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 In a sermon for Sunday, March 15th, 2020, I confessed...
Neither 4 years of seminary training, nor 30 years of parish ministry has prepared me for the challenges of today's corona virus. Scripture should be a source of wisdom, but the best I could find was a small verse in the Book of James. James 4:8, "Wash your hands, ye sinners." That may be practical advice, but not very edifying. Some in the church might say, "Well, pastor, you're a doctor. Surely, you know what to say." Unfortunately, I have been scarred by my sons who humbled me when they were young. They were sitting at an airport with friends, and they heard the announcement over the PA system. "Dr. Haug, if you are in the area would you please pick up the emergency phone." With that announcement, one of their friends said, "I didn't know your dad was a doctor." My youngest son answered, said, "Yes, he is." And the older one added, "but not the kind of doctor that does any good." Logistically, I noted that as a congregation, we needn't worry about 250 people gathered in our sanctuary. If there were that many parishioners here, the State Fire Marshall would be visiting instead of the CDC. The building itself is licensed for only 240 people. Within a week of preaching that sermon, the global pandemic became our "new reality." A year later, there is little that tells us that we have come around to a one-year anniversary of the corona virus- except for the color purple. We had just begun the season of Lent when life changed. Now a year later we have marked the death of 500,000 Americans to Covid. Many rescheduled events being penciled into our 2021 calendars. Fortunately, by God's grace, we are beginning to look forward with anticipation and not simply back with regret. We are cautiously optimistic for the future, but what have we learned about ourselves in this past year? If Lent is a time for intentional self-examination, we could all spend a few moments reflecting on both last year's mis-steps and our triumphs. For certainly, we have experienced both. We all took on wildly, exaggerated, and often protective patterns. We ran out selfishly buying what we had to have, often more than what we really needed. We looked on others who disagreed with us as rude and arrogant. Seldom were we presenting ourselves in the best possible light, nor were we putting the "best possible construction" on our neighbor's words and deeds. We have much to examine this Lent. One of my favorite seminary professors, Gracia Grindal wrote recently on this discipline of Lenten self-examination, "While we will suffer for our faith as we take up our cross, that is not what we are to focus on. What these contemplations should bring us to is an understanding and acceptance of our dire need. Jesus does not want us to feel sorry for him, but to feel sorry for our sins." Confession of one's fault, one's own fault, one's own most grievous fault, in thought, word and deed, is not a very common practice in the midst of our pandemic. It is much more popular and colorful to blame others. But that is not what we as Christians are called to do. We are taught to "deny ourselves, to take up our cross and follow Christ." That is the focus of Lent at Lake of the Isles. Keep your eye on Jesus, and meditate on what he would have you do. Peace, Pastor Arden Haug |
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Lenten Evening Prayer
Holden Evening Prayer has been a cherished Lenten tradition at Lake of the Isles. For many the liturgy may be new, but the service itself is 35 years and was written by Marty Haugen for a Lutheran retreat center named Holden in Washington state.
The central reading for our Lenten season is the Gospel According to St. Mark. John Trow, the present stage manager at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, will be presenting a dramatic reading of the entire gospel in six evening episodes during the evening services. He is a great storyteller and is using his creative and theatrical style to give the gospel a fresh and compelling interpretation. The weekly service and reading is approximately 30 minutes in length.
If you need a copy of the Holden Evening Prayer pamphlet, please contact the church office.
Join us on our YouTube channel at 7:00 PM every Wednesday during lent for Marty Haugen's Holden Evening Prayer.
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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.
Thank you to everyone who has provided a meal in 2020!
Thanks to Arden & Janna Haug in February
Dates for 2021
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MAR 5
| Linda Nelson & Mary Jubenville
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APR 2
| Ellie Holmquist, Ruth Lee, Heather Jacoby,
& Gretchen Robertson | |
MAY 7
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Andy & Monica Schwarm
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JUN 4
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Peter Van Bergen & Cathy Carlson
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JUL 2
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Kathy & Pat Bracken
| | AUG 6 | Carol Kuehn |
Please consider reserving:
Reserve by contacting Cheri Moe or (952) 431-5226.
OSCS continues to adjust protocols in response to pandemic needs...
In-Kind Donations
After multiple adjustments, the best solution we have found is to have people sign up to provide one kit or a specific item on a regular basis. In the past, we have had either too much of the same item being donated while running out of other supplies too quickly.
Drop off Thursday from 1 - 4 pm. Please select a specific time during donation hours to come in. You can do so by emailing the Volunteer Coordinator at the address below.
2219 Chicago Ave S, Minneapolis, 55404
Please contact volunteer@oshousing.org with questions.
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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.
Our Bible Study will be online via Zoom. This month we will meet on Thursdays, March 4th & 18th, 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!
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Growlers & Theology
The informal study of theology & adult beverages continues on March 11th & 25th, at 7:00 PM via Zoom.
Contact Pastor Haug, if you'd like to receive the link to the meeting.
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Irish Music for St. Patrick's Day Worship
March 14th
Many Roman Catholic and Protestant churches celebrate the life of St. Patrick as a missionary to Ireland. At sixteen, Patrick was kidnapped by Irish pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland. He himself admitted that up to this point he cared little for God. He escaped after six years, returned to his family in southwest Britain, and began to prepare for ordained ministry. He later returned to Ireland, this time to serve as bishop and missionary. He made his base in the north of Ireland and from there made many missionary journeys with much success.
We will celebrate the missionary life of St. Patrick in our morning worship service on Sunday, March 14th. Irish music will be performed by Tom Klein, a master uilleann piper. The uilleann pipes are a unique Irish bagpipe. Instead of standing and playing, performers sit and pump a bellow with their elbow.
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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.
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MAR 26
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The Book of Longings,
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Sue Monk Kidd
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APR 30
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The Seven Story Mountain,
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Thomas Merton
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Selection for March...
In her mesmerizing fourth work of fiction, Sue Monk Kidd takes an audacious approach to history and brings her acclaimed narrative gifts to imagine the story of a young woman named Ana. Raised in a wealthy family with ties to the ruler of Galilee, she is rebellious and ambitious, with a brilliant mind and a daring spirit. She engages in furtive scholarly pursuits and writes narratives about neglected and silenced women. Ana is expected to marry an older widower, a prospect that horrifies her. An encounter with eighteen-year-old Jesus changes everything.
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A Preview of Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter
Our March 28th, Palm Sunday Worship will be available both online and in-person at 9:30 AM. The festive service will feature both the Corona Chorus and guest instrumentalists performing Dietrich Buxtehude's cantata on the hymn tune, Jesu, Meine Freude.
We realize the bulletin with its extended reading of the passion story may be difficult to print, so on Saturday, March 27th, from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Palm Sunday bulletins and branches will be available for you to pickup in the cloister in the south side of the church. The donkey will be there too. (There is also a special gift for the children since there is no egg hunt this year.)
On Wednesday, March 31 at 7:00 PM, actor John Trow's
performance of the final section of Gospel According to St. Mark
will be available to stream on our YouTube channel.
On Maundy Thursday, April 1st at 7:00 PM, the Sunday School will perform online a retelling of the Last Supper. This will be our first experiment with a Sunday School Maundy Thursday Easter Pageant.
On Good Friday, April 2nd, at 7:00 PM evening worship service, will be held on-line and in-person. The Corona Chorus will mark in readings and music Jesus' journey to the cross and his burial in the tomb.
On Easter Sunday, April 4th at 9:30 worship service will be held in-person and online. We will send bulletins to all members for Easter.
Once again, our Swedish chef Anna-Lena Skold will prepare a Scandinavian Easter Brunch for Curbside Pickup from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM at church after Easter worship service. Look for the menu in your inbox soon.
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Children's Ministry
New Children's Pageant - Maundy Thursday
 New this year! Our LOTI youth will show a retelling of the life of Jesus' Ministry up to and including the events of Maundy Thursday. The pageant will be premiered on our YouTube channel on Maundy Thursday, April 1 at 7:00 PM. Recording dates and details will be emailed to families.
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LOTI Livestream Worship Services
To view, go to our YouTube channel, or to find the livestream link & worship service bulletin go to loti.org.
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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 |
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Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Pastor Haug leads a virtual Bible study via Zoom for the regular
10:00 AM Wednesday morning Bible study group. If you would like to participate, please contact Pastor Haug You will receive a link and invitation to the group meeting.
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Virtual Prayer Ministry Group 
All are welcome to join us on
Tuesdays, 9:15 - 10:00 AM for a virtual meeting.
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Happy Birthday!
Kristi Brownson
Beryl Waldeland
Pat Nortwen
Emilia Gustafson
Lee Wilson
Debra Gilroy
Jill Gruys
Wesley Bartels
Sam Reisberg
Kris Rizzotto
Andrew Schwarm
John Fitch
Henry Arent
Anna Wilkens
Charles Jacoby
Spencer Reisberg
Eivor Lund
Jennifer Lundblad
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September 2020 In-Person Worship Protocol
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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.
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Quick Links
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Upcoming Events
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Lenten Evening Prayer
YouTube
March 5
Our Saviour's Shelter Meal
March 10 -- 7:00 PM Lenten Evening Prayer YouTube
March 11 -- 7:00 PM
Growlers & Theology
Zoom
March 17 -- 7:00 PM
Lenten Evening Prayer
YouTube
March 18 -- 7:00 PM
Women's Bible Study
Zoom
March 24 --7:00 PM
Lenten Evening Prayer
YouTube
March 25 -- 7:00 PM
Growlers & Theology
Zoom
March 26 -- 5:00 PM
Women's Book Group
Zoom
March 27 -- 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Palm Branch & Bulletin Pickup
Cloister
March 31 -- 7:00 PM
Lenten Evening Prayer
YouTube
April 1 -- 7:00 PM
Sunday School
Maundy Thursday Pageant
YouTube
April 2 -- 7:00 PM
Good Friday Service
Sanctuary & YouTube
April 4 -- 9:30 AM
Easter Worship
Sanctuary & YouTube
April 4 -- 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Easter Smörgåsbord Pickup
21st Street Entrance
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LOTI
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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, and service in God's world
Virtual & Limited In-Person Worship Service
Sundays
9:30 am
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Staff Members
| Rev. Dr. Arden D. Haug - Pastor
Diane LaMere - Children's Ministry
Al Aakre - Seminarian
Joseph LaMere -
Worship Technical Director
Fernando Fierros - Custodian
Sarah & Trevor Skorburg
- Caretakers
Tori Reisberg - Nursery Attendant
(612) 377-5095
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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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