INSIDE: Teen Shoe Give-Away FINAL WEEK • Sunshine Team Returns

Join us for Worship!

Sunday, July 28:

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

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

Summer Events Insert

Lots of summer events happening at First! View and print a PDF of our summer events at 1stlu.org/next.

Last Chance! Teen Shoe Give-Away

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 until the end 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. RETURN SHOES BY WED., JULY 31. 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 12) you can sign up at 1stlu.org/next.

Newsletter Assembly

It’s a relaxing way to volunteer! TUESDAY, July 30, at 10am, to assemble the August newsletter. See you there! 

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.

Sunshine Team

The Sunshine Team will get together again on Thursday, Aug. 1, at 9:30am. Various jobs: cleaning, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, washing windows and cleaning carpets. Help make First look nice! Refreshments are supplied to replenish your reserves! Dues are free! Questions? Contact Dan at dan@firstlu.org.

Baptismal Preparation

The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Aug. 3, 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 608.783.2236 by Sunday, Jul. 28. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

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.

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.

Sunday, Aug. 4–Wednesday, Aug. 7

• 5pm dinner in Fellowship Hall

• 6–8pm VBS program

Thursday, Aug. 8 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. 4, through Wednesday, Aug. 7, to prep, serve and clean up the meal that 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! But nothing with nuts, please! 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. 8, at Van Riper Park. We’ll eat together outdoors (First will provide the main course; bring desserts/treats to share - nothing with nuts, please) and then close with water fun at the Onalaska Aquatic Center!

Outdoor Worship and Potlucks

First will attempt to worship outdoors on Fifth Ave for the second service one more time this summer, weather permitting, on Aug. 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.

Sugar Creek Golf Fundraiser

Join Pastor Stanton’s team on Monday, Aug. 19, at Viroqua Hills Golf Course, to raise money for Sugar Creek. Reg and check-in at 11am. Shotgun at 12:30pm. 18 holes, 4-person best ball! More info: 1stlu.org/next.

Middle and High School Milestones

Jesus loved to gather with his friends, eat good food and talk about what God was up to. Our pastors, following Jesus' example, will host two events in the coming weeks to eat good food and talk about what God is up to in the lives of our youth as they transition into the next step of their education. The first will be for our youth entering high school and is being held on Aug. 29 at 6:00pm, and the second is for our youth entering middle school and is being held on Sept. 4 at 6:15pm. These events are for the student and their parents/guardians. RSVP to Pastor Karyn at karyn@firstlu.org.

16th Annual First Fest!

On Sunday, Sept. 8, 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!

Sugar Creek Youth Retreats 2024-25

Retreats are one of the best ways to build relationships among youth, adult leaders and the 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)

Website Under Construction

The church’s website is under reconstruction for the summer as we upgrade to the latest version offered by our web developer. If you have suggestions for the website, now is a good time to offer them. Send suggestions to andy@firstlu.org.

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.

Free Clean Fill

Approximately 20–30 yards of sand and pea gravel, available behind the church house. Take as much as you like. Must pick up. Questions? Contact our building and grounds manager, Dan, at dan@firstlu.org or by calling the office at 608.783.2236.

410 Prayers

Join Kathryn for a time of prayer, every Monday–Friday, at 4:10pm, on our Facebook page.

Happy Birthday!! 

If you have received a birthday postcard from First in the last several months and still have it, bring it into church Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm and pick up a small gift.

Help Those in Need

If you are looking for ways to help locally, go to the Ugetconnected site to find a variety of needs, from writing letters or drawing pictures to seniors, to delivering pre-packaged meals or sewing. It's hard to keep track of all the various organizations, so this is a great spot to find out how you can help. Go to 1stlu.org/needs.

Stephen Ministry

If you know of someone who needs a caregiver, please speak with Pastor Karyn, or call the church office: 608.783.2236.