Announcements for Sunday, Apr 6 2025
INSIDE: Volunteer Work Weekend THIS Saturday • Cottage Meeting • High School Gathering @ All Glazed Up
As a part of stewardship for the upcoming year, the congregation is invited to a cottage meeting after the second service on Sunday, Apr. 6, in the narthex. More details below…
Join us for worship!
Sunday Worship, Apr. 6:
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, Holden Evening Worship, Apr. 9:
5:30pm Lent supper, in Fellowship Hall
6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
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, Apr. 4, 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 2025 Sugar Creek Bible Camp and mission trips. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout.
Volunteer Work Weekend @ First
Who says the Sunshine Team has to have all the fun! Everyone is invited to help with spring cleaning at First Lutheran on Saturday, Apr. 5, at 9am. Great opportunity for youth needing volunteer hours! Great opportunity for all to make First look nice! Refreshments are supplied to replenish your reserves!
Child Engagement Survey
The Engaging Children Initiative of the La Crosse Area Synod wants to hear about your experiences with the church and how they can better address children's spiritual needs! All families and congregations connected to the synod are invited to participate in this survey! This will allow the whole ECI team to develop resources, training, and more that benefits your community and the whole church. The survey takes less than 15 minutes, and can be taken at 1stlu.org/next.
Cottage Meeting
As a part of stewardship for the upcoming year, the congregation is invited to a cottage meeting after the second service on Sunday, Apr. 6, in the narthex.
What do you already love about First Lutheran?
What are our greatest opportunities as a church?
Where could we direct our generosity and energy in the future?
The leadership of First Lutheran wants to hear your ideas about where God may be calling us in 2025 and beyond. Lunch will be provided. Come ready to talk about your ideas!
First Sunday High School Gathering
High school youth gather on the first Sunday of each month, from 11:30am–3pm. NEXT: Apr. 6. WHERE: All Glazed Up to paint some pottery! RSVP at 1stlu.org/next!
Parents/guardians take turns providing the meal; serving and cleaning up. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next! Questions? Contact megan@firstlu.org.
OWLs
On Monday, April 7, our OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First, for anyone 55+) will travel to Sugar Creek Bible Camp for the Yesterday’s Youth event. The program will be about the geology of Wisconsin, and Kickapoo Joy Juice will perform. Cost is $15. To register for the Yesterday’s Youth event, contact volunteer coordinator Brian Narveson before April 16 at owls@firslu.org or 630.816.5917.
On Wednesday, April 16, will have their monthly potluck at noon in Fellowship Hall. Bridget Crave will talk about her trip to India.
More Events @ Sugar Creek
Below are some upcoming events offered by Sugar Creek. For more info or registration, visit sugarcreekbiblecamp.org or call 608.734.3113.
April 7 – Yesterday’s Youth
April 19 – Easter Brunch & Egg Hunt
May 3 – Volunteer Work Weekend
May 16-18 – NEW: Adult Horse Retreat
FLY Flight Crew
"FLY" is the name our kids have chosen for their "First Lutheran Youth" group. And FLY "Flight Crew" is the name our adults have chosen to describe how we plan to move forward with Faith Formation at First. Much like a sports, show choir or band booster club meets to dream about how to support our kids in their activities (and then shows up to actually support the activities) we want parents to do the same as we shape the faith formation of our kids. NEXT: Wednesday, Apr. 9, 5:30pm. Food and child care provided.
Holden Evening Prayer
Join us for Holden Evening Prayer during our Lent worship, on Wednesdays at 6:15pm. There is a light supper beforehand at 5:30pm, in Fellowship Hall.
Easter Flowers
Your gift of $15 to the Easter Fund will be used to purchase flowers to beautify the sanctuary on Easter Sunday. Remaining contributions go toward purchasing new paraments. Please make your gift by Sunday, Apr. 13. Gifts can be placed at 1stlu.org/next, or use the form in the announcements page and turn into the office.
Palm Sunday Breakfast Fundraiser
Sunday, Apr. 13: Fundraiser for youth going on a mission trip or to Bible camp. No coffee hour, Sunday School nor confirmation between services. Breakfast will be served between services. Food donations are needed, and youth can raise funds by working at the breakfast; sign up for both at 1stlu.org/next.
Faith Story Dinner Theater
On Holy Saturday, between the solemness of Good Friday and the good news of Easter Sunday, join us for a Holy Week edition of Faith Story Dinner Theatre, as we read and share some of the Bible stories that God has given us. WHEN: Saturday, Apr. 19, 5:30pm. Reserve your seat at 1stlu.org/next by Wednesday, Apr. 16.
Holy Week Schedule
Holy week is the week leading up to Easter Sunday on April 20, starting with Palm Sunday on April 13. Join us for worship every day of Holy Week…
Palm Sunday, Apr. 13, worship at 8:00am & 10:30am (in-person & live streamed).
Palm Sunday breakfast in Fellowship Hall between services.
No Sunday School nor Confirmation classes.
Monday, Apr. 14, worship at 6:15pm (in-person & live streamed).
Tuesday, Apr. 15, worship at 6:15pm (in-person & live streamed).
Wednesday, Apr. 16, worship at 6:15pm (in-person & live streamed).
Gr. 5 Faith Building Block, bread baking, 4pm.
Maundy Thursday, Apr. 17, worship at 6:15pm (in-person & live streamed).
Gr. 5 Faith Building Block lifted up in worship.
Good Friday, Apr. 18, worship at 12:15pm (in-person & live streamed) & 6:15pm (in-person only).
Faith Story Dinner Theater, Apr. 19, at 5:30pm (in-person only). Reserve your seat at 1stlu.org/next.
Easter Sunday, Apr. 20, worship at 7am (in-person only), 8:45am (in-person & live streamed), and 10:30am (in-person & live streamed).
No Sunday School nor Confirmation on Easter Sunday.
ASSIST WITH HOLY WEEK: To prepare our hearts for Easter Sunday, we worship every day during Holy Week. Individuals and families can assist with this holy time as readers, ushers, communion servers and more. Sign up to help make Holy Week happen at 1stlu.org/next.
The office will be closed at noon on Friday, Apr. 18, and all day Monday, Apr. 21.
Springfest Donations
Are you a local business owner or artisan? Our First Lutheran Preschool is looking for donations for its Springfest silent auction fundraiser. Sponsors and silent auction gift baskets are needed. Bring donations to the church office by Tuesday, Apr. 22, noting the value of the donation if it’s not obvious. Questions? Contact melissa@firstlu.org.
Springfest, on Sun, Apr. 27, at 3pm, is our preschool’s major fundraiser and provides an opportunity for preschoolers to showcase their singing talents. After the concert, there is an ice cream social and silent auction. For all family members, grandparents, friends and neighbors! All bids support the ministry of First Lutheran Preschool… so consider any bid over face value as a donation to the preschool’s ministry (and a good way to lock in that bid)!
Chicken Dinner!
Tickets are now available for sale by youth through Apr. 16, or in the office, M–F, 8am–4pm, through Apr. 23. Meals cost only $12 presale before Apr. 23, Tickets will be $15 at the door while they last. Youth earn money from ticket sales and volunteer for their Bible camp or mission trip. Meals are provided by Premier Catering and will be available for pick-up at First Lutheran on Thursday, Apr. 24, 11am–6pm. FOR YOUTH: Pick up ticket packets at the church office; ticket packets are due back to the church office WITH THE MONEY by 7pm on April 16. Youth and families can sign up for a shift to help with takeouts at 1stlu.org/next.
Young Youth Earth Day
Our Young Youth will create recycled bird feeders for members of First to take home. And if time and weather allow, they will also clean up the block around church! DATE: Tuesday, Apr. 22, 4:30-5:30pm. WHERE: Fellowship Hall. In advance of this Earth Day event, we’re asking all members to please save coated paper cartons and bottle caps! Put in the labeled box in the Narthex before April 13. Think egg, juice and milk cartons, etc.
Lutheran World Relief Support for Myanmar
Your gift to Lutheran World Relief can deliver urgently needed support and care to neighbors affected by earthquakes. Go to Iwr.org/myanmar to donate.
First Teen Clothes Closet Inventory Needs
Clean, new or gently used teen styled clothing in these sizes only:
3x and 4x hoodies
Wallets
Teen Guys:
Dress and casual shirts
(XS, small, 2x1, 3xl & 4xl)
2xl casual shorts
Teen Ladies:
Casual shorts (size 14, 16, 18, 20+)
Tank tops (1x, 2x, 3x, 4x)
Dress pants (size 9/10)
Shirts and tops (4x)
Donations may be placed in the baskets in the entry way.
Faith Web Ideas for April
Here’s an idea for what you can do to strengthen the bond of your Faith Web this April: worship together during Holy Week! Even more ideas & caring conversation questions can be found in the handout at the Faith Webs table and to download at 1stlu.org/webs.
Friends of the Warming Center
The Warming Center provides shelter for the unhoused from November through April. There are many ways to serve, from taking a shift in the shelter to providing a meal. Learn more and sign up at 1stlu.org/next.
New-Member Social
By choosing to become a member, individuals and families commit to being part of a shared mission. People who would like to become members of First Lutheran are invited to a social at David Reay’s on Thursday, May 1, 6pm, where you will get to know more about First and the staff in a relaxed atmosphere. To register your family or ask questions, call our church office at 608.783.2236 or email office@firstlu.org.
Graduation Recognition
First Lutheran will bless graduates in worship on Wednesday, May 7, and Sunday, May 11. Join us on those days for a special blessing to celebrate this milestone. Graduates will receive more details about this service in the coming days.
Spring Nosh with Neighbors
First Lutheran and Onalaska United Methodist Church are hosting a lunch for the city of Onalaska employees on Thursday, May 8. We would like to thank our city hall workers, police officers and fire department for keeping the city of Onalaska safe and running smoothly. Donations should be brought to First Lutheran by 10am on Thursday, May 8, and day-of volunteers should arrive at First Lutheran Church by 10:45am. Show appreciation to our city workers and signup to donate and serve at 1stlu.org/next. Questions? Contact kathryn@firstlu.org.
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 150-200 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: May 19. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next.
Sugar Creek Summer Reg Now Open
Sugar Creek Bible Camp offers 17 unique and powerful summer camp programs, plus retreat ministries for youth in elementary school, middle school and high school – and adults and families! The camp is located on 660 acres in the bluffs and valleys of southwestern Wisconsin. Come learn, relax, encounter Christ and have fun at Sugar Creek Bible Camp! Explore sugarcreekbiblecamp.org for more information about next summer.
Synod Night Out at the Loggers
Save the date! Sunday, June 15, 5pm for a night of baseball fun at Loggers Field on Copeland Ave. Learn more and get tickets at 1stlu.org/next.
Prostate Cancer Support
Navigating a prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment(s), and after-effects is tough and worthy of peer support. Recently, a non-medical First Lutheran member found himself on this path and would like to make himself available for e-mail, phone or in-person conversations with anyone interested in having a friendly ear to listen and provide mutual support. Email awh051230@gmail.com.
HELP ministry
The Health Equipment Lending Program (HELP) is a ministry offered by Holmen Lutheran Church. People can borrow health-care equipment, ranging from crutches, walkers and wheelchairs to commodes and shower chairs. Also available are items to keep, such as transfer belts, braces and disposable briefs. For more information, contact Mary Nicolai at 608-498-0439 (text or leave a voicemail).
Sunday School
Sunday, Apr. 6
9:15am Sunday School
Sunday, Apr. 13
No Sunday School, Palm Sunday; enjoy the Palm Sunday Breakfast between services!
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool
Grade 5 Faith Building Block: Communion
Throughout the year, each age group has 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 have a presence in worship in celebration of the Faith Building Block they learned about.
Sunday, Apr. 6: parents/guardians with child
Wednesday, Apr. 16, 4-5pm: child only, baking communion bread in Fellowship Hall kitchen
Thursday, Apr. 17: Faith Building Block lifted up during the evening Maundy Thursday worship service
Confirmation
Sunday:
Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Class
Wednesday:
5:05pm Confirmation Class: Holy Week… What Does this Mean? - Fireside Rm
5:30pm Lent Supper - Fellowship Hall
7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.
