Announcements for Sunday, May 18, 2025
INSIDE: One Worship this Sunday • Faith Webs Deadline • Middle School Sports Event
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 hamburgers, brats, hot dogs... we encourage members and guests to bring a side or dessert to share! See you there!
Join us for Worship!
One Worship Sunday, May 18
9:30am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
Followed by a potluck and celebration of Sunday School, Confirmation, Faith Webs. First will provide hamburgers, brats, hot dogs... we encourage members and guests to bring a side or dessert to share!
Wednesday, May 21:
6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available. This will be the last Wednesday service before the summer break; Wednesday worship will resume on Sept. 3.
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. Blessing to…
Kennedy Everson
Bella Quackenbush
Anna Donnadieu
Katie Olson
Elle Pierre
Alea Runde
Tessa Reitzel
Megan Olson
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 hamburgers, 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.
Knitters
Prayer shawl knitters meet every Tuesday at 3:30pm in the narthex. Open to all!
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
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 First 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.
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.
THIS Tuesday! (and every Tuesday) – Volunteer at camp! More info below
June 5 – Fireside Theater “Church Basement Ladies: The Last Potluck”
August 18 – Golf Fundraiser
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.
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.
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.
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.
Blood Drive
Monday, July 14, 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/next. Please bring a photo ID.
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 18
Sunday School celebration at 10:30am (One Worship at 9:30am, celebration follows after!)
August 3-7
Vacation Bible School: learn more at 1stlu.org/next
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.
Sunday, May 18: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship
Confirmation
Sunday:
Celebration of confirmation after One Worship!
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.
