Good News for January 2016

2 Veteran’sMinistry3 MessagefromPastorKaryn4 ConfrontingRacism:Webcast5 SmallGroupMinistryUpdate

5 FirstTeenClothesClosetUpdate6 FinanceCommitteeReport7 DaveRamsey’sFinancialPeace UpdatefromGlobalMissions8 Announcements9 Events

9 SugarCreekEvents10 God’sHands&Feet Serve&Give11 PreschoolUpdate12 SundaySchool13 YoungYouth

14 Middle&HighSchoolUpdate15 OWLsPost16 QuickAddEvents/QRCodes

Allofthisandmoreonthewebat www.FirstLutheranOnalaska.org

SEEALSO...

facebook.com/firstlu twitter.com/1stlu firstlu.tumblr.com pinterest.com/firstlu 2.firstlu.org/cal

issuu.com/firstlu#faithaliveinOna

G O O D N E W S !J A N U A R Y 2 016

MESSAGE FROM PASTOR STANTON

The table is a great place to share stories.

Whenever my family gathers for supper we take time to go around the table hearing each other’s highs and lows.

Inevitably, a story is attached to each high and each low. When a few consecutive nights go by when we haven’t been able to hear each other’s stories, we begin to feel disconnected. We miss it. I wonder whether my five year old’s negotiations with a classmate at school resulted in her being chased less around the playground. What geography bee question did my 5th grader miss—and how did she feel when it happened? And of course, who made the best catch among the second grade boys today? Spare no detail!

In Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, he creates a world before telephones (much less cell phones). Characters travel over vast areas with lots of plot twists happening all the time. How do they finally communicate with each other the many things that have happened since the last time they met? They sit down to a feast… sometimes for days or even a week at a time. Food and tables are at the center of conversations as they share ‘tidings’. It sounds a lot like our holiday feasts where we catch up with old friends and families, sharing tidings over turkeys, hams, stuffing and potatoes.

Perhaps the most obvious purpose of a table is a surface for our food so that we may eat. But close behind is a table’s second most obvious purpose: a place to talk. Since September we have considered how tables gather ALL people, provide weary workers with a place and time for rest, are a place to eat and a place to love. This month, as

we continue to emphasize how God makes God’s self present at tables, I encourage you to ponder your conversations around the table. The table is the primary place where people share the story of their day, the stories of their past and the stories of their hopes in the future. Whether it’s a couple on a date, a team after a big win, or house-guests who have come over for dinner, the table creates space and time for our conversations.

As 2016 begins, I pray that you may make more use of the kitchen and dining room tables in your home. Oftentimes we become so busy we catch a bite in the car where we can’t make eye contact. Or, we go out to eat where our emotions are more guarded. Or, we eat quickly while standing in the kitchen, on our way out the door, or worst of all… we don’t eat at all! A new year provides us a fresh opportunity to budget our time, money and calories differently. I pray that that you prioritize meals with family and friends more highly so that you can hear their stories and so that they can hear yours!

INSIDE

Save the date!

Sunday February 14

11:45amAllmembersareinvitedto

First’s Annual Potluck!

Wewilleattogetherandourkidswillplaytogether,allwhiletheadultsshareourgreatestfaithstoriesfromthepastyear.GodisdoingallkindsofthingsatFirstLutheran,soourAnnual

Potluckwillbeacelebrationofwhathasbeenanda

lookaheadtowhatwillbe.Savethedatesoyoucan

shareinthefun!

Pastor Jason Stanton [email protected]

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2 January 2016 #faithaliveinOna

VETERAN’S MINISTRY

On many occasions I have been asked where I got my interest in caring for

the veterans. I wish I could say for certain what the reason was. I’m not sure, actually. I do have my suspicions and a true story to tell: My grandmother was a loving, faithful woman who brought up a family during the Depression. My grandfather was away a lot building highways way up north, which left my grandmother alone most of the time to care for 13 children. She often got help, as they were able from those who were older, but no matter how you looked at it, these were tough times. On Sundays she made sure that the family got to church and was proud of the fact that all 13 children were baptized. Church was were she got her strength. She carried this with her throughout her life and passed it on to her children. Community was different back then compared to now. Families lived close and there was always a gathering around the table. The table may have been a kitchen table or a dining room table but often it was in a fellowship hall around a church table. This is the place that potlucks were held, stories where told and things were made. The men often gathered and made plans to help the neighbor down the road who needed a helping hand. The women had their circles and friends who gathered to crochet or knit or make quilts. If a member of the church community was ill and the holidays or a special occasion was upon them, the women would go to the home and help bake those cookies, donuts or meals. From as far back as I can remember, the harder the times, the more the struggles, the more people come together. They count on each other and it’s a good thing. Come December 7th, 1941, Pearl Harbor was attacked. Now it hadn’t seemed that long ago when grandmother’s brothers had fought in WWI, now it was her 4 sons. By this time, the family had moved to La Crosse. The family church was St. Paul’s and the gathering together continued, but around the kitchen table. She lived 6 blocks from church so walking on Sundays became a regular routine. With sons in service and a couple overseas,

the pastor often came to the house. When grandmother knew the pastor was coming, she would bake the donuts and have that aroma of fresh-baked goods throughout the house. The church, the congregation, the pastor—this is where she got her strength. The crocheting, knitting and quilting continued but now it was within the home. A dining room or a living room was set up and grandmother’s friends would come to the house and create together. The coffee

pot was on, the cookies were in the cookie jar, and time passed by. WWII ends and the boys finally come home. Now, having 13 children 2 years apart except for the oldest and youngest which were a year apart from the closest—spans many years. Some of the older daughters found their husbands and the older boys found their wives—and so it goes, grandchildren. The gathering changed some; it was mostly the family around the table. My grandparents moved, by this time to a house on 5th Street. The church stayed the same. Every Sunday was a walk to church unless it rained, in which case other means were found. The table around that all gathered and that is remembered to this day, was the round oak table that sat in the dining room. This was the place where children, friends and grandchildren gathered. But, yet again another war. Not ever called a war, the Korean conflict was upon us. Now the younger girls were sending off

their boyfriends and fiancées and turning to grandmother for support. On August 2nd, my Aunt Dorothy received a telegram. My uncle Clayton had been fighting at Pork Chop Hill and was wounded. They flew him to Japan. My Aunt Dorothy has always been a woman of faith, much like her mother. During these hard times, she found her strength through her mother, her church and that dining room table. Time passed by. The Koren conflict ends. Grandmother’s children continue to marry, and the grandchildren grow in number. My grandmother got sick in 1959 and died. She was not here to see her grandchildren involved in such things that her children had been. But not many years go by and yet another war. Vietnam. This is the war in which I can most relate for now I was old enough to understand. Vietnam, my friends from high school were drafted and fought there. Some were injured and died there.

The church was where we got our strength. The table became the fellowship hall where all gathered in prayer and conversation. I couldn’t tell you what our parents were doing, those of us preparing for graduation were worried about our classmates and friends who had been drafted. We as high school students didn’t turn to our parents, they wouldn’t understand our fear, or so we thought. Church, pastor and the table in the fellowship hall is where we got our strength. The war ends. Time passed.

The true story I have told, comes from countless stories told by my aunts and uncles who lived it. Some I observed and witnessed myself. What I see from back then and now is that we all still need community. Those men and women who fought WWII, Korea, Vietnam are still with us. The new challenges bring home men and women who are changed forever. We need that sense of community, of belonging, of caring. I get that sense from you. When our veterans have had a need, this congregation has stepped up to the task. Through the veterans ministry at First Lutheran Church, there have been offers of services by a social worker. A chiropractor has offered services. Members of First Lutheran Church have offered air miles to veterans in need. For Veterans Day, I asked the congregation to consider giving to purchase Bible Sticks that could be sent to those men and women serving. If we could collect $2,500, a whole unit of 100 could receive Bible Sticks. Over the course of three services on Sunday and Wednesday, just under three hours, the congregation gave enough money to supply a whole unit with Bible Sticks. More people than I can count have offered to volunteer for whatever is needed for our veterans. There is work to be done, and I will be turning to you for strength and time.

My grandmother had a hard life. She never complained. Her strength was her church, family, friends and whatever table she gathered around. I am 63 years old. My strength comes from church, family, friends and the table that I gather around. Where do I get my interest in what I do? I’m not really sure, actually.

Blessings and Peace

Sharon Kjos, RN, BSNCaregiver Support Coordinator, Tomah [email protected]

The table may have been a kitchen table

or a dining room table but often it was in a

fellowship hall around a church table.

When our veterans have had a need,

this congregation has stepped up

to the task.

First Lutheran Church + Good News January 2016 3

MESSAGE FROM PASTOR KARYN

It is a year of contemplating tables and as Christmas approaches I find myself

reflecting on the tables of my youth, especially the tables at my grandmother’s house. Recently, I came across a card I wrote to my grandmother when I was maybe 6, the

writing big and crooked, the spelling not quite on point, the message short: “School (spelled scool) is getting better. I am glad that we are going to your (spelled you’r) house for (turn over) Thanksgiving.” Since my grandmother’s death, we have found quite of few of her letters and several of them from me. I think my Grandma Brown was the person I told things to, the person I looked to for guidance on what it meant to be a grown up and after much reflections I am pretty sure she was one of the people in my life that seemed to get me. And I remember what it was like to be a child sitting at her table.

My grandparents had two tables: the kitchen table and the dining room table, well three really, there was a picnic table in the backyard where we spent a lot of time in the summer. At the kitchen table I watched her cook, make tuna sandwiches with butter on the bread, make gravy from scratch, use the meat grinder near the stove, throw together a snack, and I would write or color or work on my latest project, and we would talk. It was the place I sat to take a break, to rest and to watch everything my grandmother did. The dining room table was the place we would gather at during the holidays or if the whole family was present for a meal. On a holiday, setting the table was one of my favorite things to do: to prepare the table for the family gathering with all the fancy stuff. That table was a mid-century, clean line, dark wood table. I loved that table. Not only for the design but also because it could fit us all around it. We would gather around the table, we would pray and we would eat and we would laugh. For most of my growing up years, my aunt and uncle lived in Kenya, so holiday meals

often found us listening to the tape they made, and then we would make a tape to send to them, letting them know how we were and what was going on in our lives. At that dining room table, we were family, and we connected with one another in ways we didn’t always do during the rest of the year.

At my grandmother’s table, there was always grace and always love—even in the moments when I needed to sit at the table and be scolded. Even her home office desk became a table where she could welcome her grandchildren to be themselves and be loved. Tables. They are powerful places.

The past few weeks, we have watched as 195 countries came together around the table to talk about climate change and how to slow/fix it. We have watched as countries have come to the table to talk peace. Families have gathered around tables to hash out difficult issues. People gather around tables to celebrate momentous events, newscasters sit at tables to keep us informed, faithful people gather around a table to give thanks. Tables are powerful places of change, hope and growth. They are places of connection and places of peace. As followers of Jesus, we listen when he bids us to come to his table where we receive forgiveness for our sins and our faith is strengthened for the work laid before us. We listen when he commands us to invite the hungry and thirsty and poor to the table of healing, which is to say we go to their tables and do what we can to make sure they are full of all the things tables can be and we work to make sure that our neighbors have what they need to put food on their own table. It is as if we are the ones preparing the table for them,

setting it with all the fancy stuff, only instead of silver and the good water goblets, we are creating a community that insists on fair wages and access to clean water and heat and affordable housing, where children don’t fear illness or war, where all people are welcome and safe. We, the followers of Christ, are the ones who set the table where grace and love are always present, even in the moments where the table is a place for scolding.

As we here at First begin to build our actions team of hospitality and worship and community outreach and stewardship and education, which tables are you going to choose to sit at? What groups are you going to work with to make sure that the places where we gather are places of grace and love? There will certainly be no shortage of opportunity for you to follow Jesus’ command to love God and love your neighbor as you are invited to the table and as you invite others to the table. You could be part of the team that tells us the story of God by reading scripture, you could be part of the team that works to make sure teens are clothed, you could be part of the team that makes sure the hungry are fed, you could be part of the team that sets the altar table for all who come to receive the grace and mercy of God, you could be part of the team that reminds us that all we have and all we are belong to God. The possibilities are endless. The question for you is: how are you going to set your tables and engage with others so that they know they are loved and valued in this world? I am excited to see how God will bring us all together to further the work he has set before us for the next 5 years.

Pastor Karyn Bodenschatz [email protected]


Caroline Worra Opera star Caroline Worra is a daughter of First Lutheran,

an Onalaska nati ve, and a graduate of Luther College, and will be performing on the Viterbo stage on Saturday, March 12.

Tickets are on sale now: 608.783.2121 • LaCrosseSymphony.org

Caroline Worra has been hailed by Opera News as “one of the fi nest singing actresses around.” She has sung over 75 diff erent operati c roles, including more than 20 World, American and Regional Premieres. She was internati onally acclaimed for her performances of Jenny in the Mines of Sulphur Grammy nominated CD for Best Opera Recording, and as the ti tle role of The Greater Good; Passion of Boule de Suif, Opera News and New York Times pick for one of the top classical CDs of the year. Her third full opera recording, Glory Denied, was released by Albany Records and is a Washington Post and Opera News pick for one of the top CDs of the year.

Caroline is a recipient of the Shoshana Foundati on/Richard F. Gold Career Grant. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Piano and Vocal Performance from Luther College, a Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Missouri in Columbia where she also received a Disti nguished Alumni Award from the College of Arts and Science, and a Doctor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Indiana University.

Youth Praise Band 2016Kick off the new year and join the Youth Praise Band! We are especially looking for a guitarist and bass player. All youth 18 or younger are welcome. Experience playing with a group is NOT needed. Rehearsals are on Sundays after second service. For more information contact Dick Daleki: [email protected].

Confronting Racism:

A Holy Yearning

Join ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and William B. Horne II, as they continue their

conversation on racism— a violation of God’s

intention for humanity—in another live webcast. Eaton and Horne will be

joined by other ELCA members who bring

various perspectives on the U.S. criminal justice system.

First Lutheran will be showing this webcast

when it airs live on Thursday, January 14

at 8pm.RSVP to

[email protected] more at:

firstlu.org/webcast


SMALL GROUP MINISTRY

One of the many blessings of being a

part of First Lutheran Church is our wonderful worship, including sermons that challenge us to think about

how we live a Christian life in this secular world. To help you “take the sermon home” and let it stir in your mind and heart beyond just the worship service, we have begun to develop sermon notes.

Sermon notes are meant to be used during worship to write down things you hear that surprise, shock, or otherwise strike a chord with you. Sermon notes are meant to be used at home, to think about what you heard during the sermon and what it means to you, in your life, right now. Sermon notes are meant to be used in small groups, to share your thoughts and to listen to others talk about how they heard the sermon and were moved by it. Maybe right now you aren’t in a small group. You can still use the notes to discuss the sermon with your family. Or, you might decide this is the time to join a small group because the use of sermon notes is an easy way to have a discussion without spending a lot of preparation time—though you do have to listen to the sermon.

Sermon notes are available from the ushers. If you aren’t always able to make it to worship, Sunday sermon recordings are available on our website, and the sermon notes will now be available too.

If you’re interested in starting a small group, or have questions about using sermon notes in your small group, contact me. I am happy to help.

Bridget CraveDirector of Small Group [email protected]

Recent publicity in the news media, outreach to schools and other agencies

and a $10,000 grant from the Franke Foundation are helping the First Teen Clothes Closet touch the lives of more and more young people from our area.

With he grant, the closet will be able to supplement inventory in the areas of most need, and continue to organize the facility to make visits positive for our clients. With the increased exposure, the Teen Clothes Closet is also in need of additional volunteers to meet with clients for confidential individual visits and to staff twice-monthly “open hours” on the first and third Saturdays.

Anyone interested in volunteering as a host can contact Bridget Crave at the church office. A volunteer meeting and training is planned in January; watch your bulletins for more information or ask to be included in a volunteer mailing list.

You can help make 2016 a brighter year for our community’s youth.

First Teen Clothes Closet team,

FIRST TEEN CLOTHES CLOSET UPDATE

CLOTHES CLOSET

APPOINTMENT HOSTS

NEEDEDMake a difference in the community by hosting Teen Clothes Closet

appointments. As an adult volunteer,

you will be teamed with another host to welcome teens and their guardian/

parent as they select clothing from the

First Teen Clothes Closet located in the house.

If you want to learn more, attend an information and training session

Wednesday, January 13, 7pm at the house.

Sign up at firstlu.org/cchosts or

contact Bridget Crave: [email protected].

Small group study

starting again by popular demand

Thursday nights 6–8pm

January 14 through

March 31

Say no to clutter. Think about “Starting fresh” this new year with less clutter. In The Lutheran’s January issue, readers tell what they’ve tossed—and how cleaning has revived mission. Ask, “Who wants our hymnals?” Get tips from a pro. And see how an author responds to the ques-tion: “Do you really think I want to live this way?” To help your discussion of this cover story, visit www.thelutheran.org and click on “Study guides” on the left-hand side.

Putting the pieces together. In her Janu-ary column for The Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton notes that “we are church together”—that is, “some days.” But “many days and in many ways we aren’t.” This year, she says, will be dedicated to looking at the future direc-tions and priorities of this church.

What’s happening? In the January issue of The Lutheran, learn what happened at the ELCA Church Council’s fall meeting … travel the Mississippi River with Augsburg College students … and find out how faith, fellowship and dialogue was formed in The Guianas.

Subscribe today: Start a group plan to The Lutheran for as little as $8.95 per sub-scriber. Visit www.thelutheran.org or call 800-328-4648.

In the January issueIn-home delivery begins Thursday, Dec. 24

In the January issueIn-home delivery begins Thursday, Dec. 24

• February cover story: Multicultural congregations.

• Names: Why are Lutheran organizations re-branding?

• Burnout: Ways to combat volunteers getting tapped out.

• Syria: Resettling and care for refugees.

• Legacy: Congregation passes along furnishings after posting an ad.

• Reflection: A life laid down.

• Botswana: Lutheran-supported garden assists people with HIV and AIDS.

• March cover story: We talk about church as a place where “all are welcome,” but just how do we do this?

• February cover story: Multicultural congregations.

• Names: Why are Lutheran organizations re-branding?

• Burnout: Ways to combat volunteers getting tapped out.

• Syria: Resettling and care for refugees.

• Legacy: Congregation passes along furnishings after posting an ad.

• Reflection: A life laid down.

• Botswana: Lutheran-supported garden assists people with HIV and AIDS.

• March cover story: We talk about church as a place where “all are welcome,” but just how do we do this?

Our church at work. In the January issue of The Lutheran, see how Lutherans are doing “God’s work”: meet members of two Dallas congregations who are addressing racism … discover the secret of a long-standing after-school ministry in Iowa … travel to Seattle, where a congregation always finds a way to serve the homeless … and say “Yes We Can” with North Caro-lina youth who are tackling hunger.

Study time. The Lutheran is a resource for adult forums and individual study. In the January issue, discuss “Grace” with columnist Peter Marty, who says it typi-cally works contrary to reason, against the grain of common sense. Consider enrich-ing your prayer life with yoga. Think about what makes a good sermon. Go deeper in discerning vocation. And discuss “4 resolutions for financial well-being in your congregation” (to help your discussion of this article, visit www.thelutheran.org for a study guide—click on “Study guides” on the left-hand side).

Online. Find more than 11,000 archived articles and over 400 study guides at The Lutheran’s website—www.thelutheran.org.

Subscribe today: Start a group plan to The Lutheran for as little as $8.95 per sub-scriber. Visit www.thelutheran.org or call 800-328-4648.

Coming up ... Coming up ...

The following is a financial summary through the end of November:

Actual Receipts—$674,095.31Budgeted Receipts—$734,195.93Actual Expenses—$663,177.03Budgeted Expenses—$777,981.60

Our total Receipts through the end of November fell short of the current year budgeted amount by $60,100.62. Our total Giving (Envelope Giving, Debt Reduction and other miscellaneous offerings) is down from last year’s total through this same period by $21,512.00 or 3.6%. This year we have had one extra giving week so the actual shortfall from last year’s total giving is closer to $35,000 or 6%. Finally, our current year giving falls short of our current year budgeted amount by $57,005.04 or 8.9%.

As noted above, our expenses are less than budgeted through the end of November by $114,804.57. A portion of this is a result of not filling positions that are currently in the budget at the time that they were budgeted to be filled. The remainder is due to the timing of certain expenses.In summary, we budgeted for a deficit of $43,785.67 through the end of November and have realized an actual surplus of $10,918.28.As always, full details of this report are available by request in the church office. Also, everyone is welcome to attend a finance committee meeting—we meet every month, on the second Wednesday at noon in the Thomas Room.Respectfully,Finance Committee

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORTFirst Lutheran Church

YTD Financial SummaryEleven Months Ending, November 30, 2015

$734,195.93

$674,095.31

$777,981.60

$663,177.03

$0.00

$50,000.00

$100,000.00

$150,000.00

$200,000.00

$250,000.00

$300,000.00

$350,000.00

$400,000.00

$450,000.00

$500,000.00

$550,000.00

$600,000.00

$650,000.00

$700,000.00

$750,000.00

$800,000.00

$850,000.00

$900,000.00

2015 Budgeted 2015 Actual

Receipts

Expenses


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We all need a plan for our money. Dave’s class will show you how to get rid of debt,

manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more!

This is a nine-week course that starts January 3, from 6–7:30pm at First Lutheran!Tickets: fi rstlu.org/fi nancialpeace

UPDATE FROM GLOBAL MISSIONS

Sunday, December 20, 2015

During our Advent retreat, the Young Adults in

Global Mission based in Hungary joined with other young adults for a workshop with Phiren Amenca. The

poem below serves as my response to the world and to myself.

we live in a world that movesin a fast paced societywith little regard for communityconnection is being destroyedsouls emptiedof what once was consideredhumanity

when hate crimes go without consequencewithout regardfor another communityin the name of what is claimed to be “right”

when men and women lay on the streetgiving up their dignitybeing vulnerable relying on a society that refuses to look beyond their rose colored glasses and see the people crying for helpfor someone to seesomeone to respond

Break my heart.so I can seebeyond the barriersbeyond the wallsbeyond the wordsand into the eyes of what is so blatantly staring me in the face

Let me forget what is “right”what is “wrong”and instead rememberwhat a life is worthdaring to step outof the conforming societyand search for that sparkof loveand lightburied deep withinmy heart.

Break my heart.so I can see

beyond the barriersbeyond the walls

beyond the wordsand into the eyes

of what is so blatantly staring me in the face

Aliyah RichlingYoung Adult in Global Mission — Békéscsaba, Hungarycalledbythespirit.blogspot.com


CALLING ALL SNAPSHOTS! We’relookingforphotosfrom2015:weddings,baptisms,ChristmasprogramandALLOTHERspecialeventsandministries.Helpustocollectandrememberalltheeventsfromthispastyear!Emailthemtoandy@firstlu.orgorpostthemtoFacebook,TwitterorInstagramwithhashtag#faithaliveinOna.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

2016 FLOWERSThe sign-up sheets for the 2016 flowers is on the bulletin board. If you would like to honor the memory of a loved one check the bulletin board and sign up for an open week of your choice.

BAPTISMAL PREPARATIONA baptism preparation session will be Saturday, February 6, at 10am in the narthex for anyone who is considering or has scheduled a baptism. To register or ask questions call the church office, 608.783.3326.

NEW MEMBER SESSIONSFirst Lutheran welcomes all people to participate in Christ’s mission through our ministries, worship and programs, whether you are a member or not. Membership does, however, benefit our congregation. If you’re a member, we know your contact information, can more easily provide you with ministry opportunities and invite you to offer your gifts to the rest of this family of faith. The next new member session will be Sunday, January 17, with new member Sunday on January 24. To register your family or ask questions, call our church office at 608.783.2236 or email [email protected].

GROUP SPIRITUAL DIRECTION PROGRAMIf you are interested in being involved in group spiritual direction, call Steve Spilde at the Franciscan Spirituality Center at 608-791-5297. New groups will be forming in January. This innovative training program provides a mix of workshops and real-life experiences to prepare people to share their compassionate listening skills as trained spiritual directors in their communities.

WE CELEBRATE NEW BIRTHS• Everett Earl Roe, son of

Heidi & Josh Roe• Aspen Jo Willinger, daughter of

Wade & Teesha Willinger

WE CELEBRATE THE GIFT OF HOLY BAPTISM

• Kaitlyn Sue Bell, daughter of Steven & Melissa Bell

• Chloe Jo Aspenson, daughter of Adam & Melissa Aspenson

• Kasen John Charles Ebner, son of Kyle & Aaryn Ebner

• Declan Roman Melby, son of John & Marisa Melby

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY & FRIENDS OF:

• Elmer Kramer, husband of Alice• John Olson, husband of Katherine• Howard Anderson, husband Mary

Etta and father of Diane Shuda

GIFTS AND MEMORIALSThank you for the following memorials:

In memory of Clayton Every• Fellowship Hall: From his

grandchildren• First Helping Hands fund: From his

grandchildrenIn memory of Richard Fox

• Fellowship Hall carpet: Marilyn Fox

HOSPITAL REMINDERSFor Gundersen: be sure to alert the hospital of your church affiliation when they ask, and they will release your name to us when we call. For Mayo/Franciscan Healthcare: it is important that you or a family member contact us at the church office: 608.783.2236. Mayo no longer lets churches know who is a patient at their hospital.

DESIGNATED FUNDSEach month, First Lutheran gives thanks for gifts offered to designated funds. If you plan to make a special gift to First, consider these options. Currently we are gathering funds for:

• Lutheran Disaster Relief• Lutheran World Hunger• Youth Fund

(supports campers & mission trippers)• Helping Hands Fund

(for First members in need)• Samaritan Fund

(for non-members in need)• Halos Project• Seminarian Fund

• Sugar Creek Bible Camp• The Property & Grounds and the

Music & Worship Teams also have wish lists. Contact Pastor Stanton to inquire how your gift to either Team could support the ministry of First Lutheran.

SUBMITTING NEW ANNOUNCEMENTSTo have your announcement in the monthly newsletter, send it to [email protected], or give it to Andy in the office. Deadline for the newsletter is always noon on the 15th of the each month.To have your announcement in the weekly announcements pages handed out each weekend, send it to [email protected], or give it to Andy in the office. Deadline for the weekly announcements is always noon each Wednesday.

GO GREENWe offer two e-mail lists for subscribing:• First Lutheran Publications:

which includes e-mail links to our e-newsletter, so if you request to stop receiving this paper in your hands, this will save natural resources, and helps First save money on supplies and postage.

• First Lutheran Updates & Publications: all of the above plus several updates from our website.

To subscribe to either one and to cancel the deliver of this paper copy, simply visit firstlu.org/subscribe and fill out the online form, or contact the office at [email protected].

13141SugarCreekBibleCampRd,Ferryville,WI54628608.734.3113•[email protected]•www.sugarcreekbiblecamp.org

WINTER FUN DAYS!January 10 & 24, February 14 & 281–5pmThesefunafternoonsatSugarCreekincludessnowtubing(theyhavethetubes),crosscountryskiing,iceskating,broomball,snowshoeing,relaxationbythefire,hotchocolate,goodfood,andfunwithfriends!Bringthewholefamily!Calloremailtomakeyourreservation.

FAMILY CAMP REUNION RETREATJanuary 22–24, 2016Lookingforachancetospendtimewithyourfamilyandyourfriendsfromthispastsummer’sFamilyCamp?Thenthisretreatisforyou!Joinusforthistimeofinspiration,fellowshipandwintertimefun!

CRAFTER’S RETREATFebruary 4–7Callingallstampers,scrappers,quiltersorwhateveryourcraft!Getawayforaweekenddedicatedtoworkingonyourcraftandenjoysomeofourprogramminglikecampfires,devotions,worship,andmore.Justbringyourself,bedding,toiletriesandallyoursupplies.We’llhavemorningandeveningdevotionsandaworshipserviceonSunday.Costandregistrationformatsgrcreek.org.

COUPLES’ RETREATFebruary 12–14EnjoyapowerfulweekendledbyPastorJohnDukeasheagainleadsthisyear’sCouple’sRetreatexploringhowcouplescandevelopacloseranddeeperrelationshipwithChristasthecenter.Enrichyourrelationshipwithyourspouseandenjoysometimeawaytogether.Callcampformoreinfo&registration.

WISH LIST

Yourgiftcanbetaxdeductible,andSugarCreekcanprovideyouareceipt.• Trees(wetakeallkinds!)andperennials(sunorshade)

• Shopequipment• SteelTfenceposts• Flatbedtrailer• Gentletemperamenthorsesandtack

•Woodburningfurnace• Commercialkitchensupplies


EVENTSRegister for most events that are happening at First Lutheran on our website at firstlu.org/reg

DRAWING FROM THE WELLNext retreat: Sat., January 9, 8:30am–1:30pm Physical Wellness is the name of the game this month. We will begin with a study of Luke 11:37-52 and Luke 14:1-24 (Jesus eats with the Pharisees and they have issues to hash out). After some conversation together we will explore the topic of body image: throughout time, in our culture and what Paul tells us about the body. Lunch will be at the church.First Lutheran invites all women to participate in this discipline, where we will explore the idea of wellness, exploring an aspect of the ELCA’s wellness wheel at each meeting. These meetings are on the second Saturday of the month, from 8:30am–1:30pm, and you can participate in all or part of it. Contact Pastor Karyn for more info: [email protected].

Tues., Feb. 2, 7pm

LUTHER COLLEGE NORDIC CHOIRTues., February 2, 7pm at First Lutheran

MT. LACROSSESunday, February 7, 1–6pm Sign up at the Connecting Point Table. This year to receive a discounted price for your lift ticket:

• Checks for payment need to be provided to Tina in advance by Tuesday, February 2

• Checks need to be written out to ENGLISH Lutheran

Lift ticket packages and pricing:• Lift Ticket: $19• Lift Ticket and Ski Rental: $24• Lift Ticket and Board Rental: $34

All packages include group lesson for ages 10+ (lesson starts at 1pm sharp) and lunch (hot dog, chips and soda).

FIRST’S ANNUAL POTLUCK!Sunday, February 14, 11:45am 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. Save the date so you can share in the fun!

13141SugarCreekBibleCampRd,Ferryville,WI54628608.734.3113•[email protected]•www.sugarcreekbiblecamp.org

WINTER FUN DAYS!January 10 & 24, February 14 & 281–5pmThesefunafternoonsatSugarCreekincludessnowtubing(theyhavethetubes),crosscountryskiing,iceskating,broomball,snowshoeing,relaxationbythefire,hotchocolate,goodfood,andfunwithfriends!Bringthewholefamily!Calloremailtomakeyourreservation.

FAMILY CAMP REUNION RETREATJanuary 22–24, 2016Lookingforachancetospendtimewithyourfamilyandyourfriendsfromthispastsummer’sFamilyCamp?Thenthisretreatisforyou!Joinusforthistimeofinspiration,fellowshipandwintertimefun!

CRAFTER’S RETREATFebruary 4–7Callingallstampers,scrappers,quiltersorwhateveryourcraft!Getawayforaweekenddedicatedtoworkingonyourcraftandenjoysomeofourprogramminglikecampfires,devotions,worship,andmore.Justbringyourself,bedding,toiletriesandallyoursupplies.We’llhavemorningandeveningdevotionsandaworshipserviceonSunday.Costandregistrationformatsgrcreek.org.

COUPLES’ RETREATFebruary 12–14EnjoyapowerfulweekendledbyPastorJohnDukeasheagainleadsthisyear’sCouple’sRetreatexploringhowcouplescandevelopacloseranddeeperrelationshipwithChristasthecenter.Enrichyourrelationshipwithyourspouseandenjoysometimeawaytogether.Callcampformoreinfo&registration.

WISH LIST

Yourgiftcanbetaxdeductible,andSugarCreekcanprovideyouareceipt.• Trees(wetakeallkinds!)andperennials(sunorshade)

• Shopequipment• SteelTfenceposts• Flatbedtrailer• Gentletemperamenthorsesandtack

•Woodburningfurnace• Commercialkitchensupplies


SERVE & GIVE

SERVE @ WORSHIP!Sign-up for the following & more at the Connecting Point and on your phone or computer at firstlu.org/assistSTILL NEEDED FOR JANUARY:

• Acolytes• Coffee servers• Communion servers• Nursery helpers• Ushers• Puppeteers

SUNSHINE BOYSThe Sunshine Boys meet at First Lutheran on the first Thursday of the month at 9am to help with outdoor or indoor projects. Rolls and coffee are supplied to replenish your reserves! Dues are free!

CLOTHES CLOSET APPOINTMENT HOSTS

NEEDEDMake a difference in the community by hosting Teen Clothes Closet appointments. As an adult volunteer, you will be teamed with another host to welcome teens and their guardian/parent as they select clothing from the First Teen Clothes Closet located in the house. If you want to learn more, attend an information and training session Wednesday, January 13, 7pm at the house. Sign up at firstlu.org/cchosts or contact Bridget Crave: [email protected].

COME FOR SUPPERFirst Lutheran is assisting with Come for Supper on Tuesday, January 26, at Our Savior’s in La Crosse. First Lutheran will help with food donations and volunteering to serve and clean up. The sign-up sheets are on the Connecting Point table. Call Gloria Kubiak if you have questions: 608.498.2762.

NEWSLETTER & ANNUAL REPORT ASSEMBLYIt’s a relaxing way to volunteer! Thursday, January 28, at 9am, to assemble the February newsletter and the 2015 annual report. See you there!

If you know of someone who needs a caregiver,

speak with Pastor Karyn or call the

church office.

GOD’S HANDS & FEET

WELCOME ONE ANOTHERWhenever I go over to

my brother’s house, I am welcomed warmly by a big bear hug from him; of course,this is only after getting through the maze

of dogs wanting to be loved on. These dogs include Grizzy: a very large black Newfoundland, who loves to sit on my feet as I pet and scratch his ears. Grizzy leans into me as I pet him and seems to always stand between me and my brother. Being warmly welcomed into a home or any building creates a loving atmosphere, so you will want to return. Knowing that my brother and his dogs will be happy to greet me, makes me want to return to visit them again.

Having the opportunity to warmly welcome people to church should be our greatest desire for all our members to accomplish. We should not count on a few to warmly welcome, but each person, whether standing in the narthex, sitting in church, or leaving church after worship. All are times to welcome each other and especially those we don’t know. Each one of us are called to welcome one another; as it says in Romans 15:7, “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God’. When we welcome one another, we create a loving warm place to worship, grow and serve. We are called to love one another unconditionally, whether or not we get anything in return. Sometimes it’s very hard to love someone, but with Christ’s love we can. We need to create a place where God’s love abounds, where we grow in love of God and for each other, for all people who come into our church doors. Being called to serve one another can simply be shaking a hand and offering a warm sincere greeting. Serving another in Christ’s love may be listening to them, helping them find a place to sit and even sitting with someone who is alone. Serving one another is as easy as putting someone else’s needs before your own. Don’t think “what can you do for me”,

but “how can I help”. So, as we begin a new year, may each of us consider how we are going to make our church a warm loving place to worship, grow and serve.

Warmly greeting those around is not hard to do, when we have Christ’s love in us. It should not matter if we know someone or not; everyone who comes into our church is loved by God, so let’s show God’s love by warmly greeting them. Please pray that everyone will show God’s love each week as we worship together, work together, learn together and as we serve one another.

Kathryn PedrettiDirector of Servant [email protected]

We are called to love one another unconditionally,

whether or not we get anything in return.


What parents are saying about First Lutheran

Preschool...

First Lutheran Preschool 410MainStreet,Onalaska,WI54650608.779.4504•[email protected] Director: MelissaRolbiecki4K Teacher: MeganColganPreschool Assistant Teachers: MarciLeppert,CarrieMarkos

U p d a t e

F i r s t L u t h e r a n

Fabulous! Two of my kids attend the school and they both love it! They come home and talk about how much fun they had with their friends and everything they learned from their teachers!

Happy New Year!!!

Where did 2015 go? It seems like yesterday that we were getting ready for the first day of school and now we are planning the rest of the school year’s activities. We have been loving the weather this year and enjoying every moment of it outside. We have so many fun things coming up that we are excited about! We are going to a play in February at Viterbo and Springfest is just around the corner.

December was a busy month in the preschool. We also had our second Book Munchers that was all about snowmen. We read a book about snowmen, we made an adorable snowman using a fence post and we played a dice game. It is so wonderful to see all the parents interacting!

It was “snow” much fun!


imag

ine!SUNDAY

SCHOOL

Contact Sunday School Superintendents Sheri Betz or Tawni O’Rouke [email protected] for information or with questions!

Generously and extraordinarily blessed! Those are the words that come to mind when we reflect on the 2015 Sunday school program.

Within the halls of our Sunday school, on any ordinary Sunday, your heart would be warmed to witness the examples of generous lives and extraordinary blessings we experienced in 2015…

We have a great number of children regularly attend Sunday school with many parents, teachers, opening leaders and helpers dedicating time and energy to building faith in our kids.

We had an amazing Christmas program this year put together by our amazing song leader Christiana Martin. Jill and Tina were able to organize all of the cute little ones to help with the program. The Sunday School teachers were there to help with the rehearsals and the program.

Each class was able to pick a name off of the Christmas tree, with the Sunday school teachers shopping for gifts.

1st-5th grade wrote letters to some of our members who are in college. What a great thing that they received from the children of their home congregation.

What wonderful examples of generosity! As we head into 2016, we will continue to give thanks for God’s generous love and for the continuous support, faith, presence and humbleness of so many who continuously support and gift our Sunday school program!

JANUARY SUNDAY SCHOOL CALENDAR:Sunday, January 3• 9:15am 2nd Grd Faith Building Block: What’s Fair (1st Mtg, parents/guardians only)

Sunday, January 10• 9:15am 2nd Grd Faith Building Block: What’s Fair (2nd Mtg, child w/ parents/guardians)

Sunday, January 17 • Sugar Creek Bible Camp Sunday• 9:15am 2nd Grd Faith Building Block: What’s Fair (3rd Mtg, child w/ parents/guardians)

Sunday, January 24 • 2nd Grd Faith Building Block: What’s Fair, lifted up in worship• 9:15am 4th Grd Faith Building Block: Apostle’s Creed (1st Mtg, parents/guardians only)

Sunday, January 31• 9:15am 4th Grd Faith Building Block: Apostle’s Creed (2nd Mtg, child w/ parents/guardians)


imag

ine!

YOUNGYOUTHGROUP

If you are in 2nd–5th grade then this is your club!

Contact Katie Everson at [email protected],608.786.4826 for information or with questions!

All are welcome!

Attention Young Youth!!!WHAT: Return of MP3 Night! (Movie, Pizza, Pajamas and Popcorn).FEATURING THE MOVIE: The SandlotWHEN: Friday January 22nd, from 5-8pmWHERE First Lutheran Fellowship HallWHY: To have fun and build faith-based relationships!!! Wear your most comfy pajamas and bring a sleeping bag and pillow to lounge on if you like. We’ll meet, eat, play a couple of games and settle in for a movie and popcorn. This event has always been a huge hit and everyone has a great time together!! In order to help us plan, please make sure to RSVP either through the event page on the church’s Facebook site (2.firstlu.org/YY) or email [email protected]. Thank you so much, it’s sure to be a great time!!We had a great turnout for the cookie decorating. Thank you to everyone who was able to make it. Thank you also to all the ladies who worked hard to make the cookies the night before. We really appreciated having cookies to decorate! I hope everyone had an amazing holiday with their family and friends.Thanks for supporting our group!Blessings,Katie EversonSAVE THE DATE: February 28th for Sugar Creek’s Winter Fun Day!!


EVERY !

MS Winter Wonderland Olympics Middle schoolers will compete in a series of

“Winter Wonderland” olympic events. Alliances will be formed and broken. Trophies will be

awarded. Lives will be forever changed. Bring your game face!

Saturday, January 9 @ 6:30–8:30pm

Sugar Creek

High School RetreatJanuary 15-17, 7pm Friday to 1pm Sunday

You asked for it you got it! A retreat designed just for high school aged youth! Attend as a

youth group, 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 January retreat can include extreme snow fun! Cost: $75. Scholarships available. Register with Tina: [email protected]

HS MOVIE NIGHT!Are you a movie buff? High schoolers, come

teach Tina your ways! We will get together once a month to watch a movie and discuss after.

Bring popcorn to share!Saturday, January 23 @ 6–8:30pm

Mt. LaCrosse Ski DaySunday, February 7, 1–6pm Sign up at the Connecting Point Table. This year to receive a discounted price for your lift ticket:

• Checks for payment need to be provided to Tina in advance by Tuesday, February 2

• Checks need to be written out to ENGLISH Lutheran

Lift ticket packages and pricing:• Lift Ticket: $19• Lift Ticket and Ski Rental: $24• Lift Ticket and Board Rental: $34

All packages include group lesson for ages 10+ (lesson starts at 1pm sharp) and lunch (hot dog, chips and soda).

HS YOUTH GROUP!Every Sunday evening there will be a youth group meeting at 6:30–8:30pm. High school youth can come hang out in a time of fellowship, food, games, and learning.

Contact Tina with any questions: [email protected] / 605.431.3421

HS Fancy Feast Fellowship

Put on your fancy pants and come eat some food! We will eat together, talk about very classy

things, and drink tea with our pinkies up. Saturday, January 30 @ 5:30-8pm


December was an exciting month for the OWLs. Many of us traveled to Sugar Creek for an excellent program, meal and music. We followed that with a Christmas potluck full of great food and fun games. Dressed in our Christmas sweaters, everyone went home full of Christmas goodies with smiles on their faces.

We will kick off January with a trip to the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona. It has been several years since we have visited them, and they have two new exhibits by excellent regional photographers opening in January. The first is River Life: Recent Work by David Eberhardt, a

Minnesota photographer. The exhibit documents his recent journeys sailing down the Mississippi River and the Mekong River in Asia. The second exhibit is Spiritual Offerings: Photographs by Douglas Beasley, a prominent St. Paul, Minnesota, photographer and author. Featured are photographs from his global travels including Japan, China, Ireland, Guatemala, Peru, Mexico, Italy, Norway, Japan and China. Beasley’s personal vision explores the spiritual aspects of people and place and is concerned with how the sacred is recognized and expressed in everyday life. In addition, we will have full access to what the Star Tribune calls its “Blockbuster Collection” of paintings. The adventure will begin at 10:30 AM on Friday, January 15. We will meet at the church and travel to Winona as a group. We will have lunch at one of Winona’s fine establishments and then move on to the museum. A tour guide

will help us interpret the exhibits. Seating and wheelchairs will be available during our visit. Lunch is on your own; cost of museum entry is $7.00. We should be back at the church by 4:00 P.M. If you plan to attend, please email ([email protected]) or call (608-526-9700) Brian Narveson before the 15th.

The January potluck will be Wednesday, January 20, at noon in fellowship hall. For our program, pastor Karyn will provide insight about what was experienced and learned, in addition to showing us photos, from her recent trip to Israel. They had a fantastic adventure; this is a program not to be missed.

Hope to see everyone in January.

The OWLs are a group at First that welcomes anyone, First Lutheran members or not, who are 55+. For information or to ask questions, contact Brian Narveson at [email protected].

UPCOMING EVENTS AT FIRST Use these QR Codes to quickly add our upcoming events to the calendar of your smart phone or tablet. TIPS: focus the code, hold the device still, try various distances, & use good lighting. Need a scanning app? Try www.scan.me.

December 27–January 9SUN 27 8:00am Worship

9:15am Parent Share - Upper Rm9:15am The Story Small Group - Mary Rm9:15am Birthday Party for Jesus! - FH10:30am Worship

MON 28 7:00pm AA - FSTUES 29 9:00am Quilters - FS

9:30am Staff Mtg5:30pm Bell Choir Rehearsal7:00pm Bobby Levinger Recital

WED 30 6:00am Courageous Men’s Bible Study - House6:30am Coffee with Pastor Karyn - Panera9:00am Newsletter Assembly - NX5:15pm Knitters - NX6:15pm Worship

THUR 31 6:15pm NarAnon - FSFRI 1 OFFICE CLOSED

7:00pm AA - FH SUN 3 8:00am Worship

9:15am Parent Share - Upper Rm9:15am The Story Small Group - Mary Rm9:15am 2nd Grd Faith Building Block: What’s Fair

(1st Mtg, parents/guardians only)9:15am Sunday School10:30am Worship11:45am Youth Praise Band Rehearsal - SN6:00pm Financial Peace - FH6:30pm High School Youth Group - Mary Rm


1:30pm Staff Mtg5:30pm Bell Choir Rehearsal6:30pm Stephen Ministry Mtg - Mary Rm

WED 6 6:00am Courageous Men’s Bible Study - House6:30am Coffee with Pastor Karyn - Panera8:30am First Teen Clothes Closet Mtg5:00pm Sacraments A - FS5:15pm Knitters - NX6:15pm Worship7:00pm 8th & 9th Gr Small Groups7:00pm Senior Choir Rehearsal - SN8:00pm Praise Band Rehearsal

THUR 7 9:00am Sunshine Boys6:15pm NarAnon - FS

FRI 8 7:00pm AA - FSSAT 9 8:30am Drawing from the Well GroupROOM KEY:CR = Choir Room FH = Fellowship Hall FS = Fireside Room NX = Narthex SN = Sanctuary TR = Thomas RoomFor more information, visit our website at www.FirstLutheranOnalaska.org

BaptismalPrepSat,February610am–Noon

LutherCollegeNordicChoir

Tues,February27pm

HSMovieNight!Sat,January236:30–8:30pm

NewMemberSession

Sun,January1711:45am–2pm

GiftsofImperfectionThur,January14

6–8pm

ClothesClosetHostInfoMeeting

Wed,January137pm

DrawingfromtheWellSat,January98:30am–1:30pm

FinancialPeaceUniversity

Sun,January36–7:30pm

UPCOMING EVENTS AT FIRST

Use these QR Codes to quickly add our upcoming events to the calendar of your smart phone or tablet.

TIPS: focus the code, hold the device still, try various distances, & use good lighting.

Need a scanning app? Try Scan.Me or QR Code Reader.

















Tues,February27pm


NewMemberSession



6–8pm


Wed,January137pm
























Tues,February27pm


NewMemberSession



6–8pm


Wed,January137pm
























Tues,February27pm


NewMemberSession



6–8pm


Wed,January137pm









410 Main St. Onalaska, Wisconsin 54650608.783.2236 Fax: [email protected] www.FirstLutheranOnalaska.org

WORSHIP SCHEDULE Sunday 8:00 & 10:30 AM Wednesday 6:15 PM

SUBMITTING NEW ANNOUNCEMENTSTo have your announcement in the monthly newsletter, send it to [email protected], or give it to Andy in the office. Deadline for the newsletter is always noon on the 15th of the month.To have your announcement in the weekly announcements pages handed out each weekend, send it to [email protected], or give it to Andy in the office. Deadline for the weekly announcements is always noon each Wednesday.

First Lutheran is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA)

STAFF DIRECTORY

Jason Stanton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Senior Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608.386.6431 . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Bodenschatz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Associate Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608.433.6002 . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

Kathryn Pedretti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director of Servant Ministries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Crave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director of Small Group Ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

YOUTH/EDUCATION STAFFSheri Betz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sunday School Superintendent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] O’Rourke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sunday School Superintendent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Everson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Young Youth Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Berg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Confirmation Administrative Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Nelson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director of Discipleship for Youth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

SUPPORT STAFFTamara Schonsberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Office Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608.783.2236 . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Stutesman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Communications & Marketing Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Peper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Head Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Koenig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant CustodianMary Meier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Peggy Daleki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Custodian

MUSIC STAFFJim Knutson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bell Choir Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Hicks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Organist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Saner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Senior Choir Director & Contemporary Music Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Daleki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Youth Praise Band Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

PRESCHOOL STAFFMelissa Rolbiecki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preschool Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608.779.4504 . . . . . . . . [email protected] Colgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4K TeacherMarci Leppert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preschool Assistant TeacherCarrie Markos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preschool Assistant Teacher

VISION & LEADERSHIP TEAMTodd Lofald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PresidentPaula Skoy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice PresidentJennifer Wiesjahn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SecretaryShaun GibbsAaron McDonaldMary Ann Redfearn Larry Schreiner

STAFF DIRECTORY

Jason Stanton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Senior Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608.386.6431 . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Bodenschatz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Associate Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608.433.6002 . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

Kathryn Pedretti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director of Servant Ministries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Crave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director of Small Group Ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

YOUTH/EDUCATION STAFFSheri Betz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sunday School Superintendent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] O’Rourke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sunday School Superintendent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Everson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Young Youth Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Berg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Confirmation Administrative Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Nelson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director of Discipleship for Youth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

SUPPORT STAFFTamara Schonsberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Office Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608.783.2236 . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Stutesman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Communications & Marketing Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Peper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Head Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Koenig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant CustodianMary Meier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant CustodianPeggy Daleki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Custodian

MUSIC STAFFJim Knutson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bell Choir Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Hicks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Organist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Saner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Senior Choir Director & Contemporary Music Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Daleki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Youth Praise Band Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

PRESCHOOL STAFFMelissa Rolbiecki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preschool Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608.779.4504 . . . . . . . . [email protected] Colgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4K TeacherMarci Leppert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preschool Assistant TeacherCarrie Markos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preschool Assistant Teacher

VISION & LEADERSHIP TEAMTodd Lofald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PresidentPaula Skoy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice PresidentJennifer Wiesjahn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SecretaryShaun GibbsAaron McDonaldMary Ann Redfearn Larry Schreiner

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edition:January2016

JANUARY 2016

INSIDECONFRONTING RACISM: A HOLY YEARNINGFINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITYFIRST’S ANNUAL POTLUCK

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