INSIDE: 54321 • Synod’s Anti-Racism Survey • Parents’ Night Out

Join us for Worship!

Sunday, May 12:

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

• 10:30am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.

Wednesday, May 15:

• 6:15pm: Live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.

Volunteers Needed to Sort Food Drive Items

The Onalaska/Holmen Food Shelf is looking for volunteers for THIS Saturday, May 11, to help sort items collected during the postal carriers' Stamp Out Hunger food drive on Saturday. Volunteers are needed to sort the donations that will be dropped off at the food shelf building, which is on the grounds of the American Legion on Sand Lake Road. Volunteers are needed between 10:30am. and 5:30pm. Come when you can, and stay as long as you can.

54321 Incarnation Witnesses — Red

As we make our way toward Pentecost, you are invited to practice the 54321 exercise and then take a picture or two of something you have seen, touched, heard, smelled or tasted of the color for that week. This week, do the exercise and take one or two pictures of something RED that you notice around you. Email the photo(s) to karyn@firstlu.org. We will gather these photos and create a collage that will remind us throughout the summer to celebrate the embodied resurrection with our whole selves. Learn more about the 54321 exercise at 1stlu.org/next.

Bible Matters

Are you looking for the connection between scripture and everyday life? Or maybe a way to dig deeper into the gospel of Matthew? If so, join Pastor Karyn for a year-long journey through the lectionary (our schedule of readings) Monday evenings, 7–8pm, meeting in the narthex. Our yearly readings just “rebooted” with the start of Advent, so now is a great time to join this study! Cost of this class is $20 for the devotional study book we will use. Questions? Contact karyn@firstlu.org.

Synod’s Anti-Racism Survey

The La Crosse Area Synod Anti-Racism Team would like your feedback regarding issues of race, racism, anti-racism work and how these issues intersect our faith and public life.

Online Survey Link

This survey takes approximately 4-7 minutes to complete. The deadline to complete the survey is Tuesday, May 14. The anti-racism team will share their findings at synod assembly, and their learnings will shape our work moving forward.

OWLs

The OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First, for anyone 55+) will kick off May with a potluck on Wednesday, May 15, at noon in the Fellowship Hall. With May being the start of spring, bring your favorite picnic food to kick off the season. For the program we will virtually travel to Branson, MO, to watch the second half of the famous Presley’s Country Jubilee.

On Saturday, May 25, the OWLs will fly to Rochester, MN, to visit the Mayowood Mansion and have a delicious lunch at the 5 West Kitchen and Bar. Leaving the church at 9:30am. COST: $20, lunch is on your own. To experience the beauty of the home and estate, please call or email volunteer Brian Narveson to reserve a spot: 630.816.5917 / owls@firstlu.org.

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 Thursday: 10am in the Upper Room. NEXT: May 16. Led by Carla Stanton.

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, May 17, 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 until 8pm (parents can pick up early if needed)

COST: Monetary donations will assist the middle and high school students with 2024 Sugar Creek Bible Camp, the mission trip and the Youth Gathering. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout, by Wednesday, May 15.

One Worship, Sunday May 19

There will be only one service on Sunday, May 19, at 9am. During worship, we will commission our new Peer Ministers. After worship, we’ll have a celebration of the Sunday School and Confirmation year. We will also have a potluck after the service; First will provide brats, hot dogs and sides... we encourage members and guests to bring a dessert to share! See you there!

Worship Changes for the Summer

• Wednesday worship will take a summer break Memorial Day through Labor Day; last service is May 22 and resumes Sept. 4

• Sunday, June 9: Worship at 8am will be at First, and worship at 10am will be at Riverside Park with the entire synod (or back at First if there is inclement weather)

• Starting June 16 thru the summer: Sunday worship will be at 8am and 10am

• Three outdoor worship services this summer (weather permitting), followed by potluck: June 23, July 21 and Aug. 18, all at 10am

Faithful Readers

At First, it’s our hope to be able to grow faithful readers from birth through adulthood. To do this, we will feature several books every month in our Resource Center just outside the church office. The reading focus for spring is Growing Faithful Readers. The highlighted books are…

• You're My Little Bookworm, by Nicola Edwards

• How to Read a Book by Kwame Alexander

• Ban This Book by Alan Gratz

• The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction by Meghan Cox Gurdon

The books are available to look at and order at the Resource Center, outside the church office. They can also be ordered at 1stlu.org/faithfulreaders.

Bible Readers Deep Dive: Psalms

Join Pastor Stanton for an online study of the Psalms! Life consists of 1) seasons of well-being, 2) seasons of hurt and 3) moments of surprise when we are overwhelmed with the new gifts of God. The Psalms—more than any other part of the Bible—are able to accompany us through all the seasons and moments! Each weekday, Pastor Stanton posts a 5-10 minute deep dive into the Psalms. Find it at: FirstLutheranOnalaska.org, facebook.com/1stlu and youtube.com/1stlu.

Sugar Creek Summer Reg Now Open

Sugar Creek Bible Camp offers 17 unique and powerful summer camp programs, plus retreat ministries for youth in elementary school, middle school and high school – and adults and families! The camp is located on 660 acres in the bluffs and valleys of southwestern Wisconsin. Come learn, relax, encounter Christ and have fun at Sugar Creek Bible Camp! Explore sugarcreekbiblecamp.org for more information about next summer.

Foundation Grant Applications Deadline

REMINDER: Grant applications from worthy organizations wishing to request funds from the Foundation Fund are due by June 1! More information about the Foundation Fund and the grant application, can be found at 1stlu.org/foundation.

Faith Webs Deadline

Thank you to everyone who participated in a Faith Web this year! We pray these relationships in your church family continue to grow! A reminder that all donations toward the $300 commitment made at the beginning of the school year are due by June 1, 2024.

Fundraising Deadline

A reminder to all youth raising funds for Sugar Creek and other summer ministries, that the final day to turn in funds raised to cover expenses for summer 2024 is Sunday, June 2. Thanks!

Baptismal Preparation

The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, June 1, 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 26. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

Water is Life Synod Project

Why is there a well in the narthex? To make a wish for water, raising money for the La Crosse Area Synod Hunger Team safe water project! Safe and abundant water in a community means better health, better crops, better nutrition, and better quality of life. Water is life… water changes everything!

• Globally, 1.8 billion people—1 out of every 4 people—drink from contaminated water sources.

• Unsafe water claims the lives of 840,000 people each year, half are children under five.

• On average, women in Sub-Saharan Africa walk 3.7 miles each day to fetch water. The traditional five-gallon jug they use weighs 40 pounds when full!

Place your donations in the well, or donate online at 1stlu.org/next.

Worship @ Riverside & Synod-Wide Picnic

All synod members (even non-voting members) are welcome and encouraged to participate in Sunday morning worship at Riverside Park on Sunday, June 9, at 10am…

• The first worship service will be 8am at First (as it usually is).

• Between services (around 9am) join us for a potluck… Sign up at 1stlu.org/next so we know who is bringing what!

• Around 9:40am hop on the First Lutheran bus or join in the caravan as we head from First to Riverside Park.

• The second worship service will be at 10am at Riverside Park with the La Crosse Area Synod (or back here, at First Lutheran, if there is inclement weather).

• A picnic provided by the synod will follow the service; a free-will offering will be collected to help cover the cost of the picnic.

Consider bringing to Riverside Park…

• Lawn chairs (if seats in the main area become filled up)

• Sunscreen or wide brim hat to shade you from the sun

• Cash for free-will donation to help with picnic

Mandala Painting

On Thursday, June 13, at 6:30pm join Pastor Karyn in Fellowship Hall for an evening of creativity, relaxation and fellowship as we paint wooden Celtic mandalas. We will use two painting techniques to paint our wooden mandalas, each person receiving four Celtic mandalas to work with. Bring an appetizer or snack to share. Cost for materials: $25, paid at event. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next.

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 16, through Friday, June 21. 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 Stanton at jason@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 Saturday, June 22, noon–7pm.

Outdoor Worship and Potlucks

First will worship outdoors on Fifth Ave for the second service once a month during the summer, on the following Sundays, weather permitting…

• June 23, 10am

• July 21, 10am

• August 18, 10am

Bring your own lawn chairs, perhaps a hat to shade your eyes, and a side dish to share at the potluck (though everyone is welcome at the potluck even if you don’t bring anything!). If the weather's bad that day, we'll move inside. NOTE: There is no live stream of the 10am outdoor service.

Blood Drive

Tuesday, July 2, 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/next. Please bring a photo ID.

Vacation Bible School: Start the Party!

Plan to be here for Vacation Bible School this summer, Sunday, Aug. 4, through Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024. 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/next.

Sugar Creek Youth Retreats 2024-25

Retreats are one of the best ways to build relationships among youth, adult leaders, and wider community. Sugar Creek retreats allow you to show up and be with your age-group, knowing that you can enjoy all of the fun and activities. Save these dates for your calendar now!

• September 27–28: Pray This Way Middle & High School Retreat (Grades 6-12)

• November 2: Hallowed Be Your Name Elementary Retreat (Grades 1-5)

• February 7–8: Your Kingdom Come High School Retreat (Grades 9-12)

• March 7–8: As it is in Heaven Confirmation Retreat (Grades 6-10)

• April 26: Daily Bread Elementary Retreat (Grades 1-5)

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.

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). Members can make these changes on their own at our online directory: 1stlu.org/directory. Or you can send them to office@firstlu.org.

Sunday School

Sunday, May 12

• Sunday School

Sunday, May 19

• Sunday School Celebration! One worship at 9am, celebration follows after!

August 4–8

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

More info and online registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool.

4K Faith Building Block: The Keys

Throughout the year, each age group has 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 (in Fellowship Hall), sharing in conversation and growing together in faith. Most sessions last for three weeks, and afterward, children will have a presence in worship in celebration of the Faith Building Block they learned about.

• Sunday, May 12: parents/guardians with children

• Sunday, May 19: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Confirmation

Sunday:

• 9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation classes - Fireside Rm

Wednesday, May 15:

• 5:30pm Confirmation Celebration!

More info and online registration: 1stlu.org/confirm.