INSIDE: Parents’ Night Out cancelled for May • Upcoming Worship Changes • Foundation Grant Deadline is June 1

Worship

Join us for worship!

Sunday, May 29:

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

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

Wednesday, June 1:

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

COVID-19 Update

• Pastors and our COVID Advisory Panel gather to evaluate when and how the church can be open. These are our current recommendations:

  • Worship: online & in-person wearing masks.

  • Small groups: online & in-person; precautions determined by entire group

Precautions for In-Person Worship

Worship services are offered in-person, indoors at all services. As of May 14, 2022, we ask for the safety of all that everyone wear a mask in worship. For a full description of current precautions, visit 1stlu.org/precaution.

Parents’ Night Out

UPDATE: The May Parents’ Night Out has been cancelled due to lack of registration. This ministry will continue in September. See you then!

First Lutheran Foundation Grant

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.

Upcoming Worship Changes

• Wednesday worship will take a summer break; last service before break is June 1; Wednesday worship will resume Sept. 7

• Sunday, June 12:

  • Worship at 8am will be at First

  • Worship at 10am will be at Riverside Park with the synod (or at UWL Student Union if there is inclement weather)

• Starting June 19 thru the summer: Sunday worship will be at 8am and 10am

Sunshine Team

The Sunshine Team meets on the first Thursday of every month. Next meeting: June 2, 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!

Luren Singers of Decorah, IA

The Luren Singers of Decorah, IA, will perform at 7pm on Thursday, June 2, at North Presbyterian Church in La Crosse (1327 N. Salem Rd). A pie and ice cream social will follow the concert. Financial donations are welcome.

Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb

Fri, June 3, 7 pm, Christ Presbyterian Church (944 East Gorham St, Madison WI). You are invited to hear from world-renowned author Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, who has served as pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, Palestine, and is now the president of the Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem. Join us to hear Rev. Raheb speak about his newest book, The Politics of Persecution, which addresses the situation of Christians in the Middle East. He will present a less-familiar narrative about Christians in the Middle East, challenging us to reconsider how we think about our siblings in faith. Register online here.

Baptismal Preparation

The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, June 4, 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 this Sunday, May 29. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

Donations For Ukraine

Lutheran World Relief has committed $7 million to respond to the crisis in Ukraine, and expects to increase this amount as they receive additional support. With millions of individuals displaced in Ukraine and tens of thousands continuing to flee Ukraine each day, the needs grow daily. Donate at 1stlu.org/LWR.

Lutheran Disaster Response is accompanying companion churches and ecumenical partners in Ukraine, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia to respond to the crisis in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Gifts to “Eastern Europe Crisis Response” will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by the crisis in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Donate at 1stlu.org/LDR.

From Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service: The U.S. will now welcome up to 100,000 refugees from Ukraine. We need to act fast to prepare for these refugees, currently 90% of whom are women and children. There is an urgent need for resources, including emergency medical care, temporary housing, financial support for basic necessities, and much more. Donate at 1stlu.org/LIRS.

You can also designate gifts to Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Disaster Response and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service at 1stlu.org/give.

Volunteers Wanted for Synod Assembly   

The synod is looking for folks to serve as red-vested volunteers at this year's assembly. Volunteers serve very important functions: hospitality in all ways, assisting with the collection of offerings, handing out and retrieving ballots, dispersing handouts, helping at the registration table, guiding attendees to meeting spaces outside of plenary hall, etc. If interested contact the synod office (608.788.5000 / office@lacrosseareasynod.org) and they’ll put you in touch with Betty, the volunteer coordinator. You will attend the assembly at no cost.

Synod Assembly for All

Please know that ALL are welcome to these events of the synod assembly (you do not need to be a registered delegate)…

• Friday, June 10, 7pm: for opening worship at Good Shepherd Lutheran, 4141 Mormon Coulee Rd, La Crosse.

• Saturday afternoon, June 11: at the UW-La Crosse Student Union for 2 workshop sessions at 2:15pm and 3:30pm. COST: $10. Contact the synod office to register: melanie@lacrosseareasynod.org. Workshop topics are…

  • Role of Summer Camp in Developing Leaders for the Church

  • Let Us Play to the Lord - children and their experience of God belong in worship

  • Creating Cultures of Honor - on anti-racism

  • Workshop with our ELCA Representative - description pending

  • How to Do Advocacy - Lutheran Office of Public Policy-Wisconsin

  • From the Boxing Ring to the Baptismal Font - discuss politics and act for justice with the gentle compassion and courageous boldness of Jesus

  • Faith, Imagination & Proclamation - on preaching

  • Rural Ministry / Shared Ministry

  • Workshop with our assembly musician

  • Doing Hybrid Ministry

• Sunday, June 12, 10am: for worship at Riverside Park, downtown La Crosse, followed by a picnic lunch (at the UW-La Crosse Student Union if there is inclement weather) 

  • Sock and Underwear Drive at Assembly: On Sunday, June 12, when we meet at the Riverside Park bandshell for worship, we are asking congregations to bring donations of new socks and underwear along. These items will be sorted by one of the afternoon service project groups and then shared with area clothes closets.

  • See ALL Sunday afternoon Service Projects here that synod members can join. Sign up for the various service projects on the assembly web page. 

Sugar Creek Summer Reg Now Open!

Summer camp registration at Sugar Creek is open, and campers are signing up! Our new program, Art Camp, promises to help campers grow in their creative gifts and encourage them in sharing the joy of expression through guitar, dance, painting, photography, wood-crafts or writing. We can’t wait to celebrate each of their unique talents with them. We are also pleased to bring back our popular new programs from 2021: Elevated, Night Camp and Rangers. Spots for these programs are filling up quickly, so make sure you don’t miss out. Do you know about our early-registration giveaway! First Lutheran is happy to reimburse the $100 registration fee (contact the office)!

ALSO: Sugar Creek is offering three sections of Family Camp this summer: July 5-8, August 7-10 and August 11-14. Housing options include: Koinonia Lodge, Modern Log Cabins, Retreat Center, Manna Center, Wagons, Seeker or Frontier Town Villages. Or you can bring your own camper or tent. Take part in campfire worship, horse riding, bible study, creek stomping and more.

Reg and more info online: sugarcreekbiblecamp.org.

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 12, through Friday, June 17. We will learn in faith together while we do Bible study, horseback riding, hiking, swimming, campfires, and so much more! This summer confirmation camp is for youth going into grade 8. Questions? Contact Pastor Karyn at karyn@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 18, noon–8pm.

Outdoor Worship This Summer

First will continue to do outdoor worship services once a month during the summer…

• June 26, 10am

• July 24, 10am

• August 28, 10am

• September 25, 10:30am

Bring your own lawn chairs, and perhaps a hat to shade your eyes. If the weather's bad that day, we'll move inside.

First Teen Clothes Closet Needs

• Athletic shorts Large, XL, XXL Men and Women

• Athletic pants (sweatpants or joggers) Large and XL, XXL men and womens

• Teen style NEW flip flop and sandals.

• Girls summer tops in Large and X large

REMINDER: all donated clothes should be freshly laundered and free of stains and tears (unless made that way).

Volunteer Appreciation Picnic

Sunday, July 17, from 11:45am-1:15pm at the first shelter in Rowe Park, for all volunteers who make Faith Alive! happen at First Lutheran. Bring your lawn chairs and come to play! Mark the date so that we may celebrate those among us who give their time and energy to Christ’s mission! RSVP by July 10 at 1stlu.org/vapicnic.

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

Plan ahead to be here for Vacation Bible School this summer, Sunday, Jul. 31—Thursday, Aug. 4. Invite your neighbors! For 4K through Grade 5 in the fall (3 year olds are welcome to attend in the nursery). Register online at 1stlu.org/VBS.

Upcoming Sugar Creek Bus Trips

• Aug 26-Sept 1: Ark Encounter and Nashville: There are many stops along the way. The Ark Encounter in Williamstown, KY, will awe you with a full-size ark. Tour the Lexington, KY, area with its many horse farms. Opryland Hotel will be your home base in Nashville. You will see the Country Music Hall of Fame, Legends, Lunch & Lyrics, a guided tour that will take you down Music Row, the Capitol and Parthenon. A backstage tour of the Grand Ole Opry and the General Jackson Showboat Luncheon Cruise will cap off your stay. On the bus ride home, you will stop in Springfield, IL, to visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum as well as Lincoln's Home. Register soon!

• November 16: Fireside Dinner Theater, "White Christmas"

Sign up early! Spots fill quickly. Call for info: 608.734.3113.

410 Prayers

Join Kathryn for a time of prayer, every Monday–Friday, at 4:10pm. Kathryn is posting prayers on both Facebook and Twitter.

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.