Announcements for Sunday, Dec 15 2024
INSIDE: Giving Tree gifts due back • OWLs Christmas Potluck • Sunday School Christmas Program
It is a wonderful time of year and a great way for our kids to share their Christmas joy! Join us for the Sunday School Christmas program on Wednesday, Dec. 18, during 6:15pm worship.
Join us for worship!
Sunday, Dec. 15:
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.
Sunday School Christmas Worship, Wednesday, Dec. 18:
6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
Blue Christmas Worship, Saturday, Dec. 21:
5:30pm light meal
6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person.
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: THIS 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.
Cookie Decorating
Everyone is invited to meet in the fellowship hall to decorate Christmas cookies THIS Sunday, Dec. 15! The cookies will be handed out as gifts to the residents that we visit when the church goes caroling, and shared together after our Sunday School Christmas program (and they may even be snuck during the decorating!) There will be two shifts…
9:15–10:15am, for anyone high school age or older (and their Faith Webs!)
11:30am–noon, for anyone of any age, but especially for Sunday School and Confirmation students, their families and their Faith Webs who were busy rehearsing for the Christmas program between services!
Parents are asked to supervise and help their children decorate. See you there!
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! THIS Sunday, Dec. 15: 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/next. Cost is $5 per rose. Order deadline is THIS 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 THIS 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.
Knitters
Prayer shawl knitters meet every Tuesday at 3:30pm in the narthex. Open to all!
Christmas Events Insert
The Christmas events insert that was included in the November newsletter can be downloaded at 1stlu.org/next.
OWLs Christmas Potluck
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!
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.
For all students 3 years old through grade 5, arrive by 5:45pm to get into costumes.
Preschool and 4K will meet in room 207 to get into costumes. Preschool & 4K students will sit in the front pews with their teachers and then sit with their parents after they sing their song.
K-3rd will meet in their Sunday School classrooms, rooms 203 and 205, to get into costumes.
4th & 5th meet in the Choir Room to get into costumes. Kids will be seated with their classes and teachers until after the program. K-5 students and their parents can meet up in the sanctuary after the program.
All costumes can be returned in the narthex after 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Sugar Creek Events
Below are some upcoming events offered by Sugar Creek. For more info or registration, visit www.sgrcreek.org or call 608.734.3113.
January 12 – Winter Fun Day
February 7-8 – High School Youth Retreat
February 9 – Winter Fun Day
February 13-16 – Winter Craft Retreat
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 helps 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: Jan. 13. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next.
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)
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, May 1, 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.
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!
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, Target, 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.
“Offer mercy to those who wrong you.
Pray for them and remember that everyone has bad days.”
Sunday School
Sunday, Dec. 15
9:15am Sunday School Christmas Program Dress Rehearsal - Sanctuary
Wednesday, Dec. 18
6:15pm Sunday School Christmas Program
Sundays, Dec. 22 & 29
No Sunday School (classes resume Sunday, Jan. 5)
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool
Confirmation
Sunday:
9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Class
Wednesday:
7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.
