Announcements for Sun, Oct 18
INSIDE: Job opening • Jazz worship • Monday Meals
Monday Meals @ Trinity
This Monday, Oct. 19, help plan and prepare the meal to feed the community in our area. More details below…
Join us for Worship!
Sunday Jazz Worship, October 18:
Be sure to join us for a special worship service of jazz liturgy, led by Jon Ailabouni.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, October 22:
6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
Jazz Worship on Sunday, Oct. 18
Mark your calendars and make sure to join us for a special worship service of jazz liturgy on Sunday, Oct. 18, at both services, led by Jon Ailabouni.
Parent Share
Join Carla Stanton, member of First, certified spiritual director and mom of three, in room 201 every Sunday morning at 9:15am. At Parent Share, we pray and talk about raising our children faithfully. Questions? Click here to contact Carla.
It’s time to switch!
With the launch of Church Center, it is now time for everyone’s next step! And that’s to begin giving on Church Center, and to close out giving on Vanco (our former online giving platform). Know there is more than one way to access Church Center…
Using our Church Center app (go to 1stlu.org/app on your phone to download)
Head to 1stlu.org/switch to start the switch and to learn more. But the basic idea is this: You will need to cancel your giving on the old platform (Vanco) and then start your recurring giving on our new Church Center platform. If you would like us to cancel your Vanco giving for you, submit your request at 1stlu.org/cancelrequest. If you have any questions, connect with andy@firstlu.org.
Knitters
Prayer shawl knitters meet every Tuesday at 2pm in the narthex. Open to all!
Life Together Small Groups
It’s not too late to join a Life Together small group! Around WWII Dietrich Bonhoeffer led an underground seminary in a remote, chilly place called Finkenwalde. There he and his students lived, in community, the daily rhythms of life and prayer which are spelled out for us in his short book Life Together, which our small groups will study for six weeks starting Wednesday, Oct. 14, learning how to take actionable steps towards building lasting and meaningful communities. Sign up for a small group today at 1stlu.org/next.
Monday Night Community Meals
For many years, Trinity Lutheran Church on the north side 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. New for 2026: Cookie bakers! Help bake a batch of 4 dozen cookies! NEXT: Oct. 19. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next.
Coulee Region Immigration Summit 2026
When: Tue, Oct 20, 6–8pm
Join Coulee Region Immigration Task Force to watch episode 5 of Immigration Nation (“The Right Way”), followed by a facilitated discussion. Free to attend, but registration is required.
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. 23, 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 2027 Sugar Creek Bible Camp, service trips and the ELCA Gathering. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu/nightout.
Fall Festival
Save the date on your calendar for Saturday, Oct. 24, 2–4pm, and join us here at First for an afternoon of fall activities and trunk-or-treating! It’s one of the bigger events that draws in those who aren’t members at First, so help extend a warm welcome! Sign up to help prep and to help with activities during the event at 1stlu.org/next.
Religion, Society and Civility
Civility isn’t just about being polite—it’s the foundational social norm that undergirds citizenship and makes a healthy society possible. Join us for a joint series co-hosted by the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University and the La Crosse Area Synod of the ELCA as we explore critical questions: How can we restore civility to our lives, and what role does religion play in that restoration? Learn More
When: Monday, Oct. 26, 6pm–7pm
Where: Nursing Center Collins Auditorium, Viterbo University (La Crosse, WI)
Cost: Free and open to all
Your Legacy: Family, Church, and Charity
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 11am
Register at lsswis.org/thrivent26
Location: First Lutheran, Fellowship Hall
Lunch provided
Meet with reps from LSS, Thrivent, and the First Lutheran Foundation Fund to learn about wills, bequests, and estate planning to provide lasting support even after you are gone for the people, places, and organizations that mean the most to you. Contact Jennifer Williamson at LSS with questions: jennifer.williamson@lsswis.org or (414) 391-5058.
OWLs Halloween Potluck
The OWLs’ (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First, for anyone 55+) October potluck will be a Halloween party. They will have a costume contest with a prize for the winners. Costumes are optional but please come and join the fun. That will be followed by a fun selection of Halloween games. Bring your favorite fall dish to pass, wear your most creative costume and come join the fun and fellowship! This not to be missed event is Thursday, Oct. 29 at noon (NOTE change in date) in the narthex.
Middle School Halloween Party
On Friday, Oct. 30, from 6–8:30pm, our middle schoolers are invited for a night of food, pumpkin painting, games, music and more! Invite a friend—all are welcome! Questions? Connect with middle school event coordinator, Madi via email: madalyn@firstlu.org or text: 612-327-2230.
Faith Webs Registration Opens for Youth AND Supporters
Are you a youth who has yet to place your name in the Book of Faith Webs? Or a household that would like to be a supporter in a Faith Web? Today's the day! We’re asking households of our congregation to support youth going to Bible camp and mission trips in the following ways…
with your time
with your prayers
with your talents
with your activities
with some food (they’re kids after all!) and…
with money (every child gets the support of $300 per household)
To be connected, go to the Faith Webs table in the narthex. Thank you for entering into the shared goal of raising and supporting our kids! Together we are building community!
Youth registration deadline is Oct. 31. And Faith Webs are NOW OPEN TO SUPPORTERS (and remain open to supporters until all Faith Webs are filled). Questions? Connect with volunteer coordinator, Carla Stanton at the Faith Webs table. More info at 1stlu.org/webs.
Middle School Service Trip @ Louisville, KY
June 27–July 2, 2027. With the help of Youthworks, our middle school youth will partner with food pantries, meal centers, local gardens and intergenerational care centers. In the evenings, they’ll explore the city a bit. Sign up during September for the trip, and for Faith Webs. The first 13 to sign up are guaranteed a spot. All subsequent registrations are subject to additional transportation capacity. More info: 1stlu.org/next. Questions? Contact madalyn@firstlu.org.
High School ELCA Youth Gathering @ Minneapolis, MN
When: June 28–July 2, 2027 (with departure and arrival dates being close to these dates)
Who: Youth participants must be in 8th to 12th grade at the time of registration (fall 2026). Adult leaders accompanying youth to the Gathering must be at least 21 years old at the time of the Gathering.
The ELCA Youth Gathering for high school-age youth takes place every three years and is about faith formation, worship, study, fellowship, service and play. It is an opportunity for youth to engage with peers from across the United States and the world who share a common commitment and faith in Christ.
When the question “Why work so hard to gather so many young people in one place?” pops up, the response is really quite simple. We were meant to be together, and we are a church that believes God is calling us into the world — together. So every now and then, we gather young people and adults together to share their unique stories and to experience the larger story that makes up the ELCA; we gather to be inspired, encouraged, strengthened, connected and sent out to do God’s work in the world — together!
Learn more at 1stlu.org/next.
Job Opening: Assistant Custodian
First Lutheran Church is looking for a part-time Assistant Custodian with knowledge and experience in general building maintenance and cleaning procedures. Physical ability to do housekeeping and maintenance tasks which include kneeling, standing, reaching and pulling. Time expectation is 10 hours per week. Learn more and apply at 1stlu.org/jobopen.
First Teen Clothes Closet Current Needs
The First Teen Clothes Closet will start taking limited donations. Donate only clean, teen-styled, seasonal clothes, accessories, shoes, & coats. Leave the donations in the bins by the front doors.
The Closet is in need of the following:
Hooded sweatshirts
Jogging Pants
Athletic pants
Graphic T-shirts
Men's jeans
Winter coats
Winter snow boots
Sunglasses
Wallets
Purses
All clothes 3X-5X
⚠️ NO SWEATERS NOR WOMEN'S JEANS
One 3K Spot Remaining!
Our First Lutheran Preschool has one 3K spot remaining! 8:З0am–11am Tues/Thur, ages 2–5; all kids must be potty trained. Contact melissa@firstlu.org to claim today!
Hunger Task Force Current Needs
Peanut Butter
Canned Meat
Pasta/Pasta Sauce
Donations can be dropped off at the Hunger Task Force office: 1240 Clinton St, La Crosse, WI 54603.
Cloud of Witnesses: All Saints Day
We honor our brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone before us during special worship on All Saints Day, Sunday, Nov. 1, at both services, both in-person and live streamed.
All Saints Day has long been a day when the church gives thanks for all the saints, the beloved, who have died, especially in the past year. In the coming weeks, we will be asking for photographs of your beloved dead so that we can be surrounded by their witness at All Saints worship. These pictures can be sent electronically (to karyn@firstlu.org) or brought in. They will be printed as 4X6, so resolution should be such that they can be printed well from what you submitted. If your loved one was a member of our congregation and died this past year, you will receive a letter with a special request.
All Saints Day isn’t only about those who have died but also about those who have been newly baptized. If your child was baptized this past year, you also will receive a special request.
Please note, we will continue to use the photos submitted last year, so no need to resend those photos.
Faith Webs Fall Meet Up!
We’re hosting the first Faith Web introduction events on Sunday, Nov. 1, between services, in the sanctuary. A great time to connect with everyone in your web and trade contact info! Save the date! Questions about Faith Webs? Visit 1stlu.org/webs or connect with Carla Stanton at the Faith Webs table in the narthex.
Warming Center Nov–Apr
The Warming Center needs 48 dinners to ensure guests have a warm meal EVERY evening of winter. Pick up a night to make a meal with your family, co-workers, neighbors, or youth group. It can be as simple as making "sack lunches" for all of the guests or as extravagant as you'd like! You can also place an order for pizzas or tacos on your night, if that is what works best for you.
Remaining orientation dates:
Mon, Oct 19, 5-6pm
Wed, Oct 21, 9-10am
Questions? Contact khein@cclse.org
Baptismal Preparation
The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Dec. 5, 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 608.783.2236 by Sunday, Nov. 29. Min. attendance required: 2 families.
New Members
By choosing to become a member, individuals and families commit to being part of a shared mission. Please let us know if you are interested in membership. One of our pastors will connect with you to find out how we may best be church together in the months and years to come. Call our office for more information at 608.783.2236 or email office@firstlu.org.
Ride to Church Ministry
If you would like a ride to church for Sunday morning, Wednesday evening, or for a ministry at any other time of the week, you can now connect with Bridget, our volunteer ride coordinator, to schedule a free ride. Do so by emailing ride@firstlu.org or by calling the church office at 608.783.2236 48+ hours in advance; rides for Sunday need to be scheduled by Thursday. More details at firstlutheranonalaska.org/ride.
Fundraising to Support Our Youth
Your weekly groceries, gas and shopping money can support youth ministry! Scrip cards are often sold in the narthex on Sundays between services, and are also available in the church office M–F, during office hours. We have Festival, Kwik Trip, Walmart and Woodman's cards. We now accept credit cards as a payment method (transaction fees are added to the face value of the scrip card). To find out what's currently available and when you can buy them, call the church office at 608.783.2236 or send email to office@firstlu.org.
OASIS Respite Program
OASIS is a weekly program for people in the beginning to mid-stages of dementia, Alzheimer's and other brain-related diagnoses. This respite time provides socialization, brain enrichment and activities while the person's caregiver gets a much-needed four-hour break. The suggested donation is $20 per visit for the activities and a nutritious lunch. OASIS is an outreach program of Causeway Caregivers and can be reached at 608-780-0417.
Regarding Hospital Visits
For Emplify & Mayo: Our goal is to visit each member at the hospital. It is important that you or a family member contact us directly at the church office: 608.783.2236. Neither hospital gives out information regarding who is hospitalized.
Sunday School
Sunday, Oct. 18
9:15am Sunday School
Sunday, Oct. 25
9:15am Sunday School
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool
3-yr Olds Faith Milestone: Praying Together
Throughout the year each age group will have a special “Faith Milestone” 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 Milestone they learned about.
Sundays, Oct. 18 & 25: parents/guardians with children
Sunday, Nov. 1: Faith Milestone lifted up in worship
Confirmation
Sunday:
9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Classes First Day - Fireside Rm
Wednesday:
6:00pm Gr 10 Confirmation Rehearsal Dinner
6:15pm Worship
7:00pm Gr 8–9 Confirmation Small Groups
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.
