Inside: Outdoor Worship, Blessing Backpacks & Devices / Students & Staff, Preschool Openings

Worship

• Join us for worship online this Sunday at 9:15am & 10:30am; and on Wednesday at 6:15pm, at 1stlu.org/live.

• Join us for outdoor worship this Sunday at 10:30am (more details below). The forecast for Sunday at 10:30am: Partly Cloudy and 69º

COVID-19 Update

• First continues to re-evaluate when and how to best re-open. For now, we will continue with our previous recommendations:

  • Worship: online & outdoors this Sunday at 10:30am

  • Education: online

  • Small groups: online

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

Outdoor Worship this Sunday, Aug. 30 at 10:30am

Members are invited to another go at outdoor worship, this Sunday, Aug. 30, at 10:30am. Bring 1) your own chair, 2) your own mask, and 3) an open heart as we gather six feet apart on 5th Ave (between First and Pertzsch Elementary). There isn't a lot of shade, so consider 4) a wide brim hat and 5) sunscreen. Park in our lot or side streets as usual and it will be obvious where we're meeting. We will commune, hear good music from Todd and Gabe and pray together in person, while staying masked and distanced. Safety remains our top priority! More info at 1stlu.org/outdoors. Questions? Connect with kathryn@firstlu.org, tamara@firstlu.org or jason@firstlu.org.  

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!

Confirmation

• RESCHEDULED: Grade 6 & 7 Orientation: Sunday, Aug. 30, 11:30am, 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 jason@firstlu.org..

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? Visit lwr.org/masks to learn more and pledge now!

Preschool Openings For Sept. 1

We are now enrolling for in-person preschool starting Sept. 1. We have spots open in our Tues/Thur class and our Mon/Wed/Fri class. For details visit 1stlu.org/preschool and email preschool@firstlu.org!

Blood Drive On Tuesday, Sept. 8

In times of crisis we lift each other up and ensure a safe and caring place for our neighbors. Your neighbors, friends, and loved ones are at an elevated risk during this latest crisis in our nation. The latest virus we are living through is very serious, but more so is the availability of blood. We are a beacon of hope. Ensuring an adequate blood supply to our communities is not only Versiti’s core mission, but it is our commitment to our hospitals, patients and communities in times of crisis. Versiti Blood Centers will be providing a blood drive on Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 12:30–4:30pm. They encourages all donors to make an appointment to lessen the amount of people waiting at the blood drive; you can do so at 1stlu.org/blooddrive. To learn more about the safety precautions Versiti is taking during this pandemic, visit Versiti.org.

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: 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.

Sugar Creek Annual Quilt and Antique Auction

Sat, Sept. 12. Country store, craft fair, quilt and antique auction. Visit 1stlu.org/scbc to view flyer for more details.

Our OWLs Be Zoomin’

The OWLs are a group at First that welcomes anyone, First Lutheran members or not, who are 55+. OWLs: If you are having technical problems viewing worship services or pastors’ morning musings please call volunteer coordinator, Brian Narveson for help: 608.526.9700. For those already connected with a computer, tablet or smart phone, or even just a regular phone, the OWLs are holding “Virtual Potlucks” via Zoom. Zoom is a two way video conferencing system where you can both see and hear the people you are talking with. The next one is Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 1pm. Brian wants the OWLs to know they can participate in these virtual potlucks with just a regular phone. For help with Zoom, feel free to contact Brian: owls@firstlu.org / 608.526.9700.

First Lutheran Play Days @ Sugar Creek, Sept. 18–20

First Lutheran will have Sugar Creek Bible Camp all to ourselves the weekend of Sept. 18–20! All ages and stages are welcome to camp one or two nights, or just come for a day. We’ll use the same precautions that were used at camp all summer so that we can enjoy each other and a beautiful setting while feeling safe and having fun. Creek stomping, disc golf and horse rides by day… camp fires, s’mores and more by night. The weekend concludes with a safe, outdoor worship service Sunday morning. Come for any or all of what may become an annual event! Register online at 1stlu.org/playdays.

Opening at English Lutheran

English Lutheran Church in La Crosse is hiring a full-time Director Youth & Family Ministries. Questions may be directed to Pastor Becky Goche (pastorbecky@englishlutheran.org) or call her at English’s office at 608-784-9335.

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.

Courageous Men’s Group

The Courageous Men’s Group are men of all ages who meet weekly on Wednesdays at 6am via Zoom for a time of fellowship and study. Contact Chad Schultz or the church office for more info: courageous@firstlu.org.

Keep Up with Changes: Update Your Contact Info

Make sure the office has your current contact info, including current address, mobile number(s), carrier info (for reminders by text), and email(s). Send to office@firstlu.org.

Morning Musings

Where is God in all this? Who/what shall we pray for today? What are our questions? What is grounding us in a time when everything is shifting? Go to First Lutheran's website, Facebook page or our Youtube channel where each morning, Monday through Saturday by 8am, Pastor Stanton or Pastor Karyn post a "morning musing". It's a great way to stay connected!