Inside: COVID-19 Update for July 31, OWLs Zoomin’ Aug 12, & another opp for Communion Training Assistants

Online Worship

• Join us for worship online this Sunday at 9:15am and on Wednesday at 6:15pm, at 1stlu.org/live.

COVID-19 Update

• The risk level this week for the La Crosse County Compass is severe.

  • Worship: online

  • Education: online

  • Small groups: online

• For an up-to-date list of online options and cancellations please visit firstlutheranonalaska.org/thisweek.

Racism and the Coulee Region: A Community Dialogue Series

Many in our community have committed to engaging more deeply in efforts to prevent, combat and learn about racism. Join FSPA for a Zoom video conferencing series of dialogues with local activists, speakers and artists to explore issues related to race and racism. We look forward to open, honest and respectful conversation and sharing of ideas. This series is co-sponsored by the FSPA Office of Mission Integration and the FSC. Dates in this series: August 11, 6-8pm; August 25, 1-3pm; September 8, 6-8pm; September 22, 1-3pm. Investment: $7. Register at www.FSCenter.org or 608-791-5295. You will be sent a Zoom link after you register.

Our OWLs Be Zoomin’

If you are tired of TV and the same four walls, come join the OWLs for the next virtual potluck, on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 1pm. The Zoom information will be emailed to the OWLs mailing list shortly before the meeting. If you are not receiving OWLs emails, please contact Brian Narveson via email or at 630.816.5917, and he will add you to the email list or provide connect information over the phone. You can join all the Zoom calls with just a regular phone if you do not have a computer or smart phone. If you need help figuring out how to connect to Zoom or view the church services, please contact Brian for assistance.

Communion Assistant Training

To be able to offer communion when we aren’t able to gather together, we need each participating household to designate at least one confirmed Christian to act as the “assisting minister.“ All designated assisting ministers are required to attend a virtual training lead by the pastors. The next training will be Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 7:15pm. Sign up for a training date at 1stlu.org/training. We believe God meets us where we are at… so we will celebrate God meeting us online.

Synod Job Opening: Part-Time Office Administrator

The La Crosse Area Synod is seeking a part-time office administrator to work approximately 20 hours/week (hours negotiable). Responsibilities include: working with the bishop and the assistant to the bishop in securing pastors for congregations and guiding candidates through seminary, greeting visitors and answering telephone; updating databases, various forms and website; and other general duties. Needing a self-starter with skills in social media and online messaging, and the ability to multitask. Confidentiality is required. If interested, please contact the synod office by August 16: office@lacrosseareasynod.org or 608.788.5000.

Sugar Creek Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Mon, Aug. 17, at Viroqua Hills Golf Course. $75 for 18 holes. Form a team, grab the clubs, and join Sugar Creek for a GREAT day on the course! These golf outings are FUN way to support the ministries of Sugar Creek Bible Camp! So whether you’re thinking about going pro or you haven’t swung a club since middle school, join us on the green! Call the camp to register! 608.734.3113. Click here for tournament flyer and more details.

Confirmation

• Grade 6 & 7 Orientation: Sunday, Aug. 23, 10:30am, via Zoom

• Grade 8 & 9 Orientation: Wednesday, Aug. 26, 7pm, via Zoom

• Grade 10 Orientation: Wednesday, Sept. 2, 7pm, via Zoom

Pastor Stanton will send out information to all registered confirmation students and families about the Zoom meeting the week before. For more information about confirmation visit 1stlu.org/confirmation and email Pastor Stanton.

Blessing of Backpacks & Devices/Students & Staff

Whether you are in school virtually or in-person… whether you are a student in kindergarten, high school, college, or an adult teaching or helping at any of those levels, God is with every day, in every place. And First wants to kick-off this school year with a blessing to remind you of just that! So we invite students and staff, K–college, to have your backpacks, briefcases, messenger bags, purses, laptops, tablets, etc. on hand for our live streamed worship on Sunday, August 30 so that we may bless the start of your new school year!

Back-To-School Shoe Drive

While we may not know yet what school will look like in the fall, we do know that teens will need new shoes. First Teen Clothes Closet is committed to continuing to provide new back-to-school shoes, suitable for gym classes, to our guests later this summer. If you would like to contribute to this effort, donations may be sent to First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, 410 Main St. Onalaska, WI 54650.

Confirmation Guides

You don’t need to know the Bible backwards & forwards & you don’t need a seminary degree. Just a heart for the youth of our church and an hour each week to spend with our confirmation youth. Parents, grandparents, godparents or any faith-mature adult is welcome to facilitate conversation and build relationships between our confirmands on Wednesday nights. Contact Pastor Stanton to nominate someone: jason@firstlu.org.

Join the 75,000 Face Mask Challenge

Please join Lutheran World Relief’s “75,000 Face Mask Challenge” and help send cloth masks to vulnerable communities in developing countries that are bracing for a spike in COVID-19 cases. The cloth mask you sew in your living room will provide love and protection to a neighbor in need halfway around the world. Can you make 25? 50? 75? Click here to learn more and pledge now!

Sugar Creek Annual Quilt and Antique Auction

Sat, Sept. 12. Events beginning at 8am: 5K Trail Run and Fun Walk, country store, craft fair, quilt and antique auction. Click here to view flyer for more details.

410 Prayers

Join Kathryn for a time of prayer, every Monday–Friday, at 4:10pm. Kathryn is posting prayers on both Facebook and Twitter.

AV Ministry

Our live stream set-up is starting to get into place, and the next phase involves members learning the set-up so we can continue to provide this ministry to everyone at home. We will be in need of two leaders/volunteers each Sunday: 1) to run projection (as we always have) and 2) to direct the live stream. Ideally we’d like a 2 week commitment on both Sundays and Wednesdays, the first week to lead projection and the second week to learn the live stream. If you know someone with these gifts, or if you are interested in being a part of this ministry, pass their name or your name to andy@firstlu.org.

Bible Bits

A project that we are starting to work on is to send a Bible verse video to Sunday school students. This video and verse from you would fill up the student's Bible with peoples names that are important to them and remember that God loves them and so do we! Beth will send a video (made by members) with directions to the Sunday school students that would give the opportunity for the youth to highlight the verse and write your name near it. This is a way to stay connected to our Bibles and our congregations' youth during this time. For more information, contact Beth at beth@firstlu.org.

Prayers!

Pastor Karyn is looking for people who are willing to be our pray-ers. If you are willing to offer up a prayer or let us know a way we can be praying, send me an email to karyn@firstlu.org. Thanks!