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The First Steps of Re-Opening
On March 15th, we celebrated our last Sunday morning worship service at Lake of the Isles. We didn't know then that the number who could congregate in the sanctuary would shift from 250 to 50 to 10 and then to 0 in the span of a week. God provided us the resources and the people to make the shift to a virtual worshipping congregation. Through the technology of Zoom we were able to gather for Church Council meetings, Bible Studies and even Coffee Hour. Of course, it is not the same as in-person gatherings, but it has kept much of the congregation linked together.
As difficult as it was to fathom the drop of a worshiping community from 250 to 0, in that short time span, it is just as difficult to imagine nearly 5 months later how and when we can open the doors to a worshipping community that is allowed today. (As I am writing this, we could in principle open the doors with social distancing to 120 people.) We know that our first steps to re-opening must be well thought out, cautious, and small. For many in the church, we also recognize that there is a strong desire for Holy Communion.
I know that not all people will be comfortable in any public setting for the foreseeable future, so I would like to suggest a variety of ways that you can increase your participation in the life of the church, and still respect your desire for social distancing.
This coming Thursday, August 6th, we will begin opening the weekly worship recording session to 40 people. Participants must register ahead of time and follow the Protocol for in-Person Worship. The recording session will be 1 hour in length, beginning at 7:00 pm. You may contact the Church on Monday morning to register.
 For those who do not feel comfortable worshiping on Thursday evenings, but would like to participate in Holy Communion, we will prepare Home Communion packets that may be picked up at the church on Thursday & Friday each week. The packet will include a glass communion cup, the worship bulletin, as well as a vile of consecrated communion wine and bread. This may be reserved through the church office for your family, and may be delivered to those who are homebound.
We know that these times can be stressful and we want to remind you that the church sanctuary is open and available for quiet time and spiritual reflection during the week. Please call the church to make an appointment if you would like to come and spend time in the sanctuary for prayer, meditation, or to light a candle in the light globe. A guided meditation folder will be available upon request.
These are the small steps that we are comfortable offering at this time. We hope that until that time when we can truly meet again, that you will continue to worship with us online and support us through your prayers and financial gifts.
Pastor Arden Haug
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LOTI Church Council Reopening Letter
Sent July 27, 2020
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LOTI Virtual Worship Services
Our virtual services premiere each Sunday at 9:30 am on our YouTube channel. The videos remain for subsequent viewing, as well.
For the corresponding worship service bulletin go to:
loti.org > Resources > Worship Service Bulletins
Special thanks to Joseph LaMere for filming, editing and uploading our videos, We couldn't do it without you!
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Virtual Coffee Hour
On Sunday, May 31, we launched Coffee Hour on Zoom.
This recurring meeting on Sunday at 10:45 am.
If you would like to take part, contact Michelle McCreery.
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Member Directory
We're in the process of creating a new directory that will be available mid-August, as an interactive PDF, in addition to a print version.
Our current directory was produced in 2018 and included
photographs of members by Cheri Moe, in and around the church. Many of those photographs remain suitable for use. However, members with growing and changing families may wish to include a more up to date picture.
Send to Michelle McCreery
And all members...please send relevant updates of contact information, such as address, email or phone number.
Please submit updates by August 10. Thank you! |
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Our Saviour's Housing Meal
Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church has provided a meal for forty the first Friday of every month for many years. This has been a wonderful opportunity for families or groups of friends to work together!
Thanks to Heather Jacoby, Gretchen Robertson, Ruth Lee, & Ellie Holmquist for providing on July 3rd.
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2020
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SCHEDULED VOLUNTEERS
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AUG 7
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Cathy Carlson, Peter Van Bergen,
Dave & Mary Goplen |
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SEP 4
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Denise Wilkens & TBD |
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OCT 2
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Peter Van Bergen & Cathy Carlson |
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NOV 6
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Monica & Andy Schwarm; Andrea & Casey Christy
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DEC 4
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Cheri Moe & Family |
On April 27,
Our Saviour's Housing
notified us that
they are no longer able to receive meals for the shelter from volunteer providers.
If you would still like to support Our Saviour's Housing during the COVID-19 pandemic, consider the best option possible at this time...convert your meal into a financial donation.
The suggested amount is $250.
We have scheduled volunteers until the end of the year. Consider signing up for a month in 2021.
To do so, contact
Cheri Moe
, (952) 431-5226
or
Linda Nelson
(612) 377- 5095.
Thrivent members are eligible to apply for a Thrivent Action Grant to cover the cost of the meal and purchase supplies for Our Saviour's Housing continuing needs. Donation of the grant by Thrivent members, who are unable to make and/or serve the meal is much appreciated! Grant processing is 4-6 weeks.
Our Saviour's Housing is in need of additional funding for COVID-related costs, such as hazard and overtime pay, cleaning supplies, hygiene supplies, personal protective equipment, and increased facilities usage. oscs-mn.org/donate/
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Support CES via Mount Olive Lutheran Church
Jim Bargmann,
Coordinator of Neighborhood Ministry of Mount Olive Lutheran Church has informed us that they have formalized an agreement with one of our neighborhood/partner food shelves,
Community Emergency Service, to become a remote distribution site in South Minneapolis. CES will offer food and household supplies such as non-perishables, fresh vegetables and fruit, diapers, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, and personal care items. The distribution site will operate until neighborhood primary shopping places (Target, Cub, Aldi, and local shops) are able to reopen.
The site opens at 9:00am each Friday and closes at 12pm or earlier if supplies are depleted.
Mount Olive's address is 3045 Chicago Avenue South.
whose relationships with food suppliers can extend funds further than individuals are able.
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A Season of Hope Wrap Up
Lutheran World Relief Personal Care Kits
During Lent, we joined
Lutheran World Relief in
A Season of Hope
to announce to the world
the HOPE of Christ.
Personal
Care Kits give people around the world tools to stay healthy in
life's most challenging situations and provide assistance
for struggling families in fragile corners of the world. Our goal was to assemble 75 kits.
Due to COVID-19, our LWR Lenten project
to assemble personal care kits
was put on hold.
A few weeks ago, cash donations were used to purchase the remaining required items. On June 18, 67 kits were assembled by Ellie Holmquist, Anita Duder, Mary Flynn & Linda Nelson.
Each kit included:
- Three bars of soap
- One bath towel
- One toothbrush
- One comb
- One nail clipper
Last week, Pastor Haug delivered the kits to the warehouse in St. Paul where they will be packed and sent to those in need. In addition, Janna and Pastor Haug delivered leftover bars of soap, combs, and toothbrushes to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. These items will be distributed through their remote distribution site in south Minneapolis to support those in need in our own community.
Thank you to everyone who helped with this project and for your contributions of supplies and money.
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Wednesday Morning Bible Study 
Pastor Haug leads a virtual Bible study by Zoom for the regular
10:00 am Wednesday
morning
Bible study group. If you would like to participate, please contact
[email protected].
You will recieve a link and invitation to the group meeting.
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Children's Ministry
Sunday School is just around the corner! While we do know that the Sunday School program year will begin on Rally Day (Sept 13), we don't know for certain what it will look like yet. At the time of writing this article, we were still waiting on the final word for schools which will have impact on decisions we will make for our youth programs here at LOTI.
There are several options/formats we are considering and will ask you to provide feedback on. Look for a brief survey in the next week and let us know what would feel like a good fit for your family. We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback so that we can come up with the best plan for all.
Enjoy the rest of summer, gather together as a family to watch worship (the children's message is in the first 10 min) and check your email for more details coming soon!
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will gather
Saturday, August 1
9:30 am
on the Church Patio
Join us for a time of camaraderie!
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Virtual Prayer Ministry Group
All are welcome to join us on
Tuesdays
from 9:15 - 10:00 am
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Happy Birthday!
August
Eric Amann
Gina Haug
Alexis Jacoby
Suzanne Pepin
Phoenix Millar Bruzek
Jenny Cook
Ivan Haug
Denise Wilkens
Ross Bartels
Ben Formell
Mary Abbe Hintz
Lizabeth Brown
Diane LaMere
Beth Morrison
Henrik Olson
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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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Upcoming Events
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August 1 - 9:30 am
Priscilla Circle
LOTI Patio
August 19 - 7:00 pm
Church Council Meeting
Zoom Meeting
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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 Worship Service
Sundays
9:30 am
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In-person Worship Protocol
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Staff Members
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Rev. Dr. Arden D. Haug - Pastor
Diane LaMere - Children's Ministry
Al Aakre - Seminarian
Linda Nelson - Office Manager
Michelle McCreery- Director
of Design & Communication
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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