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Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church

December 2017

Dedication of the Zimbelstern
December 3, 2017

Praise him with clanging cymbals;

praise him with loud clashing cymbals!

Psalm 136

If you look closely at the top of the organ casing in the sanctuary at Lake of the Isles, you can now see a golden star. Truthfully, the star fits in so well with the architecture that you may wonder how you had never noticed it before. The new star is called a "zimbelstern" and is a wonderful enhancement to our organ and will be a part of our worship life for years to come.

The word zimbelstern literally means cymbal star and was a popular stop for organ builders in northern Germany during the Baroque period. It offered a brilliant bright, sound to the music. The Bach organ in the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig actually has two stars on the casing.

The zimbelstern consists of two parts. The first, the visible, exterior star actually spins as it is played, and the second part, hidden within the casing is a set eight little bells suspending in a box from the roof of the casing. If you look closely, you may see the bells chiming as the rod from the star through the casing rotates mechanically ringing the bells. The effect is similar to the sound of the familiar Christmas decoration of angel tuning by candlelight and ringing bells. Because of its unique sound it is played for special occasions in the worship service and liturgy. This is the reason we are dedicating this gift on the first Sunday of the church year- the Sunday of Advent. It is our new beginning.

The zimbelstern has been commissioned by the John Bergford family in loving memory of Bev Bergford who passed away on Valentine's Day 2017. Bev's son Rob has arranged for the construction of the star and bells and the installation in the organ. The family is grateful for the many individual who have supported this initiative.

Sunday morning's dedication service will also include music from the Baroque period composed Dieterich Buxtehude and performed by the choir and guest musicians.

Come join us in worship on Sunday, December 3rd and experience the wonder of this gift.

Peace, Pastor Arden Haug

Confirmation 2017

On October 29, Alexis Lee Jacoby, along with her family and the congregation, celebrated her Affirmation of Baptism.

Family Advent Festival

This is an intergenerational event in Fellowship Hall after worship. Lots of projects to choose from - something for all ages! Come and join us after worship to help kick off the Advent season and add some new décor to your home for the season

Visit of Saint Nicholas
December 10

St. Nicholas, the bishop of Myra in modern day Turkey, was an early priest in the Christian Church, he died around 342 AD. Legends that surround Nicholas tell of his love for God and neighbor, especially the poor. He became known as the symbol of anonymous gift giving.

St. Nicholas Day is traditionally celebrated on December 6th, so polish your shoes, or you may only receive coal this year.

Advent Service of Lessons and Carols

Music from the British Isles and France

Celtic artists Laura MacKenzie and harpist Andrea Stern, along with trumpeter Ben Alle and the the LOTI Church Choir will lead the congregation in an Advent Service of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 10th. This year's worship service will feature carols and melodies for the British Isles and France and follow the traditional pattern of Lessons and Carols for Christmas Eve. This year, however, the lessons and carols will lead us through the Advent promises of Christ's coming found in the Old Testament prophets. The worship service will be followed by the annual Christmas Tea and Cookie Sale.

Faith 'n Play

The next Faith 'n Play is scheduled for Tuesday, December 12 from 9:30-10:30 am. We will explore and play in the story of Jesus being born. It will be very interactive and fun! This ministry is for families with toddlers and preschoolers. RSVP to Diane LaMere

Growlers & Theology

Following the model of Luther in his home in Wittenberg, Germany, Pastor Haug leads a twice monthly gathering at the Parsonage. The group will meet Thursday, December 14.

LOTI Beer Glasses

are for sale.

One for $10 and two for $15.

Women's Book Club

The first meeting will be on Friday, December 15, at 5:00pm at Deb Gilroy's home, which is near LOTI. Beverages and snacks will be served. Feel free to bring something to share. We will discuss "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamante. This fabulous book has lots of discussion possibilities. Many of us have read it before but felt it was worthwhile to discuss. If you've never read it, you're in for a treat!

DebraGilroy

LindaNelson

Really Spicy Opera

presents

Amahl and the Night Visitors at LOTI

Saturday, 12/16 at 12 pm.

One night in Judea, a disabled shepherd boy (Amahl) and his mother are confronted by crushing poverty. Suddenly, there is a knock on the door the Three Kings, following the Star of Bethlehem in search of the Christ Child, ask to take shelter with the family for the night. The brief encounter changes all of their lives forever.

Kid-friendly, complete with an all-female cast and puppets!

$20 Adult

$10 Children ages 3-18.

Free - Children under 3

Purchase online at amahlspice.bpt.me or at the door

Children's Program and Santa Lucia

St. Lucia was a young Christian of Sicily who was martyred in 304 AD during the persecution under Emperor Diocletian. According to tradition, she had decided to devote her life to God and to give her possessions to the poor. In Sweden in the late 1700's, there were legends of a woman appearing in times of great famine distributing food to the starving. Perhaps because the name "Lucia" means "light," and since her feast day fall on December, the week that marks the darkest days of the year, these stories were in turn attributed to the goodness and generosity of St. Lucia.

St. Lucia will make her lighted appearance as a part of the Sunday School Children's program at Lake during worship on Sunday, December 17th. The Sunday School will present a retelling of the story of Jesus's birth from the book of Luke through the eyes of Mary telling Jesus of the night he was born. The program will includes reading, singing and bell ringing- and of course, they will wear costumes for grandparents' photo opportunities.

Scandinavian Julbor d

Please join us

December 17

12:00 Noon or 4:00 pm

Glögg (warm spiced wine) or Hot Apple Cider & Ginger Cookies

Tomtens Favorit Sill - Santa's Favorite Herring

Lingonberry & Black Pepper Herring

Tomato and Leek Marinated Matjes Herring

Eggs topped with Creamed Caviar

Three kinds of Swedish Cheese

Boiled Fingerling Potatoes

Sillsallad - Herring and Beet Salad

Herb & Rosé Pepper Marinated Salmon served with Dill Mustard Sauce

Julkryddad Lax - Baked Salmon with mustard, ginger & cloves

Julskinka - Swedish Christmas Ham

Apple Sauce and Mustard

Cold Roast Beef

Creamy Potato Salad with Capers & Red Onion Gherkins

Homemade Beet and Apple Salad

Pickled Cucumbers

Blue Cheese & Brie and a Variety of Olives and Crackers

Jansson's Temptations - a creamy potato dish

Dopp i Grytan - "Dip in the Pot" - and Home Baked Vört Limpa

Meatballs and Lingonberries

Prinskorv - Swedish Wieners

Red Cabbage

Swedish Potato Sausages & Mustard

Creamy Swedish Rice Pudding flavored with Vanilla served with Sweet Fruit Sauce

Saffron Cake served with Whipped Cream

Fresh Fruit Platter

A variety of Swedish Cookies

Ginger Cookies and Ischoklad (Swedish Christmas candy)

Flourless Chocolate Squares topped with Whipped Cream

Lingonberry & Ginger Spiced Cake with Sweet Cream Topping

$32.00/person, all inclusive.

Children ages of 5 and 12, $12.50

Under 5 free of charge

GOD JUL och HJÄRTLIGT VÄLKOMNA!!

look for separate announcement in your inbox to RSVP

reserve via email Linda Nelson or phone (612)377-5095

The monthly smorgasbord not only offers an opportunity for LOTI friends and neighbors to gather for fellowship and enjoy genuine Scandinavian hospitality, but the meals also support the benevolence work of our congregation.

Proceeds are directed towards those less fortunate in our immediate community.

Through the proceeds of the monthly smorgasbord, LOTI supports

Joyce Community Food Shelf, Our Saviour's Housing and

Community Emergency Services.

Christmas Eve at Lake of the Isles

We will offer two worship services at Lake of the Isles on Christmas Eve, December 24th, both with Holy Communion.

The Family Service at 4:30 will be designed for families with younger children. The service will feature a "living nativity scene" at the manger.

The 10:00 Candle Light Service of Holy Communion will celebrate the mystery of the "Word made Flesh." The LOTI Church Choir, together with guest musicians will lead the congregation in a retelling of the Christmas story, holy communion and the candle lit singing of "Silent Night."

Please note: There will be a 9:30 Sunday morning worship on Christmas Eve as well.

New Year's Eve Worship

The final worship service of the year will be held on Sunday, December 31st. It will be an occasion to reflect on the old and look to the possibility of God's grace in the new year.

Sunday School News

Please note the following dates:

December 16: Christmas program rehearsal in the Sanctuary 10-11 am
December 17: Christmas program during worship
December 24 and 31: No Sunday School

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

Join us on Wednesday morning for Bible Study at 10:00. The informal study will explore the Book of Ecclesiastes. And yes, coffee and treats are a part of every Wednesday morning.

Prayer Ministry

The prayer ministry group would welcome anyone who would like to join them on Tuesday mornings in the Christy Room at 9:15-10:00 a.m. Please contact Janna Haug, Deb Gilroy or Linda Nelson for more information if you are interested.

Janna Haug

Debra Gilroy

LInda Nelson

College Care Packages Have Shipped

Thank you for your generous support of the college care packages. Thanks to you...the packages are filled with lots of healthy snacks, (and some candy too!), tools for studying and staying healthy plus a few things that are "just for fun". The cards the kids made on Sunday will absolutely make them smile :) The packages will arrive just in time for final exams.

Winter Gear & Coat Drive Success

Thank you for your amazing response to the winter coat/gear drive! PPL came to pick up the 181 donations just before Thanksgiving - wow! Their van was FULL of winter coats, hats, gloves, snow pants, snow boots, scarves, sweaters, fleece tops, blankets, socks and long underwear. Thank you for helping take care of others in our community in need of help!

Spark Family Magazine

The latest edition of the Spark Family magazine has arrived. Please feel free to take home an issue. They are available at both entrances to the Sanctuary. This is a great resource for families with toddlers up to 6th grade! The first page of the story is geared for younger children and the second page of the story is geared for 3rd - 6th grade.

Christmas Decorations

Thank you to Lee and Marlene Wilson for providing the beautiful Christmas pots placed on either side of the 21st Street entrance. We appreciate adornment of the entrance to the church for the season.

Our Saviour's Housing Shelter Meals

Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church has provided a meal for 40 the first Friday of every month for many years. This is a wonderful opportunity for families or a group of friends. Check your calendars and choose a month for 2018. Reserve your month by contacting Cheri Moe 952-431-5226 or moeclana@aol.com. She will provide you recipes for a crowd. Thriven members are eligible to apply for a Thrivent Action grant to cover the cost of the meal and purchase supplies for Our Saviour's Shelter continuing needs.

December Birthdays

Katherine Mechels

Anne Long

Steve Hoyt

Carol Kuehn

Emily Melbye

Gregory Sarles

Martin Carlson

Lars Olson

Daniel Myers

Jorgen Olson

Jon Zachman

Pauline Haug

Chris Hovda

Allyson Mawn

Shirley Carlson

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Ushers

12/5 Linda Nelson and David Ackerman

12/10 TBD

12/17 Eric Amann and Ross Bartels

12/24 Susan and Eric Melbye

3 ushers needed (4:30pm)

2 ushers needed (10:00pm)

12/31 TBD

Altar Servers

12/3 Linda Nelson and Pauline Haug

12/10 TBD

12/17 Phyllis Dahl and Carolyn Hagford

12/24 Kathy Hering

Kathy Hering, Mary & David Goplen (4:30pm)

Kathy Hering (10:00pm)

12/31 Ellie Holmquist, Ruth Lee and Eivor Lund

Worship Assistants

12/3 Mark Waldeland
12/10 Mary Sabatke
12/17 Michelle McCreery
12/24 Michelle McCreery
Marty Carlson (4:30pm)
Kathy Hering (10:00pm)
12/31 Mark Waldeland