INSIDE: Chicken Dinner Tickets Due • New-Member Social • New Hearing Assist Devices

Join us for Worship!

Sunday, Apr. 14:

• 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.

Wednesday, Apr. 17:

• 6:15pm: Jazz worship featuring Jon Ailabouni. Live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.

NOTE: we are currently having technical difficulties with the audio for our live stream, and may not be able to live stream this Sunday. We will post an update on our social channels if that is the case.

New Hearing Assist Devices

First is in the process of upgrading our hearing assist devices. We currently have two demo devices available for those who are hard of hearing, which fit over the ear, not inside, so there is no need to remove your hearing aid. We can also provide a T-coil neck loop for those who have a cochlear implant or hearing aid that works with that technology. In the near future we hope to provide a dedicated WiFi network and app, so those who have hearing aids connected to their phones can easily hear in our sanctuary using their own devices.

Bible Matters

Are you looking for the connection between scripture and everyday life? Or maybe a way to dig deeper into the gospel of Matthew? If so, join Pastor Karyn for a year-long journey through the lectionary (our schedule of readings) Monday evenings, 7–8pm, meeting in the narthex. Our yearly readings just “rebooted” with the start of Advent, so now is a great time to join this study! Cost of this class is $20 for the devotional study book we will use. Questions? Contact karyn@firstlu.org.

OWLs

The OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First, for anyone 55+) will kick off April with their potluck on Wednesday, Apr. 17, at noon in the Fellowship Hall. And their April outing will be the award-winning musical “Godspell” at Viterbo. Meet at the church at 4:30pm on Saturday, Apr. 20. After excellent food and fellowship at a local restaurant, the group will head to Viterbo to experience this unforgettable production. Cost: $34, dinner is on your own. RSVP to Brian at owls@firstlu.org or call 630-816-5917 by Monday, Apr. 15.

Jazz Worship

Join us for a special worship service of jazz liturgy, at 6:15pm worship on Wednesday, Apr. 17, led by Jon Ailabouni.

Grief Support Group

Carrying on after the death of a loved one can be difficult and lonely. Join with others who listen and care for each other. Every third Thursday: 10am in the Upper Room. NEXT: Apr. 18. Led by Carla Stanton.

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, Apr. 18, 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.

Spring 2024 Synod School of Theology Classes

Thursdays April 18 & 25, May 2 & 9. Location for both classes: Synod office & via ZOOM. Learn more and register at 1stlu.org/theology.

• Who’s Your Hero: 5:30–6:45pm. Pastors and lay leaders share their spiritual heroes, the ones they look to, read, and draw inspiration from for their own faith journey. Learn about specific faith heroes while considering who are yours.

• Unearthing the Bible: 7:15–8:30pm. Dr. Jake Sorenson. Join us on a treasure hunt for ancient manuscripts, artifacts, and lost cities that illuminate and complicate our understanding of the Bible.

Wanted: CANDY! (and Easter eggs)

Easter is here, and the First Lutheran Youth who work on Parents’ Night Out are excited to add an Easter egg hunt to the next night out (more info below). To make this event a success, the youth are kindly requesting donations of candy and Easter eggs for the hunt. Please bring your donations to the church office. They also want to remind parents/guardians who have signed up to bring baskets with their kids on Friday, Apr. 19.

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, Apr. 19, FOR: Birth–12 are welcome (Birth–3 will be in the nursery, ages 4 and up in Fellowship Hall). For this Night Out, bring a basket with your child for collecting Easter eggs & candy.

• 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 2024 Sugar Creek Bible Camp, the mission trip and the Youth Gathering. RSVP your child or sign up to volunteer at 1stlu.org/nightout, by Wednesday, Apr. 17.

Sugar Creek Events

• April 20 – Elementary School Youth Retreat

• April 30 – Peer Ministry, Plan-it

• May 4 – Volunteer Work Weekend

To register for the above events, contact the camp at 608.734.3113 / camp@sgrcreek.org.

Luther College Collegiate Chorale Concert

Sunday, Apr. 21, 4pm at First Lutheran. No tickets necessary; a freewill offering will be collected to support the choir.

Chicken Dinner!

Tickets are on sale from youth through Apr. 17, or in the office, M–F, 8am–4pm, through Apr. 24. Meals cost $12 presale before Apr. 25. Tickets will be $15 at the door while they last. This is a fundraiser for youth going to Sugar Creek camp, on the mission trip or to the Youth Gathering. Meals are provided by Premier Catering, and will be available for pick-up at First Lutheran on Thursday, Apr. 25, 11am–6pm. FOR YOUTH: Ticket packets are due back to the church office WITH THE MONEY by this Wednesday, April 17, by 7pm. Youth and families can sign up for a shift to help with takeouts at 1stlu.org/chixdin.

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 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 about 150 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: Apr. 29. You can sign up at 1stlu.org/monmeals, or contact bridget@firstlu.org.

Preschool Springfest

Springfest, on Sun, Apr. 28, at 3pm, is our preschool’s major fundraiser and provides an opportunity for preschoolers to showcase their singing talents. After the concert, there is an ice cream social and silent auction. For all family members, grandparents, friends and neighbors! All bids support the ministry of First Lutheran Preschool… so consider any bid over face value as a donation to the preschool’s ministry (and a good way to lock in that bid)!

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.

Graduation Recognition

First Lutheran will bless graduates in worship on Wednesday, May 1, and Sunday, May 5. Join us on those days for a special blessing to celebrate this milestone. Graduates will receive more details about this service in the coming days.

One Worship, Sunday May 19

There will be only one service on Sunday, May 19, at 9am, followed by a celebration of the Sunday School and Confirmation year.

Faithful Readers

At First it’s our hope that we will be able to grow faithful readers from birth through adulthood. To do this, we will feature several books every month in our Resource Center just outside the church office. The reading focus for spring is Growing Faithful Readers. The highlighted books are…

• You're My Little Bookworm, by Nicola Edwards

• How to Read a Book by Kwame Alexander

• Ban This Book by Alan Gratz

• The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction by Meghan Cox Gurdon

The books are available to look at and order at the Resource Center, outside the church office. They can also be ordered at 1stlu.org/faithfulreaders.

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.

Baptismal Preparation

The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, June 1, 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, May 26. Min. attendance required: 2 families. 

Water is Life Synod Project

Why is there a well in the narthex? To make a wish for water, raising money for the La Crosse Area Synod Hunger Team safe water project! Safe and abundant water in a community means better health, better crops, better nutrition, and better quality of life. Water is life… water changes everything!

• Globally, 1.8 billion people—1 out of every 4 people—drink from contaminated water sources.

• Unsafe water claims the lives of 840,000 people each year, half are children under five.

• On average, women in Sub-Saharan Africa walk 3.7 miles each day to fetch water. The traditional five-gallon jug they use weighs 40 pounds when full!

Place your donations in the well, or donate online at 1stlu.org/next.

Outdoor Worship and Potluck

First will worship outdoors on Fifth Ave for the second service once a month during the summer, on the following Sundays, weather permitting…

• June 23, 10am

• July 21, 10am

• August 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.

Make Worship Happen!

Worship assistants make worship happen! Usher, read, bake bread, serve communion, lead projection and more. To assist with Sunday worship sign up at 1stlu.org/assistSUN.

Want to Volunteer? Need help?

Causeway Caregivers serves elderly and disabled adults in La Crosse County by providing volunteer services, without charge, to those in need. Tasks include raking leaves, grocery shopping, doing errands and helping after a snowfall. Would you like to be a Causeway Caregivers volunteer? Do you need a volunteer? Contact Causeway Caregivers at 608-775-9999.

Keep Up with Changes: 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). Members can make these changes on their own at our online directory: 1stlu.org/directory. Or you can send them to office@firstlu.org.

Sunday School

Sunday, Apr. 14

• Sunday School

Sunday, Apr. 21

• Sunday School

More info and online registration: 1stlu.org/sunschool.

Kindergarten Faith Building Block: Lord’s Prayer

Throughout the year, each age group has 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, Apr. 21 & 28: parents/guardians with children

• Sunday, May 5: Faith Building Block lifted up in worship

Confirmation

Sunday:

• 9:15am Gr 6 & 7 Confirmation classes - Fireside Rm

Wednesday:

• 5:30pm Confirmation Dinner

• 6:15pm Worship

• 7:00pm Gr 8 & 9 Small Groups

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