Announcements for Sun, Oct 4
INSIDE: Time to switch giving! • Outdoor Worship @ Sugar Creek • Preschool 3K opening
Outdoor Worship @ Sugar Creek
Even if you aren’t attending any other part of the Faith Filled 48 this weekend, all are welcome to the outdoor worship at Sugar Creek on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 2pm!
Join us for Worship!
Sunday Worship, October 4:
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 7:
6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
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/givingchanges 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.
Quilts in the Sanctuary
Our quilters made 177 quilts since last October, which will be on display in the sanctuary this Sunday. Next Tuesday, the quilters will box up the quilts for shipping. On Saturday, Oct. 10, they will take the boxes of quilts to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, where the boxes will be loaded onto the Lutheran World Relief semi-truck, which will take them to the nearest LWR warehouse for distribution worldwide.
One 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!
Coffee with Pastor Karyn
Coffee with Pastor Karyn is open to all and meets at 7am each Wednesday in the narthex. See you there! Questions? Contact karyn@firstlu.org.
Youth Choir (grades 3–7)
First Lutheran's Choir Director, Cori Vought-Carey, leads a Youth Choir for grades 3-7 that will rehearse 5:30–6pm in the choir room most Wednesdays before worship (and the occasional Sunday morning after second service). Full schedule available online in the Church Center group. Questions? Connect with corissa@firstlu.org.
Sing!
Do you like music? Do you enjoy singing, even if it’s in the shower? Do you appreciate the power of music in worship? Then put all of these things together and join the First Lutheran Choir! Practice is in the choir room most Wednesdays, at 7:15pm. Everyone 14 and older are welcome… there is no audition and no formal training required, just a desire to enhance worship through the beauty of music! For more info contact Corissa at corissa@firstlu.org.x
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.
Deadline for EARLY BIRD registration AND deposit: Oct. 7.
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.
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 at Coulee Golf Bowl on Thursday, Oct. 8, 6:30 pm, (📍NOTE time change) where you will get to know more about First and the staff in a relaxed atmosphere. To register your family or ask questions, head to 1stlu.org/next.
Baptismal Preparation
The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Oct. 10, 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, Oct. 4. Min. attendance required: 2 families.
Parenting With Purpose: Chaos To Calm, Conflict To Connection
Presenter: Jim Castellano, certified professional life coach. Saturday, Oct. 10, 9am–noon. COST: $35 with discount code PARENT30. Supervised activities for youth ages 6-13. Reg at FSCenter.org / 608-791-5295.
Faith Webs Registration Opens for Youth
Youth participating in summer ministries (camp, service trips, ELCA Gathering) in 2027 can sign up to be a part of a Faith Web TODAY! Head to the Faith Web table in the Narthex to learn more! Youth signup deadline is Oct. 31. Questions? Connect with volunteer coordinator, Carla Stanton. More info at 1stlu.org/webs.
Calling all bakers! Cookies for LuMin
Fall is almost here... and with that, the return of students! First has signed up to provide 400 cookies for mid-October! Cookies need to be delivered to our office by Monday, Oct. 12, at 3pm. Sign up 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
Dates: Mondays — Oct. 12, & Oct. 26
Time: 6pm–7pm
Location: Nursing Center Collins Auditorium, Viterbo University (La Crosse, WI)
Cost: Free and open to all
Jazz Worship on Wednesday, Oct. 14
Mark your calendars and make sure to join us for a special worship service of jazz liturgy on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the 6:15pm service, led by Jon Ailabouni.
OWLs Fly to St. Francis Hermitage
The OWLs’ (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First, for anyone 55+) outing in October will be a wonderful and hopefully fall color-filled drive to St. Francis’ Hermitage in Gays Mills, WI. Volunteer coordinator, Brian, has tried to plan the trip during peak color season so everyone can enjoy the beauty of fall along the river and in the bluffs. This new adventure will take place on Friday, Oct. 16. We will leave the church at 10am. The drive is a little over an hour. If you would like to participate in this beautiful outing and culinary event, RSVP to Brian: owls@firstlu.org / 630-816-5917. Cost of lunch at the Hermitage is on your own.
Women of the ELCA Fall Gathering
Theme: “I am Worthy, She is Worthy”
When: Saturday, Oct. 17
Where: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, La Crescent MN
Cost: $20 (paid day of event)
The WELCA Fall Gathering is quickly approaching! Less than 3 weeks away! Register with Mona at 608-857-3474 / monavanriper@gmail.com, by Friday, Oct. 9. Fellowship, coffee, treats begin at 8am.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Salvation Army: Serving Hope, One Meal at a Time
The Salvation Army shelter in La Crosse provides 64 residents stability and an opportunity to get their feet back underneath of them and planted on solid ground. One of the ways this is done is by providing 3 meals a day. Each and every day, volunteers are needed at The Salvation Army La Crosse to help serve these warm, nourishing meals to those who need them most. These volunteers share their love and kindness with those they are serving. In addition to this, we welcome members of the community facing food insecurity to get a lunch each day of the week. In June, we served an average of 130 community meals each day. These meals are made possible by the compassion and service of volunteers—offering not only nourishment, but hope. If you are interested in learning more about how volunteers help us serve the community, please go online at centralusa.salvationarmy.org/lacrosse or call Rick at 608-782-6126 ext. 226 for more info.
Subscribe to Living Lutheran
Living Lutheran has brought back its print magazine publication. The storytelling you know and love will appear in mailboxes with four issues each year (spring, summer, winter and fall). Subscribe for the latest news, reflections and stories from the ELCA. Visit livinglutheran.org/subscribe to set up an individual subscription. If you have already subscribed – thank you!
Advocacy and Public Policy
Wondering how you can make your voice heard? Not sure how to call your elected leader or what you should say once you have them on the phone? There are two organizations that align with our values that can help!
The Lutheran Office of Public Policy Wisconsin Action Center has all the tools you need to take action on the state level. Find them at loppw.org/action.
ELCA Advocacy has all the tools you need to take action on the national level. Find them at: elca.org/how-we-serve/elca-in-society.
Sunday School
Sunday, Oct. 4
9:15am Sunday School
Sunday, Oct. 11
9:15am Sunday School
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool
Grade 3 Faith Milestone: The Bible
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 Block they learned about.
Sunday, Oct. 11: Faith Milestone lifted up in worship
Confirmation
Sunday:
9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Classes First Day - Fireside Rm
Wednesday:
6:15pm Worship
7:00pm Gr 8–10 Confirmation Small Groups
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.
