INSIDE: Outdoor Worship at Sugar Creek • Coulee Region Hunger Walk • Job Opening: Assistant Custodian

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Oct. 9:

• 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.

• 10:30am: outdoor worship at Sugar Creek Bible Camp. Current forecast for Sugar Creek on Sunday morning: Mostly sunny and 50º. If rain threatens, worship will move indoors at Sugar Creek.

Wednesday, Oct. 12:

• 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.

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.

Quilts Boxed & Delivered

Last Sunday and Wednesday, the 195 quilts made by the First Lutheran quilters during the past year were on display in the sanctuary and narthex. The quilters boxed up the quilts this week and on Saturday, they took them to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in La Crosse. There, boxes of quilts from many congregations were loaded onto a semi for transport to Lutheran World Relief, which will distribute them throughout the world.

Outdoor Worship at Sugar Creek

This Sunday, Oct. 9, all are invited to worship outside at Sugar Creek, at 10:30am in the amphitheater next to the lake. You can stay for lunch and as long into Sunday afternoon as you’d like enjoying everything the camp has to offer, and even participating virtually in the Coulee Region Hunger Walk! To allow the camp to best prepare the meal that follows worship, please RSVP to the camp: 608.734.3113, and please consider donating to the camp to cover meals expenses.

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 this Sunday, 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.

OWLs

The OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First Lutheran, for anyone 55+) will have their Halloween p,otluck on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at noon in Fellowship Hall, featuring our Halloween costume contest. While costumes are optional, join the fun by dressing up as a favorite character. Nancy Olds won last year dressed as a fisherwoman. So get those creative juices flowing. Mary and I are already working on our costumes. For our program, we will have a special guest: Terry Visger, a local professional storyteller, will tell Halloween stories. It will be a great potluck to bring a friend.

Then on Saturday, Oct. 29, the OWLs will fly to the Viterbo show choirs concert Movin’ to the Musicals. The show choirs will perform numbers from beloved musicals. If you like Broadway musicals, you will love this show. This great adventure will start at the church at 4:45pm. We will travel to Houghton’s for dinner, followed by the concert. RSVP to Brian: owls@firstlu.org / 630.816.5917. COST: $29 and dinner is on your own. Tickets to Viterbo events many times sell out, so let Brian know as soon as you can if you plan on attending. He will buy the tickets as people notify him, but you can pay him the night 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.

2022 Year-End Goal

As 2022 began, our stewardship goals focused on three things: Hunger, homelessness and faith formation ministries. With $40,000 of increased giving, we will write a $10,000 check to the La Crosse Hunger Task Force and another $10,000 check to the REACH collaborative, and set aside $20,000 to make our budget fully ready to call a 3rd minister. Your gifts help First Lutheran change lives by providing food, shelter and faith formation ministries. Consider an increase in your recurring contributions or make a one-time offering so that we can make a significant impact in our community and far beyond at 1stlu.org/give.

Job Opening: Assistant Custodian

First Lutheran is seeking a part-time assistant custodian; approx. 10 hrs/wk. Under the direction and supervision of our head custodian, this position is generally responsible for regular light cleaning tasks, but could also assist with maintenance and grounds work as necessary. Attain a full job description from the church office.

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 the organization’s warehouse: 1240 Clinton St., 8am–3pm.

Hurricane Ian Relief

Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida on Sept. 28 with near Category 5-strength winds, dumping record amounts of rain and causing catastrophic flooding. It then made another landfall in South Carolina, bringing hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge. Ian, as predicted, is one of the worst hurricanes to hit the United States in decades. Along with our partners in the region, Lutheran Disaster Response is prepared to respond to Hurricane Ian with immediate relief, including water, clothing, gift cards, tarps and more. Your dollars are also hard at work in communities around the world through Lutheran Disaster Response, including responses to Hurricane Fiona, the drought in the Horn of Africa, the severe storm in Alaska, the war in Ukraine – to name a few. Long after the headlines change, Lutheran Disaster Response will continue to accompany communities on the journey of rebuilding their homes and lives. Together, we can help provide immediate and long-lasting support. Give today to support disaster survivors: ELCA.org/disaster.

Cloud of Witnesses: All Saints Day

We honor our brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone before us during a special worship service at noon on All Saints Day, Tuesday, Nov. 1, both in-person and live streamed at 1stlu.org/live.

All Saints Day has long been a day when the church gives thanks for all the saints, the beloved, who have died, especially in the past year. In the coming weeks, we will be asking for photographs of your beloved dead so that we can be surrounded by their witness at All Saints worship. These pictures can be sent electronically (to karyn@firstlu.org) or brought in. They will be printed as 4X6, so resolution should be such that they can be printed well from what you submitted. If your loved one was a member of our congregation and died this past year, you will receive a letter with a special request. All Saints Day isn’t only about those who have died but also about those who have been newly baptized. If your child was baptized this past year, you also will receive a special request. Please note, we will continue to use the photos submitted last year, so no need to resend those photos.

Friends of the Warming Center   

It's that time of year again. The Warming Center will open 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.

Election Day of Prayer

This year, on Nov. 8, in answer to the call to fear, love and trust God above all things, First is calling everyone to practice our faith and citizenship by praying together on Election Day.

1. First seeks to pray every hour for a Spirit-led election process. Go to 1stlu.org/electionprayer to sign up for any given hour, but it is not expected that you would pray for the whole hour.

2. First will worship together, in-person and live streamed, at 6:15pm. This will be a short prayer service centered around a specific scripture and include some songs and a reflection, and will include Holden Evening Prayer.

Upcoming Sugar Creek Bus Trips

• Nov. 16: Fireside Dinner Theater, "White Christmas"

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

Baptismal Preparation

The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Dec. 3, 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, Nov. 27. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

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, Oct. 9

  • 9:15am Sunday School

• Sunday, Oct. 16

  • 9:15am Sunday School

Questions about Sunday School? Visit 1stlu.org/sunschool.

Grade 3 Faith 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. 16: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Preschool Faith 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

• Upcoming:

  • Grade 10 confirmation rehearsal dinner: Wednesday, Oct. 26, 6pm

  • Affirmation of Baptism / Confirmation Worship: Sunday, Oct. 30, 1:30pm

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