INSIDE: Congrats Grads!

Join us for Worship!

Sunday, May 26:

• 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.

OWLs

This Saturday, May 25, the OWLs (our Older Wiser Lutherans at First, for anyone 55+) will fly to Rochester, MN, to visit the Mayowood Mansion and have lunch at the 5 West Kitchen and Bar. Leaving the church at 9:30am. COST: $20, lunch is on your own. To experience the beauty of the home and estate, please call or email volunteer Brian Narveson to reserve a spot: 630.816.5917 / owls@firstlu.org.

Upcoming Office Closures

The office will be closed at the following times…

• Monday, May 27, Memorial Day

• Thursday July 4–Friday, July 5, Independence Day observed

Newsletter Assembly

It’s a relaxing way to volunteer! Tuesday, May 28, at 10am, to assemble the June/July duo-newsletter. See you there! 

Courageous Men’s Group

The Courageous Men’s Group are men of all ages who meet weekly on Wednesdays at 6am in the Fireside Room for a time of fellowship and study. Contact Jim Knutson or the church office for more info: jim@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 for 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.

Summer Events Insert

Lots of summer events happening at First! View and print a PDF of our summer events at 1stlu.org/next.

Foundation Grant Applications Deadline

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.

Faith Webs Deadline

Thank you to everyone who participated in a Faith Web this year! We pray these relationships in your church family continue to grow! A reminder that all donations toward the $300 commitment made at the beginning of the school year are due by June 1.

Fundraising Deadline

A reminder to all youth raising funds for Sugar Creek and other summer ministries, that the final day to turn in funds raised to cover expenses is Sunday, June 2. Thanks!

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. 

Sunshine Team

The Sunshine Team meets on the first Thursday of every month. NEXT: June 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.

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.

Worship @ Riverside & Synod-Wide Picnic

All (even non-voting members) are invited to Riverside Park to worship together and commission the 2024 Sugar Creek summer staff. There will be a free-will-offering picnic buffet following the service. NEW socks and underwear will be collected to restock local clothing closets.

So on Sunday, June 9, the options for First Lutheran members are as follows…

• The first worship service will be 8am at First (as it usually is).

• Between services (around 9am) join us for a potluck brunch in the narthex… Sign up at 1stlu.org/next so we know who is bringing what!

• Around 9:40am hop on the First Lutheran bus or join in the caravan as we head from First to Riverside Park.

• The second worship service will be at 10am at Riverside Park with the La Crosse Area Synod (or back here, at First Lutheran, if there is inclement weather).

• A picnic provided by the synod will follow the service; a free-will offering will be collected to help cover the cost of the picnic.

Consider bringing to Riverside Park…

• Lawn chairs (if seats in the main area become filled up)

• Sunscreen or wide-brim hat to shade you from the sun

• Cash for free-will donation to help with picnic

Worship Changes for the Summer

• Sunday, June 9: Worship at 8am will be at First, and worship at 10am will be at Riverside Park with the entire synod (or back at First if there is inclement weather)

• Starting June 16 thru the summer: Sunday worship will be at 8am and 10am

• Three outdoor worship services this summer (weather permitting), followed by potluck: June 23, July 21 and Aug. 18, all at 10am

• Wednesday worship will take a summer break Memorial Day through Labor Day and resumes Sept. 4

Mandala Painting

On Thursday, June 13, at 6:30pm join Pastor Karyn in Fellowship Hall for an evening of creativity, relaxation and fellowship as we paint wooden Celtic mandalas. We will use two techniques to paint our wooden mandalas, each person receiving four Celtic mandalas to work with. Bring an appetizer or snack to share. Cost for materials: $25, paid at event. Sign up at 1stlu.org/next.

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 16, through Friday, June 21. We will learn in faith together while we do Bible study, horseback riding, hiking, swimming, campfires, and so much more! For youth going into 8th grade. Questions? Contact Pastor Stanton at jason@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 22, noon–7pm.

Outdoor Worship and Potlucks

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.

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.

Blood Drive

Tuesday, July 2, 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 ever give. Just ask anyone who’s ever received. Walk-ins welcome; appointments encouraged, schedule yours at 1stlu.org/next. Please bring a photo ID.

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!

Plan to be here for Vacation Bible School this summer, 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.

Sugar Creek Youth Retreats 2024-25

Retreats are one of the best ways to build relationships among youth, adult leaders, and 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)

Stephen Ministry

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

Sunday School

August 4–8

• Vacation Bible School: reg at 1stlu.org/next

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

Confirmation

Sunday, June 16 – Friday, June 21

• Confirmation Camp for youth going into grade 8 this fall.

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