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| LAKE OF THE ISLES LUTHERAN CHURCH
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JANUARY 2017 |
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Dear Friends and Members of Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church,
New Year's is one of those few occasions in life when just about everybody is thinking about the same thing - and that is time. It's a time for good wishes, for your neighbors and friends, as Charles Dickens penned in A Christmas Carol, "Here's to us all, God bless us every one!" It's a time for reflection and hope, as the old Irish saying exclaims, "In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, but never in want." And it's time for joyous reveling. As American poet Phyllis McGinley once chimed, "Stir the eggnog, lift the toddy, Happy New Year, everybody."
Except for New Years, we seldom think much about time except when we're running late. And yet, New Years is not simply about time flowing like a river and carrying us all along. New Years is something more. As English essayist, Charles Lamb once wrote, "New Year's Day is every man's birthday." It is about change, new possibilities and dreams. Interestingly, January 1st is also the day when the church celebrates the naming of Jesus.
In scripture, we read that on the 8th day after his birth, Mary's son was circumcised. On that day, Jesus also received his name. Among the Jews, circumcision was an important rite. It affirmed the family covenant with God. As for the name Jesus, it was heavy with significance. It was the same name as that of Joshua, the Old Testament hero who led Israel into the land of freedom.
We would miss the significance of the naming of Jesus, however, if we took that name as only a moniker or label, or as a way to distinguish one child from another. The name of Jesus points us to who he was, who he is, and who he will come to be. Perhaps that is why the early church thought it was so important to place his name's day on the first day of the new calendar year. Our days, our weeks, and our months, should unfold fully aware of his place in our lives. Yes, Jesus is the Savior, the one who delivers and rescues us. Jesus is the one who leads us into the new year, just as Old Testament prophet Joshua did when he led the people of Israel into a new and promised land of freedom, and into a new way of life.
My friends, a new year lies before us. We do not know what it contains. But we can pray fervently in the holy name of Jesus that God will be with us. May it be for each of us a year when we pray our Savior's name, Jesus, with faith and fervor. May it be year when you and I discover anew that this world can be a very different place through the power of Jesus' holy name. Amen.
Happy New Year 2017! Pastor Arden Haug
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Staff Listing
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Rev. Dr. Arden D. Haug - Pastor
Kenneth Q. Vigne-
Organist
Dawn Allan - Choir Director Diane LaMere - Children's Ministry
Linda Nelson
- Office Manager
Dane Peterson
- Custodian
Kerri Booher
- Wedding Coordinator
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FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Sunday Worship
Service and
Sunday School
9:30 a.m.
Coffee Hour
10:40 a.m.
Confirmation Class
Wednesday Evenings
7:00 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal
Wednesday Evenings
7:30 p.m.
Prayer Ministry Group
Friday Mornings
9:15 a.m - 10:00 a.m.
January 6
Our Saviour's Shelter Meal
6:00 p.m.
January 7
Priscilla Circle
Meet at Bev Bergford's Home
9:30 a.m.
January 8
Epiphany Sunday
9:30 a.m.
January 12 & 26
Growlers and Theology
7:30 p.m.
At the Parsonage
January 15
The Baptism of Our Lord
9:30 a.m.
January 19
Church Council Meeting
7:00 p.m.
January 22
Wedding at Cana
Special Music by
the Lake String Quartet
9:30 a.m.
Special Congregational Meeting
Immediately following the worship service
Wedding at Cana
Wine Pairing Event
4:00 p.m.
February 5
Annual Congregational Meeting
11:00 a.m.
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@LOTIChurch
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| Worship Schedule Worship with Holy Communion and Sunday School 9:30 a.m. 10:40 a.m. Coffee Hour
Children are always welcome in worship. However, if the need arises, the Christy Room is staffed with a Nursery Attendant for your child. If you need assistance, please ask one of the ushers to help you. |
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 8TH
THE FESTIVAL OF EPIPHANY |
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The Twelve Days of Christmas end on January 5th. Historically, these were favorite days for music and theatre. William Shakespeare wrote his comic play "Twelfth Night" for the close of the Christmas season. In Leipzig, Germany, during the time of J. S. Bach, the city marked the Advent season with silence in the churches. There was no music performed until Christmas Eve. The twelve days that followed were filled with music. Bach's own Christmas Oratorio was to be performed on the First, Second and Third days of Christmas.
On Sunday, January 8th, we will celebrate the close of the Christmas season with the festival service for Epiphany. Epiphany traditionally marks the visit of the Wise Men to Bethlehem. This will allow us one last chance to sing such favorite Christmas carols as "The First Noel" and "We Three Kings." Sunday School will resume this day as well.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 15TH
THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD |
The First Sunday after Epiphany is traditionally marked as the Baptism of Our Lord. It is the day in which the church remembers Jesus' baptism in the River Jordan. In the yearly retelling of Jesus' life, it is the shift from the Christmas story to Jesus' adult ministry. The Baptism of Our Lord also allows us to reflect on the meaning of baptism. In particular, the day allows us to reflect on the sacred gifts and benefits offered at baptism.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 22ND
WEDDING AT CANA SUNDAY |
In St. John's gospel, we read that Jesus first miracle was performed at the wedding in Cana. It is the familiar story where Jesus turned water into wine. This passage of scripture is often read at weddings. On Sunday, January 22nd we will use this story to celebrate the gift of marriage and the couples who were married at Lake of the Isles in 2016 and those who will be united in marriage in 2017.
The worship service will feature the Lake String Quartet performing a variety of selections for the wedding day including, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," with LOTI Choir, a stirring version of "Highland Cathedral," with organ, and Psalm 23, the theme song from "The Vicar of Dibley."
In the afternoon at 4:00, we will have a Wedding at Cana Wine Pairing. Deb Black from The Wine Company will pour a sampling of wines that are paired with different appetizers. The menu includes the following wines and appetizers.
Verdicchio from Garofoli, IT (IT white bean spread)
Dr. L "Sekt" Riesling from Mosel, Germany
Grenache, Baron de Seillac, Provence, France
Chenin Blanc/Cabernet Franc, Baumard "Carte Turquoise" from Loire, France
Gasparossa, Chiarli, Lambrusco from Italy (amazing with cold meat)
Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, Argyle, from the Willamette Valley, Oregon.
We are looking for volunteers who will make one of the appetizers. (Recipes will be provided.) Please contact Linda Nelson if you can help. The $20 reservation will be directed to CES Community Emergency Services.
Please call the church at 612-377-5095 or e-mail at churchoffice@loti.org for reservations.
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We are looking forward to resuming Sunday School this Sunday, January 8 with our annual movie day watching a beautifully animated movie called The Very First Noel.
Narrated by Andy Griffith, the movie tells the story of the three wisemen following the magnificent star in search of the newborn King.
Kids are invited to come in their PJs for our movie day!
During the month of January, kids through Grade 4 will be preparing their songs to sing in worship on February 5 for Candlemas Day.
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GROWLERS AND THEOLOGY
JANUARY 12 AND 26 |
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The informal study of theology and "adult beverages" will resume again in January. Following the model of Luther in his home in Wittenberg, Germany, Pastor Haug will lead a twice monthly gathering at the Parsonage on January 12th and 26th at 7:30 p.m.
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SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22ND |
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Following the service on January 22nd, there will be a special congregational meeting to approve changes to the Church's Constitution and By-laws before the annual meeting.
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ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
FEBRUARY 5TH |
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The annual meeting of the congregation will be held February 5th, immediately following the worship service in Fellowship Hall. New council members will be elected, the budget for 2017 will be reviewed and presented for approval, in addition to old and new business to be discussed.
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We welcome the following newly baptized infants to Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church:
Railay Ann Holzschuh 
Baptized: November 27, 2016
Parents: Hannah and Christopher Holzschuh
Lucas Bond Seybold
Baptized: December 11, 2016
Parents: Jeffrey and Maggi Seybold
Congratulations to the Holzschuh's and the Seybold's. Please keep these children and their families in your prayers. |
YOGA CLASS AT LOTI
JANUARY 10 - FEBRUARY 28TH |
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Jane Reeves has been teaching yoga for over 20 years. She combines mindfulness, poses to relieve tensions in the body and increase flexibility, and proper yogic breathing in all of her classes. This winter session will be restorative in nature. Anyone is welcome as modifications can be made. Bring your own yoga mat and blanket. The series is 8 weeks long, January 10-February 28, Tuesdays at 6:15 - 7:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. $95 for the whole series or $14 for a drop-in rate.
Radiant Jane Italy Retreats
Happiness Coach, Writer
Generosity is Gorgeous
~ Yoga Jane
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PRAYER MINISTRY
FRIDAY MORNINGS
9:15 A.M. |
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The prayer ministry group would welcome anyone who would like to join them on Friday mornings in the Christy Room at 9:15-10:00 a.m. Please contact Janna Haug or Linda Nelson for more information if you are interested.
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Priscilla Circle will meet on Saturday, January 7th at 9:30 a.m. at Bev Bergford's home. Her address is 2218 Mount View Avenue, Minneapolis. Join us for a time of casual fellowship and camaraderie. Please call Bev at 612 377-1319 if you need directions to her home.
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| OUR SAVIOUR'S SHELTER MEALS |
Reserve a month in 2017 to provide a meal for Our Saviour's Housing. Our congregation provides the meal the first Friday of every month. If you are a Thrivent member, you can get a grant from them to help you cover costs. Any questions or sign up with Cheri Moe (952-431-5226 or moeclana@aol.com).
Thank you to Cheri and Larry Moe and family who served the Shelter Meal on December 2nd.
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| Happy Birthday! 
Cody Rustad Patrick Bracken Naomi Mechels Laura Nortwen Kathy Hering Elyssa Gustafson Dominik Amann Ruth Lee Owen Koepp Jackson Ulland Kara Long Nicholas Messerli Gretchen Robertson Lucienne Walters-Beck Jane Wolke Susanne Haas Max Formell Mary sabatke Margaret Coleman Megan Larson Morgan Larson Ethan Rand |
January 1 - Linda Nelson and David Hagford
January 8 - Carol Kuehn and Rebecca Morell
January 15 - Allyson Mawn and Jon Sprain
January 22 - Jenny Cook and Debra Gilroy
January 29 - David Ackerman and Bruce Sabatke |
| JANUARY COFFEE HOUR SCHEDULE
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January 1 - No Coffee Hour
January 8 - Linda Nelson and Anita Duder
January 15 - Eric and Naomi Mechels
January 22 - Janna Haug and Pauline Haug
January 29 - Lars and Chanda Olson |
NEWSLETTER INFO |
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We welcome your input to the newsletter. Please contact the church office at churchoffice@loti.org if you would like us to include a birth announcement, ministry team meeting information/schedules or other information you would like to share with the congregation at LOTI. |
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