INSIDE: Dinner Theater reservation deadline is THIS Sun., Sept. 4 • Wed. worship resumes THIS Wed., Sept. 7 • Choir rehearsal starts Wed., Sept. 7 • Access to Online Member Directory • Masking changes start Sept. 11

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Sept. 4:

• 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.

• 8am: 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 Friday at 8am, the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Level for La Crosse county was medium. 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)

• If MEDIUM or LOW: masks are optional and welcome

• You can also check the following sites for the current COVID-19 Community Level:

  • CDC COVID-19 Community Level (takes a bit to load)

  • Wisconsin DHS

  • La Crosse County Health Dept. Facebook Page (they do a fairly decent job of posting a photo when levels change… an orange/red mask indicates a move to HIGH, and a green mask indicates a move to MEDIUM)

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

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

Changes in Worship Times

With summer drawing to a close, worship times will be changing once again, and will be as follows…

• Wednesday, Sept. 7

  • 6:15pm, Wednesday evening worship resumes

• Sunday, Sept. 11 (First Fest Sunday)

  • 8am & 10:30am, indoors and in-person, which will be the worship times through May 2023

Sing Fest!

Do you like music? Do you enjoy singing, even if it’s in the shower? Do you appreciate the power of music in worship? Then put all of these things together and join the First Lutheran Senior Choir! First Lutheran is once again excited to offer the “festival choir” format for adding your vocal talents to worship! We know that the busy lives we all lead can limit the number of volunteer activities to which we are able to commit. The first event the choir will rehearse for is First Fest. Practice begins Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 7pm in the Sanctuary. All are welcome… there is no audition and no formal training required, just a desire to enhance worship through the beauty of music! And the time commitment is just for the one performance (not the entire year). Full schedule and sign-up at 1stlu.org/choir. If needed, child care will be made available (just indicate this need on the sign-up form). For more info contact Todd Saner at todd@firstlu.org.

Themes from I Take My Coffee Black by Tyler Merritt

Sept. 7, 7pm at the Viterbo Fine Arts Center, or live streamed at facebook.com/viterboethics. As an author, actor, comedian, viral sensation, activist and 6-foot-2 dreadlocked Black man living in the South, Merritt is well aware of stereotypes and their potentially dangerous consequences. In response, he has devoted his creativity to bringing his ethos of “Love. Learn. Create.” to life through his words and videos as part of The Tyler Merritt Project. His viral videos “Before You Call The Cops” and “Walking While Black” have been viewed by millions. This event is free and open to the public.

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, meeting on the second Saturday of the month, 9:30–11am, in the narthex, with the next one on Saturday, Sept. 10. Contact Bridget Crave for more info: bridget@firstlu.org.

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.

Last Call for Dinner Theater Tickets!

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)

Access to Online Member Database

As part of our website update, and in advance of First Fest Sunday when this will “go live,” we will be giving all MEMBERS the ability to view and edit their profile in our online member database. This requires each member to have an account to log into. Login information will be sent out via email in early Sept. Members will have the ability to:

• View/update your personal and household contact info

• Mark any part of your contact info as public (viewable by other members) or private (unlisted)

• View your giving and print your contribution statements

• View the online church directory and communicate with other members

Questions can be directed to andy@firstlu.org.

First Day of Sunday School

The first day of Sunday School is Sunday, Sept. 11. Parents/guardians and kids will gather in the sanctuary at 9:15am to kick off this year’s Sunday School program, meet the teachers, pick up a Sunday School calendar and get the ball rolling! Online registration is now open; more info at 1stlu.org/SSreg.

Changes to Masking in Worship Start Sept. 11

The worship, service and fellowship life of First Lutheran has changed a number of times since March, 2020, to serve the needs of the most vulnerable while providing the best opportunities for Faith Alive! to thrive. We have arrived at yet another important moment in our navigation of the pandemic. As we approach the fall, everyone six months and older can be vaccinated, while the medical community has gained a deeper understanding of how to treat COVID-19. Schools will no longer require close contact absences. Quarantine times for those who are infected have been cut in half. The vast majority of music festivals, theaters and stores are open without restrictions. 

With all these signs of progress in mind, beginning Sept. 11, 2022, First Lutheran will not 'suggest', 'expect', 'require' or 'recommend' the use of masks during worship. The Welcome Center will display the latest County Health Department risk level along with KN95 masks for anyone who would like to wear one. Masks will remain welcome. First Lutheran will continue to balance the needs of the vulnerable with the realities of our community. Contact Pastor Stanton with any questions or concerns regarding our next steps as a church: jason@firstlu.org.

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!

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.

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. 

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.

Teen Clothes Closet Update

Thank you to our congregation for being a huge supporter of our August Shoe Drive. 121 pairs of quality athletic shoes were given away during the Shoe Drive. Thank you also to our faithful volunteers who were very busy and helpful that night! We are looking for the following teen style, very gently used or new items to refill our closet:

• Hoodies all sizes, especially XS, L, XL, 2X, 3X

• Accessories such as jewelry, belts & wallets

• Women’s jeans, size 14, 16, & 18 (we have plenty of other sizes)

• Guys jeans, all sizes

• Skirts: sizes XS, L, XL, 2X, 3X

• Women’s shorts

• Did we mention hoodies?!!!

Finally, please come celebrate First Teen Clothes Closet’s 10-year anniversary in between services on Sunday, Sept. 18! We’ll have delicious cake and coffee and would love to talk to you!

Grade 3 Faith Alive Building Block: The Bible

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. Most sessions last for three weeks, and afterward, children will have a presence in worship in celebration of the Faith Building Block they learned about.

• Sunday, Sept. 18: parents/guardians only

• Sundays, Sept. 25 & Oct. 2: parents/guardians with children

• Sunday, Oct. 16: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

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.

Outdoor Worship This Summer

First will have one last outdoor worship service this season…

• 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 10:30am outdoor service.

Play Days @ Sugar Creek!

All are invited to First Lutheran Play Days @ Sugar Creek! There will be creek stomping, horseback rides, hiking, playing disc golf, campfires and time shared with others! Oct. 7, 8, and 9. If you’ve never been to Sugar Creek, this is your best chance! Come for one, two or no nights. You could just come for a day trip. And you don’t have to have kids in order to come. This is inter-generational time! First Lutheran is willing to cover 50% of the costs, so it will never be more affordable. There are cabins & rooms with AC and personal bathrooms as well as an area for RV/campers. Meals and the costs of counselors are included in the cost, too. Whether you are going for one night, both nights, just one day, just one meal, or even just for worship on Sunday the camp needs to know in order to plan appropriately and safely, so register at 1stlu.org/playdays.

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.

Upcoming Sugar Creek Bus Trips

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

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