INSIDE: Palm Sunday this Sunday! No Sunday School nor Confirmation; join us for Palm Sun Breakfast fundraiser! Holy Week begins Palm Sun, and First will worship every day thru Easter. Schedule below…

Join us for Holy Week!

Holy week is the week leading up to Easter Sunday on April 17, starting with Palm Sunday on April 10. Join us for worship every day of Holy Week…

• Palm Sunday, Apr. 10

  • Prayer Walk, all day: download guide at 1stlu.org/prayerwalk.

  • 8:00am & 10:30am worship in-person & live stream.

  • Palm Sunday breakfast in Fellowship Hall between services.

  • No Sunday School nor Confirmation classes.

  • Flowers in the sanctuary are in memory of Elizabeth Hink, from the Hink family

• Monday, Apr. 11

  • 6:15pm worship in-person & live stream.

• Tuesday, Apr. 12

  • 6:15pm worship in-person & live stream.

• Wednesday, Apr. 13

  • 4pm Gr. 5 Faith Building Block, bread baking.

  • 6:15pm worship in-person & live stream.

  • 7pm Choir rehearses for Easter Sunday.

• Maundy Thursday, Apr. 14

  • 12:15pm worship in-person & live stream (note change from 6:15pm for live stream).

  • 6:15pm worship in-person.

    • Gr. 5 Faith Building Block lifted up at 6:15pm worship.

• Good Friday, Apr. 15

  • 10:00am Justice & Peace Stations of the Cross (starts near the Franciscan Spirituality Center)

  • 12:15pm worship in-person & live stream (note change from 6:15pm for live stream).

  • 6:15pm worship in-person.

• Saturday, Apr. 16

  • 9:45am Sugar Creek Easter Egg Hunt & Brunch (more details above)

  • 5:30pm Faith Story Dinner Theater (Holy Week Edition), at 5:30pm. RSVP at 1stlu.org/sacredsat.

• Easter Sunday, Apr. 17,

  • 6:30am outdoors sunrise service

  • 8:00am worship in-person & live stream.

  • 9:45am worship in-person & live stream.

  • No Sunday School nor Confirmation on Easter Sunday.

ASSIST WITH HOLY WEEK: To prepare our hearts for Easter Sunday, we worship every day
during Holy Week. Individuals and families can assist with this holy time as readers, ushers, communion servers and more. Sign up at 1stlu.org/assistHW.

The office will be closed at noon on Friday, Apr. 15, and all day Monday, Apr. 18.

COVID-19 Update

• Pastors and our COVID Advisory Panel gather to evaluate when and how the church can be open. These are our current recommendations:

  • Worship: online & in-person

  • Small groups: online & in-person; precautions determined by entire group

Precautions for In-Person Worship

Worship services are offered in-person, indoors at all services. As of Feb. 16, 2022, masks are welcome, optional, and encouraged for those not vaccinated. For a full description of current precautions, visit 1stlu.org/precaution.

Interfaith Ukraine Prayer Vigil At First Congregational

The Interfaith Leaders Coalition is planning an interfaith prayer vigil for Ukraine to be held Thursday, April 7, at 7pm. The prayer vigil will be held at First Congregational Church, located at 2503 Main Street, La Crosse.

Drawing from the Well

This group is for women of First and the greater La Crosse area seeking to support one another in their spiritual growth. We gather to develop a deeper relationship with one another, meeting on the second Saturday of the month, 9:30–11am, in the narthex, with the next one on Saturday, Apr. 9. Contact Bridget Crave for more info: bridget@firstlu.org.

Palm Sunday Breakfast Fundraiser

Sunday, April 10: Fundraiser for youths going on the mission trip and to Bible camp. No coffee hour, Sunday School nor Confirmation between services. Breakfast will be served 9-10:30am. Youth can raise funds by working at the breakfast; sign up at 1stlu.org/palmsun.

Palm Sunday Prayer Walk

Once again, First Lutheran invites you this Palm Sunday to walk around your neighborhood and lift it up in prayer. Take your palms with you and take pictures to post to Facebook or Instagram page using the hashtag #faithalive365. Not sure what to pray? Prompts can be viewed/printed at 1stlu.org/prayerwalk.

Grade 5 Faith Building Block: Communion

• Wednesday, Apr. 13, 4-5pm: child only, baking communion bread in Fellowship Hall kitchen

• Thursday, Apr. 14: Faith Building Block lifted up during the evening Maundy Thursday worship service

Throughout the year each age group will have a special “Faith Building Block” session in which parents or special adults are asked to attend class with their child on Sundays at 9:15am, sharing in conversation and growing together in faith. The session lasts for three weeks, and afterwards, the Faith Building Block will be lifted up in worship.

Virtual Multifaith Children’s Pre-Iftar Event

Join Shoulder to Shoulder and children’s book authors Hena Khan and Naaz Khan on Wednesday, Apr. 13, from 5–5:45pm Eastern (4pm Central) for a special Virtual Multifaith Children’s Pre-Iftar Event to connect with families and explore the themes of sharing & belonging this Ramadan. People of all ages and faith backgrounds are welcome and families with children ages 4-8 and 8-12 are especially encouraged to join us. When you register, your household will automatically be entered for a raffle to receive FREE books from Hena Khan and/or Naaz Khan!

SING!

The choir will perform on Easter Sunday and rehearsals continue on Wednesdays at 7pm in the sanctuary. Open to people ages 12 and up. No audition and no formal training required, just a desire to enhance worship through the beauty of music! Full schedule and sign up at 1stlu.org/choir. For more info contact Todd Saner at todd@firstlu.org.

Slight Changes to Live Stream Schedule

Please join us for worship on our live stream at 1stlu.org/live at 12:15pm on Maunday Thursday and Good Friday during Holy Week (we have decided to live stream the afternoon service instead of the evening service). On Monday through Wednesday of Holy Week we will continue to live stream the 6:15pm service, as originally scheduled.

Sugar Creek Easter Egg Hunt & Brunch

Saturday, Apr. 16, at Sugar Creek’s Manna Center. Programming starts at 9:45 with brunch and egg hunt following. There also will be pony rides, egg painting and games. Activities: $5/child, Brunch: $10 (5 and up) and free for 4 and younger. RSVP to Sugar Creek at 608.734.3113 / camp@sgrcreek.org.

OWLs April Potluck

The OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First Lutheran, for anyone 55+) will have their next potluck on Wednesday, Apr. 20, at noon in the fellowship hall. For the program, Shelly Fortner will talk about the La Crosse Hunger Task Force to explain what they do and how they feed the hungry in La Crosse County. The Hunger Task Force is one of the recipients of this year’s contributions from increased giving. For information or to ask questions, contact Brian Narveson at owls@firstlu.org. A reminder to all members that First Lutheran is a latex- and nut-free campus. Please do not bring food containing nuts or nut butters/oils/extracts of any kind onto the church campus. This is for the safety of all of our members. Thanks!

Community Conversations

We invite you to Community Conversations: Electric Vehicles Will (Help) Save the World at noon on Wednesday, Apr. 20, with Jeff Sprinter, Cathy Van Maren, and Randy Pueschner. This discussion will be in-person at English Lutheran (1509 King St, La Crosse), and will NOT be live streamed. Sponsored by the Interfaith Leaders’ Coalition.

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, or who have become members in the past two years during COVID precautions, are invited to a social on Thursday, Apr. 21, at 6pm, at David Reay’s, 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.

Donations For Ukraine

Lutheran World Relief received tremendous news this week: Nelsonville Lutheran Church in Wisconsin will double all gifts from congregations – up to $100,000 – for our neighbors suffering in the Ukraine crisis. Our teams are working with partners in and around Ukraine so your gifts will deliver urgent support and care, like: food, shelter and other critically needed items; Mission Quilts and Kits for families who fled their homes; and medicine and supplies for clinics. Gifts will be matched through Apr. 25. You can give at 1stlu.org/LWR or by mail to LWR, PO Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061. Please write “Ukraine Match” in the memo line.

Lutheran Disaster Response is accompanying companion churches and ecumenical partners in Ukraine, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia to respond to the crisis in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Gifts to “Eastern Europe Crisis Response” will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by the crisis in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Donate at 1stlu.org/LDR. And thanks to a generous donor, every gift to LDR’s Eastern Europe Crisis Response will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $50,000, to support people impacted by the war in Ukraine.

From Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service: The U.S. will now welcome up to 100,000 refugees from Ukraine. We need to act fast to prepare for these refugees, currently 90% of whom are women and children. There is an urgent need for resources, including emergency medical care, temporary housing, financial support for basic necessities, and much more. Donate at 1stlu.org/LIRS.

You can also designate gifts to Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Disaster Response and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service at 1stlu.org/give.

From Our Pastor in Slovakia   

Responding to the Crisis in Ukraine… In a recent newsletter, Rev. Kyle & Ånna Svennungsen, ELCA missionaries in Slovakia, share the ways they are accompanying refugees from Ukraine with their community in Bratislava. “Despite how the world aches each day from more news of innocent lives being destroyed in Ukraine, we also see God at work in so many ways as a result of this war.” “As we journey through the rest of this Lenten season, we invite you to notice with us all the ways in which the Ukrainian people walk with and embody Jesus. Be bold in your own response to walk with and embody Jesus for those in need in your community too.”

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, Apr. 22, 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: Monetary donations will assist the middle and high school students with 2022 Sugar Creek Bible Camp and potential mission trip. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout.

Chicken Dinner!

Tickets are now available for sale by youth through Apr. 17, or in the office, M–F, 8am–4pm, through Apr. 28. Meals cost only $10 presale before Apr. 27. Tickets will be $12 at the door while they last. And most importantly, funds raised support youth going on the mission trip and to Sugar Creek Bible Camp! Meals are provided by Premier Catering, and will be available for pick-up at First Lutheran on Thursday, Apr. 28, 11am–7pm. FOR YOUTH: You can get ticket packets to sell in the office; tickets packets are due back to the church office WITH THE MONEY by Easter Sunday, April 17, by noon. Youth and families can sign up for a shift to help with takeouts at 1stlu.org/chixdin.

Sugar Creek Elementary Youth Retreat

Join us for this 1-night retreat of crazy fun and games! Make new friends and hangout with cool counselors who will help you explore faith through Bible story time, memorable songs, and awesome worships! For youth in 2nd-5th grade. Check-in at 1pm, Apr. 30, and pickup at 1pm, May 1. COST: $59 (includes housing, meals, program, etc.). Register with Sugar Creek at 608.734.3113 / camp@sgrcreek.org.

Upcoming Sugar Creek Bus Trips

• May 7-10: Holland Michigan Tulip Festival

• Aug 26-Sept 1: Ark Encounter and Nashville

• November 16: Fireside Dinner Theater, "White Christmas"

Sign up early! Spots fill quickly. Call for info: 608.734.3113.

Abide Young Adult Small Groups

Young Adult (age 18-35) virtual small groups are forming for the spring. This ministry is called “abide.” Click the Young Adults LinkTree button for a listing of all the “justice-centered spiritual community led by and for folks 18-35” that you can join. Abide serves as a ministry of ELCA Young Adult Ministries and cooperates with several ministries such as YAGM (Young Adults in Global Mission), LVC (Lutheran Volunteer Corp), Dream Chasers United, Campus Ministry and more. Please visit the ELCA website for Young Adult Ministries for more info and opportunities for involvement.

Sugar Creek Summer Reg Now Open!

Summer camp registration at Sugar Creek is open, and campers are signing up! Our new program, Art Camp, promises to help campers grow in their creative gifts and encourage them in sharing the joy of expression through guitar, dance, painting, photography, wood-crafts or writing. We can’t wait to celebrate each of their unique talents with them. We are also pleased to bring back our popular new programs from 2021: Elevated, Night Camp and Rangers. Spots for these programs are filling up quickly, so make sure you don’t miss out. Do you know about our early-registration giveaway! First Lutheran is happy to reimburse the $100 registration fee (contact the office)! Reg and more info online: sugarcreekbiblecamp.org.

Summer Camp Job Openings

Both Bible camps in our synod are in the process of hiring summer staff in various positions…

• Luther Park Bible Camp: What are the benefits to working at camp during the summer time? Listen to this video with some of the Luther Park Bible Camp 2021 Summer Staff expressing their favorite moments. Then share with adults young and old in your congregation and community. Find more about summer employment. Positions available for counselors, lifeguards, worship leaders, cooks, nurses, and more.

• Sugar Creek Bible Camp: Apply yourself or recommend others for camp staff positions. Few jobs are as meaningful as the life-changing role of a professionally-trained Bible camp counselor.

Baptismal Preparation

The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, June 4, 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, May 29. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

Middle and High School Gathering Alternatives

• Youthworks mission trip to Bayou Le Batre, Alabama, for youth entering grades 7–12 in fall of 2022. Trip dates: July 23–31. More info: 1stlu.org/mshsmissiontrip.

• Boundless WYLDE @ Sugar Creek, for youth entering grades 9–12 in fall of 2022. Dates: July 24-29. More info: 1stlu.org/wylde.

Please register by…

1. Sending Pastor Stanton an email at jason@firstlu.org to alert him of your interest

2. Deliver a $150 check made out to First Lutheran. In the memo line add if you're registering for “YOUTHWORKS” or "WYLDE."

Make Worship Happen!

Worship assistants make worship happen! Usher, read, bake bread, serve communion, lead projection and more. To assist with Sunday worship sign up at 1stlu.org/assistSUN.

Sunday School

• Sunday, Apr. 10

  • 9:15am No Sunday School… enjoy the Palm Sunday Breakfast Fundraiser!

• Sunday, Apr. 17

  • 9:15am No Sunday School. Have a blessed Easter! Classes resume Apr. 24.

Questions regarding Sunday School? Visit 1stlu.org/sunschool.

Confirmation

• Sunday, Apr. 10 & 17:

  • No Confirmation classes.

• Wednesday, Apr. 13:

  • 6:15pm Confirmation Class - Fireside Rm

  • 7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups

Questions regarding confirmation? Visit 1stlu.org/confirm.