Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church |
|
|
Candlemas on February 5th
Celebration of Baptism
|
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Lord, now lettest Thou, Thy Servant depart in peace.”
Luke 2:28-29
|
There is no one more surprised than me that I am marking a 10th anniversary of ministry here at Lake of the Isles this coming Sunday on Candlemas. I have never served in any one place, nor lived in any one house this long since I graduated from high school. 10 years ago, I returned from my third tour of service in Europe for the ELCA Global Mission. 10 of the previous 18 years had been spent rebuilding Christian communities in the former Eastern Block and the remaining years had been divided between two congregations in Minnesota. When I accepted the call to Lake of the Isles, friends and former parishioners frequently asked whether a small church in Minneapolis could hold my passions long enough to keep me in place. I will be honest, I wasn’t sure. There was only one position in the ELCA Global Mission that I would have sought. Surprisingly, when I was offered that position 5 years ago, I turned it down. I had discovered in the first years at Lake of the Isles that I was content and fulfilled in my ministry here and that I was prepared to complete my working career here- whenever that may be. So, let me say to all of you- thank you for 10 wonderful years.
Prior to Covid, Candlemas served not only as my anniversary date, but also as the congregation’s annual celebration of baptisms performed in the previous year. As a part of that commemoration, we would invite the baptismal families from the previous year to the worship service at Candlemas. There was a nice parallel with baptism of Mary and Joseph bringing Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to offer their sacrifice. It was always a wonderful day to celebrate the return of families and to see how the children had grown. I would add, it was also a bit noisy on this Sunday with small toddlers unaccustomed to being quiet in church. During the worship service, the families were presented with a medallion inscribed with their name and
their baptism date.
Regretfully, this was one of the traditions that fell away during Covid. So, this coming Sunday we have invited all of the children from the past 3 years to return. That is 34 children all together. These families and their children have an important message for us. They are not simply the next generation. They are the present generation and are both our joy and responsibility. They are also, the light for the future.
|
Over the past 10 years, I have reflected often on the story of Simeon taking the infant Jesus into his arms on Candlemas. On some occasions, I have meditated on his prophetic words, that Jesus would be “the light to all nations.” Other years, I have contemplated on the dutifulness of Mary and Joseph journeying to the Temple, but this year I am once again captured by the physical embrace of Simeon holding the child in his arms. It may be the result of three years of social distancing amid the pandemic, and the cautiousness with which we offer any human touch and contact. We need to hold hands, to hug and embrace one another– anything less than that is to not be fully human. The story of Simeon embracing the Christ Child is a witness to the wonder of physical touch. It is not simply human; it is divine. |
Sunday after Sunday, God invites us into his holy sanctuary to feel and experience his touch in the gifts of bread and wine at Holy Communion, in the waters of Baptism, and in the Sharing of the Peace. In all these ways, God is taking us into his loving embrace, and how good it is. It is almost heavenly.
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
Coffee Hour – 10:30 AM
|
Upcoming Events
February 3rd
Our Saviour's Shelter Meal
February 4th– 9:30 AM
Priscilla Circle
Christy Room
February 5th– 9:30 AM
Candlemas
Celebration of Baptism
Sanctuary
February 5th – 10:30 AM
Coffee Hour ~
Pastor Arden's 10th Anniversary Celebration
Fellowship Hall
February 5th – 11:00 AM
Annual Meeting
Fellowship Hall
February 5th – 4:00 PM
Isles Ensemble Condert
Sanctuary
February 9th – 7:00 PM
Growlers & Theology
Parsonage & Zoom
February 16th – 7:00 PM
Women's Bible Study
Library
February 19th– 10:30 AM
Fastelavn
Fellowship Hall
February 22nd– 11:30 AM
Ash Wednesday Worship
Sanctuary
February 22nd – 7:00 PM
Ash Wednesday Worship
Sanctuary
February 24th – 5:00 PM
Women's Book Club
Home of Deb Gilroy
March 5th – 2:00 PM
Benefit Concert for Ukraine
Women's Club of Minneapolis
|
|
|
Children's Ministry January 2023 |
|
|
|
Candlemas
February 5th
We will share a song we’ve been working on in Sunday School for the season of Epiphany during the Children’s Message. Family routine will be the same on this day.
|
|
Fastelavn
February 19th
Who will break open the barrel this year? Come with your muscles, kids! We will gather in Fellowship Hall after worship to see who can break open the barrel
and see what’s inside.
|
|
|
Our Saviour's Housing Meals 2023 |
|
For many years, Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church has provided a meal on the first Friday of each month. Due to COVID-19, our monthly meals are by donation. The shelter orders & serves the meal. Cost per meal is $250.
Thank you to Lizbeth & Mark Brown for the January contribution.
|
|
FEB 3
MAR 3
APR 7
MAY 5
JUN 2
JUL 7
AUG 4
SEP 1
OCT 6
NOV 3
DEC 1
|
|
Mary & Dave Goplen
Ellie Holmquist, Heather Jacoby, Ruth Lee, & Gretchen Robinson
Rick Gripentrog
Chanda & Lars Olson
Jim Olson
Dr. Remi & Debby Pizarro
Denise Wilkens, Mary Jubenville, Mary Flynn, Twyla Hobbs & Linda Nelson
Kathy & Mark Hering
Mary Sabatke
|
|
For information, contact Cheri Moe, or (952) 431-5226. |
|
Join us
February 4th
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)
|
|
Presentation of Our Lord ~ Candlemas
Celebration of Baptism
Sunday, February 5th
9:30 AM
Sanctuary
|
|
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 Our 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, “Lord, now you let your servant leave this world in peace; according to your word. For I have seen my salvation.” He then continued his prophecy with the word that Jesus would be the light for all the world. |
|
|
|
The Lake String Quartet will accompany the church choir in several new pieces for Candlemas, including the young Norwegian composer Kim André Arnesen’s Cradle Hymn, John Rutter’s Candlelight Carol, and the late Mark Schweizer’s haunting interpretation of the text by G. K. Chesterton, The Stars looked Down.
|
|
Pastor Arden's 10th Anniversary Celebration
February 5th
10:30 AM
Fellowship Hall
|
|
Please join us
for our very special Coffee Hour
to celebrate & give thanks
for blessings of ten years with Pastor Arden Haug!
|
|
|
Annual Meeting
Sunday, February 5th
11:00 AM
Fellowship Hall
The Annual Meeting of the congregation will be held following the service at 11:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall.
We will record the meeting and post the video afterward for viewing via a private link.
|
|
Photo by Annie Brandt-Fontaine |
|
Resilience
Isles Ensemble Concert
February 5th
4:00 PM
Sanctuary
|
|
CARLOS SIMON
An Elegy: A Cry from the Grave for String Quartet
W. A. MOZART
Viola Quintet in G Minor, K. 516
FELIX MENDELSSHON
Piano Trio in C Minor, op. 66
|
|
Musicians: Stephanie Arado, Kenneth Freed, Timothy Lovelace, Joanne Opgenorth, Tom Rosenberg, Leslie Shank
You will be deeply rewarded by venturing out to join us for our winter concert. The three works on this program grapple with the themes of reflection and resilience in different ways. Composed before the murder of George Floyd, Carlos Simon’s Elegy explores the feelings of sadness, frustration, anger, and finally, perhaps hope in reaction to the killings of Black men in America by law enforcement. Truly one of Mozart’s greatest chamber music masterpieces, the Viola Quintet in G minor explores serious emotions, including heartbreak and trauma, before yielding to an expression of pure joy in its final movement. The power and brilliance of Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio in C minor will bring the concert to a rousing close. At first stormy and intense, the piece ends with an almost religious sense of majesty and triumph.
Admission is $25 for individual tickets, or pay what you can. Tickets may be purchased at the door or online. Children, students, & LOTI members are admitted free of charge. |
|
Growlers & Theology
Thursdays, February 9th
7:00 PM
|
The informal study of theology and
adult beverages continues at the Parsonage.
We are using in-person & Zoom options.
Over the next few months, we will explore the last
and often most misunderstood book of the Bible, Revelations.
|
|
|
Fastelavn
Sunday, February 19th
10:30 AM
Fellowship Hall
|
|
|
In the days before Ash Wednesday people traditionally celebrate by enjoying special foods and customs. The word Carnival which means "farewell to meat" and Mardi Gras or "Greasy Tuesday" offer a hint at the foods that were once forbidden by the church during the penitential season of Lent. In the English tradition, people were encouraged to use the fat and eggs to make pancakes before Ash Wednesday. In Central Europe, people eat jelly filled doughnuts, and in Scandinavia families eat Lenten buns. Often these are made with fresh cardamom and filled with whipped cream and marzipan.
In Denmark there is a special children's party tied to the Sunday before Lent known as Fastelavn Sunday. Of course, everyone eats the special Lenten buns, but the children also try to break open a wooden barrel filled with chocolates and sweets. They arrive at the party dressed in costumes, so nobody knows who is hitting the wooden barrel with a wooden stick. But the one who wins, is presented with a crown. In the middle ages, black cats were associated with the devil, so a cat was placed inside the barrel. After being attacked from all sides, the cat escaped from the barrel and was never seen again taking all the evil with it. (Fortunately, Danes don't have a cat in the barrel anymore, but it is always painted on the side.)
Join us for Fastelavn Sunday, February 19th. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd. Special Scandinavian folk music will be performed that day, both in worship and in the fellowship hours, with the fiddlers from the American Swedish Institute Lilla lag, and a visiting group from Sweden called Skånegänget. Musicians in the congregation are invited to bring their guitars, fiddles and recorders to learn a piece with the ensemble.
|
|
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, February 22nd
11:30 AM & 7:00 PM
Sanctuary
|
|
The season of Lent is considered a “moveable period” in the church year. It is a preparatory season for the festival of Easter, and since Easter is determined by the lunar calendar and not a calendar date, the entire Lent and Easter season shifts from one year to another. This year the first day of Lent known as Ash Wednesday begins on Wednesday, February 22nd. Historically, churches have chosen to mark the 40 days and Sundays of Lent as a penitential period focusing on the agony of Jesus’ death on the cross and spiritual growth. The number 40 was both symbolic of Jesus 40 days in the wilderness, and it was intended to represent a tenth of the year. Men and women, thus, dedicated a tenth of the year to sacrificing, learning and growing in faith. The English word “Lent” actually comes from the old English phrase to “lengthen.” This implies both the light and days in spring growing greater, but also that Christians grow greater in faith. |
|
The Ash Wednesday services on February 22nd will follow the traditional liturgy of reflection, confession and the imposition of ashes. The remaining five Wednesday services will be celebrated with Marty Haugen’s Holden Evening Prayer. |
|
Benefit Concert for Ukraine
March 5th
2:00 PM
The Women's Club of Minneapolis
|
|
Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church will once again be co-sponsoring a fundraiser for Ukraine with the Isles Ensemble and Women’s Club of Minneapolis.
This year the funds will be distributed between three causes: Adopt-a-Family, which helps to resettle Ukrainian refugees in the Twin Cities; The Protez Foundation, which is a Ukrainian prosthetics project for injured Uranian soldiers founded by a Twin Cities based doctor; and support for an orphanage in Ukraine.
All funds will be received through Lake of the Isles. Contributions may be made here. |
|
 |
Women's Bible Study
Thursday, February 16th
7:00 PM
We are studying Children of the Day,
by Beth Moore.We meet in the Library.
|
|
|
|
Women's Book Club
Friday, February 24th
5:00 PM
Our monthly meeting is at the home of Deb Gilroy at. This month's selection is The Shack, by William Paul Young. Join us!(and bring a snack to share if you like) |
|
|
|
All are welcome to join!
We meet on Tuesdays at 9:30 am in the Christy Room or the Sanctuary.
|
|
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 |
|
All are welcome to come and join our Wednesday morning Bible study!
Pastor Haug leads the morning bible study group in the Library & via Zoom on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM.
|
|
To view, go to our YouTube channel, or to find the livestream link & worship service bulletin go to loti.org. |
|
We're hosting Coffee Hour after the service in the Fellowship Hall.
|
|
|
Brad Peterson
Jameson Rustad
Bennett Gruys
Jeffrey Bruzek
Jean Krinke
Barbara Madson
Vicki Kuehn-Larson
Don Holzschuh
Alyson Frahm
Diane Stensrud
Kamie Moen
Robert Brownson
Kenneth Larson
Eileen Anderson
Timothy Peterson
Rick Gripentrog
Thomas Madson
Michael Huttner
Edward Olson
Ellie Holmquist
|
|
February Worship Volunteers |
Altar Servers
05 Linda Nelson & Mary Flynn
12 Mary & David Goplen
19 David & Carolyn Hagford
26 Cathy Carlson & Kathy Hering
|
Ushers
05 David Ackerman
12 Bill Fredell
19 Pierre LaMere
26 Ellie Holmquist
|
Worship Assistants
05 Mary Sabatke & Marty Carlson
12 Kathy Hering & Mary Sabatke
19 Michelle McCreery & Mark Duff
22 Michelle McCreery & Mark Duff
26 Marty Carlson & Kathy Hering
|
Readers
05 Mary Sabatke
12 Kathy Fredell
19 Janna Haug
26 David Hagford
|
Coffee Hour Hosts
05 Ellie Holmquist & Ruth Lee
12 Nicole Olson & Linda Nelson
19 Chanda & Lars Olson
26 Casey & Andrea Christy
|
|
|
Staff Members
Jim Olson –Worship Technical Assistant
Sarah & Trevor Skorburg – Caretakers
|
Contact us if you have events, schedules, or other information to share with the congregation.
|
|
Council Members
Pamela Aagaard
Ross Bartels – Treasurer
Catherine Carlson
Casey Christy
David Hagford
Steve Hoyt – Vice President
Eric Mechels
Katie Messerli
Michelle Reisberg
Jon Sprain – Secretary
|
|
|
Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church
2020 W Lake of the Isles Parkway
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 377-5095
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
