Announcements for Foundation Sunday, Apr. 19
INSIDE: Volunteer Work Weekend • Faith Webs Game Day • Wartburg Wind Ensemble
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 THIS 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!
Join us for worship!
Sunday Worship, Apr. 19:
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 Worship, Apr. 22:
6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
Caring Cards
A ministry of fellowship and service that welcomes anyone who would like to join. NEXT: Saturday, Apr. 18, 9–11am, Fireside Rm. If you know a member that would like to receive a card, please let the office know. Questions? Connect with Michelle Logan.
Be a Part of the Synod’s Women of the ELCA
On Saturday, April 18, Coon Valley Lutheran Church will be hosting the La Crosse Area Synod Women of the ELCA Spring Convention. It’s going to be a wonderful day of fellowship and inspiration. Our keynote speaker is Bishop Emerita, the Reverend Dr. April Ulring Larson, who will be speaking on the powerful theme: Perfect Love Casts Out Fear. The day kicks off with registration at 8am, followed by a special worship service at 9am with Pastor Ben Morris and Assistant to the Bishop, Pastor Dione Stepanek.
A few quick things to know:
The Food: We have a delicious lunch planned, and yes—it includes ice cream!
The Offering: We are collecting bathroom tissue for the Bethel Butikk food pantry in Westby. Please bring your donations with you to the convention.
Registration: Because the date is fast approaching, please email or call Mona Van Riper directly to get on the list so we have an accurate lunch count: monavanriper@gmail.com. You can pay at the door when you arrive.
It’s going to be a great turnout and a beautiful day in Coon Valley. We hope to see you there!
Eco-Faith Summit: From Fear to Courage
When: April 18
Where: Duluth, MN
Cost: $30 (Ages 30 & Under: free)
Join people of faith from across the Upper Midwest for a day of inspiration and action in-person or online. Moving from the gloom of the tomb to the courage of the Resurrection, this summit features keynote speakers, hands-on action stations, and community exhibits. Childcare is FREE and available for children ages 3-5th grade and will have Creation Care programming throughout the day. Register here.
Foundation Sunday and Scholarship Recipients
This Sunday we lift up the ministry of the First Lutheran Foundation, and highlight the recipients of this year’s Mabel Anderson Scholarship. Congratulations to these seniors!
Isabella Malecek
Mia Gallant
Kai Gallant
Zander Garbrecht
Bennett Rieber
Easton Glebke
Adam Amundson
Sydney Kranig
Addyson Ferguson
Andrew Stanton
Carter Johnson
Elizabeth Matz
Emma Lieser
Sarah Brewer
Faith Webs Spring Game Day!
All current Faith Webs are invited to get together with their households on Sunday, April 19, at 11:45 am to have fun, enjoy lunch and each other’s company over a couple of games, hosted here at First, after the second service in Fellowship Hall. Questions? Connect with volunteer coordinator, Carla Stanton.
Wartburg Wind Ensemble Concert
Sunday, Apr. 19, 7:30pm at First Lutheran. Free and open to the public. Freewill donations will be accepted to support scholarship and future tours.
Knitters
Prayer shawl knitters meet every Tuesday at 2pm in the narthex. Open to all!
Jazz Worship on Wednesday, Apr. 22
Mark your calendars and make sure to join us for a special worship service of jazz liturgy on Wednesday, Apr. 22, 6:15pm, led by Jon Ailabouni.
High School Group: 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: Apr. 22, 7–8pm. Questions? Connect with megan@firstlu.org.
Wednesday Night Study Group
Pastor Stanton and Pastor Karyn continue to lead their Wednesday Night Study Group, each Wednesday at 7pm through May 20, in Fellowship Hall. The pastors are leading a discussion of the Faith and Civic Life Social Statement, a theologically grounded document from the ELCA that guides Lutherans in civic engagement, aiming to help shape conscience and inform faithful action in public life.
Discipleship Matters: Spring Sessions
Thursdays, Apr. 23, and 30. All Classes are In-Person at Good Shepherd Lutheran, 4141 Mormon Coulee Rd, La Crosse. COST: Free. Register at 1stlu.org/discipleship.
Theological Perspectives, 7:15–8:30pm
Apr. 25: Liberation Theology – Gregg Attleson
Apr. 30: Eye toward Environment - Rev. Ben Morris
Neighbors Day
You may have already heard it’s that time of year: Neighbors Day! Spring yard cleanup is a chore many of us take for granted. Every year, hundreds of community members help La Crosse residents complete yard projects they can no longer do themselves. Join Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, Apr. 25 from 7:30am–1pm. New this year: instead of an afternoon shift, everyone heads to The Nature Place for a community lunch in the park to collectively celebrate our hard work! Registration includes lunch and a light breakfast. Learn more and sign up at habitatlacrosse.org/neighborsday.
Multi-Faith Earth Day Service Invites Community to Celebrate “Rooted Together” @ The Nature Place
The Driftless Region is invited to gather and celebrate our shared value of caring for the earth at a special Multi-Faith Earth Day Service themed “Rooted Together.” This free, community-oriented event will be held on Thursday, Apr. 25 at The Nature Place, with festivities beginning at 4:00pm.
The afternoon kicks off with a free community concert featuring local folk band, Prairie Smoke, starting at 4:00pm. Following the music, at 5:00pm, a multi-faith and spiritual worship service will bring together people of all backgrounds to honor our individual roots of faith, spirituality, and values practices around Creation. The service will include ritual, song, and reflection, celebrating the sacredness of our shared home and the connections that bind us all to the earth. At the start of the service, Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey of La Crosse will share a mayoral proclamation.
Special music will be provided by the St. Francis Choir from Viterbo University. All are welcome to participate in this unique gathering that honors and celebrates the Earth through diverse traditions and shared intentions.
The event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by Lutheran Campus Ministry (LuMin), Franciscan Spirituality Center (FSC), Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA), Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of La Crosse, and Viterbo University.
Event Details:
When: Saturday, April 25th
4:00pm: Free Community Concert with Prairie Smoke
5:00pm: Multi-Faith Earth Day Service featuring the St. Francis Choir
Where: The Nature Place, La Crosse, WI
Cost: Free and open to all
Join us as we come together in community to celebrate, honor, and care for our common home. Together, we are rooted in hope and united in action.
Cottage Meeting
As a part of stewardship for the upcoming year, the congregation is invited to a cottage meeting after the second service on Sunday, Apr. 26, in the narthex.
What do you already love about First Lutheran?
What are our greatest opportunities as a church?
Where could we direct our generosity and energy in the future?
The leadership of First Lutheran want to hear your ideas about where God may be calling us in 2026 and beyond. Lunch will be provided. Come ready to talk about your ideas!
Rescheduled: Young Youth Picnic & Painting
NEW DATE! Sunday, Apr. 26, 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! So materials can be ordered in advanced, kids need to be signed up by Apr. 19. Questions? Connect with katie@firstlu.org.
Middle School Picnic and Park
FOR: All middle school youth
RESCHEDULED: Sunday, Apr. 26, 11:30am–3:30pm
WHERE: Seven Bridges Park
Plan a day of fun, food, and play at Seven Bridges Park. Invite a friend to join—all are welcome! Questions? Connect with madalyn@firstlu.org.
Preschool Springfest Donations
Are you a local business owner or artisan? Our First Lutheran Preschool is looking for donations for its Springfest silent auction fundraiser. Sponsors and silent auction gift baskets are needed. Bring donations to the church office by Tuesday, Apr. 21, noting the value of the donation if it’s not obvious. Questions? Contact melissa@firstlu.org.
Springfest, on Sun, Apr. 26, at 3pm, is our preschool’s major fundraiser and provides an opportunity for preschoolers to showcase their singing talents. After the concert, there is an ice cream social and silent auction. For all family members, grandparents, friends and neighbors! All bids support the ministry of First Lutheran Preschool… so consider any bid over face value as a donation to the preschool’s ministry (and a good way to lock in that bid)!
Love Out Loud Rally
Community rally on Sunday Apr. 26, 2–4pm, on the corner of Losey Boulevard and State Road in La Crosse, to show support for the LGBTQIA community in the La Crosse Area. Co-sponsored by The Center: 7 Rivers LGBTTQ Connection and the UW-La Crosse Pride Center. If you would like an opportunity to create a poster to use at the event, meet from noon–1:30pm at the Center (230 Sixth St. South, La Crosse). Pizza will be provided as well. Questions? Contact us: laxaffirmingchristians@gmail.com.
Chicken Dinner!
Tickets are now available for sale by youth through Apr. 22, or in the office, M–F, 9am–2:30pm, through Apr. 29. Meals cost only $14 presale before Apr. 29, Tickets will be $15 at the door while they last. And most importantly, all funds raised go to support youth going on mission trips and to Sugar Creek Bible Camp! Meals are provided by Premier Catering, and will be available for pick-up at First Lutheran on Thursday, Apr. 30, 11am–6pm. FOR YOUTH: You can checkout ticket packets to sell in the office; Tickets packets are due back to the church office WITH THE MONEY by 7pm on Apr. 22. Youth and families can sign up for a shift to help with takeouts at 1stlu.org/next.
Current Clothes Closet Needs
The First Teen Clothes Closet has been busy! We were fortunate to have the West Salem High School National Honor Society sponsor a clothing drive for FTCC. We are still currently well-stocked and therefore, not taking clothing donations until further notice. FTCC is in need of some very specific teen-styled, new or gently used items. Please donate ONLY these items! Thanks!!
Guys and gals…
Sunglasses
Wallets
Crocs (size 7-15)
Slides (size 7-15)
Athletic leggings
Focus Forward Update
First Lutheran is moving from a season of listening into focused next steps. Through the MAP Survey, Community Leader Gathering, and Cottage Meetings, we’ve gained valuable insight into both our strengths and the opportunities before us. On Apr. 8, the Strategic Planning Support Team got together to distill this input and refine key Mission and Ministry Initiatives, helping to shape our direction and next steps—including the formation of Initiative Teams. In the weeks ahead, members will be invited to engage and participate as this work begins to take shape. This is an exciting and hope-filled time as we move forward together in faith and purpose. Learn more at 1stlu.org/focusforward.
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. 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.
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.
Blessing Graduates
First Lutheran will bless graduates in worship on Sunday, May 3, and Wednesday, May 6. Join us on those days for a special blessing to celebrate this milestone. Graduates will receive more details about this service in the coming days. Also for seniors… please share a senior picture with us for our grad board in the narthex! We are happy to display a wallet size (preferable) or the next size up. Simply drop off a picture in the office during the week or on a Sunday morning.
Funeral Planning Workshop
Sponsored by the Foundation Fund Committee, this special event on Sunday, May 3, at 11:45am will focus on thoughtful funeral planning. Pastors Stanton and Karyn will lead the presentation and discussion on how each of us can make decisions now that will bless our loved ones after our death. If you would like to know more about thoughtful funeral planning, this session is important for you! Lunch will be provided. We encourage all adults (regardless of age) to join us. RSVP at 1stlu.org/next.
Spring Nosh with Neighbors: City Hall, Firefighters, & Police Dept.
Nosh with Neighbors for our city hall workers, firefighters, and police officers will be on May 14. Help set up, serve, clean up, and/or donate food. Monetary donations would be greatly appreciated as well. This is a wonderful opportunity to thank those who are under appreciated and for all the hard work they do for our community. Watch for sign up coming in April to help and donate.
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, Apr. 17, 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.
One Worship, Sunday May 17
There will be only one service on Sunday, May 17, at 9:30am. After worship, we’ll have a potluck and celebration of Sunday School, Confirmation, and Faith Webs. First will provide brats, hot dogs... we encourage members and guests to bring a side or dessert to share! See you there!
Blood Drive
Monday, June 1, noon–5pm. 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/blooddrive. Please bring photo ID. Questions? Connect with Diane Schude.
Baptismal Preparation
The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, June 6, 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, May 31. Min. attendance required: 2 families.
Synod-wide Worship @ Riverside Park
On Sunday, June 7: Worship at 8am will be at First. Worship at 10am will be at Riverside Park with the entire synod. Stay for the picnic and fellowship after worship!
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: June 22. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next.
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…
June 29, 10am
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.
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.
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.
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, Target, 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.
Donations Supporting Ukraine
Lutheran Disaster Response is accompanying companion churches and ecumenical partners in Ukraine, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia to respond to the crisis in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Gifts to “Eastern Europe Crisis Response” will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by the crisis in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Donate at elca.org/LDR.
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, Apr. 19
Sunday School
Sunday, Apr. 26
Sunday School
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool
Kindergarten Faith Building Block: Lord’s Prayer
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.
Sundays, Apr. 19 & 26: parents/guardians with child
Sunday, May 3: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship
Confirmation
Sunday:
9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Classes - Fireside Rm
Wednesday:
5:05pm Confirmation Class
7pm Gr 8 & 9 Confirmation Small Groups
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.
