Join the Team for the Color Run!
Run with team “Light Up the World” on Saturday, September 13! Anyone who wants to join First’s team can go to the website and register! www.thecolorrun.com/la-crosse
OWLs Post for August
The OWL’s enjoyed a trip to the Circus in June. We visited Circus World in Baraboo, Wisconsin and were treated to a day of Big Top Performances, elephant rides (see picture), circus wagons and tours of the Ringling Bros. winter headquarters. A great deal of fun was had by all. The trip had the added adventure of the van breaking down just east of Tomah on the way home. You will have to talk with an OWL who made the trip for the whole story. At the June potluck we shared stories of our favorite circus adventures....
Message from Pastor Karyn for August
“A little rebellion now and then is a good thing.” – Thomas Jefferson
When I saw this quote, I laughed. It was so perfect. It fit with everything we had learned while being in Philadelphia. If I was a t-shirt wearing person I would have purchased the t-shirt. The funny thing was when our group met for lunch that afternoon, several others mentioned seeing it and thinking the same thing!...
Message from Pastor Stanton
Ten teams of three to five people each have been busy putting meat on the bones of our plans. These teams are coming up with specific ideas for how to address how First serves the community, hospitality, evangelism, learning ministries, property concerns, worship, stewardship and more. Ideas have been flying around all summer without much concern for exactly how they will all get done. Now that we are naming the places we want to go, the next step is for our staff, leaders and all our members to figure out how to get there....
Remembering Pastor Grant
Last week First Lutheran received word from the synod office about the death of our brother in Christ, Ordean L. Grant. Pastor Grant died Tuesday, July 22, at 81 years of age....
Little LEAPS in Rowe Park this Sunday!
Little LEAPs — for children from birth to 3 years old and their parents/ guardians — will meet this month at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday, July 27, at Rowe Park in Onalaska for a “clean up and play” service project.
Toni Groshek CD Release Concert This Sunday
Worship song leader Toni Groshek of La Crosse will perform songs from her debut album, “Red Light — Green Light,” at a CD release concert at 7pm Sunday, July 27, at Olivet Lutheran Church on French Island. The concert is free; CDs will be available for purchase for $10.
Volunteer to Acolyte in August!
The church is looking for volunteer acolytes for July and August. If you’re interested in assisting with worship as an acolyte for a Sunday or Wednesday service, send email to Pastor Karyn, karyn@firstlu.org, or call the church office, 783-2236.
Heavenly Harp Concert
The mother/daughter duo known as Heavenly Harp will perform at 7 pm Tuesday, July 29, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Mormon Coulee Road in La Crosse. Also, Karin Gunderson, author of “Encounters With Heaven,” will share stories of God’s presence. Free; donations accepted; CDs and DVDs available.
Only A Few Spots Left in Our Preschool!
Only a few spots left for the 2014-2015 School year! We offer Mon/Wed/Fri Class, Tues/Thur Class, Mon thru Fri and a 4K class. Call or email Melissa for more information!
‘FIRST’ Flyers Starts Tomorrow at 10am!
A new bicycling group called the “First” Flyers starts Wednesday, June 4. The group is for both men and women and will be led by Pastor Ted Dewald. The group will gather at 10 am every Wednesday at First Lutheran for a 10- to 15-mile bike ride, traveling at 10 to 15 mph. If you have questions, call Pastor Ted at 780-3643.
Message From Pastor Stanton
“What are we waiting for? And what are we going to do about it in the meantime?
Those two questions shape this book. First, it is about the ultimate future hope held out in the Christian gospel: the hope, that is, for salvation, resurrection, eternal life, and the cluster of other things that go with them. Second, it is about the discovery of hope within the present world: about the practical ways in which hope can come alive for communities and individuals who for whatever reason may lack it. And it is about the ways which embracing the first can and should generate and sustain the second.
Many people, in my experience—including many Christians—don’t know what the ultimate Christian hope really is…”