INSIDE: Faith Webs Game Day • Ash Wednesday • Lent Devos & Small Groups

Join us for worship!

Thank You Sunday Worship, Mar. 2:

• 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.

Ash Wednesday Worship, Mar. 4:

• 12:15pm: in-person. Light lunch beforehand at 11:30am.

• 6:15pm: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available. Light supper beforehand at 5:30pm.

First Sunday High School Gathering

High school youth gather on the first Sunday of each month, from 11:30am–1pm. NEXT: Mar. 2. Parents/guardians take turns providing the meal; serving and cleaning up. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next! Questions? Contact megan@firstlu.org.

Faith Webs Game Day!

All current Faith Webs are invited to get together with their households to have fun, and enjoy lunch and each other’s company over a couple of games, hosted here at First, on Sunday, Mar. 2, after the second service in Fellowship Hall.

Mardi Gras Youth Event

This is a synod-wide Mardi Gras party with jazz worship, and so much more! Our youth event directors, Megan and Madi, are going. We hope we have a group of 20 or so who can go! Maybe we'll take the bus? We'll see how many are going.

• Who: 7-12 grade youth and leaders

• When: March 2, 3–6pm

• Where: Trinity Lutheran - La Crosse, WI

• Cost: $15/person (cost helps cover musicians and supplies)

Participants are invited to bring non-perishable food items, new or gently used teen clothing, or children's toys to help with Trinity's ministries to the surrounding community. We will fellowship, learn and worship together with some Mardi Gras flare! RSVP at 1stlu.org/next.

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.

Lent Devotions & Small Groups

This year First is offering two options for devotions during Lent…

• Journeying Through Lent with Luke: an excellent Christ-centered guide to the Gospel of Luke for daily, individual devotion AND a weekly First Lutheran small group of your choice. This resource provides a daily 1) Bible text, 2) devotion by Nancy Koester, 3) meditative questions and 4) a prayer, every day from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. Cost for the book is $10. You can pick the book up at the Resource Center outside the church office, and sign up for a small group at 1stlu.org/next. Invite a friend to join you!

• Coming Back to Life, Devotions and Activities for Lent: In spring, after a long winter’s nap, an amazing thing happens: the world comes back to life! This devotional is full of ideas and activities that can help us wake up, too, preparing our hearts, minds, and communities for Easter’s great celebration. Each week, biblical texts and creation’s wonders inspire practices you can try yourself, with your family or with your friends. Grab your free Lent devotional kit at the Faith Webs table, and over the next 40 days, week by week, we’ll look for treasures that can help bring us back to hope, back to love, back to life!

Sunshine Team

The Sunshine Team meets on the first Thursday of every month. NEXT: Mar. 6, 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.

Preschool Open House

Join us for our open house on Thursday, Mar. 6, from 4:30-5:30pm. Come meet the teachers, see the classrooms, get class options and registration info for the 2025-26 school year. We accept children ages 2 and up who are potty trained. Online registration opens Monday, Mar. 10, 8am, at 1stlu.org/preschool.

Youth Retreats @ Sugar Creek

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! And NEW this season: One retreat is FREE for 2024 summer campers!

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

• March 22: Daily Bread Elementary Retreat (Grades 1-5)

Spring Ahead!

Daylight Savings Time begins next weekend, so make certain to set your clocks ahead one hour when you go to bed Saturday night, Mar. 8, or you’ll be late for church on Sunday morning!

Synod Book Study: The Line Becomes a River, Dispatches from the Border

• Dates: Sundays in Lent, March 9, 16, 23 & April 6

• Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Francisco Cantú, raised by a park ranger mother who is the daughter of a Mexican immigrant, joins the Border Patrol to understand the harsh realities of the Southwest landscape. He learns to track individuals while grappling with the dehumanizing nature of his work. After leaving the Patrol, he faces personal tragedy when an immigrant friend goes missing in Mexico, compelling him to confront the pervasive violence of the border. Register for book study here.

Holden Evening Prayer

Join us for Holden Evening Prayer during our Lent worship, on Wednesdays at 6:15pm, starting Mar. 12. There is a light supper beforehand at 5:30pm, in Fellowship Hall.

#NoPlasticsforLent 

The #NoPlasticsforLent initiative, led by Young Adults across the church, calls us to:

• Prayer for creation

• Lament the ways we have been complicit in the degradation of the earth

• Care for our neighbor in fasting from the things that are hurting our planet

Develop a commitment to practice during this 40 days that turns your attention towards caring for creation. This could be fasting from single-use plastics, eating locally, using eco-friendly cleaning supplies, shopping at farmers markets, etc. Commit to sustainability practices that make sense for you and are possible for you in your context or community.

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, Mar. 14, 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 their 2025 camp and trip expenses. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout, by Wednesday, Feb. 19.

Young Youth March Movie Madness

• FOR: First Lu Young Youth (K-5th grade) (caregivers welcome, but not required)

• WHEN: Saturday, Mar. 15, 10–11:30am

• WHERE: Marcus Theatre (2032 Ward Avenue, La Crosse)

• WHAT: Small Foot!

• COST: $5.06/person (First will purchase popcorn for youth)

• HOW: go to 1stlu.org/next to learn more

Questions: email katie@firstlu.org.

OWLs Fly to Celtic Stories and Songs

For their the OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First, for anyone 55+) will fly to the Pump House Regional Arts Center for Celtic Stories and Songs on Saturday, Mar. 15 (meet at church at 4pm). Cost: $18. Dinner at local restaurant before the show. RSVP to Brian at owls@firstlu.org.

The March potluck will be Wednesday, Mar. 26 at noon in the fellowship hall. Our guests will be the Coulee Region Giving Hearts Choir. This non-profit group brings together individuals in the early to mid-stages of memory loss, along with their caregivers, to share a love of music and sing in a choir. Having the choir as our guest means we will have 20 extra people to feed. Please bring extra potluck to share.

Funeral Planning Workshop

Sponsored by the Foundation Fund Committee, this special event will focus on thoughtful funeral planning. On Sunday, Mar. 16, from 11:45am–1:15pm, Pastors Stanton and Karyn will lead the presentation and discussion on how each of us can make decisions now that will bless our loved ones after our death. If you would like to know more about thoughtful funeral planning, this session is important for you! Lunch will be provided. We encourage all adults (regardless of age) to join us. RSVP at 1stlu.org/next.

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 helps 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 150-200 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: Mar. 17. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next.

Synod Discipleship Matters Opportunities

You. Me. Us. Being Human Together.

• Dates: March 20, 27, April 3 & 10

• Time: 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM

In response to the question, "Which commandment in the law is the greatest?" Jesus answers, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind... and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Join Pastor Karyn in exploring how Natural Family Systems can help us live more deeply into our calling to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves.

Who’s Your Favorite?

• Dates: March 20, 27, April 3 & 10

• Time: 7:15 PM - 8:30 PM

Come hear about some of our pastor’s favorite Bible characters (besides Jesus). You may recognize some of the names, but some of their stories may be new to you. The hope is that you will get new insight into what it means to be faithful and be inspired to think about who is your favorite Bible character.

Register for both Discipleship Matters courses here.

Graduation Milestone & Recognition Dinner

Graduates: You and your parents/guardians are cordially invited to mark the milestone of your graduation at First Lutheran’s High School Graduation Recognition Dinner on Sunday, March 30, from 5:30–8pm at the church. Let us take this opportunity to honor you and your accomplishments as you prepare to become a 2025 graduate. RSVP to the church office by March 23: office@firstlu.org / 608.783.2236.

Faith Web Ideas for March

Here’s an idea for what you can do to strengthen the bond of your Faith Web this March: Sit together for Holden Evening Prayer each Wednesday throughout Lent! Even more ideas & caring conversation questions can be found in the handout at the Faith Webs table and to download at 1stlu.org/webs.

Friends of the Warming Center   

The Warming Center provides shelter for the unhoused from November through April. There are many ways to serve, from taking a shift in the shelter to providing a meal. Learn more and sign up at 1stlu.org/next.

Mabel Anderson Scholarship

The Mabel Anderson scholarship application is now available online at 1stlu.org/scholarship. Completed applications are due on Tuesday, Apr. 1. Students may apply if they will graduate from high school in the spring and have plans to pursue post-secondary education. The application includes writing an essay and completing an online form that reflects the student’s involvement in church activities. Contact the office with any questions: office@firstlu.org / 608.783.2236.

Volunteer Work Weekend @ First

Who says the Sunshine Team has to have all the fun! Everyone is invited to help with spring cleaning at First Lutheran on Saturday, Apr. 5, at 9am. Great opportunity for youth needing volunteer hours! Great opportunity for all to make First look nice! Refreshments are supplied to replenish your reserves!

Baptismal Preparation

The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Apr. 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, Mar. 30. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

Cottage Meeting

As a part of stewardship for the upcoming year, the congregation is invited to a cottage meeting after the second service on Sunday, Apr. 6, in the narthex.

• What do you already love about First Lutheran?

• What are our greatest opportunities as a church?

• Where could we direct our generosity and energy in the future?

The leadership of First Lutheran want to hear your ideas about where God may be calling us in 2025 and beyond. Lunch will be provided. Come ready to talk about your ideas!

More Events @ Sugar Creek

Below are some upcoming events offered by Sugar Creek. For more info or registration, visit sugarcreekbiblecamp.org or call 608.734.3113.

• April 7 – Yesterday’s Youth

• April 19 – Easter Brunch & Egg Hunt

• May 3 – Volunteer Work Weekend

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. NEXT: Wednesday, Apr. 9, 5:30pm. Food and child care provided.

Palm Sunday Breakfast Fundraiser

Sunday, Apr. 13: Fundraiser for youth going on mission trip and to Bible camp. No coffee hour, Sunday School nor confirmation between services. Breakfast will be served between services. Food donations are needed, and youth can raise funds by working at the breakfast; sign up for both at 1stlu.org/next.

Faith Story Dinner Theater

On Holy Saturday, between the solemness of Good Friday and the good news of Easter Sunday, join us for a Holy Week edition of Faith Story Dinner Theatre, as we read and share some of the Bible stories that God has given us. WHEN: Saturday, Apr. 19, 5:30pm. Reserve your seat at 1stlu.org/next by Wednesday, Apr. 16.

Holy Week Schedule

Holy week is the week leading up to Easter Sunday on April 20, starting with Palm Sunday on April 13. Join us for worship every day of Holy Week…

• Palm Sunday, Apr. 13, worship at 8:00am & 10:30am (in-person & live streamed).

  • Palm Sunday breakfast in Fellowship Hall.

  • No Sunday School nor Confirmation classes.

• Monday, Apr. 14, worship at 6:15pm (in-person & live streamed).

• Tuesday, Apr. 15, worship at 6:15pm (in-person & live streamed).

• Wednesday, Apr. 16, worship at 6:15pm (in-person & live streamed).

  • Gr. 5 Faith Building Block, bread baking, 4pm.

• Maundy Thursday, Apr. 17, worship at 6:15pm (in-person & live streamed).

  • Gr. 5 Faith Building Block lifted up in worship.

• Good Friday, Apr. 18, worship at 12:15pm (in-person & live streamed) & 6:15pm (in-person only).

• Faith Story Dinner Theater, Apr. 19, at 5:30pm (in-person only). Reserve your seat at 1stlu.org/next.

• Easter Sunday, Apr. 20, worship at 7am (in-person only), 8:45am (in-person & live streamed), and 10:30am (in-person & live streamed).

  • No Sunday School nor Confirmation on Easter Sunday.

Sign up to help make Holy Week happen at 1stlu.org/next.

The office will be closed at noon on Friday, Apr. 18, and all day Monday, Apr. 21.

New-Member Social

By choosing to become a member, individuals and families commit to being part of a shared mission. People who would like to become members of First Lutheran are invited to a social at David Reay’s on Thursday, May 1, 6pm, where you will get to know more about First and the staff in a relaxed atmosphere. To register your family or ask questions, call our church office at 608.783.2236 or email office@firstlu.org.

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.

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).

Sunday School

• Sunday, Mar. 2

  • 9:15am Sunday School: Mardi Gras Party!

• Sunday, Mar. 9

  • 9:15am Sunday School

More info and registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool

Kindergarten Faith Building Block: Apostles’ Creed

Throughout the year, each age group will have 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.

• Sundays, Mar. 9 & 16: parents/guardians with children

• Sunday, Mar. 23: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Confirmation

• Sunday:

  • Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation Class

• Wednesday:

  • 5:30pm Lent Supper - Fellowship Hall

  • No Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups

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