Announcements for Sunday, Mar. 1
INSIDE: Holden Evening Prayer • New High School Group: WINGS!
NEW High School Opportunity: WINGS!
WINGS (Walking In New Growth & Service) is our post-confirmation high school youth group for students in grades 10–12. WINGS is a space where students deepen their relationship with Christ, wrestle with real-life questions, build friendships, and discover what it means to live out their faith in everyday life. WINGS is a place to belong, to lead, and to take the next step in faith as young adults preparing to fly into the world. Meeting select Wednesdays, March–June, in the Mary Room. NEXT: Mar. 4, 7–8pm. Questions? Connect with megan@firstlu.org.
Join us for worship!
Sunday Worship, Mar. 1:
8am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
10:30am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
Wednesday, Holden Evening Worship, Mar. 4:
5:30pm Lent supper, in Fellowship Hall
6:15pm: 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 7am each Wednesday in the narthex. See you there! Questions? Contact karyn@firstlu.org.
Holden Evening Prayer
Join us for Holden Evening Prayer during 6:15pm worship, every Wednesday during Lent. There will be a light supper beforehand at 5:30pm, in Fellowship Hall.
Sunshine Team
The Sunshine Team meets on the first Thursday of every month. NEXT: Mar. 5, 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 Youth Retreats 2026
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.
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)
Middle School Playground
FOR: All middle school youth
WHEN: Sunday, Mar. 8, 11:30am–4pm
WHERE: Playgrounds of La Crosse
COST: $15/person
Discover the essence of outdoor playground fun brought indoors! Activities include: jumping pillow, a triple lane ninja warrior course with timers and TV monitors, a basketball court with hoops at various heights and much more! We will eat lunch at church and then get on the bus to travel to the playground! Invite a friend—all are welcome! Questions? Connect with madalyn@firstlu.org.
Generosity: Choosing a Life of Overflow
Ever think the Gospel invites us into a fuller life than we regularly experience? The La Crosse Area Synod is forming a short-term learning community of people interested in exploring together what a generous life might look like in our community of La Crosse. We will look to Jesus, the Scriptures, and our own experiences while looking for authentic ways to not only think differently but more importantly, live differently. Intrigued? Email Scott Gabriel at segabriel@viterbo.edu to register for an introductory Zoom session to learn more and/or ask questions. Sessions are Mar. 8 at 4pm or Mar. 19 at 12pm. The group will start immediately after Easter and gather for four sessions in April.
Preschool Open House and Registration
Join us for our open house on Thursday, Mar. 12, from 4:30-5:30pm. Come meet the teachers, see the classrooms, get class options, and registration info for the 2026-27 school year. We accept children ages 2 and up who are potty trained. Registration opens online on Monday, Mar. 16 at 8am at 1stlu.org/preschool.
Welcoming Children and Helping Adults Embrace the Changes
March 12 & 26 on Zoom, 7–8:15pm
Free
Join us for two sessions to explore more ways to engage children during worship and a model for helping adults embrace new ways of doing things, adapted from Pulling Together: A Handbook for Community Change. Organized by our synod’s Discipleship Matters and Engaging Children Initiative. Learn more and register on the synod’s website: 1stlu.org/discipleship.
Parents’ Night Out
Bring your children for an evening of fun with the middle and high school youth groups’ fundraiser! WHERE: at First Lutheran, Friday, Mar. 13, FOR: Birth–12 are welcome (Birth–3 will be in the nursery, ages 4 and up in Fellowship).
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 schol students with 2026 Sugar Creek Bible Camp and service trips. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout.
Young Youth Picnic & Painting
Sunday, Mar. 15, 11:30am–1pm, Fellowship Hall. Young Youth is a group for children in grades K–5. Kids should bring a sack lunch to eat for the “picnic” then we will do a canvas painting tutorial! Please RSVP to Katie by Mar. 8 so materials can be ordered: katie@firstlu.org.
Lent Chili Wednesday
Let it be declared! Wednesday, Mar. 18, is Chili Wednesday! Lent supper is at 5:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. Let us know that you plan to bring a pot/crockpot of chili or soup; sign up at 1stlu.org/next.
Graduation Milestone & Recognition Dinner
Graduates: You and your parents/guardians are cordially invited to mark the milestone of your graduation at First Lutheran’s High School Graduation Recognition Dinner on Sunday, March 22, from 5:30–8pm at the church. Let us take this opportunity to honor you and your accomplishments as you prepare to become a 2026 graduate. RSVP to the church office by March 15: office@firstlu.org / 608.783.2236.
Easter Flowers
Your gift of $20 to the Easter Fund will be used to purchase flowers to beautify the sanctuary on Easter Sunday. Remaining contributions go toward purchasing new paraments. Please make your gift by Sunday, Mar. 29. Gifts can be placed at 1stlu.org/next, or use the form in the announcements page and turn into the office.
Palm Sunday Breakfast Fundraiser
Sunday, Mar. 29: Fundraiser for youth going on mission trips and to Bible camp. No coffee hour, Sunday School, or Confirmation between services. Breakfast will be served9-10:30am.Food donations are needed, and youth can raise funds by working at the breakfast; sign up for both at 1stlu.org/next.
Jazz Worship on Maundy Thursday, Apr. 2
Mark your calendars and make sure to join us for a special worship service of jazz liturgy on Maundy Thursday, Apr. 2, 6:15pm, led by Jon Ailabouni.
Faith Story Dinner Theater
On Holy Saturday, between the solemness of Good Friday and the good news of Easter Sunday, join us for a Holy Week edition of Faith Story Dinner Theater, as we read and share some of the Bible stories that God has given us. WHEN: Saturday, Apr. 19, 5:30pm.Reserve your seat at 1stlu.org/next by Wednesday, Apr. 16.
Holy Week Schedule
Holy week is the week leading up to Easter Sunday on Apr. 5, starting with Palm Sunday on March 29. Join us for worship every day of Holy Week…
Palm Sunday, Mar. 29, 8am & 10:30am worship.
Prayer Walk, all day: download guide at 1stlu.org/prayerwalk.
9am Palm Sunday breakfast in Fellowship Hall between services.
No Sunday School nor Confirmation classes.
Monday, Mar. 30, 6:15pm worship.
Tuesday, Mar. 31, 6:15pm worship.
Wednesday, Apr. 1, 6:15pm worship.
4pm Gr. 5 Faith Building Block, bread baking.
7:15pm Choir rehearses for Easter Sunday.
Maundy Thursday, Apr. 2, 6:15pm worship.
Gr. 5 Faith Building Block lifted up in worship.
Good Friday, Apr. 3, worship at 12:15pm (live streamed) & 6:15pm.
10:00am Justice & Peace Stations of the Cross (starts at Rose Convent, in La Crosse).
Faith Story Dinner Theater, Apr. 4, at 5:30pm. Reserve your seat at 1stlu.org/next.
9am Easter decorating. Sign up to help at 1stlu.org/next.
Easter Sunday, Apr. 5, 7am (in-person only), 8:45am, and 10:30am worship.
No Sunday School nor Confirmation on Easter Sunday.
ASSIST WITH HOLY WEEK: To prepare our hearts for Easter Sunday, we worship every day during Holy Week. Individuals and families can assist with this holy time as readers, ushers, communion servers and more. Or help prep as part of the “stage crew!” Sign up for both at 1stlu.org/next.
The office will be closed at noon on Friday, Apr. 3, and all day Monday, Apr. 6.
Help the Salvation Army Feed Local Families
Every day, families in our community go to bed hungry. The Salvation Army, along with Hunger Task Force, have a monthly food distribution where they hand out 100–150 boxes of food to help supplement the monthly food needs for those in need. These boxes are filled with dry goods, both boxed and canned items. They also provide meat, dairy, bread eggs etc. that we may have available.
But Salvation Army has been informed that starting in March, to expect a shortage of donated food items for their monthly food distribution. The Salvation Army has reached out to First and other area churches to ask for donations. Anything helps. Together, we can put food on the table.
How you can help:
Donate items to The Salvation Army, at 223 N. 8th St., La Crosse
Drop offs can be made M-F 8am-4pm
Most needed food items:
Canned vegetables, beans & soup
Rice, pasta & cereal
15.5 oz. cans of Apricot halves, cling slice peaches, or black beans
Peanut butter & canned protein
Cooking oil & spices
Sugar Creek Summer Reg Now Open
Sugar Creek offers 17 unique and powerful summer camp programs, plus retreat ministries for youth in elementary school, middle school, and high school – and adults and families! Located on 660 acres in the bluffs and valleys of southwestern Wisconsin. Come learn, relax, encounter Christ, and have fun at Sugar Creek! Explore sugarcreekbiblecamp.org for more information about next summer.
NEW! 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 with Abby Vans. 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 1stlu.org/next.
Garden Ministry
First Lutheran has a wonderful history of producing vegetables for area food pantries throughout the summer and fall months. For this upcoming season we are looking for a new team of gardeners, willing to plan, plant, cultivate, water, and harvest our garden this year. Volunteer coordinators Steve Lind and Jennifer Peickert are ‘in,’ so you will not be doing it alone! It’s a community garden that no singular person or family is responsible for.
If you’re interested in joining our team, sign up at 1stlu.org/next and we’ll add you to the group who will get together in March as we plan out what kind of abundance to reap in the fall.
Friends of the Warming Center
The Warming Center provides shelter for the unhoused from November through April. There are many ways to serve, from taking a shift in the shelter to providing a meal. Learn more and sign up to help at cclse.org/la-crosse-warming-center.
Focus Forward Update
First Lutheran is moving from a season of listening into focused action. Mission and Ministry Initiatives are being refined and shared through Cottage Meetings and leadership gatherings this winter and spring. Members will soon be invited to help shape and launch this work, with broader participation opportunities coming this fall. Learn more and stay connected at the Focus Forward page on our website: 1stlu.org/focusforward.
Mabel Anderson Scholarship
The Mabel Anderson scholarship application is now available online at 1stlu.org/scholarship. Completed applications are due on Wednesday, Apr. 1. Students may apply if they will graduate from high school in the spring and have plans to pursue post-secondary education. The application includes writing an essay and completing an online form that reflects the student’s involvement in church activities. Contact the office with any questions: office@firstlu.org / 608.783.2236.
Baptismal Preparation
The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Apr. 4, 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, Mar. 29. 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 at Coulee Golf Bowl on Thursday, Apr. 9, 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.
Volunteer Work Weekend @ First
Who says the Sunshine Team has to have all the fun! Everyone is invited to help with spring cleaning at First Lutheran on Saturday, Apr. 18, at 9am. Great opportunity for youth needing volunteer hours! Great opportunity for all to make First look nice! Refreshments are supplied to replenish your reserves!
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: Apr. 13. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next.
All-Ages Service Trip to Duluth
When: July 8–12, 2026
Where: Duluth, MN
For: Everyone... really and truly everyone is invited! (minors must be accompanied by an adult)
What is an All-Ages Service Trip? It is an opportunity for members of our congregation to experience serving side by side across all ages. When other families have gone on similar trips, the ages of participants were as young as 4 through upper 70s. We learn, serve, and grow in faith together plus have a whole lot of fun. If you have any questions, please reach out to Michelle Renkas.
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).
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!
Sunday School
Sunday, Mar. 1
9:15am Sunday School
Sunday, Mar. 8
9:15am Sunday School
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool
Grade 4 Faith Alive Building Block: Apostles’ Creed
Sunday, Mar. 1: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship
Grade 5 Faith Alive Building Block: Communion
Throughout the year, each age group will have a special “Faith Building Block” session 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, Mar. 8: parents/guardians only
Sundays, Mar. 15 & 22: parents/guardians with child
Wednesday, Apr. 1, 4–5pm: child only, baking communion bread in Fellowship Hall kitchen
Thursday, Apr. 2: Faith Building Block lifted up during Maundy Thursday worship service
Confirmation
Sunday:
9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Classes - Fireside Rm
Wednesday:
5:05 Confirmation Class: Women Can’t Be Pastors, the Bible Tells Me So - Fireside Rm
5:30pm Lent Supper - Fellowship Hall
7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Confirmation Small Groups
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.
