Announcements for Sunday, July 9, 2023
INSIDE: OWLs Fly to Moon Tunes • Elementary MP3 Night • Teen Back-to-school Shoe Giveaway
Elementary MP3 night, for grades K–5, on Friday, July 14, 4:30–8pm, in Fellowship Hall. What is MP3 night? It’s watching a movie in your PJs, enjoying pizza, popcorn and time with friends! RSVP at 1stlu.org/next.
Worship
Join us for worship!
Sunday, July 9:
8am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
10am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
OWLs
On Thursday, July 13, the OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First, for anyone 55+) will fly to Moon Tunes at Riverside Park for an outdoor concert adventure! Hear great show music and fun rock-n-roll from the Mama Mia and the Jersey Boys musicals. Meet at church at 3:30pm to take the bus over; early dinner before the concert at Piggy’s. Remember to bring a lawn chair so we can all sit comfortably together on the grass. Concert is free; dinner is on your own. If you want to join this fabulous night, email owls@firstlu.org or call volunteer coordinator Brian at 630.816.5917 by Tuesday, July 11.
Then on Wednesday, July 19, the OWLs will have their monthly potluck at noon in the narthex. Questions? Contact volunteer coordinator Brian Narveson at owls@firslu.org or 630.816.5917.
Elementary MP3 Night!
For grades K–5, on Friday, July 14, 4:30–8pm, in Fellowship Hall. Why? To have fun and build faith-based relationships!!! Wear your most comfy pajamas and bring a sleeping bag and pillow to lounge on if you like. We’ll meet, eat, play a couple of games and settle in for a movie, pizza and popcorn. This event has always been a huge hit, and everyone has a great time together! RSVP at 1stlu.org/next.
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: July 19. Led by Carla Stanton.
Outdoor Worship This Summer
First will worship outdoors on Fifth Ave, once a month during the summer, on the fourth Sunday, weather permitting…
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.
Teen Back-to-school Shoe Giveaway
Teens want to feel good about how they look, and a big part of that is the shoes they wear to school. You can support the First Teen Clothes Closet's back-to-school shoe giveaway and purchase a new pair of athletic-style shoes. A shoe Giving Tree will be in the narthex during most of July. Take a tag from the tree and buy the pair of shoes described on the tag. The tag will have brand and size wanted. There also will be tags with a dollar amount for a donation if you would rather support the closet with a cash donation, and we'll buy the shoes. Last year we handed out over 120 pairs of shoes during the one-day shoe giveaway. Your support is appreciated. The shoe giveaway is part of Trinity Lutheran Church's neighborhood block party. We participate because the teen closet is located at Trinity. This is a great way to meet, get to know and serve our neighbor. If you are interested in helping on the day of the event (August 14) you can sign up at 1stlu.org/next.
Jail Ministry Needs
The La Crosse Jail Ministry is in need of the following items for people when they are getting out of jail (used and clean, or new; all sizes but especially medium, large and extra large):
Men’s sweatpants
Men’s T-shirts
Men’s rain jackets
Men’s shoes (all sizes)
Backpacks
If you can provide any of these items, please drop them off at Coulee Life Church in Onalaska, next to Sand Lake Elementary School. There is a drop-off location inside the door on a bench. The doors are open from 9am–6pm, Monday–Friday. If you would like to make a donation to the La Crosse Jail Ministry, click here.
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.
LWR Summer 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.
NEW! FLY Booster Club!
"FLY" is the name our kids have chosen for their "First Lutheran Youth" group. "Boosters" is the name a few of us adults have chosen to describe how we plan to move forward with Faith Formation at First. Much like a sports, show choir or band booster club meets to dream about how to support our kids in their activities (and then shows up to actually support the activities), we want parents to do the same as we shape the faith formation of our kids. There will be monthly FLY Booster meetings where adults at First come together to plan youth opportunities, from Sugar Creek middle school retreats, to Advent Around the Table, to whatever new ideas come to mind. If every parent takes one or two pieces of the whole, our kids will have more opportunities to grow in their faith! Please make every effort to attend the first meeting (the only time it will NOT be a 2nd Wednesday) on Thursday, Aug. 3, from 5:30–7pm at First. Food and child care will be provided. Following meetings will be on the 2nd Wednesday every month, starting with Sept 13 and Oct 11.
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, July 30. Min. attendance required: 2 families.
Monday Night Community Meals
For many years, Trinity Lutheran Church on the northside of La Crosse 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. 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, freeze it and reheat it. Food for the meal can be gotten at no charge from the Hunger Task Force in La Crosse. NEXT DATE: Aug. 7. You can sign up at 1stlu.org/next, or contact bridget@firstlu.org.
Special Olympics Volunteers
Special Olympics Wisconsin is hosting its annual District Softball + Bocce Tournament coming up in Onalaska and needs volunteers for this event! Special Olympics Wisconsin is a competitive sports organization, and athletes learn rules and train hard to compete to the best of their ability. It’s extremely important to have passionate volunteers to manage the games to ensure safe and equitable competition. When: Saturday, Aug. 12, 9am-3pm (different time slots available). Signup: https://cerv.is/0392gChjGm7
Vacation Bible School: Operation Restoration
Plan ahead to be here for Vacation Bible School this summer, Sunday, Aug. 13, through Wednesday, Aug. 16. 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, Aug. 13–Tuesday, Aug. 15
5pm dinner in Fellowship Hall
6–8pm VBS program
Wednesday, Aug. 16 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. 13, through Tuesday, Aug. 15, 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!
DATE CHANGE! All are welcome to the closing celebration of VBS, starting at 5pm on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 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!
Middle School MP3 Night!
For grades 6–8, on Friday, Aug. 18, 4:30–8pm, in Fellowship Hall. Why? For the same reason the elementary kids do! To have fun and build faith-based relationships!!! Wear your most comfy pajamas and bring a sleeping bag and pillow to lounge on if you like. We’ll meet, eat, play a couple of games and settle in for a movie, pizza and popcorn. This event is a huge hit, and everyone will have a great time together! RSVP at 1stlu.org/next.
Sugar Creek Golf Fundraiser
Join Pastor Stanton’s or Pastor Karyn’s team on Monday, Aug. 21, at Viroqua Hills Golf Course, to raise money for Sugar Creek. Reg and check-in at 11am. Shotgun at 12:30pm. 18 holes: $85/person, 4-person best ball! More info: 1stlu.org/next.
15th Annual First Fest!
On Sunday, Sept. 10, we invite you to join us for worship at 8am or 10:30am, and after the second service relax, catch up with friends, introduce yourself to visitors or members you’ve yet to meet, listen to great music, have lunch and have some fun! FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, so INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!
RECLAIM: A Gathering for People of African Descent
RECLAIM is a gathering for people of African descent, brought to you by African Descent Ministries. Participants will build a tool kit for ministry as we move through a pandemic, climate change and an era of preserving healers' spiritual and emotional wellness. The church needs healthy and whole preachers, teachers, professionals and young adults, all well-equipped with culturally relevant approaches to the word. Grounded in Scripture, RECLAIM will help participants feel embodied, emboldened and liberated in their identities.
WHEN: Sept. 14-17, 2023
WHERE: Minneapolis, MN
FOR: People of African descent of all ages and gender identities
DEADLINES: Standard registration and young adult registration end June 30. Late registration ends August 15.
Participants will engage in workshops, shared meals, praise and worship that will enable us to build community, learn new skills, share resources and rejuvenate weary souls. A Men in Mission cohort will meet alongside the RECLAIM gathering. Facilitated by the Rev. Jonathan Hemphill of the ELCA Southeastern Synod, this is an opportunity for collegiality, community and connection for Black men. Candidates for ministry, first-call pastors, and lay, African-descent men in ministry are invited into this intentional space. For more info visit ELCA.org/ReclaimGathering.
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.
