Announcements for Sunday, June 9 2024
INSIDE: 10am Worship @ Riverside Park and Synod-wide Picnic, 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.
Join us for Worship!
Sunday, June 2:
8am: live stream at 1stlu.org/live, and in-person. Nursery available.
9am: brunch potluck in narthex; sign-up at 1stlu.org/next
10am: worship at Riverside Park, followed by synod-wide picnic. No live stream.
Summer Events Insert
Lots of summer events happening at First! View and print a PDF of our summer events at 1stlu.org/next.
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.
Sing in the Synod Assembly Choir!
On June 7 and 8, the La Crosse Area Synod will gather at First Lutheran for the annual synod assembly under the theme “Rooted in God’s Love.” Events conclude on Sunday morning, June 9, at 10 a.m., with a synod-wide worship service at Riverside Park in La Crosse, and YOU are invited to sing with the assembly choir!
Under the direction of Deb Welander (choir director at Journey Lutheran in Onalaska), the choir will sing “Can’t Carry These Burdens Alone” by John Parker and Michaels Barrett. There will be TWO group rehearsals before the Sunday morning service in the park.
Friday, June 7, rehearsal at 5:00 pm in the Choir Room at First Lutheran Church. If you plan to stay for the opening plenary session at 6:00 pm and worship at 7:00 pm, please bring a sack supper. There will be light refreshments and snacks available following practice, but not enough for a meal. There are several restaurants, including Culver’s, that are close to First Lutheran as well.
Sunday, June 9, rehearsal at 9:00 am in the bandstand at Riverside Park. Coffee and water will be available at the park. Due to limited parking, please consider car-pooling to Riverside Park. A free-will offering picnic buffet will follow the worship service. All are invited to come and eat!
Music will be provided at rehearsal. If you have any questions, please contact Sara Hanssen in the synod office at 608-788-5000 or Sara@lacrosseareasynod.org.
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
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.
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: June 20. Led by Carla Stanton.
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 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.
Upcoming Office Closure
The office will be closed on these days in July…
Thursday July 4–Friday, July 5, Independence Day observed
Sunshine Team
The Sunshine Team will take a break in June and July. They’ll get together again on Thursday, Aug. 1, at 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.
Baptismal Preparation
The next baptism preparation session will be Saturday, Aug. 3, 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, Jul. 28. Min. attendance required: 2 families.
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)
Website Under Construction
The church’s website is under reconstruction for the summer as we upgrade to the latest version offered by our web developer. If you have suggestions for the website, now is a good time to offer them. Send suggestions to andy@firstlu.org.
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
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.