Announcements for Pentecost Sunday, May 24
INSIDE: Wear red! • Adult forum about Court Appointed Special Advocates • Young Youth Pic and Kick
Congrats to our grads!
God’s blessings to all of our graduates and their families as they celebrate graduation this weekend!
Join us for Worship!
Pentecost Sunday Worship, May 24:
Don’t forget to wear red!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.
CASA Adult Forum (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. At CASA for Kids, their mission is to promote the best interests of children in abuse and neglect cases by providing court appointed special advocate (CASA) volunteers in care and protection proceedings under Chapter 48 of the Wisconsin State Statutes. They believe that all children have a right to be safe and have their voices heard. Learn more about CASA this Sunday, May 24, between services, in the Fireside Rm.
Know a Graduating High School Senior?
Do you know a graduating high school senior who plans to attend WTC, Viterbo or UWL this fall? Refer them to Lutheran Campus Ministry so they can extend a radical welcome and community support! luminelca.org/refer-a-student. Congratulations to the senior class of 2026!
Upcoming Office Closures
The office will be closed at the following times…
Monday, May 25, Memorial Day
Friday July 3, Independence Day observed
Courageous Men’s Group
The Courageous Men’s Group are men of all ages who meet weekly on Wednesdays at 6am in the Fireside Room for a time of fellowship and study. Contact Jim Knutson or the church office for more info: jim@firstlu.org.
Newsletter Assembly
It’s a relaxing way to volunteer! Thursday, May 28, at 10am, to assemble the June/July dual newsletter. See you there!
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.
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 now due. 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.
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.
Summer Book Read
Join Pastor Karyn and Pastor Libby (and thousands of others across the country) in a Summer Book Read this June! The book? Communion by Bell Hooks. In this third book of her trilogy on love in American culture, Bell Hooks reveals how women of all ages can achieve emotional growth and bring love into every aspect of their lives, for all the years of their lives. This is not another self-help, find your man, book. This book explores how vital love, in all its forms, is to our lives as women.
Each person is responsible for purchasing their own book. Support our local bookstores by purchasing it from them, or check it out from the library! How it will work: We will read the book during the month of June and gather on June 24 in the evening to discuss the book together. The time and place will be determined once we know how many people will be joining us. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next.
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.
Sunshine Team
The Sunshine Team meets on the first Thursday of every month. NEXT: June 4, 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.
Worship Changes for the Summer
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 worship will take a summer break Memorial Day through Labor Day and resumes Sept. 9.
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 608.783.2236 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.
Juneteenth Celebration
La Crosse’s annual Juneteenth celebration! Uniting all members of the community in celebration of Black Americans!! Fun, food, entertainment, history, education and connection. At Riverside Park on Saturday, June 20, noon–8pm.
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.
Prayer Shawls
If you have a friend, relative, neighbor or co-worker who is going through cancer, medical issues or grieving, we have a prayer shawl for you to give them. Please come into the church office so you can choose a prayer shawl for them and you take it to the person who needs it; you can pick one up before, between or after any worship service. Questions? Connect with kathryn@firstlu.org.
Stephen Ministry
If you know of someone who needs a caregiver, please speak with Pastor Karyn, or call the church office: 608.783.2236.
Sunday School
Sunday School resumes on Sept. 13. Have a blessed summer!
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool
Confirmation
Grade 8–10 confirmation orientation will be Sunday, Aug. 16.
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.
