INSIDE: Faith Webs (Supporting Youth) • Play Days @ Sugar Creek • Reg Deadline for Gathering & Mission Trip: THIS SUNDAY, Oct. 1!

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Oct. 1:

• 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. 4:

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

Middle School Mission Trip: Rapid City, SD, July 2024

• Where: Rapid City, SD

• When: July 21–27, 2024

• Who: Youth currently in 6th & 7th grade

Registration deadline: THIS Sunday, Oct. 1! Interested youth and families should contact Pastor Stanton ASAP: jason@firstlu.org.

ELCA Youth Gathering: New Orleans, July 2024

• Where: New Orleans, LA

• When: July 16–20, 2024 (with departure and arrival dates being close to these dates)

• Who: Youth currently in grades 8–12

Registration deadline: Sunday, Oct. 8! Interested youth and families should contact Pastor Stanton ASAP: jason@firstlu.org.

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.

Pastor Appreciation Month

Did you know that October is Pastor Appreciation Month? It is!!! And to show our appreciation for our pastors, the Vision and Leadership Team and the First Lutheran Foundation would like to collect a variety of gift cards. Just bring your gift cards to the church office THIS Sunday, Oct. 1 (please include a note that they are for Pastor Appreciation Month). Thanks!

Coffee with(out) Pastor Karyn

Coffee with(out) Pastor Karyn is open to all and continues to meet at 6:30am each Wednesday in the narthex. See you there! Questions? Contact bridget@firstlu.org.

Sunshine Team

The Sunshine Team meets on the first Thursday of every month. Next meeting: Oct. 5, 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.

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. 6, 7 and 8. 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.

Baptismal Preparation

The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Oct. 7, 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, Oct. 1. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

Sunday School @ Sugar Creek

As part of our Play Days weekend, Sunday School will be offered at BOTH First Lutheran AND Sugar Creek Bible Camp on Sunday, Oct. 8…

• at First Lutheran: 9:15–10:15am as usual, and…

• at Sugar Creek Bible Camp: 10:30–11:30am

Sunday School @ Sugar Creek will start at 10:30am sharp and include a hike (and games) in the blufflands, while adults worship at the Manna Center. Sunday School will return to the Manna Center for lunch with everyone else. Cost for lunch is $10/person. Transportation options include:

• Drive yourself (arrive before 10:30am, please), OR…

• Bring your child to the FLC parking lot for a 9:15am departure, where the first 12 kids will take our 15 passenger bus to the camp. (If we don't have the numbers, we won't take the bus)

Whether you are driving yourself or wanting the bus, please sign up at 1stlu.org/next. This is needed so we know if taking the bus is feasible, and so camp can plan accordingly for lunch. Thanks!

Outdoor Worship @ Sugar Creek

On Sunday, Oct. 8, all are invited to worship outside at Sugar Creek, at 10:30am at the Manna Center in Sugar Creek. 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 Oct. 8, starting at 1:30pm at Myrick Park. 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.

FLY Flight Crew

"FLY" is the name our kids have chosen for their "First Lutheran Youth" group. And FLY "Flight Crew" is the name our adults have chosen to describe how we plan to move forward with Faith Formation at First. Much like a sports, show choir or band booster club meets to dream about how to support our kids in their activities (and then shows up to actually support the activities), we want parents to do the same as we shape the faith formation of our kids. Meeting the second Wednesday of the month; NEXT: Oct. 11, 5:30pm. Food and child care provided.

Friends of the Warming Center   

The Warming Center will open Nov. 1 for unhoused people, and the area ELCA churches have agreed to provide evening meals the 3rd and 4th 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. There will also be orientation sessions for both returning and new volunteers (meal makers don't need to attend) for the 2023-24 season. All orientations will be at the La Crosse Warming Center at 413 S. 3rd St. in La Crosse. They will be on:

• Wednesday, Oct. 11, 8am-10am

• Monday, Oct. 16, 5-7pm

• Thursday, Oct. 19, 6-8pm

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. NEXT: Saturday, Oct. 14. Contact Bridget Crave for more info: bridget@firstlu.org.

Faith Webs for October (Supporting Youth)

As stated when Faith Webs kicked off in September, we’re asking households of our congregation to support youth going to Bible camp, on the mission trip and to the youth gathering in the following ways…

• with your time

• with your prayers

• with your talents

• with your activities

• with some food (they’re kids after all!) and…

• with money (every child gets the support of $300 per household)

To that end, we will give you ideas every month for what you can do to strengthen the bond of your Faith Web! Just a few ideas for October are…

• Pray for one another

• Sit together at worship

• Send a card or invitation

Find even more ideas and caring conversation questions on a handout available on the usher stand in the back of the sanctuary.

In addition, we’ll host the first Faith Web introduction event on Oct. 15, between services, so save the date on your calendar so you can be there to meet everyone in your Faith Web!

Are you a youth who has yet to place your name in the Book of Faith Webs? Or a household that would like to be a supporter in a Faith Web? It isn’t too late! To receive or give support, go to the scrip card table in the narthex. There, a parent volunteer has a binder… the Book of Faith Webs. And don't just sign up for the kid that you know! Pay attention to where you're being drawn to… because the Spirit can be a beautiful matchmaker, and the Spirit will create those relationships between you.

For the $300 donation, you can donate (in church or online at 1stlu.org/give) all at once, a little bit each week, or even through the scrip program as you purchase gas and groceries (a small percent of what you purchase goes to the youth, but it adds up)! If you donate by check, please note WHO it is for, and WHAT ministry the youth is involved in.

Thank you for entering into the shared goal of raising and supporting our kids! We are building community! 

Monday Meal @ Trinity

For many years, Trinity Lutheran Church on the north side of La Crosse has hosted a meal on Monday nights. First Lutheran has agreed to help with this important community ministry by preparing a meal, serving the food and cleaning up. We need people to plan and prepare the meal to feed 150-200 people, and folks to serve the meal (5-6pm) and help with cleanup. Meal prep can be done at your convenience. Many times people prepare the main course a week ahead, freeze it and reheat it. Food for the meal can be gotten at no charge from the Hunger Task Force in La Crosse. NEXT DATE: Oct. 16. You can sign up at 1stlu.org/next, or contact bridget@firstlu.org.

Jazz Worship on Wednesday, Oct. 18

Join us for a special worship service of jazz liturgy on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the 6:15pm service. Led by Jon Ailabouni, along with Karyn Quinn on bass, Luke Thering on piano and Josh Shively on drums. All confirmands are expected to attend (the service will count as one of your confirmation electives/classes).

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. 19, 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! The next event the choir will rehearse for is All Saints Sunday. Practice begins Wednesday, Oct. 25, 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.

Indian Boarding Schools: ELCA Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling

Class: Indigenous Thought & Theology, Oct. 26 (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.); Nov. 30 (7-9pm). No pre-registration is required to participate in these classes. Just go to the Upcoming Events page, scroll to the class listing, and click "join the class" to attend. CLICK HERE to go to the Upcoming Events Page. For more info on the ELCA Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling, CLICK HERE.

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. 27, 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 8pm (parents can pick up early if needed)

COST: Monetary donations will assist the middle and high school students with 2023 Sugar Creek Bible Camp and potential mission trip. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout, by Wednesday, Oct. 25.

Fall Festival

Join us on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 2-4pm for an afternoon of fall activities, including: trunk-or-treating, games, crafts, snacks, photo booth, face painting, and more! This event is free and open to the public, and will be held rain or shine. And help us HOST this event for our neighborhood by signing up to host the photo booth, snack table, games or a trunk at 1stlu.org/next.

Clothes Closet Needs

We have seen over 75 teens this past month and are low on specific items. Please consider donating the following teen style, gently used (or new) clothing:

• skirts: size x-small, 1x, 2x, 3x

• jeans: size 30

• dress pants: size 11/12, 13/14

• sweaters: +sizes, all genders

Connecting with the Gospel of Mark

Are you looking for a connection between scripture and everyday life? Or maybe a way to dig deeper into the gospel of Mark? If so, join Pastor Libby for one or both of these opportunities: On Nov. 13 and 20, from 6–7pm, an overview of the gospel Mark… and starting on Nov. 20 at 7pm, a year-long journey through the lectionary (our schedule of readings). Both will meet in the narthex. Cost of the yearlong class is $20 for the devotional study book we will use.

Family Photos: A Cloud of Witnesses for All Saints Sunday

We honor our brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone before us on All Saints Day, Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 6:15pm, and on All Saints Sunday, Nov. 5, at 8am and 10:30am. All services will be 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 office@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.

Prostate Cancer Support

Navigating a prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment(s), and after-effects is tough and worthy of peer support. Recently, a non-medical First Lutheran member found himself on this path and would like to make himself available for e-mail, phone or in-person conversations with anyone interested in having a friendly ear to listen and provide mutual support. Email awh051230@gmail.com or call the church office who will provide a phone number. 

Sunday School

Sunday, Oct. 1

• 9:15am Sunday School

Sunday, Oct. 8 options…

• 9:15am Sunday School @ First, or…

• 10:30am Sunday School @ Sugar Creek

More info and online registration: 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. 1: parents/guardians with children

• Sunday, Oct. 15: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Confirmation

Sunday:

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

Wednesday:

• 5:30pm Confirmation Dinner - Fellowship Hall

• 7:00pm Gr 8-10 Small Groups

More info and online registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.