Announcements for Sunday, Nov. 14 2021
INSIDE: Christmas Giving Tree, Final Presentations/Discussions for Waking Up White, OWLs Fly to Pajama Game
The Christmas Giving Tree is up! 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. Make certain tags are attached to the outside of the wrapped gift. If you purchase gift cards, please wrap them in a box. Gifts should all be turned in to First Lutheran by Sunday, Dec. 12. Questions? Email bridget@firstlu.org.
Worship
Join us for worship!
Sunday, Nov. 14:
We will honor our brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone before us, during both services.
8am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person wearing masks. Nursery available.
10:30am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person wearing masks. Nursery available.
Wednesday, Nov. 17:
6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person wearing masks
COVID-19 Update
Pastors and our COVID Advisory Panel gather to evaluate when and how the church can be open. These are our current recommendations:
Worship: online & in-person wearing masks
Small groups: online & in-person; precautions determined by entire group
Precautions for In-Person Worship
Worship services are offered in-person, indoors at both services. Currently we are asking, for the safety of ALL members, that everyone wear a mask during worship. Outdoor worship will be offered occasionally (about once a month) during the 10:30am service, and if weather permits. Registration and social distancing are currently not required. For a full description of current precautions, visit 1stlu.org/precaution.
Waking Up White Symposium, Regional Read, Presentations & Discussions
The Waking Up White Regional Read invites the community to read Waking Up White, attend public presentations, and engage in book chat conversations about ways to create a more welcoming and inclusive multicultural community. Having finished Waking Up White is not a prerequisite for attending the presentations and discussions. More info and reg at laxwakingupwhite.com.
Upcoming presentations (via Zoom):
Dr. Fran Kaplan and Reggie Jackson, "Racism as a Public Health Crisis," Sunday, November 14, 1pm, via Zoom. Register.
Upcoming discussions (in-person, with precautions):
Thursday, Nov. 18 at 12pm. "What About La Crosse?" Community Connections Center, La Crosse. Register
Screening of There is a Field
The film screening will take place virtually on Monday, Nov. 15 at 6–8pm and will be followed by a community discussion facilitated by the documentary director and two members of the production crew. There Is A Field tells the story of Asel Asleh, an unarmed 17-year old killed by the police. Asel’s story is tragically familiar for Americans, but Asel was not killed in Ferguson, New York City, Atlanta or Minneapolis. Asel was a Palestinian teenager who was killed by Israeli police as he participated in a demonstration, calling for an end to the Israeli occupation. Since this event is a great opportunity to invite others in your community into the work that Churches for Middle East Peace is doing, please feel free to share this invitation with up to 4 others in your community. If you plan to attend, please register here for film screening.
Knitters
Prayer shawl knitters have changed their gathering time and now meet every Tuesday at 3:30pm in the narthex. Open to all!
OWLs Post
The OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First Lutheran, a “small” group for anyone 55+) will have their next potluck on Wednesday, Nov. 17, in the fellowship hall at noon. Since it is close to Thanksgiving, bring your favorite Thanksgiving dish or dessert to share. For the program, Brian and Mary Narveson will show photos and tell stories about their recent trip to the national parks of Utah. Also, since Storyhill was sold out, the OWLs will fly on Friday, Nov. 19, to see the great Broadway musical, The Pajama Game, at Viterbo, with dinner right across the street beforehand at Houghton’s. The OWLs will meet at Houghton's (1002 Jackson Street, La Crosse) at 5pm. Cost of the play is $25, and dinner is on your own. RSVP to Brian ASAP: owls@firstlu.org / 630.816.5917.
Community Conversations: Youth Mental Health
November's conversation at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 17 is IN-PERSON at Viterbo Fine Arts Center. No RSVP is required. Lunch will be provided on a first come, first serve basis. COVID-19 precautions should be taken, including the wearing of a face mask. As a precursor to a series of mental health topics that will take place in 2022, three panelists, who have provided support for youth with mental health issues, will discuss the current status of youth mental health and what programs are in place to support them. La Crosse County, La Crosse School District, and non-profits such as the Boys & Girls Club and the YMCA have identified youth mental health as a significant challenge in La Crosse. Our three panelists will engage the audience in discussion.
ELCA Youth Gathering Early Bird Reg
The ELCA Youth Gathering is less than a year away! July 24–28, 2022… in our very own backyard of Minneapolis! The gathering is open to all youth entering grades 9–12 in the fall of 2022, plus 2022 graduates. Early bird registration due by Nov. 20, 2021! Registration info online at 1stlu.org/gathering.
Complimentary Salon Services
Amy Anderson, a stylist and owner of Amy Elizabeth Hair Design in Onalaska, is hosting a community event at her salon (301 Main St., Onalaska) where she will offer free hair and makeup services, a professional photograph and a choice of professional attire for women "ready to regain their independence and get back into the work force." If you or anyone you know would benefit from this, send email to amyelizabeth2018@gmail.com.
Ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve Worship
In place of our usual Wednesday night worship on Nov. 24, members are invited to a special ecumenical worship service at Onalaska United Methodist on Thanksgiving Eve at 6:30pm, with our brothers and sisters in Christ from Onalaska UMC, which is nearby at 212 4th Ave N, Onalaska, WI 54650.
Onalaska Community Thanksgiving Dinner
The Onalaska Rotaries are pleased to announce the 11th annual Onalaska & Holmen Community Thanksgiving Dinner. This year, the dinner is back at the Armory in Onalaska at 910 Oak Forest Drive on Thursday, Nov. 25, for in-person dining from 11am–2pm. There is no charge for the dinner or for meal delivery. Please join your Onalaska & Holmen families and friends for a meal and to celebrate the community. Sign up to volunteer, donate and learn more at www.octd.org.
Advent Around the Table
Advent is a season full of rich traditions for both home and church. We invite everyone to join us on Sunday, Nov. 28, at 9:15am in Fellowship Hall for our annual Advent Around the Table event. We will create advent crafts for our homes and learn more about this particular season, have great fellowship and grow in our faith as we kick off the Advent season.
Preschool Opening
The First Lutheran Preschool has an opening in the Tuesday/Thursday class. Class runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30-11am or 12pm with optional Lunch Bunch. Email the preschool for more info: preschool@firstlu.org.
Warming Center
The La Crosse Warming Center will be open Nov. 1 through April 30. Individuals who are living in homelessness can sleep, shower, do laundry and get a meal at the Warming Center. 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.
White Privilege Symposium
As a partner of the symposium, First Lutheran invites all members to the White Privilege Symposium on Dec. 3 and 4, at the La Crosse Center. Registration is NOW OPEN at laxwakingupwhite.com. A full list of workshops/presenters is available at the site. Cost: Adult $100 (Virtual or In Person), Students $75 (Virtual or In Person)… BUT contact office@firstlu.org to have First reimburse half the costs! Debby Irving’s keynote (author of Waking Up White) is on Friday evening, and is free as an online presentation, but registration is required.
Benefit Christmas Concert for A Place of Grace
A Christmas concert to benefit A Place of Grace will be held Sunday, Dec. 5, at 2pm in the San Damiano Chapel, 900 Viterbo Dr, La Crosse on the Viterbo Campus. Music will be provided by Prairie Smoke with special guests Fr. Conrad Targonski, OFM and Polly Pappadopoulos, with comments from Tom Thibodeau. Cash and non-perishable food donations will be joyfully received. Due to COVID, masks are required for the concert.
SING!
The choir is starting a new “festival” rehearsal schedule. The next performance will be for Christmas Eve services, and rehearsals start up fresh on Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 7pm in the sanctuary. The Senior Choir is open to all people ages 12 and up. There is no audition and no formal training required, just a desire to enhance worship through the beauty of music! Full schedule and sign up at 1stlu.org/choir. For more info contact Todd Saner at todd@firstlu.org.
YAGM’s are Back for 2022
ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) will be back in the world, in 9 foreign countries in 2022-23! YAGMs are young adults aged 21–29 and this is the time to reach out to new candidates. Application deadline: Feb.1, 2022 (priority deadline Jan. 15.) Learn more at elca.org/yagm.
410 Prayers
Join Kathryn for a time of prayer, every Monday–Friday, at 4:10pm. Kathryn is posting prayers on both Facebook and Twitter.
Sunday School
Sunday, Nov. 14
9:15am Gr 1 FBB: 10 Commandments (2nd meeting, parents/guardians & child) - Fellowship Hall
9:15am Sunday School
Sunday, Nov. 21
9:15am Gr 1 FBB: 10 Commandments (3rd meeting, parents/guardians & child) - Fellowship Hall
9:15am Sunday School
Questions regarding Sunday School? Visit 1stlu.org/sunschool.
Grade 1 Faith Alive Building Block: Ten Commandments
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 (in Fellowship Hall), sharing in conversation and growing together in faith. The session lasts for three weeks, and afterwards, children will have a presence in worship to celebrate the Faith Building Block they have learned.
Sundays, Nov. 14 & 21, 9:15am: parents/guardians with children
Sunday, Nov. 28: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship
Confirmation
Sunday, Nov. 14:
Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Classes - Fireside Rm
Wednesday, Nov. 17:
6:15pm Confirmation Class - Fireside Rm
7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups
Questions regarding confirmation? Visit 1stlu.org/confirm.
