LOTILink
Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church 
August 2021

"A Rally-ish Sunday" September 12th



A year ago, we resumed Sunday morning worship services at Lake of the Isles. It was a daring step after six months of quarantines, masking and social distancing with the hope of safe and easy vaccination against the corona virus still months away from approval. There were pastoral colleagues who wondered why we were trying so hard to get people back into the pews. Others wondered why gathering in-person was so important. Many congregations were doing better financially when their doors were closed than when they were open. Others observed that they had better participation with their members on-line than they ever had when they were in-person. We could probably say that the same has been true for Lake of the Isles- especially on those historic weekends of Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. Our friends and members have been regular and consistent in their worship even during the summer months.
 
So why do we need to gather in worship? It is a good question. Let me assure, it is more than an academic or scriptural answer.  Martin Luther would have answered that it was about obeying the Ten Commandments, Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy.  Luther would add, We are to fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching or God's word, but instead keep that word holy and gladly hear and learn it. Truthfully, I think that gathering to worship  is about our emotional, spiritual and mental well-being. We are not meant to live and work alone- and as Christian, we certainly cannot be faithful in caring for our neighbor if we do not see or greet them.
 
Unfortunately, we as a church and a society are experiencing another surge of a Covid-variant which is making some people anxious about gathering with family and friends. Some have already forgotten how far we have come. Vaccinations are still our best form of protection, but we do have members in our community who cannot be vaccinated. I am focusing mainly on the Sunday School children. If being a part of a religious community is important for us as adults, and if we believe that the faith of children is most often caught and not taught, then we need to find a way to accommodate the children and their families in worship. At times, this may mean taking a step back.
 
Rally Sunday is the traditional fall start of the program year at Lake of the Isles when Sunday School, Choir and Adult Bible Study resumes after a summer break. This year I would like to call our September 12th worship service "A Rally-ish Sunday."  There will be wonderful Dixieland music performed by the Zuhrah Shrine Dixie Kat. There will be ice cream and fellowship out on the lawn. And there will be Sunday School.  We should all be aware of the protocol for worship with mixed ages including those working in the Sunday School. Unvaccinated worshipers should be masked. Vaccinated members are encouraged to be masked especially when in contact with the Sunday School children.  Teachers and students will be masked in their classrooms. The Nursery will be staffed during worship times with minimal toys. Sunday School classrooms will be sanitized regularly and air purifiers will be positioned in these areas.
 
We have a year of experience of worship and corona virus behind us now, but we are still not back to normal.  As a church, we need each other to become the people God intended us to be. 
 
Whether in-person or online- Welcome back to Lake of the Isles for our Rally-ish Sunday, September 12th.
 
Peace, Pastor Arden Haug
Sunday Volunteers for Autumn

We are seeking 16 to 20 LOTI members or friends to join one or more of our volunteer lists for September through December 2021

Our hope is to have large enough lists to schedule volunteers for
one Sunday. At this point we have received responses to fulfill approximately half of our need.

Tasks are as follows:
  • Ushers greet worshipers, provide bulletins and give direction as needed, as well as collect offerings and guide participants to Communion.
  • Readers participate in leading worship by reading the Scripture Lesson from the Lectern.
  • Coffee Hour Hosts prepare coffee and tea, as well as serve, using designated carafes. Instructions are posted for new volunteers. Please note that the church will provide small-bite snacks, so volunteers need only brew coffee and tea, serve on the Patio or in the Fellowship Hall, and clean used kitchen items.
Sign up hereThank you!
Our Saviour's Housing Meal








For many years, Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church has provided a meal on the first Friday each  month.
Due to changes at the shelter, we are providing $230 - $250 (a recent adjustment to the amount) to cover the meal each month.  
Thank you to Carol Kuehn, Vicki Kuehn-Larson, & Rebecca Morell for AUG 6.
David & Mary Goplen donated for SEPT 3.
Mark & Kathy Hering donated for OCT 1.
Mary Sabatke & family donated for NOV 4.
Cherie Moe donated for DEC 3.
Update: The shelter will transition to a different type of facility in the coming month and needs will change once more.
For information, contact Cheri Moe ,  or (952) 431-5226
.
Children's & Family Ministry
Sunday School Begins September 12

Sunday School for children ages 3 (by Sept 1) through 6th grade begins on September 12.  We are excited to offer in person Sunday School this fall.  We ask that all children and adults/volunteers helping with Sunday School wear masks during our time together.

Children will begin in worship with their family and go to Sunday School after the Children's Sermon and return to worship at the start of Communion.

If you haven't done so already, please register for Sunday School using our online form.  You will indicate on the form if you are registering for in person or remote Sunday School.  Families who sign up for remote Sunday School will have materials emailed to them to do at home.  If you have any questions, please contact Diane LaMere.

Blessing of the Backpacks on September 12

All children and youth will be invited to come forward during worship on September 12 for a special blessing of the backpacks. 


Bible Presentations on September 19

Incoming 3 year olds, 3rd graders plus children new to LOTI will receive a Spark Story or NRSV Bible. The Bibles are a gift from the congregation to celebrate our commitment to families honoring their baptismal promise.  If you have a child receiving a Bible this year, you will receive an email with specific instructions for this day from Diane LaMere. Presentations will happen during worship on September 19.
Fall Confirmation Schedule
Confirmation education for 7th and 8th graders, as well as 9th graders preparing for the
Rite of Confirmation on
Sunday, October 31st will begin on Wednesday, September 8th.  Last year, Confirmation was held from 4:00-5:00 on the Patio. This is negotiable depending on student schedules this fall.  
New confirmands can register with Pastor Haug.

Join us 
Saturday, September 11
9:30am
for a time of camaraderie
on the
Patio

This month the gathering is pushed back to the second Saturday, due to Labor Day weekend. 
There is no membership requirement or time commitment. 
Just come to enjoy the fellowship, for a few minutes, or a couple of hours! 
(No knitting skills required)
LOTI Hosts UN International Day of Peace

The International Day of Peace is observed around the world each year on Tuesday, September 21 from 5:45-6:30 PM and is organized locally by the United Nations Association. 
UN International Day of Peace
Growlers and Theology
The informal study of theology and "adult beverages" will begin again this fall.  Following the model of Luther in his home in Wittenberg, Germany, Pastor Haug will lead a twice monthly gathering on the Patio of the Church.  The first gathering will be at 7:00 pm on Thursday, September 23th. Please note the new time.

Inauguration of the Harpsichord
On Sunday, September 26th, we will formally inaugurate the harpsichord that was gifted to the church by Dennis and Kathryn Johnson of Bloomington.  Our Director of Music, Dr. Kris Rizzotto, will perform together with the Lake String Quartet.  The harpsichord has already been featured in worship and for a wedding, but this will allow the congregation an opportunity to thank the Johnson's for this wonderful, musical gift.
Bell and Stained Glass Update

Although the three new bronze bells forged at the Paccard Bell Foundry in Annecy, France were ready for timely delivery in late July, the international shipping routes were so disrupted by the pandemic, as much as all other aspects of life, that they were skipped over in priority.  Yesterday, I saw the actual shipping receipts and they have been placed aboard a ship from Antwerp.  They will arrive two weeks later in the Port of Charleston, South Carolina.  From there they will be transported to Minneapolis for display in church on Sunday, September 26th.  So, together with the inauguration of the harpsichord, we celebrate the blessing of the bells. The following day, the workmen will begin the process of constructing a new frame for the installation of all four bells.
 
The complete set of bells will be heard for the first time on
Sunday, October 3rd 
at 11:00 during the outdoor blessing of the animals at our annual St. Francis Day service on the church lawn.  The new clock will also be installed that week and will be unveiled as a part of the outdoor event.  Please extend an invitation to family and friends to enjoy these two Sundays.

October "Fun-Raiser" 


Finally, please plan to attend the annual fall fundraiser on
Sunday, October 10th, 5:00 PM at the home of Bernie & Michelle Reisberg. Due to great generosity of the congregation throughout this past year, the focus of this event is "fun" and not just "funds." A number of building projects have already been completed for this year. The one remaining goal is to raise the funds for the restoration of the stained-glass window above the balcony of Jesus the Good Shepherd. Michelle McCreery will be serving a meal with a minimal suggested donation.  Susanne Haas will be organizing a silent auction, so if you have an item that you would like to offer, please contact the church office. We are only hoping to have 20 items for the auction.  
As with many previous events we will try to hold the fundraiser outside on the Reisberg lawn.
Thank You from the Family of  Trevor Daniel
Thank you so much for the sweet card and words of encouragement.  Trevor was excited to get the gift card, he usually picks out Legos.  Those were his favorite.
Thank you most of all for your prayers. We could not walk this journey without your prayer support.
Coffee Hour
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We're now hosting Coffee Hour after the service on the Patio, weather permitting. Please contact the church office or phone (612) 377- 5095, if you would like to sign up for a Sunday, to brew and serve coffee/tea. 
LOTI Livestream Worship Services


To view, go to our YouTube channel, or to find the livestream link & worship service bulletin go to loti.org
Prayer Ministry Group
All are welcome to join!
Prayer Ministry continues through the summer and we will meet in person the first Tuesday of the month
at the church. Other Tuesdays it will be by Zoom.

9:15 - 10:00 AM.
2019  
2021  
Wednesday Morning Bible Study
We are delighted that our Wednesday morning Bible Study is in person again! This was our first session after 15 months of meeting virtually.
Pastor Haug leads the morning bible study group in the Library & via Zoom 
at 
10:00AM Wednesdays.
Meditation
LOTI is available during office hours for a time of quiet meditation. You can use the sanctuary to spend time in prayer, light a candle, listen to recorded sacred music, and/or use a guided meditation tool. Please call the church office to reserve a time.
(612) 377-5095

balloons_happy_bday.jpg 
Happy Birthday!
September
Magnus Skold
Diane Svard
Erin Wilcox
McKenna Gruys
Ryker Alden
Mary Jubenville
Jacob Hovda
Trygve Svard
Taylor Rondestvedt
Heather Jacoby
Brittany Lawonn
Charlie Gruys
Katherine Bracken
Pamela Aagaard
David Hagford
Miles Gruys
John Frahm
Altar Servers Schedule
September 5

Linda Nelson & Mary Flynn
September 12

Mary & Dave Goplen
September 19

Carolyn & Dave Hagford
September 26

Kathy Hering & Cathy Carlson
Ushers Schedule
September 5

Septmeber 12

September 19

September 26


Worship Assistant Schedule


Worship Assistant
Communion Assistant
September 5

Debby Pizzaro
Kathy Hering
September 12

Steve HoytKathy Hering
September 19

Michelle McCreeryMark Duff
September 26

Mary SabatkeMarty Carlson
Coffee Hour Hosts Schedule
September 5

September 12

September 19

September 26


Heart of Europe Tour Revisited
April 25 - May 7, 2022
Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Czech Republic


Of course, none of us knows what the fall will bring to European travel, and it never hurts to dream. But just in case, Pastor Haug is planning on a possible springtime trip to the Heart of Europe in 2022. The tour will visit many of the great cities along the Moldau and Danube Rivers, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Salzburg, Cesky Krumlov & Prague.  Unfortunately, the Oberammergau Passion Play will not be a part of this trip. More information will be available in September.
In This Issue
Quick Links
Upcoming Events
September 5 -- 9:30 AM
Final Summer Sermon Series
Sanctuary

September 8 -- 4:00 PM
Confirmation
Patio

September 11 -- 9:30 AM
Priscilla Circle 
Patio

September 12 -- 9:30 AM
Blessing of the Backpacks
Sunday School Resumes

September 19 -- 9:30 AM
Presentation of Bibles
Sanctuary 

September 22 -- 5:45-6:30 PM
UN International Day of Peace
Patio

September 23 -- 7:00 PM
Growlers & Theology
Patio

September 26 -- 9:30 AM
Inauguration of the Harpsichord
Blessing of the Bells
Sanctuary 

October 3 -- 11:00 AM
Blessing of the Animals
Inaugural Peal of Bells
Patio

October 10 -- 5:00 PM
Fun Raiser 
Home of Michelle & Bernie Reisberg
LOTI
Inspired by Christ, living and growing in faith, Lake of the Isles is a loving and open community of worship, witness, and service in God's world

Virtual & Limited In-Person Worship Service
Sundays 
9:30 am

Staff Members
Rev. Dr. Arden D. Haug - Pastor
Dr Kris Rizzotto -
Director of Music
Diane LaMere - Children's Ministry
Joseph LaMere -
 Worship Technical  Director
Linda Nelson - Office Manager
Michelle McCreery -
Design & Communication Director
Sarah & Trevor Skorburg  
- Caretakers
Sandy Swan - Wedding Manager

(612) 377-5095

Council Members
Pamela Aagaard
Ross Bartels - Treasurer
Martin Carlson- Vice President
Casey Christy
Regan Gusman
David Hagford
Steve Hoyt
Eric Mechels
Chanda Olson- President
Michelle Reisberg
Tori Reisberg - Youth
Jon Sprain - Secretary
Joshua Wilcox
We welcome your input to our newsletter. Contact us if you would like to submit events, schedules or other information to share with the LOTI congregation.
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