Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church |
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Invitation to an EPIC Study
Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations
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It was wonderful to experience the energy and excitement of this Easter season again at Lake of the Isles. After two long Covid years, it was good to welcome families back for the Palm Sunday procession, pancake breakfast and the Easter egg hunt in the Parsonage. It was a delight to hear the congregation on Easter morning, echoing the cry, "Christ is Risen! He is risen, indeed!", and a thrill to hear warm, jubilant voices singing "Alleluia!"
Not every family is ready to return to in-person worship, and we will continue to respect that decision. There are a variety of professional, personal and practical reasons why people choose to stay away for the time being, as new Covid variants seem to bring their own challenges and discomfort. It is for this reason that we will continue to offer our online worship services as well as many of our educational programs in a hybrid form. It is these intentional choices and strategies that have allowed our congregation to remain vital and resilient.
This is not true for all congregations across America. Many churches are struggling to find their way forward. Of course, it is not simply the impact of Covid, we have all been impacted by social change, political polarization and social unrest. Some congregations are struggling to make it financially. The loss of families in their worship service has left pastors and staff members without programs to lead and without income to support them. Other churches are finding it necessary to merge with a neighboring congregation. Some congregations have allowed political agenda to dominate their ministry. Many are facing an uncertain future.
It is for these reasons that the Hartford Institute for Religion Research decided to study the impact of Covid on congregational life. Based on the perceptions of our congregation’s successful approach to Covid, we have been invited to be a part of the study, EPIC, Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations. Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church is one of twelve Twin Cities churches participating in this year-long study. EPIC is an ambitious, multi-faceted research project that includes surveying church members, talking to pastors and other clergy leaders, and studying the online presence of congregations.
One particularly vital part of this study is receiving feedback from church members through congregational surveys, and that’s where you come in. From Sunday, April 24 through Saturday, May 14, 2022, Lake of the Isles members and attenders are invited to complete a brief survey that asks about your perspectives and opinions of the church’s response to the pandemic. Your partic complete one member survey and answering questions about your participation and involvement in the church, your spiritual life, your personal views about the pandemic, and your views on your church’s response to the pandemic. It will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.
We thank you for contributing to this important study! If you have any questions, please contact
Peace, Pastor Arden D. Haug
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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
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Upcoming Events
May 1 -- 9:30 AM
Third Sunday of Easter
Sanctuary
May 6
Our Saviour's Shelter Meal
May 7 -- 9:30 AM
Priscilla Circle
Christy Room
May 8 -- 9:30 AM
Mother's Day Service
Sanctuary
May 12 -- 7:00 PM
Growlers & Theology
Library
May 14
EPIC Survey Ends
May 15 -- 7:00 PM
Norwegian National Day Service
Sanctuary
May 19 -- 7:00 PM
Women's Bible Study
Library
May 22
Ascension Sunday &
Last Day of Sunday School
Sanctuary
May 27 -- 5:00 PM
Women's Book Group
Home of Deb Gilroy
May 29 -- 9:30 AM
Memorial Day Service
Sanctuary
June 5 -- 9:30 AM
Pentecost &
Senior Recognition Service
Sanctuary
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Children's Ministry May 2022 |
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Sunday School Program Year Ends May 22ND
It’s hard to believe, but we are already at the end of our program year on May 22ND. The year went fast and we SOOOO enjoyed having the kids back in person! We dug deeper into the Bible story and then we colored, we glued, we sang, we talked, we laughed, we prayed, we shared God’s love with each other and talked about ways we can share God’s love with others. What a great year it was!
Thank you for your kids – they are awesome! Thank you to our high school assistants,
Claire & Dominik – your extra sets of hands were welcome.
Looking forward to next year!
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Our Saviour's Housing Meals 2022 |
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For many years, Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church has provided a meal on the first Friday 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 Kathy & Mark Hering for the APR 1 contribution.
Our 2022 schedule:
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MAY 6
JUN 3
AUG 5
JUL 1
AUG 5
SEP 2
OCT 7
NOV 4
DEC 2
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Kristi & Bob Brownson
Jim Olson
Rick Gripentrog
Mary Jubenville, Mary Flynn, Denise Wilkens, & Linda Nelson
Rick Gripentrog
Dr Remi & Debby Pizarro
Jean & Bruce Carlson
Mary Sabatke
Carol Kuehn & Family
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Join us
May 7TH
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)
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Mother’s Day with Guest Pastor Gary Anderson
Sunday, May 8TH
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Gary Anderson will be our guest preacher on Mother’s Day, May 8TH. Pastor Anderson is not a stranger to Lake of the Isles. Our Church Council President Marty Carlson is his nephew. He and his wife Mary Ann served in the congregation in Vilnius, Lithuania that Pastor Haug and his wife Janna established.
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Norwegian National Day Service
Sunday, May 15TH
May 17TH is the Norwegian Constitution Day and we will celebrate in worship on May 15th. Although it is not a church holiday, it is always a grand occasion for celebrating Norwegian music and Norwegian desserts.
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Ascension Sunday & Last Day of Sunday School
May 22ND
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According to the Book of the Acts of Apostles, Jesus walked upon the earth another 40 days after his resurrection from the dead, and before he ascended into heaven. For that reason, Ascension Day always falls on a Thursday. This year, Ascension Day is Thursday, May 26TH. Few churches can celebrate that day in worship, so instead, many churches mark either the Sunday before or the Sunday after as Ascension Sunday. This year we'll celebrate on May 22.
The choir and guest musicians will perform an anthem, called The Ground, for string quartet, piano and chorus by the relatively young Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo, as a part of the festival service. After another year of uncertainty, it is a wonderful and moving piece using all our resources, calling our grounding to be in the world that God has made and where he has chosen to show his favor.
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We are studying Children of the Day,
by Beth Moore.
Our sessions are at 7:00 PM in the Library on May 19 & June 16.
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Book Club is
May 27TH at the home of Debra Gilroy at 5:00 PM. The book is The Great Divorce, by C.S. Lewis.
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Growlers & Theology
May 12TH
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 on Thursday, May 12TH 7:00 PM CDT in the Library & on Zoom.
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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.
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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 |
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Wednesday Morning Bible Study |
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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.
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To view, go to our YouTube channel, or to find the livestream link & worship service bulletin go to loti.org. |
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We're now hosting Coffee Hour after the service in the Fellowship Hall.
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Carolyn Hagford
Casey Christy
Joseph Mechels
Phyllis Dahl
Anita Duder
Kamie Moen
Avery Nelson
Mary Knoblauch
Julie Gallop
Ryne Nelson
John Bergford
Debby Pizarro
Cade Duff
Raymond Kappel
Andrew Ulland
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Altar Servers
01 Linda Nelson & Mary Flynn
08 Mary & David Goplen
15 David & Carolyn Hagford
22 Cathy Carlson & Kathy Hering
29 Ruth Lee, Ellie Holmquist, Eivor Lund
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Ushers
01 Linda Nelson
08 Anita Duder
15 Ellie Holmquist
22 Lars Olson
29 Eric Mechels
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Worship Assistants
01 Mary Sabatke & Mark Duff
08 Marty Carlson & Kathy Hering or Mary
15 Kathy Hering & Marty Carlson or Mary
22 Mary Sabatke & Marty Carlson
29 Michelle McCreery & Mark Duff
05 Steve Hoyt & Kathy Hering
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Readers
01 David Ackerman
08 Pierre LaMere
15 Kathy Fredell
22 Lorraine Spies
29 David Hagford
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Coffee Hour Hosts
01 Casey & Andrea Christy
08 David & Carolyn Hagford
15 Mary Flynn
22 Eric & Naomi Mechels
29 Diane Stensrud, Robin & Mark Bloom
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Staff Members
Sarah & Trevor Skorburg – Caretakers
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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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Council Members
Pamela Aagaard
Ross Bartels – Treasurer
Catherine Carlson
Casey Christy
David Hagford
Steve Hoyt – Vice President
Eric Mechels
Katie Messerli
Michelle Reisberg
Tori Reisberg – Youth
Jon Sprain – Secretary
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Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church
2020 W Lake of the Isles Parkway
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 377-5095
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