Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church | |
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On Thanksgiving, most people think about turkey. Yes, they think about turkey, about stuffing, about cranberries, and about pumpkin pie. But on Thanksgiving, when most people think about turkey, I think about hands. As children in kindergarten, we often traced our hands on paper, and then we colored them. The imprint of the thumb was the turkey's head, and the fingers formed the turkey's colorful tail. Such artwork adorned many refrigerators and Thanksgiving cards. It was one of my first Thanksgiving memories.
So it shouldn't have surprised the young first grade teacher when she instructed her class that they should draw a picture of something for which they were thankful, that one of her children would draw a hand. It wasn't a turkey, mind you. It was just an open, empty hand. It was a curious picture. When the children were done with all their drawings, the teacher invited them to sit down in a circle and to talk about their pictures. There were drawings of pet cats and dogs, drawings of families and houses, even a few favorite toys; all things for which they were thankful. But the drawing of the open, empty hand had captured both the imagination of the first grade teacher, as well as the students. So she asked the class, whose hand could it be? One child guessed it was the hand of a farmer who had raised the food to be eaten on Thanksgiving. Another child suggested that it was the uniformed patrol officer who helped them walk safely across the street to school every morning. And so the discussion went on-- until the teacher almost forgot the young artist himself. Then the class bell rang. It was the end of school, and the children ran out the door quickly.
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One boy, however, lingered and stayed behind, and he was the artist. He was timid and often almost always forgotten by his classmates when they chose teams for games and when they sat down for lunch. He was left alone and lonely. The teacher bent down to help him zip up his jacket, and then she asked him whose hand he had drawn. The little boy looked away and murmured, "It's yours, teacher."
| She suddenly recalled all the times she had taken this boy's hand and walked with him here or there, as she had done for all the other students. How often had she said, "Take my hand, we'll go outside." Or, "Let me show you how to hold your pencil." Or, "Let's do this together." The little first- grader was thankful for his teacher's hand. It's an important reminder for all of us. The people whose lives you touch may not always say thanks, but they'll always remember the hand that reaches out. | |  |
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
December 1st
Our Saviour's Shelter Meal
December 2nd – 9:30 AM
Priscilla Circle
Home of Jean Carlson
December 3rd – 9:30 AM
1st Sunday of Advent
& Visit from Saint Nicholas
Sanctuary
December 7th – 7:00 PM
Women's Bible Study
Library
December 10th – 9:30 AM
2nd Sunday of Advent
& Visit from Sancta Lucia
Sanctuary
December 14th – 7:00 PM
Council Meeting
Christy Room & Zoom
December 17th – 9:30 AM
3rd Sunday of Advent,
Lessons & Carols,
& Christmas Tea
Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall
December 17th – 6:00 PM
ChristmasCaroling
Home of the Reisbergs
December 21st – 7:00 PM
Growlers & Theology
Christy Room/Zoom
December 24th – 9:30 AM
Christmas Eve Morning Service
Sanctuary
December 24th – 4:30 PM
Christmas Eve Family Service
Sanctuary
December 31st – 9:30 AM
New Year's Worship
Sanctuary
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Children's Ministry December 2023 | | |
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Winter Gear Drive Results
Wow! We set a record of donating 182 winter gear items this year - amazing! Thank you for the new and gently used winter gear items that will be going to those less fortunate to stay warm this winter.
Thank you to LizBeth Brown, Linda Nelson and Mary Sabatke for helping sort and organize the donations in preparation for delivery to Project for Pride in Living.
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College Care Packages
Twelve care packages will be heading to our college age young adults in the next week - just in time for finals preparation. Thank you to the Sunday School children for helping pack them and thank you to the families who donated the snacks. The college students love receiving this gift of love from LOTI.
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This year the Sunday School children will present the nativity scene during the Lessons and Carols service on Sunday, December 17. Details will be sent via email to Sunday School families for this very special day. | |
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Calendar Notes
DEC 10
Children process in worship with Sancta Lucia
DEC 17
Children present the nativity scene during the Lessons and Carols service
DEC 24 & 31
No Sunday School
JAN 7
Sunday School resumes
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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.
Thanks to Mary Sabatke for November
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Anonymous Gift
Dave & Mary Goplen
Anonymous Gift
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Join us
Saturday, December 2nd
9:30 AM
Home of Jean Carlson
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)
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Rejoice, Beloved Christians
The First Sunday of Advent
December 3rd
9:30 AM
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By the time the First Sunday of Advent arrives this year on December 3rd, Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday will all be behind us. Some might argue that this contemporary spirit of commercialism is a negative new phenomena. But it is certainly not new. In the late 1600’s, the composer Dietrich Buxtehude was aware of the business interests of Christmas, especially in his congregation in Lubeck, Germany which was supported heavily by the local Chamber of Commerce. During the season of Advent, he would arrange for special concerts involving additional musicians which the local business leaders sponsored. They all knew that a larger audience would bring more money to their Christmas markets. Besides, evening vespers was a perfect time for special music since the church building itself would be warm from the morning service.
Join us for the First Sunday of Advent on Sunday, December 3rd, as the LOTI choir along with a host of guest musicians will perform Buxtehude’s Advent Cantata 51 Rejoice, Beloved Christians.
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Visit of Saint Nicholas
Sunday, December 3rd
9:30 AM
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The First Sunday of Advent will be marked by the annual visit of Saint 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 who 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. Polish your shoes, or you may only receive coal this year.
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Vasa Order of America District 7 Christmas Party featuring the
Vasa Junior Folk Dancers
Sunday, December 3rd
3:00 PM
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The Vasa Order of America invites you to attend their annual Family Christmas Party featuring the Vasa Junior Folk Dancers. The group will present a Lucia pageant, and group singing of Swedish and America Christmas music. Traditional Swedish refreshments will be served.
Free-will offering
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Women's Bible Study
Thursday, December 7th
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
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Visit of Sancta Lucia
Sunday, December 10th
9:30 AM
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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 13th, 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 Second Sunday in Advent. The worship service will feature Finnish and Swedish folk and religious music presented by the Choir, soloists, cellist Audrey Snyder, and a special visit by the ASI Lillelag. Their program includes a Christmas song written by the Finnish composer Jean Siblius.
Bakers are needed for baking Lucia Buns. Contact the church office to sign up. The recipe will be provided.
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Women's Book Club
Friday, December 15th
5:00 PM
Home of Deb Gilroy
Next up is The Gentle Art of Blessing, by Pierre Pradervand.
Pradervand shows that the practice of blessing has the power to create more than just a momentary change. It unleashes tangible benefits throughout your entire life—through your daily interactions, your relationships, and how the laws of positive expectations and unconditional love can open the doors to a more peaceful world.
Join us! Bring a snack to share if you like…
Deb Gilroy LOTI Groups
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Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 17th
9:30 AM
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The Church Choir will celebrate a Festive Service of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 17th, 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 in popularity. Harpist Andrea Stern, flautist Laura MacKenzie, and trumpeter Dr. Ben Alle will participate in the service. Sunday School children will portray the Nativity scene. | | |
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Christmas Tea
Sunday, December 17th
10:30 AM
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Following the Lessons & Carols service, please join us for our annual Christmas Tea!
Volunteers are needed for setup, serving, & cleanup.
Our signup form is available in Fellowship Hall.
Or you may contact Ellie Holmquist directly…elliequist3@gmail.com or 763-473-0883
Items you're bringing for the tea can be delivered to the church beginning Wednesday, December 13th.
Setup will begin on Saturday, December 16th at 10:00 AM.
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Christmas Caroling!
Sunday, December 17th
6:00 PM
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You are invited to join the caroling chorus!
We will gather at the home of Michelle & Bernie Reisberg to sing Christmas carols around the neighborhood before returning to the Mary Tyler Moore House for refreshments.
Please bring an appetizer to share. RSVP to Pastor Haug.
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Growlers and Theology
Thursday, December 21st
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.
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Christmas Eve Morning Service
December 24th
9:30 AM
Every six years or so, Christmas Eve, falls on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. 2023 is that unique year. The last time this occurred was in 2017. Our worship schedule adjusts slightly so that we can celebrate Jesus’ birth joyously and allow some time for our musicians to enjoy their family Christmas as well.
The Sunday morning worship service will feature the guest choir Hymnus Angelicus under the direction of Paul McKenzie.
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Christmas Eve Family Service
December 24th at
4:30 PM
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The Italian-born organist and composer Pietro Alessandro Yon is known today primarily for his beloved Christmas anthem Gesù Bambino. Surprisingly, his renown as the organist of the Vatican in Rome and his work as the organist at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York has been overlooked. He wrote many works for organ, piano, and orchestra, and several masses. For the Christmas Eve Family Service, the LOTI choir, guest musicians and organist Dr. Kristina Rizzotto will perform several of Yon’s works including, Christmas in Sicily, Mass of the Shepherds and the familiar Gesù Bambino. | |
As in years past, the Family Service at 4:30 on Christmas Eve will center around the Christmas story in St. Luke’s gospel framed in familiar Christmas carols and culminating in a living nativity scene at the manger for Holy Communion. Please note that there will be only one evening service this year on Christmas Eve. | |
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The Gift of Generosity
This holiday season, we thank everyone who has supported LOTI this past year with their time, talent and financial contributions and look forward to support from all of our members in the year ahead.
End of the year gifts to LOTI must be received by Sunday, December 31st.
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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
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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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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.
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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. | | |
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Lenore Raykovich
Kate Mechels
David Brost
Steve Hoyt
Carol Kuehn
Natalya Haug
Emily Melbye
Marty Carlson
Kim Olson
Hayden Nelson
Lars Olson
Gus Frahm
Jorgen Olson
Mary Flynn
Remi Pizarro
Jon Zachman
Chris Hovda
Pauline Haug
Allyson Sprain
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December Worship Volunteers | |
Worship Technical Assistant
Jim Olson
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Altar Servers
03 Mary Flynn & Linda Nelson
10 David & Mary Goplen
17 David & Carolyn Hagford
24 Cathy Carlson & Kathy Hering
31 Ellie Holmquist, Ruth Lee & Eivor Lund
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Ushers
03 Linda Nelson
10 Lars Olson
17 Eric Amann
24 Pierre LaMere (9:30)
31 Don Holzschuh
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Worship Assistants
03 Steve Hoyt
10 Mary Sabatke
17 Michelle McCreery
24 Marty Carlson (9:30) Kathy Hering (4:30)
31 Mark Duff
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Readers
03 Mary Flynn
10 Kathy Fredell
17 David Hagford
24 Janna Haug (9:30)
31 Eric Mechels
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Communion Assistants
03 Kathy Hering
10 Kathy Fredell
17 Mark Duff
24 Mary Sabatke (9:30) Steve Hoyt (4:30)
31 Michelle McCreery
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Coffee Hour Hosts
03 David & Carolyn Hagford
10 Twyla Hobbs
17 Christmas Tea
24 NA
31 Mary Flynn & Linda Nelson
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2024 Heart of Europe Tour
In the Footsteps of the Haugs
Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Czech Republic
April 1 – April 13, 2024
4 Spots Are Still Available!
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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. | | |
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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
Sarah & Trevor Skorburg – Caretakers
Sandy Swan – Wedding Manager
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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
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Contact us if you have events, schedules, or other information to share with the congregation.
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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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