Join us for a Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 31 from 10am-12p! This event is for our families with kids who are Sunday School age up through our high school seniors. (It will not be open to the community as in the past for safety and planning purposes.) Last names A-G should try to come between 10-11 and H-Z from 11-12 as to not overcrowd. (Of course if families come at a time outside their window we will not turn you away!) Come for the fun and spend a few moments meeting Kristen Arends, our new Director of Youth & Family Ministry! Students that can't attend will have their treats delivered.

Please click here for the COVID map for driving through! King Street construction is finished, but using the map helps us direct traffic and be safe for these events. Enter the parking lot at 16th Street, stop at the stations, and exit through to 15th Street.

Please remember that if you are in the building (volunteering, conducting church business, dropping things off, meetings, seeing a staff member - pretty much any situation!) that a face covering is required per Governor Evers' Emergency Order. ELC strives to model to minister to our community and our neighbors by keeping everyone as safe as can be during COVID-19. Please wear your mask at all times when in common areas or in the church office.

To contribute to the Faith Build fund, write a check to ELC and mark it for Habitat for Humanity. Mail it to Jennifer's attention at 1509 King Street, La Crosse, WI 54601.

Coloring Contest open for kids ages 5-12 with a chance to win a $50 VISA gift card! Turn in by October 24 (information on the rules sheet).

Watch for more information coming for the November auction!

An online Cancer Support Group is available to anyone in our congregation who is living with a cancer diagnosis. We meet via Zoom the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 3:30pm. The group is facilitated by Irene TenEyck, our Director of Caring Ministries. Please contact Irene directly at 784-9335, ext. 304 if you are interested in finding our more about the group.

"Gospel of John" (our next adult study) begins on October 22nd. It will remain virtual, available on the ELC website (password required - contact Pastor Johnson) or on CD at church. Our last three sessions have been careful studies of Jesus of Nazareth, the Apostle Paul, and Insights from the Master. The Gospel of John will contain historical, grammatical, and philosophical background information in addition to a careful examination of the 21 chapters of the gospel itself. Focus will be on key words and insights, and throughout this process we will be asking questions as we discover the implications of the text as well as focus upon how to apply the ideas gained from scriptures to daily life. As in our previous studies, context and careful analysis of the text will be primary with the anticipated outcome of a strong emphasis on faith formation and spiritual development. I invite you to join me! ~ Pastor Dennis Johnson

Each fall, we usually share a "getting to know you" card of our confirmation students. Our members are asked to pick up a card on Sundays and make a prayer and personal connection with that student.

Since we can't do that this year during COVID-19, we're asking those who want to "Adopt A Confirmation Student" to sign up online! Once you sign up, our staff will pair up a student with you and send you more information.

Questions? Contact Niki at 784.8876 x204.

October is Pastor Appreciation Month! Feel free to reach out to Pastors Becky or Glen with an email, note, text, or call of gratitude. We are so thankful and blessed to have had strong leaders at our church ... not only currently, but over the years.

October 2019 through October 2020

3 - Miscellaneous Gifts

21 - Bethany Lutheran Homes

9 - Graduating Seniors

94 - Lutheran World Relief

20 - Boys and Girls Club

15 - New Horizons Women's Shelter

2 - Sugar Creek Bible Camp

In total, our Quilters have distributed 164 quilts in the last year. Thank you for your continued ministry to our community and world, Quilting Group!

Seekers meets each Thursday at 9:30 via Zoom. Contact Kathy to receive a link if you'd like to join this special group! You may click here for a full schedule through the 2020 Holidays.

Rabbi Brian Searle from Congregation Sons of Abraham, La Crosse, will be with us on October 22 to discuss Aliens, Immigrants, and Immigration.

You may notice some purple ribbons around La Crosse and around ELC. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is usually signified by the color purple. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with issues of domestic violence, help is available. Locally, you can contact New Horizons at 608-791-2610 or the National Hotline at 1-800-799- SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.

Everyone deserves healthy relationships.

We've received more news regarding scams that are going out to church members.

Please remember - we will NEVER solicit any sort of financial information or gift card request via personal/staff email or text. No gift cards, money transfers, etc. will ever be asked of our members. If you receive an email, please mark it as 'spam' in your email system and do not reply. For text messages, simply ignore them.

And remember to change your passwords frequently! :)