Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church |
|
|
Happy New Year! Hopefully your first days of this new year have allowed you to reflect thankfully on the joys and wonders of this past year and to look hopefully to the possibilities of the year ahead. Certainly, none of us expected the old year to unfold as it did. We didn’t anticipate wave after wave of disappointment to disrupt our lives, but there were still great moments of excitement and joy. Instead, the wonder of technology allowed us to remain connected. People reached out in more intentional ways. Some of these relationships actually became deeper and richer over time because of the pandemic. That is the wonder of living as a people of hope.
Hope in God’s steadfast presence trains our senses to focus on what is good, and our hope in God’s steadfastness allows us to see good in the world in the most unlikely places --in a manger in a stable or a peasant home in Bethlehem. It is why I refuse to discard the Christmas tree in our home, regardless of how many needles it is shedding, until after we have celebrated Epiphany and the visit of the three wisemen. These were men, who in spite of their disappointment and frustrations, truly journeyed with the hope of what they would come to see.
The Feast of Epiphany is traditionally celebrated on January 6TH. It is the 13TH Day of Christmas. For Christians in the Western Church, it is the day that marks the arrival of the wisemen to Bethlehem. For Christians in the Eastern Church, it is a day celebrating Jesus’ baptism on the River Jordan. Both traditions honor this event as the epiphany or revelation of God’s purpose to all the nations. At the time of Martin Luther, the arrival of the wisemen, Jesus’s baptism in the River Jordan and Jesus’ first miracle of changing water into wine, were all celebrated on a single day. That was quite a revelation. (Fortunately at Lake of the Isles, we celebrate the revelations as a season of epiphanies.)
The story of the wisemen and their prolonged Christmas journey into the new year, underscores for me the power of hope. Life does not change with the flip of a page or the shifting of one old calendar for a new one. More often than not, we do have to wait until the new year to see what the future brings. We have to cling to hope lest disappointments, detours and delays diminish our joy. Like the wisemen, we must train our eyes to focus on what is good. Even if it is simply a new star that appeared in the night sky. When we do, we soon discover that God reveals himself in the most unlikely of places- and what an amazing wonder that it is. We cannot help but return home in a new way.
Happy New Year 2022! Pastor Arden Haug
|
|
Inspired by Christ, living and growing in faith, Lake of the Isles is a loving and open community of worship, witness, & service in God's world
In-Person,
Livestream Worship,
& Sunday School
Sundays – 9:30 AM
|
Upcoming Events
January 7
Our Saviour's Shelter Meal
January 8 – 9:30 AM
Priscilla Circle
Christy Room
January 9 – 9:30 AM
Epiphany of Our Lord
Sanctuary & YouTube
January 13 -- 7:00 PM
Growlers & Theology
Library
January 16 – 9:30 AM
Baptism of Our Lord
Sanctuary & YouTube
January 20 -- 7:00 PM
Women's Bible Study
Library
January 20 -- 7:00 PM
Council Meeting
Christy Room & Zoom
January 23 -- 9:30 AM
Wedding at Cana
Sanctuary
January 28 -- 5:00 PM
Women's Book Group
Home of Deb Gilroy
February 6-- 9:30 AM
Candlemas
Sanctuary & YouTube
|
|
|
Minneapolis Mask Mandate
On January 5TH, Mayor Jacob Frey signed emergency regulation No. 2022-1 reinstating the city-wide mask policy, which requires patrons, employees, and visitors wear a mask in businesses and places of public accommodation. The policy takes effect at 5 PM on Thursday, January, 6TH.
As a result face coverings will be required at LOTI until the mandate is lifted.
|
|
Children's Ministry January 2022 |
|
|
|
Movie/Pajama Day
January 9TH
Sunday School resumes on this Epiphany Sunday with our traditional viewing of the movie 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 to church in their pajamas and may bring any comfort items to snuggle with while we watch the movie together.
|
|
New Members Received
December 5, 2021
|
|
Susan Friske Pfaff
Elisabeth Hurliman, Caroline & Charlotte
Mary Jubenville
James Olson
Kari Raykovich & Lenore
Brandon and Kelsey Stenglein & Isabelle
|
|
Holy Baptism
December 12, 2021
|
|
|
|
Isabelle Marilyn Stenglein
Daughter of Brandon & Kelsey Stenglein
|
|
Our Saviour's Housing Meals 2022 |
|
For many years, Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church has provided a meal on the first Friday each month. The cost to provide the meal is $250.
Thank you to Mary & Dave Goplen for JAN 7 contribution, The Haug Family for FEB 4,
& Mary Sabatke for NOV 4.
Please consider contributing for:
JAN 7, FEB 4, MAR 4, APR 1, MAY 6, JUN 3
JUL 1, AUG 5, SEP 2, OCT 7, NOV 4, DEC 2
For information, contact Cheri Moe, or (952) 431-5226. |
|
Join us
January 8TH
9:30 AM
for a time of camaraderie
in the Christy Room
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)
|
|
|
|
The informal study of theology and adult beverages continues. Following the model of Luther in his home in Wittenberg, Germany, Pastor Haug will lead this month's gathering online and in-person in the Library On Thursday, January 13TH at 7:00 PM CST.
|
|
Baptism of Our Lord
Sunday, January 16TH
|
|
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.
|
|
|
We are studying Children of the Day,
by Beth Moore.
Our sessions are at
7:00 PM in the Library on
January 20, February 3, March 3, April 7, May 5 & June 2.
|
|
Book Club is
January 28 at the home of Debra Gilroy at 5:00 PM. The book is Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson.
Please bring your book, a light snack to share and a willingness to laugh, love and learn.
|
|
|
Wedding at Cana
Sunday, January 23RD
|
|
It has become a tradition at Lake of the Isles to celebrate Jesus’ first miracle of turning water into wine as the Wedding at Cana Sunday. The Sunday before the beginning of Lent is marked as Cana Sunday in the Syriac Christian Church of the Middle East. It is a day to celebrate the gifts of family and food before the penitential season of fasting begins and to be reminded that God’s abundance will be shared again. In the Western Church calendar, this same passage is often read at the beginning of the Epiphany season. It is a revelation of Jesus’ divine nature and his first miracle. For Lake of the Isles, it is an occasion for celebrating the many couples who have been married in the church.
|
|
Once again this year, Nanette Goldman and the members of the Lake String Quartet, together with the Church Choir, will highlight our wedding themed worship service with music fit for a wedding.
|
|
|
Candlemas
Sunday, February 6TH
|
|
February 2ND has many names. In popular culture, we refer to it as Ground Hog’s Day. In the church, it has been known as Candlemas, the Festival of the Purification of Mary, and as the Presentation of Lord. According to St. Luke’s gospel, the infant Jesus was carried by Mary and Joseph to the Temple in Jerusalem on the 40th day since Jesus’ birth, which is February 2ND. It was during this visit that the old prophet Simeon, who had been assured that he was to see the Messiah before his death, saw the couple and their infant son Jesus walking across the Temple. Having seen the infant Messiah, Simeon took the child into his arms and announced, Now, oh God, I can leave this world in peace- for I have seen my salvation. He then continued his prophecy with the word that Jesus would be the light for all the world.
This year as we celebrate the Presentation of Our Lord, or Candlemas on Sunday, February 6TH. The Lake String Quartet will perform winter themed music as well as accompany the Church ChoirChurch Choir in a beautiful setting of the Song of Simeon, or the Nunc Dimittis, by English composer Charles Villiers Stanford.
|
|
All are welcome to join!
Prayer Ministry continues. We meet the first Tuesday of the month in the Christy Room.
Other Tuesdays will be via Zoom.
9:15 - 10:00 AM.
|
|
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 |
|
|
Wednesday Morning Bible Study |
|
We are delighted that our Wednesday morning Bible Study is in person!
Pastor Haug leads the morning bible study group in the Library & via Zoom at 10:00 AM Wednesdays.
|
|
|
To view, go to our YouTube channel, or to find the livestream link & worship service bulletin go to loti.org. |
|
We're now hosting Coffee Hour after the service in the Fellowship Hall.
|
|
|
Happy Birthday!
Cody Rustad
Keeley Baker
Pat Bracken
Laura Nortwen
Naomi Mechels
Kelsey Steinglein
Mary Goplen
Bernie Reisberg
Kathy Hering
Ruth Lee
Dominik Amann
Jackson Ulland
Gretchen Robertson
Nick Messerli
Robin Bloom
James Olson
Susanne Haas
Max Formell
Mary Sabatke
James Aagaard
Morgan Larson
Aryn Kuehn-Larson
|
|
January Worship Volunteers |
Altar Servers
02 Linda Nelson & Mary Flynn
09 Mary & David Goplen
16 David & Carolyn Hagford
23 Cathy Carlson & Kathy Hering
30 Ellie Holmquist, Ruth Lee, Eivor Lund
|
Ushers
02 Eric Amann
09 Ellie Holmquist
16 Anita Duder
23 Lars Olson
30 Carolyn Hagford
|
Worship Assistants
02 Mary Sabatke, Marty Carlson
09 Michelle McCreery, Mark Duff
16 Marty Carlson, Kathy Hering
23 Kathy Hering, Mary Sabatke
30 Mark Duff, Michelle McCreery
|
Readers
02 David Ackerman
09 Pierre LaMere
16 Kathy Fredell
23 Lorraine Spies
30 Carolyn Hagford
|
Coffee Hour Hosts
02 Don Holzschuh
09 Dave & Carolyn Hagford
16 Linda Nelson
23 Eric & Naomi Mechels
30 Diane Stensrud
|
|
|
Heart of Europe Tour Revisited ~ Postponed
April 25 - May 7, 2022
Hungary, Slovakia, Austria & Czech Republic
|
|
Pastor Haug’s Heart of Europe Tour has been postponed.
Even though the Covid cases in Europe will certainly diminish by April, it seems prudent to postpone the tour until travelers are secure in the trip on both sides of the ocean.
|
|
Staff Members
Sarah & Trevor Skorburg – Caretakers
|
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.
|
|
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
|
|
|
Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church
2020 W Lake of the Isles Parkway
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 377-5095
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
