INSIDE: Vacation Bible School starts THIS Sunday • All-Church Picnic on Thursday

Join us for Worship!

Sunday, August 4:

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

• 9:00am: Summer Art Series in the narthex. Get a sneak peak here!

• 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.

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!

Join us for Vacation Bible School THIS 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.

Coffee with Pastor Karyn

Coffee with Pastor Karyn is open to all and meets at 6:30am each Wednesday in the narthex. See you there! Questions? Contact karyn@firstlu.org.

OWLs

On Wednesday, Aug. 7 the OWLs, a group for those 55+, will have their monthly potluck at noon in Fellowship Hall. For the program, we will play summer games. No, there will not be volleyball, but we can have amazing fun with a ping pong ball. The OWLs always like a little spirited competition so don’t miss the fun! Questions? Contact volunteer coordinator Brian Narveson at owls@firslu.org or 630.816.5917.

Then on Thursday, Aug. 29, the OWLs fly to the Commonweal Theatre in Lanesboro. This entertaining evening will begin with a beautiful drive along the Root River as we travel to Lanesboro. We will have dinner at a local restaurant followed by the comedy “Rumors” where sharp-edged wit meets madcap farce in this laugh-out-loud comedy from legendary playwright Neil Simon. The fantastic expedition will leave the church at 4pm. You can sign-up at the August potluck or contact Brian Narveson at 630-816-5917 or owls@firstlu.org to reserve a spot. Cost of the theater ticket is $40 and dinner is on your own.

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!

High School Gathering

Here’s the plan… High school youth are invited to a gathering on Sunday, Aug. 11 after church (11:00ish) at Rowe Park. NO parents. Just Gathering kids AND any high school friends you want to bring with you! We’ll order pizza, gather briefly in Final 15 groups for a moment or two and then play: Frisbee Golf Tournament, Kickball Game, Dodgeball, and if the weather isn’t great, there will be table games: Uno tournament, Tenzi, Racko and Bunko. Then… come to First Fest on Sunday, Sept. 8! And… We’ll do some ‘extra’ fun events, too. Ideas include: a bonfire in October, a shopping excursion in Rochester, bowling in January, a board game tournament in March (madness!), an excursion to the Dells in April and lots of Summer ideas like canoeing, hiking, golfing and more. We know high school is a FULL time with sports, jobs, romantic lives, academics and more. We am not suggesting anyone must come to ALL the things we’re proposing. But we also know ‘church’ is the group where we remember who we really are. Come when you can, for yourself and for each other!

FLY Flight Crew

"FLY" is the name our kids have chosen for their "First Lutheran Youth" group. And FLY "Flight Crew" is the name our 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. Meeting the second Wednesday of the month; NEXT: Aug. 14, 5:30pm. Food and child care provided.

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.

Blessing Backpacks & Devices/Students & Staff

Whether you are a student in kindergarten, high school, college, or an adult teaching or helping at any of those levels, attending in-person or online, God is with you every day, in every place. And First wants to kick off this school year with a blessing to remind you of just that. So we invite students and staff, K–college, to have your backpacks, briefcases, messenger bags, purses, laptops, tablets, etc. with them for worship on Sunday, Aug. 25, so that we may bless the start of your new school year!

Grade 6–10 Confirmation Orientation

For students in grades 6–10 and their parents/guardians, Sunday, August 25, 9:15am in Fellowship Hall. Come and learn what confirmation this year has in store for your kids.

Sunday School Teacher & Volunteer Orientation

Sunday, August 25, 11:15am. For all Sunday School teachers and volunteers: come and learn what this Sunday School year has in store. And thanks again for you sharing your gift of time and talents with this ministry! In Fellowship Hall; dinner and child care provided (if needed; please let Pastor Stanton know). Questions? Email jason@firstlu.org.

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 Thursday, Aug. 29 at 6:00pm, and the second is for our youth entering middle school and is being held on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 6:15pm. These events are for the student and their parents/guardians. RSVP to Pastor Karyn at karyn@firstlu.org.

Blood Drive

Tuesday, Sept. 3, 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 have ever given. Just ask anyone who’s ever received it. Walk-ins welcome; appointments encouraged, schedule yours at 1stlu.org/blooddrive. Please bring a mask and photo ID.

Changes in Worship Times

With summer drawing to a close, worship times will be changing once again, and will be as follows…

• Wednesday, Sept. 4

  • 6:15pm, Wednesday evening worship resumes

• Sunday, Sept. 8

  • Sunday worship changes back to 8am & 10:30am

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!

Monday Meal @ Trinity

For many years, Trinity Lutheran Church on the north side 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: Sept. 9. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next.

Confirmation Guides

You don’t need to know the Bible backwards & forwards & you don’t need a seminary degree. Just a heart for the youth of our church & an hour each week to spend with our confirmation youth. Parents, grandparents, godparents or any  faith-mature adult is welcome to facilitate conversation and build relationships between our confirmands on Wednesday nights. Contact Pastor Stanton to nominate someone:  jason@firstlu.org/608.783.2236.

RING!

Are you open to trying something new? Join the fun—ring bells! We welcome widely varied musical backgrounds. No experience necessary! We’ll begin with the basics and learn to work together. Musical ability is a skill that can be taught. Do you want to be involved? The bells rehearse Tuesdays at 5pm in the choir room, starting Sept. 10.  For more info, contact Jim Knutson at jim@firstlu.org. Ring ‘dem bells!

Sugar Creek 5K

Registration for the Sugar Creek Bible Camp 5K Trail Fun Run/Walk is now open! Being held Saturday, Sept. 14 at 9am, at Sugar Creek Bible Camp, the course makes its way through each of the villages and prominent places on camp. Stick around after the run for the annual camp auction, the presentation of medals, and drawings for door prizes. Register at 1stlu.org/scbc5k.

Sugar Creek Fall Festival

Saturday, Sept. 14. Beginning at 9am: 5K Trail Run and Fun Walk (more info above). At 10am: craft fair, country store, silent auction, and BBQ pork lunch.

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.

Prostate Cancer Support

Navigating a prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment(s), and after-effects is tough and worthy of peer support. Recently, a non-medical First Lutheran member found himself on this path and would like to make himself available for e-mail, phone or in-person conversations with anyone interested in having a friendly ear to listen and provide mutual support. Email awh051230@gmail.com or call the church office who will provide a phone number. 

HELP ministry

The Health Equipment Lending Program (HELP) is a ministry offered by Holmen Lutheran Church. People can borrow health-care equipment, ranging from crutches, walkers and wheelchairs to commodes and shower chairs. Also available are items to keep, such as transfer belts, braces and disposable briefs. For more information, contact Mary Nicolai at 608-498-0439 (text or leave a voicemail).