INSIDE: Outdoor Worship at 10:30am this Sunday • Entering Middle School Milestone New Date

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Sept. 25:

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

• 10:30am: 10:30am: outdoor worship, in-person, NO LIVE STREAM. Current forecast for Sunday morning: Mostly cloudy and 59º. If rain threatens, worship will move indoors.

Wednesday, Sept. 28:

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

Current Precautions

• Masking: masks are welcome and not required, and encouraged for those recently exposed.

• Social distancing: not required, but of course, we ask everyone to respect all who desire social distance.

• Hand sanitizing: stations will be available at the entrance and near the welcome center.

• Stay home if you have any symptoms of COVID or had a recent positive diagnosis.

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

Middle School Milestone

NEW DATE! At First we are deeply committed to bringing the presence of God into the lives of children everywhere they go. The middle school milestone is for youth and their parents/guardians as they transition from elementary to middle school, and celebrates that each child is made in the image of God. We will spend our time talking about being created in the image of God, how God is in the midst of change, and ways that we can feel connected with God through spiritual practices. Happening THIS Sunday, Sept. 25, 11:30am. We lift this milestone up in worship on Sunday, Oct. 2. Questions and RSVP to Pastor Karyn: karyn@firstlu.org.

Grief Support

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

• LISTENING TOGETHER: A MONTHLY GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP (IN-PERSON). Mondays, 5:30-6:30pm; 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. 

• 5-WEEK SERIES: GRIEF CIRCLE (IN PERSON), Sept. 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. 

Courageous Men’s Group

The Courageous Men’s Group are men of all ages who meet weekly on Wednesdays at 6am in the Fireside Room for a time of fellowship and study. Contact Jim Knutson or the church office for more info: jim@firstlu.org.

Access to Online Member Database

As part of our website update, earlier this month all MEMBERS received an email invitation to access their account for our online directory. In the online directory, members 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

Members can access the online directory at 1stlu.org/directory. Questions can be directed to andy@firstlu.org.

Baptismal Preparation

The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Oct. 1, at 10am in the narthex for anyone who is considering or has scheduled a baptism. To register or ask questions call the church office at 608.783.3326 by Sunday, Sept. 25. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

Sunshine Team

The Sunshine Team meets on the first Thursday of every month. Next meeting: Oct. 6, 9:30am. Various jobs: cleaning, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, washing windows and cleaning carpets. Help make First look nice! Refreshments are supplied to replenish your reserves! Dues are free! Questions? Contact Dan at dan@firstlu.org.

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.

Coulee Region Hunger Walk

The Coulee Region Hunger Walk/Run/Bike is a nonprofit dedicated to raise funds, raise awareness and end hunger among our neighbors. This year's event will be Oct. 9, starting at 1:30pm at Myrick Park. A fun day is planned so come early, play some yard games, and get lunch from a food truck. Then walk, run or bike with family and friends. If you prefer, you can participate virtually, just remember to register online. In fact, First plans to participate virtually at Sugar Creek during Play Days mentioned above! This is a fundraiser with 30% going to the Hunger Task Force, 30% to Wafer, and 40% to your preferred food nonprofit. You are encouraged to get sponsors, or form a team for some friendly competition. Register at couleeregionhungerwalk.org or in person the day of the event.

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.

Sing for Saints!

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 next event the choir will rehearse for is All Saints Sunday. Practice begins Wednesday, Oct. 26, 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.

Upcoming Sugar Creek Bus Trips

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

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

Stephen Ministry

If you know of someone who needs a caregiver, please speak with Pastor Karyn, or call the church office: 608.783.2236.

Sunday School

• Sunday, Sept. 25

  • 9:15am Sunday School

• Sunday, Oct. 2

  • 9:15am Sunday School

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

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.

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

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

Confirmation

• Sunday, Sept. 25:

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

• Wednesday, Sept. 28:

  • 5:30pm Dinner - Fellowship Hall

  • 6:15pm Confirmation Class - Fireside Rm

  • 7:00pm Gr 8–10 Small Groups

Questions about Confirmation? Visit 1stlu.org/confirm.