Inside: Communion begins next Sunday, sign up for VBS: Home Kits!

Online Worship

Join us for worship online this Sunday at 9:15am and on Wednesday at 6:15pm, at 1stlu.org/live.

COVID-19 Update

Compass status for La Crosse County this week is at high risk:
- Worship: online
- Education: online
- Small groups: online
For an up-to-date list of online options and cancellations please visit firstlutheranonalaska.org/thisweek.

Sugar Creek Family Getaway Camps

Sugar Creek has cancelled overnight summer youth programs for 2020. In place of the 4 weeks of youth camps, you are invited to any of the 8 NEW sessions of "Family Getaway" camps, July 10–August 8! With safe practices in a beautiful getaway setting, you can still get a fun and meaningful faith-filled outdoor adventure this summer—together as a family. Over 15 separate family spaces available for each session. Be safely physically distanced in outdoor group times, and explore tons of new activities for youth and adults. All shapes and sizes of families are welcome. This can still become a joyful summer camp season to remember for your whole family! Click here to learn more.

Bread Baking Classes

Families will provide the bread and wine and the vessels needed for communion. Pastor Karyn will have two online “lessons” for those who would like to learn how to bake communion bread. They will be on July 21 at 7pm and July 25 at 8am. Pastor Karyn will have a sign up ready to go in the coming days. A Zoom link will be sent to you the week of, so make sure to sign up.

Communion

In July we will begin to commune, virtually. To do this well, we will need each single person/family who expects to participate to designate at least one confirmed Christian who will act as the ‘assisting minister’ in their household. Maybe family members rotate week-by-week. All designated assisting ministers are required to attend a virtual training date lead by Pastor Karyn and Pastor Stanton on Wednesday, July 22 at 7:15pm, Thursday, July 23 at 7:15pm and Sunday, July 26 at 8am (before worship at 9:15am, when we will commune this way for the first time). Sign up for a training date at 1stlu.org/training. We believe God meets us where we are at… so we will celebrate God meeting us online.

Town Halls to Minimize Bias in the Lutheran Church

Join in a series of Town Hall webinars that prioritize the voices of intersectional Lutherans. While this conversation is organized by folk within the Sierra Pacific Synod - ELCA, these conversation are open to all who are interested in learning from our past, access the present and strategizing our future. Times: July 24, and July 31… both at 4pm.

Vacation Bible School: Home Kits

You can discover a lot when you take time to FOCUS! Get ready to focus on how we can hear from God, talk to God and live for God! First Lutheran will be offering a fun-filled kit for five days of vacation Bible school at your house, with the first day of the kit starting on Sunday, August 2. The 5 day VBS kit includes daily access to online videos, daily theme and Bible verse, all the supplies for crafts, games and a family challenge. Click here to register by July 30; kits will be delivered August 1.

Sugar Creek Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Mon, Aug. 17, at Viroqua Hills Golf Course. $75 for 18 holes. Form a team, grab the clubs, and join Sugar Creek for a GREAT day on the course! These golf outings are FUN way to support the ministries of Sugar Creek Bible Camp! So whether you’re thinking about going pro or you haven’t swung a club since middle school, join us on the green! Call the camp to register! 608.734.3113. Click here for tournament flyer and more details.

Back-To-School Shoe Drive

While we may not know yet what school will look like in the fall, we do know that teens will need new shoes. First Teen Clothes Closet is committed to continuing to provide new back-to-school shoes, suitable for gym classes, to our guests later this summer. If you would like to contribute to this effort, donations may be sent to First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, 410 Main St. Onalaska, WI 54650.

Sugar Creek Annual Quilt and Antique Auction

Sat, Sept. 12. Events beginning at 8am: 5K Trail Run and Fun Walk, country store, craft fair, quilt and antique auction. Click here to view flyer for more details.

Baptismal Preparation

 The pastors are considering baptisms on an individual basis. To register or ask questions contact the church office at 608.783.3326 / 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.

Help Those in Need

If you are looking for ways to help locally, go to the Ugetconnected site to find a variety of needs, from writing letters or drawing pictures to seniors, to delivering pre-packaged meals or sewing. It's hard to keep track of all the various organizations, so this is a great spot to find out how you can help. Go to 1stlu.org/needs.

Announcements for Sunday, July 19 2020