Inside: Register for the Advent Around the Table Box, OWLs Virtual Potluck, First Praise Concert!

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.

Register for the “Advent Around the Table” Box

This box is not just for Sunday School! It is for everyone, to bring our minds and our hearts into focus on Advent, as we begin the season of waiting for God’s gift to the world! Registration opens Sunday, Nov. 15 and runs through Saturday, Nov. 21. Register at 1stlu.org/advent. Pick up the box on Saturday, Nov. 28 to celebrate Advent Around the Table on Sunday, Nov. 29!

First Grade Faith Building Block: Ten Commandments

• Sundays, Nov. 15: parents/guardians with children

• Sundays, Nov. 22: parents/guardians with children

• Sunday, Nov. 29: 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.

Thrivent Food Donation Drive

Thrivent, in partnership with the Salvation Army, will collect food this month for holiday baskets that will be distributed to families. These will be drive-through curbside donation sites. Items in greatest need include: peanut butter, jelly, canned peaches/pears, ramen noodles, macaroni & cheese, cereal and soup. Organizers also would like to include a boxed cake mix and can of frosting for each family. Also welcome are cash donations and/or food gift cards. The donation site in Onalaska will be on Friday, Nov. 20, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Onalaska City Hall. The donation site in Holmen will be on Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Thrivent office in Holmen, 505 Empire St. For more info, send an email to sarah.siefkes@thrivent.com or go to the website thrivent.com/what-we-offer/generosity.

Our OWLs Be Zoomin’

In November, the OWLs (Older Wiser Lutherans, a group at First that welcomes anyone, First Lutheran members or not, who are 55+) will continue with their virtual potlucks. The next one will be Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 1pm. They will start with a video on the Christmas season in Norway, followed by a rousing game of TriBond, the fascinating word game they played at their first virtual potluck. Don’t miss the fantastic opportunity to socialize safely. If you are not on the OWLs mailing list and would like to attend please contact Brian Narveson: owls@firstlu.org / 608.526.9700. Also please contact Brian if you need assistance with the technology to join the meeting. You can join the meeting with a basic phone.

First Praise Concert

Our very own praise band will be performing a concert on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 7pm. Tune in online at 1stlu.org/live.

Thanksgiving Sunday

On Sunday, Nov. 22, worship will include LOTS of cowbells ringing in celebration as we burn the mortgage! There may or may not be lots of noisemakers, a confetti cannon, and a cake in your own kitchen (that part will be up to you). Join us at 8am or 10:30am at 1stlu.org/live for the BIG event.

Onalaska Community Thanksgiving Dinner

This year’s Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be provided as a take-out on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, from 11am–2pm at the American Legion. The event will rely on donations and volunteers to prepare take-out boxes and provide delivery to those who are home-bound. Learn more at www.octd.org.

Read 1 Chronicles in 8ish Days!

After seventy years of captivity, exiled in Babylon, God’s people are now in Jerusalem, and dealing with questions from their past… “Are we still the people of God?” and “What do God’s promises to David mean for us today?” Pastor Stanton will be introducing this book to Bible Readers starting Friday, Nov. 27. Join at any time! This study is 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.

Sugar Creek Drive-Thru: The Road to Bethlehem

On Friday, Dec. 4, 3:30–6pm, head to Sugar Creek for a drive-thru Advent experience! Journey through the Advent story visiting live action worship stations offering carols, scripture, prayer, and the chance to visit real nativity animals. Covid safety precautions in place. This is an all outdoor event, so dress appropriately for the weather, and please bring a mask for carols. Start your journey any time from 3:30–6pm. Free will offering for the ministry of Sugar Creek, as well as non-perishable item donations welcome to benefit local food pantries. Please call 608.734.3113 by Dec 3 to let them know you're coming.

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.

Faith Alive! U: Introduction To Enneagram

Spiritual growth takes time and calls each individual into a deeper understanding of self and others. The Enneagram is one way we can discover more about our inner self and the ways we respond to the world around us. In this introductory course on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 6pm, spend time with spiritual director, Carla Stanton, exploring which of the 9 types you might be and learn how each type responds in times of joy and times of stress. Take away a deeper knowledge of self and how you have been created to reflect unique aspects of God into God's creation. Prior to this course each participant is asked to take a brief online assessment (link coming soon). 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.

ELCA Good Gifts

Wondering how to make a positive impact in the world right now? At elca.org/goodgifts you can choose from 50 charitable gifts to give in honor of friends and loved ones. Each one of these gifts makes a real impact in the world, sharing the love of Christ — one goat, water well or school uniform at a time. Start your holiday shopping now and order free, customized cards for each gift you give. Give by Dec. 10, 2020, to ensure that your cards arrive in time for Christmas.

Christmas Giving Tree

Help make Christmas special for area kids and families by buying NEW items for them. We are again partnering with La Crosse County Human Services, and have a list of people and items they or their social worker have requested. Instead of taking a tag from the tree in the church narthex, please go to 1stlu.org/givingtree, and "take a tag" by signing up for one of the gifts. In order to maintain confidentiality, each recipient is assigned a code. Please purchase the item requested, wrap it, and put a tag on the outside of the gift with the code that is on the SignUp.  Gifts should all be turned in to First Lutheran by Sunday, Dec. 13. Questions? Email bridget@firstlu.org.

Double Your Gift to Lutheran World Relief

It may be early in the season, but Christmas will be here before you know it. Send your best gift during LWR's 2020 Christmas Matching Gift Challenge when it will be DOUBLED — dollar for dollar — until the match is met. Your generosity will reach and lift up families living in some of the harshest, most remote locations, facing famine in one of the driest regions of the world.

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.