INSIDE: Newsletter assembly Wed., July 28; Vacation Bible School Aug. 1–5

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, July 25:

• 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

Wednesday, July 28:

• 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.

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! Wednesday, July 28, at 10am, to assemble the August newsletter. See you there! 

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.

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!

Sunshine Team

The Sunshine Team meets on the first Thursday of every month. Next meeting: Aug. 5, 9:30am. Various jobs: outside raking, trimming bushes, sweeping, cleaning, pulling weeds. Help make First Lutheran look nice! Refreshments are supplied to replenish your reserves! Dues are free! Questions? Text/call Dave at 608.780.0135.

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!

Monday Night Community Meals

For many years, Trinity Lutheran Church on the northside has hosted a meal on Monday nights. First Lutheran has agreed to help with this important community ministry, by preparing a meal, serving the food, and cleaning up for three Mondays starting in August. We need people to plan and prepare the meal to feed 60-80 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 and freeze it, and reheat it. Food for the meal can be gotten at no charge from the Hunger Task Force in La Crosse. Our dates are Aug. 16, October 18, and December 13. You can sign up to help in SignUp Genius, or contact bridget@firstlu.org.

Chicken-Q Benefitting Trinity Lutheran

Trinity Lutheran in La Crosse is hosting a Chicken-Q on Aug. 19, from 11:30am–5pm, with proceeds to benefit their Monday ministries, which include From the Heart Food Pantry, Northside Children’s Clothes Closet, Jacey’s Toy Box and our very own First Teen’s Clothes Closet. $12/meal, catered by Pogy's. Tickets can be purchased at Trinity’s office (1010 Sill St, La Crosse, WI 54603), or online by choosing "other." Please type in "Chicken-Q” and print out the receipt. Trinity will receive the purchase and your name will be added to the list.

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.

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, Aug. 27, 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.

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 (at a new time) during First Fest in September. 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.

Keep Up with Changes: Update Your Contact Info

Make sure the office has your current contact info, including current address, mobile number(s), carrier info (for reminders by text), and email(s). Send to office@firstlu.org.

Morning Musings

Where is God in all this? Who/what shall we pray for today? What are our questions? What is grounding us in a time when everything is shifting? Go to First Lutheran's website, Facebook page or our Youtube channel where each morning, Monday through Saturday by 8am, Pastor Stanton or Pastor Karyn post a "morning musing". It's a great way to stay connected!