First Lutheran Church

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Announcements for Sun. Aug 21, 2022

Andrew Stutesman

INSIDE: One More Listening Session for ELCA Task Force on Civics and Faith Social Statement • OWLs Float on the Mighty Mississippi • Nosh with Neighbors • Website Update

Join Joel Miller to hear about the ELCA social statement process and provide input to the task force creating the statement. More info below…

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Aug. 14:

  • 8am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.

  • 9am: Summer Fun! For kids: Snacks and supervised play outdoors (gather at the Welcome Center). For adults: fellowship hour and Parent Share in the Upper Room.

  • 10am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.

Current Precautions

Pastors and our COVID Advisory Panel get together as needed to evaluate when and how precautions should change. These are our current recommendations:

On Thursday at 11am, the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Level for La Crosse county was high. HOWEVER, please check 1stlu.org/precaution for the current, up-to-date level.

  • If HIGH: we ask everyone to mask for large gatherings (such as worship)

  • Small groups: online & in-person; precautions determined by the entire group

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

Listening Session for ELCA Task Force on Civics and Faith Social Statement

Join Joel Miller to hear about the ELCA social statement process and provide input to the task force creating the statement. Virtual option on Sunday, Aug. 21, at 7pm: on Zoom (get the link at 1stlu.org/civics). For those not able to attend, you can provide direct feedback to the task force by email at civicsandfaith@elca.org. Learn more: elca.org/civicsandfaith.

Sugar Creek Golf Fundraiser

Join Pastor Stanton on Monday, Aug 22, at Viroqua Hills Golf Course, to raise money for Sugar Creek. Reg and check-in at 11am. Shotgun at 12:30pm. 18 holes: $75/person, 4-person best ball, 2 flights with prizes! Reg and more info: 1stlu.org/scbcgolf.

Knitters

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

OWLs Float on the Mighty Mississippi

NEW DATE! On Wednesday, Aug. 24, the OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First Lutheran, for anyone 55+) will enjoy the river close-up on the Mighty Mississippi River Boat Tour in Winona, MN. They will meet at the church at 3:30pm, and stop for an early supper before the cruise, which begins at 6pm. Cruise cost: $19.95; dinner is on your own. RSVP to volunteer coordinator, Brian Narveson, at owls@firstlu.org by Aug. 21.

Nosh with Neighbors: Pertzsch & Preschool

As a goodwill gesture towards the community of our church, First Lutheran and Onalaska UMC will provide and serve lunch for the staff at Irving Pertzsch Elementary School and First Lutheran Preschool on Thursday, Aug. 25, at 11am (served here, at First). We will need volunteers—of ALL ages—to help set up and serve. RSVP to Kathryn at kathryn@firstlu.org.

Upcoming Sugar Creek Bus Trips

  • Aug 26-Sept 1: Ark Encounter and Nashville: There are many stops along the way. The Ark Encounter in Williamstown, KY, will awe you with a full-size ark. Tour the Lexington, KY, area with its many horse farms. Opryland Hotel will be your home base in Nashville. You will see the Country Music Hall of Fame, Legends, Lunch & Lyrics, a guided tour that will take you down Music Row, the Capitol and Parthenon. A backstage tour of the Grand Ole Opry and the General Jackson Showboat Luncheon Cruise will cap off your stay. On the bus ride home, you will stop in Springfield, IL, to visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum as well as Lincoln's Home. Register soon!

  • November 16: Fireside Dinner Theater, "White Christmas"

Sign up early! Spots fill quickly. Call for info: 608.734.3113.

Blessing Backpacks & Devices/Students & Staff

Whether you are in school virtually or in-person… whether you are a student in kindergarten, high school, college, or an adult teaching or helping at any of those levels, God is with you every day, in every place. And First wants to kick off this school year with a blessing to remind you of just that. So we invite students and staff, K–college, to have your backpacks, briefcases, messenger bags, purses, laptops, tablets, etc. with them for worship on Sunday, Aug. 28, so that we may bless the start of your new school year!

Outdoor Worship This Summer

First will continue to do outdoor worship services once a month during the summer…

  • August 28, 10am

  • September 25, 10:30am

Bring your own lawn chairs, and perhaps a hat to shade your eyes. If the weather's bad that day, we'll move inside. PLEASE NOTE: There will be no live stream of the 10am outdoor service.

Lead Sunday School

There are opportunities to serve as a Sunday School teacher and volunteers. A Sunday School teacher is a commitment of 1 or 2 weekends a month in which you connect with our congregation's children! It is super easy with the curriculum! If you like to play games or would like to help organize or help in any way, please consider! Contact Pastor Stanton: jason@firstlu.org.

Sunday School Teacher & Volunteer Orientation

Sunday, Aug. 28, 5:30pm. For all Sunday School teachers and volunteers: come and learn what this Sunday School year has in store. And thanks again for you sharing your gift of time and talents with this ministry! Location: Fellowship Hall. Questions? Contact Pastor Stanton: jason@firstlu.org.

Social Media Director

The First Lutheran Teen Clothes Closet (FTTC) is looking for a high school teen to regularly post and engage with teens about the FTTC on relevant social media. A $100/ month stipend is available. Interested? Talk to Bridget Crave bridget@firstlu.org.

Website Update

We’ve begun transitioning our website to a new template. Many of the “blocks” that create the site have been reformatted in the new template, and may look out of place. Clean-up has begun, one page at a time. If you see a page that you think should be prioritized, copy the URL and send it to Andy at webmaster@firstlu.org. Thanks for your patience!

Double Your Impact for ELCA Leaders

This month we celebrate the 25th anniversary of ELCA Fund for Leaders! At the 1997 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, leaders of our church presented a case for establishing this ambitious scholarship program for those aspiring to ministry. In honor of this milestone, all gifts to Fund for Leaders will be matched, dollar for dollar, until we reach $25,000. One day, we hope to be able to fund every candidate for ministry in the ELCA. Your support can get us closer to that goal. You can empower emerging leaders to follow the Spirit and serve the church wherever it needs them most. Will you double your impact and make a gift to ELCA Fund for Leaders now? Together, we can build a stronger future for our church. Thank you for your generosity!

Grief Support

The Franciscan Spirituality Center offers the following opportunities for grief support. Online reg: www.FSCenter.org.

  • 5-WEEK SERIES: GRIEF CIRCLE (IN PERSON), Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27 & Oct. 4, Tuesdays, 10am–noon. Cost: $25 for series; enter code GRIEF60 for discount on online reg. This group is for those who are grieving the death of a loved one. It is a welcoming place to share your thoughts, feelings and concerns, where you can talk about your loss with other people who understand, because they are also grieving. Sometimes friends and family, although well-intentioned, may not understand the meaning of your loss and the depth of your pain. The support of others on the same journey can provide a great deal of comfort and healing. 

  • LISTENING TOGETHER: A MONTHLY GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP (IN-PERSON). Mondays, 5:30-6:30pm; First session is Sept. 12. Cost: Free. Advance reg appreciated; drop-ins welcome. This group meets the second Monday of every month and provides a safe place for those who are experiencing grief and the loss of a loved one to share their stories. You’ll have an opportunity to process your unique experience while receiving the comfort and compassion of others who understand. 

Sugar Creek 5K

Registration for the 9th annual Sugar Creek Bible Camp 5K Trail Fun Run/Walk is now open! Being held Saturday, Sept. 10 at 9am, at Sugar Creek Bible Camp, the course makes its way through each of the villages and prominent places on camp. Following the run stick around for the annual camp auction, the presentation of medals, and drawings for door prizes. Register at 1stlu.org/scbc5k.

Sugar Creek Fall Festival

Saturday, Sept. 10. Beginning at 9am: 5K Trail Run and Fun Walk (more info above). At 10am: craft fair, country store, silent auction, and BBQ pork lunch.

Dinner Theater: First Fest Edition!

Join us on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 5pm as we return to the golden age of the 1940s and the famous jazz club "Chez Mort." On this particular night, the club was the scene of a strange accident. Or was it an accident? COST: $10 per person, kids 5 and younger are free. Proceeds will go toward the refurbishment of the church office in anticipation of a third ministry team member. Space is limited, so sign up today at 1stlu.org/dintheater! (Registration closes on Sunday, Sept. 4)

12th Annual First Fest!

On Sunday, Sept. 11, we invite you to join us for worship at 8am or 10:30am, and after the second service relax, catch up with friends, introduce yourself to visitors or members you’ve yet to meet, listen to great music, have lunch and have some fun! FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, so INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!

RING!

Are you open to trying something new? Join the fun—ring bells! We welcome widely varied musical backgrounds. No experience necessary! We’ll begin with the basics and learn to work together. Musical ability is a skill that can be taught. Do you want to be involved? The bells rehearse Tuesdays at 5pm in the choir room, starting Sept. 13.  For more info, contact Jim Knutson at jim@firstlu.org. Ring ‘dem bells!

Jail Ministry Fundraiser

The La Crosse Jail Ministry, which offers inmates spiritual direction, rehabilitative support and connections to faith communities, is having a fundraiser on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at Burrachos Fresh Mexican Grill in Onalaska. Burrachos will donate 25% of sales from 4–8pm to the jail ministry program. The offer applies all day to orders placed online. If you order in person, be sure to say La Crosse Jail Ministry at the register. If you order online, put La Crosse Jail Ministry in the comments.

Blood Drive

Tuesday, Sept. 20, 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 have ever given. Just ask anyone who’s ever received it. Walk-ins welcome; appointments encouraged, schedule yours at 1stlu.org/blooddrive. Please bring a mask and photo ID.

New-Member Social

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 invited to a social at David Reay’s on Thursday, Oct. 20, 6pm, where you will get to know more about First and the staff in a relaxed atmosphere. To register your family or ask questions, call our church office at 608.783.2236 or email office@firstlu.org.

Scrip Cards

Your weekly groceries, gas and shopping money can help raise funds for youth ministry! Scrip cards are 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.

Donations For Ukraine

Lutheran World Relief has committed $7 million to respond to the crisis in Ukraine, and expects to increase this amount as they receive additional support. With millions of individuals displaced in Ukraine and with citizens continuing to flee Ukraine each day, the needs grow daily. Donate at 1stlu.org/LWR.

Lutheran Disaster Response is accompanying companion churches and ecumenical partners in Ukraine, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia to respond to the crisis in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Gifts to “Eastern Europe Crisis Response” will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by the crisis in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Donate at 1stlu.org/LDR.

From Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service: The U.S. will now welcome up to 100,000 refugees from Ukraine. We need to act fast to prepare for these refugees, currently 90% of whom are women and children. There is an urgent need for resources, including emergency medical care, temporary housing, financial support for basic necessities, and much more. Donate at 1stlu.org/LIRS.

You can also designate gifts to Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Disaster Response and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service at 1stlu.org/give.