INSIDE: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Worship, One Service on Sunday, Dec. 26 at 9:30am

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Dec. 19:

• 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.

Blue Christmas Worship, Tuesday, Dec. 21

• 6pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person wearing masks. Light dinner beforehand at 5pm.

Wednesday, Dec. 22:

• 6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person wearing masks. Nursery available.

Christmas Eve, Friday, Dec. 24:

• Noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 11pm: 2pm will live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and all are in-person wearing masks. All will be candlelight and all will be with Holy Communion. Nursery available. Reservations required: sign-up at 1stlu.org/christmas.

Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25:

• 10am: 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 all services. Currently we are asking, for the safety of ALL members, that everyone wear a mask during worship. Registration and social distancing are currently not required for most services. For a full description of current precautions, visit 1stlu.org/precaution.

Christmas Worship Times & Reservations

Christmas Eve worship times will be at noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 11pm on Friday, Dec. 24. All will be candlelight and all will be with Holy Communion. The 2pm service will be live streamed at 1stlu.org/live. Christmas Day worship will be at 10am on Saturday, Dec. 25, with Holy Communion. COVID precautions for Christmas services:

• All Christmas services will be offered in-person, indoors (not in a parking lot!!!)

• For the safety of ALL members, we ask everyone to wear a mask during worship.

• In order to limit crowd size during Christmas Eve services, reservations are required. Sign up at at 1stlu.org/christmas.

• For a full description of current precautions, visit 1stlu.org/precaution.

Double Your Gift To Lutheran World Relief

From now until Christmas Day, any gift you make will go twice as far as part of Lutheran World Relief’s 2021 Christmas Matching Gift Challenge until the $215,000 match is met. That means we have an opportunity to raise an impressive $430,000 to provide lifesaving resources and care to our neighbors most in need.

Office Closures

The office will be closed at the following times in the coming weeks…

• At noon on Friday, Dec. 24

• Monday, Dec. 27 (Christmas observed)

• At noon on Friday, Jan. 31

• Monday, Jan. 3 (New Years observed)

Icicle Toes Project

Through Dec. 25. Warm socks for folks who need them! Socks will be collected for donation to New Horizons Shelter and the Warming Center. Socks for children (of all ages), women and men can be put under the tree, unwrapped, by Christmas.

Help Ona Food Basket at Rotary Lights

First Lutheran members have been invited by the Onalaska Regional Food Basket to sign up for "Rotary Lights 2021." They are looking for volunteers to help collect food at Riverside Park. Sign up to help this local food ministry at 1stlu.org/rotary.

Dec. 26, the First Sunday After Christmas

Did you know Christmas isn’t just one day in the church, but a season? Christmas worship continues on Sunday, Dec. 26. There will be only one service that Sunday, however, at 9:30am. Join us as we continue to sing many favorite Christmas hymns!

Meal Train for Lofald Family

Members of First Lutheran have started a Meal Train page for the Lofald family. Help the Lofalds by giving them one less thing to think about, and sign up for a date to make a meal at mealtrain.com/go91wm.

Helping Our Afghan Neighbors

Siblings in Christ, a possible opportunity is arising for us to participate in making La Crosse home for some of our Afghan neighbors. This project is in its infancy, but Bishop Malpica is looking for interest from individuals, congregations, and businesses. If you would be willing to help our new neighbors to find a home, a job, a school, the grocery store, and in general help families get established please let the synod know. Thank you for your consideration and being willing to share God's love with those who are in most need. To show interest, fill out the form at 1stlu.org/afghans.

Make a Big Impact as an OASIS Volunteer

OASIS is held on Thursdays from 11am–3pm (volunteers arrive at 10:30am). Volunteer schedules are set monthly to ensure flexibility. Volunteers interact with participants, sharing laughter, socialization and assistance as needed while enjoying activities that encourage being active, being creative and brain stimulation! Volunteers receive OASIS orientation, training in dementia communication techniques, sit to stand training, and a “Dementia Live” experience to enhance your abilities. Request a volunteer packet: oasisrespite.org/contact • oasisrespiteprogram@gmail.org • 608.780.0471. Questions? Talk to current volunteers Phyllis Bey and Glen Vilim.

Urgent Need: Tornado Response

Lutheran Disaster Response is collaborating with the Indiana-Kentucky Synod and other partners in the area to assess the damage and develop an immediate and a long-term response plan. Your gifts to support these response efforts will empower our partners to meet survivors’ immediate and long-term needs. Given the extent of the damage, recovery will take years as thousands of homes will need to be rebuilt or repaired. With your support, Lutheran Disaster Response can accompany survivors on the long road to recovery. Your gifts to “U.S. Tornadoes” will be used in full (100%) to help people impacted by the tornadoes until the response is complete.

Synod School of Theology: Introduction to the Old Testament

The winter 2021 term of the Synod School of Theology will run from Jan. 13–Feb. 18 (all classes on Thursday evenings), covering an introduction to the Old Testament, presented by Pastor Mark Jolivette. For more info and registration go to 1stlu.org/theology.

Blood Drive

On Tuesday, Jan. 11, 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.

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. 

Summer Camp Job Openings

Both Bible camps in our synod are in the process of hiring summer staff in various positions…

• Luther Park Bible Camp: What are the benefits to working at camp during the summer time? Listen to this video with some of the Luther Park Bible Camp 2021 Summer Staff expressing their favorite moments. Then share with adults young and old in your congregation and community. Find more about summer employment. Positions available for counselors, lifeguards, worship leaders, cooks, nurses, and more.

• Sugar Creek Bible Camp: Apply yourself or recommend others for camp staff positions. Few jobs are as meaningful as the life-changing role of a professionally-trained Bible camp counselor.

Volunteer at the ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis

Wish you could attend and be a part of the fun and excitement of the ELCA Youth Gathering, but you’re no longer a teenager? Then check out the volunteer opportunities! Volunteers make the ministry of the gathering happen, and there’s no registration fee! Sign up at 1stlu.org/ygvolunteer. The ELCA Youth Gathering runs July 24–28, 2022 in Minneapolis.

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.

New Members

By choosing to become a member, individuals and families commit to being part of a shared mission. People who would like to become members of First Lutheran are typically invited to a social at Red Pines where you would get to know more about First and the staff in a relaxed atmosphere. When gathering in such a way is safe, we will celebrate our new members in this way. For now, please let us know if you are interested in membership. One of our pastors will connect with you to find out how we may best be church together in the months and years to come. Call our office for more information at 608.783.2236 or email office@firstlu.org.

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. 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.

Sunday School

• Sunday, Dec. 19

  • 9:15am Sunday School

• Sunday, Dec. 26

  • No Sunday School. Classes will resume Jan. 9.

Questions regarding Sunday School? Visit 1stlu.org/sunschool.

Confirmation

• Sunday, Dec. 19:

  • 9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Classes - Fireside Rm

• Wednesday, Dec. 22:

  • 6:15pm Confirmation Class - Fireside Rm

  • 7:00pm Confirmation Small Groups

Questions regarding confirmation? Visit 1stlu.org/confirm.