Inside: 2nd Grade Faith Building Block, Blood Drive, Faith Alive! U: Reconciling in Christ

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.

Second Grade Faith Building Block: What’s Fair?

• Sunday, Jan. 3: parents/guardians only

• Sundays, Jan. 10: parents/guardians with children

• Sundays, Jan. 17: parents/guardians with children

• Sunday, Jan. 24: 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, the Faith Building Block will be lifted up in worship in celebration of what the students 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.

Coffee with Pastor Karyn

Coffee with Pastor Karyn is open to all and meets at 7:30am each Wednesday, currently via Zoom. Questions? Contact karyn@firstlu.org.

Blood Drive

Blood Drive Wednesday, Jan. 6, 12:30-5:30pm. Every day ordinary people are saved by some pretty extraordinary people. People who give blood. Your donation could be the most valuable gift you ever give. Just ask anyone who’s ever received. Appointments encouraged, schedule yours at 1stlu.org/blooddrive. Please wear a mask and bring a photo ID.

Drawing from the Well

This group is for women of First and the greater La Crosse area seeking to support one another in their spiritual growth. We gather to develop a deeper relationship with one another. We meet on the second Saturday of the month, 9:30–11am via Zoom, with the next one on Saturday, Jan. 9. Contact our Bridget Crave for more info: bridget@firstlu.org.

Faith Alive! U: Reconciling in Christ; what other congregations have learned

In October 2019, Pr. Libby Howe led our Faith Alive U! talking about how our congregation can become a voice of unapologetic welcome, a community of blessing and inclusion, and a public advocate for justice alongside our LGBTQIA friends and neighbors. We asked for volunteers to lead First Lutheran in the process to becoming a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation. Just as the team was gathering, Covid-19 struck, and our RIC activity never really got started. It's time for the restart. Join us Sunday, Jan. 10 at 6pm for an interactive conversation by ReconcilingWorks executive director, Aubrey Thonvold, about what it means to be a Reconciling in Christ Congregation. Together we will learn about the importance people of faith and the church have in supporting, caring for, and celebrating people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions. This will be a great time to bring your questions and an open heart and mind.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.

Read 1 Kings in 12 Days!

What was the downfall of Israel? The overall storyline in Kings says that Israel’s people sinned, especially their kings, and in turn were punished. What if Israel in its exile were to cry out to or turn to the Lord? Would they be delivered? Pastor Stanton will be introducing this book to Bible Readers starting Wednesday, Jan. 13. 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.

Synod School Of Theology

Winter session 2021 runs Thursday evenings from Jan. 14–Feb. 18. Class: Prophets, instructor: Pr. Denny Hallemeier (retired), cost: $20. Register by contacting the synod office: office@lacrosseareasynod.org / 608.788.5000.

Applications Open for Young Adults in Global Mission

In these three new videos, Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) alums reflect on their international service year. Tony Yang, a YAGM Central Europe alum, learned what it means to work in a spirit of accompaniment. “You just show up and you share what the people around you ask of you,” Tony said. Watch the three YAGM videos here:

• My YAGM Year: Deja

• My YAGM Year: Renee

• My YAGM Year: Tabby and Tony

If you are a young adult ages 21 to 29, you can apply for an international service year with YAGM. The deadline to apply is Jan. 15, 2021, for service beginning in August 2021. Spread the word! Learn more and apply for YAGM here.

The Doctor and the Apostle Book Study

Doctor Who and St. Paul fans unite! Join Pastor Karyn on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021 at 9am for a discussion of the book The Doctor and the Apostle: Intersections Between Doctor Who and the Letters of Paul by Jeffrey A. Nelson. This book is a fun and insightful book for anyone who loves when pop culture and scripture collide or for anyone who needs one more reason to love Doctor Who or the Apostle Paul. We will meet via Zoom, the link being publicized the week of the event. Grab your companion and come join us!

21-Day Racial Equity Challenge

Fighting racism isn’t a one and done event, it’s an ongoing process. It takes about 3 weeks to form a new habit, so Dr. Eddie Moor, Dr. Marguerite Penick-Parks and Debby Irving developed the 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge to help all of us develop self-awareness and intentionality to effect social change. A year ago, many of us read Debby Irving’s book Waking Up White and some participated in small group discussions during Lent. Whether you were part of that book read, or not, you are invited to be a part of the 21-day challenge. Starting Jan. 18, for 21 days you will be invited to either watch a short video, or listen to a podcast, or read an article and reflect. The entire schedule, with links to each day’s resources, will be posted on our website and daily reminders will be posted on Facebook. The 21-day challenge is appropriate for teens and all adults. Whether you are a seasoned anti-racist ally, or the whole topic of racism just makes you uncomfortable, this 21-Day Challenge is for you. We hope you’ll join us.

Office Closures

The office will be closed on these days in January:

• Monday, Jan. 18

• Wednesday, Jan. 20

Baptismal Preparation


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

Warming Center

The La Crosse Warming Center will be open beginning through April 30. The Warming Center provides a place for individuals who are living in homelessness to have a warm place to sleep overnight, shower, do laundry, and get a meal. As was done last year, the first two Fridays of each month are "Lutheran Night." A number of local ELCA churches are working together to staff those two Friday nights, and provide food for dinner. Orientation and training is provided. Click here for more information. Questions? Contact bridget@firstlu.org.