INSIDE: First Fest this Sunday • Worship at 8am & 10:30am • Masking changes start this Sunday • Access to Online Member Directory

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Sept. 11:

• 8am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.

• 10:30am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.

Wednesday, Sept. 14:

• 6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.

Current Precautions

Beginning this Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, First Lutheran will not 'suggest', 'expect', 'require' or 'recommend' the use of masks during worship. The Welcome Center will display the latest County Health Department risk level along with KN95 masks for anyone who would like to wear one. Masks will remain welcome. First Lutheran will continue to balance the needs of the vulnerable with the realities of our community. Contact Pastor Stanton with any questions or concerns regarding our next steps as a church: jason@firstlu.org.

• Masking: masks are welcome and not required, and encouraged for those recently exposed.

• Social distancing: not required, but of course, we ask everyone to respect all who desire social distance.

• Hand sanitizing: stations will be available at the entrance and near the welcome center.

• Stay home if you have any symptoms of COVID or had a recent positive diagnosis.

For a full description of current precautions, visit 1stlu.org/precaution.

Changes in Worship Times

With summer drawing to a close, worship times will be changing once again, and will be as follows…

• Sunday, Sept. 11 (First Fest Sunday): 8am & 10:30am, indoors and in-person, which will be the worship times through May 2023.

First Day of Sunday School

The first day of Sunday School is Sunday, Sept. 11. Parents/guardians and kids will gather in the sanctuary at 9:15am to kick off this year’s Sunday School program, meet the teachers, pick up a Sunday School calendar and get the ball rolling! Online registration is now open; more info at 1stlu.org/SSreg.

Access to Online Member Database

As part of our website update, this past week all MEMBERS received an email invitation to access their account for our online directory. In the online directory members have the ability to:

• View/update your personal and household contact info

• Mark any part of your contact info as public (viewable by other members) or private (unlisted)

• View your giving and print your contribution statements

• View the online church directory and communicate with other members

Members can access the online directory at 1stlu.org/directory. Questions can be directed to andy@firstlu.org.

Social Media Director

The First Lutheran Teen Clothes Closet (FTTC) is looking for a high school teen to regularly post and engage with teens about the FTTC on relevant social media. A $100/ month stipend is available. Interested? Talk to Bridget Crave bridget@firstlu.org.

Grief Support

The Franciscan Spirituality Center offers the following opportunities for grief support. Online reg: www.FSCenter.org.

• LISTENING TOGETHER: A MONTHLY GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP (IN-PERSON). Mondays, 5:30-6:30pm; First session is Sept. 12. Cost: Free. Advance reg appreciated; drop-ins welcome. This group meets the second Monday of every month and provides a safe place for those who are experiencing grief and the loss of a loved one to share their stories. You’ll have an opportunity to process your unique experience while receiving the comfort and compassion of others who understand. 

• 5-WEEK SERIES: GRIEF CIRCLE (IN PERSON), Sept. 13, 20, 27 & Oct. 4, Tuesdays, 10am–noon. Cost: $25 for series; enter code GRIEF60 for discount on online reg. This group is for those who are grieving the death of a loved one. It is a welcoming place to share your thoughts, feelings and concerns, where you can talk about your loss with other people who understand, because they are also grieving. Sometimes friends and family, although well-intentioned, may not understand the meaning of your loss and the depth of your pain. The support of others on the same journey can provide a great deal of comfort and healing. 

The Greater La Crosse Area Diversity Council Virtual Lunch & Learn

Tuesday, Sept. 13, 11:30am–1pm. An Intersectional Q(eer) & A. The queer community is complex and dynamic, and everyone comes to their advocacy with varying levels of experience and expectation. This session covers some of the basics (e.g., LGBTQIA+ acronym, pronouns, and policy) while offering more seasoned attendees plenty of opportunities to ask specific questions guided by their unique experiences. This session hopes to provide guidance, context, and conversation. Speaker: Dr. Christopher J. Jorgenson
Register here.

RING!

Are you open to trying something new? Join the fun—ring bells! We welcome widely varied musical backgrounds. No experience necessary! We’ll begin with the basics and learn to work together. Musical ability is a skill that can be taught. Do you want to be involved? The bells rehearse Tuesdays at 5pm in the choir room, starting Sept. 13.  For more info, contact Jim Knutson at jim@firstlu.org. Ring ‘dem bells!

Jail Ministry Fundraiser

The La Crosse Jail Ministry, which offers inmates spiritual direction, rehabilitative support and connections to faith communities, is having a fundraiser on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at Burrachos Fresh Mexican Grill in Onalaska. Burrachos will donate 25% of sales from 4–8pm to the jail ministry program. The offer applies all day to orders placed online. If you order in person, be sure to say La Crosse Jail Ministry at the register. If you order online, put La Crosse Jail Ministry in the comments.

Middle School Milestone

At First we are deeply committed to bringing the presence of God into the lives of children everywhere they go. The middle school milestone is for youth and their parents/guardians as they transition from elementary to middle school, and celebrates that each child is made in the image of God. We will spend our time talking about being created in the image of God, how God is in the midst of change and ways that we can feel connected with God through spiritual practices. Happening Sunday, Sept. 18, 11:30am. We lift this milestone up in worship on Sunday, Oct. 2. Questions and RSVP to Pastor Karyn: karyn@firstlu.org.

Teen Clothes Closet Update

Thank you to our congregation for being a huge supporter of our August Shoe Drive. 121 pairs of quality athletic shoes were given away during the Shoe Drive. Thank you also to our faithful volunteers who were very busy and helpful that night! We are looking for the following teen style, very gently used or new items to refill our closet:

• Hoodies all sizes, especially XS, L, XL, 2X, 3X

• Accessories such as jewelry, belts & wallets

• Women’s jeans, size 14, 16, & 18 (we have plenty of other sizes)

• Guys jeans, all sizes

• Skirts: sizes XS, L, XL, 2X, 3X

• Women’s shorts

• Did we mention hoodies?!!!

Finally, please come celebrate First Teen Clothes Closet’s 10-year anniversary in between services on Sunday, Sept. 18! We’ll have delicious cake and coffee and would love to talk to you!

Blood Drive

Tuesday, Sept. 20, 12:30-5:30pm. Every day ordinary people are saved by some pretty extraordinary people. People who give blood. Your donation could be the most valuable gift you have ever given. Just ask anyone who’s ever received it. Walk-ins welcome; appointments encouraged, schedule yours at 1stlu.org/blooddrive. Please bring a mask and photo ID.

Synod School of Theology

Fall session runs Thursday evenings from Sept. 22–Oct. 27. Classes: Gospels with Pr Mark Kvale at 5:30pm, and ELCA Experience with Bishop Malpica and Pr. Dione Stepanek, at 7pm. Cost: $20/class, or $35 for both. Register by contacting the synod office: melanie@lacrosseareasynod.org / 608.788.5000.

Outdoor Worship This Summer

First will have one last outdoor worship service this season…

• September 25, 10:30am

Bring your own lawn chairs, and perhaps a hat to shade your eyes. If the weather's bad that day, we'll move inside. PLEASE NOTE: There will be no live stream of the 10:30am outdoor service.

Baptismal Preparation

The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Oct. 1, at 10am in the narthex for anyone who is considering or has scheduled a baptism. To register or ask questions call the church office at 608.783.3326 by Sunday, Sept. 25. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

Play Days @ Sugar Creek!

All are invited to First Lutheran Play Days @ Sugar Creek! There will be creek stomping, horseback rides, hiking, playing disc golf, campfires and time shared with others! Oct. 7, 8, and 9. If you’ve never been to Sugar Creek, this is your best chance! Come for one, two or no nights. You could just come for a day trip. And you don’t have to have kids in order to come. This is inter-generational time! First Lutheran is willing to cover 50% of the costs, so it will never be more affordable. There are cabins & rooms with AC and personal bathrooms as well as an area for RV/campers. Meals and the costs of counselors are included in the cost, too. Whether you are going for one night, both nights, just one day, just one meal, or even just for worship on Sunday the camp needs to know in order to plan appropriately and safely, so register at 1stlu.org/playdays.

Coulee Region Hunger Walk

The Coulee Region Hunger Walk/Run/Bike is a nonprofit dedicated to raise funds, raise awareness and end hunger among our neighbors. This year's event will be Oct. 9, starting at 1:30pm at Myrick Park. A fun day is planned so come early, play some yard games, and get lunch from a food truck. Then walk, run or bike with family and friends. If you prefer, you can participate virtually, just remember to register online. In fact, First plans to participate virtually at Sugar Creek during Play Days mentioned above! This is a fundraiser with 30% going to the Hunger Task Force, 30% to Wafer, and 40% to your preferred food nonprofit. You are encouraged to get sponsors, or form a team for some friendly competition. Register at couleeregionhungerwalk.org or in person the day of the event.

New-Member Social

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 invited to a social at David Reay’s on Thursday, Oct. 20, 6pm, where you will get to know more about First and the staff in a relaxed atmosphere. To register your family or ask questions, call our church office at 608.783.2236 or email office@firstlu.org.

Sing Saints!

Do you like music? Do you enjoy singing, even if it’s in the shower? Do you appreciate the power of music in worship? Then put all of these things together and join the First Lutheran Senior Choir! First Lutheran is once again excited to offer the “festival choir” format for adding your vocal talents to worship! We know that the busy lives we all lead can limit the number of volunteer activities to which we are able to commit. The next event the choir will rehearse for is All Saints Sunday. Practice begins Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 7pm in the Sanctuary. All are welcome… there is no audition and no formal training required, just a desire to enhance worship through the beauty of music! And the time commitment is just for the one performance (not the entire year). Full schedule and sign-up at 1stlu.org/choir. If needed, child care will be made available (just indicate this need on the sign-up form). For more info contact Todd Saner at todd@firstlu.org.

Upcoming Sugar Creek Bus Trips

• November 16: Fireside Dinner Theater, "White Christmas"

Sign up early! Spots fill quickly. Call for info: 608.734.3113.

Sponsoring Ukrainian Refugees

Refugee sponsorship information from Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service: Sponsorship is a huge honor, gift and responsibility. Learn about what sponsors do by visiting this website for more information on how you can support Ukrainians.

Make Worship Happen!

Worship assistants make worship happen! Usher, read, bake bread, serve communion, lead projection and more. To assist with Sunday worship sign up at 1stlu.org/assistSUN.

Sunday School

• Sunday, Sept. 11

  • During worship: Blessing Sunday School Volunteers

  • 9:15am First day of Sunday School - Gathering in the Sanctuary

• Sunday, Sept. 18

  • 9:15am Sunday School

Sunday School registration is now open at 1stlu.org/sunschool.

Grade 3 Faith Alive Building Block: The Bible

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. Most sessions last for three weeks, and afterward, children will have a presence in worship in celebration of the Faith Building Block they learned about.

• Sunday, Sept. 18: parents/guardians only

• Sundays, Sept. 25 & Oct. 2: parents/guardians with children

• Sunday, Oct. 16: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Confirmation

• Wednesday, Sept. 14:

  • 6:15pm worship: Blessing Confirmation Leaders & Guides

  • 7:00pm Gr 8–10 First day of Small Groups

• Sunday, Sept. 18:

  • 9:15am Gr 6 & 7 First day of Confirmation Classes - Fireside Rm

Confirmation registration is now open at 1stlu.org/confirm.