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Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church

February 2025

Candlemas, February 2nd, 9:30 AM

Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed- and a sword shall pierce your own soul too.” Luke 2:35-36

Dear Michelle,

Twenty-five years ago, when I was a missionary pastor in Lithuania, I first celebrated Candlemas or the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in our stately, 17th century Baroque church in Vilnius. There was very little heat in the sanctuary, and frost covered the 20 foot windows lining the walls of the church. When the congregation sang, you could see their breath. As the morning sun crept higher in the sky, the beams of light touched the white statues surrounding the altar, and then gently landed upon the petals of the last red Christmas poinsettias adorning the candles. There was a wonderful sense in that frigid space that spring was not far away. Candlemas was a new tradition for me, but it soon became very dear to me. It took on even greater meaning when I first arrived at Lake of the Isles 12 years ago and was installed as the pastor on Candlemas in 2013.

Of course, I knew the tradition of February 2nd, as Ground Hog’s Day from my childhood, and the importance of not seeing your shadow, but I didn’t know the liturgical significance of the day. Historically, February 2nd was an auspicious, holy day on church calendars in Northern Europe, predicting the weather and year that was just ahead. German immigrants took the tradition of a badger seeing his shadow to the American colonies where badgers were scare, so they placed the prognostication skill onto the much more common ground hog in its place. The day itself had astronomical significance. It was a “cross-quarter” day, meaning it fell at the midpoint between one season and another. In the case of Ground Hog’s Day, it was at the cross-quarter day that falls between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.

According to St. Luke’s gospel, the infant Jesus was carried by Mary and Joseph to the Temple in Jerusalem on February 2nd, the 40th day since Jesus’ birth. 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 announced, “Lord, now let your servant depart 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 of course, plays into the tradition of seeing your shadow and seeing the light.

But there was a richer tradition as well, that I experienced in Vilnius in the cold, midwinter morning which has stayed with me over the years- more than simply marking the 40th day of Christmas. Poignantly, this “cross-quarter day” of Candlemas serves as a theological bridge between the season of Christmas and the penitential season of Lent. In the clear and poetic voice of Simeon moves our own eyes away from the joy of Christ’s nativity in Bethlehem toward the cross of Calvary. It is there, like Simeon, that we are given the assurance that we need not fear death, and a warning that, “And a sword shall pierce your own soul.”

Twelve celebrations of Candlemas have come and gone since I first arrived at Lake of the Isles. Don’t worry, I am not preparing to depart in peace and or even to retire in reluctance. No, I am simply reveling as Simeon with the Christ Child in my arms and enjoying every moment of ministry that God has given. That is the heart of Candlemas for me.

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

February 1st– 9:30 AM

Priscilla Circle

Christy Room

February 2nd – 9:30 AM

Candlemas

Sanctuary

February 2nd– 11:00 AM

Annual Meeting

Fellowship Hall

February 2nd – 2:00 PM

Isles Ensemble Concert

Sanctuary

February 6th- 7:00 PM

Women's Bible Study

Christy Room

February 8th

Our Saviour's Shelter Meal

February 20th – 7:00 PM

Growlers & Theology

Parsonage

February 27th–7:00 PM

Council Meeting

Christy Room & Zoom

February 28th– 5:00 PM

Women's Book Club

Home of Deb Gilroy

March 2nd– 9:30 AM

Transfiguration & Fastelavn

Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall

March 5th– 11:00 AM & 7:00 PM

Ash Wednesday

Sanctuary

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Joint Neighborhood Safety Forum Held at LOTI

Park Police Lt. Calvin Nobles, Chief Brian O'Hara, Fifth Precinct Inspector Christie Nelson, Fifth Precinct CPS Faith Randal.

The Kenwood Neighborhood Organization, CIDNA, East Isles and Lowry Hill associations hosted a public safety meeting at LOTI on January 23rd. Roughly 160 people were in attendance and over 70 viewing the livestream from these and other Minneapolis neighborhoods. Speakers included Park Police Lt. Calvin Nobles, Chief Brian O'Hara, Fifth Precinct Inspector Christie Nelson, Fifth Precinct CPS Faith Randal, as well as 911 Dispatch Center staff. Additionally, Sgt. Garrett Parten, Minneapolis Public Information Officer, gave an update on MPD's approach to handling juvenile offenders. Aileen Johnson spoke on her latest efforts concerning public safety and community outreach. Todd Barnette, our Community Safety Commissioner, informed us of the city's latest public safety initiatives, including discussion of the Behavioral Response Unit.

Second Annual LOTI Wine & Song!

Marcus Hanson presented five delicious German wines along with food and song pairings to a group of 39 LOTI members and friends at the home of the Reisbergs on January 26th. The evening's musical pieces ended with a Tuba solo by Marcus! Truly a man of many talents, he sang The Lord's Prayer in our worship service earlier in the day. Michelle McCreery and Kim Olson prepared foods, with help and advice from Renate Amann and Susanne Haas. Pastor Arden was called into service to brown the special Nuremberg brats from Kramarczuk's. Fresh pretzel bites from Aki's BreadHaus were enjoyed with braunschwieger and pickle, in addition to other German fare.

Children's Ministry February 2025

February 16th —

NO Sunday School, President's Day Weekend

Who will break open the barrel this year? Come with your muscles, kids! We will gather in Fellowship Hall after worship to see who can break open the barrel

and see what’s inside.

Fastelavn

Sunday, March 2nd

10:45 AM Fellowship Hall

Foodshelf Donations Needed

This month’s most needed items include oil, peanut butter, tinned meats like tuna, spam, and chicken.

They accept non-expired, shelf stable foods and household items.

Donations can be brought to the wooden cart in Fellowship Hall. We will have volunteers bring them to the food shelf on Friday mornings. If you are interested in helping with transporting donations, please contact the church office.

joyceuptownfoodshelf.org

Women’s Retreat at Luther Park

Feb 7-9 or Feb 21-23

Luther Park, Danbury, WI

When was the last time a story moved you - made you laugh, cry or reflect?

Stories shape our lives, but the greatest story of all is God’s salvation for creation.

Together we’ll explore how God’s Word comes alive in scripture and in our own lives.

Join us for a weekend of reflection, connection and inspiration!

For pricing, lodging accommodations and registration, visit www.lutherparkdanbury.com.

Drivers Needed

We need drivers to provide occasional transportation to/from church for our elderly members.

Please contact Pastor Haug if you are interested and available to help.

Our Saviour's Housing Meals

Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church provides a meal on the second Saturday of each month. Our monthly meals are provided by donation. The shelter orders & serves the meal.

Thanks to David & Mary Goplen for January.

2025 Schedule

FEB 8

MAR 8

APR 12

MAY 10

JUN 14

JUL 12

AUG 9

SEP 13

OCT 11

NOV 8

DEC 13

Mark & Kathy Hering

Liz & Mike Brown

Stephen & Leslie Hite

Jim Olson, in memory of ChanSoon Olson

Rick Gripentrog

Philip Friedlund & Lisa Isenberg

Anonymous Giver

Gronseth & Quam families

Beryl & Don Waldeland

Mary Sabatke, in memory of Bruce Sabatke

Bruce & Jean Carlson

Join us

Saturday, February 1st

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)

Candlemas

Sunday, February 2nd

9:30 AM

Sanctuary

This year we will celebrate the Presentation of Our Lord, or Candlemas on Sunday, February 2nd. We will gather all of the baptismal families from the past year for a time of baptismal remembrance and give a baptismal medallion to each child. It is always good to see how the children have grown in the past year!

The Lake String Quartet will perform, as well as accompany the Church Choir.

LOTI Annual Meeting

Sunday, February 2nd

11:00 AM

Fellowship Hall

Please plan to attend this important gathering of the congregation.

Isles Ensemble

Here Comes the Sun

Sunday, February 2nd

2:00 PM

Be warmed on this Sunday in February by Music Inspired by the Sun

Joaquin Turina

Jennifer Higdon

Terry Riley

Joseph Haydn

Circulo for Piano Trio

Stephanie Arado, violin; Laura Sewell, cello; Ivan Konev, piano.

Piano Trio No. 1

Emily Switzer, violin; Tom Rosenberg, cello; Ivan Konev, piano

Sunrise of the Planetary Dream Collector for String Quartet

Leslie Shank, violin; Emily Switzer, violin; Sarah Switzer, viola; Tom Rosenberg, cello.

String Quartet in B-flat, Op. 76, No. 4: Sunrise

Emily Switzer, violin; Stephanie Arado, violin; Kenneth Freed, viola; Tom Rosenberg, cello.

Spanish impressionist composer Turina’s piano trio starts just before the sun comes up and ends as it sets. Jennifer Higdon’s trio evokes two very different moods and colors that are often associated with the sun. Terry Riley’s landmark minimalist quartet was inspired by a conversation with a 7 year-old child of a friend who wondered about how there might be a collector who came around every sunrise and gathered up all the dreams so that they could be redistributed the next day. And finally, one of Haydn’s most famous string quartets called Sunrise will bring the concert to a rousing finish!

Women's Bible Study

Thursday, February 6th

7:00 PM

Christy Room

We are continuing our study of Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman! by Beth Moore. Join us! LOTI Groups

Growlers & Theology

Thursday, February 20th

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.

New Members Received

Sunday, February 23rd

9:30 AM

Sanctuary

Please contact Diane Diane LaMere if you would like to be received as a member of LOTI.

Women's Book Club

Friday, February 28th

5:00 PM

Home of Deb Gilroy

Our book this month is Nine Parts of Desire, The Hidden World of Islamic Women, by Geraldine Brooks. From the bestselling author of the Kurt Wallander series comes a touching and intimate story about an embattled man’s unexpected chance at redemption. Join us & bring a snack to share if you like. LOTI Groups

Looking Ahead at LOTI…

Transfiguration & Fastelavn

Sunday, March 2nd

9:30 AM

Sanctuary

In the days before Ash Wednesday people traditionally celebrate by enjoying special foods and customs. The word Carnival which means farewell to meat and Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday offer a hint at the foods that were once forbidden by the church during the penitential season of Lent. In the English tradition, people were encouraged to use the fat and eggs to make pancakes before Ash Wednesday. In Central Europe, people eat jelly filled doughnuts, and in Scandinavia families eat Lenten buns. Often these are made with fresh cardamom and filled with whipped cream and marzipan.

In Denmark there is a special children's party tied to the Sunday before Lent known as Fastelavn Sunday. Of course, everyone eats the special Lenten buns, but the children also try to break open a wooden barrel filled with chocolates and sweets. They arrive at the party dressed in costumes, so nobody knows who is hitting the wooden barrel with a wooden stick. But the one who wins, is presented with a crown. In the middle ages, black cats were associated with the devil, so a cat was placed inside the barrel. After being attacked from all sides, the cat escaped from the barrel and was never seen again taking all the evil with it. (Fortunately, Danes don't have a cat in the barrel anymore, but it is always painted on the side.)

Join us for Fastelavn Sunday, March 2nd. Special music will be performed in worship that day by name. Please contact the church office if you are able to make Fastelavn buns for this event. Recipe will be provided.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5th, with services at 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM.

Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, March 5th

11:00 AM & 7:00 PM

Sanctuary

The season of Lent is considered a “moveable period” in the church year. It is a preparatory season for the festival of Easter, and since Easter is determined by the lunar calendar and not a calendar date, the entire Lent and Easter season shifts from one year to another. This year the first day of Lent known as Ash Wednesday begins on Wednesday, March 5th. Historically, churches have chosen to mark the 40 days and Sundays of Lent as a penitential period focusing on the agony of Jesus’ death on the cross and spiritual growth. The number 40 was both symbolic of Jesus 40 days in the wilderness, and it was intended to represent a tenth of the year. Men and women, thus, dedicated a tenth of the year to sacrificing, learning and growing in faith. The English word Lent actually comes from the old English phrase to “lengthen.” This implies both the light and days in spring growing greater, but also that Christians grow greater in faith.

The Ash Wednesday services on March 5th will follow the traditional liturgy of reflection, confession and the imposition of ashes. The remaining five Wednesday 7 pm evening services will be celebrated with Marty Haugen’s Holden Evening Prayer.

Winter Art in Fellowship Hall Continues

Paintings by Former LOTI Member Tom Maakestad

Mille Lacs Ice Houses, 8"x24" Oil on Canvas

Tom Maakestad works with oil paint, oil pastel and dry pastel using regional landscapes as his main focal point. In the early morning or late afternoon, he looks for vast expanses or the complexities formed by merging land masses with light and shadow. Maakestad's color pallet is frequently limited to what he's viewing at that time of year.

The area around his parent’s farm in south central Minnesota has elements that he appreciates about this part of the country: long views from open ridge lines remind him of bus rides from his youth when valley bottoms were shrouded in fog, or sunsets that heighten the landforms and tree rows.

His work is held in many collections including the Mayo Clinic, The US Embassy in Oslo, Norway and the Minnesota Museum of American Art.

Maakestad's art will be for sale and a portion of sales will go to Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church.