INSIDE: Christmas Giving Tree Gifts Due Back, Monday Night Community Meals, Sunday School Christmas Program on Wed

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Dec. 12:

• 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, Dec. 15:

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

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. Registration and social distancing are currently not required. For a full description of current precautions, visit 1stlu.org/precaution.

Christmas Events Insert

Click here to download/print our Christmas Events Insert that was included in the November newsletter, providing a schedule of upcoming events that surround the Christmas season at First Lutheran.

Monday Night Community Meals

For many years, Trinity Lutheran Church on the northside of La Crosse has hosted a meal on Monday nights. First Lutheran has agreed to help with this important community ministry, by preparing a meal, serving the food, and cleaning up. We need people to plan and prepare the meal to feed 60-80 people, and folks to serve the meal (5-6pm) and help with cleanup. Meal prep can be done at your convenience. Many times people prepare the main course a week ahead, freeze it, and reheat it. Food for the meal can be gotten at no charge from the Hunger Task Force in La Crosse. Our next date is Dec. 13. You can sign up at 1stlu.org/monmeals, or contact bridget@firstlu.org.

Knitters

Prayer shawl knitters meet every Tuesday at 3:30pm in the narthex. Open to all!

Sunday School Christmas Program & Worship

It is a wonderful time of year and a great way for our kids to share their Christmas joy! Wednesday, Dec. 15, at 6:15pm worship. Everyone is welcome after the program to a reception (as COVID allows) and pictures in the Narthex.

• For all students 3 years old through grade 5, arrive by 6pm in costume UNLESS you haven't had a chance to get yours, yet. Costumes will still be available: for 3 & 4 year olds in their 4K classroom, and for K–5 in the narthex.

• Preschool and 4K meet at 6pm in the 4K classroom. After their song, preschool & 4K students will sit in the pew with their parents and go back up front for the last part of the program.

• K–5 meet at 6pm in the Choir room in costume. Kids will be seated with their classes and teachers until after the program. K-5 students and their parents can meet up in the sanctuary after the program.

• All costumes can be returned in the narthex after worship.

SING!

The choir’s next performance will be for Christmas Eve services, and rehearsals continue, with the next one on Wednesday, Dec. 15, at 7:15pm 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.

OWLs

The OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First, for anyone 55+) will have their “not to be missed” Christmas party on Wednesday, Dec. 15th at noon in the Narthex. Wear a favorite Christmas sweater or holiday outfit and bring a favorite Christmas dish/sweets to share. There will be a gift exchange: If you bring a gift, you get one; participation is not required. The gift theme is “Christmas socks.”

Also: The Pump House just announced that one of our favorite local bands, The String Ties, is having a Christmas show. String Ties is an eclectic band of musicians who bring a wealth of experience, creativity and tradition to the local music scene, and will provide a great night of entertainment. Show is Thursday, Dec. 16, starting with dinner at Piggy's at 5pm. Christmas shows are selling out fast, so RSVP to Brian ASAP for tix: owls@firstlu.org / 630.816.5917. Cost of show: $27 +tax/fees. Dinner is on your own. Pump House COVID guidelines: ticket holders must show proof of full vaccination against COVID or a negative PCR COVID test within 72 hours of a performance.

Parents’ Winter Night Out

Bring your children for an evening of fun with the middle and high school youth groups’ fundraiser! WHERE: at First Lutheran, NEXT: Friday, Dec. 17, FOR: Birth–12 are welcome (Birth–3 will be in the nursery, ages 4 and up in Fellowship Hall)

• Registration from 4:45pm-5:30pm

• Followed by dinner and activities (cookie decorating!) till 8:30pm (parents can pick up early if needed)

COST: Donations will assist the middle and high school students with 2022 Sugar Creek Bible camp, mission trip and ELCA Youth Gathering.

Caroling Cancelled

In order to respect the health and safety of those we would normally visit, and due to rising concern regarding the omicron variant and its higher infection rate, Christmas caroling has been cancelled for 2021.

Blue Christmas

Tuesday, December 21, 5pm. Please join us at First Lutheran for an hour of worship including music, prayers, candlelight and reflection on what God is up to amidst our blue feelings around Christmas. The service will include time for a light meal and conversation.

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.

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-ups at at 1stlu.org/christmas.

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

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.

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. 

Warming Center

The La Crosse Warming Center is open 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. More details at 1stlu.org/warm. Questions? Contact bridget@firstlu.org.

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.

Sunday School

• Sunday, Dec. 12

  • 9:15am Sunday School Christmas Program Practice

• Wednesday, Dec. 15

  • 6:15pm Sunday School Christmas Program & Worship

• Sunday, Dec. 19

  • 9:15am Sunday School

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

Confirmation

• Sunday, Dec. 12:

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

• Wednesday, Dec. 15:

  • No confirmation small groups nor classes. Enjoy the Christmas message presented by our Sunday School at Wednesday worship!

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