Announcements for Sunday, Sept 17, 2023
INSIDE: Cottage Meeting • Parents’ Night Out • Supporting Youth
As a part of stewardship for the upcoming year, the congregation is invited to a cottage meeting at David Reay’s to provide input toward 2024’s “Big Three Ideas.” The leadership of First want to hear your ideas about where God may be calling us in 2024 and beyond. Reserve your spot at David Reay's for Thursday night, Sept 21, and if Thursday doesn't work, we will have the same conversation at First Lutheran between services on Sunday, Sept. 24. Learn more below…
Worship
Join us for worship!
Sunday, Sept. 17:
8am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
10:30am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
Wednesday, Sept. 20:
6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
Response to U.S. Wildfires
Multiple wildfires broke out on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Exacerbated by strong winds, wildfires on Maui have claimed dozens of lives and have destroyed homes, businesses and lines of communication. Thousands of people were under evacuation orders, some moving to other Hawaiian islands. Wildfires have also affected the Big Island of Hawaii, and the islands remain vulnerable to more fires this season. Lutheran Disaster Response is coordinating with the Pacifica Synod and other partners to assess the needs of people impacted by the wildfires. We will work with them to provide for immediate needs and recovery amid the widespread destruction. Lutheran Disaster Response is committed to accompanying recovering communities in the years ahead. Gifts given to Lutheran Disaster Response equip us to respond to this, and other disasters, whenever and wherever they strike. Gifts given specifically to “U.S. Wildfires” will be restricted to, and used in full (100%) for those affected by wildfires. Donate now at ELCA.org/disaster.
Hurricane Relief
Hurricane Idalia, the first major hurricane to make landfall in the United States this year, brought life-threatening storm surge, flooding and winds to the Big Bend region of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Idalia is just the latest disaster to impact our neighbors in the United States and around the world. Through Lutheran Disaster Response we are prepared to serve our neighbors impacted by Hurricane Idalia even as we continue to accompany partners in Maui after the wildfires and help those experiencing other disasters. We know that recovery often takes years, and through Lutheran Disaster Response we will be working with our partners for as long as needed. In moments such as this one, a gift to Lutheran Disaster Response provides crucial support where it’s needed most. CLICK HERE TO GIVE NOW. By standing with disaster survivors in the United States and around the world, we follow Christ's call to share hope and healing with our neighbors in need.
Knitters
Prayer shawl knitters meet every Tuesday at 3:30pm in the narthex. Open to all!
Grief Support Group
Carrying on after the death of a loved one can be difficult and lonely. Join with others who listen and care for each other. Every third Thursday: 10am in the Upper Room. NEXT: Sept. 21. Led by Carla Stanton.
OWLs
On Wednesday, Sept. 20, at noon, the OWLs, a group for those 55+, will have their monthly potluck. For September, Brian and Mary are inviting all OWLs to their new home for great food and fellowship. Email Brian (owls@firstlu.org) for the address. Bring a dish to pass and be prepared to sit out on their deck, which has a beautiful view of the surrounding coulees. Our program will be several rousing games of Kubb; come to play or cheer on the players. So they have some idea how many to set up for, please email Brian at owls@firstlu.org or call 630.816.5917.
Entering Middle School Milestone
At First Lutheran we are committed to bringing the presence of God into the lives of children everywhere they go. This life milestone is for sixth-graders 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 spend our time in four weeks 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. NEW DATE & TIME: Wednesday, Sept. 20, 6:15pm in the fellowship hall; dinner provided at 5:30pm.
Cottage Meeting @ David Reay’s
As a part of stewardship for the upcoming year, the congregation is invited to a cottage meeting at David Reay’s to provide input toward 2024’s “Big Three Ideas.”
What do you already love about First Lutheran?
What are our greatest opportunities as a church?
Where could we direct our generosity and energy in the future?
The leadership of First Lutheran want to hear your ideas about where God may be calling us in 2024 and beyond. Sign up here to reserve your spot at David Reay's, Thursday night, Sept 21. Come anytime after 5:30. The meeting starts at 6:00 and will be done by 7:30. Babysitting will be provided at church from 5:30–8pm. First will provide some appetizers; you buy your own beverages. Join Pastor Stanton and lay leaders for fellowship and conversation.
If Thursday doesn't work, we will have the same conversation at First Lutheran between services on Sunday, Sept. 24, in the narthex. Treats will be a bit more substantial, and no sign-up is required. Just come ready to talk about your ideas!
Parents’ 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, Sept. 22, 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 till 8pm (parents can pick up early if needed)
COST: Monetary donations will assist the middle and high school students with 2023 Sugar Creek Bible Camp and potential mission trip. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout, by Wednesday, Sept. 20.
Indian Boarding Schools: ELCA Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling
Class: Introduction to the Truth and Healing Movement, September 26 (7-8pm). This workshop will explore the truths we seek to learn and the healing we hope to experience, as well as how the movement began, among Indigenous people and within the ELCA. It will also explain the work the ELCA has done recently and how you can participate in this justice movement.
Class: Indian 101, September 28 (7-9 pm). “Indian 101” explains some of these basics to build a foundation for students to stand in solidarity with Indian people across the United States as we work together to dismantle longstanding systems of oppression.
Class: Indigenous Thought & Theology, October 26 (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.); November 30 (7-9 p.m.)
No pre-registration is required to participate in these classes. Just go to the Upcoming Events page, scroll to the class listing, and click "join the class" to attend. CLICK HERE to go to the Upcoming Events Page. For more info on the ELCA Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling, CLICK HERE.
Building Community • Supporting Youth
Our goal is to get four households per youth—their primary supporting household and three more—to support them in their ministries… at camp, mission trip or youth gathering. We're going to spend the whole year working on putting together these families in a deeper relationship, into a deeper community; there are going to be lots of opportunities for time, and prayer and experiences. We're asking you to support these youth…
with your time
with your prayers
with your talents
with your activities
with some food (of course… their kids after all!), and…
with money
We're asking that every child gets the support of $300 per household. That’s over 38 weeks and works out to less than $8/week. You can donate all at once, a little bit each week, or even through the scrip program as you purchase gas and groceries. 38 weeks brings us to June 1, which is when all of these opportunities start. Sign up sheets are covering the walls of the narthex; just add your name under the child’s family. And don't just sign up for the kid that you know! Pay attention to where you're being drawn to… because the Spirit can be a beautiful matchmaker, and the Spirit will create those relationships between you. Thank you for being a part of this community and for entering into the shared goal of raising our kids, and supporting our kids!
ELCA Youth Gathering: July 2024
Where: New Orleans, LA
When: July 16–20, 2024 (with departure and arrival dates being close to these dates)
Who: Youth entering 9th–12th grade in the fall of 2024, plus 2024 graduates
Priority registration opened Sept. 15! Interested youth and families should contact Pastor Stanton ASAP: jason@firstlu.org.
Sugar Creek Summer 2024 Vouchers
While summer 2024 may seem far away, we also want to highlight an opportunity for families to purchase a summer 2024 voucher for Sugar Creek. With a $100 deposit by Sept 30, families will have early access to enroll in their week and program of choice. In addition, they will be locked in at summer 2023's prices as Sugar Creek raises prices for the first time in over 6 years. Vouchers can be purchased by calling the camp office (608-734-3113) or by emailing office@sgrcreek.org. Vouchers are available to all families, and families can purchase multiple vouchers!
Calling All Bakers! Cookies for LuMin!
#CookiesOnCampus is back with LuMin Campus Ministries! Interim Pastor Paul Drees will continue the tradition of bringing hundreds of cookies to UW-La Crosse each week. Five hundred cookies are needed each week. (That’s about 42 dozen!) Our synod congregations have lovingly provided home-baked goodies so students can have a little taste of home. Find more information and sign up here, or contact Jen (admin@luminlax.org) to sign up!
Social Media Smarts
Now available on-demand, "Social Media Smarts" led by renowned thought leader Dr. Angela Gorrell,
Workshop guides you with:
Ways to help kids live out their faith as they engage with technology
Insight on where youth are spending their time online—and the associated challenges and opportunities
A practical and hopeful guide to creating a healthy family rhythm around digital media
Register today for only $27 by CLICKING HERE to get instant access to this workshop and enjoy one year of use! Registration includes a downloadable guide and bonus spiritual practice for families.
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. 6, 7 and 8. 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.
Baptismal Preparation
The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Oct. 7, 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, Oct. 1. Min. attendance required: 2 families.
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. 8, starting at 1:30pm at Myrick Park. 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.
Monday Meal @ Trinity
For many years, Trinity Lutheran Church on the north side 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. NEXT DATE: Oct. 16. You can sign up at 1stlu.org/next, or contact bridget@firstlu.org.
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. 19, 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 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! The next event the choir will rehearse for is All Saints Sunday. Practice begins Wednesday, Oct. 25, 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.
Fall Festival
Save the date on your calendar for the evening of Saturday, Oct. 28, and join us here at First for a nice, evening of fall activities and trunk-or-treating!
Connecting with the Gospel of Mark
Are you looking for a connection between scripture and everyday life? Or maybe a way to dig deeper into the gospel of Mark? If so, join Pastor Libby for one or both of these opportunities: On Nov. 13 and 20, from 6–7pm, an overview of the gospel Matthew… and starting on Nov. 20 at 7pm, a year-long journey through the lectionary (our schedule of readings). Both will meet in the narthex. Cost of the yearlong class is $20 for the devotional study book we will use.
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 LWR.org.
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 elca.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 LIRS.org.
OASIS Respite Program
OASIS is a weekly program for people in the beginning to mid-stages of dementia, Alzheimer's and other brain-related diagnoses. This respite time provides socialization, brain enrichment and activities while the person's caregiver gets a much-needed four-hour break. The suggested donation is $20 per visit for the activities and a nutritious lunch. OASIS is an outreach program of Causeway Caregivers and can be reached at 608-780-0417.
Sunday School
Sunday, Sept. 17
9:15am Sunday School
Sunday, Sept. 24
9:15am Sunday School
More info and online registration: 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.
Sunday, Sept. 17: parents/guardians only
Sundays, Sept. 24 & Oct. 1: parents/guardians with children
Sunday, Oct. 15: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship
Confirmation
Sunday:
9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Classes - Fireside Rm
Wednesday:
5:30pm Confirmation Dinner - Fellowship Hall
6:15pm Middle School Milestone - Fellowship Hall
7:00pm Gr 8-10 Small Groups
More info and online registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.
