INSIDE: Middle School Game Night • Stewardship Week • Ride to Church Coordinator

Join us for worship!

Sunday Worship, Jan. 19:

• 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 Worship, Jan. 22:

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

Middle School Game Night!

Middle-schoolers are invited to a board game and pizza night! Saturday, Jan. 25, 5:30–7:30pm. Please reach out to the Middle School Event coordinator, Madalyn Olson-Loomis (madalyn@firstlu.org) for questions and to RSVP.

Invitation to Change Lives with Youth and Family Ministry

With increased giving in 2025, we hope to grow the Youth and Family Ministry fund so that together, we can build faith and change lives. We invite you to join us in prayerfully considering an increase to your giving in 2025, so these life-giving ministries may continue. Join us by providing your Statement of Intent in worship by the start of Stewardship Week, Jan. 26, 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. 23, 2025.

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.

Installation of LuMin Pastor Kathryn Thompson

Lutheran Campus Ministry invites you to Celebration Worship with the Installation of LuMin Pastor Kathryn Thompson, Sunday, Jan. 26, 3pm at English Lutheran Church, 1509 King St, La Crosse. The entire synod (and beyond!) is invited to join together for a special celebration worship service to give thanks to God for all the ministries made possible by your support of Lutheran Campus Ministry (LuMin) and to install LuMin's new pastor, Rev. Kathryn Thompson. Have you ever baked cookies for LuMin's Free Cookie Wednesdays? Join us for this celebration and have a (free) cookie on us to receive the hospitality you show others.

Newsletter Assembly

It’s a relaxing way to volunteer! Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 10am, to assemble the February newsletter. See you there!

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.

Sing!

Do you like music? Do you enjoy singing, even if it’s in the shower? Do you appreciate the power of music in worship? Then put all of these things together and join the First Lutheran Choir! Practice is in the choir room most Wednesdays, at 7:30pm. Everyone 14 and older are welcome… there is no audition and no formal training required, just a desire to enhance worship through the beauty of music! For more info contact Corissa at corissa@firstlu.org. 

Ride to Church Coordinator

In 2024, First Lutheran increased our giving enough to create a Transportation Fund. In the future, anyone who needs a ride to church, but has a difficult time getting in and out of a car, can access this fund so that a ride can be arranged with an appropriate provider. First needs a person to coordinate these rides. Would you or someone you know be a good candidate to 1) receive requests for rides, 2) make reservations and 3) troubleshoot any Sunday morning/Wednesday night obstacles so that those who want to worship in-person can? Contact Pastor Stanton with any questions or nominees: jason@firstlu.org.

Support for those Affected by California Wildfires

Multiple wildfires have broken out across Los Angeles County in California, with over 100,000 people under evacuation orders. Sparked by dry conditions, strong winds and a limited water supply, these fires have destroyed homes and businesses and have led to injuries and loss of life.

This disaster is just one of many — including hurricanes, war and famine — to which Lutheran Disaster Response is still responding. Your gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response equip us to respond quickly and generously, wherever and whenever disaster may strike.

Firefighting efforts continue in Southern California, and we won’t know the full impact until the fires are extinguished. Even as these fires still burn, Lutheran Disaster Response is here to support the families and communities that will be rebuilding their lives.

GIVE NOW

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 2025

The sign-up sheets for 2025 altar flowers are on the bulletin board. If you would like to honor or memorialize a loved one, check the bulletin board and sign up for an open week of your choice. You may also contact the church office (office@firstlu.org / 608.783.2236) to inquire about openings.

Calling all snapshots from 2024!

We’re looking for photos & videos from 2024: 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!

Friends of the Warming Center   

The Warming Center provides shelter for the unhoused from November through April. There are many ways to serve, from taking a shift in the shelter to providing a meal. Learn more and sign up at 1stlu.org/next.

Sunshine Team

The Sunshine Team meets on the first Thursday of every month. NEXT: Feb. 6, 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.

Discipleship Matters

Thursdays, Feb. 6–27. COST: $35. Sign up at lacrosseareasynod.org.

• Luke for Dummies: We will be hearing a lot of stories from the Gospel of Luke in worship this year. Join Pr. Brad Lindberg on a journey through this wonderful gospel story to learn a little more to help us worship throughout the year.

• Aging and Your Faith: Whether you are walking with an aging parent or friend, or entering your third act yourself, Pastor McPeak will explore challenges and gifts that are unique to the faith experience as we grow older.

2024-25 Youth Retreats @ Sugar Creek

Retreats are one of the best ways to build relationships among youth, adult leaders and the wider community. Sugar Creek retreats allow you to show up and be with your age group, knowing that you can enjoy all of the fun and activities. Save these dates for your calendar now! And NEW this season: One retreat is FREE for 2024 summer campers!

• February 7–8: Your Kingdom Come High School Retreat (Grades 9-12)

• March 7–8: As it is in Heaven Confirmation Retreat (Grades 6-10)

• March 22: Daily Bread Elementary Retreat (Grades 1-5)

More Events @ Sugar Creek

Below are some upcoming events offered by Sugar Creek. For more info or registration, visit www.sgrcreek.org or call 608.734.3113.

• February 9 – Winter Fun Day

• February 13-16 – Winter Craft Retreat

Baptismal Preparation

The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Feb. 1, 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. 26. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

Annual Tailgate and Appreciation Party!

All members are invited to attend First’s Annual Tailgate and Volunteer Appreciation Party on Sunday, Feb. 9, at 11:45am. We will reflect on 2024 and look ahead to 2025, elect new Vision & Leadership Team and Foundation members, along with Sugar Creek, Assembly delegates, complete a variety of other business and cap it all off with appreciation of our volunteers! Save the date to be a part of the body of church at First! The annual report is available to pick up at the Welcome Center or download, and you will receive a 1-page summary with your 2024 contributions statement in the mail.

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 helps 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 150-200 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: Mar. 17. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next.

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, May 1, 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.

Stephen Ministry

If you know of someone who needs a caregiver, please speak with Pastor Karyn, or call the church office: 608.783.2236.

Cancellations Due to Inclement Weather

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, Jan. 26

  • 9:15am Winter Olympics - Fellowship Hall

• Sunday, Feb. 2

  • 9:15am Sunday School

More info and 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. 26: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Confirmation

• Sunday:

  • Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Class

• Wednesday:

  • 5:05pm Confirmation Class: Until All are Fed - Fireside Rm

  • 7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups

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