Last month my newsletter recounted the ways we remain behaving as Church together despite not gathering in person and despite our social distancing. I said, “We worship”, “We give” and “We serve.” It continues to be true. Whether we are celebrating our Senior Class of 2020 on May 17 with a cupcake Sunday and so much more, or engage in the Pentecost Project that made May 31’s service especially multi-lingual, our worship numbers remain steady. Financial giving in April was incredibly generous and brought us closer to meeting our budgeted income through four months of 2020. And we do continue to serve as you care for your neighbors, reach out to your family and oftentimes go an extra mile to keep yourself and loved ones safe. Thank you for all the ways you continue to be the Church!

I have this very large overstuffed chair in my living room where I sit in to spend time with God. I either curl up into it or drape my legs over the arm of the chair, and that’s where I’m at peace. It’s where I can pray my heart out, but also where I can hear music play as I do my Bible study. I also have a place away from home where I can find peace and where I’m met with God’s creative work. That place is my nephew’s vineyard atop a ridge in Vernon County that overlooks the farms and ridges with a 180 degree view. I can sit on the deck looking out and seeing all that God has created. It is there that I find peace and rest.

Inside: Preschool Registration, Sanctuary Book Discussion, and Bible Readers.

Starting last winter a group of faith leaders joined with the La Crosse County Aging and Disability Resource Center, ADRC, to learn about dementia in our community and discuss ways churches and other faith groups could support people with dementia and their caregivers both in worship and in the community.

Inside: Sunday worship time changes to 9:15am this Sunday, Sanctuary Book Discussion, Bible Bits and Bible Readers

INSIDE: Sanctuary, Bible Bits, Bible Readers, Dementia Friendly Community, Worship Time Change

Download here…

• Newsletter as PDF

Inside: Sunday worship time changes to 9:15am this Sunday, Sanctuary Book Discussion, Bible Bits and Bible Readers

Inside: A Time To Mourn Memorial Service, Food Drive Fridays, Pentecost Project

Inside: Grad Recognition & Cupcakes THIS Sunday, Blood Drive this Monday, & Virtual Memory Cafe

So first, the how-to: A good starting point is our website. The easiest way to find our live streaming page is to go to 1stlu.org/live. On this page you’ll find several things, but the main thing is this: you can actually watch the live stream right there, on our site. No need to have an account on another social media platform, the live stream is right there for you to watch. But part of worship is the social aspect of it, so if you do have an account on Facebook or YouTube, you might want to watch there, as you can chat with other members who are watching.

Sisters and brothers in Christ,

Since suspending in-person worship in March, First Lutheran has continued to worship twice a week, provide pastoral care, serve the community, teach our kids and so much more. Our staff and membership have boldly accepted the challenge to be God’s Church even when we can’t gather in a church building. Thank you for continuing to engage in the ministries, participate in worship and gift the church with your financial generosity. It continues to make a difference!

Inside: Mission trip & confirmation camp cancelled, Virtual Springfest, Grad Recognition

There were no voice recorders in the 1500s, so we don’t know whether Luther really said it or whether it is simply attributed to him, but here’s the quote so many love, “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” It is a hope-filled statement of defiance in the face of certain hopelessness. It would look foolish to the world. But… it is also an act of faith. That even amidst a ‘world going to pieces’ there will be a time when apples will come in handy.

May is one of my favorite months. My daughter Sarah was born this month; Mothers Day and my anniversary are this month. People are enjoying the outdoors, grilling, playing in their yards, walking, running and having graduation parties. Just a year ago, Perry and I had two weddings to attend and a graduation of a niece. We usually find time in May to camp for the first time in Bayfield, WI, with my brother and sister-in-law. This is usually a great month to connect with people and enjoy the outdoors.

April 12, 2020, those words were from my heart. April 22, 2020, and they still are heartfelt. I have been awed by so many people who are loving their way through this unprecedented time. I think of my grandparents often, members of what is called the Greatest Generation. I wonder what they would say and think and do. I think they would be afraid but would pull on their experiences of war and tell us we do this thing together, it is the only way. We pull together, we encourage each other through the fear and we sacrifice things we never considered sacrificing—like our ability to move freely around the world, our vanity, our wealth or our way of life.