Inside: Lutherans’ Civic Responsibility and Voting, Butter Braids Fundraiser, Read Joshua in 7 Days

Worship

• Join us for worship online this Sunday at 8am & 10:30am, and on Wednesday at 6:15pm, at 1stlu.org/live.

• Due to the continued COVID risk level of 'critical', First will keep worship services 'online only' this Sunday. Pastors and the Vision & Leadership Team will re-evaluate next week.

COVID-19 Update

• Pastors and the Vision & Leadership team regularly evaluate when and how the church can be open. These are our current recommendations:

  • Worship: online

  • Education: online

  • Small groups: online

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

Sunday Morning with Coffee Small Group

Sundays 9:15-10:15am via Zoom. We will discuss questions and thoughts from the previous weeks Bible Readers readings. Join us when you can. We will meet virtually via Zoom when we can’t meet in person. Email bridget@firstlu.org to get the Zoom link or get help connecting to Zoom. 

Faith Alive! U: Lutherans’ Civic Responsibility and Voting

Why does the ELCA encourage us to vote? What does public policy have to do with being Lutheran? Even if you aren’t old enough to vote yet, you can be involved. Attend to find out how. Presented by Cindy Crane, Director of Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW), on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 6pm. This online format will be 20 minutes of presentation and 20 minutes of question and answer. This event is intended for confirmation students, high schoolers and all adults. To join the Zoom meeting go to the event page at 1stlu.org/FAUzoom.

Butter Braids Fundraiser

The Butter Braid Fundraiser starts Sunday Oct. 11 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 8. Youth raising funds for youth ministries will need to create an online account. Members wanting to purchase Butter Braids should try to find a youth member who has set-up a fundraising account; they can send you a link where you can order from them online. If you don’t know of anyone to purchase from but would still like to place an order, please call the church office at 608.783.2236. All orders must be placed and paid for by Nov. 8. Orders will be delivered by the youth you placed the order through on Wednesday, Nov. 18. If you ordered through the church you can pick them up at the church on or after that date. More detailed info at 1stlu.org/bbraids. Questions? Contact Pastor Stanton at jason@firstlu.org.

Oasis Respite Program

Introducing a respite program in the Coulee Region for individuals with mild to moderate symptoms associated with Alzheimer's, dementia or brain related impairment. Oasis respite is a safe place for loved ones, allowing caregivers to make time for themselves during their caregiving journey. The respite program features…

• A Safe Space for Therapeutic Learning and Sensory Stimulation

• Supportive, Caring Staff including a Certified Nursing Assistant

• Nutritious Snacks and Beverages

• Activities that Focus on the Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Needs of All

Beginning October 15 from 11am-3pm on Thursdays, at First Free Church, Mason Street, Onalaska. Interested in registering a loved one, or would you like to volunteer? For more information, call 608.780.0471 or visit www.aosisrespite.org.

Read the Book of Joshua in 7 days!

Having wandered long in the wilderness, the book of Joshua describes the entry of God’s people into the promised land. Pastor Stanton will be introducing this book to Bible Readers starting Thursday, Oct. 15. Join at any time! These studies are for ANYone who can read, 3rd graders to our eldest friend; members and acquaintances far far away. Use whatever Bible you’d like! Follow Pastor Stanton’s daily guides on Facebook or YouTube, and if you’d like the daily video guides emailed to you contact Pastor Stanton at jason@firstlu.org.

2020 U.S. Wildfires

Fueled by a heat wave and unfavorable winds, devastating wildfires continue across California, Oregon, Washington and other western states. At least 20 people have died, hundreds of thousands of people are under evacuation orders and more than 3.5 million acres have burned across the three states. Some evacuees face the difficult decision of whether to stay in a shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lutheran Disaster Response is engaging with at least three Lutheran social services agencies and five synods to assess the situation and determine the best ways to respond. We expect immediate needs may include food and other necessities, as well as emotional and spiritual care for those who have been traumatized. Your gifts will support wildfire survivors. Gifts to "U.S. wildfires" will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by wildfires until the response is complete. Even as we face multiple crises, together we can reflect Christ’s light and hope to our neighbors in their time of need.

Blessing Health Care Workers

We invite all staff of our area clinics and hospitals to join us on Sunday, Oct. 18, for worship and a special blessing for all of the care you provide to our community, especially during this pandemic.

Preschool Faith Building Block: Praying Together

• Sunday, Oct. 18: parents/guardians only

• Sundays, Oct. 25: parents/guardians with children

• Sundays, Nov. 1: parents/guardians with children

• Sunday, Nov. 8: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Throughout the year each age group will have a special “Faith Building Block” session in which parents or special adults are asked to attend class with their child on Sundays at 9:15am, sharing in conversation and growing together in faith. The session lasts for three weeks, and afterwards, children will have a presence in worship in celebration of the Faith Building Block they have learned. Gatherings will meet via Zoom; pastors will send out meeting codes to parents & guardians of youth in each grade before the first meeting.'

Warming Center

First Lutheran is again joining with other area ELCA congregations to support the Warming Center this winter. The Warming Center is a local shelter in downtown La Crosse. ELCA area churches have committed to providing volunteers and meals the first two Fridays of each month, November–April. Volunteers are needed to greet and sign in guests, put away their personal items, get them assigned to a spot in the sleeping room, help in the kitchen and visit with the guests, be on hand overnight to do some cleaning or visit with folks who aren’t sleeping. The Warming Center will provide training for all interested volunteers. Each shift will have an experienced lead person. Bridget is the volunteer coordinator, and encourages you to attend the training if you are the least bit interested, so let her know at bridget@firstlu.org or call the church and ask to be put on the mailing. Training is October 20 or 22 at 6pm. Learn more at 1stlu.org/warmcenter.

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. The October virtual potluck will be on Wednesday, October 21, at noon. This is an hour earlier than usual so please mark your calendar. Brian and Mary will show photos from there fall color trip to Colorado, and we will play a game. Don’t miss the fantastic opportunity to socialize safely. The connection details for the meeting will be sent the Monday before (Oct. 19). If you are not on the OWLs mailing list and would like to attend, please contact Brian Narveson at 630-816-5917 or owls@firstlu.org. Also please contact Brian if you need assistance with the technology to join the meeting. You can join the meeting with a basic phone.

Synod School Of Theology

Classes being offered via Zoom, at 6pm on Thursdays: The Holy Spirit by Pastor Karyn Bodenschatz, Oct. 29–Dec. 10. Register now: office@lacrosseareasynod.org / 608.788.5000. More info: 1stlu.org/theology.

Family Photos: 
a Cloud of Witnesses


All Saint’s Day has long been a day when the church gives thanks for all the saints, the beloved, who have died, especially in the past year. In a typical year, we would be asking for photographs of your beloved dead so that we can be surrounded by their witness on All Saint’s Day, Sunday, 
Nov. 1. However, this year, since we are not completely sure if we will be able to meet in person on November 1, we are asking that you gather together photos of your beloved dead in preparation for All Saints celebration in your home. More details will be offered in the coming weeks. If your loved one was a member of our congregation and died this past year, you will receive a letter with a special request. 
All Saint’s Day isn’t only about those who have died but also about those who have been newly baptized. If your child was baptized this past year, you also will receive a special request.

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 permanent live stream setup is now in place! Two leaders/volunteers are needed at each service on Sundays and Wednesdays: 1) to run projection (as we always have) and 2) to direct 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.

Pray-ers!

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!