Announcements for Sunday, May 11, 2025

Announcements
Written By Andrew Stutesman

INSIDE: Blessing Seniors • Jazz Worship • Parents’ Night Out

First Lutheran will bless graduates in worship this Sunday, May 11. Join us for a special blessing to celebrate this milestone. Also for seniors… please share a senior picture with us for our grad board in the narthex! We are happy to display a wallet size (preferable) or the next size up. Simply drop off a picture in the office during the week or on a Sunday morning.

Join us for Worship!

  • Sunday, May 11

    • 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 14:

    • 6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available. Be sure to join us for a special worship service of jazz liturgy, led by Jon Ailabouni.

Bible Matters

Are you looking for the connection between scripture and everyday life? Or maybe a way to dig deeper into the gospel of Matthew? If so, join Pastor Karyn for a year-long journey through the lectionary (our schedule of readings) Monday evenings, 7–8pm, meeting in the narthex. Questions? Contact karyn@firstlu.org.

Jazz Worship with Jon Ailabouni

Be sure to join us for special worship services of jazz liturgy, led by Jon Ailabouni. Two services coming up: Wednesday, May 14, at 6:15pm, and Sunday, May 18, at One Worship at 9:30am.

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 Thursday: 10am in the Upper Room. NEXT: May 15. Led by Carla Stanton.

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.

Tuesday Volunteers

Whether you have a few hours or a full day, individuals or groups are welcome to lend a hand on Tuesdays throughout the year. Bring your gloves, your smile, and your servant heart. Contact the camp office at (608)734-3113 or office@sgrcreek.org to let Sugar Creek know you are coming.

Summer Volunteers

There’s always room for more helping hands during the summer camp season! From kitchen helpers to maintenance assistants to nurses and faith leaders, your gifts are needed. Spend a few days or a whole week making memories with summer staff and campers. Contact program@sgrcreek.org or the camp office.

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 16, 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.

Commissioning Peer Ministers

Our Peer Ministers from 2025 will be blessed at the May 18 One Worship service at 9:30pm. We want to celebrate all of their hard work this past year to become better ministers to their peers.

One Worship & Potluck, Sunday May 18

There will be only one service on Sunday, May 18, at 9:30am. During worship, we will commission our new Peer Ministers. After worship, we’ll have a potluck and celebration of Sunday School, Confirmation and Faith Webs. First will provide brats, hot dogs... we encourage members and guests to bring a side or dessert to share! See you there!

Faith Web Ideas for May

Sit together in worship! Especially on May 18 come for One Worship at 9:30am with lunch and games afterward.

DEADLINE: Thank you for being a part of a Faith Web! We pray these relationships in your church family continue to grow! A reminder that all donations toward the $300 commitment made at the beginning of the school year are due by May 18, 2025.

Middle School Sports Event

Middle schoolers (grades 6-8) are invited to play sports outside! On Sunday, May 18, from 11:30am–1:30pm! Snacks will be provided! If interested in joining please contact the middle school event coordinator, Madi, at madalyn@firstlu.org.

Interests Survey

Let us know what you are interested in being involved in and helping with at First! Take a short survey at 1stlu.org/next.

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.

Worship Changes for the Summer

  • Wednesday worship will take a summer break Memorial Day through Labor Day; last service is May 21 and resumes Sept. 3.

  • Sunday, June 8: Worship at 8am will be at First, and worship at 10am will be at Riverside Park with the entire synod (or back at First if there is inclement weather)

  • Starting June 15 thru the summer: Sunday worship will be at 8am and 10am

  • Three outdoor worship services this summer (weather permitting), followed by potluck: June 29, July 27 and Aug. 24, all at 10am

Young Youth Pic and Kick

  • FOR: Grades K-5

  • WHEN: Saturday, May 31, 11–12:30pm

  • WHERE: Apple Valley Park, W6535 Schilling Rd, Onalaska

Looking for a fun and relaxing way to spend a day outdoors? Join other Firt Lu Young Youth families for a picnic in the park along with a kickball game! Bring your family and friends, pack a picnic basket, and enjoy a day of outdoor fun and community. RSVP to katie@firstlu.org.

📚 Exciting News from the Church Bookstore! 📚

We're introducing a rotating selection of new books to inspire and deepen your faith! Each season, we'll feature fresh titles covering a variety of topics, from spiritual growth and parenting, to Christian living, building blocks and current hot topics. Stop by regularly to explore new reads and find the perfect book to enrich your faith journey. Have a suggestion for a book to include? Email Carolyn at carolyn.wodele@gmail.com.

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.

Foundation Grant Applications Deadline

REMINDER: Grant applications from worthy organizations wishing to request funds from the Foundation Fund are due by June 1! More information about the Foundation Fund and the grant application, can be found at 1stlu.org/foundation.

Baptismal Preparation

The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, June 14, 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, June 1. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

Worship with the Synod @ Riverside Park

Sunday, June 8, at 10am, at Riverside Park. And everyone is invited to join the Synod Assembly Choir (whether or not you are attending the rest of assembly) The choir will rehearse twice before performing at the 10am synod-wide worship service on June 8 at Riverside Park. Learn more about the choir on the synod website.

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.

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 Saturday, June 21, noon–7pm.

Outdoor Worship and Potluck

First will worship outdoors on Fifth Ave for the second service once a month during the summer, on the following Sundays, weather permitting…

  • June 29, 10am

  • July 27, 10am

  • August 24, 10am

Bring your own lawn chairs, perhaps a hat to shade your eyes, and a side dish to share at the potluck (though everyone is welcome at the potluck even if you don’t bring anything!). If the weather's bad that day, we'll move inside. NOTE: There is no live stream of the 10am outdoor service.

Help the ELCA Gathering Build Something BIG in Minneapolis!

Applications are now open to join the 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering planning teams! From creative programming to behind-the-scenes logistics, this is your chance to help shape an unforgettable experience for thousands of young people. We’re heading to Minneapolis — and we want you on the team. Apply by June 30 and be part of the movement! Start your application here, open through June 30.

Vacation Bible School!

Plan to be here for Vacation Bible School this summer, Sunday, Aug. 3, through Thursday, Aug. 7, 2024. Invite your neighbors! For 4K through Grade 5 in the fall (3 year olds are welcome to attend in the nursery). Learn more at 1stlu.org/next.

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.

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.

Sunday School

  • Sunday, May 11

    • Sunday School

  • Sunday, May 18

    • Sunday School celebration at 10:30am (One Worship at 9:30am, celebration follows after!)

  • August 3-7

More info and registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool

4K Faith Building Block: The Keys

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, May 11: parents/guardians with children

  • Sunday, May 18: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Confirmation

  • Sunday:

    • 9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Class

  • Wednesday:

    • 5:30pm Confirmation Celebration

    • 6:15pm Worship

    • 7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups

More info and registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.

Andrew Stutesman
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
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