/next by Wednesday, Mar. 27.

March Resource Center Reading Focus

The reading focus for March is Growing Faithful Readers. Suggested books:

Books available to look at and order at the Resource Center, outside the church office.

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.

Sunshine Team

The Sunshine Team meets on the first Thursday of every month. Next meeting: Apr. 4, 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.

Volunteer Work Weekend @ First

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.

Spring 2024 Synod School of Theology Classes

Thursdays April 18 & 25, May 2 & 9. Location for both classes: Synod Office & via ZOOM. Learn more and register at 1stlu.org/theology.

  • Who’s Your Hero: 5:30–6:45pm. Pastors and lay leaders share their spiritual heroes, the ones they look to, read, and draw inspiration from for their own faith journey. Learn about specific faith heroes while considering who are yours.

  • Unearthing the Bible: 7:15–8:30pm. Dr. Jake Sorenson. Join us on a treasure hunt for ancient manuscripts, artifacts, and lost cities that illuminate and complexify our understanding of the Bible.

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, Apr. 19, 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 2024 Sugar Creek Bible Camp, the mission trip and the Youth Gathering. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout, by Wednesday, Apr. 17.

Chicken Dinner!

Tickets go on sale first at the Palm Sunday breakfast; you can also purchase tickets from youth through Apr. 17, or in the office, M–F, 8am–4pm, through Apr. 24. Meals cost only $12 presale before Apr. 25. Tickets will be $15 at the door while they last. And most importantly, all funds raised go to support youth going to the Youth Gathering and to Sugar Creek Bible Camp! Meals are provided by Premier Catering, and will be available for pick-up at First Lutheran on Thursday, Apr. 25, 11am–6pm. FOR YOUTH: You can check out ticket packets to sell in the office after the second service on Palm Sunday; packets are due back to the church office WITH THE MONEY by Wednesday, April 17, by 7pm. Youth and families can sign up for a shift to help with takeouts at 1stlu.org/chixdin.

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 about 150 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: Apr. 29. You can sign up at 1stlu.org/monmeals, or contact bridget@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.

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.

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!

And Just in Case… Cancellations Due to Inclement Weather (it is March after all)

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, Mar. 24 and 31

  • No Sunday School; enjoy the Palm Sunday breakfast and Easter worship!

Sunday, Apr. 7

  • Sunday School resumes

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

Grade 5 Faith Building Block: Communion

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.

  • Wednesday, Mar. 27, 4-5pm: child only, baking communion bread in Fellowship Hall kitchen

  • Thursday, Mar. 28: Faith Building Block lifted up during the evening Maundy Thursday worship service

Confirmation

Sunday:

  • No Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation classes; enjoy the Palm Sunday breakfast between services!

Wednesday:

  • 6:15pm Holy Week worship

  • No Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups

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