Announcements for Sunday, Oct 20
INSIDE: Volunteer work weekend this Saturday • Fall Festival • Butter Braids
Join us for worship!
Sunday, Oct. 20:
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. 23:
6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
Volunteer Work Weekend @ First
Who says the Sunshine Team has to have all the fun! Everyone is invited to help with fall cleaning at First Lutheran on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 9am. Great opportunity for youth needing volunteer hours! Great opportunity for all to make First look nice as we look forward to the upcoming holiday season! Refreshments are supplied to replenish your reserves!
Hurricanes Helene and Milton
Hurricane Milton hit Florida as a powerful Category 3 hurricane, bringing storm surge, heavy rains, winds and tornadoes. Milton is one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the area in decades. At least four people have died, and millions are without electricity. This storm is particularly devastating because many communities were only beginning to recover from Hurricane Helene, which hit the Southeast just two weeks ago. Lutheran Disaster Response has strong relationships in the region and is already at work on the ground. Working alongside synods and other partners, Lutheran Disaster Response is prepared to expand to all impacted areas. We anticipate that our greatest impact will be reaching those in underserved and rural areas. By giving to Lutheran Disaster Response, you enable the ELCA to act quickly after disasters such as Hurricane Helene and Milton, and to remain for as long as the recovery takes. Support the response today at 1stlu.org/LDR.
Faith Webs
As stated when Faith Webs kicked off in September, we’re asking households of our congregation to support youth going to Bible camp and mission trips 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
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? Today's the day! To be connected, go to the Faith Webs 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 all at once (in church or online at 1stlu.org/give), or a little bit each week, and even through the scrip program as you purchase gas and grocery cards. (A small percentage of the price of the scrip cards 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!
Meet Your Faith Web!
We’re hosting the first Faith Web introduction events on Sunday, Oct. 27, between services, in the sanctuary. Save the date!
Non-food Items Collection
Thank you to everyone who brought in non-food items for the Onalaska/Holmen Food Basket during the donation drive in September. We got several grocery carts worth of household and personal care items, including: 23 bottles of dish soap, 12 jugs of laundry detergent, 26 rolls of paper towels, 37 bars of soap, 25 bottles of shampoo and conditioner, and 90 rolls of toilet paper.
Knitters
Prayer shawl knitters meet every Tuesday at 3:30pm in the narthex. Open to all!
Respectful Conversations: Keeping Election Talks Peaceful
Wednesday, Oct. 23, 5:30-7pm. Politics is often considered a taboo subject, but it’s hard to avoid talking about the upcoming presidential election. Family, friends, co-workers and neighbors might have strong opinions and might be divided on important issues. All are invited to this free panel discussion to learn ways to engage in respectful and productive conversations. We’ll share insights and strategies for talking about election-related topics with civility and understanding.
Specifically, we’ll explore:
• Suggestions for facilitating respectful political discussions.
• How to have informed and fact-based conversations.
• The role of social media in shaping election discussions.
• Engaging diverse communities in meaningful dialogue.
Panelists: Richard Kyte, Jennifer Shilling, Walfsty Pierre, Barb Kruse and Michael Weldon, OFM. More info and reg: fsc.retreatportal.com.
Fall Festival
Save the date on your calendar for Saturday, Oct. 26, 2–4pm, and join us here at First for an afternoon of fall activities and trunk-or-treating! Sign up to help prep and with activities at the event at 1stlu.org/next.
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 Butter Braids are available in the church office. The deadline for returning your order forms, with the money, is Sunday, Oct. 27. Butter Braids will be available at the church for pickup on the afternoon of Monday, Nov. 11. A portion of every sale is put in the seller's camp/trip account to defray costs.
Join Faith-based Leaders to Learn About Dementia
Wednesday Oct. 30, 9–10am, Black River Beach Neighborhood Center, 1433 Rose St., La Crosse
Wednesday Nov. 6, 12:30-1:30pm, American Legion Post 336, 731 Sandlake Rd., Onalaska
Each session includes the same information and complimentary refreshments. Nearly 7 million Americans are affected by Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias and more than 11 million people provide unpaid care. Here in La Crosse County, we are not untouched by the prevalence. By 2040, there will be 4,000 people living at home or with family (not in facility-based care). And many of these families are part of your faith communities. Join other faith-based leaders to learn about dementia and awareness of local resources and opportunities. Register at 608-785-5700 or adrc@lacrossecounty.org
Pastor Appreciation Month
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Don't miss the chance to thank our amazing pastors for all the ways they inspire and support us!
Cloud of Witnesses: All Saints Sunday
We honor our brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone before us on All Saints Day, Friday, Nov. 1, at 12:15pm, and on All Saints Sunday, Nov. 3, 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. You can provide 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 submit. If your loved one was a member of our congregation and died this past year, you received 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 that were submitted in previous years, so no need to resend those photos.
Sugar Creek Youth Retreats 2024-25
Retreats are one of the best ways to build relationships among youth, adult leaders and the wider community. Sugar Creek retreats allow you to show up and be with your age group, knowing that you can enjoy all of the fun and activities. Save these dates for your calendar now! And NEW this season: One retreat is FREE for 2024 summer campers!
November 2: Hallowed Be Your Name Elementary Retreat (Grades 1-5)
February 7–8: Your Kingdom Come High School Retreat (Grades 9-12)
March 7–8: As it is in Heaven Confirmation Retreat (Grades 6-10)
April 26: Daily Bread Elementary Retreat (Grades 1-5)
First Sunday High School Gathering
NEXT: Sunday, Nov. 3, 11:30am(ish). ALSO: Parents/guardians take turns providing the meal each month; serving and cleaning up. Sign up for just one of the months, and we'll be set for the year! Sign up at 1stlu.org/next.
Jazz Worship Wednesday, Nov. 20
Mark your calendars and be sure to join us for a special worship service of jazz liturgy on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 6:15pm, led by Jon Ailabouni.
Bible Readers Deep Dive: Psalms
Join Pastor Stanton for an online study of the Psalms! Life consists of 1) seasons of well-being, 2) seasons of hurt and 3) moments of surprise when we are overwhelmed with the new gifts of God. The Psalms—more than any other part of the Bible—are able to accompany us through all the seasons and moments! Each weekday, Pastor Stanton posts a 5-10 minute deep dive into the Psalms. Find it at: FirstLutheranOnalaska.org, facebook.com/1stlu and youtube.com/1stlu.
Free Clean Fill
Approximately 20 yards of sand and pea gravel, available behind the church house. Take as much as you like. Must pick up. Questions? Contact our building and grounds manager, Dan, at dan@firstlu.org or by calling the office at 608.783.2236.
Volunteer Opp: Road to Bethlehem
Road to Bethlehem is an interactive drive-through live nativity at Sugar Creek Bible Camp held on the first Saturday of December (this year, Dec. 7). After, guests are invited into the Manna Center for hot chocolate and Advent-themed activities. Sugar Creek is looking for 6 congregations or families to adopt a post on the nativity trail, with 2–8 helpers for each station. You'll receive a script, props, costumes, a heat source and a few live animals! You provide the people and bring back great photos to share your adventure! Have old Christmas pageant costumes? Sugar Creek is seeking donations of gently used costumes for events like Road to Bethlehem. Interested? Contact Sugar Creek at 608.734.3113 / camp@sgrcreek.org.
Baptismal Preparation
The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Dec. 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, Dec. 1. Min. attendance required: 2 families.
Monday Night Community Meals
For many years, Trinity Lutheran Church on the northside 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: Dec. 9. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next.
Fundraising to Support Our Youth
Your weekly groceries, gas and shopping money can support youth ministry! Scrip cards are often sold in the narthex on Sundays between services, and are also available in the church office M–F, during office hours. We have Festival, Kwik Trip, Walmart and Woodman's cards. We now accept credit cards as a payment method (transaction fees are added to the face value of the scrip card). To find out what's currently available and when you can buy them, call the church office at 608.783.2236 or send email to office@firstlu.org.
Donations For Ukraine
Lutheran World Relief has committed $7 million to respond to the crisis in Ukraine, and expects to increase this amount as they receive additional support. With millions of individuals displaced in Ukraine and with citizens continuing to flee Ukraine each day, the needs grow daily. Donate at LWR.org.
Lutheran Disaster Response is accompanying companion churches and ecumenical partners in Ukraine, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia to respond to the crisis in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Gifts to “Eastern Europe Crisis Response” will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by the crisis in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Donate at elca.org/LDR.
From Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service: The U.S. will now welcome up to 100,000 refugees from Ukraine. We need to act fast to prepare for these refugees, currently 90% of whom are women and children. There is an urgent need for resources, including emergency medical care, temporary housing, financial support for basic necessities, and much more. Donate at LIRS.org.
OASIS Respite Program
OASIS is a weekly program for people in the beginning to mid-stages of dementia, Alzheimer's and other brain-related diagnoses. This respite time provides socialization, brain enrichment and activities while the person's caregiver gets a much-needed four-hour break. The suggested donation is $20 per visit for the activities and a nutritious lunch. OASIS is an outreach program of Causeway Caregivers and can be reached at 608-780-0417.
Sunday School
Sunday, Oct. 20
9:15am Sunday School
Sunday, Oct. 27
9:15am Sunday School
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool
3-Year Old Faith Building Block: Praying Together
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.
Sundays, Oct. 20 & 27: parents/guardians with children
Sunday, Nov. 3: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship
Confirmation
Sunday, Oct. 20:
9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Class - Fireside Rm
Wednesday, Oct. 23:
6:00pm Gr 10 Confirmation Rehearsal Dinner - Fellowship Hall
7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.