Announcements for Sunday, June 1, 2025
INSIDE: High School Kayak & Paddle Board • Foundation Grant 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.
Join us for Worship!
Worship Sunday, June 1
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.
Know a Graduating High School Senior?
Do you know a graduating high school senior who plans to attend WTC, Viterbo or UWL this fall? Refer them to Lutheran Campus Ministry so they can extend a radical welcome and community support! luminelca.org/refer-a-student. Congratulations to the senior class of 2025!
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.
Faith Webs Reminder
A reminder to all supporters that donations toward the $300 commitment made at the beginning of the school year are now due. Thank you for being a part of a Faith Web! We pray these relationships in your church family continue to grow!
📚 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.
High School Kayak & Paddle Board
The high school youth group is planning a fun afternoon on the water after church on Sunday, June 1!
Time: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM (meet at church)
Cost: $20-25
Waiver/Permission Slip: Sent out once we confirm numbers
The plan:
After the service, quick lunch at church ~11:30am
Head to Island Outdoors for 2 hours of kayaking or paddle boarding
Return to church by 3pm
They’ll be renting gear through Island Outdoors, so a head count is needed. RSVP to megan@firstlu.org by May 30 so we can reserve the equipment. We’re looking forward to a great day of fun and fellowship on the water!
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.
Library's Creation Space Meets at FSC
While the La Crosse Public Library’s Creation Space undergoes renovations, the Franciscan Spirituality Center will open the doors of its Clare Art Room to all community members for creative projects and drop-in making. Please join us at 920 Market St., La Crosse, for a Creation Space Launch Event on Tuesday, June 3.
Open house: 3-5:30 p.m.
Creative session with instruction: 5:30-7 p.m.
All ages are invited to attend! After the launch event (starting June 4), weekly Creation Space hours will be:
Monday: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (First Tuesday of the month features a guided craft project.)
Wednesday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thursday and Friday: 9 a.m.-noon
The FSC has free parking and is wheelchair accessible. If you need accommodation for any reason, please call the library at 608-789-7100 or email info@lacrosselibrary.org.
Coffee with Pastor Karyn
Coffee with Pastor Karyn is open to all and meets at 7:00am each Wednesday in the narthex. See you there! Questions? Contact karyn@firstlu.org.
Sunshine Team
The Sunshine Team meets on the first Thursday of every month. NEXT: June 5, 9:30am. Various jobs: cleaning, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, washing windows and cleaning carpets. Help make First look nice! Refreshments are supplied to replenish your reserves! Dues are free! Questions? Contact Dan at dan@firstlu.org.
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.
Sugar Creek’s Leaders Engaged as Disciples
You know how powerful a week at camp can be in shaping a young person’s faith. Summer at Sugar Creek is just around the corner, and there’s still time for families in your congregation and life to register their kids for a life-giving, Christ-centered camp experience they won’t forget. But we also want to make a special ask. Please personally encourage a rising 11th or 12th grader to apply to the LEAD (Leaders Engaged as Disciples) program. This 4-week experience equips young people with leadership tools, a deeper faith, and real hands-on ministry practice, preparing them to serve not just at camp, but at home in your church and community. We’ve seen past LEADers return home to plan worship, lead Bible studies, and step into roles that transform their congregations. And this summer, three former LEADers are joining our summer staff!
Do you know a teen ready to grow? A student on the edge of something bigger? A quiet kid with untapped gifts? Reach out. Give them the nudge. Sometimes all it takes is one invitation to step into something life-changing.
Click Here for Evan's Story as a LEAD and for Application Information. Insider scoop: Evan’s a member of First!
Let’s raise up the next generation of faith-filled leaders—together!
Sing in the Choir @ 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.
Worship Changes for the Summer
Sunday, June 8: Worship at 8am will be at First. Worship at 10am will be at Riverside Park with the entire synod. Inclement weather location: Our Savior’s Lutheran, La Crosse.
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.
Wednesday worship takes a summer break and resumes Sept. 3.
Office Hours Changing
Starting June 9 office hours will be changing, and the office will be open from 9am–3pm, M–F.
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.
Discipleship Matters 2025 Summer Courses
Nurturing life-long learning in members of the La Crosse Area Synod; all summer courses are offered via Zoom online and are FREE! Register at lacrosseareasynod.org.
June 26, 6:30–7:45pm, Home from the Borderlands: An overview of what was seen and learned during our Synod’s Border Immersion Trip.
July 10 & July 17, 6:30–7:45pm, At the Intersection of Faith & Politics: ELCA members Brad Pfaff and Brian Rude will share how they understand the intersection of faith and politics in their own careers and life. They will share where they see hope and how Lutherans can respond. The first class will be more general in nature, with time for questions and answers. The second gathering will focus on 2-4 topics, or questions that came up during our first conversation.
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 at elca.org/gathering.
Accompaniment: Peru Companion Synod
The La Crosse Area Synod is launching a campaign to raise $15,000 for our companion synod, the Lutheran Church of Peru. Thanks to a generous gift from Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, which closed this month, your donations will be matched dollar for dollar up to $7,500. Learn more about our companion relationship and give today at lacrosseareasynod.org/companion-synod-peru.
Upcoming Office Closures
The office will be closed on Friday, July 4, for Independence Day.
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.
Lead Sunday School & VBS
There are opportunities to serve as a Sunday School teacher and a leader in VBS. A Sunday School teacher is a commitment of 1 or 2 weekends a month in which you connect with our congregation's children. It is super easy with the curriculum. VBS is another way to connect, this is so fun and is high energy. If you like to play games or would like to help organize or help in any way, please consider! Contact Pastor Stanton: jason@firstlu.org.
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.
Cancer Support
Navigating a cancer diagnosis, treatment, and after effects is tough and worthy of peer support. A non-medical First Lutheran member, Al Hutson, has been on this path and would like to make himself available to anyone interested in having a friendly ear to listen and provide mutual support. Contact him via email: awh051230@gmail.com, or phone/text: 563-343-8391.
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).
