LOTILink

Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church

September 2024

Rally Sunday September 8th

A young man named Eutychus, who was sitting in the window, began to sink off into a deep sleep while Paul talked still longer. Overcome by sleep, he fell to the ground three floors below and was picked up dead. Acts 20: 9

Dear Michelle,

The story of Eutychus is a comfort to pastors who fear their preaching is not always engaging. If, even the Apostle Paul had listeners nodding off during a sermon, why shouldn’t we be surprised when a parishioner accidentally dozes off. Fortunately today, they don’t often fall three flights to the pavement below. Anyone who has ever experienced the challenge of staying awake during worship, can appreciate St. Luke’s sly description that “Paul talked still longer.” Eutychus must have begun nodding off and then eventually drifted into a deep sleep. At that point, he fell out of that window which proved fatal.

Paul, however, interrupted his sermon to go down to the young man, kneel beside him and put his arms around him. Through the miraculous power of Jesus, Paul was able to raise Eutychus from the dead and to say confidently to the crowd, “Don’t worry. He is alive now.” And with that, the Apostle went right back upstairs to continue preaching through the night.

This may sound like an odd story to read for Rally Sunday. No doubt, we would like to announce that the pastor’s sermons at Lake of the Isles are always exciting, and that the children in the congregation are never bored. We would like to state that every member is fully engaged in worship and that no one tires of volunteering even if a meeting extends to the midnight hours. But that wouldn’t be an accurate depiction of life for any church- even at Lake of the Isles.

Of course, the story of Eutychus would be tragic if it had ended differently, but because he is raised from the dead, it seems almost humorous. That is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ worth sharing on Rally Sunday. God is always turning sorrow into gladness, and sadness into joy. Ironically, even the young man’s name is filled with a whimsical surprise. Eutychus’ name means “Good Fortune.”

My friends, I believe the author of Acts decided to include this story because it reminds us why we gather week after week as the people of God. It proclaims the power of God even over death. It also shows us how eager the early Christians were to be taught whenever they had the chance to gather regardless of the inconvenience of the hour. And on a lighter note, it reminds us not to fall asleep in church, or at least not while sitting in an open window on the 3rd floor.

Join us for Rally Sunday on September 8th for toe-tapping music from the Flagstone Dixieland Band, good food, and hopefully, an inspiring sermon that doesn’t put you to sleep.

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

September 5th–7:00 - 8:30 PM

Women's Bible Study

Christy Room

September 7th – 9:30 AM

Priscilla Circle

Christy Room

September 8th – 9:30 AM

Rally Sunday

Sunday School Begins

Sanctuary

September 8th – 10:30 AM

Pie Social

Fellowship Hall & Patio

September 9th – 4:30 PM

9th Grade Confirmation Begins

Zoom

September 12th–7:00 PM

Growlers & Theology

Parsonage

September 14th

Our Saviour's Shelter Meal

September 15th– 2:00 - 4:30 PM

Isles Ensemble Benefit Concert & Reception

Sanctuary & Neighboring Garden

September 19th – 7:00 - 8:30PM

Church Council Meeting

Christy Room/Zoom

September 27th–5:00 PM

Women's Book Club

Home of Deb Gilroy

Quick Links

loti.org

ELCA.org-

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Join Our Mailing List

Children's Ministry September 2024

Sunday School Begins

September 8th

Sunday School for children ages 3 (by Sept 1) through 6th grade begins on September 8. If you haven’t done so already, please register for Sunday School using the button below.

Children will begin in worship with their family and go to Sunday School after the Children’s Message and return to worship at the start of Communion.

Children’s Ministry Director, Diane LaMere diane.lamere@loti.org.

Back to School Blessing

September 8th

All children and youth will be invited to come forward during worship on September 8 for a special blessing of the new school year.

Bible Presentations

September 15th

Sunday School children who are incoming 3 year olds, 3rd graders or children new to LOTI will receive a brand new Spark Bible. The Bibles are a gift from the congregation to celebrate our commitment to families honoring their baptismal promise. Presentations will happen during worship.

If you have a child receiving a Bible this year, you will receive an email with specific instructions for this day from Diane LaMere.

Foodshelf Donations Needed

This fall we will begin highlighting opportunities to provide donations to the Joyce Uptown Foodshelf. They accept non-expired, shelf stable foods and household items.

This month’s most needed items include peanut butter, cooking oil, canned fruit, whole grain cereal and oatmeal, and paper grocery bags with handles.

Donations can be brought to the 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

Choir Rehearsal

Wednesdays

7:00-8:30 PM

Choir Room

Regular choir rehearsals began last week in preparation for Rally Sunday. Please contact Kristina Rizzotto if you are interested in joining the choir.

Our Saviour's Housing Meals 2024

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. Thank you to Laura Nortwen & Kathy Greenbank for August.

2024 Schedule

SEP 14

OCT 12

NOV 9

DEC 14

Remi & Debby Pizarro

Richard & Kristie Eklund

Mary Sabatke in memory of Bruce Sabatke

Mary Flynn, Twyla Hobbs, Mary Jubenville, Linda Nelson & Denise Wilkens

If you would like to sign up to host a month in 2025, please contact the church office. Cost per meal is $250. You may contribute online at My Vanco, or send a check made out to Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church with "Our Saviour's Meal" in the memo line to the church office.

oscs-mn.org

Fall Confirmation Begins

Monday, September 9th

4:30 PM

Zoom

Confirmation education for 9th graders preparing for the Rite of Confirmation on Sunday, October 27th, will begin again on Monday September 9th at 4:30 via Zoom.

Women's Bible Study

Thursday, September 5th

7:00 PM

Christy Room

Join us for our first gathering of the program year. We are continuing our study of Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman! by Beth Moore.

LOTI Groups

Join us

Saturday, September 7th

9:30 AM in the

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)

Rally Sunday 2024

Sunday, September 8th

It’s time for a pie-fest — who wants to bring a sweet or savory pie? Call the church office or click the button below to let us know what you are bringing.

Click Here to Let Us Know!

Growlers and Theology

Thursday, September 12th

7:00 PM

Parsonage

The informal study of theology and adult beverages will begin again this fall. Following the model of Luther in his home in Wittenberg, Germany, Pastor Haug will lead this monthly gathering.

You’re Invited

Join THE ISLES ENSEMBLE for our

first special fundraising concert

celebrating our 20th anniversary as a chamber ensemble!!

Sunday, September 15, from 2:00 – 4:30 PM

2:00 – 3:00 concert by the Isles Ensemble at our home venue,

Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church

3:00 – 4:30 outdoor reception in the stunning garden at

2002 West Lake of The Isles Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55405

(two doors down from the church)

Mingle with the musicians, enjoy delicious food and drink,

and hear more chamber music in this idyllic garden setting.

Tickets are $100 per person and are tax-deductible.

For more information visit islesensmble.org

Women's Book Club

Friday, September 27th

5:00 PM

Home of Deb Gilroy

We will read The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich for our first gathering of the program year. Join us!

Bring a snack to share if you like…

LOTI Groups

2024-25 Conversation & Cuisine

Monday, September 30th

Conversation & Cuisine is a casual evening of getting better acquainted, while enjoying a meal in each other's homes or a restaurant of choice. Groups made up of 6-8 members & friends of Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church gather for three meals during the course of the year. If you would like to participate in the 2024-25 groups, please let Janna Haug know. You can connect with her at Coffee Hour, or contact the church office.

Prayer Ministry

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

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

All are welcome to come and join our Wednesday morning Bible study!

Pastor Haug leads the morning Bible study group in the Christy Room & via Zoom on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM.

Livestream Worship

To view, go to our YouTube channel, or to find the livestream link & worship service bulletin go to loti.org.

Coffee Hour

Coffee Hour is hosted in Fellowship Hall or on the Patio each Sunday following worship.

Happy Birthday!

Diane Svard

Benjamin Huntley

Sophia Rizzotto

McKenna Gruys

Ryker Alden

Mary Jubenville

Jacob Hovda

Trygve Svard

Drew VantHull

Taylor Rondestvedt

Crosby Morrison

Heather Jacoby

Brittany Lawonn

Charlie Gruys

Katherine Bracken

Pamela Aagard

Casey Crable

Joseph LaMere

Charlotte Hurliman

Benjamin Long

Ginny Gjerdevig

David Hagford

Miles Gruys

John Mittelsteadt

John Frahm

September Worship Volunteers

Worship Technical Assistant

Jim Olson

Altar Servers

01 Linda Nelson

08 David & Mary Goplen

15 David & Carolyn Hagford

22 Cathy Carlson & Kathy Hering

29 Ellie Holmquist, Ruth Lee & Eivor Lund

Ushers

01 Linda Nelson

08 Denise Wilkens

15 Mike Huttner

22 Pierre LaMere

29 Eric Amann

Worship Assistants

01 Michelle McCreery

08 TBD

15 TBD

22 TBD

29 TBD

Readers

01 Pierre LaMere

08 Lynn Wehrman

15 Kathy Fredell

22 John Olson

29 Marnie Huntley

Communion Assistants

01 Mark Duff

08 TBD

15 TBD

22 TBD

29 TBD

Coffee Hour Hosts

01 David & Carolyn Hagford

08 Ellie Holmquist, Eivor Lund, Mary Jubenville, & Mary Sabatke

15 Ryne & Jennifer Nelson

22 Twyla Hobbs & Nicole Olson

29 Mark & Robin Bloom

In The Footsteps of the Saint Paul in Greece— by Land & Sea

April 23rd – May 4th, 2025

According to the Book of Acts, St. Paul’s second missionary journey brought him to Greece where he established churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens and Corinth. In some cities, he was warmly welcomed and in others, he was driven out of town. Join Pastor Arden and Janna Haug as they walk in the footsteps of St. Paul in these cities, as well as visiting the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. Brochures of the complete tour are available at the church or by contacting Pastor Haug. Space is very limited at this time.