Welcoming

With spring just around the corner, at least that’s what I’m hoping. It’s time in the Midwest to tumble out of our houses from the long winter. As soon as the weather warms up, even a few degrees, we begin walking, running, biking and even working in the lawn, just to be outside. Children begin to play in the streets, shooting basketballs or playing soccer. It’s just a wonderful time of year, when we begin to see our neighbors once more.

“Just think of how much a simple act of bringing a welcome bag to your new neighbor will build them up. ”

This is also a perfect time to welcome new neighbors to your neighborhood. The welcome basket team has made it easy for you to bring something to welcome your new neighbor. We have a welcome basket/bag for you to take. It’s really easy. Sign a bag out, and take it to your new neighbor. In the bags are promotional items from around Onalaska and La Crosse, including business cards. We’ve included from First Lutheran, a homemade dishcloth and a package of microwavable popcorn.

We are called to welcome and be pleasing to our neighbors, as it says in Romans 15:2, “Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor.” Just think of how much a simple act of bringing a welcome bag to your new neighbor will build them up. The welcome bags are available by the welcome center in the black shelving unit. The welcome bag sign out is on the top shelf, and the bags are below. If you have any questions, you can ask the welcome center people, or you can find me on Sundays/Wednesdays roaming around the narthex.

I hope you take the opportunity to bring a welcome bag to any new neighbor you may have this year. We have made it as simple as we can, and this is a wonderful way to promote our church and show the love of God to our neighbors. If you would like to be a part of the welcome basket team, e-mail me at kathryn@firstlu.org or give me a call at church. We can always have more help when we put the bags together..