HALOS THANK YOUA thank you to members of First for their generosity in donating to HALOS in November. Donations support the mission of HALOS, which is to improve the quality of life for child victims of abuse and/or neglect who are involved with La Crosse Human Services.

BLUE CHRISTMAS WORSHIPSunday, December 21 at 4:30pm The holidays can feel sad, stressful or difficult. We might miss loved ones who are away, absent or dead. We might feel burdened by the pressures to make this ‘the most wonderful time of the year.” 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. Invite a friend or neighbor who might find it difficult to worship this time of year. Following worship share fellowship and support at our free soup supper.

NEW WORSHIP TIMES FOR CHRISTMAS EVE & CHRISTMAS DAYChristmas Eve worship will be at 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 8pm. All will be candlelit services with Holy Communion. Christmas Day worship will be at 9am, with Holy Communion. Complete schedule: www.firstlutheranonalaska.org.

SERVING: Pastor Jason Stanton, Pastor Karyn Bodenschatz Organist: Gabe Hicks; Nursery Attendant: Crystal Miller; Bread Baker: Mark & Debra Koenig; Treat Providers: Marla Peterson, Judy Stemper, Darylann Williams, Melinda Schultz; Coffee Servers: Mark & Melissa Schmit, Kari & Chuck WeberSUNDAY, DEC. 21, 8:00amAcolytes: Gavin Southworth; Communion Servers: Terry Lee, Glen Vilim; Reader: Shari Hegland; Ushers: Hudson Weber, C.J. Lass, Colton Hougom, Cal Schmit; Projectionist: Randy Nedrelo SUNDAY, DEC. 21, 10:30amAcolytes: Natalie Havenstrite, Ally Ecklund; Communion Servers: Paula Skoy, Travis Evenson; Reader: Nancy Beguin; Ushers: Suzanne Alberts, Bob Dean; Nursery: Lauren Ecklund, Hunter Robison; Puppet Volunteers: Julie & Randy Moseng; Projectionist: John Peterson WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24, 2:00pmGreeters: Bob Dean, Sig & Marilyn Rudser; Acolyte: Ethan Whiteaker; Communion Servers: Paula Skoy, Travis Evenson, Aaron McDonald, Bridget Crave, Glen Vilim, Joel Miller; Reader: Allen Ohm; Ushers: Jarrod & Janet Holter, Kim Clark; Projectionist: John PetersonWEDNESDAY, DEC. 24, 4:00pmGreeters: Angie & Kurt Breiling, Art and Sandi Thompson-Melby, Rob & JoAnn Kranig; Acolyte: Jacob Breiling; Communion Servers: Peggy & Dick Daleki, Aaron McDonald, Sue Brewer, Mark Wrolstad, Angie & Kurt Breiling; Reader: Nancy Beguin; Ushers: Mark & Debra Koenig, Tom & Sue Brewer; Projectionist: Bob DeanWEDNESDAY, DEC. 24, 6:00pmGreeters: Kathleen Olson family, Thies family; Communion Servers: Larry Schreiner, Renee Thies; Reader: Peggy Daleki; Ushers: Bob Dean, Larry & Marilyn Schreiner, Bev Larson, Rob McGaff; Projectionist: Doug Shupe; Nursery Attendant: Crystal MillerWEDNESDAY, DEC. 24, 8:00pmCommunion Server: Aaron McDonald; Reader: Aaron McDonald; Nursery Attendant: Crystal MillerTHURSDAY, DEC. 25, 9:00amCommunion Server: Bridget Crave; Reader: Tom Skogen; Ushers: Doug & Diane Jorstad; Projectionist: Bob Dean

READINGS FOR SUNDAY, DEC. 21Matthew 1:18-25 Pew Bible: p. 783, Spark Bible: p. 1057

PRAYERS & CAREHospital: Arlene Foltz (sister to Olin Knudsen), & Home: Ruth Dyer (mother to Bev Larson)Celebrations: the birth of Kayla Marie Tutlewski, (daughter of John & Marie Tutlewski)Sympathy to the Family & Friends of…Doyle Lombard, husband to Carroll LombardPlease contact the office if you have any prayers to be lifted up: office@firstlu.org or 608.783.2236

NURSERY AVAILABLEMembers and visitors: our nursery is available for children newborn through age 4. The nursery is staffed Sunday mornings during and between services, and on Wednesday evenings during service and programming. Please bring your diaper bag. It will also be staffed during some church events and will be advertised as such when available. We hope you take advantage of our services while here at First.

HOSPITAL REMINDERSFor Gundersen: be sure to alert the hospital of your church affiliation when they ask and they will then release your room number to us when we call. For Mayo/Franciscan Healthcare: it is important that you or a family member contact us directly at the church office: 608.783.2236. Mayo no longer gives out information regarding who is hospitalized.

Please make every effort to keep food and beverages in the narthex. Thanks!

December 21st, 24th & 25th ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLEPlease take time before worship & go to the narthex to write down any prayers

you want to lift up, so we can be certain to include them in worship today!

WELCOME VISITORS & GUESTS!We at First Lutheran are glad you have chosen to worship with us today! We understand that visiting a church can be overwhelming as everything is unfamiliar and unknown. All the baptized are welcome to fully participate in worship, including Holy Communion, and all are welcome to participate in church programs, activities and events. If this is your first time at First, we’d love to have you stop at the Connecting Point table in the narthex entry where you may ask questions, share your contact information and receive a gift from us. We hope worshiping with us today will bless you as much as your visit blesses us!

COMMUNION CARDSCommunion cards are not required to participate in Holy Communion, but

they help us know who is worshiping with us. Please fill one out and hand it to an usher just before Communion, or

place it in an offering plate. Thanks!

SUNDAY SCHOOL UPDATEDecember 21st: Sunday school as usual.• Opening, followed by class in usual rooms.

December 28th: Birthday Party for Jesus, Intergenerational Event• Everyone is invited to attend this

Birthday Party for Jesus in Fellowship Hall from 9:15 to 10:15.

ANNUAL ICICLE TOES PROJECT THROUGH DEC 25Warm socks for folks who need them! Socks will be collected for donation to New Horizons Shelter, a community resource where people are helped during times of need. Please bring new socks for children or adults to the Icicle Toes Tree in the narthex. Thank you!

NEWSLETTER ASSEMBLYJoin us for a time of fellowship, treats, coffee… and helping the church mail out our newsletter (bonus!); We will assemble our January newsletter on Tuesday, December 30th at 10am. All are welcome to join us!

CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE: GIFT CARDS STILL AVAILABLETags for gift cards have been added to the tree and can be returned to the church office anytime this month. If you purchase gift cards, please wrap them in a box. Contact Kathryn with questions: 608.783.2236 / kathryn@firstlu.org.

YOUTH PRAISE BAND 2015The Youth Praise Band is re-grouping to start up again in January. We are especially looking for a bass guitarist, rhythm guitarist and two or more singers. All youth 18 or younger are welcome. Experience playing with a group is NOT needed. Rehearsal days and times will be decided in January. For more information contact Dick Daleki: dick@firstlu.org.

HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT AT SUGAR CREEK!January 16–18. You asked for it, you got it! A retreat designed just for high school youth! Bring a friend or just come and join in the fun! This high-energy retreat will be filled with great music, faith-building time and lots of surprises! The retreat is filled with fun, winter activities! Cost: $75 (includes 5 meals). Retreat runs from 7:00pm Friday to 1:00pm Sunday. Go to www.sugarcreekbiblecamp.org for event brochure and registration form.

HELP GET WARM WINTER CLOTHES INTO THE HANDS OF HIGH SCHOOL YOUTHThe Acts 20:35 Clothes Closet is piling up with warm winter jackets and other winter clothes, and we have heard there is great need for these items in our community. We are about to advertise locally our offering to the community, and in preparation for the response we need to schedule extra help for staffing the clothes closet. Contact Lori Lunney to help… acts2035@firstlu.org.

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS APPEAL FOR SUPPORT OF LUTHERAN SCHOOLS IN THE HOLY LANDThe La Crosse Area ELCA Synod Middle East Subcommittee approved a motion at its October meeting asking Synod congregations to consider a special appeal for support of the vital ministry of the elementary and secondary schools in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) during these very difficult days in the Middle East. Average tuition cost per student for a school year is under $1200. Members of the La Crosse Area Synod can support the whole ELCJHL school system with a donation/check made out to La Crosse Area Synod – Lutheran Schools in the Holy Land. If you wish, you can designate a gift to a particular school, educational program, or sponsorship of a student. Just specify the school or program listed above on the check memo line.To learn more about these and other announcements, head to our website at www.FirstLutheranOnalaska.org

Scan to download this announcement page to your phone/tablet or go to 2.firstlu.org/announce

THIS WEEK: Dec. 21–28December 21–28SUN 21 8:00am - Worship

9:15am - Parent Share - Upper Rm9:15am - Confi rmation Bible Class

Parent’s Meeting - FH9:15am - Sunday School9:30am - Bible Bits - Mary Rm10:30am - Worship4:30pm - Blue Christmas Worship5:30pm - Grief Milestone

MON 22 5:00pm TOPS Group - NX7:00pm AA/AI-Anon - FS

TUES 23 9:00am Quilters - FS9:30am Staff Meeting5:30pm Bell Choir Rehearsal

WED 24 Offi ce close at noon 6:00am Courageous Men’s Bible Study - House

2:00pm Worship4:00pm Worship6:00pm Worship8:00pm Worship

THUR 25 Offi ce closed 9:00am Worship6:15pm NarAnon - FS

FRI26 7:00pm AA - FSSUN 28 8:00am Worship

9:15am Little Leaps - FH (for Birthday Party!)9:15am Parent Share - Upper Rm9:15am Birthday Party for Jesus - FH9:30am Bible Bits - Mary Rm10:30am Worship

ROOM KEY:CR = Choir Room FH = Fellowship Hall FS = Fireside Room NX = Narthex SN = Sanctuary TR = Thomas RoomFor more information, visit our website at www.FirstLutheranOnalaska.org

ROOM KEY:CR = Choir Room FS = Fireside Room FH = Fellowship HallNX = Narthex SN = Sanctuary TR = Thomas Room

For more info, visit our website at www.FirstLutheranOnalaska.org

ASSIST WITH WORSHIP! STILL NEEDED FOR CHRISTMAS: Acolytes, ushers, & greeters for most Christmas services, especially the 8pm. For the above opportunities & many others sign up at the Connecting Point table or on your phone or computer at http://2.firstlu.org/volunteer