Inside: Family Getaway at Sugar Creek Bible Camp & communion begins in July.

Online Worship

• Join us for worship online this Sunday at 9:15am and on Wednesday at 6:15pm, at 1stlu.org/live.

COVID-19 Update

• Compass status for La Crosse County this week is at severe risk:

  • Worship: online

  • Education: online

  • Small groups: online

• For an up-to-date list of online options and cancellations please visit firstlutheranonalaska.org/thisweek.

Sanctuary Book Discussion & Sermon Series

Do you ever feel overwhelmed? Do you crave time and space to replenish? Can you name a sanctuary in your life? These are just a few of the questions addressed by Sanctuary, a short, easy-to-read, powerful book by Terry Hershey that is great for individuals and even better for couples, families and groups of friends. All members and friends of First Lutheran are strongly encouraged to read Sanctuary and engage in the questions at the end of each chapter. Teens would greatly benefit from this little book, too. It is a great summer read! Each Wednesday worship throughout the summer is rooted in a chapter from Sanctuary. The book is available to purchase directly from the author Terry Hershey at terryhershey.com. He has updated his website to offer a special price: $10 per book plus $4 shipping. 

Bible Readers Bible Study

Ever wanted to read the whole Bible? Pastor Stanton is leading a year long, 5 days-a-week journey! From Pastor Stanton: I want to bring a daily Bible study into your internet machine. I’ll post a 3-5 minute video by 5am Monday through Friday on Facebook and Youtube. If social media isn’t your thing, I could also e-mail each day’s video, just send me a request. By June next year… we will have read through the whole Bible, having read for about 15 minutes a day. This study is for ANYone who can read, 3rd graders to our eldest friend; members and acquaintances far far away. Use whatever Bible you’d like! Check out the reading schedule here.

Census Takers Needed for 2020 Census

The U.S. Census Bureau is currently looking to hire 2020 census takers in the La Crosse area. By working for the 2020 census you can help ensure everyone is counted. Accurate counts have a huge impact on our community: data influences decisions about which roads are fixed, which schools are built, businesses opened, what medical services (medicaid) are offered and more. Positions are part-time, flexible, and pay $17-$22/hr. Apply online: 2020census.gov/jobs. Questions? Contact Kay DeLanzo, Recruiting Assistant, Madison Area Census Office, 720.966.4327, Kay.a.delanzo@2020census.gov.

Sugar Creek Family Getaway Camps

Sugar Creek has cancelled overnight summer youth programs for 2020. In place of the 4 weeks of youth camps, you are invited to any of the 8 NEW sessions of "Family Getaway" camps, July 10–August 8! With safe practices in a beautiful getaway setting, you can still get a fun and meaningful faith-filled outdoor adventure this summer—together as a family. Over 15 separate family spaces available for each session. Be safely physically distanced in outdoor group times, and explore tons of new activities for youth and adults. All shapes and sizes of families are welcome. This can still become a joyful summer camp season to remember for your whole family! Click here to learn more.

Our OWLs Be Zoomin’

The OWLs are a group at First that welcomes anyone, First Lutheran members or not, who are 55+. OWLs: If you are having technical problems viewing worship services or pastors’ morning musings please call volunteer coordinator, Brian Narveson for help: 608.526.9700. For those already connected with a computer, tablet or smart phone, or even just a regular phone, the OWLs will be holding “Virtual Potlucks” via Zoom. Zoom is a two way video conferencing system where you can both see and hear the people you are talking with. The next one is Wednesday, July 15 at 1pm. Brian wants the OWLs to know they can participate in these virtual potlucks with just a regular phone. For help with Zoom, feel free to contact Brian: owls@firstlu.org / 608.526.9700.

Communion

In July we will begin to commune, virtually. To do this well, we will need each single person/family who expects to participate to designate at least one confirmed Christian who will act as the ‘assisting minister’ in their household. Maybe family members rotate week-by-week. All designated assisting ministers are required to attend a virtual training date lead by Pastor Karyn and Pastor Stanton on Wednesday, July 22 at 7pm, Thursday, July 23 at 7pm and Sunday, July 26 at 8am (before worship at 9:15am, when we will commune this way for the first time). We believe God meets us where we are at… so we will celebrate God meeting us online.

Sugar Creek Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Mon, Aug. 17, at Viroqua Hills Golf Course. $75 for 18 holes. Click here for tournament flyer and more details.

Sugar Creek Annual Quilt and Antique Auction

Sat, Sept. 12. Events beginning at 8am: 5K Trail Run and Fun Walk, country store, craft fair, quilt and antique auction. Click here to view flyer for more details.

Bible Bits

A project that we are starting to work on is to send a Bible verse video to Sunday school students. This video and verse from you would fill up the student's Bible with peoples names that are important to them and remember that God loves them and so do we! Beth will send a video (made by members) with directions to the Sunday school students that would give the opportunity for the youth to highlight the verse and write your name near it. This is a way to stay connected to our Bibles and our congregations' youth during this time. For more information, contact Beth at beth@firstlu.org.

Morning Musings

Where is God in all this? Who/what shall we pray for today? What are our questions? What is grounding us in a time when everything is shifting? Go to First Lutheran's website, Facebook page or our Youtube channel where each morning, Monday through Saturday by 8am, Pastor Stanton or Pastor Karyn post a "morning musing". It's a great way to stay connected!

Keep Up with Cancellations: 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). Send to office@firstlu.org.

Stephen Ministry

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

AV Ministry

Our live stream set-up is starting to get into place, and the next phase involves members learning the set-up so we can continue to provide this ministry to everyone at home. We will be in need of two leaders/volunteers each Sunday: 1) to run projection (as we always have) and 2) to direct the live stream. Ideally we’d like a 2 week commitment on both Sundays and Wednesdays, the first week to lead projection and the second week to learn the live stream. If you know someone with these gifts, or if you are interested in being a part of this ministry, pass their name or your name to andy@firstlu.org.

Readers!

We are seeking people of all ages who would be willing to be our readers each week. This would mean doing a video of yourself or family reading the assigned text and then uploading it to a google folder. If you are willing to do this, email Pastor Karyn: karyn@firstlu.org.

Prayers!

Pastor Karyn is looking for people who are willing to be our pray-ers. If you are willing to offer up a prayer or let us know a way we can be praying, send me an email to karyn@firstlu.org. Thanks!

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.