Announcements for Sunday, May 14, 2023
INSIDE: You, Me, Us: Being Human Together continues • Grief Support Group • OWLs Fly to Vesterheim
Pastor Karyn invites you to join in her quest to be a better human by joining a 3-week workshop she’s calling: You, Me, Us: Being Human Together. We will explore our personality, how we can strengthen our relationships, why values are important and how our family history impacts who we are. We will gather on May 17 and 24 at 7pm. You can sign up by emailing Pastor Karyn at karyn@firstlu.org. Not just for those who are coupled, this workshop is for any person, in any kind of relationship.
Worship
Join us for worship!
Sunday, May 14:
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, May 17:
6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
Current Precautions
Masking: masks are welcome and not required, and encouraged for those recently exposed.
Social distancing: not required, but of course, we ask everyone to respect all who desire social distance.
Stay home if you have any symptoms of COVID or had a recent positive diagnosis.
For a full description of current precautions, visit 1stlu.org/precaution.
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, May 13. Contact Bridget Crave for more info: bridget@firstlu.org.
Journey Lutheran’s Spring Fling Craft and Artisan Show
Sat. May 13th 10am-3pm. 100% of all vendor fees are donated to help students with negative lunch accounts with the Holmen School District. Donations will be accepted during the event. HELP US BRING DOWN THE DEBT! Lots of artisans, a food truck, petting zoo, and face painter!
4K Faith Building Block: The Keys
Sunday, May 14: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship
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, sharing in conversation and growing together in faith. The session lasts for three weeks, and afterwards, the Faith Building Block is lifted up in worship.
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 Wednesday: 10am in the Upper Room. NEXT: May 17. Led by Carla Stanton.
OWLs
On Wednesday, May 17, the OWLs, a group for those 55+, will have their monthly potluck at noon in Fellowship Hall. Bring some of your favorite summer foods to share. For our program, we will play some of our favorite games. Questions? Contact volunteer coordinator Brian Narveson at owls@firslu.org or 630.816.5917.
On Monday, May 22, the OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First, for anyone 55+) will fly to Vesterheim Museum in Decorah, IA. Meet at the church at 8:30am. We will stop on the way to Decorah for a quick break and have lunch at a local restaurant while we are there. Museum cost: $10; pay for your own lunch. If you would like to be part of this fantastic adventure, please let Brian Narveson (owls@firstlu.org or 630-816-5917) know by Sunday, May, 21.
La Crosse Jail Ministry Fundraiser
Wednesday, May 17, 4–8pm. 25% of Burracho's Sales will be donated to the La Crosse Jail Ministry! At the register, please be sure to let the cashier know you are here for the Jail Ministry fundraiser. And 25% of sales will be donated ALL DAY for ONLINE ORDERS at burrachos.com. You can also contribute to the Jail Ministry at lacrossejailministry.org/support-us.
Chicken-Q @ Trinity Lutheran
Thursday May 18, noon–6pm, at Trinity Lutheran, 1010 Sill St., La Crosse. Tickets: $12. Dinner includes charcoal chicken, baked beans, potato salad and a roll. Proceeds to benefit Trinity Lutheran ministries. Your support is greatly appreciated!
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, May 19, 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 2023 Sugar Creek Bible Camp and potential mission trip. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout, by Wednesday, May 17.
May 21: One Worship & Congregational Meeting
The attendance of all members is requested at this congregational meeting on Sunday, May 21. On this day First Lutheran will have one worship service at 9am. Within that time of worship, we will call to order a congregational meeting that simply asks for all our voting members to support our welcome statement. After the meeting, there will be a celebration of both the welcome statement, Sunday School and Confirmation.
Questions about the welcome statement? Pastor Karyn and Pastor Stanton are sharing answers to a few of those questions every other week day, from now until the congregational meeting. Watch them on Facebook, YouTube and on our website at 1stlu.org/statement.
Peer Ministry Commissioning
Our 2023 class of Peer Ministers will be blessed at 9am worship on Sunday, May 21. We want to celebrate all of their hard work this past year to become better ministers to their peers!
Worship Changes for the Summer
Wednesday worship will take a summer break; last service before break is May 31; Wednesday worship will resume Sept. 6
Sunday, June 11: Worship at 8am will be at First, and worship at 10am will be at Riverside Park with the synod (or at UWL Student Union if there is rain)
Starting June 18 thru the summer: Sunday worship will be at 8am and 10am
Outdoor worship at 10am threes times this summer (weather permitting): June 25, July 23 and August 27.
Communion Preparation
Looking for a way to share your gift of service at First? We have an opportunity for people to set up communion for first and second services on Sundays. Interested or have questions? Contact Pastor Karyn (karyn@firstlu.org) or Deb Dinger (ka0sdt@juno.com); she’s here most Sunday’s at first service). Your help is greatly appreciated!
Easter Season Study: A Gospel of Hope
A Gospel of Hope, by Walter Brueggemann, encourages readers to embrace the audacity required to live out one’s faith. Join Pastor Stanton as he offers a 2–3 minute online reflection each weekday rooted in Walter Brueggemann's wisdom on topics ranging from anxiety and abundance to partisanship and the role of faith in public life. Easter is a week of weeks: seven weeks before Pentecost, and a perfect time to explore what it means to live a new life NOW. Find this study on our YouTube and Facebook channels, through the end of May.
Sugar Creek Summer Reg Now Open!
Summer camp registration at Sugar Creek is open, and campers are signing up! Spots for programs are filling up quickly, so make sure you don’t miss out. First Lutheran is happy to reimburse the $100 registration fee (contact the office)! Reg and more info online: sugarcreekbiblecamp.org.
Grant Application Deadline
REMINDER: Grant applications from worthy organizations wishing to request funds from the First Lutheran Foundation are due by June 1! More information about the Foundation Fund and the grant application, can be found on the First Lutheran website under the “Serve” tab, or at 1stlu.org/foundation.
Baptismal Preparation
The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, June 3, 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, May 28. Min. attendance required: 2 families.
Nathan Olson's Senior Recital
Don't miss pianist Nathan Olson's senior recital at First Lutheran on Thursday, June 8, at 7pm. Join us for a night of inspiring classical works on piano and viola, followed by a reception. All are welcome!
Synod Assembly for All
Please know that ALL are welcome to these events of the synod assembly…
Friday, June 9, 7pm: for opening worship at Holmen Lutheran, 228 Morris St, Holmen, WI 54636.
Saturday afternoon, June 10: the public is invited to attend 2 workshops at the La Crosse Center. For non-voting members, the cost is $10 for two one-hour workshops or $25 for lunch & two one-hour workshops. You can register in advance or sign up the day of the event. Workshop 1 begins at 2:15 pm. The workshops will repeat and Workshop 2 will begin at 3:30pm. More info at 1stlu.org/assembly.Workshop topics are…
Church as Family: Moving Beyond Survival - by Pastor Karyn
Jesus & Jazz - by Jon Ailabouni, assembly musician and local freelance artist
Cultivating Life: Giving Relationships in Congregations - by Rev. Jay Wittmore, Executive Director of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center
Ministry with the Younger Generation - by Jacob Sorenson, author and director of Sacred Playgrounds
You Serve Where? The Joys and Challenges of a Rural Call - by Dr. Trisha Wheelock, Director of the Moses Project
Life Giving Action in Climate Change: Solar Power and More - by Rev. Janet Wollam, Creation Care Team Chair
Reconciling in Christ Ministry - by Deacon David Behling, Director of Journey House
Sunday, June 11, 10am: for worship at Riverside Park, downtown La Crosse, followed by a picnic lunch.
Confirmation Camp… For Youth Going Into Grade 8
Our upcoming confirmation students get a chance to start their confirmation journey in the beautiful valley of Sugar Creek, the week of Sunday, June 11, through Friday, June16. We will learn in faith together while we do Bible study, horseback riding, hiking, swimming, campfires, and so much more! For youth going into 8th grade. Questions? Contact Pastor Karyn at karyn@firstlu.org.
Juneteenth Celebration
La Crosse’s annual Juneteenth celebration! Uniting all members of the community in celebration of Black Americans!! Fun, food, entertainment, history, education and connection. At Riverside Park on Sunday, June 18, noon–8pm.
Clothes Closet Needs
The First Teen Clothes Closet is now taking donations for summer attire. Please donate CLEAN, new or gently-used, teen-style clothing and accessories. The donation bins are in between the front doors of our church. Donations can also be dropped off at Trinity Lutheran Church in La Crosse on Mondays from 4-6pm. Feel free to call the church office if you have questions: 608.783.2236. We truly appreciate your donations!!!
Current needs include:
Swimsuits
Hoodies (size XL, XXL and XXXL)
Summer dresses (XL, XXL & XXXL)
Summer skirts (size L, XL, and XXL)
Men's athletic shorts (size XS, S, M, L, XXL, XXXL)
Men's & ladies sweatpants (XS, XL, XXXL, and XXXXL)
Ladies leggings (XXL & XXXXL)
Shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, bodywash, and lotion
Jewelry & make up
Blood Drive
Tuesday, June 27, 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 and mask.
Lutheran World Relief Matching Challenge
When you make a donation to Lutheran World Relief by June 30, your gift will be matched — dollar for dollar — to reach our poorest neighbors suffering from hunger and malnutrition right now.
Donations for Rummage Sale to Support Alzheimer’s
OWLs member Sharon Zimmer and her husband, Chuck, have been married for almost 40 years. Chuck was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at age 60, along with PPA dementia (same kind as Bruce Willis). Sharon has a huge goal of raising $5,000 for EndAlz and Alzheimer’s locally. To do so, she is having a rummage sale in mid-June and is asking for donations of all sorts: clothes, furniture, working appliances, toys, sports gear in good condition, etc. (Please no household paint, tires, cribs or outdated electronics that are costly to dispose of.) If you have something you would like to donate, she can be reached at 608.783.6757 / zimmers725@gmail.com. The money raised for Alzheimer’s will go to research and local education.
Vacation Bible School: Operation Restoration
Plan ahead to be here for Vacation Bible School this summer, Sunday, Aug. 13 through Thursday, Aug. 17, 2022. Invite your neighbors! For 4K through Grade 5 in the fall (3 year olds are welcome to attend in the nursery). Register at 1stlu.org/VBS.
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.
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.
Sunday School
Sunday, May 14
Sunday School
Sunday, May 21
Sunday School Celebration
Questions about Sunday School? Visit 1stlu.org/sunschool.
Confirmation
Sunday:
Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Classes - Fireside Rm
Wednesday:
5:30pm Confirmation Dinner - Fellowship Hall
7pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups
Questions about Confirmation? Visit 1stlu.org/confirm.