Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church | |
| |
 | |
When Janna and I first arrived as missionaries in the newly independent Latvia in 1992 following the break-up of the Soviet Union, we were quite surprised to discover the difference and the confusion in Christmas and New Year’s Eve traditions. For nearly 50 years, the Soviet government in Moscow had tried to eliminate the symbols of Christmas. Walking through the Cathedral Square of the old city of Riga towards our church, there were no decorations to indicate the season. The only Christmas music played in the streets was Elvis Presley’s Blue Christmas.
Instead, the government actively promoted the secular celebration of New Years. In the textbooks of the Soviet Union, students read about the New Year’s Eve traditions celebrated around the world. Regardless of their geographic differences, people sang New Year’s songs, and they decorated their New Year’s trees. They even gave one another New Year’s presents. In the Soviet textbooks, the festival of Christmas was not even mentioned except for a footnote where it stated the British had a rich tradition of music called “carols.” These songs were reportedly sung a few days earlier than December 31st for a lesser- known English festival called Christmas. Our parishioners and neighbors were quite surprised to discover that we celebrated Christmas and the New Year. They thought you could only celebrate one or the other.
Over the course of the past 30 years, many of the former Christmas traditions have returned to their proper place on December 24th, but there are still some unique New Year’s Eve traditions for December 31st. In Latvia you must still eat a bowl of gray peas with bacon bits before the stroke of midnight, otherwise, the remaining peas will foreshadow your tears in the new year. Some families melt tin or lead and pour the molten mass into cool water. They then spend the rest of the evening interpreting the meaning of the new forms they have created and what it might mean for the new year. Perhaps the most common traditions are the ringing of church bells and the explosions of fireworks at midnight, and of course, the obligatory sipping of champagne.
The New Year is perhaps the one occasion in a year, when all people are thinking of one thing- time. What will the new year bring? Certainly, we can all hope and pray for peace in this world, especially in the war torn places of the Middle East and Ukraine. Justice and peace are always noble qualities to desire for the world, and good health. We can work for these goals as well. But I think, what I need most of all is a simple reminder from God, that it is in his time, all will be well. It is easy to be overwhelmed and confused by the troubles of this world. We can search aimlessly for solutions and feel completely disheartened. It is why we need to celebrate both the wonder and miracle of Christmas, and the unpredictable inevitability of the New Year. Only then can we glimpse the truth that God alone is the one who ultimately allows the sun to shine. Not one anxious thought of yours or mine can change this, hasten it or slow it down. Instead, we can trust that God enters into the uncertainties and joys of the new year, simply to bless us. That is the promise of God Emmanuel, God with us.
Peace, 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
January 4th – 7:00 PM
Women's Bible Study
Library
January 5th
Our Saviour's Shelter Meal
January 6th – 7:00 AM
Priscilla Circle
Christy Room
January 11th – 7:00 PM
Growlers & Theology
Parsonage
January 14th – 9:30 AM
Baptism of Our Lord
Sanctuary
January 15th – 11:00 AM
Pat Nortwen Memorial Service
Sanctuary
January 18th – 7:00 PM
Council Meeting
Christy Room & Zoom
January 21st – 2:00 PM
All in Good Fun
Isles Ensemble Concert
Sanctuary
January 28th – 9:30 AM
Wedding at Cana
Sanctuary
January 28th – 4:00 PM
Wine & Song
Home of the Reisberg's
February 4th – 9:30 AM
Candlemas
Sanctuary
February 4th – 11:00 AM
Annual Meeting
Fellowship Hall
| |
Children's Ministry January 2024 | | |
|
|
Pajama & Movie Day
January 7th
| |
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 any comfort items to snuggle with while we watch the movie together.
| |
|
Women's Bible Study
Thursday, January 4th
7:00 PM
Library
| |
We have switched to the first Thursday of the month and will continue with our reading… Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman, by Beth Moore. Join us!
Debra Gilroy, LOTI Groups
| |
|
Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church provides a meal for 40 on the first Friday of every month. Our monthly meals are provided by donation. The shelter orders & serves the meal. Cost per meal is $250. You may contribute online at myvanco.com or mail a check to the church. | |
|
JAN 5
FEB 2
MAR 1
APR 5
MAY 3
JUN 7
| |
|
David & Mary Goplen
Anonymous Giver
Rick Gripentrog
Liz & Mike Brown
Robert & Kristi Brownson
Susanne Haas & Ross Formell
| |
|
Please consider signing up for any of the remaining months (July - December) in 2024. To do so, contact Diane LaMere.
oscs-mn.org
| |
|
Join us
Saturday, January 6th
9:30 AM
Christy Room
for a time of camaraderie
| |
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)
| |
|
Growlers & Theology
Thursday, January 11th
7:00 PM
Parsonage
| The informal study of theology and adult beverages continues. Following the model of Luther in his home in Wittenberg, Germany, Pastor Haug will lead a monthly gathering. | |
| |
|
|
Baptism of Our Lord
Sunday, January 14th
9:30 AM
Sanctuary
| |
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. | | |
|
Pat Nortwen
Memorial Service
Monday, January 15th
11:00 AM
Sanctuary
| |
|
Join us in a celebration of life & hope in resurrection. | | |
|
|
New Members to Be Received
Sunday, January 21st
9:30 AM
| |
Please contact Diane LaMere to register to be received as a LOTI member on this Calling of the Disciples Sunday. | | |
|
|
All in Good Fun
Sunday, January 21st
2:00 PM
Sanctuary
| |
|
What happens when composers let loose & journey into the world of humor, pranks, & games?
A lot of fun & some good music too! Join us for a program of lighthearted surprises.
| |
FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN
String Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 33, No. 2 Joke
PDQ BACH
Sonata for 4-Hand Viola and Keyboard
Ernő Dohnányi
Serenade in C Major, Op. 10, for String Trio
ANTONIN DVORAK
Humoresque, Op. 101, No. 7 for Violin and Piano
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
Trio in E-flat Major “Kegelstatt,” K. 498 for Violin, Cello, and Piano
| |
|
Stephanie Arado, violin; David Leung, violin; Leslie Shank, violin & viola;
Kenneth Freed, viola; Tom Rosenberg, cello; Laura Sewell, cello; Ivan Konev, piano
| | |
|
Wedding at Cana
Sunday, January 28th
9:30 AM
Sanctuary
| |
|
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. In the Syriac Christian Church of the Middle East, the Sunday before the beginning of Lent is marked as Cana Sunday. 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 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. Join us along with the Lake String Quartet to celebrate this special Sunday.
| |
|
Wine & Song
A Musical Wine Pairing
with Marcus Hanson
Sunday, January 28th
4:00 – 6:00 PM
Home of the Reisbergs
| |
|
|
Join us with Marcus Hanson, Minister of Wine & Director of Portfolio, Small Lot Wines, whose motto is – Connecting people and sharing joy through food, wine & music!
Marcus is a classically trained opera singer based here in the Twin Cities and has regaled crowds worldwide. He's also a wine expert!
An event with Marcus is described as a hybrid of TedTalk, musical recital,
& wine bar happy hour, bringing wines to life through sharing stories
of the people, places and passion that created them.
Suggested donation – $25 on MyVanco. More details to follow.
| | |
|
|
Candlemas
Sunday, February 4th
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 said: | |
|
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 we will celebrate the Presentation of Our Lord, or Candlemas on Sunday, February 4th. The Lake String Quartet will perform, as well as accompany the Church Choir.
The Annual Meeting of the Congregation will follow the worship service on
February 4th at 11:00 AM.
| |
|
LOTI Annual Meeting
Sunday, February 4th
11:00 AM
Fellowship Hall
| |
Please plan to attend this important gathering of the congregation. | | |
|
All are welcome to join!
We meet on Mondays at 7:00 PM via Zoom.
Janna Haug
Debra Gilroy
Linda Nelson
Diane Stensrud
Carolyn Hagford
| | |
|
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
| |
|
Morning Bible Study
Wednesdays, 10:00 AM
Library & Zoom
| |
|
|
All are welcome to come and join our Wednesday morning Bible study!
Pastor Haug leads the morning bible study group
| | |
|
Choir Rehearsal
Wednesdays, 7:00 PM
Sanctuary
| |
|
Join the LOTI Choir & Director of Music, Dr Kristina Rizzotto, in preparation of anthems of the season. All you need is a love of music! | |
To view, go to our YouTube channel, or to find the livestream link & worship service bulletin go to loti.org. | | |
Coffee Hour is hosted in Fellowship Hall or on the Patio each Sunday following worship. | |
|
Cody Rustad
Patrick Bracken
Esme Stier
Laura Nortwen
Naomi Mechels
Mary Goplen
Bernie Reisberg
Kathy Hering
Ruth Lee
Dominik Amann
Gretchen Robertson
Nick Messerli
Robin Bloom
Jim Olson
Susanne Haas
Max Formell
Mary Sabatke
James Aagaard
Pierre LaMere
Morgan Larson
Aryn Kuehn-Larson
| | |
January Worship Volunteers | |
Worship Technical Assistant
Jim Olson
| |
Altar Servers
07 David & Mary Goplen
14 Linda Nelson & Mary Flynn
21 Carolyn & David Hagford
28 Cathy Carlson & Kathy Hering
| |
Ushers
07 Ellie Holmquist
14 Anita Duder
21 Pierre LaMere
28 Mary Flynn
| |
Worship Assistants
07 Mary Sabatke
14 Michelle McCreery
21 Marty Carlson
28 Kathy Hering
| |
Readers
07 Mike Huttner
14 John Olson
21 Marnie Huntley
28 Kim Olson
| |
Communion Assistants
07 David Ackerman
14 Mark Duff
21 John Olson
28 Marty Carlson
| |
Coffee Hour Hosts
07 Eric & Naomi Mechels
14 Ellie Holmquist & Eivor Lund
21 Frahm/Gallop families
28 Mark & Robin Bloom
| |
|
2024 Heart of Europe Tour
In the Footsteps of the Haugs
Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Czech Republic
April 1 – April 13, 2024
Spots Still Available until January 31st
| |
After traveling to Italy in the spring of 2023, we are excited to announce Pastor and Janna Haug’s international tour for 2024. The 12-day and 11-night tour will visit several important and favorite places the Haug family explored during their five years as ELCA personnel in Europe. The tour will include great cities along the Moldau and Danube Rivers, such as Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Salzburg, Cesky Krumlov, and Prague. Brochures are now available. Christian Eggert of Christian Tour Europe will once again be our host. | | |
|
Staff Members
Rev. Dr. Arden D. Haug – Pastor
Dr Kristina Rizzotto – Director of Music
Diane LaMere – Office Manager & Children's Ministry
Joseph LaMere – Worship Technical Director
Michelle McCreery – Design & Communication Director
Sandy Swan – Wedding Manager
| | |
Council Members
Pamela Aagaard
Ross Bartels – Treasurer
Catherine Carlson
Casey Christy
David Hagford
Steve Hoyt – Vice President
Claire Jacoby – Youth
Eric Mechels
Katie Messerli
Charlie O'Brien
Michelle Reisberg
| |
Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church
2020 W Lake of the Isles Parkway
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 377-5095
| |
| | | |
