Newsletter Article, OWLs Brian Narveson Newsletter Article, OWLs Brian Narveson

OWLs Post for November 2015

October was a very musical month for the OWLs with our outing to the Heider Center and potluck. We will conclude our musical theme with a musical theatre outing in November. Last year we had several exciting Friday night out adventures during the winter. We will start that again in November. On Friday, November 6 we will attend the La Crosse Community Theatre production of the “The Little Mermaid.” This is a musical play that is guaranteed to please all ages. It is based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney movie of the same name. Before the theater we will dine in a local restaurant. Cost of the theater is $29, and dinner is on your own. You can pay Brian on the day of the event. For a great Friday night out, meet at the church at 4:30 PM on Friday, November 6. Please call 608.526.9700 or email Brian.

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Newsletter Article Jason Stanton Newsletter Article Jason Stanton

Come to the Table

Many of us have had jobs where we had to stay on our feet pretty much all day. Mechanics in the pit, nurses walking between rooms at a quick pace and restaurant servers come to mind. Even more of us can think of jobs we’ve had that are labor intensive: farming, construction work, teaching… at the end of a long day at work, it feels good to sit down to the table with loved ones where you can take a deep a breath and leave the fever pitch of work and activities and life in general.

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Newsletter Article Karyn Bodenschatz Newsletter Article Karyn Bodenschatz

Message From Pastor Karyn for October 2015

This summer I decided to once again attempt a patio garden. It has gone well, except for that one time I was away for a week and the person who was taking care of my newly planted plants got sick. By the time I got home, the beautiful yellow and white flowers that had center stage on the patio were gone—except for the ornamental grass that was at the middle. So I kept watering it. I cut back the dead stuff and just kept watering it all because there was some life there in the grass. I was amazed to see the flowers come back two weeks later! It was an explosion of little white flowers all over again. I was elated! A similar thing happened to my poor cilantro plant that ended up going to seed and blowing away—except that some of the seed fell in the soil and because I kept watering what was there I now have a new little cilantro plant growing. The same thing with the dill and catnip! I don’t think I will ever give up on any plant that seems dead again! This certainly got me thinking about our God, who doesn’t give up on us. Our God who provides us with the things we need to sustain us: water, food and community. There have been times in my life that have felt dry, like there was no life in me. Yet God is faithful to God’s promises and when I least expect it, there is new growth. What I have discovered is that during those periods, I need the people of God and the grace I depend on from God the most. The waters of baptism, the food of the table, the community of the faithful are what just keep watering me until the new growth appears.

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Serve & Give, Newsletter Article Member of First Lutheran Serve & Give, Newsletter Article Member of First Lutheran

First Teen Clothes Closet Update for October 2015

First Teen Clothes Closet is a busy place. While most members may not notice it, the upper level of “the house” next door has been visited on at least a weekly basis over the last four months by young people in need of simple clothes to get them through. More than 60 individuals have been able to find the things they need — a total of nearly 600 clothing and footwear items, plus toiletries, feminine products and items such as belts, purses and accessories. Through your donations, both of gently used age-appropriate clothing and funds to be used to purchase toiletries and undergarments, we have provided 165 shirts, more than 70 pairs of jeans and pants, 83 pairs of shorts, 55 pairs of shoes, 23 dresses and much more.

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God's Hands & Feet, Newsletter Article Kathryn Pedretti God's Hands & Feet, Newsletter Article Kathryn Pedretti

God's Model

y daughters have dressed up for Halloween since their first trick or treating adventure. They have been Disney princesses, woodland fairies, characters from movies, books and TV shows. Each one plans her costume, consults with the other sister and makes their costumes on their own, sometimes with a little help from mom. My girls have such fun being creative and enjoy the time they get to spend with each other. It would be so nice if we could just put on a certain outfit and become a model for Christ, but it doesn’t work that way.

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