INSIDE: 10am Worship @ Riverside Park • Summer Worship Changes

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, June 11:

• 8am @ First: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.

• 10am @ Riverside Park: with the synod (or at Our Savior’s, La Crosse if there is rain)

Worship Changes for the Summer

• Sunday, June 11: Worship at 8am will be at First, and worship at 10am will be at Riverside Park with the synod (or at Our Savior’s, La Crosse if there is rain)

• Starting June 18 thru the summer: Sunday worship will be at 8am and 10am

• Outdoor worship at 10am three times this summer (weather permitting): June 25, July 23 and August 27.

Synod Assembly for All

Please know that ALL are welcome to these events of the synod assembly…

• Like to Serve? Check out Service Projects taking place at Holmen Lutheran, Friday, June 9; sign up to volunteer Assembly weekend.

• Like to Sing? Consider joining the Assembly Choir

• Like to Learn? Participate in 2 great workshops at the La Crosse Center Saturday afternoon and check out display tables by partner ministries and synod committees. The public is invited to attend 2 workshops at the La Crosse Center on Saturday, June 10. For non-voting members, the cost is $10 for two one-hour workshops or $25 for lunch & two one-hour workshops. You can register in advance or sign up the day of the event. Workshop 1 begins at 2:15 pm. The workshops will repeat and Workshop 2 will begin at 3:30pm. More info at 1stlu.org/assembly.Workshop topics are…

  • Church as Family: Moving Beyond Survival - by Pastor Karyn

  • Jesus & Jazz - by Jon Ailabouni, assembly musician and local freelance artist

  • Cultivating Life: Giving Relationships in Congregations - by Rev. Jay Wittmore, Executive Director of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center

  • Ministry with the Younger Generation - by Jacob Sorenson, author and director of Sacred Playgrounds

  • You Serve Where? The Joys and Challenges of a Rural Call - by Dr. Trisha Wheelock, Director of the Moses Project

  • Life Giving Action in Climate Change: Solar Power and More - by Rev. Janet Wollam, Creation Care Team Chair

  • Reconciling in Christ Ministry - by Deacon David Behling, Director of Journey House

• Like to Worship? You are invited to worship at Holmen Lutheran Friday, June 9, at 7pm and at Riverside Park in La Crosse Sunday, June 11, at 10am.

• Enjoy Fellowship? Come to the synodwide picnic at 11:15am Sunday ($10 per non-voting member). We will serve meals until they are gone. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for the picnic. If you know you have a group coming from your congregation, let the synod office know in advance to increase the meal count. Guests are also always welcome to attend the assembly as non-voting members , too.

• Want to Contribute? Collect socks, underwear and teen bras to restock local clothing closets in the La Crosse Area. Hold all voting members and assembly planners in prayer. Share some photos of your congregation putting faith into action this past year to add to the Assembly slide show.

• Like to Be Connected? Assembly will be live-streamed Friday and Saturday. You can also attend as a non-voting member or as a volunteer. 

Confirmation Camp… for Youth Going Into Grade 8

Our upcoming confirmation students get a chance to start their confirmation journey in the beautiful valley of Sugar Creek, the week of Sunday, June 11, through Friday, June 16. We will learn in faith together while we do Bible study, horseback riding, hiking, swimming, campfires, and so much more! For youth going into 8th grade. Questions? Contact Pastor Karyn at karyn@firstlu.org.

Juneteenth Celebration

La Crosse’s annual Juneteenth celebration! Uniting all members of the community in celebration of Black Americans!! Fun, food, entertainment, history, education and connection. At Riverside Park on Sunday, June 18, noon–8pm.

Grief Support Group

Carrying on after the death of a loved one can be difficult and lonely. Join with others who listen and care for each other. Every third Wednesday: 10am in the Upper Room. NEXT: June 21. Led by Carla Stanton.

Clothes Closet Needs

The First Teen Clothes Closet is now taking donations for summer attire. Please donate CLEAN, new or gently-used, teen-style clothing and accessories. The donation bins are in between the front doors of our church. Donations can also be dropped off at Trinity Lutheran Church in La Crosse on Mondays from 4-6pm. Feel free to call the church office if you have questions: 608.783.2236. We truly appreciate your donations!!!

Current needs include: 

• Swimsuits

• Hoodies (size XL, XXL and XXXL)

• Summer dresses (XL, XXL & XXXL)

• Summer skirts (size L, XL, and XXL)

• Men's athletic shorts (size XS, S, M, L, XXL, XXXL)

• Men's & ladies sweatpants (XS, XL, XXXL, and XXXXL)

• Ladies leggings (XXL & XXXXL)

• Shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, bodywash, and lotion

• Jewelry & make up

Outdoor Worship This Summer

First will worship outdoors on Fifth Ave, once a month during the summer, on the fourth Sunday, weather permitting…

• June 25, 10am

• July 23, 10am

• August 27, 10am

Bring your own lawn chairs, and perhaps a hat to shade your eyes. If the weather's bad that day, we'll move inside.

Blood Drive

Tuesday, June 27, 12:30-5:30pm. Every day, ordinary people are saved by some pretty extraordinary people. People who give blood. Your donation could be the most valuable gift you ever give. Just ask anyone who’s ever received. Walk-ins welcome; appointments encouraged, schedule yours at 1stlu.org/blooddrive. Please bring a photo ID and mask.

Lead Sunday School & VBS

There are opportunities to serve as a Sunday School teacher and a leader in VBS. A Sunday School teacher is a commitment of 1 or 2 weekends a month in which you connect with our congregation's children! It is super easy with the curriculum! VBS is another way to connect, this is so fun and is high energy! If you like to play games or would like to help organize or help in any way, please consider! Contact Pastor Stanton: jason@firstlu.org.

Lutheran World Relief Matching Challenge

When you make a donation to Lutheran World Relief by June 30, your gift will be matched — dollar for dollar — to reach our poorest neighbors suffering from hunger and malnutrition right now.

Donations for Rummage Sale to Support Alzheimer’s

OWLs member Sharon Zimmer and her husband, Chuck, have been married for almost 40 years. Chuck was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at age 60, along with PPA dementia (same kind as Bruce Willis). Sharon has a huge goal of raising $5,000 for EndAlz and Alzheimer’s locally. To do so, she is having a rummage sale in mid-June and is asking for donations of all sorts: clothes, furniture, working appliances, toys, sports gear in good condition, etc. (Please no household paint, tires, cribs or outdated electronics that are costly to dispose of.) If you have something you would like to donate, she can be reached at 608.783.6757 / zimmers725@gmail.com. The money raised for Alzheimer’s will go to research and local education.

Baptismal Preparation

The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Aug. 5, 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, Jul. 30. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

Vacation Bible School: Operation Restoration

Plan ahead to be here for Vacation Bible School this summer, Sunday, Aug. 13, through Thursday, Aug. 17. 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.

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.

Want to Volunteer? Need help?

Causeway Caregivers serves elderly and disabled adults in La Crosse County by providing volunteer services, without charge, to those in need. Tasks include raking leaves, grocery shopping, doing errands and helping after a snowfall. Would you like to be a Causeway Caregivers volunteer? Do you need a volunteer? Contact Causeway Caregivers at 608-775-9999.

Sunday School

• Sunday, Aug. 13–17

  • Vacation Bible School: reg at 1stlu.org/vbs

• Questions about Sunday School? Visit 1stlu.org/sunschool.

Confirmation

• Confirmation Camp for Youth going into Grade 8

  • Sunday, June 11–Friday, June 16

Questions about Confirmation? Visit 1stlu.org/confirm.