INSIDE: Play Days @ Sugar Creek reg deadline THIS Friday, Sept. 30, Coulee Region Hunger Walk, Opening: Nursery Attendant

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Oct. 2:

• 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, Oct. 5:

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

Current Precautions

• 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.

Play Days @ Sugar Creek!

REGISTER BY THIS FRIDAY, SEPT. 30! 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.

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.

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; 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), 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. 

Sunshine Team

The Sunshine Team meets on the first Thursday of every month. Next meeting: Oct. 6, 9:30am. Various jobs: cleaning, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, washing windows and cleaning carpets. Help make First look nice! Refreshments are supplied to replenish your reserves! Dues are free! Questions? Contact Dan at dan@firstlu.org.

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, Oct. 8. Contact Bridget Crave for more info: bridget@firstlu.org.

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 for 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.

It's Butter Braid Season

Selling Butter Braids is a popular way for young people to earn money toward their summer camp and trip expenses. The order forms for this year's sale are now available in the church office. The deadline for returning order forms and payments to the church office is Thursday, Oct. 27. The Butter Braids cost $16 this year, and will be delivered to the church on Nov. 14.

Parents’ Night Out

Bring your children for an evening of fun with the middle and high school youth groups’ fundraiser! WHERE: at First Lutheran, NEXT: Friday, Oct. 28, FOR: Birth–12 are welcome (Birth–3 will be in the nursery, ages 4 and up in Fellowship Hall)

• Registration from 4:45pm-5:30pm

• Followed by dinner and activities till 8:30pm (parents can pick up early if needed)

COST: Donations will assist the middle and high school students with 2023 Sugar Creek Bible camp and mission trip. Register at 1stlu.org/nightout.

Job Opening: Nursery Attendant

First Lutheran is seeking part-time nursery attendants. The position is paid. Must be 18 yrs or older. Inquire in the office, call 608.783.2236 or e-mail us at office@firstlu.org.

Hunger Task Force Needs Canned Food

The Hunger Task Force is greatly in need of canned food donations. Your items can be dropped off at our warehouse: 1240 Clinton St., 8am–3pm.

Friends of the Warming Center   

It's that time of year again. The Warming Center will be opening Nov. 1 for unhoused people, and the area ELCA churches have agreed to provide evening meals the 1st and 2nd Friday of each month, November–April. Prepare the meal in your kitchen and drop it off at the Warming Center ready to be served. Other people serve the meal, you just prepare it. You are welcome to use the Hunger Task Force for meal ingredients. More info and reg at 1stlu.org/warm.

'Living with Diabetes' Class

Gundersen Health System is offering a "Healthy Living with Diabetes" class for people who have diabetes, who are pre-diabetes and/or who are caregivers for people with diabetes. The class will be virtual, not in-person, and costs $30. It will be on Wednesday mornings, for six weeks, starting Nov. 2. To register, call 608-775-6870.

Upcoming Sugar Creek Bus Trips

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

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

Keep Up with Changes: Update Your Contact Info

Make sure the office has your current contact info, including current address, mobile number(s), carrier info (for reminders by text), and email(s). Members can make these changes on their own at our online directory: 1stlu.org/directory. Or you can send them to office@firstlu.org.

Sunday School

• Sunday, Oct. 2

  • 9:15am Sunday School

• Sunday, Oct. 9

  • 9:15am Sunday School

Questions about Sunday School? Visit 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, Oct. 2: parents/guardians with children

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

PreschoolFaith Alive Building Block: Praying Together

• Sunday, Oct. 16: parents/guardians only

• Sundays, Oct. 23 & 30: parents/guardians with children

• Sunday, Nov. 6: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Confirmation

• Sunday:

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

• Wednesday:

  • 5:30pm Dinner - Fellowship Hall

  • 6:15pm Confirmation Class - Fireside Rm

  • 7:00pm Gr 8–10 Small Groups

Questions about Confirmation? Visit 1stlu.org/confirm.