Announcements for Sun, Sept 20
INSIDE: Euchre Tournament • Church Center • Youth Choir
Euchre Tournament
Euchre Tournament for ALL ages! Join fellow members THIS Sunday, September 20 at 11:45 for a genuine Euchre Tournament. Have you been playing Euchre your whole life? There is a place for you! Have you never played Euchre before? There is a place for you! Do you think you are too young or too old? There is a place for you! This intergenerational event is for anyone who would like to spend a couple of hours playing cards and hanging out with other members. Lunch will be provided and there will be prizes!
Join us for Worship!
Sunday Worship, September 20:
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, September 23:
6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
Sugar Creek’s 60th Anniversary Celebration!
Friday–Sunday, September 18–20. Come celebrate 60 years of “God stories” at your Bible camp! Join in as part of the wider Sugar Creek family, as we dedicate ourselves to “paying it forward” to bless kids, families, churches and communities… Together we can make sure that blessing happens for MANY more years to come. More info.
Sugar Creek Annual Quilt Auction
Saturday, September 19. Your generosity means campers can experience life-changing, Christ-centered Summer Camp programs and retreats. The day includes Silent Auction Baskets, Country Store with purchasable items, and a LIVE Quilt Auction! Pony rides, crafts, yard games and more activities will be featured for the fall festival. Lunch will be available for purchase and will feature BBQ and fresh pies! Online quilt viewing & bidding opens Sept. 7. Enjoy special events commemorating a beautiful past, and dedicating ourselves to a blessed 60 years ahead!
Parent Share
Join Carla Stanton, member of First, certified spiritual director and mom of three, in room 201 every Sunday morning at 9:15am. At Parent Share, we pray and talk about raising our children faithfully. Questions? Click here to contact Carla.
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.
Rescheduled: Middle School Trip to Orchard
On this (rescheduled) Sunday, Sept. 20, after second service, our middle school youth will eat lunch at church and then get on the bus to travel to the Ferguson Apple Orchard! Invite a friend — all are welcome! Activities Include: Wagon rides, Pumpkin Jumping Pad, Giant Spinning Apple, Corn Pit, Barnyard Ball, Cow Train, Straw Bale Playground, 40' Slide, Pedal Tractors, Farm Animals, Corn Maze, Duck Races, Calf Roping, Lawn Games, and more! COST: $13. Questions? Connect with middle school event coordinator, Madi: madalyn@firstlu.org / 612-327-2230.
Church Center
What a successful launch! Approximately two thirds of those attending church on First Fest Sunday interacted with Church Center! If that wasn’t you, and you haven’t yet seen what Church Center can do for you, log in today! In the coming months we’ll be introducing features of Church Center and how to use them. For now, we ask one thing: Check out your profile, and make sure it’s up-to-date (phone, email, address, birthdates, grades… make certain it's all correct). That’s it! And 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)
The basic idea is this: Church Center (be it on desktop or the app) is for all who want to participate in the life of First Lutheran. The website will change to be for guests and visitors who want to learn more about First. To log into Church Center we recommend using your mobile number, but you can also use your email. It will need to match what we had on file in our old database, as that is what we currently have on file for you in our new database. If there is a match, you’ll receive a confirmation code via text or email, depending on which one you picked. If there isn’t a match, or if you have any other issues or questions please reach out to office@firstlu.org.
Blood Drive
Monday, Sept. 21, 12-5pm. Every day ordinary people are saved by some pretty extraordinary people. People who give blood. Your donation could be the most valuable gift you have ever given. Just ask anyone who’s ever received it. Walk-ins welcome; appointments encouraged, schedule yours at 1stlu.org/next. Please bring photo ID.
Knitters
Prayer shawl knitters meet every Tuesday at 2pm in the narthex. Open to all!
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). Rehearsals start Wednesday, Sept. 23. Full schedule available online. Questions? Connect with corissa@firstlu.org.
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 — Sept. 28, Oct. 12, & Oct. 26
Time: 6pm–7pm
Location: Nursing Center Collins Auditorium, Viterbo University (La Crosse, WI)
Cost: Free and open to all
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.
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!
Faith-Filled-48!
The Faith-Filled-48 is First Lutheran's 48-hour festival at Sugar Creek, October 2, 3 and 4. Faith Families grow closer when they retreat TOGETHER, and there is no better way for us to get to know each other more deeply than to spend time away at camp. We'll have coffee ready for early risers, big breakfasts, tasty lunches and a banquet on Saturday. To register find the Faith-Filled-48 at 1stlu.org/next and fill in the registration form on the event page. Once your form is submitted, Michelle Logan will get in touch with you as she is personally handling all inquiries and bookings. We are not using the Sugar Creek website, and First Lutheran's office is not fielding registrations. And invite a friend… or 10! The more the merrier! This is NOT for First Lutheran 'members' only. Come have fun with your faith web, extended family, or neighborhood rascals. All are welcome!
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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Attend 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.
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, 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.
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, Sept. 20
9:15am Sunday School
Sunday, Sept. 27
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.
Sundays, Sept. 20 & 27: parents/guardians with children
Sunday, Oct. 11: Faith Milestone lifted up in worship
Confirmation
Sunday, Sept. 20:
9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Classes First Day - FS
Wednesday, Sept. 23:
7:00pm Gr 8–10 Confirmation Small Groups
More info and registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.
