Announcements for Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019
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High School at the House
A time for high school members to meet and socialize in a welcoming space, on most Sundays, between services. Questions? Contact volunteer Katie Everson: arne_everson@hotmail.com.
OWLs November Potluck
On Wednesday, Nov. 20, the OWLs, a group for those 55+, will have their monthly potluck at noon in Fellowship Hall. Our speaker will be Kelsey Flock, a dementia care specialist with La Crosse County. She will speak about the Memory Café and other services available for dementia patients and care-givers in the county. Questions? Contact Brian Narveson at owls@firslu.org.
Grief Support Group
Carrying on after the death of a loved one can be difficult and lonely. Join with others who have experienced loss, and listen and care for each other. Meeting the third Thursday of the month, 1pm, in the Upper Room. Questions? Contact Director of Small Group Ministry, Bridget Crave: bridget@firstlu.org. More info at 1stlu.org/griefsupport.
Parent Date Night
Save the “Date”: Friday, Nov 22. Time: Registration from 4:45-5:30pm, followed by dinner and activities till 8:30pm (parents can pick up early if needed). Bring your children for an evening of fun with the middle and high school youth groups’ Date Night fundraiser! Ages: birth to 12 are welcome. Event is open to the public. Cost: Donations to assist the middle and high school students with their mission trip in 2020.
Tara Shilts Ordination
Tara Shilts, a member of First Lutheran who served a one-year internship here in 2018, will be ordained into the ministry of Word and Sacrament at First Lutheran. Members and friends of the congregation are invited to attend this worship service, which begins at 1pm on Saturday, Nov. 23. Light refreshments will follow. Tara is a staff chaplain at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.
COME FOR SUPPER
First Lutheran is assisting with Come for Supper on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at Our Savior’s in La Crosse. First Lutheran will help with food donations and volunteering to serve and clean up. The sign-up sheets are at the Welcome Center. Call Gloria Kubiak if you have questions, 608.498.2762.
Thanksgiving Eve Worship
A little later than our usual worship on Wednesday, Nov. 27, members of First are invited to join in a special, ecumenical worship service that Thanksgiving Eve at 6:30pm, here at First, with our brothers and sisters in Christ from Onalaska United Methodist.
Community Thanksgiving Dinner
This year’s Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be on Thursday, Nov. 28, from 11am–2pm at the Onalaska Armory on Oak Forest Dr. Several Rotary clubs organize the free meal. Any community member is welcome. Volunteers are welcome, too. To volunteer to help with the dinner, go to octd.org. Delivered meals are available to residents in Onalaska, Holmen and Bryce Prairie. To request a meal delivery,
call 608.518.9388.
Advent Around the Table
Advent is a season full of rich traditions for both home and church. We invite everyone to join us in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, Dec. 1, at 9:15am, for our annual Advent Around the Table event. We will gather to create advent crafts for our homes, and costumes for the Christmas Program. Along the way we will learn more about this particular season, have great fellowship and grow in our faith as we kick off the Advent season.
Christmas Giving Tree
The tree in the narthex with tags have specific requests for people that La Crosse County Social Services is working with. Take a tag from the tree, buy a new item that meets the request, wrap it in a box, and attach the tag to the outside of the gift. Gifts need to be under the tree by Dec. 8. Call our office 608.783.2236 if you'd like to know what else may be on a person's wish list.
Job Opening
First Lutheran is looking for a lead custodian to manage the maintenance of the church buildings and grounds. Flexible hours are available. Pay is $19/hr, 25 hours/week with a pension benefit. Call 608.783.2236 or e-mail office@firstlu.org to inquire. Faith Alive! U
Faith Alive! U: Public Service as a Christian in Today's World
A Faith Alive! U course presented by Officer Joel Miller, Sunday, Dec. 13, at 6pm: Public Service as a Christian in Today's World. Hear from First Lutheran member and La Crosse Police Officer Joel Miller talk about his faith journey and being a police officer. He'll talk about issues like identity formation and changing personal perspectives to align his faith with his work; about current initiatives with the La Crosse Collaborative to End Homelessness and explore how to connect your work and faith in ways that are fulfilling and of service to the least of those in your community. Childcare is available. For kids in grade school ,we offer a supervised kid zone. For kids not yet in grade school, we will have adult supervision in the nursery. Community meal beforehand at 5:30pm; sign-up to share at 1stlu.org/meal.
Baptismal Preparation
A 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.
CHRISTMAS GIFTS for “COME for SUPPER” ATTENDEES
Come for Supper at Our Savior’s in La Crosse is asking for your help. They will be purchasing winter gloves and personal hygiene items to distribute to supper guests for Christmas. If you would be interested in helping finance the purchase of these gifts, checks for any amount can be sent to Our Savior’s Lutheran (612 Division St, La Crosse, WI 54601). Make sure you designate your gift to “Come for Supper.” Thank you!
YAGM APPLICATION DATES EARLIER THIS YEAR
The ELCA YAGM program invites young adults (ages 21-29) into a year-long international journey of service. If you, a friend, a church family member would be interested in such a journey, go to elca.org/yagm and begin the application process. The application window will open Nov. 1, and close Feb. 15, 2020, with priority given to those who apply by Jan. 15.
Cancellations Due to Inclement Weather
If the weather ever makes you wonder whether your group is meeting for their ministry, check our Web:, Facebook page, or update the office 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!
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.
Welcome Baskets
Welcome baskets are a way to welcome a new neighbor into your neighborhood. The baskets are a gift bag tied with bow, filled with some goodies from church and from our community. They are available to sign out at the Resource Center across from the church office.
Helping Hands
If you need help with small jobs around the house or if you need a couple of meals or groceries delivered, just go to the “Helping Hands” board by the nursery and make out a slip with a description of what you need help with and your telephone number. Then anyone who thinks they can help out can take the slip and call the number to work out the details. This ministry is open to all in need of help AND to those who can provide the help. There is no set group of “helpers” so we need involvement from all who can be a blessing to someone else. Thanks!
First Lutheran accepts one-time contributions electronically by credit/debit card. Use your mobile device to scan this QR code or go to 1stlu.org/give.
Sunday School
Sunday, Nov 17
Gr 1 FBB: 10 Commandments, lifted up in worship
9:15am 4K FBB: The Keys (1st meeting, parents/guardians only)
9:15am Sunday School
Sunday, Nov 24
9:15am 4K FBB: The Keys (2nd meeting, parents/guardians & child)
9:15am Sunday School
New registrations welcome any time of the year. Contact Sunday School superintendent Beth Miller at sundayschool@firstlu.org or stop in the Sunday School office in room 206.
Confirmation
Sunday:
9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Bible Classes
Wednesday:
7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups
Questions? Contact Pastor Stanton, jason@firstlu.org.
Middle & High School Youth Groups
On Sundays, Nov. 17 & 24, youth groups will meet at 5pm as usual in the Mary Room. Questions? Contact volunteer Andrea Dombroski: 608.790.5631 or MHyouth@firstlu.org