READINGS
FOR SUNDAY, DEC. 21
Matthew 1:18-25 Pew Bible: p. 783, Spark Bible: p. 1057
PRAYERS & CARE
Hospital: Arlene Foltz (sister to Olin Knudsen), & Home: Ruth Dyer (mother to Bev Larson) Celebrations: the birth of Kayla Marie Tutlewski, (daughter of John & Marie Tutlewski) Sympathy to the Family & Friends of… Doyle Lombard, husband to Carroll Lombard Please contact the office if you have any prayers to be lifted up: office@firstlu.org or 608.783.2236
NURSERY AVAILABLE
Members and visitors: our nursery is available for children newborn through age 4. The nursery is staffed Sunday mornings during and between services, and on Wednesday evenings during service and programming. Please bring your diaper bag. It will also be staffed during some church events and will be advertised as such when available. We hope you take advantage of our services while here at First.
HOSPITAL REMINDERS
For Gundersen: be sure to alert the hospital of your church affiliation when they ask and they will then release your room number to us when we call. For Mayo/Franciscan Healthcare: it is important that you or a family member contact us directly at the church office: 608.783.2236. Mayo no longer gives out information regarding who is hospitalized. Please make every effort to keep food and beverages in the narthex. Thanks!
SERVING: Pastor Jason Stanton, Pastor Karyn Bodenschatz Organist: Gabe Hicks; Nursery Attendant: Crystal Miller; Bread Baker: Mark & Debra Koenig; Treat Providers: Marla Peterson, Judy Stemper, Darylann Williams, Melinda Schultz; Coffee Servers: Mark & Melissa Schmit, Kari & Chuck Weber SUNDAY, DEC. 21, 8:00am Acolytes: Gavin Southworth; Communion Servers: Terry Lee, Glen Vilim; Reader: Shari Hegland; Ushers: Hudson Weber, C.J. Lass, Colton Hougom, Cal Schmit; Projectionist: Randy Nedrelo SUNDAY, DEC. 21, 10:30am Acolytes: Natalie Havenstrite, Ally Ecklund; Communion Servers: Paula Skoy, Travis Evenson; Reader: Nancy Beguin; Ushers: Suzanne Alberts, Bob Dean; Nursery: Lauren Ecklund, Hunter Robison; Puppet Volunteers: Julie & Randy Moseng; Projectionist: John Peterson WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24, 2:00pm Greeters: Bob Dean, Sig & Marilyn Rudser; Acolyte: Ethan Whiteaker; Communion Servers: Paula Skoy, Travis Evenson, Aaron McDonald, Bridget Crave, Glen Vilim, Joel Miller; Reader: Allen Ohm; Ushers: Jarrod & Janet Holter, Kim Clark; Projectionist: John Peterson WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24, 4:00pm Greeters: Angie & Kurt Breiling, Art and Sandi Thompson-Melby, Rob & JoAnn Kranig; Acolyte: Jacob Breiling; Communion Servers: Peggy & Dick Daleki, Aaron McDonald, Sue Brewer, Mark Wrolstad, Angie & Kurt Breiling; Reader: Nancy Beguin; Ushers: Mark & Debra Koenig, Tom & Sue Brewer; Projectionist: Bob Dean WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24, 6:00pm Greeters: Kathleen Olson family, Thies family; Communion Servers: Larry Schreiner, Renee Thies; Reader: Peggy Daleki; Ushers: Bob Dean, Larry & Marilyn Schreiner, Bev Larson, Rob McGaff; Projectionist: Doug Shupe; Nursery Attendant: Crystal Miller WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24, 8:00pm Communion Server: Aaron McDonald; Reader: Aaron McDonald; Nursery Attendant: Crystal Miller THURSDAY, DEC. 25, 9:00am Communion Server: Bridget Crave; Reader: Tom Skogen; Ushers: Doug & Diane Jorstad; Projectionist: Bob Dean
December 21st, 24th & 25th
ANNOUNCEMENTS WEL COME VISITORS & GUEST S!
We a t F i r s t L u t h e r a n a r e g l a d y o u h a v e c h o s e n t o w o r s h i p w i t h u s t o d a y ! We understand that visiting a church can be overwhelming as everything is unfamiliar and unknown. All the baptized are welcome to fully participate in worship, including Holy Communion, and all are welcome to participate in church programs, activities and events. If this is your first time at First, we’d love to have you stop at the Connecting Point table in the narthex entry where you may ask questions, share your contact information and receive a gift from us. We hope worshiping with us today will bless you as much as your visit blesses us! COMMUNION CARDS Communion cards are not required to participate in Holy Communion, but they help us know who is worshiping with us. Please fill one out and hand it to an usher just before Communion, or place it in an offering plate. Thanks!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Please take time before worship & go to the narthex to write down any prayers you want to lift up, so we can be certain to include them in worship today!
HALOS THANK YOU
A thank you to members of First for their generosity in donating to HALOS in November. Donations support the mission of HALOS, which is to improve the quality of life for child victims of abuse and/or neglect who are involved with La Crosse Human Services.
BLUE CHRISTMAS WORSHIP Sunday, December 21 at 4:30pm
The holidays can feel sad, stressful or difficult. We might miss loved ones who are away, absent or dead. We might feel burdened by the pressures to make this ‘the most wonderful time of the year.” Please join us at First Lutheran for an hour of worship including music, prayers, candlelight and reflection on what God is up to amidst our blue feelings around Christmas. Invite a friend or neighbor who might find it difficult to worship this time of year. Following worship share fellowship and support at our free soup supper.
NEW WORSHIP TIMES FOR CHRISTMAS EVE & CHRISTMAS DAY
Christmas Eve worship will be at 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 8pm. All will be candlelit services with Holy Communion. Christmas Day worship will be at 9am, with Holy Communion. Complete schedule: www.firstlutheranonalaska.org.
SUNDAY SCHOOL UPDATE
December 21st: Sunday school as usual. • Opening, followed by class in usual rooms. December 28th: Birthday Party for Jesus, Intergenerational Event • Everyone is invited to attend this Birthday Party for Jesus in Fellowship Hall from 9:15 to 10:15.
ANNUAL ICICLE TOES PROJECT THROUGH DEC 25
Warm socks for folks who need them! Socks will be collected for donation to New Horizons Shelter, a community resource where people are helped during times of need. Please bring new socks for children or adults to the Icicle Toes Tree in the narthex. Thank you!
NEWSLETTER ASSEMBLY
Join us for a time of fellowship, treats, coffee… and helping the church mail out our newsletter (bonus!); We will assemble our January newsletter on Tuesday, December 30th at 10am. All are welcome to join us!
CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE:
GIFT CARDS STILL AVAILABLE Tags for gift cards have been added to the tree and can be returned to the church office anytime this month. If you purchase gift cards, please wrap them in a box. Contact Kathryn with questions: 608.783.2236 / kathryn@firstlu.org.
YOUTH PRAISE BAND 2015
The Youth Praise Band is re-grouping to start up again in January. We are especially looking for a bass guitarist, rhythm guitarist and two or more singers. All youth 18 or younger are welcome. Experience playing with a group is NOT needed. Rehearsal days and times will be decided in January. For more information contact Dick Daleki: dick@firstlu.org.
HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT AT SUGAR CREEK!
January 16–18. You asked for it, you got it! A retreat designed just for high school youth! Bring a friend or just come and join in the fun! This high-energy retreat will be filled with great music, faith-building time and lots of surprises! The retreat is filled with fun, winter activities! Cost: $75 (includes 5 meals). Retreat runs from 7:00pm Friday to 1:00pm Sunday. Go to www.sugarcreekbiblecamp.org for event brochure and registration form.
HELP GET WARM WINTER CLOTHES INTO THE HANDS OF HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH The Acts 20:35 Clothes Closet is piling up with warm winter jackets and other winter clothes, and we have heard there is great need for these items in our community. We are about to advertise locally our offering to the community, and in preparation for the response we need to schedule extra help for staffing the clothes closet. Contact Lori Lunney to help… acts2035@firstlu.org.
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS APPEAL FOR SUPPORT OF LUTHERAN SCHOOLS IN THE HOLY LAND
December 21–28
THIS WEEK: Dec. 21–28
The La Crosse Area ELCA Synod Middle East Subcommittee approved a motion at its October meeting asking Synod congregations to consider a special appeal for support of the vital ministry of the elementary and secondary schools in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) during these very difficult days in the Middle East. Average tuition cost per student for a school year is under $1200. Members of the La Crosse Area Synod can support the whole ELCJHL school system with a donation/check made out to La Crosse Area Synod – Lutheran Schools in the Holy Land. If you wish, you can designate a gift to a particular school, educational program, or sponsorship of a student. Just specify the school or program listed above on the check memo line.
8:00am - Worship 9:15am - Parent Share - Upper Rm 9:15am - Confirmation Bible Class Parent’s Meeting - FH 9:15am - Sunday School 9:30am - Bible Bits - Mary Rm 10:30am - Worship 4:30pm - Blue Christmas Worship 5:30pm - Grief Milestone MON 22 5:00pm TOPS Group - NX 7:00pm AA/AI-Anon - FS TUES 23 9:00am Quilters - FS 9:30am Staff Meeting 5:30pm Bell Choir Rehearsal WED 24 Office close at noon 6:00am Courageous Men’s Bible Study - House 2:00pm Worship 4:00pm Worship 6:00pm Worship 8:00pm Worship THUR 25 Office closed 9:00am Worship 6:15pm NarAnon - FS FRI26 7:00pm AA - FS SUN 28 8:00am Worship 9:15am Little Leaps - FH (for Birthday Party!) 9:15am Parent Share - Upper Rm 9:15am Birthday Party for Jesus - FH 9:30am Bible Bits - Mary Rm 10:30am Worship
To learn more about these and other announcements, head to our website at www.FirstLutheranOnalaska.org
ROOM KEY: CR = Choir Room FH = Fellowship Hall FS = Fireside Room NX = SN RoomHall CR = Narthex Choir Room FS==Sanctuary Fireside Room TR FH==Thomas Fellowship For more information, visit our website at www.FirstLutheranOnalaska.org NX = Narthex SN = Sanctuary TR = Thomas Room
Scan to download this announcement page to your phone/tablet or go to 2.firstlu.org/announce
SUN 21
ROOM KEY:
For more info, visit our website at www.FirstLutheranOnalaska.org
ASSIST WITH WORSHIP!
STILL NEEDED FOR CHRISTMAS: Acolytes, ushers, & greeters for most Christmas services, especially the 8pm. For the above opportunities & many others sign up at the Connecting Point table or on your phone or computer at http://2.firstlu.org/volunteer