INSIDE: Connecting with the Gospel of Mark • OWLs Events • Warming Center

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, Nov. 12:

• 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, Nov. 15:

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

A Brief History of the Conflict in the Holy Land

You are invited to participate in a Zoom webinar, Monday, Nov. 13 at 3pm or Tuesday, Nov. 14 @ 6:30pm. There will be a time for learning and asking questions. Facilitated by Bishop Malpica and Pr. Kent Johnson. Register at: lacrosseareasynod.org/middle-east.

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.

OWLs

The OWLs, a group for those 55+, will have their next monthly potluck on Wednesday, Nov. 15, at noon in the Fellowship Hall. Since it’s close to Thanksgiving bring one of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes to pass.

The November outing will be to see Goldpine, a folksy duet offering their own brand of Americana to audiences large and small. The concert is in the intimate theater of the Pump House, on Saturday, Nov. 18. Meet at the church at 4:30pm, with dinner at Piggy’s before the show. RSVP to Brian at owls@firstlu.org. COST: $28, dinner is on your own. Questions? Contact volunteer coordinator Brian Narveson at owls@firslu.org or 630.816.5917.

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: Nov. 16. Led by Carla Stanton.

Friends of the Warming Center   

The Warming Center opened 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. NEXT: Friday, Nov. 16. 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.

Choir for Thanksgiving Eve Worship

On Wednesday, Nov. 22, at 5:30pm, First Lutheran members, along with our brothers and sisters in Christ from Onalaska UMC, will gather an hour in advance at Onalaska UMC to rehearse their song for the Thanksgiving Eve Ecumenical worship service. Open to all people ages 12 and up; no audition and no formal training required. Questions? Contact todd@firstlu.org.

Ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve Worship

In place of our usual Wednesday night worship, everyone is invited to a special (and slightly later) ecumenical worship service at Onalaska United Methodist on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, Nov. 22, at 6:30pm, with our brothers and sisters in Christ from Onalaska UMC, located nearby at 212 4th Ave N, Onalaska, WI 54650. Worship will be live streamed, but won’t be viewable on our website nor on our social media. View the live stream at youtube.onalaskaumc.org.

Onalaska Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Organizers of the annual Onalaska Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the National Guard Armory expect to prepare and serve more than 1,600 meals on Nov. 23. The event brings together people in need, people unable to spend the holiday with family and friends, and people who are alone for the holiday. Dining is in-person, by carry-out or delivery. In-person dining and carry-outs are from 11am–2pm. Deliveries can be scheduled for 11am, noon or 1pm. To register for a delivery, or to arrange for more than four carry-outs, call 608-871-3183 from Nov. 1–20. Organizers also are looking for volunteers and monetary donations. Learn more at OCTD.org.

Reaching Out to Onalaska Runners

With our sign on Main Street, we can reach out to Onalaska… and have some fun doing it! Festival’s Thanksgiving Turkey Trot and the Y’s Jingle Bell 5-mile both run past First as racers make their way along Main Street. So let’s encourage the runners! Send a photo/video with a caption to andy@firstlu.org by Tuesday, Nov. 21, so that they can see your smiles, cheers and inspiring messages. For full details, visit 1stlu.org/next.

Winter Items for Teen Clothes Closet

First Teen Clothes Closet is asking for winter hats, gloves and mittens for middle schoolers and high schoolers. New and like new (no homemade please, the kids won't take them). The items can be placed under the tree in the narthex until November 26. No scarves, as we already have a lot of them. We won't be collecting socks this year… The synod assembly collected socks for the area non-profits this summer and we are all very well stocked on socks! Thank you for your continued support of the clothes closet. We have served over 450 teens so far this year! 

ALSO: In October we had 58 shoppers! Over 796 items taken. FTCC needs: teen style winter coats (L/XL/2XL/3XL), winter boots, hoodies (L/XL/2XL/3XL) and athletic pants (L/XL/2XL/3XL). Clean & teen-appropriate items may be placed in the bins in the main entrance. Thank you for your support! 

Christmas Events Insert

The Christmas events insert that was included in the November newsletter can be downloaded at 1stlu.org/nextsteps.

Advent Around the Table

Advent is a season full of rich traditions for both home and church. We invite everyone to join us on Sunday, Nov. 26, at 9:15am in Fellowship Hall for our annual Advent Around the Table event. We will create advent crafts for our homes and learn more about this particular season, have great fellowship and grow in our faith as we kick off the Advent season.

Faith Web Ideas for November

Here’s an idea for what you can do to strengthen the bond of your Faith Web this November: Exchange your favorite soup or pie recipe! Find even more ideas and caring conversation questions on a new handout available on the usher stand in the back of the sanctuary.

There’s still time to join a web, and there are 60 spots to fill! Stop by the Faith Webs table in the narthex after any worship service, and learn more at 1stlu.org/faithwebs.

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 through 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.

Snow Birds

Are you heading out? Please let us know if you'll be spending the winter somewhere else. If we know your seasonal address, we can keep in touch by sending you the monthly newsletter. Call or email the office with your winter address: 608.783.2236, office@firstlu.org.

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. 

Road to Bethlehem @ Sugar Creek

Begin your journey at Sugar Creek Bible Camp, any time between 2–5pm on Saturday, Dec. 2. Journey through the Advent story by visiting different live-action worship stations offering carols, scripture, prayer and the chance to visit a live nativity. Enjoy refreshments at the end! This is an outdoor event, so dress appropriately for the weather. There is no cost, but we invite you to consider a free-will offering to benefit the ministry and mission of Sugar Creek Bible Camp. Non-perishable food items will be collected to benefit local food pantries.

ELCA Good Gifts

Wondering how to make a positive impact in the world right now? With ELCA Good Gifts, you can choose from more than 50 charitable gifts to give in honor of friends and loved ones. Each of these gifts makes a real impact in the world, sharing the love of Christ one goat, water filter or school uniform at a time. Start your holiday shopping now and order free, customized cards for each gift you give. Please give by Dec. 9 to ensure that your cards arrive in time for Christmas. Print-at-home and online cards are also instantly available at any time. Shop now at goodgifts.elca.org.

Christmas Flowers for the Sanctuary

If you would like to give a rose in honor or memory of loved ones to decorate for our Christmas Eve services, you may do so at 1stlu.org/nextsteps. Cost is $5 per rose. Order deadline is Sunday, Dec. 17.

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.

Make Worship Happen!

Worship assistants make worship happen! Usher, read, bake bread, serve communion, lead projection and more. To assist with Sunday worship sign up at 1stlu.org/assistSUN.

Want to Volunteer? Need help?

Causeway Caregivers serves elderly and disabled adults in La Crosse County by providing volunteer services, without charge, to those in need. Tasks include raking leaves, grocery shopping, doing errands and helping after a snowfall. Would you like to be a Causeway Caregivers volunteer? Do you need a volunteer? Contact Causeway Caregivers at 608-775-9999.

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! (thru Dec. 2023)

Keep Up with Changes: Update Your Contact Info

Make sure the office has your current contact info, including current address, mobile number(s), carrier info (for reminders by text), and email(s). Members can make these changes on their own at our online directory: 1stlu.org/directory. Or you can send them to office@firstlu.org.

Sunday School

Sunday, Nov. 12

• 9:15am Sunday School

Sunday, Nov. 19

• 9:15am Sunday School

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

Gr 1 Faith Building Block: Ten Commandments

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, Nov. 12 & 19: parents/guardians with children

• Sunday, Nov. 26: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Confirmation

Sunday:

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

Wednesday:

• 5:30pm Confirmation Dinner

• 7:00pm Gr 8-10 Small Groups

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