Announcements for Sunday, July 18 2021
INSIDE: Parents’ Night Out, Vacation Bible School
Bring your children for an evening of fun with the middle and high school youth groups’ fundraiser! WHERE: at First Lutheran, WHEN: Friday, July 23. More info below…
Worship
Join us for worship!
Sunday, July 18:
8am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person
10am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person
Nursery available, limited to 4 children.
Baptismal blessings are extended to Charlotte Kristine Carter, daughter of Nick & Kayce Carter.
Wednesday, July 21:
6:15pm: Premiering a short pre-recorded service, including hymn, reading, message and prayers, on Facebook and YouTube.
COVID-19 Update
Pastors and the COVID Advisory Panel regularly evaluate when and how the church can be open. These are our current recommendations:
Worship: online & in-person WITHOUT precautions
Small groups: online & in-person WITHOUT precautions
No Precautions for In-Person Worship
Worship services are now offered in-person, indoors at both services without precautions. Outdoor worship will be offered occasionally (about once a month) during the 10am service, and if weather permits. Registration, masks, and social distancing are no longer required. For a full description of current precautions, visit 1stlu.org/precaution.
Postponed: Amplifying the Voices of Black Youth in the La Crosse Area
The watch party and discussion of local film Amplifying the Voices of Black Youth in the La Crosse Area has been postponed by the synod, to a later date yet to be determined. Watch these announcements for the future date.
Parents’ Night Out
Bring your children for an evening of fun with the middle and high school youth groups’ fundraiser! WHERE: at First Lutheran, WHEN: Friday, July 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 8:30pm (parents can pick up early if needed)
COST: Free will donations will assist the middle and high school students with 2022 Sugar Creek Bible camp, mission trip and ELCA Youth Gathering.
Opening: Preschool Assistant Teacher
First Lutheran Preschool is currently looking for a new assistant teacher. We are looking for a team player who can provide loving, quality care and education to our children and families. Hours are approximately 8am-12:15pm, Monday-Friday. Interested applicants should email preschool@firstlu.org.
Lutheran World Relief Personal Care Kits
First Lutheran will be collecting items for LWR’s Personal Care Kits the next two months, and will assemble them during Vacation Bible School in early August. The kits require the following items:
Light-weight bath-size towels (between 20” x 40”and 52” x 27”), dark color recommended (shop for light- or medium-weight towels, which are easier for kit recipients to hand wash and air dry, take up less storage space and are considerably less expensive than the fluffier towels we may prefer to use).
Bath-size bars of soap equaling 8 to 9 oz. any brand, in original wrapping (no hotel soap).
Adult-size toothbrushes in their original packaging (Toothbrush multi-packs may be used by sealing an individual toothbrush in a business-size envelope; no plastic bags or wrap).
Sturdy combs, remove packaging. (No brushes; please provide medium- to wide-tooth combs, so that members in all the communities we serve can utilize them).
Metal nail clippers (attached file optional), remove packaging.
Bring donations to the church on Sunday and place at the altar, or to the church office on weekdays from 8am–4pm.
Please give new items only. Please do not donate items with any religious symbols, messages or a group’s name, the U.S. flag, patriotic or military symbols, or references to the armed forces, including camouflage. Do not enclose items in plastic bags.
Vacation Bible School
Plan ahead to be here for Vacation Bible School this summer, Sunday, August 1 through Thursday, August 5. Invite your neighbors! For 4K through Grade 5 in the fall (3 year olds are welcome to attend in the nursery). Register at 1stlu.org/VBS.
Sunday August 1–Thursday August 5
5pm dinner in Fellowship Hall
6–8pm VBS program
Thursday, August 5 Only…
5pm all-church picnic at Van Riper Park
~6pm swimming at Onalaska Aquatic Center!
Also: 1) Help in the kitchen! Many hands will make light work. Claim ONE night between Sunday, Aug. 1 through Thursday, Aug. 5 to prep, serve and clean up the meal all VBS families will enjoy together. Food will already be purchased. Menus are decided. We just need a couple hours of your time. 2) Bake/Make bars/cookies too! That's how dessert gets done. Email jason@firstlu.org if you can take a kitchen shift or bake.
All-Church Picnic and Waterslide!
All are welcome to the closing celebration of VBS, starting at 5pm on Thursday, Aug. 5 at Van Riper Park. We’ll eat together outdoors (First will provide the main course; bring desserts/treats to share) and then close with water fun at the Onalaska Aquatic Center!
Baptismal Preparation
A baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Aug. 7, 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, Aug. 1. Min. attendance required: 2 families.
ELCA Youth Gathering & Mission Trip Info Meeting
Sunday, August 8, 11am in the narthex. The ELCA's Youth Gathering is just a year away! July 24–28, 2022… in our very own backyard of Minneapolis! The gathering is open to all youth entering grades 9–12 in the fall of 2022, plus 2022 graduates. AND details need to be shared regarding the mission trip in 2022. Come to this informational meeting to learn more about these great, upcoming events!
Sugar Creek Golf Fundraiser
GOLFERS: Join Pastor Stanton on Monday, Aug 23 at Viroqua Hills Golf Course (4 person, best ball) to raise money for Sugar Creek. It's $75 each, but FLC is covering the first $25. RSVP to the church office (608.783.2236 / office@firstlu.org) or e-mail jason@firstlu.org.
Happy Birthday!!
If you have received a birthday postcard from First in the last several months and still have it, bring it into church Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm and pick up a small gift.
New Members
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 typically invited to a social at Red Pines where you would get to know more about First and the staff in a relaxed atmosphere. When gathering in such a way is safe, we will celebrate our new members in this way. For now, 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.
Readers!
We are seeking people of all ages who would be willing to be our readers each week. This would mean doing a video of yourself or family reading the assigned text and then uploading it to a google folder. If you are willing to do this, email Pastor Karyn: karyn@firstlu.org.
Scrip Cards Are Still Available
Scrip cards are still available from the church office even though the building is closed. We have Kwik Trip, Woodman's, Target and Festival cards. 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.
