INSIDE: Advent Around the Table, Sunshine Team Meeting Earlier

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Nov. 26:

• 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, Nov. 29:

• 6:30pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.

New Session Added! 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 a newly added opportunity on Nov. 27, from 6–7pm, for one last overview of the gospel Mark. And starting on Dec. 4 (NEW DATE) at 7pm, a year-long journey through the lectionary (our schedule of readings). Both meet in the narthex. Cost of the yearlong class is $20 for the devotional study book we will use.

Newsletter Assembly

It’s a relaxing way to volunteer! Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 10am, to assemble the Dec/Jan newsletter. See you there! 

Courageous Men’s Group

The Courageous Men’s Group are men of all ages who meet weekly on Wednesdays at 6am in the Fireside Room for a time of fellowship and study. Contact Jim Knutson or the church office for more info: jim@firstlu.org.

Sunshine Team

The Sunshine Team typically meets on the first Thursday of every month. but… THE NEXT MEETING IS EARLY: Nov. 30, 9:00am. The job? To decorate for Christmas! Help make First look beautiful! Refreshments are supplied to replenish your reserves! Dues are free! Questions? Contact Dan at dan@firstlu.org.

Update: Crisis in the Holy Land

The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen —– almost 70% of Gazan residents are displaced, and resources such as food, water and medical supplies are in short supply. The death toll has far surpassed those of previous conflicts in the region in recent decades. Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response have equipped us to respond to this and other disasters whenever and wherever they strike. Gifts designated for “Middle East Crisis" will be restricted to and used in full (100%) for those affected by this crisis and others in the region.

Faith Web Ideas for November

Here’s an idea for what you can do to strengthen the bond of your Faith Web this November: Exchange your favorite soup or pie recipe! Find even more ideas and caring conversation questions on a new handout available on the usher stand in the back of the sanctuary.

There’s still time to join a web, and there are 60 spots to fill! Stop by the Faith Webs table in the narthex after any worship service, and learn more at 1stlu.org/faithwebs.

Canned Soup Drive

The Salvation Army's Angel Giving Tree Food Baskets program aims to provide families with a basket of food during the Christmas season, and the organization has asked First Lutheran to help by collecting canned soup through November. Please bring only canned soups for this specific campaign. We have a collection box in the entryway for your donations. The Salvation Army anticipates a need for 500 food baskets this year.

Snow Birds

Are you heading out? Please let us know if you'll be spending the winter somewhere else. If we know your seasonal address, we can keep in touch by sending you the monthly newsletter. Call or email the office with your winter address: 608.783.2236, office@firstlu.org.

Baptismal Preparation

The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Dec. 2, 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. 26. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

Road to Bethlehem @ Sugar Creek

Begin your journey at Sugar Creek Bible Camp, any time between 2–5pm on Saturday, Dec. 2. Journey through the Advent story by visiting different live-action worship stations offering carols, scripture, prayer and the chance to visit a live nativity. Enjoy refreshments at the end! This is an outdoor event, so dress appropriately for the weather. There is no cost, but we invite you to consider a free-will offering to benefit the ministry and mission of Sugar Creek Bible Camp. Non-perishable food items will be collected to benefit local food pantries.

Preparing for Pastor Karyn’s Return

Pastor Karyn’s sabbatical will come to an end soon, and her first Sunday back is planned to be Dec. 3. Our Sunday School students are working on a welcome-back poster, and in addition to that we invite everyone to write a welcome-back sticky note, all of which will be on display on that first Sunday of her return. Look for the sticky notes at the Welcome Center; write your message and put the note on the whiteboard nearby.

OWLs Fly to Yesterdays Youth @ Sugar Creek

The OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First, for anyone 55+) will fly to Yesterdays Youth on Monday, Dec. 4. The bus will leave the church at 8am. Fellowship begins at 9:00 am. Morning program will be “Revisiting Marquette and Joliet's 1673 expedition to the Mississippi” by Michael Douglas. Delicious lunch and afternoon music, with selections from North Crawford School musical Newsies. $15/person includes meal. RSVP to Brian at (630-816-5917) or owls@firstlu.org.

Community Mural: For Unto Us a Child is Born

This 12x5-foot mural is a paint-by-number scene created by artist Paul Oman of Drawn to the Word. The theme is “For Unto Us a Child is Born.” As we reflect on St. Francis setting up the first Nativity scene 800 years ago, the Franciscan Spirituality Center will create their own vibrant version of this profound biblical event, featuring Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus, surrounded by shepherds, wise men, angels and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. People of all skill levels and ages are invited to participate. Groups are welcome to come and paint together. All supplies will be provided. Registration is not required; please attend as you can. Dec. 4-15, Mon.–Fri., 8:30am–4pm and Mondays & Thursdays 5pm–7pm.

Candy Donations Wanted

At the next Parents’ Night Out, the kids will make gingerbread houses, and donations of candy to decorate the houses are requested. Drop donations off in the office on or before Dec. 8. Thank you!

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, Dec. 8, 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 camps and trips next summer. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout, by Wednesday, Dec. 6.

ELCA Good Gifts

Wondering how to make a positive impact in the world right now? With ELCA Good Gifts, you can choose from more than 50 charitable gifts to give in honor of friends and loved ones. Each of these gifts makes a real impact in the world, sharing the love of Christ one goat, water filter or school uniform at a time. Start your holiday shopping now and order free, customized cards for each gift you give. Please give by Dec. 9 to ensure that your cards arrive in time for Christmas. Print-at-home and online cards are also instantly available at any time. Shop now at goodgifts.elca.org.

Christmas Giving Tree

Help make Christmas special for area kids and families by buying NEW items for them. We are again partnering with La Crosse County Human Services, and have a list of people and items they or their social worker have requested. Take a tag from the tree, buy the gift described, and make sure to attach that tag to the outside of the wrapped gift when you bring it back to the church. If you purchase gift cards, please wrap them in a box. Gifts should be turned in to First Lutheran by Sunday, Dec. 10. Questions? Email bridget@firstlu.org.

Friends of the Warming Center   

The Warming Center opened 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. NEXT: Friday, Dec. 15. 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.

Christmas Caroling

Hop on a bus to take a short ride around Onalaska to visit and carol to those who would love some extra Christmas cheer! Sunday, Dec. 17: NEW START TIME! 4:30pm warm-up, 5pm caroling, 6pm return to church for potluck feast!

Christmas Flowers for the Sanctuary

If you would like to give a rose in honor or memory of loved ones to decorate for our Christmas Eve services, you may do so at 1stlu.org/nextsteps. Cost is $5 per rose. Order deadline is Sunday, Dec. 17.

Red Kettle Bell Ringing

It’s Red Kettle season! The Salvation Army is in need of bell-ringers and relies on the support and love given from many groups in the community, and they’d love for you to join them again this year! Sign up at RegistertoRing.com.

Christmas Events Insert

The Christmas events insert that was included in the November newsletter can be downloaded at 1stlu.org/nextsteps.

Sunday School Christmas Program & Worship

It is a wonderful time of year and a great way for our kids to share their Christmas joy! Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 6:15pm worship.

Blue Christmas

Thursday, Dec. 21, 6:15pm. Please join us at First Lutheran for an hour of worship including music, prayers, candlelight and reflection on what God is up to amidst our blue feelings around Christmas. The service will include time for a light meal and conversation beforehand, starting at 5:30pm.

Christmas at First

Christmas Eve worship times: 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 11pm (there will be no morning worship services that Sunday). All will be candlelight, and all will be with Holy Communion. Christmas Day worship time: 10am, with Holy Communion. 

Office Closures

The office will be closed at the following times in the coming months…

• Closed Christmas day, Monday, Dec. 25

• Closed New Years day, Monday, Jan. 1 

• Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 15

Winter Items for Teen Clothes Closet

In October we had 58 shoppers! Over 796 items taken. FTCC needs: teen style winter coats (L/XL/2XL/3XL), winter boots, hoodies (L/XL/2XL/3XL) and athletic pants (L/XL/2XL/3XL). Other than those items, the teen clothes closet is full and is not accepting donations of other items right now.  

Last but not least: Our First Teen Clothes Closet has been chosen for Altra's Impact Award! Thank you to Altra Federal Credit Union for the $7,500 award, and a big thank you to all that work to bring this impactful ministry to our neighbors!

LWR Gifts Doubled

For a limited time, your gifts to Lutheran World Relief will DOUBLE to reach a child in dire need with lifesaving food, clean water, health care and more. Your gift today will reach God's most vulnerable children in hard-to-reach communities who urgently need your help this Christmas.

Diaper Drive @ Trinity Lutheran

Trinity Lutheran Church in La Crosse (where First Lutheran operates the teen clothes closet) is having a diaper drive through the end of the year, to collect diapers and wipes for The Parenting Place in La Crosse, which distributes them free to families that need them. All sizes are needed, especially 5 & 6. If you would like to donate diapers, drop them off at Trinity, 1010 Sill St. Office hours there are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mon-Thurs.

New Class Starting in Jan: Financial Peace University

Start the New Year off right, and resolve to change your future by joining the Financial Peace University class at First. Learn to pay off debt fast, save more money, and build lasting wealth. Class starts on Sun., Jan. 21 • Sign up today at 1stlu.org/next.

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, Apr. 18, 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.

Stephen Ministry

If you know of someone who needs a caregiver, please speak with Pastor Karyn, or call the church office: 608.783.2236.

Puppet Ministry

The ministry provided by our puppeteers has returned to our second service! But the ministry can’t happen without shepherds—adults willing to walk our youth (4-yr-olds through grade 3) down to the choir room and then watch over them during the presentation. Sign up at 1stlu.org/assistsun!

Sunday School

Sunday, Nov. 26

• 9:15am Sunday School

Sunday, Dec. 3

• 9:15am Sunday School

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

Gr 1 Faith Building Block: Ten Commandments

Throughout the year, each age group has 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, Nov. 26: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Confirmation

Sunday:

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

Wednesday:

• 5:30pm Confirmation Dinner

• 7:00pm Gr 8-10 Small Groups

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