 |
Nearly 400 years ago, at the beginning of the Thirty Years' War, Martin Rinkart came to serve as the Lutheran pastor in the city of Eilenburg, Saxony. The walled city of Eilenburg was a refuge for political and military fugitives, but the result was overcrowding, pestilence and famine. Armies overran the city three times. The Rinkart home was a refuge for the victims, even though Rinkart was often hard-pressed to provide for his own family. During the height of a severe plague in 1637, Rinkart was the only surviving pastor in Eilenburg, conducting as many as 50 funerals in a single day. He performed more than 4000 funerals in that year, including that of his wife. Somewhere in the midst of that great tragedy, Rinkart penned one of his most beloved poems, Nun danket alle Gott- Now Thank We All Our God. The exact date of the composition is unknown, but it was sung as a hymn across the German lands in 1648 at the Peace of Westphalia. 
Over the centuries, as great tragedies, plagues and wars have drawn to a close, faithful Christians have gathered their gifts and dedicated them to God's faithfulness and salvation in the midst of those trials. In nearly every city across Central Europe, plague columns were erected by those who survived to praise God. Perhaps the most famous story of thankfulness for God's deliverance is to be found in the tiny German village of Oberammergau. There, the community vowed to perform the story of Jesus' passion every 10 years in thankfulness for God's faithfulness, which they have done every decade since 1634. Oddly, the famous performance of the Oberammergau Passion Play was cancelled in 2020 because of the Covid 19 pandemic. 
The Church Council has contemplated our own journey as a church over the past 15 months and we have decided that Lake of the Isles should offer its own gift of thanksgiving to God for his faithfulness. In May, the Church Council voted to raise $20,000 to commission the forging of two new bronze bells to be placed in the bell tower at Lake of the Isles. It is intended to be both the gift of sound in praise to God and as gift of joyous music to the neighborhood. The bells will be created by the Paccard Bell Foundry in France who created our first bell six years ago. The inscription on the larger of the two bells will read, Now Thank We All Our God for his faithfulness in the Covid-19 Pandemic 2020-2021. We hope that the bells will be delivered and installed as we begin the fall season.
On behalf of the Church Council, I invite you to consider your own gift for this project. It can certainly be a gift of gratitude for blessings you received this past year, or perhaps gifts in memory of those who were lost. Additional funds received from the congregation will be used a special benevolence gifts to our partners in ministry, as well as other projects for the church. Financial gifts will be received through the summer and celebrated at our dedication ceremony in the fall.
Peace, Pastor Arden Haug
|
|
|
Protocol for Worship
With the lifting of the Minneapolis Mask Mandate, and in compliance with Minnesota Governor's Executive Orders and CDC guidance, we have returned to pre-pandemic worship practices. Registration is no longer required for worship attendance, singing is allowed and encouraged. Coffee and fellowship will follow worship service on the Patio when weather permits and in Fellowship Hall when necessary.
It is important to recognize, however, how quickly our protocol for worship has changed in the past 5 weeks, and that not everyone will feel comfortable returning to pre-pandemic practices. Some will continue to choose social distancing over close contact. Others may not feel comfortable sharing the peace or greeting others with a handshake. Still others may prefer to wear a mask. You will still find the hand sanitizers around the church and signs that say, Welcome! We're glad that you are back! Please note: For the protection of yourself and others...Please wear your mask if you are not fully vaccinated according to CDC guidelines.
You will find some accommodations to the pandemic. We will continue to serve communion with individual cups. Offerings will be received as you go forward for communion. You will find bulletins in the pews on Sunday mornings to help suggest distanced-seating until all are comfortable again. Hymnals have returned to the pew pockets, but we will also print the music in the weekly bulletins. These practices are to help everyone feel comfortable and safe again.
Finally, if you are away or still not able to attend on Sunday morning, we will continue our online ministry indefinitely. It has become an important tool for evangelism, and an equally important connection to our members.
|
|
|
Children's & Family Ministry
Kid Materials
Kid friendly worship materials will be available in the Narthex (entrance in back of Sanctuary) on the white table. Included on the table are coloring pages, kid worship bulletins, worksheets and activity booklets to choose from. There are baggies with crayons available, however you are welcome to bring your own supplies, if you prefer. You are invited to take home a copy of the latest Spark Family magazine which includes materials for both older and younger kids.
Nursery
The Christy Room Nursery is available for parents and children to use, as needed, during the worship service. We do have a TV in the Christy Room showing the Livestream of the service so that you can continue to watch the service while using the Nursery. We aren't able to offer toys yet so feel free to pack a few items from home, if you feel you would need some while using the Nursery. Please note that the piano in the Nursery is sleeping during the service and won't be able to play with your child :)
|
 |
Congratulations High School Seniors!
|
This weekend our two high school seniors will be graduating. They were honored on Pentecost Sunday, May 23rd as a part of our Sunday morning service. At that time, they were presented blankets as gifts from the congregation.
|
Alexis Jacoby will graduate from Minnehaha Academy and will be attending the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Isaac Carlson will graduate from St. Paul Academy and will be attending Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts.
|
|
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 the month. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, our monthly meals have been provided by donation via check, money order, or online.
After May 24, when residents return to the shelter, volunteers will once again provide & serve the meal. In addition, OSCS is asking for donations of disposable food utensils, plates, & cups for serving. oscs-mn.org
Thanks to Andy & Monica Schwarm for providing in May.
Dates for 2021
|
JUN 4
|
Peter Van Bergen & Cathy Carlson
| |
JUL 2
|
Kathy & Pat Bracken
| |
AUG 6
| Carol Kuehn |
Please consider reserving:
Reserve by contacting Cheri Moe or (952) 431-5226.
Visit
oscs-mn.org
for more information regarding additional needs.
|
|
Join us
Saturday, June 5
& Saturday, July 3
9:30am
for a time of camaraderie
on the
Patio
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)
|
Coffee Hour
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.
|
Summer Preaching Series - The Early Kings For nearly 3000 years, artists, musicians and scholars have debated the significance of Israel's kings. Saul, David and Solomon, all play a part in our common understanding of the Old Testament scriptures. Jesus, himself, is referred to as the descendent of the House of David. So why does the Prophet Samuel warn the people of seeking a king to rule over them when they already have God? This will be the topic for our Wednesday morning Bible Study, as well the focus of the Sunday morning worship throughout the summer. |
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.
|
Happy Birthday!
June
Collins Christy
Arlo Frahm
Mark Duff
Alexei Haug
Tedi O'Brien
Michael Berkland
Jon Sprain
Mary Ann Lisk
Stephanie Amann
Alexander Skold
Walter Rizzotto
Janet Stewart
Megan Ulland
Andrea Christy
Ryan Hoel
Lilyana Morell
Erytreia Morell
Susan Melby
Hendrik Weichelt
Reagan Gusman
Susan Einess
Matthew Messerli
Bernie Reisberg
Nicolas Amann
Lorraine Spies
Carol Arent
Leah Berkland
Rayden Alden
Don Anderson
Charles O'Brien
Chanda Olson
Stephanie Kappel
Ross Formell
Abby Melbye
Adelaide Schwarm
Scott Gallop
Winnie Ulland
Victoria Hovda
Murphy Kappel
Isabelle Einess
Rebecca Morell
Adeline Frahm
Andrea Nyhusmoen
Clayton Nesheim
|
|
June & July Worship Assistant Schedule
|
Date
|
|
Worship Assistant
| Communion Assistant | |
June 6
|
| Mark Duff | Michelle McCreery | |
June 13
|
| Mary Sabatke | Marty Carlson | |
June 20
|
| Debby Pizarro | Kathy Hering
| |
June 27
|
| Steve Hoyt | Michelle McCreery | |
July 4
|
| Kathy Hering | Debby Pizarro | |
July 11
|
| Michelle McCreery | Mark Duff | |
July 18
|
| Marty Carlson | Steve Hoyt | |
July 25
|
| Debby Pizarro | Mary Sabatke |
|
|
 |
|
Quick Links
| |
| |
Women's Bible Study
Library
June 4 -- 5:00 PM
Our Saviour's Shelter Meal
LOTI & Our Saviour's
June 6 --3:00 PM-5:00 PM
Swedish National Day Smörgåsbord
Curbside Pickup 21 Street Entrance
June 17 7:00 PM
Women's Bible Study
Library
July 2 -- 5:00 PM Our Saviour's Shelter Meal LOTI & Our Saviour's
July 3 -- 9:30 AM
Priscilla Circle
Patio
|
|
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
Joseph LaMere -
Worship Technical Director
Sarah & Trevor Skorburg
- Caretakers
Tori Reisberg - Nursery Attendant
(612) 377-5095
|
|
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.
|
|
