Announcements for All Saints Sunday, Nov. 7 2021
INSIDE: Daylight Savings Ends; All Saints Sunday; Faith Alive! U: First and Community Impact; 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 use. Register online at 1stlu.org/bmatters.
Worship
Join us for worship!
All Saints Sunday, Nov. 7:
We will honor our brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone before us, during both services.
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, Nov. 10:
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.
Fall back!
Daylight saving time ends at 2am, Sunday, Nov. 7. Don’t forget to change your clocks! (Otherwise you’ll just be early to church!)
Parent Share
Join Carla Stanton, member of First, certified spiritual director and mom of three, in room 201 every Sunday morning at 9:15am. At Parent Share, we pray and talk about raising our children faithfully. Questions? Click here to contact Carla.
Faith Alive! U: First Lutheran And Community Impact
On Sunday, Nov. 7, at noon, presented in-person in the sanctuary. Causeway Caregivers has been providing volunteer services since 1986 for elderly and disabled adults within our communities. Popular outreach programs of Causeway are the Before the After Program and OASIS Respite Program. Sara Wrobel of Causeway will be at First Lutheran on Nov. 7 to share with you how you can participate, support or spread the word about Causeway's programs serving the Coulee Region! causewaycaregivers.org and oasisrespiteprogram.org. This event is intended for confirmation students, high schoolers and all adults. Childcare will be available in the nursery for kids not yet in grade school.
Butter Braids Fundraiser
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.
Screening of Naila and the Uprising
The film screening will take place virtually on Monday, Nov. 8 from 6–8pm. Naila and the Uprising chronicles the remarkable journey of Naila Ayesh and a courageous community of women organizers whose stories weave through the most vibrant, nonviolent mobilization in Palestinian history—the First Intifada in the late 1980s. Click here for details. Click here to register for film screening.
Waking Up White Symposium, 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 (via Zoom):
Dr. Erin Winkler: "How Children Learn About Race And How Adults Can Help," Saturday, Nov. 6, 10:30am, via Zoom. Register
Dr. Fran Kaplan and Reggie Jackson, "Racism as a Public Health Crisis," Sunday, November 14, 1pm, via Zoom. Register.
Upcoming discussions (in-person, with precautions):
Saturday, Nov. 6 at 10am. "Stereotypes and the Language we Use" People's Food Co-op in La Crosse. Register
Saturday, Nov. 6 at 10am. "Why Being Color-Blind" is Not a Good Approach" Holzinger Lodge, 925 W Lake Blvd., Winona. Register
Sunday, Nov. 7 at 1pm. "Unintentionally Defending and Perpetuating the Unfair System" West Salem Library. Register
Thursday, Nov. 18 at 12pm. "What About La Crosse?" Community Connections Center, La Crosse. Register
White Privilege Symposium
Dec. 3 and 4, at the La Crosse Center. Registration NOW OPEN; register at laxwakingupwhite.com. A full list of workshops/presenters will be available Nov. 8. Cost: Adult $100 (Virtual or In Person), Students $75 (Virtual or In Person)… BUT contact office@firstlu.org to have First cover half the costs! Debby Irving’s keynote on Friday is free as an online presentation, but registration is required.
Coffee with Pastor Karyn
Coffee with Pastor Karyn is open to all and meets at 6:30am each Wednesday in the narthex. See you there! Questions? Contact karyn@firstlu.org.
Free Series For Caregivers
The Franciscan Spirituality Center and the Aging and Disability Resource Center have collaborated on a new series designed to support caregivers. “Refresh and Renew: A Caregiver Series” will meet in person, once a month, initially at the FSC’s temporary space at River Crossing Square, 500 Second St. S., Suite 201, and later this fall at 920 Market St. Sessions are free, but registration is required at www.FSCenter.org or 608.791.5295. Participants may attend any or all of the sessions in the series…
“Creating Moments of Joy,” Nov. 10, with Rose Elsbernd, FSPA.
“A Singing Bowls Experience,” Dec. 8, with Tom Roberts.
“Art as Prayer,” Jan. 12, with Mary Thompson.
“Coffee and Conversation,” Feb. 9, with Steve Spilde.
“Walking the Labyrinth,” March 9, with Jean Pagliaro.
Drawing from the Well
This group is for women of First and the greater La Crosse area seeking to support one another in their spiritual growth. We gather to develop a deeper relationship with one another, meeting on the second Saturday of the month, 9:30–11am, in the narthex, with the next one on Saturday, Nov. 13. Contact Bridget Crave for more info: bridget@firstlu.org.
Screening of There is a Field
The film screening will take place virtually on Monday, Nov. 15 at 6–8pm and will be followed by a community discussion facilitated by the documentary director and two members of the production crew. There Is A Field tells the story of Asel Asleh, an unarmed 17-year old killed by the police. Asel’s story is tragically familiar for Americans, but Asel was not killed in Ferguson, New York City, Atlanta or Minneapolis. Asel was a Palestinian teenager who was killed by Israeli police as he participated in a demonstration, calling for an end to the Israeli occupation. Since this event is a great opportunity to invite others in your community into the work that Churches for Middle East Peace is doing, please feel free to share this invitation with up to 4 others in your community. If you plan to attend, please register here for film screening.
OWLs Post
The OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First Lutheran, a “small” group for anyone 55+) will have their next potluck on Wednesday, Nov. 17, in the fellowship hall at noon. Since it is close to Thanksgiving, bring your favorite Thanksgiving dish or dessert to share. For the program, Brian and Mary Narveson will show photos and tell stories about their recent trip to the national parks of Utah. Also, since Storyhill was sold out, the OWLs will fly on Friday, Nov. 19, to see the great Broadway musical, The Pajama Game, at Viterbo, with dinner right across the street beforehand at Houghton’s. The OWLs will meet at Houghton's (1002 Jackson Street, La Crosse) at 5pm. Cost of the play is $25, and dinner is on your own. RSVP to Brian ASAP: owls@firstlu.org / 630.816.5917.
ELCA Youth Gathering Meeting
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. 20, 2021! Registration info online at 1stlu.org/gathering.
Questions? Visit: 1stlu.org/gathering.
Ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve Worship
In place of our usual Wednesday night worship on Nov. 24, members are invited to a special ecumenical worship service at Onalaska United Methodist on Thanksgiving Eve at 6:30pm, with our brothers and sisters in Christ from Onalaska UMC, which is nearby at 212 4th Ave N, Onalaska, WI 54650.
Onalaska Community Thanksgiving Dinner
The Onalaska Rotaries are pleased to announce the 11th annual Onalaska & Holmen Community Thanksgiving Dinner. This year, the dinner is back at the Armory in Onalaska at 910 Oak Forest Drive on Thursday, Nov. 25, for in-person dining from 11am–2pm. There is no charge for the dinner or for meal delivery. Please join your Onalaska & Holmen families and friends for a meal and to celebrate the community. Sign up to volunteer, donate and learn more at www.octd.org.
Advent Around the Table
Advent is a season full of rich traditions for both home and church. We invite everyone to join us on Sunday, Nov. 28, at 9:15am in Fellowship Hall for our annual Advent Around the Table event. We will create advent crafts for our homes andlearn more about this particular season, have great fellowship and grow in our faith as we kick off the Advent season.
Preschool Opening
The First Lutheran Preschool has an opening in the Tuesday/Thursday class. Class runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30-11am or 12pm with optional Lunch Bunch. Email the preschool for more info: preschool@firstlu.org.
Christmas Events Insert
The Christmas events insert that was included in the November newsletter can be downloaded at 1stlu.org/insertch.
YAGM’s are Back for 2022
ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) will be back in the world, in 9 foreign countries in 2022-23! YAGMs are young adults aged 21–29 and this is the time to reach out to new candidates. Application deadline: Feb.1, 2022 (priority deadline Jan. 15.) Learn more at elca.org/yagm.
Warming Center
The La Crosse Warming Center will be open Nov. 1 through April 30. Individuals who are living in homelessness can sleep, shower, do laundry and a get a meal at the Warming Center. As was done last year, the first two Fridays of each month are "Lutheran Night." A number of local ELCA churches are working together to staff those two Friday nights and provide food for dinner. Orientation and training is provided. Click here for more information. Questions? Contact bridget@firstlu.org.
Cancellations Due to Inclement Weather
If bad weather ever makes you wonder whether your group is meeting, check our website, Facebook page, or update the office with your cell number and provider so that we can text you. The staff and leadership of First intend to ‘make the call’ by 5pm at the latest so everyone knows what to expect. Be safe this winter!
Sunday School
Sunday, Nov. 7
Preschool FBB: Praying Together, lifted up in worship
9:15am Gr 1 FBB: 10 Commandments (1st meeting, parents/guardians only) - Fellowship Hall
9:15am Sunday School
Sunday, Nov. 14
9:15am Gr 1 FBB: 10 Commandments (2nd meeting, parents/guardians & child) - Fellowship Hall
9:15am Sunday School
Questions regarding Sunday School? Visit 1stlu.org/sunschool.
Grade 1 Faith Alive Building Block: Ten Commandments
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 to celebrate the Faith Building Block they have learned.
Sunday, Nov. 7, 9:15am: parents/guardians only
Sundays, Nov. 14 & 21, 9:15am: parents/guardians with children
Sunday, Nov. 28: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship
Confirmation
Sunday, Nov. 7:
Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Classes - Fireside Rm
Wednesday, Nov. 10:
6:15pm Confirmation Class - Fireside Rm
7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups
Questions regarding confirmation? Visit 1stlu.org/confirm.