Announcements for Sunday, Oct. 17 2021
INSIDE: ABCs of Refugee Resettlement, Monday Night Community Meals, Butter Braid Fundraiser
First Lutheran has agreed to help Monday Night Meals at Trinity Lutheran, by preparing a meal, serving the food, and cleaning up. Meal prep can be done at your convenience. Many times people prepare the main course a week ahead and freeze it, and reheat it. Food for the meal can be gotten at no charge from the Hunger Task Force in La Crosse.
Worship
Join us for worship!
Sunday, Oct. 17:
8am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person wearing masks. Nursery available.
10:30am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person wearing masks. Nursery available.
Wednesday, Oct. 20:
6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person wearing masks
COVID-19 Update
Pastors and our COVID Advisory Panel gather to evaluate when and how the church can be open. These are our current recommendations:
Worship: online & in-person wearing masks
Small groups: online & in-person; precautions determined by entire group
Precautions for In-Person Worship
Worship services are offered in-person, indoors at both services. Currently we are asking, for the safety of ALL members, that everyone wear a mask during worship. Outdoor worship will be offered occasionally (about once a month) during the 10:30am service, and if weather permits. Registration and social distancing are currently not required. For a full description of current precautions, visit 1stlu.org/precaution.
Sunday Morning (with Coffee?)
This small group meets each Sunday at 9:15am, in the Thomas Room. Viewing short videos and discussing with others. Join in every week, or whenever you can. All are welcome!
Butter Braids Fundraiser
The Butter Braid Fundraiser starts Sunday Oct. 17 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 7. Youth raising funds for youth ministries have two options: 1) go to 1stlu.org/bbraids to setup an online account and receive a link to share with fam & friends to raise money, or 2) stop in the church office to pick up an order form to raise funds in-person. Members wanting to purchase Butter Braids should try to find a youth member raising funds; If you can’t fine one call the church office at 608.783.2236 to place an order. All orders, both online and on paper, must be placed/turned into the church office by Sunday, Nov. 7 at 11:30am, WITH MONEY. Orders will be delivered by the youth you placed the order through on Wednesday, Nov. 17. If you ordered through the church you can pick them up at the church on or after that date. More detailed info at 1stlu.org/bbraids.
The ABCs of Refugee Resettlement from LSS
Sunday, Oct. 17, 3:30pm. We’ve all heard a lot in the news about the evacuation of Afghans and many people have questions. Join staff from Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan who will present this webinar. You’ll learn how the program works, how you can help, and the latest information about the evolving situation of refugees from Afghanistan. Details and reg at 1stlu.org/lss.
Monday Night Community Meals
For many years, Trinity Lutheran Church on the northside of La Crosse has hosted a meal on Monday nights. First Lutheran has agreed to help with this important community ministry, by preparing a meal, serving the food, and cleaning up. We need people to plan and prepare the meal to feed 60-80 people, and folks to serve the meal (5-6pm) and help with cleanup. Meal prep can be done at your convenience. Many times people prepare the main course a week ahead, freeze it, and reheat it. Food for the meal can be gotten at no charge from the Hunger Task Force in La Crosse. Our dates are Oct. 18 and Dec. 13. You can sign up at 1stlu.org/monmeals, or contact bridget@firstlu.org.
OWLs Halloween Party Potluck
Our OWLS (Older Wiser Lutherans at First Lutheran, for anyone 55+) will gather on Wednesday Oct. 20 at noon, in the Fellowship Hall for fun, food, fellowship and laughter at our first ever Halloween Party. There will be a Halloween costume contest, decorations, games and stories. Costumes are optional, but feel to be creative with old clothes, uniforms, or costumes. Its fine to come dressed as you 20-50 years ago. Hosts Mary and Brian will be in costume so come and join the fun! For information or to ask questions, contact Brian Narveson at owls@firstlu.org.
Winter Clothing Drive
Many of the people being released from the jail don’t have warm clothes to wear, and the La Crosse jail ministry would like to provide them with just this very thing. We see this as especially important for those who are being released to homelessness. We are in need of clean and gently used men’s coats, boots, shoes, sweat pants and T-shirts. We are going to have a clothing drive this October at Onalaska United Methodist Church at 212 4th Ave N. Drop your donations off from 5–6pm, Wednesday, Oct. 20 or 27.
Synod School of Theology
For lay people who want to dig a little deeper into what it means to be Lutheran. Next class: Lutheran Confessions presented by Pr. Nile Sandeen, Thursdays, Oct. 21–Dec. 2, 6:30–8pm via Zoom. Register now: 608-788-5000 or melanie@lacrosseareasynod.org.
Waking Up White Regional Read, Presentations & Discussions
The Waking Up White Regional Read invites the community to read Waking Up White, attend public presentations, and engage in book chat conversations about ways to create a more welcoming and inclusive multicultural community. Having finished Waking Up White is not a prerequisite for attending the presentations and discussions. More info and reg at laxwakingupwhite.com.
Upcoming presentations (live streamed):
Diversity And Inclusion In Theatre Panel: Aaron Young, Melissa Maxwell, Eileen Moeller, And Jaclyn Johnson. Friday, October 22, 3 pm
Dr. Suthakaran Veerasamy "Cultivating Cultural Empathy To Overcome White Supremacy Thinking," Saturday, October 23, 2 pm
Upcoming discussions (in-person, with precautions):
Saturday, Oct. 16 at 2 pm. "The Cost of Racism to Black, Indigenous, & People of Color" Community Connections Center, La Crosse
Thursday, Oct. 21 at 12 pm. "White Traits that Might be Holding your Organization Back" US Bank Building 10th Floor, La Crosse Register
Saturday, Oct. 23 at 10 am. "From Bystander to Antiracist" Holmen Library Register
Parents’ Night Out
Bring your children for an evening of fun with the middle and high school youth groups’ fundraiser! WHERE: at First Lutheran, NEXT: Friday, Oct. 22, FOR: Birth–12 are welcome (Birth–3 will be in the nursery, ages 4 and up in Fellowship Hall)
Registration from 4:45pm-5:30pm
Followed by dinner and activities till 8:30pm (parents can pick up early if needed)
COST: Donations will assist the middle and high school students with 2022 Sugar Creek Bible camp, mission trip and ELCA Youth Gathering.
Celebrating 150 Years!
Saturday, Oct. 30 • History Day
10am–3pm: Celebrating the history of First Lutheran with history videos, food from various ethnic groups, worship services throughout the decades, and a history walk.
3–5pm: The celebration continues with a Fall Festival in the parking lot with games, food, trunk-or-treating, and historic costumes!
Sunday, Oct. 31 • Reformation Sunday
8 and 10:30am: Join us for a special worship service on Reformation Sunday to hear a message from Bishop Malpica, our new bishop in the La Crosse Area Synod, with a special celebration between services!
Clothes Closet Needs Teen Volunteers
First Teen Clothes Closet is looking for high school-aged volunteers to help out for about 4 hours a month. Volunteers would look at donations to ensure they appeal to teens and put together outfits for display in the clothes closet. You can set your own schedule and volunteer with a friend or two. This is a great opportunity for high schoolers and confirmation students looking for volunteer opportunities. If you are interested, email bridget@firstlu.org.
Clothes Closet Needs
Hello First Lutheran congregation: We are grateful for the many ways you’ve supported First Teen Clothes Closet! We are getting low on guys jeans (especially large and x-large sizes), rings, earrings, necklaces and wallets. Looking good is important to teens! Please carefully consider whether your items are gently used (or new), “in style” for teens, and recently laundered (please no cat or dog hair, stains, deodorant marks). Our clothing donation drop off area is on the right as you enter First Lutheran Church. Thank you so very much!
Lyle Griner: Church is About Relationships
Hey… Sunday School teachers! Lenten small group leaders! Confirmation guides! Peer Ministers! Stephen Ministers!… and ANY leader of ANY ministry at First Lutheran!...
Lyle Griner, author of Peer Ministry and dozens of other youth & family ministry resources, will be in Onalaska at First Lutheran for an IN PERSON leadership enrichment course on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 8:30am–4:30pm. Lyle is the best there is at getting leaders to not just 'think' about how to facilitate a ministry, but to experience ministry together through RELATIONSHIPS. We will use lessons from Peer Ministry to broaden and deepen the skills of all our leaders at First. Join us! To RSVP: sign up at 1stlu.org/lyle, or call the office at 608.783.2236. First Lutheran is covering all costs including snacks, beverages and lunch.
Family Photos: A Cloud of Witnesses
All Saints Day has long been a day when the church gives thanks for all the saints, the beloved, who have died, especially in the past year. In the coming weeks, we will be asking for photographs of your beloved dead so that we can be surrounded by their witness on All Saints Sunday, Nov. 7. These pictures can be sent electronically (karyn@firstlu.org) or brought in. They will be printed as 4X6, so resolution should be such that they can be printed well from what you submitted. If your loved one was a member of our congregation and died this past year, you will receive a letter with a special request.
All Saints Day isn’t only about those who have died but also about those who have been newly baptized. If your child was baptized this past year, you also will receive a special request.
Please note, we will continue to use the photos submitted last year, so no need to resend those photos.
Bible Matters
Are you looking for the connection between scripture and everyday life? Or maybe a way to dig deeper into the gospel of Luke? If so, join Pastor Karyn for a year-long journey through the lectionary (our schedule of readings) starting Monday, Nov. 8, 7-8pm, meeting in the narthex. Cost of this class is $20 for the devotional study book we will be using. Register online at 1stlu.org/matters.
2022 ELCA Youth Gathering
The ELCA Youth Gathering is less than a year away! July 24–28, 2022… in our very own backyard of Minneapolis! The gathering is open to all youth entering grades 9–12 in the fall of 2022, plus 2022 graduates. Early bird registration due by Nov. 21, 2021! More info: 1stlu.org/gathering.
Baptismal Preparation
The pastors are considering baptisms on an individual basis. The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Dec. 4, at 10am. To register or ask questions contact the church office at 608.783.3326 / office@firstlu.org.
Happy Birthday!!
If you have received a birthday postcard from First in the past several months and still have it, bring it into church Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm and pick up a small gift. Remember to ring the doorbell on the left side of the doors and Tamara will be happy to help you.
New Members
By choosing to become a member, individuals and families commit to being part of a shared mission. People who would like to become members of First Lutheran are typically invited to a social at Red Pines where you would get to know more about First and the staff in a relaxed atmosphere. When gathering in such a way is safe, we will celebrate our new members in this way. For now, please let us know if you are interested in membership. One of our pastors will connect with you to find out how we may best be church together in the months and years to come. Call our office for more information at 608.783.2236 or email office@firstlu.org.
Readers!
We are seeking people of all ages who would be willing to be our readers each week. This would mean doing a video of yourself or family reading the assigned text and then uploading it to a google folder. If you are willing to do this, email Pastor Karyn: karyn@firstlu.org.
Scrip Cards Are Still Available
Scrip cards are still available from the church office even though the building is closed. We have Kwik Trip, Woodman's, Target and Festival cards. To find out what's currently available and when you can buy them, call the church office at 608.783.2236 or send email to office@firstlu.org.
Sunday School
Sunday, October 17
Gr 3 FBB: Bibles, lifted up in worship
9:15am Sunday School
Sunday, October 24
9:15am Preschool FBB: Praying Together (1st meeting, parents/guardians & child) - Fellowship Hall
9:15am Sunday School
Questions regarding Sunday School? Visit 1stlu.org/sunschool.
Preschool Faith Alive Building Block: Praying Together
Throughout the year each age group will have a special “Faith Building Block” session in which parents or special adults are asked to attend class with their child on Sundays at 9:15am (in Fellowship Hall), sharing in conversation and growing together in faith. The session lasts for three weeks, and afterwards, children will have a presence in worship in celebration of the Faith Building Block they have learned.
Sundays, Oct. 24: parents/guardians with children
Sundays, Oct. 31: parents/guardians with children
Sunday, Nov. 7: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship
Confirmation
Sunday, October 17:
9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Classes - Fireside Rm
Wednesday, October 20:
6:15pm Confirmation Class: Intro to Buddhism - Fireside Rm
6:45pm Gr 10 Confirmation Rehearsal - Fellowship Hall
7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups
Questions regarding confirmation? Visit 1stlu.org/confirm.