Announcements for Sunday, February 15

READINGS

For Sunday, Feb. 15

Bearing the Cross, Matthew 16:24-17:8 Pew Bible: p. 798, Spark Bible: p. 1079

For Wednesday, Feb. 18

Ash Wednesday, Matthew 18:1-9 Pew Bible: p. 799, Spark Bible: p. 1080

PRAYERS & CARE

For those enduring harsh winter storms and thankful for our more normal winter temperatures and snow accumulations.

From La Crosse Area Syond 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 name 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: Peggy Daleki; Treat Providers: Darla Johnson, Don & Andrea Sannes, Todd Lofald, Ann Hudson; Coffee Servers: Lowell & Mary Meier SUNDAY, FEB. 15, 8:00am Communion Servers: Glen Vilim & Bridget Crave, Kelly Utesch; Reader: Carol Peterson; Ushers: Carol Peterson, Dorothy Every; Puppet Volunteers: Mary Ann Redfearn, Roxann Nedrelo, Becky Runde; Projectionist: Rob Kranig SUNDAY, FEB. 15, 10:30am Acolytes: Taylor Hanson ; Communion Servers: Paula Skoy, Todd Lofald; Reader: Alivia Carlin; Ushers: Hoeft family, Lizzie Davis; Nursery: Brittany Weber; Projectionist: John Peterson WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18, 6:30pm Communion Server: Paula Skoy, Bridget Crave; Reader: Bridget Crave; Usher: Kalli Aspenson, Cali Shepard; Nursery Attendant: Crystal Miller; Projectionist: Brian Wittkop FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH 410 Main St, Onalaska WI 54650 www.FirstLutheranOnalaska.org • office@firstlu.org 608.783.2236 • Fax: 608.783.3741 Office hours: Monday–Friday 8am–4pm Senior Pastor: Jason Stanton jason@firstlu.org • 608.386.6431 Associate Pastor: Karyn Bodenschatz karyn@firstlu.org • 608.433.6002 Director of Servant Ministries: Kathryn Pedretti kathryn@firstlu.org Passing on Faith Coord.: Carla Stanton carla@firstlu.org Sunday School Superintendents: Sheri Betz & Tawni O’Rourke sundayschool@firstlu.org Young Youth Coord.: Katie Everson katie@firstlu.org Director of Small Group Ministry: Bridget Crave bridget@firstlu.org Communications & Marketing Coord.: Andrew Stutesman, andy@firstlu.org Head Custodian: Mike Peper mike@firstlu.org

Who does God want us to become?

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SUNDAY, FEB. 15 & WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18

WELCOME VISITORS & GUESTS!

We at First Lutheran are glad you have chosen to worship with us today! 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 are not required to participate in Holy Communion, but they help us know who is worshiping with us. Please fill out a communion card and hand it to an usher just before communion, or place it in an offering plate. Thanks!

In 2014, the leadership of First Lutheran asked you about your priorities for the mission and life of your congregation… who does God want us to become? Our Strategic Plan outlines goals and tactics meant to take us where you want to go; that we may become the Church you believe God is calling us to be. In 2015, you are being invited to step into our future. To begin this vision for First Lutheran we need you to complete your Service Profile.

Go to www.firstlu.org/yourprofile to prayerfully consider how you want to actively participate in the life and mission of First Lutheran Church.

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!

FIRST’S ANNUAL POTLUCK!

THIS Sunday, February 15, 11:45am–1pm.

All members are invited to First’s Annual Potluck, where we will eat together and our kids will play together, all while the adults share our greatest faith stories from the past year. God is doing all kinds of things at First Lutheran, so our Annual Potluck will be a celebration of what has been and a look ahead to what will be. Walk-ins welcome! Join us!

SUNDAY SCHOOL UPDATE

ANNUAL REPORT AVAILABLE TODAY

LENTEN SMALL GROUPS

On Wed., Feb 18, the OWLs, a group for those 55+, will have their February Potluck at noon in the narthex. As we have done in the past we will provide lunch to the Lenten worshipers after the morning service. Please bring some extra food to share. For our program come prepared to tell a little about yourself and your family heritage. Each person will have about 5 minutes to share memories, show family artifacts or tell a story about their youth or ancestors. For our February outing, we will visit the Winona County Historical Society. Cost: $5; lunch is on your own.

We leave the church at 9am on Thursday, February 26th and return before 3pm.

To reserve your spot or to ask questions, contact Brian Narveson at owls@firslu.org.

February 15th: • 4 year old stepping stone • Sugar Creek Sunday February 22nd: • 4 year old stepping stone during worship

Jesus’ Vocation as Suffering Servant through Holy Reading in Small Groups During last year’s theme of Prayer, over 100 members at First not only read their Bible as a Lenten discipline, but meditated and prayed while they read. Experiencing Scripture in this way increases knowledge of the stories, but is also a way of receiving God’s wisdom, grace and love. In 2015, in response to popular demand, we’re going to do holy reading again, only this time our theme will center around Jesus’ vocation as suffering servant.

Sign up at the Connecting Point with the small group of your choice, based on time or other preferences. When your group meets, a trained facilitator (fellow member at First) will lead your group through reading a resource developed by our own membership including art and readings centered on the suffering servant.

Lent at First has always been a great way to get to know others, come closer to God and learn something new. Join a small group this year so that you may be fully prepared to receive the gift of Easter!

In advance of First’s Potluck THIS Sunday, Feb. 15, the 2014 Annual Report for First Lutheran can picked up in the narthex and at the meeting.

National Youth Gathering Meeting The National Youth Gathering group will meet in the Fellowship Hall on Ash Wednesday, Feb 18, from 7:30–9pm.

BAPTISMAL PREPARATION

The baptism preparation session for February has been moved to Saturday, February 21, at 10am. It will take place in the narthex, and is for anyone who is considering or has scheduled a baptism. To register or ask questions contact the church office: 608.783.2236 / office@firstlu.org.

YOUNG YOUTH TO SUGAR CREEK FOR A WINTER FUN DAY!

On March 1 come to Sugar Creek for a Sunday afternoon of snow tubing, broom ball, snow shoeing, wagon rides and more! They have the tubes, snow shoes and broom ball equipment. Bring your cross country skis and/or ice skates. Come for a wonderful family outing. If the whole family is unable to attend, we will be taking the church van to transport the kids. They will have warm drinks, good food (dinner is included) and a toasty fire ready for you! We will leave church after the second service and be back around 6/6:30pm. The cost is $5 a person. RSVP to katie@ firstlu.org or at the event page on Facebook: 2.firstlu.org/YY

YOUTH PRAISE BAND REHEARSALS

Sundays: March 1, 15 & 29, at 11:45 am (right after second service) in the sanctuary.

All young people who want to play or sing in a praise band are encouraged to attend!

BLOOD DRIVE

Thursday, March 5th 12:30-5:30pm, in the Fellowship Hall Every day, ordinary people are saved by some pretty extraordinary people: People who give blood. To schedule your appointment, call Sara Larkin at 608.781.0745 or online at www.bcw.edu/firstluthona.

Bring a photo ID.

February 15–22

THIS WEEK: Feb. 15–22

8:00am Worship 9:15am Parent Share - Upper Rm 9:15am 4 year olds Stepping Stone: The Keys Preschool Rms 102 & 104 9:15am Sunday School & Sugar Creek - FH 9:30am Bible Bits - Mary Rm 10:30am Worship 12:00pm First’s Potluck!

MON 16 1:00pm Elizabeth Circle - Annette Sherry’s Home 6:00pm Youth Leader’s Mtg 7:00pm AA/AI-Anon - FS TUES 17 9:00am Quilters - FS 9:30am Staff Mtg 5:15pm Personnel Team Mtg 5:30pm Bell Choir Rehearsal 6:15pm Church & Society Team Mtg 6:30pm Stephen Ministry Team Mtg 6:30pm Vision & Leadership Team Mtg WED 18 ASH WEDNESDAY 6:00am Courageous Men’s Bible Study - House 6:30am Coffee with Pastor Karyn - Ona Perkins 11:00am Worship 11:45am Potluck (with OWLs) - NX 5:00pm Lenten Supper - FH 5:30pm Lenten Small Group - Mary Room 6:00pm Prayer Shawls - Upper Rm 6:30pm Worship 7:15pm Senior Choir Rehearsal - SN 7:30pm NYG Mtg - FH 7:30pm Lenten Small Group - Upper Room THUR 19 Women’s Retreat: Practicing Your Call - Sgr Crk 9:00am Deborah’s Circle - Maggie’s Rstrnt 10:00am Deborah’s Circle - NX 6:15pm NarAnon - FS 6:45pm Bible Study Small Group - House FRI 20 7:00pm AA - FS SAT 21 10:00am Baptismal Preparation SUN 22 8:00am Worship 9:00am High School Lenten Small Group - House 9:15am Little Leaps - Rm 102 9:15am Parent Share - Upper Rm 9:15am Sunday School 9:30am Bible Bits - Mary Rm 10:30am Worship 11:45am Youth Praise Band Rehearsal - SN 6:30pm Lenten small group - NX SUN 15

ROOM KEY:

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