Announcements for Sunday, Oct 19
INSIDE: Faith Webs Deadline • Middle School Hidden Corn Maze • Advanced Directive Workshop
Volunteer Work Weekend
Who says the Sunshine Team has to have all the fun! Everyone is invited to help with fall cleaning at First Lutheran THIS Saturday, Oct. 18, at 9am. Great opportunity for youth needing volunteer hours! Great opportunity for all to make First look nice as we look forward to the upcoming holiday season! Refreshments are supplied to replenish your reserves!
Join us for worship!
Sunday Worship, Oct. 19
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 Worship, Oct. 22
6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
Middle School Hidden Trails Corn Maze
This Sunday, Oct. 19, 11:30am–2:30pm. Admission: $14/per person. Activities include four different mazes, large culvert slides, human hamster wheels, little duck races and many yard games! We will meet at church and leave as a group in the bus. Please let Madi know if you would like to join or if you have any questions by emailing madalyn@firstlu.org.
Advanced Directive Workshop
Did you know that Wisconsin is not a next-of-kin state for medical decision-making? If you reside in Wisconsin, designating a medical decision-maker is incredibly important, regardless of your age. Join the workshop this Sunday, Oct. 19, at 11:45am, and learn more about how to legally designate a medical decision-maker. We'll also talk about Advanced Directives: a lifelong conversation with yourself and your loved ones about what medical decisions you would want them to make for you in case you can't make them for yourself. We'll learn and explore together, in hopes of leaving feeling empowered. For anyone 18 and older. Lunch included.
It's Butter Braid Season!
Selling Butter Braids is a popular way for young people to earn money toward their summer camp and trip expenses. The order forms for Butter Braids are available in the church office. The deadline for returning your order forms, with the money, is THIS Sunday, Oct. 19. Butter Braids will be available at the church for pickup on the afternoon of Monday, Nov. 10. A portion of every sale is put in the seller's camp/trip account to defray costs.
Faith Webs Youth Registration Deadline!
Youth participating in summer ministries (camp, service trips) in 2026 have until THIS Sunday, Oct. 19 to sign up to be a part of a Faith Web! Head to the Faith Web table in the Narthex to learn more! Questions? Connect with volunteer coordinator, Carla Stanton. More info on Faith Webs? Visit 1stlu.org/webs.
Strategic Plan and MAP
First Lutheran is partnering with Kairos & Associates to identify a few clear mission/ministry initiatives to guide our church for the next 1–5 years. Our consultant, Tim Johnson, will be working with our Strategic Planning Support Team and will help us listen well and focus our next steps. The congregational survey, the MAP—the Missional Assessment Profile—is the first opportunity to share your input. Your voice matters! This survey will go live on October 20 and will be available both online and on paper. Please keep this process in your prayers as we seek God’s direction for FLC’s future. Questions? Connect with Pastor Stanton: jason@firstlu.org.
Knitters
Prayer shawl knitters meet every Tuesday at 2pm in the narthex. Open to all!
Fall Festival
Save the date on your calendar for Saturday, Oct. 25, 2–4pm, and join us here at First for an afternoon of fall activities and trunk-or-treating! Sign up to help prep and with activities at the event at 1stlu.org/next.
Jazz Worship on Wednesday, Oct. 29
Mark your calendars and make sure to join us for a special worship service of jazz liturgy on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the 6:15pm service, led by Jon Ailabouni.
Faith Webs
Are you a household that would like to be a supporter in a Faith Web? Today's the day! As stated when Faith Webs kicked off in September, we’re asking households of our congregation to support youth going to Bible camp and mission trips in the following ways…
with your time
with your prayers
with your talents
with your activities
with some food (they’re kids after all!) and…
with money (every child gets the support of $300 per household)
To be connected, go to 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!
Youth Lead @ Minneapolis
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 1, 9am–4pm
FOR: High school youth.
LED BY: Youth! Adults who equip and allow youth to lead! Powered by Peer Ministry Leadership.
THE GOAL: Every church will raise the bar in how they invite youth to be EQUIPPED, EMPOWERED and ALLOWED to lead.
Event starts at 9am in Minneapolis, so our group from First will leave from church around 6:15am. Questions? Connect with Megan Olson, High School Events Director / Peer Ministry Leader: megan@firstlu.org.
Sugar Creek Youth Retreats 2025-26
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! Learn more at sugarcreekbiblecamp.org.
November 1, 2025: Pretzels and Prayers – Twisting Our Hearts Toward God, Elementary Retreat (Grades 1-5)
November 7-8, 2025: Pizza and Identity – Discovering Who You Are, Slice by Slice, Middle School & High School Retreat (Grades 6-12)
February 6-7, 2026: Bagels and Belonging – Exploring Community and Inclusion, High School Retreat (Grades 9-12)
March 6-7, 2026: Cookies and Covenant – God’s promises and our response, Confirmation Retreat (Grades 6-10)
March 21, 2026: Subs and Service – Stacked High with Ways to Serve, Elementary Retreat (Grades 1-5)
Cloud of Witnesses: All Saints Sunday
We honor our brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone before us on All Saints Sunday, Nov. 2, at 8am and 10:30am. All services will be in-person and live streamed at 1stlu.org/live.
All Saints Day has long been a day when the church gives thanks for all the saints, the beloved, who have died, especially in the past year. In the coming weeks, we will ask for photographs of your beloved dead so that we can be surrounded by their witness at All Saints worship. These pictures can be sent electronically (to office@firstlu.org) or brought in. They will be printed as 4X6, so resolution should be such that they can be printed well from what you submit. If your loved one was a member of our congregation and died this past year, you will receive a letter with a special request. All Saints Day isn’t only about those who have died, but also about those who have been newly baptized. If your child was baptized this past year, you also will receive a special request. Please note, we will continue to use the photos that were submitted in previous years, so no need to resend those photos.
Meet Your Faith Web!
We’re hosting the first Faith Web introduction event on Sunday, Nov. 2, between services, in the sanctuary. A great time to connect with everyone in your web and trade contact info! Save the date!
Connecting with the Gospel of John
Are you looking for a connection between scripture and everyday life? Or maybe a way to dig deeper into the gospel of John? If so, join Pastor Karyn for one or both of these opportunities: On Nov. 10 and 17, from 6–7pm, an overview of the gospel Jogn… and starting on Nov. 24 at 7pm, a year-long journey through the lectionary (our schedule of readings). Both will meet in the narthex. Cost of the yearlong class is $20 for the devotional study book we will use.
Baskets of Belonging
Baskets of Belonging is part of the coordinated approach to support people leaving homelessness by surrounding them with circles of care. The drive, taking place now through Nov. 16, is hosted by the Pathways Home Faith Action team in partnership with the La Crosse County and City of La Crosse's Pathways Home plan to address homelessness. First Lutheran is asked to collect 30–40 of each item listed below.
Sets of 4 glasses
Silverware sets (spoons, forks, table knives)
In addition, the drive is asking every congregation to consider donating a few higher price items: cutting knife sets, pots/pans, mixing bowls, and towel sets. All items should be new or like-new. Questions? Connect with karyn@firstlu.org.
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, Nov. 21, 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 2026 Sugar Creek Bible Camp and ervice trips. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout.
Clothes Closet Needs for Fall/Winter
The First Teen Clothes Closest is limiting donations to the following (only teen-style, clean, NEW or gently used). Donations can be placed in the baskets inside the main entryway. NO T-SHIRTS or JEANS, PLEASE.
hoodies
athletic pants
wallets
sunglasses (no scratches, please)
teen styled jewelry
teen styled winter coats
teen styled winter boots
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 60-80 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: Dec. 1. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next.
Volunteer Opp: Road to Bethlehem
Road to Bethlehem is an interactive drive-through live nativity at Sugar Creek Bible Camp held on the first Saturday of December (this year, Dec. 6). After, guests are invited into the Manna Center for hot chocolate and Advent-themed activities. Sugar Creek is looking for 6 congregations or families to adopt a post on the nativity trail, with 2–8 helpers for each station. You'll receive a script, props, costumes, a heat source and a few live animals! You provide the people and bring back great photos to share your adventure! Have old Christmas pageant costumes? Sugar Creek is seeking donations of gently used costumes for events like Road to Bethlehem. Interested? Contact Sugar Creek at 608.734.3113 / camp@sgrcreek.org.
All-Ages Service Trip to Duluth
When: July 8–12, 2026
Where: Duluth, MN
FOR: Everyone... really and truly everyone is invited! (minors must be accompanied by an adult)
What is an All-Ages Service Trip? It is an opportunity for members of our congregation to experience serving side by side across all ages. When other families have gone on similar trips, the ages of participants were as young as 4 through upper 70s. We learn, serve and grow in faith together plus have a whole lot of fun. If you have any questions, please reach out to Michelle Renkas.
Middle School Service Trip to Milwaukee
July 12–17, 2026. With the help of Youthworks, our middle school youth will partner with food pantries, meal centers, local gardens and intergenerational care centers. In the evenings, they’ll explore the city a bit and maybe even have some beach time on Lake Michigan. Sign up during September for the trip, and for Faith Webs. The first 13 to sign up are guaranteed a spot. All subsequent registrations are subject to additional transportation capacity. More info: 1stlu.org/next. Questions? Want to sign up? Contact madalyn@firstlu.org.
High School Service Trip to Hazlet, NJ
When: July 19–25, 2026 (travel days TBD)
Where: Hazlet, NJ
FOR: High school youth
Info meeting: Oct. 12, 11:30am
From July 19–25, 2026 (travel days TBD) high school students will take part in a Home Repair Workcamp organized by Group Mission Trips. Participants will team up to assist residents in Hazlet by tackling essential repairs like porch and deck upkeep, painting, wheelchair ramp installation, and other critical maintenance. It’s an opportunity where teens can grow in community, stride in faith, and witness the difference that kindness in action can make. Together, we’ll build more than ramps—we’ll build connection, compassion and lasting memories. More info: 1stlu.org/next. Questions? Want to sign up? Contact megan@firstlu.org.
Fundraising to Support Our Youth
Your weekly groceries, gas and shopping money can support youth ministry! Scrip cards are often sold in the narthex on Sundays between services, and are also available in the church office M–F, during office hours. We have Festival, Kwik Trip, Target, Walmart and Woodman's cards. We now accept credit cards as a payment method (transaction fees are added to the face value of the scrip card). To find out what's currently available and when you can buy them, call the church office at 608.783.2236 or send email to office@firstlu.org.
Donations Supporting Ukraine
Lutheran Disaster Response is accompanying companion churches and ecumenical partners in Ukraine, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia to respond to the crisis in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Gifts to “Eastern Europe Crisis Response” will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by the crisis in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Donate at elca.org/LDR.
OASIS Respite Program
OASIS is a weekly program for people in the beginning to mid-stages of dementia, Alzheimer's and other brain-related diagnoses. This respite time provides socialization, brain enrichment and activities while the person's caregiver gets a much-needed four-hour break. The suggested donation is $20 per visit for the activities and a nutritious lunch. OASIS is an outreach program of Causeway Caregivers and can be reached at 608-780-0417.
Regarding Hospital Visits
For Emplify & Mayo: Our goal is to visit each member at the hospital. It is important that you or a family member contact us directly at the church office: 608.783.2236. Neither hospital gives out information regarding who is hospitalized.
Sunday School
Sunday, Oct. 19
9:15am Sunday School
Sunday, Oct. 26
9:15am Sunday School
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool
3-Year Old Faith Alive Building Block: Praying Together
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 (in Fellowship Hall), sharing in conversation and growing together in faith. Most sessions last for three weeks, and afterward, children will have a presence in worship in celebration of the Faith Building Block they learned about.
Sundays, Oct. 19 & 26: parents/guardians with children
Sunday, Nov. 2: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship
Confirmation
Sunday:
9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Classes - Fireside Rm
Wednesday:
6:00pm Gr 10 Confirmation Rehearsal Dinner - Fellowship Hall
7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Confirmation Small Groups
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.
