 |
 In my sermon for the First Sunday of Advent, I shared the story of the origins of the Advent wreath. In 1839, a Lutheran pastor in Hamburg, Germany, Johann Hinrich Wichern, who was a pioneer in social ministry among the city's poor, created the first Advent wreath. He was so tired of the children in his mission school asking him whether Christmas had arrived, that he constructed a large wooden ring made out of an old cartwheel with 20 small red and 4 large white candles to help them visually count down the days to Christmas. A small candle was lit successively every weekday and Saturday during Advent. On Sundays, a large white candle was lit. The custom gained popularity among Lutheran churches in Germany and soon evolved into a smaller wreath with four or five candles that could be used in the home. A picture of this original Advent wreath can be seen above (with the colors reversed) in the Lutheran Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul in Moscow.
The pandemic has forced us to redo and rethink many familiar traditions this year. Sometimes, we have even had to rethink them a second and third time. In early November, we still thought that we would be able to gather outside around our new heaters and celebrate the lighting of the Advent wreath in the warmth and convivial setting of a European Christmas market. If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have ordered 60 red mugs for mulled wine and cocoa.  The idea of a socially distanced, Saturday evening, outdoor Advent candles lighting event, seemed so ideal and engaging, that I set out to create my own German inspired Advent wreath. Moravian stars would serve as flames. The color would be blue, the color of hope, and they would stand outside where they would be visible for the entire neighborhood. Unfortunately, I was not counting on the Governor's 4-week Executive Order banning outdoor gatherings. Oh well. The Advent wreath has been placed outside the front of the church, and is being used to count down the Sundays until Christmas.
Peace, Pastor Arden Haug |
|
Women's Bible Study
Our text is First Corinthians: Living Love When We Disagree by Melissa Spoelstra.
Relationships are messy. Sometimes we struggle to get along, especially when there is disagreement. Often we find ourselves
divided--even as Christians. How can we work out our differences
and disagreements with humility and grace
always showing the love of Christ, while still remaining true to what we believe?
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians living in Corinth about this very thing. The cultural backdrop of Corinth was even more overtly
sinful than our culture today, yet Paul boldly encouraged the Corinthian Christians not to ridicule one another or outsiders but to work together to show the love of Christ.
In this study we will explore Paul's first letter to the Corinthians to learn how we as Christians are to deal with differences and divisions--whether in the workplace, neighborhood, school, home, social media community, or church.
We'll discover that the answer is living and sharing the radical love
of Jesus Christ, and we'll unpack what this means and how we can
live it out day by day.
Until we can meet in person, our Bible Study will be online via
Zoom. This month we will meet on
Thursdays, December 3 & 17, at 7:00pm.
Contact Deb Gilroy if you would like to be added to our participants list. She will email Zoom invitations for our sessions.
We look forward to seeing you again soon. Please feel free to invite others. All are welcome!
|
|
Our Saviour's Housing Meal
For many years, Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church has provided a meal for 40 on the first Friday of every month. Due to COVID 19 restrictions, our monthly meals are provided by donation via check, money order, or online. The shelter orders and serves the meal. Suggested donation is $250.
Thrivent members may apply for a Thrivent Action grant which will cover the cost of the meal, and often much needed supplies, in addition. Grant processing is 4-6 weeks.
Thanks to Monica & Andy Schwarm; Andrea & Casey Christy for providing on November 6.
|
2020
|
SCHEDULED VOLUNTEERS
| |
DEC 4
| Cheri Moe & Family |
Thank you to everyone who has provided
a meal for the shelter in 2020!
Dave and Mary Goplen have reserved January 1, 2021
Please consider signing up for:
| APR 2 |
JUL 2
|
OCT 1
| | FEB 5 | MAY 1 |
AUG 6
|
NOV 5
| | MAR 5 | JUN 4 |
SEP 3
|
DEC 3
|
Reserve by contacting Cheri Moe or (952) 431-5226.
OSH is in need of additional support for COVID-related needs...
Donate Funds
Your financial gift right now will provide critical funds to sustain shelter operations in a much safer hotel setting and bring classes directly to students in their homes.
Donate Supplies
Your gift of select, essential items will help meet the most basic needs of our shelter guests and provide access to technology so our students can learn at home. oscs-mn.org/covid-19-response/
There are additional ways to help throughout the holidays. For more information visit/contact Our Saviour's Community Services |
|
Visit of Saint Nicholas
 December 6
The Second Sunday of Advent will be marked by the annual visit of St. Nicholas. One of the church's most celebrated saints, not simply of children, but by sailors and pawn-brokers as well, 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.
|
Growlers & Theology
The informal study of theology & adult beverages will continue on December 10 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. Contact Pastor Haug, if you'd like to receive the link to the meeting.
|
|
Children's Ministry
Winter Gear Drive  Thank you for your amazing response to the winter coat/gear drive! 154 donations went to People for Pride in Living just before Thanksgiving. Thank you for helping take care of others in our community in need of help!
_____________________________
Twelve care packages were mailed the beginning of November to our college age members and international students at Luther Seminary who are unable to return home during winter break. The packages were filled with a variety of snacks, card games, and a letter of encouragement from Pastor Haug and Diane LaMere.
_____________________________
Pre-recording of the Children's Christmas program will be on Saturday, December 12. Please sign up for a time slot for your child to come to be recorded using the link sent to you by Diane LaMere. Contact Diane with any questions.
The Christmas program will be shown during the 4:30 pm Christmas Eve family service.
|
|
|
Sancta Lucia
December 13
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 falls on December 13, the week that marks the darkest days of the year, these stories were in turn attributed to the goodness and generosity of St. Lucia. Prior to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, December 13th was the longest night in Sweden, so there was a tradition of singing and performing music through the night. This served as the origin of the early morning Lucia procession.
St. Lucia will make her lighted appearance as a part of the Third Sunday in Advent on Sunday, December 20. The worship service will feature Swedish folk and religious music presented by the Corona Chorus, guest violinist Nanette Goldman and Paul and Marikay Dahlin form the America Swedish Institute Spelmanslag.
|
|
Festival Service of Lessons and Carols 
The Corona Chorus will celebrate a Festive Service of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 20th, the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The traditional service dates back to Christmas Eve 1918, when the newly appointed Dean of King's College Cambridge, Eric Milner-White, a former army chaplain was convinced that the Church of England needed more imaginative worship and decided to create a unique service for King's College. The format of the service with its blending of music and readings grew immediately in popularity. Celtic artists Andrea Stern & Laura MacKenzie on harp and flute along with trumpeter Ben Alle will participate in the service..
|
|
|
Swedish Chef Anna-Lena Sköld
will prepare a
Julbord ~ Christmas Smörgåsbord
for Curbside Pickup
December 23, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Julbord
Hard Tack and Home Baked Vört Limpa & Butter
Matjes Herring topped with Sour Cream, Chives & Red Onion
Creamy Herring flavored with Herbs
Glasmästaresill - Traditional Pickled Herring
Eggs topped with Creamy Seafood Salad
Citrus Marinated Salmon served with Sweet Dill Mustard Sauce
Julskinka - Swedish Christmas Ham
Creamy Beet Salad flavored with Horseradish
Two kinds of Scandinavian Cheese and Olives
Swedish Pickled Cucumbers
Homemade Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage
Meatballs and Lingonberries
Swedish Potato Sausages
Jansson's Temptation
Dessert
Ris a la Malta med Saftsås
(Creamy Swedish rice pudding flavored with Vanilla
topped with sweet sauce made of Swedish fruit punch)
& Ginger Cookies
Special Treat
Lussekatter (Home Baked Swedish Saffron Buns)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
$30 per meal
Glögg & Ginger Cookies
will be available on the Patio for those waiting for their order.
This is available as a cold food menu, but you are encouraged to warm up the potato sausage, meatballs and Jansson's Temptation before serving.
|
|
Christmas Eve at Lake of the Isles December 24th
We will offer two worship services at Lake of the Isles on
Christmas Eve, December 24th. The stream-only
Family Service at 4:30 will center around a virtual Christmas Program performed by the Corona Chorus and the Sunday School.
The children will create 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 Corona Chorus, together with guest musicians will perform a pastoral mass by German composer Karl Kempter, the 19th century organist in the cathedral in Augsburg, Germany. In parts of Germany and Poland, it was popular for church organists to compose a more lyrical, melodic Christmas liturgy for Christmas Eve which focused on the arrival of the shepherds. Kempter's simple style includes French horns to sound like shepherds in the nearby Alps. The service will close with the candle lit singing of Silent Night. The service will be limited to 40 participants and will following the In-Person Worship Protocol. |
|
Women's Book Group
You're Invited to Read with Us!
Meetings are on the 4th Friday of the month beginning at 5:00pm. We'll meet via Zoom. Contact Deb Gilroy to be added to the participants list, if you have not yet joined us. She will schedule meetings & send invitations.
|
JAN 29
|
Mere Christianity,
|
C.S. Lewis
| |
FEB 26
|
What's So Amazing About Grace,
|
Philip Yancey
| |
MAR 26
|
The Book of Longings,
|
Sue Monk Kidd
| |
APR 30
|
The Seven Story Mountain,
|
Thomas Merton
|
January's Selection...
Mere Christianity is C.S. Lewis's forceful and accessible doctrine of Christian belief. First heard as informal radio broadcasts and then published as three separate books - The Case for Christianity, Christian Behavior, and Beyond Personality - Mere Christianity brings together what Lewis saw as the fundamental truths of the religion. Rejecting the boundaries that divide Christianity's many denominations, C.S. Lewis finds a common ground on which all those who have Christian faith can stand together, proving that at the centre of each there is something, or a Someone, who against all divergences of belief, all differences of temperament, all memories of mutual persecution, speaks the same voice.
|
 |
LOTI Livestream Worship Services
To view, go to our YouTube channel OR to find the live-stream link & worship service bulletin go to loti.org.
|
|
Due to the Coronavirus, pre-packed bags of groceries are being distributed.
Fill a bag or two of groceries and hygiene items, and bring them to CES, or, call to set a delivery time...
If you have time, we would be glad to give you a tour and introduce you to CES in action!
Food Items:
Please help us improve the quality of nutrition in our neighborhood by donating the following healthy foods.
- Olive oil and vegetable oil
- Flour, sugar - 4# bags or smaller
- Meat soups
- Chili with meat
- Canned chicken, tuna or salmon
- Canned fruit, in light syrup or own juice
- Rice
- Assorted canned vegetables
- Diced tomatoes
- Coffee in small bags
- Whole grain cereals
- Old fashioned oats, instant oatmeal packets
- Jelly and jam
- Peanut butter
- 100% fruit juice
Hygiene:
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Bar soap
- Shampoo, conditioner
- Deodorant
- Razors and shaving cream
- Feminine products
- Toilet paper, facial tissues
- Dish soap - small bottles
- Laundry soap
Pet Needs:
- Pet food for dogs or cats
- Kitty litter
Paper Grocery Bags with Handles
Drop off:
1900 11th Ave S, Minneapolis
612-870-1125
Food is, of course, the main ongoing aspect of CES. Food donations and/or funds to buy food are always welcome. As a result of our food purchase "connections," any dollar donated to CES to purchase food goes 10-20 times farther than a dollar spent at the store. For example, for the price of one can of corn at your grocery store, CES can purchase 10 cans of corn through the food banks.
For more information and/or monetary donations visit |
|
Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Pastor Haug leads a virtual Bible study by Zoom for the regular
10:00 am Wednesday morning Bible study group. If you would like to participate, please contact pastor@loti.org. You will receive a link and invitation to the group meeting.
|
Virtual Prayer Ministry Group 
All are welcome to join us on Tuesdays from 9:15 - 10:00 am
|
Happy Birthday!
Katherine Mechels
David Brost
Steve Hoyt
Carol Kuehn
Natalya Rose Haug
Nolan Vike
Emily Melbye
Gregory Sarles
Martin Carlson
Tommy Nesheim
Hayden Nelson
Lars Olson
Guthrie (Gus) Frahm
Jorgen Olson
Mary Flynn
Lauren Huffman
Remi Pizarro
John Zachman
Chris Hovda
Pauline Haug
Allyson Sprain
|
|
September 2020 In-Person Worship Protocol
|
|
|
Fellowship Hall Exhibition
 Kay Christianson served for over 30 years in executive management at Minnesota corporations and nonprofits, including NCS/Pearson, LearningByte International, and Children's Cancer Research Fund. Throughout her years of employment, her love of photography was always a vital part of her life. From the early days of having her own darkroom and working with black and white images to her current work with digital photography, Kay's work has always been inspired by nature. Now retired, she developed her Enlightened by Nature Photographic Portfolio. This collection has been created from the many kayaking, backpacking, hiking, cross country skiing, and running adventures that she has had and continues to experience. As she says: It is always such a delightful surprise to take a turn in the forest or paddle around a bay and discover the next unforgettable view of nature. Her work has been exhibited and sold at art institutes, galleries and cafes in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Her work has received numerous awards including first place in the 2019 Minnesota Parks and Trails Photo Contest.
She is honored to be invited to exhibit at LOTI.
|
|
 |
|
Quick Links
| |
| |
|
Upcoming Events
|
December 3 -- 7:00-8:30 PM
December 4 -- 9:30 AM
Our Saviour's Shelter Meal
December 6 -- 9:30 AM
Second Sunday of Advent Worship
Visit of Saint Nicholas
Sanctuary & YouTube
December 10 -- 7:00 PM
Growlers & Theology
Zoom
December 13 -- 9:30 AM
Third Sunday of Advent
Santa Lucia
Sanctuary & YouTube
December 17 -- 7:00 PM
Church Council Meeting
Zoom
December 17 -- 7:00 PM
Women's Bible Study
Zoom
December 20 -- 9:30 AM
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Lessons & Carols
Sanctuary & You Tube
December 23 -- 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Julbord Curbside Pickup
Patio
December 24 -- 4:30 PM
Family Christmas Eve Worship YouTube
December 24 -- 10:00 PM
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship
Sanctuary & YouTube
December 27 -- 9:30 AM New Years's Worship Sanctuary & YouTube |
|
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
Diane LaMere - Children's Ministry
Al Aakre - Seminarian
Linda Nelson - Office Manager
Michelle McCreery
- Design & Communication
Fernando Fierros - Custodian
Sarah & Trevor Skorburg
- Caretakers
Tori Reisberg- Nursery Attendant
(612) 377-5095
|
|
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.
|
|
