INSIDE: Blue Christmas • Lutheran Social Services Adult Forum • Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Worship Times

Join us for worship!

Blue Christmas Worship, Saturday, Dec. 21:

• 5:30pm light meal

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

Sunday, Dec. 22:

• 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.

Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24:

• 2pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person, with candlelight and Holy Communion. Nursery available.

• 4pm: in-person, with candlelight and Holy Communion. Nursery available.

• 6pm: in-person, with candlelight and Holy Communion. Nursery available.

• 11pm: in-person, with candlelight and Holy Communion. Nursery available.

Christmas Day, Wednesday, Dec. 25:

• 10am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.

• No evening worship

Christmas Events Insert

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

Blue Christmas

Saturday, Dec. 21, 6:15pm. Please join us at First Lutheran for an hour of worship including music, prayers, candlelight and reflection on what God is up to amidst our blue feelings around Christmas. Come at 5:30 p.m. for a light meal and conversation before the service.

Welcoming Lutheran Social Services this Sunday

This Sunday we welcome to worship our social ministry partner Lutheran Social Services of WI and Upper MI; (LSS); the organization will present an adult forum in the Fellowship Hall between services, THIS Sunday, Dec. 22, at 9:15am.

And LSS has some exciting news! Thanks to a generous donor, every Lutheran congregation's 2024 contribution to our joint ministry with LSS will be matched 100%, up $1 million. We hope you will join thousands of other Loving Lutherans who are making a difference with a gift before Dec. 31. Together, we can bring much needed services to those most in need and help them use their own God-given gifts to serve! Donate at 1stlu.org/LSS.

Loving Lutheran Congregations who have already qualified to have 100% of their donation matched include:

• Bethany Lutheran Church in La Farge

• Faith Lutheran Church of Black Hammer in Spring Grove

• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua

• Peace Lutheran Church in Readstown

• Hardies Creek Lutheran Church Endowment Fund  in Ettrick

• Women of the ELCA – Bethany in New Lisbon

• Women of the ELCA – St. Peters Lutheran Church in Camp Douglas

ELCA Good Gifts

Wondering how to make a positive impact in the world right now? At elca.org/goodgifts you can choose from 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 well or school uniform at a time. Start your holiday shopping now and order free, customized cards for each gift you give.

Red Kettle Bell Ringing

The Salvation Army is in need of bell-ringers and relies on support from many groups in the community. Sign up at RegistertoRing.com.

Christmas Service Opportunities

Christmas is just around the corner! We are busy preparing for our worship on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and would LOVE help with worship leadership. We are especially looking for kids to be candle bearers (the battery operated kind) at 2pm, 4pm or 6pm services, and people to be "whirly- or dove-giggers." (In other words, you get to help us be joyful and celebratory at the beginning of worship!) If you are around, consider helping out! Both opportunities mentioned take place early in the service. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next for these and any other ways you would like to serve. Thanks!

Christmas at First

Christmas Eve worship times: 2pm (live streamed), 4pm, 6pm and 11pm. All will be candlelight and all will be with Holy Communion. Christmas Day worship time: 10am (live streamed), with Holy Communion. There will be no evening worship that Wednesday.

Office Closures

The office will be closed at the following times in the coming months…

• Closed at noon, Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24

• Closed Christmas day, Wednesday, Dec. 25

• Closed at noon, New Year’s eve, Tuesday, Dec. 31

• Closed New Years day, Wednesday, Jan. 1; no Wednesday evening worship

• Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 20

Young Youth Dec Event!

Young Youth (1st-5th grade) are invited to a Winter Break Play Date in the Fellowship Hall on Monday, Dec. 30, from 1-2:30pm. Save the date! Questions? Connect with our Young Youth Events Director, Katie Pierre: katie@firstlu.org.

Middle & High School Mission Trips in 2025

• Middle school youth will serve in St. Louis, July 27–Aug. 1

• High School youth will serve in North Carolina, July 25–Aug. 3

For more info visit 1stlu.org/next, and contact Pastor Stanton, jason@firstlu.org.

Faith Webs

Those looking to connect with and support youth in their summer ministries can still do so! Learn more about Faith Webs at 1stlu.org/webs and by stopping at the Faith Webs table in the narthex. Thank you for entering into the shared goal of raising and supporting our kids! Together we are building community! 

Friends of the Warming Center   

The Warming Center provides shelter for the unhoused from November through April. There are many ways to serve, from taking a shift in the shelter to providing a meal. Learn more and sign up at 1stlu.org/next.

La Crosse Jail Ministry Needs

La Crosse Jail Ministry offers residents and former residents of the jail spiritual direction, rehabilitative support, and connections to faith communities. La Crosse Jail Ministry is in need of warm boots, coats and sweatpants (all sizes and mainly for men). They also need bus tokens. Items can be dropped off at English Lutheran Church 1509 King Street, La Crosse.

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.

No Worship New Years Day

There will be no evening worship on New Years Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1.

Sunshine Team

The Sunshine Team meets on the first Thursday of every month. NEXT: Jan. 2, 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.

First Sunday High School Gathering

NEXT: Sunday, Jan. 5, 11:30am(ish), for tubing at the Omni Center (weather permitting). Parents/guardians take turns providing the meal each month; serving and cleaning up. Sign up for just one of the months, and we'll be set for the year! Sign up at 1stlu.org/next.

Blood Drive

Monday, Jan. 6, 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 ever give. Just ask anyone who’s ever received. Walk-ins welcome; appointments encouraged, schedule yours at 1stlu.org/blooddrive. Please bring a photo ID.

Faith Alive! U Weekend Workshops

Join others for an afternoon of exploring, questioning and learning about your faith. The Faith Alive! U Weekend Workshops takes place Jan. 12 from 11:45am–2:15pm, with lunch and childcare provided.

• Keynote: La Crosse County's Pathways Home

• Jon Ailabouni, Listen with Courage: Jazz Music as a Metaphor for Servant Leadership: From Congo Square in antebellum New Orleans to the music of Duke Ellington, Mary Lou Williams and John Coltrane, jazz music has a long history of being explicitly tied to worship and spirituality. This workshop will explore how jazz carries meaning through sound and how this music offers a model for listening courageously and using our gifts to serve one another.

• Care for Creation team, The whys and hows of solar panels: Why are solar panels important to our community and what does it have to do with faith? How is the church's solar panel project going and how can I install them at my home? The Care for Creation team will talk about all of these things, encouraging us to be good stewards of creation.

Sugar Creek Events

Below are some upcoming events offered by Sugar Creek. For more info or registration, visit www.sgrcreek.org or call 608.734.3113.

• January 12 – Winter Fun Day

• February 7-8 – High School Youth Retreat

• February 9 – Winter Fun Day

• February 13-16 – Winter Craft Retreat

Monday Night Community Meals

For many years, Trinity Lutheran Church on the northside of La Crosse has hosted a meal on Monday nights. First Lutheran helps 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: Jan. 13. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next.

Attention! Seeking Nominations

First Lutheran will be electing two members to The Vision & Leadership Team at the annual meeting on Feb. 9. One current member is willing to serve a second term, while another has chosen to step away after their first term. If you or a member you know is interested in serving, please talk to Pastor Stanton or complete a nomination insert which is available at the usher stand and will remain available through Jan. 19. 

The Vision & Leadership Team will compile a list of all nominations at their Jan. 21 meeting. That list will then be presented along with the annual report on January 26. A V&L Job description is available upon request in the church office. Thanks for prayerfully considering our leadership. 

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, Jan. 24, 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 until 8pm (parents can pick up early if needed)

COST: Monetary donations will assist the middle and high school students with their 2025 camp and trip expenses. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout, by Wednesday, Dec. 11.

Sugar Creek Youth Retreats 2024-25

Retreats are one of the best ways to build relationships among youth, adult leaders and the wider community. Sugar Creek retreats allow you to show up and be with your age group, knowing that you can enjoy all of the fun and activities. Save these dates for your calendar now! And NEW this season: One retreat is FREE for 2024 summer campers!

• February 7–8: Your Kingdom Come High School Retreat (Grades 9-12)

• March 7–8: As it is in Heaven Confirmation Retreat (Grades 6-10)

• April 26: Daily Bread Elementary Retreat (Grades 1-5)

Volunteer Appreciation Party

Sunday, Feb. 9, 11:45am. A warm thank you for everyone who brings Faith Alive at First Lutheran! RSVP at 1stlu.org/next. Questions? Contact kathryn@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, May 1, 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.

Cancellations Due to Inclement Weather

If bad weather ever makes you wonder whether your group is meeting, check our website, Facebook page, or email office@firstlu.org with your cell number and provider so that we can text you. The staff and leadership of First intend to ‘make the call’ by 5pm at the latest so everyone knows what to expect. Be safe this winter!

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

• Sundays, Dec. 22 & 29

  • No Sunday School (classes resume Sunday, Jan. 5)

More info and registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool

Confirmation

• Sunday:

  • 9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Class

• Wednesday:

  • No Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups (small groups resume Jan. 8)

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