Announcements for Sunday, December 17
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Blue Christmas Worship
Thursday, December 21, 6:15pm worship, with a light meal & conversation at 5:30pm.
Christmas Eve Worship Times
2:00pm, 4:00pm, 6:00pm and 11:00pm. All will be candlelight and all will be with Holy Communion. No Sunday School nor Confirmation classes.
Christmas Day Worship Time
10am, with Holy Communion.
Sunday School
- Sunday, Dec. 17
- 9:15am Sunday School
- Sunday, Dec. 24 & 31
- No Sunday School Classes; classes resume on Sunday, January 7
New registrations welcome any time of the year. Contact Sunday School superintendent Beth Miller at sundayschool@firstlu.org or stop in the Sunday School office in room 206.
Confirmation
- Sunday, December 17
- 9:15am 10 Commandments
- 9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Bible Classes
- Wednesday, December 20
- 5:00pm Lord’s Prayer
- 7:00pm Confirmation Parent Meeting
- 7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups
Christmas Caroling
THIS Sunday, Dec. 17, 5-8pm. Hop on a bus and take a ride around Onalaska to visit and carol to those who need extra Christmas cheer! Feel free to join us, even
at the last minute!
OWLs Christmas Potluck
On Wednesday, Dec. 20, the OWLs, a group for those 55+, will have their annual Christmas potluck at noon in the narthex. This event is known for its fabulous food, great fellowship, fun games, Christmas goodies, and a wonderful gift exchange; the latter is optional, and the theme is “My Favorite Christmas Ornament.” Keep the value under $10. Bring a few Christmas goodies to share in addition your potluck dish. Questions? Contact Brian Narveson at owls@firslu.org.
Faith Alive Creative Circle
Monday, Dec. 18, 6-9pm. Meeting the third Monday of each month in Fellowship Hall, the Faith Alive Creative Circle is a gathering of people working out their creative muscles. All are welcome. Bring whatever project you are working on and enjoy fellowship while doing it. Join us!
Food Basket seeks volunteers for Rotary Lights
Volunteers are needed to collect food for the Onalaska Food Basket at this year’s Rotary Lights in Riverside Park in La Crosse. Volunteers collect food from drivers as vehicles enter the park. Volunteers are needed for these shifts on these dates: 5-7:30pm or 7:30-10pm on Dec. 17 and 30. To volunteer as an individual or group, go to 1stlu.org/rotary.
Synod School of Theology
Grow in faith, develop your spirituality, deepen your discipleship, discern your baptismal vocation, and learn more about the Bible, theology and the church. Courses include: Bible, Theology, Church History, Ministry Skills and Spiritual Development. The first session begins Jan. 4, 2018. Talk to our pastors if you’re interested, and find more info at 1stlu.org/theology.
Clothes Closet needs gloves, hats
With winter (finally) arriving, we have many guests in need of warm hats and gloves — we are especially short on more masculine styles. Please consider donating cold weather gear ASAP. Many of our guests walk to and from school, which means a lot of time out in the cold. Gently used winter coats are also welcome! Thank you for warming heads, hands and hearts with your generosity!
You can pick up your photos
Members who had their photos taken for the new church directory and who are getting just the free 8x10 can pick up that photo in the church office.
Welcome Baskets
Welcome baskets are a way to welcome a new neighbor into your neighborhood. The baskets are a gift bag tied with a bow, filled with some goodies from church and from our community. They are available to sign out at the Resource Center across from the church office.
Volunteer Appreciation Party!
A warm thank you! Why? To thank everyone for being Christ’s hands and feet! Sunday, Jan. 28, 11:45–1:30pm in Fellowship Hall. RSVP by Jan. 24 at the Welcome Center or call the church at 608.783.2236.
Helping Hands
If you need help with small jobs around the house or if you need a couple of meals or groceries delivered, just go to the “Helping Hands” board by the nursery and make out a slip with a description of what you need help with and your telephone number. Then anyone who thinks they can help out can take the slip and call the number to work out the details. This ministry is open to all in need of help AND to those who can provide the help. There is no set group of “helpers” so we need involvement from all who can be a blessing to someone else. Thanks!
Synod Anti-Racism Training: The Hidden Power of Racism in Our Community
It can be uncomfortable to talk about race, racism, and racial injustice, and yet engaging in this conversation is important. This workshop will use On Behalf of Our Children: Wisconsin’s Racial Disparities and the Call of the Gospel, a resource from the Wisconsin Council of Churches to begin to unpack the hidden power of race and God’s call to us in the midst of it. Thursday, Jan. 11, 9:30am–4pm at Good Shepherd Lutheran, 4141 Mormon Coulee Rd, La Crosse. Cost: $10, includes refreshments, lunch and program material. Register by emailing office@lacrosseareasynod.org, or calling 608.788.5000 by Jan. 8. Questions? Contact Pastor John Dumke at jfdumke@gmail.com or 630.675.8910
Stephen Ministry Classes Start in Jan
A Stephen Minister is a good listener to a person in crisis, bringing Christ into the relationship. Come join us and see how Stephen Ministers make a difference in the church. A new Stephen Ministry class is starting Monday, Jan. 15 from 6–8pm, for 20 weeks. Meeting in the Mary Room. RSVP by contacting Pastor Karyn (karyn@firstlu.org) or Gloria Kubiak (608.498.2762).
Before the After
Before the After is a planning tool to be used by anyone, any age, to outline your wishes, prepare and organize pertinent documents and eliminate possible tough decisions for your loved ones. Plan your Before the After, ask questions of knowledgeable individuals, open communication with family or friends and coordinate all your information in one place. Tuesday, January 30, 6–8pm, in Fellowship Hall. More info: 1stlu.org/b4after.
Financial Peace University
We all need a plan for our money. Dave Ramsey’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 runs Feb. 11 through April 15, from 6-7:30pm at First Lutheran. A supervised nursery is available during class time for children age 4 and younger, if you make reservations in advance; to reserve childcare call the church office at 608.783.2236.
Kettle Ringers
Tis the season! Bellringers are needed through Dec. 24. Bell ringing can be done in 2-hour increments, inside or outside. This is a great opportunity for our confirmation kids to gain some service hours — and do it together! Those interested in volunteering during the holidays — or anytime — through the Salvation Army, check out the group’s website at Bells2ring.org!