INSIDE: Middle School Movie Night TONIGHT • Road to Bethlehem @ Sugar Creek • OWLs Fly to Star of Wonder

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Dec. 8:

• 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, Dec. 11:

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

Road to Bethlehem @ Sugar Creek

Begin your journey any time between 2–5pm THIS Saturday, Dec. 7. Journey through the Advent story by visiting 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 an offering to benefit the ministry and mission of Sugar Creek Bible Camp. Non-perishable food items will be collected to benefit local food pantries. This is also a great service opportunity! 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.

OWLs Fly to Star of Wonder

The OWLs will kick off the Christmas season attending A Viterbo Christmas: Star Of Wonder, THIS Saturday, Dec. 7. Meet at church at 4:30pm; dinner will be at a local restaurant. Cost of the concert is $31, and dinner is on your own. RSVP to volunteer coordinator Brian: 630-816-5917 / owls@firstlu.org. The OWLs Christmas Party and Potluck will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at noon in the narthex. Our gift exchange theme will be "angels;" it can be an ornament, a small figurine, a coat pin or anything angel-related. Max. value is $10. And wear your favorite Christmas sweater!

LuMin Job Opening

LuMin La Crosse, is looking for a motivated and skilled administrative assistant who is committed to the mission of LuMin. The administrative assistant provides financial processing and records management, provides administrative support for fundraising, updates the website, assists the campus pastor with communications, scheduling, documentation, and grant applications, provides support for worship materials, updates LuMin and Common Ground calendars, and completes special projects as assigned. The successful candidate will report to the LuMin campus pastor and work closely with the pastor and the board to support the mission and programming of LuMin. This is a part-time, hybrid position.

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.

Cookies for Finals Week

LuMin is looking for bakers to prepare homemade cookies to give to college students during FINALS WEEK, Dec. 11. Can you help spread Christmas cheer around campus with cookies by signing up for next week? LuMin is also looking for bakers to help kick off the New Year.

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

COST: Monetary donations will assist the middle and high school students with their 2025 camp and trip expenses. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout, by Wednesday, Dec. 11.

ELCA Good Gifts

Wondering how to make a positive impact in the world right now? At elca.org/goodgifts you can choose from 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 well or school uniform at a time. Start your holiday shopping now and order free, customized cards for each gift you give.

Red Kettle Bell Ringing

The Salvation Army is in need of bell-ringers and relies on support from many groups in the community. 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.

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/next. Cost is $5 per rose. Order deadline is Sunday, Dec. 15.

The Christmas Giving Tree

If you took a tag or tags from the Giving Tree, all gifts should be turned in to First Lutheran by Sunday, Dec. 15. The gifts go to individuals and families whose names were provided to us by La Crosse County Human Services and Hope Restores. When you return your gifts, make sure the tag number is written on each wrapped package. If you purchase gift cards, please wrap them in a box and write the tag number on it. Questions? Email office@firstlu.org.

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. 18, at 6:15pm worship.

Blue Christmas

Saturday, 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. Come at 5:30 p.m. for a light meal and conversation before the service.

Christmas at First

Christmas Eve worship times: 2pm (live streamed), 4pm, 6pm and 11pm. All will be candlelight and all will be with Holy Communion. Christmas Day worship time: 10am, with Holy Communion. There will be no evening worship that Wednesday.

Office Closures

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

• Closed at noon, Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24

• Closed Christmas day, Wednesday, Dec. 25

• Closed at noon, New Year’s eve, Tuesday, Dec. 31

• Closed New Years day, Wednesday, Jan. 1; no Wednesday evening worship

• Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 20

Young Youth Dec Event!

Young Youth (1st-5th grade) are invited to a Winter Break Play Date in the Fellowship Hall on Monday, Dec. 30, from 1-2:30pm. Save the date! Questions? Connect with our Young Youth Events Director, Katie Pierre: katie@firstlu.org.

Middle & High School Mission Trips in 2025

• Middle school youth will serve in St. Louis, July 27–Aug. 1

• High School youth will serve in North Carolina, July 25–Aug. 3

For more info visit 1stlu.org/next, and contact Pastor Stanton, jason@firstlu.org.

Faith Web Ideas for December

Here’s an idea for what you can do to strengthen the bond of your Faith Web this December: Decorate cookies together on Sunday, Dec. 15, either at 9am (for all ages that are not rehearsing for the Sunday School Christmas Program) and again at 11:30am (for all ages, period!), in the Fellowship Hall.

Those looking to connect with and support youth in their summer ministries can still do so! Learn more about Faith Webs at 1stlu.org/webs and by stopping at the Faith Webs table in the narthex. Thank you for entering into the shared goal of raising and supporting our kids! Together we are building community! 

Friends of the Warming Center   

The Warming Center provides shelter for the unhoused from November through April. There are many ways to serve, from taking a shift in the shelter to providing a meal. Learn more and sign up at 1stlu.org/next.

No Worship New Years Day

There will be no evening worship on New Years Day, Wednesday, January 1.

First Sunday High School Gathering

NEXT: Sunday, Jan. 5, 11:30am(ish), for tubing at the Omni Center (weather permitting). 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.

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.

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!

• 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)

Cancellations Due to Inclement Weather

If bad weather ever makes you wonder whether your group is meeting, check our website, Facebook page, or email office@firstlu.org with your cell number and provider so that we can text you. The staff and leadership of First intend to ‘make the call’ by 5pm at the latest so everyone knows what to expect. Be safe this winter!

Sunday School

• Sunday, Dec. 8

  • 9:15am Sunday School Christmas Program Rehearsal - Sanctuary

• Sunday, Dec. 15

  • 9:15am Sunday School Christmas Program Dress Rehearsal - Sanctuary

More info and registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool

Confirmation

• Sunday:

  • No Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Class

• Wednesday:

  • 5:05pm Confirmation Class, “Beyond MLK: The Women Who Fueled a Movement” - Fireside Rm

  • 7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups

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