Announcements for Sunday, July 6, 2025
INSIDE: Shoe Tree for Teen Clothes Closet • Discipleship Matters
The office will be closed this Friday July 4, for Independence Day. Have a blessed and safe July Fourth weekend!
Join us for Worship!
Worship Sunday, July 6
8am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
10am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Volunteer Appreciation Picnic
Sunday, July 13, from 11:15am-1pm at the first shelter in Rowe Park, for all volunteers who make Faith Alive! happen at First Lutheran. Bring your lawn chairs and come to play! Mark the date so that we may celebrate those among us who give their time and energy to Christ’s mission! RSVP by July 9 at 1stlu.org/next.
High School Beach Day
Our high school youth (those going into grade 9–12) will have a beach day on Sunday, July 13. They will go to either Black River beach or Pettibone beach for an afternoon of fun in the sun! Leaving the church around 11:30am and back by 3pm. RSVP to Megan Olson at megan@firstlu.org to let her know you’re coming and if you have a food allergy for lunch (we'll have lunch at the beach).
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.
Middle School Tie Dye Party!
Middle schoolers (grades 6-8) are invited to a tie dye party! July 20, 11:30am–1:30pm, in the church parking lot. Please bring a white item of clothing to tie dye! RSPV to middle school event coordinator, Madi, madalyn@firstlu.org.
Experience Live from Lutheran Summer Music
June 22–July 20, experience over 30 inspiring concerts, recitals, and worship services online through Live from LSM. Highlights include the beloved Bach Cantata Eucharist, the Festival of Hymns, the debut Faculty Organ Recital, and Festival Week performances by the Festival Band, Orchestra, and Choir. Explore the full schedule and tune in at LSMacademy.org/2025. All events are free and available to stream live or on demand. Don’t miss this transformative celebration of music, faith and community!
Engaging Children Initiative Book Study
Monday, July 21, 6:30–8pm on Zoom. How can communities of faith make meaningful changes that respect relationships and give us a vision forward? A book study on Pulling Together. Highly recommended for congregations considering applying for 2026 cohort opportunities. Learn more at lacrosseareasynod.org.
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.
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 during most of July. Take a tag from the tree and buy the pair of shoes described on the tag. The tag will have the 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 cash donation, and we'll buy the shoes. Last year we handed out over 120 pairs of shoes during the one-day shoe giveaway. 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 12) you can sign up at 1stlu.org/next.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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).
