Announcements for Sunday, November 11
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Thankful Sunday Food Drive
We are all blessed with God’s graces. Let us spend this month doing our best to pass on God’s grace to those in need. Please join in collecting as many items as possible this month for the Onalaska Food Pantry. Bring food items with you anytime you visit this month and put them at the display in the narthex or at the altar during offering. On Sunday, November 29, our youth will spend the Sunday school hour packaging these items. We could use lots of adult and high school volunteers at this intergenerational event! If you are able to help, contact sundayschool@firstlu.org or call the church office and leave a message.
Butter Braids
This fund raiser is now available to ALL YOUTH going to Bible camp or on mission trips this summer. Order forms are available in the office—pick one up and start selling! Forms need to be returned by Nov. 15. What? You just want to EAT a Butter Braid? Just purchase one from a youth, or speak with Tina!
Caring Connections
Be part of this wonderful ministry that offers support and friendship to our young adult members. Simply select a manila envelope for one of our young adults; available for pick-up in the narthex. More info at firstlu.org/caringconnections.
Young adults: It’s not too late to be included in Caring Connections! Whether you are college-bound or not, stop in the church office or email grads@firstlu.org your new address so that we can keep you connected in our Caring Connections Ministry!
Sunday School Update
- Sunday, November 8
- 9:15am: Sunday School classes
- 9:15am: 1st Grade Faith Building Block: 10 Commandments - FH (2nd meeting, children with parents/guardians)
- Sunday, November 15
- 9:15am: Sunday School classes
- 9:15am: 1st Grade Faith Building Block: 10 Commandments - FH (3rd meeting, children with parents/guardians)
New registrations welcome any time of the year. Contact Sunday School superintendents Sheri Betz and Tawni O’Rourke at sundayschool@firstlu.org or stop in the Sunday School office in room 206.
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! Tuesday, November 10 @ 6:30–8:30pm
HS Retreat at Sugar Creek
Nov. 13-15, at Sugar Creek! This high energy retreat is filled with great music, faith-building time and surprises! Cost: $75 (includes 5 meals & transportation; van leaves church at 5:30pm on Fri, returns approximately 2pm on Sun.). RSVP to Tina: tina@firstlu.org.
Drawing from the Well
Next retreat: Sat., November 14,
8:30am–1:30pm
This month is part one of a two-part exploration of Emotional and Intellectual Wellness. We will begin by studying Luke 9:10-17. (Jesus feeds 5,000 plus people!) After some conversation, we will talk about Strengths Finder and the power knowing and using our strengths has in our lives. This gathering does carry with it a cost to purchase the book and take the inventory. The book (which includes the code to take the inventory) is $15 on Amazon
(1stlu.org/1Mn86Og). To read a short synopsis about Strengths Finder go to strengths.gallup.com. Lunch will be at the church.
MS & HS Game Nights
Come join in a fun night of fellowship and games. This is a once a month get-together for those game nerds out there! Bring your own favorite games to share with the group!
- High School: Tues., Nov. 17 @ 78:30
- Middle School: Sat., Nov. 21 @ 6-8:30
OWLs
The next potluck for the OWLs, a group for those 55+, will be Wed., Nov. 18, at noon in the fellowship hall. By popular request Brian and Mary Narveson will show photos and tell stories about their month-long trip following the trail of Lewis and Clark.
Advent Around the Table
Advent is a season full of rich traditions for both home and church. This year, as a part of our Come to the Table year, we invite all members of First Lutheran to join us on Sunday, November 22, at 9:15am for our first Advent Around the Table event. We will create advent wreaths for our homes, chrismons for our trees, peace cranes for our sanctuary and advent calendars to help us keep the days of Advent. Along the way, we will learn more about this season, have great fellowship and grow in our faith as we kick off the Advent season.
COME FOR SUPPER
First Lutheran is assisting with Come for Supper on Tuesday, November 24, 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.
Onalaska Community Thanksgiving Dinner
November 26, from 11am–3pm at the Onalaska Armory.
Go to www.octd.org/volunteers to find out ways to volunteer, or speak with Tom Brewer.
Clothes Closet Needs
As we enter the colder months, our special needs include sweatshirts and hoodies (teens prefer these over coats) and lightweight knit gloves and mittens. Monetary donations designated for the Teen Clothes Closet are used to purchase toiletries, undergarments, pajamas and healthy snacks to have available for our clients and their families. Volunteers are also needed to help host appointments with clients; anyone interested in volunteering can contact Bridget Crave for more information.
Snow Birds
If you will be leaving town for the winter, we want to make sure you still get the monthly newsletter and other mailings. Please provide us with your winter address, and the dates you will leave and come back, so that we can keep our mailing information for your household up to date. You can mail us the information, or email it to us (office@firstlu.org), or call us (608.783.2236).
Cancellations due to inclement weather
If the weather ever makes you wonder whether your group is meeting for their ministry, check our website, Facebook page, or update the office with your cell # and provider so that we can text you. We’ll also notify WXOW.com, news8000.com and the La Crosse Radio Group stations: 106.3, 104.9, 102.7, 100.1, and 1490 AM. The staff and leadership of First intend to ‘make the call’ by 5:00 PM at the latest so everyone knows what to expect. Be safe this winter!