INSIDE: Meet Your Faith Web • Monday Meal @ Trinity • Jazz Worship on Wed

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Oct. 15:

• 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, Oct. 18:

• 6:15pm: Jazz worship led by Jon Ailabouni. Live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.

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. NEXT: Saturday, Oct. 14. Contact Bridget Crave for more info: bridget@firstlu.org.

Peace in the Holy Land: A Message from Bishop Malpica

In these troubled times of conflict between Hamas and Israel, let us come together in a shared desire for peace and justice. May our hearts be touched by the suffering of all those affected by this ongoing strife, and may we find the strength to seek a path towards reconciliation and lasting harmony. Let us envision a future where children from both Israel and Palestine can grow up without the fear of violence, where families can rebuild their lives, and where the cycle of suffering can finally be broken. In the name of compassion and humanity, let us pray for a just and lasting peace in the Holy Land, one that extends its warm embrace over every child of God. May our collective efforts pave the way for a brighter tomorrow, where all people can coexist in harmony, and where the sacred lands of this region may flourish in unity and prosperity. Amen. ~ Rev. Felix Javier Malpica, Bishop, La Crosse Area Synod

Upcoming events for further engagement and learning:

• Briefing from ELCA missionaries in the Holy Land on the current situation and an update of ongoing strategy in the region: Saturday, Oct. 14 @ 10am. Registration required.

• Interfaith Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Holy Land (Bp. Felix Malpica & Rabbi Brian Serle): Thursday, Oct. 19 @ 7pm. Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 612 Division St, La Crosse. Join us as we focus our love and prayers on the Israeli and Palestinian people. We will share hymns and prayers, hear the thoughts from our La Crosse clergy, and support each other in our grief and mourning. We pray for the souls of the fallen, for a rapid end to hostilities, and for a rapid return of hostages to their homes. If you are unable to attend in person, join the live stream at oursaviorslutheranchurch.net.

Meet Your Faith Web!

We’re hosting the first Faith Web introduction events on Sunday, Oct. 15 (and a backup time on Sunday, Oct. 22 if you don't connect during the first one) between services, in the sanctuary:

• elementary kids meet their supporting households from 9–9:15am

• middle school/high school kids meet their supporting households 10:15–10:30am 

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 150-200 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.

Friends of the Warming Center   

The Warming Center will open Nov. 1 for unhoused people, and the area ELCA churches have agreed to provide evening meals the 3rd and 4th Friday of each month, November–April. Prepare the meal in your kitchen and drop it off at the Warming Center ready to be served. Other people serve the meal; you just prepare it. You are welcome to use the Hunger Task Force for meal ingredients. More info and reg at 1stlu.org/warm. There will be orientation sessions for both returning and new volunteers (meal makers don't need to attend) for the 2023-24 season. All orientations will be at the La Crosse Warming Center at 413 S. 3rd St. in La Crosse. They will be on:

• Monday, Oct. 16, 5-7pm

• Thursday, Oct. 19, 6-8pm

Knitters

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

OWLs Potluck

The OWLs potluck for October will be a Halloween costume party. We will have a costume contest with a prize for the winner. Costumes are optional, but please come and join the fun. For our program, Brian and Mary will show photos of the incredible Halloween decorations (day and night) at Silver Dollar City in Branson. That will be followed by Halloween games. Bring your favorite fall dish to pass, wear your most creative costume, and come join the fun and fellowship. This not-to-be-missed event is Wednesday, Oct. 18, at noon in the fellowship hall.

Operation Christmas Child

On Wednesday, Oct. 18, 7pm, our confirmands (and anyone else willing) will pack shoeboxes for boys, ages 10–14 (the group typically least purchased for). The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to children in need around the world! Each box is $20. A confirmation guide will be buying the supplies, organizing snacks, etc., and sending the shoe boxes. Our confirmation small groups just need 1) donations (give online at 1stlu.org/give) and 2) anyone willing to help them pack the boxes.

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: Oct. 19. Led by Carla Stanton.

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.

Indian Boarding Schools: ELCA Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling

Class: Indigenous Thought & Theology, Oct. 26 (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.); Nov. 30 (7-9pm). 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.

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, Oct. 27, 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 2024 camp and trip expenses. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout, by Wednesday, Oct. 25.

Fall Festival

Join us on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 2-4pm for an afternoon of fall activities, including: trunk-or-treating, games, crafts, snacks, photo booth, face painting, and more! This event is free and open to the public, and will be held rain or shine. And help us HOST this event for our neighborhood by signing up to host the photo booth, snack table, games or a trunk at 1stlu.org/next.

It's Butter Braid Season!

Selling Butter Braids is a popular way for young people to earn money toward their summer camp and trip expenses. The order forms for Butter Braids are available in the church office. The deadline for returning your order forms, with the money, is Sunday, Oct. 29. Butter Braids will be available at the church for pickup on the afternoon of Monday, Nov. 13. A portion of every sale is put in the seller's camp/trip account to defray costs.

Faith Webs for October (Supporting Youth)

As stated when Faith Webs kicked off in September, we’re asking households of our congregation to support youths going to Bible camp, on the mission trip and to the youth gathering in the following ways…

• with your time

• with your prayers

• with your talents

• with your activities

• with some food (they’re kids after all!) and…

• with money (every child gets the support of $300 per household)

To that end, we will give you ideas every month for what you can do to strengthen the bond of your Faith Web! Just a few ideas for October are…

• Pray for one another

• Sit together at worship

• Send a card or invitation

Find even more ideas and caring conversation questions on a handout available on the usher stand in the back of the sanctuary.

Are you a youth who has yet to place your name in the Book of Faith Webs? Or a household that would like to be a supporter in a Faith Web? It isn’t too late! To receive or give support, go to the scrip card table in the narthex. There, a parent volunteer has a binder… the Book of Faith Webs. 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.

For the $300 donation, you can donate all at once (in church or online at 1stlu.org/give), or a little bit each week, and even through the scrip program as you purchase gas and grocery cards. (A small percentage of the price of the scrip cards you purchase goes to the youth, but it adds up!) If you donate by check, please note WHO it is for, and WHAT ministry the youth is involved in.

Thank you for entering into the shared goal of raising and supporting our kids! We are building community! 

Clothes Closet Needs

We have seen over 75 teens this past month and are low on specific items. Please consider donating the following teen style, gently used (or new) clothing:

• skirts: size x-small, 1x, 2x, 3x

• jeans: size 30

• dress pants: size 11/12, 13/14

• sweaters: +sizes, all genders

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 Mark… 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.

Cloud of Witnesses: All Saints Sunday

We honor our brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone before us on All Saints Day, Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 6:15pm, and on All Saints Sunday, Nov. 5, at 8am and 10:30am. All services will be in-person and live streamed at 1stlu.org/live.

All Saints Day has long been a day when the church gives thanks for all the saints, the beloved, who have died, especially in the past year. We will soon ask for photographs of your beloved dead so that we can be surrounded by their witness at All Saints worship. These pictures can be sent electronically (to office@firstlu.org) or brought in. They will be printed as 4X6, so resolution should be such that they can be printed well from what you submitted. If your loved one was a member of our congregation and died this past year, you will receive a letter with a special request. All Saints Day isn’t only about those who have died, but also about those who have been newly baptized. If your child was baptized this past year, you also will receive a special request. Please note, we will continue to use the photos submitted last year, so no need to resend those photos.

Canned Soup Drive

The Salvation Army's Angel Giving Tree Food Baskets program aims to provide families with a basket of food during the Christmas season, and the organization has asked First Lutheran to help by collecting canned soup during October and November. Please bring only canned soups for this specific campaign. We have a collection box in the entryway for your donations. The Salvation Army anticipates a need for 500 food baskets this year.

Baptismal Preparation

The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Dec. 2, 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, Nov. 26. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

Diaper Drive @ Trinity Lutheran

Trinity Lutheran Church in La Crosse (where First Lutheran operates the teen clothes closet) is having a diaper drive through the end of the year, to collect diapers and wipes for The Parenting Place in La Crosse, which distributes them free to families that need them. All sizes are needed, especially 5 & 6. If you would like to donate diapers, drop them off at Trinity, 1010 Sill St. Office hours there are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mon-Thurs.

Sunday School

Sunday, Oct. 15

• 9:00am Elementary kids participating in Faith Webs, meet your Faith Web in Sanctuary

• 9:15am Sunday School

Sunday, Oct. 15

• 9:15am Sunday School

More info and online registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool.

3-Year Old Faith Alive Building Block: Praying Together

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, Oct. 15: parents/guardians only

• Sundays, Oct. 22 & 29: parents/guardians with children

• Sunday, Nov. 5: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Confirmation

Sunday:

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

• 10:15am Middle & high school youth participating in Faith Webs, meet your Faith Web in Sanctuary

Wednesday:

• 5:30pm Confirmation Dinner - Fellowship Hall

• 6:15 Jazz Worship led by Jon Ailabouni (all confirmands expected to attend)

• 7:00pm Operation Christmas Child

• 7:00pm Gr 8-10 Small Groups

More info and online registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.