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The Sound of the Bells
The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the Lord, and when he comes out... -Exodus 28:35
 
In the Hebrew scriptures of the Old Testament, you will never find mention of bells in towers and spires. Instead, tiny bells were worn on the robes of the high priest Aaron in the tabernacle and on the harnesses of horses as they marched through the streets. In both instances, the bells were used to remind the people of the holiness and presence of God. Bells were intended to ring out and to create a sacred space. Only later were they used to mark segments of time. As I have visited with neighbors around the church, I have been struck by their frequent words of appreciation for the bells ringing daily throughout the pandemic. Over and over, they have said how the sound of the bells allowed them to stay calm and breathe in the midst of the chaos. Indeed, the bells allowed them to return to a pattern of normalcy and a confidence that all would be well. More often than not, for those in the know, neighbors ask when the new bells will be coming. Right now, I can say, that the three new bells were emptied from their mold in Annecy, France in July, then polished for their journey and are now on their way across the Atlantic Ocean to arrive in the port of Charleston in South Carolina in the next few weeks. From there they will be transported to Minnesota. Most importantly, I can say that when they arrive there will be sufficient funds committed and collected to pay for them. This leads me to say...   Thank you for your generosity- for all your gifts great and small! Initially, I anticipated that the funds collected would cover the cost for one bell. As the Bell Appeal moved forward two families chose to sponsor a bell as a gift to the ministry of the congregation. A third family offered to give a unique additional gift to the church... a clock to be placed on the tower for the neighbors and walkers who look up when the bells toll the hour. The Paccard Bell Foundry has designed a wonderful clock face that will beautifully tie together the green patina of the copper roof, the dark bronze of the metal spouts and the earth tones of the stone wall. Again, it is a wonderful gift of generosity to the church and to the neighborhood.
In the past week, we have received additional financial commitments which will exceed the amounts needed for the three new bells. As we mentioned at the beginning of the appeal in June, any additional funds received will be used for other projects important to the church. In consultation with existing donors, the Church Council has voted to use these new gifts as seed money for stabilizing and rehabilitating the stained glass in the sanctuary. This is a long-deferred and necessary project, and is on the Council's list of improvements needed for the upkeep and maintenance of the building leading up to the 100th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone in 1925. Having the ability to begin this undertaking at this time is quite exceptional. We did not expect to have funds available this year, especially after undertaking needed elevator repairs and replacing the degraded parsonage walkway, but your generosity has made this new project possible. The first step will be to replace the window's exterior protective glass and we hope to then begin rehabilitating the actual stained glass in the large window above the choir loft overlooking the lake. 
Several years ago, I met the first Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, Herbert Chilstrom down in Green Valley, Arizona. I introduced myself as the pastor of Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. I was hoping that he would remember his LCA Minnesota Synod connection. Unsolicited, he said, "Lake of the Isles Church. I remember it well. The church with the most beautiful windows in the ELCA." That remark has stayed with me. It is a reminder of the treasure that has been entrusted to our care.
More details on this project will follow, but the basic concern is that stained glass is fragile, and after seventy-five years of exposure to the elements, the lead used to hold the glass in place has softened and deformed, causing warping of the windows as a whole. Left unaddressed, the windows will eventually fail, but with careful renovation and new, modern materials they should remain in good condition for the next century, which generations of future parishioners will thank us for. The historic Gaytee-Palmer Stained Glass Company in Minneapolis which installed the windows at Lake of the Isles in the 1940's will be contracted to oversee the project. So where does this lead us? Perhaps back to the bells on Aaron's robe. As a church on Lake of the Isles, we have been given a wonderful location, neighborhood and responsibility. We are to proclaim God's presence in the world through our deeds, our actions and through our building. God has been faithful to us throughout the pandemic, and you have been faithful to this congregation through your generous gifts. You may continue to give to the Bells-Stained Glass Appeal through the next two months. We will celebrate all of these gifts on the Sunday when we finally bless the bells, and we will honor those who are to be remembered through these gifts in our All Saints Sunday worship service in November. Finally, so you can plan ahead, we will hold a fundraising-thanksgiving event at the home of Bernie and Michelle Riesberg on Sunday, October 10th to thank those who have given to this project and to accept additional funds. Again, thank you. I simply could not have imagined the generosity and faithfulness of the congregation at Lake of the Isles in this challenging year. I am humbled and proud to be your pastor. Peace, Pastor Arden Haug | 
Dennis and Kathryn Johnson of Bloomington have presented Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church with the gift of their handcrafted harpsichord. The instrument was made by the legendary organist Larry Haugen. He was active in the Bach Society of Minnesota and "early music" organizations. Before his death he presented the Johnson's with his beloved harpsichord.
We will be opening registration for Sunday School this month. Sunday School will launch on September 12 and is offered to children who are age 3 by September 1 through 6th grade. A link will be available on our website and sent to current families. If you are not on our mailing list and would like to register, please contact 
We are currently recruiting vaccinated high school youth and adults to assist in leading a Sunday School classroom. We are hopeful that we can offer in person Sunday School starting September 12. 
Confirmation education for 7th and 8th graders, as well as 9th graders preparing for the 
