Faith Building Block: Grade 3—The Bible
Our third graders are gifted a new Bible and learn about God’s word in this Faith Building Block.
Faith-Filled-48! @ Sugar Creek
First Lutheran's 48-hour festival @ Sugar Creek! Come for any or all of the fun, faith-filled 48 hours!
Parents' Night Out @ Sugar Creek
An evening of fun for elementary kids and younger, and a relaxing night for the parent(s)!
Faith Webs Opens to Supporters
The opportunities are endless & God shows up in big ways when people choose to connect & support one another.
Butter Braid Fundraiser
Fall fundraiser for youth going to camp & mission trip.
Parent Share
Join Carla Stanton, certified spiritual director and mom of 3, in room 201 every Sunday, 9:15am while the kids are at Sunday School.
Assist with Story Time
At the 10:30 Sunday service, during the sermon, the non-preaching pastor will lead Story Time in the Choir Room, for all kids aged 4 through 3rd grade, as parents choose.
Story Time is a 10-15 minute mini-lesson about the story being preached in worship. There will likely be a song, a dramatic reading, prayer and definitely an opportunity to move around.
Kids will return to their families during the Hymn of the Day, immediately after the sermon is completed.
You can help:
We need 2 parents each week to accompany this crew as it can be quite large and more than any one pastor can handle alone.
We hope every parent that is likely to make use of this Story Time ministry can spare a week or two over the course of the year so no one has to miss the adult sermon in the sanctuary with any regularity.
Please sign up for at least TWO dates when you can accompany the group with the Pastor to the Choir Room, stay there during the lesson and lead them all back to the sanctuary. It really is just assisting with 'classroom management' kind of stuff.
OWLs Fly to Yesterday's Youth @ Sugar Creek
OWLs fly to Sugar Creek for Yesterday’s Youth.
First Teen Clothes Closet Open Shopping
Help with our First Teen Clothes Closet open shopping on Monday nights!
Wednesday Evening Worship
In-person worship on Wednesdays at 6:15pm, and also live streamed.
Wed. Night Study Group
Join Pastor Stanton and Pastor Karyn as for a Wednesday Night Study Group.
Baptismal Preparation
Contact the office to schedule: 608.783.2236 / office@firstlu.org
Faith Building Block: 3-Year Old—Praying Together
Our 3-yr olds learn about prayer in this Faith Building Block.
Sunday Morning Bible Study
Join Madalyn Olson-Loomis for a year-long discussion of Sunday’s sermon and Narrative readings.
High School Service Trip Info Meeting
Learn more about the 2026 High School service trip to New Jersey.
ConFest
An evening of fellowship and worship for confirmation youth in the La Crosse Area Synod.
Grief Support Group
Join with others who have experienced loss, and receive support from one another. Every third Thursday.
New-Member Social
People who would like to become members of First are invited to this informal gathering, where you will get to know more about First and the staff in a relaxed atmosphere. Click here to reg & learn more.
Parents' Night Out
An evening of fun for elementary kids and younger, and a relaxing night for the parent(s)!
Volunteer Work Weekend for Fall @ First
Great opportunity to make First look nice!
Faith Webs Youth Signup Deadline
For any school-aged child looking to have a faith based experience at a Bible camp or service trip.
Advanced Directive Workshop
Learn about Advanced Directives, and how to legally designate a medical decision-maker.
Grade 10 Confirmation Rehearsal
Dinner, group photo & rehearsal for Affirmation Sunday, for all grade 10 confirmands affirming their faith.
Fall Festival
It’s time to fill our parking lot with trunks full of treats for neighborhood kids!
Affirmation of Baptism
We give thanks for the gift of baptism & for the confirmands who make public affirmation of their baptism.
Youth Lead
LED BY: Youth! Adults who equip and allow youth to lead! Powered by Peer Ministry Leadership.
THE NEED: “Youth are either leading or they are leaving.” If the church is to survive, today is the day to say to youth, “We need you!” Youth must be the church of today, not just the church of tomorrow.
THE GOAL: Every church will raise the bar in how they invite youth to be EQUIPPED, EMPOWERED and ALLOWED to lead.
THE THEME:
The THRILLS! – Experiencing meaningful, purposeful adventures in faith.
The CHILLS! – Mind blowing surprises of God’s love, grace, peace and hope
The SKILLS! – Practical, repeatable, relational faith and life skills
Event starts at 9am in Minneapolis, so our group from First will leave from church around 6:15am.
Questions? Connect with Megan, megan@firstlu.org.
Elementary Retreat @ Sugar Creek
Experience how to connect with the living God at Sugar Creek!
Faith Building Block: Grade 1—Ten Commandments
Our 1st graders learn about the 10 commandments in this Faith Building Block.
Faith Web Fall Meet-up
Meet everyone in your Faith Web and trade contact info!
Peer Ministry
Peer Ministry is a great way for our 10th graders to learn about how to deal with any situation.
Middle & High School Retreat @ Sugar Creek
Experience how to connect with the living God at Sugar Creek!
Rescheduled: “First Fest” Dinner Theater
Join us for the First Fest version of our Dinner Theater!
Advent Around the Table
Join us for this intergenerational event, to grow in our faith as we begin the Advent season.
Christmas Cookie Decorating
Decorating Christmas cookies together, in the Fellowship Hall.
Christmas Caroling
Hop on a bus and take a ride around Onalaska to visit and carol to those who need extra Christmas cheer!
Faith Building Block: Grade 2—What's Fair
Our 2nd graders learn about God’s love and “What’s Fair” in this Faith Building Block.
Faith Webs Winter Game Day!
Faith Web households are invited to get together, for fun, lunch & company over a couple of games.
Faith Building Block: Grade 4—Apostles' Creed
Our 4th graders learn about the Apostles’ Creed in this Faith Building Block.
High School Retreat @ Sugar Creek
Experience how to connect with the living God at Sugar Creek!
Confirmation Retreat @ Sugar Creek
Experience how to connect with the living God at Sugar Creek!
Peer Ministry Commissioning
Peer Ministry is a great way for our 10th graders to learn about how to deal with any situation.
Faith Building Block: Grade 5—Communion
Our 5th graders learn about and prepare for the sacrament of communion in this Faith Building Block.
Elementary Retreat @ Sugar Creek
Experience how to connect with the living God at Sugar Creek!
Graduation Milestone & Recognition Dinner
Graduates, you and your parents/guardians are invited to mark the milestone of your graduation at First.
Palm Sunday Breakfast Fundraiser
Between services enjoy a Palm Sun breakfast, a fundraiser for youth participating in summer ministries.
Mabel Anderson Scholarship Deadline
College scholarship for high school graduates who are members of First.
Faith Building Block: Kindergarten—Lord's Prayer
Our students in Kindergarten learn the Lord’s Prayer in this Faith Building Block.
Volunteer Work Weekend for Spring @ First
Great opportunity to make First look nice!
Faith Webs Spring Game Day!
Faith Web households are invited to get together, for fun, lunch & company over a couple of games.
Chicken Dinner Fundraiser
Fundraiser for youth ministries, and an easy meal for your home!
Blessing Graduates
We invite our graduates and their families to worship, for a special blessing in celebration of this milestone.
Faith Building Block: 4K—The Keys
Our students in 4K learn about “the keys” of confession & forgiveness in this Faith Building Block.
Faith Webs Commitment Deadline!
A reminder that all donations toward the commitment made at the beginning of the school year are due.
One Worship & Celebration
Only one worship service on this Sunday, for everyone to celebrate together the ministries of Sunday School, Confirmation and Faith Webs.
Confirmation Camp @ Sugar Creek
Confirmation Camp, for youth entering grade 8 in the fall.
Sending Sunday
Help send off our middle school, high school and all-ages service trips as they begin their summer ministries.
All-Ages Service Trip @ Duluth, MN
Serving in Duluth, MN, from July 8–12, for ALL AGES!
Middle School Service Trip @ Milwaukee
Serving in Milwaukee, from July 12–17, for youth currently in grades 6–8
High School Service Trip @ Hazlet, NJ
Serving in Hazelt, NJ, from July 19–25, for youth currently in grades 9–12.
Vacation Bible School
Plan ahead to be here for Vacation Bible School this summer!
All-Church Picnic & Waterslide!
Church-wide picnic at Van Riper Park! Food and fellowship for all, and water-park fun for kids!
ELCA Youth Gathering 2027 @ Minneaplis
The next gathering will be June 28–July 2 in Minneapolis!
Sunshine Team
Meeting 1st Thur of every month at 9:30am, to help with odd jobs around First.
All-Ages Service Trip Info Meeting
Learn more about the 2026 All-Ages service trip to Duluth.
High School Outdoor Movie & Campfire
A perfect way for our high school youth to spend a fall evening!
Quilt Auction & Fall Festival @ Sugar Creek
Join the Annual Quilt Auction & Fall Festival at Sugar Creek Bible Camp!
First Day of Sunday School!
Reg your children, get more info, meet the teachers, & get the ball rolling!
Funeral for Rick Schneiderman
We lift in prayer the family and friends of Rick Schneiderman.
OWLs Fly to Lanesboro for Theater
OWLs fly to Lanesboro for dinner and a play at the Commonweal Theatre.
Entering High School Milestone
For youth and their parents/guardians as they transition into high school.
Entering Middle School Milestone
For youth and their parents/guardians as they transition from elementary to middle school.
Sunday School Teacher & Volunteer Orientation
Orientation for Sunday School teachers & volunteers.
Faith Webs Thank You Sunday
Gathering all Faith Webs together one last time, to bless these relationships and to say thank you.
Blessing Backpacks & Devices/Students & Staff
Join us for a blessing to start the school year, for all students & staff, K–college.
Fall Nosh with Neighbors: Pertzsch, Preschool & Headstart
Help provide a lunch to the staff of Pertzsch, First Preschool and UMC Head Start as they kick-off a new school year.
Sugar Creek Golf Tournament Fundraiser
The annual Sugar Creek fundraiser at Viroqua Hills Golf Course. Contact Sugar Creek directly for more info: 608.734.3113
Northside Neighborhood Block Party @ Trinity
Come celebrate community & join in the fun at the Northside Neighborhood Block Party!
Young Youth Dog Day!
Grades K-5 will learn how to be good stewards of God’s faithful creatures!
Volunteer Appreciation Picnic
Celebrating everyone at First who helps bring Faith Alive!
Shoe Drive
Purchase new athletic shoes for First Teen Clothes Closet, so youth have nice shoes for the start of school.