Announcements for Sunday, Aug 31, 2025
INSIDE: Office closed Labor Day • Wednesday Worship resumes
The church office will be closed on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1. And with Labor Day upon us, that means summer is drawing to a close and Wednesday worship will resume on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 6:15pm! Join us for worship!
Join us for worship!
Sunday worship, August 31
8am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
10am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
Wednesday worship, September 3:
6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
Faith Webs Evaluation
We'd like to learn more about the impacts of this ministry. If you were a member of a Faith Web this past year, please take a short (1 minute) survey at 1stlu.org/next!
Lead Sunday School
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. If you like to play games or would like to help organize, please consider! Contact Pastor Stanton: jason@firstlu.org.
Office Closed for Labor Day
In observance of the Labor Day holiday, the office is closed Monday, Sept. 1.
Synod Care Companions
Is God calling you to be a Care Companion? Trained to listen without judgment and support others during difficult times? Consider if you or someone you know has this gift and could serve the body of Christ by offering encouragement and companionship. These trainings are facilitated by local leaders and underwritten by a grant from the Siebert Lutheran Foundation, making registration only $25 per person. Training Dates are September 13 & 25, 2025. Apply by Monday, Sept. 1. Click to apply.
Changes in Worship Times
With summer drawing to a close, worship times will change, and will be as follows…
Wednesday, Sept. 3
6:15pm, Wednesday evening worship resumes
Sunday, Sept. 7 (First Fest Sunday)
Sunday worship changes back to 8am & 10:30am
Sunshine Team
The Sunshine Team meets on the first Thursday of every month. NEXT: Sept. 4, 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.
Dinner Theater
The First Fest Dinner Theater has been rescheduled, and will now take place on Saturday, Nov. 15.
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!
Blood Drive
Monday, Sept. 8, 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 have ever given. Just ask anyone who’s ever received it. Walk-ins welcome; appointments encouraged, schedule yours at 1stlu.org/next. Please bring a mask and photo ID.
Confirmation Guides
You don’t need to know the Bible backwards & forwards & you don’t need a seminary degree. Just a heart for the youth of our church & an hour each week to spend with our confirmation youth. Parents, grandparents, godparents or any faith-mature adult is welcome to facilitate conversation and build relationships between our confirmands on Wednesday nights. Contact Pastor Stanton to nominate someone: jason@firstlu.org/608.783.2236.
Wednesday Night Study Group
The Wednesday Night Study group starts up again this fall, on Sept. 10 at 7pm. Join Pastor Stanton and Pastor Karyn as they take a closer look into the heresies surrounding Christianity.
Fall Festival & Quilt Auction @ Sugar Creek
Saturday, Sept. 13. Beginning at 9am: 5K Trail Run and Fun Walk. At 10am: craft fair, country store, silent auction, and BBQ pork lunch. Your presence and generosity at this cherished event supports Sugar Creek’s Christ-centered summer camps and retreats, making unforgettable faith experiences possible for children, youth, and families. Enjoy a full day of fun, fellowship, and fall festivities! More info at sugarcreekbiblecamp.org.
Young Youth Hike
Our Young Youth, for children in grades K–5, will meet at Greens Coulee on Saturday, Sept. 20, 10:30am–noon, for a hike up to the summit, taking some mindfulness breaks along the way. They’ll then hike part way down to the picnic tables for a snack and some nature I-spy, before the meander their way back to the beginning. Questions? Connect with Katie Pierre, Young Youth Events Director, katie@firstlu.org.
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.
Calling All Bakers! Cookies for LuMin!
Fall is almost here... and with that, the return of students! Five hundred (about 42 dozen!) cookies are needed each week, and First has signed up to provide 500 cookies for early October! Cookies need to be delivered to our office by Monday, Sept. 29, at 3pm. Thank you! Sign up to bake a batch of cookies at 1stlu.org/next!
First Teen Clothes Closet Needs for Fall
Summer clothes donations no longer needed. 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):
graphic t-shirts, sizes XL-XXXL
athletic shorts & pants, especially XL-XXXXL
wallets
sunglasses (no scratches, please)
teen styled jewelry
Baptismal Preparation
The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Oct. 11, 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, Oct. 5. Min. attendance required: 2 families.
New-Member Social
By choosing to become a member, individuals and families commit to being part of a shared mission. People who would like to become members of First Lutheran are invited to a social on Thursday, Oct. 16, 6pm, where you will get to know more about First and the staff in a relaxed atmosphere. To register your family or ask questions, call our church office at 608.783.2236 or email office@firstlu.org.
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, Oct. 17, 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 2026 Sugar Creek Bible Camp and service trips. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout.
Sugar Creek Youth Retreats 2025-26
Retreats are one of the best ways to build relationships among youth, adult leaders and the wider community. Sugar Creek retreats allow you to show up and be with your age group, knowing that you can enjoy all of the fun and activities. Save these dates for your calendar now! Learn more at sugarcreekbiblecamp.org.
November 1, 2025: Pretzels and Prayers – Twisting Our Hearts Toward God, Elementary Retreat (Grades 1-5)
November 7-8, 2025: Pizza and Identity – Discovering Who You Are, Slice by Slice, Middle School & High School Retreat (Grades 6-12)
February 6-7, 2026: Bagels and Belonging – Exploring Community and Inclusion, High School Retreat (Grades 9-12)
March 6-7, 2026: Cookies and Covenant – God’s promises and our response, Confirmation Retreat (Grades 6-10)
March 21, 2026: Subs and Service – Stacked High with Ways to Serve, Elementary Retreat (Grades 1-5)
410 Prayers
Join Kathryn for a time of prayer, every Monday–Friday, at 4:10pm, on our Facebook page.
Happy Birthday!!
If you have received a birthday postcard from First in the last several months and still have it, bring it into church Mon–Fri, 9am–3pm and pick up a small gift.
Help Those in Need
If you are looking for ways to help locally, go to the Ugetconnected site to find a variety of needs, from writing letters or drawing pictures to seniors, to delivering pre-packaged meals or sewing. It's hard to keep track of all the various organizations, so this is a great spot to find out how you can help. Go to 1stlu.org/needs.
Register for Sunday School & Confirmation
Advance registration is now available online for both Sunday School and Confirmation:
Sunday School: 1stlu.org/sunschool.
First day: Sunday, Sept. 7, 9:15am in the sanctuary.
Confirmation: 1stlu.org/confirm.
Gr 8–10 small groups first day: Wednesday, Sept. 10, 7pm
Gr 6–7 classes first day: Sunday, Sept. 14, 9:15am, Fireside Rm
