Announcements for Sun, Sept 27

Announcements
Written By Andrew Stutesman

INSIDE: Youth Choir • Church Center • Faith Filled 48

Youth Choir for 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). Full schedule available online in the Church Center group. Questions? Connect with corissa@firstlu.org.

Join us for Worship!

  • Sunday Worship, September 27:

  • Wednesday Worship, September 30:

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…

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.

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.

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). Full schedule available online in the Church Center group. Questions? Connect with corissa@firstlu.org.

Sing!

Do you like music? Do you enjoy singing, even if it’s in the shower? Do you appreciate the power of music in worship? Then put all of these things together and join the First Lutheran Choir! Practice is in the choir room most Wednesdays, at 7:15pm. Everyone 14 and older are welcome… there is no audition and no formal training required, just a desire to enhance worship through the beauty of music! For more info contact Corissa at 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

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!

Sunshine Team

The Sunshine Team meets on the first Thursday of every month. NEXT: Oct. 1, 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.

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. Registration closes Wednesday, Sept. 30! 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!

Outdoor Worship @ Sugar Creek

Even if you aren’t attending any other part of the Faith Filled 48 this weekend, all are welcome to the outdoor worship at Sugar Creek on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 2pm!

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.

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, head to 1stlu.org/next.

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.

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.

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.

OWLs Fly to St. Francis Hermitage

The OWLs’ (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First, for anyone 55+) outing in October will be a wonderful and hopefully fall color-filled drive to St. Francis’ Hermitage in Gays Mills, WI. Volunteer coordinator, Brian, has tried to plan the trip during peak color season so everyone can enjoy the beauty of fall along the river and in the bluffs. This new adventure will take place on Friday, Oct. 16. We will leave the church at 10am. The drive is a little over an hour. If you would like to participate in this beautiful outing and culinary event, RSVP to Brian: owls@firstlu.org / 630-816-5917. Cost of lunch at the Hermitage is on your own.

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.

Fall Festival

Save the date on your calendar for Saturday, Oct. 24, 2–4pm, and join us here at First for an afternoon of fall activities and trunk-or-treating! It’s one of the bigger events that draws in those who aren’t members at First, so help extend a warm welcome! Sign up to help prep and to help with activities during the event at 1stlu.org/next.

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.

Hunger Task Force Current Needs

  • Peanut Butter

  • Canned Meat

  • Pasta/Pasta Sauce

Donations can be dropped off at the Hunger Task Force office: 1240 Clinton St, La Crosse, WI 54603.

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.

Queer Lutherans Connections Groups

If you’re interested in connecting with other 2SLGBTQIA+ folks in the ELCA, the Queer Lutherans Project is creating space for that to happen! One way is through Connections, monthly group meetings via Zoom for queer and trans Lutherans. These groups aim to serve as reminders that we aren’t alone and invite us to journey together through life and faith as we strive to make our world(s) more loving, just, and inclusive. You are also welcome to join the Discord server while it’s active. Click the hyperlinks below to register for a group.

Connections groups:

If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to phoenix.rahel@elca.org to schedule some time together.

Sunday School

  • Sunday, Sept. 27

    • 9:15am Sunday School

  • Sunday, Oct. 4

    • 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. 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.

Andrew Stutesman
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
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