Inside: Preschool Faith Building Block: Praying Together, Sun. School Fruit of the Spirit Box, Warming Center

Worship

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

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.

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.'

Register for the Sunday School Fruit of the Spirit Box! 

This is First Lutheran’s way of handling the pandemic & Sunday School. Do as much as you can including crafts, games, cooking, music, science, devotionals, verse and video! All you need to do is to register during the designated time and then you will pick up your box on the pick up day! Fruit of the Spirit box registration is open Oct. 18–25; register at 1stlu.org/sundayschool. Box pick up will be Saturday, Oct. 31, with activities running from Nov. 1–22.

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.

Butter Braids Fundraiser

The Butter Braid Fundraiser has started 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.

Baptismal Preparation


The pastors are considering baptisms on an individual basis. The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Dec. 5, at 10am. To register or ask questions contact the church office at 608.783.3326 / office@firstlu.org.

Happy Birthday!! 

If you have received a birthday postcard from First in the last several months and still have it, bring it into church Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm and pick up a small gift. Remember to ring the doorbell on the left side of the doors and Tamara will be happy to help you.

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.

Scrip Cards Are Still Available

Scrip cards are still available from the church office even though the building is closed. We have Kwik Trip, Woodman's, Target and Festival cards. To find out what's currently available and when you can buy them, call the church office at 608.783.2236 or send email to office@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.