Inside: Confirmation Orientation, Blessing Backpacks & Devices/Students & Staff

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

• La Crosse county no longer updates the Coulee Compass. First is re-evaluating how to best move forward regarding safety. For now, we will continue with our previous recommendations:

  • Worship: online

  • Education: online

  • Small groups: online

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Baptismal Preparation


The pastors are considering baptisms on an individual basis. To register or ask questions contact the church office at 608.783.3326 / office@firstlu.org.

Readers!

We are seeking people of all ages who would be willing to be our readers each week. This would mean doing a video of yourself or family reading the assigned text and then uploading it to a google folder. If you are willing to do this, email Pastor Karyn: karyn@firstlu.org.

Help Those in Need

If you are looking for ways to help locally, go to the Ugetconnected site to find a variety of needs, from writing letters or drawing pictures to seniors, to delivering pre-packaged meals or sewing. It's hard to keep track of all the various organizations, so this is a great spot to find out how you can help. Go to 1stlu.org/needs.