Announcements for Sunday, July 27, 2025
INSIDE: Outdoor Worship • Teen Shoe Give Away FINAL WEEK
Weather permitting, join us for outdoor worship on Fifth Ave this Sunday, for the 10am service! The potluck after worship will happen, rain or shine, so bring a side dish of your choice!
Join us for Worship!
Worship on Sunday, July 27
8am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
10am: outdoor worship, in-person. Current forecast for Sunday morning. If rain threatens, worship will move indoors. Outdoor worship will not be live streamed.
11am: potluck (rain or shine!); we’ll provide the burgers and brats and ask that you bring a side dish of your choice (nothing with nuts, please).
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…
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.
Newsletter Assembly
It’s a relaxing way to volunteer! Tuesday, July 29, at 10am, to assemble the August newsletter. See you there!
Courageous Men’s Group
The Courageous Men’s Group are men of all ages who meet weekly on Wednesdays at 6am in the Fireside Room for a time of fellowship and study. Contact Jim Knutson or the church office for more info: jim@firstlu.org.
Last Chance! Teen Shoe Give-Away
Teens want to feel good about how they look, and a big part of that is the shoes they wear to school. You can support the First Teen Clothes Closet's back-to-school shoe giveaway and purchase a new pair of athletic-style shoes. A shoe Giving Tree will be in the narthex until the end of July. Take a tag from the tree and buy the pair of shoes described on the tag. The tag will have brand and size wanted. There also will be tags with a dollar amount for a donation if you would rather support the closet with a monetary donation, and we'll buy the shoes. If you donate online through our website, be sure to note that it’s for the shoe drive. RETURN SHOES BY THUR., JULY 31. Your support is appreciated. The shoe giveaway is part of Trinity Lutheran Church's neighborhood block party. We participate because the teen closet is located at Trinity. This is a great way to meet, get to know and serve our neighbor. If you are interested in helping on the day of the event (August 11) you can sign up at 1stlu.org/next.
Support Flood Response and Recovery in Texas
Our hearts break anew with each update about the catastrophic flash floods in South Central Texas. We join the Rev. Sue Briner, bishop of the Southwestern Texas Synod, in her call to “pray, pray, pray for those who are still lost as well as the families of those who are lost, who have died, or who have experienced loss of home or property.” As ever and with your support, the ELCA, through Lutheran Disaster Response, stands ready to walk with our neighbors in the Texas hill country as the floodwaters recede and communities begin to navigate life on the other side of this horrific flood. May we be bearers of the hope found in Christ alone and help shoulder the burden for those who grieve unimaginable loss. Thank you to those who have already offered your prayers and support for this work. GIVE NOW.
Notice Regarding Hospital Visits
Emplify (formerly Gundersen) is changing their protocols for how we know our people are hospitalized. From now on, like the Mayo Health System, YOU will need to tell the office or tell your chaplain at the hospital to notify us if you are in the hospital. Pastor Karyn and Pastor Stanton want to provide whatever pastoral care they can while you and your family are there.
Pastor Paul, Live in Minneapolis!
August 1, 7:30–9:30pm, live event in Minneapolis with Pastor Paul, a progressive Lutheran pastor from our synod, sharing a gospel message of liberation. Talks on digital evangelism, Christian Nationalism, and a Theological Q&A. Learn more at pauldrees.com.
Baptismal Preparation
The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Aug. 2, 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 THIS Sunday, July 27. Min. attendance required: 2 families.
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 with other parts of VBS, please consider! Contact Pastor Stanton: jason@firstlu.org.
Vacation Bible School: Sugar Creek Style!
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.
Sunday, Aug. 3–Wednesday, Aug. 6
5pm dinner in Fellowship Hall
6–8pm VBS program
Thursday, Aug. 7 only…
5pm all-church picnic at Van Riper Park
~6pm swimming at Onalaska Aquatic Center!
Also: 1) Help in the kitchen! Many hands will make light work. Claim ONE night between Sunday, Aug. 3, through Wednesday, Aug. 6, to prep, serve and clean up the meal all VBS families will enjoy together. Food will already be purchased. Menus are decided. We just need a couple hours of your time. 2) Bake/make bars/cookies, too! That's how dessert gets done. Email jason@firstlu.org if you can take a kitchen shift or bake.
All-Church Picnic And Waterslide!
All are welcome to the closing celebration of VBS, starting at 5pm on Thursday, Aug. 7, at Van Riper Park. We’ll eat together outdoors (First will provide the main course; bring desserts/treats to share) and then close with water fun at the Onalaska Aquatic Center!
Sunshine Team
The Sunshine Team meets on the first Thursday of every month. NEXT: Aug. 7, 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.
Sugar Creek Golf Fundraiser
Join Pastor Stanton’s team on Monday, Aug. 18, at Viroqua Hills Golf Course, to raise money for Sugar Creek. Reg and check-in at 11am. Shotgun at 12:30pm. 18 holes: $85/person, 4-person best ball! More info: 1stlu.org/next.
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
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.
Middle and High School Milestones
Jesus loved to gather with his friends, eat good food and talk about what God was up to. Our pastors, following Jesus' example, will host two events in the coming weeks to eat good food and talk about what God is up to in the lives of our youth as they transition into the next step of their education. These middle and high school milestone events are separate events, but will both take place on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 6pm. Dinner is provided. These events are for the student AND their parents/guardians. RSVP to Pastor Karyn at karyn@firstlu.org.
First Teen Clothes Closet Needs
The First Teen Clothes Closest is looking for the following that are all teen-style, clean, new/gently used (donations can be placed in the baskets inside the main entryway):
athletic shorts & pants: sizes XXL-XXXXL
wallets
sunglasses (no scratches, please)
crocs: sizes 7-14
slides (sandals): sizes 7-14
17th Annual First Fest!
On Sunday, Sept. 7, we invite you to join us for worship at 8am or 10:30am, and after the second service relax, catch up with friends, introduce yourself to visitors or members you’ve yet to meet, listen to great music, have lunch and have some fun! FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, so INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!
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 125-150 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: Sept. 29. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next.
Stephen Ministry
If you know of someone who needs a caregiver, please speak with Pastor Karyn, or call the church office: 608.783.2236.
