Announcements for One Worship Sunday, May 17
INSIDE: One Worship • Faith Webs Deadline • Middle School Party
Middle School Party
FOR: All middle school youth
WHEN: Sunday, May 17, 11:30am–3pm
WHERE: First Lutheran
Come celebrate the end of the school year with outdoor games and food! Questions? Connect with madalyn@firstlu.org.
Join us for One Worship!
Sunday One Worship, May 17:
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, May 20:
6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
One Worship this 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 and dessert... we encourage members and guests to bring a side to share! See you there!
Faith Webs Deadline
DEADLINE REMINDER: Thank you for being a part of a Faith Web! We pray these relationships in your church family continue to grow! A reminder that all donations toward the $300 commitment made at the beginning of the school year are due by May 17, 2026. Donations can be completed online at 1stlu.org/webs.
Lost and Found
It’s that time of year to clear out our lost and found. Please take a moment to check out the lost and found on display in the narthex, and reclaim what is yours. All items not claimed by May 24 will be donated to a local thrift store.
Middle School Summer Kick-Off Party
FOR: All middle school youth
WHEN: Sunday, May 17, 11:30am–3pm
WHERE: First Lutheran
Come celebrate the end of the school year with outdoor games and food! Questions? Connect with madalyn@firstlu.org.
Knitters
Prayer shawl knitters meet every Tuesday at 2pm in the narthex. Open to all!
OWLs
The OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First, for anyone 55+) next potluck will be Wednesday, May 20 at noon in the fellowship hall. The theme is La Crosse County history. The program is presented by Jeff Rand on the La Crosse lumber boom from 1844–1910. Bring a dish to pass and come join the fun and fellowship!
Then on Friday, May 22 will fly to the La Crosse Area Heritage Center. Cost: $5. Meet at the church at 11am. We will have brunch at the new Hollandberry Pannekoeken restaurant, followed by a leisurely stroll discovering the delights of the Heritage Center. If you are interested in joining this local adventure, contact volunteer coordinator Brian: owls@firstlu.org / 630-816-5917.
Worship Changes for the Summer
Wednesday worship will take a summer break Memorial Day through Labor Day; last service is May 20 and resumes Sept. 9.
Sunday, June 7: Worship at 8am will be at First, and worship at 10am will be at Riverside Park with the synod (or at Good Shepherd Lutheran if there is inclement weather).
Starting June 14 thru the summer: Sunday worship will be at 8am and 10am.
Three outdoor worship services this summer (weather permitting), followed by potluck: June 21, July 26 and August 16, all at 10am.
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.
Grief Support Group
Carrying on after the death of a loved one can be difficult and lonely. Join with others who listen and care for each other. Every third Thursday: 10am in the Upper Room. NEXT: May 21. Led by Carla Stanton.
Young Youth Pic and Kick
FOR: Grades K-5
WHEN: Saturday, May 30, 11:30am–1pm
Looking for a fun and relaxing way to spend a day outdoors? Join other First Lu Young Youth families for a picnic in the park along with a kickball game! Bring your family and friends, pack a picnic basket, and enjoy a day of outdoor fun and community.
Families should bring their own food for the picnic. First Lu will provide a delicious treat for after the kickball game. RSVP to katie@firstlu.org.
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
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 as well as deliver the produce to the Hunger Task Force. Volunteer coordinators Steve Lind and Jennifer Peickert, along with a core team of planners, are ‘in,’ so you will not be doing it alone! It’s a community garden that no singular person or family is responsible for. Sign up for one volunteer shift or a summer full of opportunities to garden at 1stlu.org/next.
Extra space in your own home garden? Have an overabundance of produce this year? Contact Steve and Jennifer to see how you can add to the produce we are donating to the Hunger Task Force. Produce the Huger Task Force is especially seeking are items with longer shelf life and ease of handling such as:
Winter Squash
Cucumbers
Storage Onions
Cabbage
Carrots
Beets
Legumes (including green beans)
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.
Foundation Grant Applications Deadline
REMINDER: Grant applications from worthy organizations wishing to request funds from the Foundation Fund are due by June 1! More information about the Foundation Fund and the grant application, can be found at 1stlu.org/foundation.
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.
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!
Baptismal Preparation
The next baptism preparation session will be Sunday, Jun. 14, at 11:15am 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, Jun. 7. Min. attendance required: 2 families.
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 21, 10am
July 26, 10am
August 16, 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.
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, 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, May 17
One worship at 9:30am, followed by a celebration of Sunday School
Sunday School resumes on Sept. 13. Have a blessed summer!
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool
4K Faith Building Block: The Keys
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, May 17: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship
Confirmation
Sunday:
One Worship and Celebration of Sunday School, Confirmation and Faith Webs
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.
