LOTILink
Lake of the Isles Lutheran ChurchSeptember 2020
Rally Sunday, September 13th
Limited In-Person Worship Resumes



Welcome back is our normal greeting on Rally Sunday as worshipers return from summer sojourns across the country and around the world. But that is not the case in the midst of a global pandemic. Worship life, as well congregational activity, will just not be the same this fall. The staff is trying to organize our calendar around many of the traditional activities and festivals that have punctuated the program year, however, not everything will and can happen as it once did. Normal patterns will return again. We just need to remain patient and hopeful. If you need a reminder, see the corner stone for the church. It was laid in 1925, seven years after the last great pandemic in a decade that was described as roaring.
 
One of the initial steps for normal congregational life will be on Rally Sunday when limited in-person worship resumes. Throughout the month of August we have been preparing and practicing for this day. We have been adjusting the sound and camera so that we can go live on Rally Sunday on YouTube as well. The Protocol for In-Person Worship at Lake of the Isles that we have followed this past month has allowed worshipers to feel comfortable and safe in the church Sanctuary. This will continue with registration in advance, masks and social distancing. We will keep the worship attendance capped at 40 people, in addition to the Corona Chorus. This represents about 20% of Sanctuary's seating capacity. 
 
And what would Rally Day at Lake of the Isles be without Dixieland music? Sadly, the late John Madson can no longer lead us in music together with the Starry Night Quartet, but the Zuhrah Shrine Dixie Kats will perform as a part of our Rally Sunday service. Yes, there will be a little bit of the familiar-- even in these new times. 
 
Whether in person or online-- Welcome back to Lake of the Isles.
 
Peace, Pastor Arden Haug
September 2020 In-Person Worship Protocol

Download September 2020 Worship Protocol
Baptism
Rayden Thomas Alden
Child of Matthew and Jenna Alden
August 4, 2020
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 Cathy Carlson, Peter Van Bergen, 
Dave & Mary Goplen for providing on August 7th.
                                              
2020
SCHEDULED VOLUNTEERS  
SEP 4
Denise Wilkens & TBD
OCT 2
Peter Van Bergen & Cathy Carlson
NOV 6
Monica & Andy Schwarm; Andrea & Casey Christy
DEC 4
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/
Saturday, September 5 
9:30 am
Church Patio

Bring your own beverage. We'll follow social distancing guidelines. Restrooms will be available. In case of inclement weather, we'll have access to the Fellowship Hall.
Join us for a time of camaraderie!
Fall Confirmation Schedule
Confirmation Education 
for 7th and 8th graders, 
as well as 9th graders 
preparing for the 
Rite of Confirmation on 
Sunday, October 25th 
will begin again on 
Wednesday, September 9th 
from 4:00-5:00pm 
on the Church Patio
Confirmation this fall will be a hybrid of Zoom and in-person classes. New confirmands can register with Pastor Haug.
Growlers & Theology
September 10 & 24


The informal study of theology and adult beverages will be begin again this fall.  Following the model of Luther in his home in Wittenberg, Germany, Pastor Haug will lead a twice monthly gathering on the Church Patio. The first gathering will be at 7:00pm on Thursday, September 10th. Please note the new time.
 Children's Ministry

The beginning of the Sunday School program year will begin remotely on September 13. Please complete the online registration form here, so that we can have the most updated information to connect with your family. You will also indicate on this form how and what you would like to receive which will help us best meet your family's needs during this time.
____________________________

Pre Rally Day Family Invitation
September 12, 10am-2pm
Sunday School families are invited to sign up for a time for your family to come to church on September 12 for a Pre Rally Day family event. The link to signup will be emailed to you the first week of September.
During your time slot, you will have the opportunity to experience the following:
  • Blessing of your family in the Sanctuary with Pastor Haug
  • Bible presentation - If your child is a new 3 year old, 3rd grader or you are a new family your child will receive a Spark Bible, a gift from the congregation to your child
  • Decorate a sidewalk section with sidewalk chalk to share messages of hope and love with each other and the neighborhood (weather permitting)
  • Popsicles!
  • Packet pick up for September
____________________________

Family Faith Time Videos
These videos are designed to be short and sweet and give you some tools and ideas on how to install new faith practices at home while we are doing Sunday School and worship remotely.
There will be a theme for each video and supporting materials, as needed, will be provided (you will let us know on the registration form how you would like to receive materials)
____________________________

Faith Friends
This is a new offering to connect Sunday School families at LOTI with each other by way of a pen pal program. 
Program signup will be coming in September with more details.
Women's Bible Study
Another season is just around the corner. We hope you're ready for more great conversations, sharing, and learning about how we can apply scripture to today's world and our own lives. 

Our text will be First Corinthians: Living Love When We Disagree by Melissa Spoelstra. ISBN 978-1-5018-0168-6, 
available on amazon.com in paperback or Kindle, or at local booksellers. (If you would like Linda to order the book for you, contact her by Thursday, September 3. Cost is $13.59.)

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 over
tly 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.

Until we can meet in person, our Bible Study will be online via Zoom. We begin on Thursday, September 17, at 7:00pm. We'll continue on 1st & 3rd Thursdays.

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!


Women's Book Group
You're Invited to Read with Us!

What a great year we had of reading last season! Thanks to all who participated in our engaging conversations and vital community! We may not love the same books, but we always have room for opinions and conversation!

Meetings are on the 4th Friday of the month beginning at 5:00pm. We'll meet on the Church Patio, weather permitting, otherwise we'll use Zoom. Contact Deb Gilroy to be added to the participants list, if you have not yet joined us. She will schedule meetings & send invitations. 

2020-2021 Schedule 
SEP 25
Song of Redemption,
Lynn Austin
OCT 23
When Things Fall Apart:
Heart Advice for Difficult Times,

Pema Chödrön
NOV 20
Thread of Grace,
Mary Doria Russell
JAN 29
Mere Christianity,
C.S. Lewis
FEB 26
What's So Amazing About Grace,
Philip Yancey
MAR 26
The Book of Longings,
Sue Monk Kidd
APR 30
The Seven Story Mountain,
Thomas Merton
 
September's Selection...
When King Hezekiah discovers that God's Law forbids him to take multiple wives, he must choose one woman to love. He must also choose to trust God's promises when he decides to rebel against his powerful Assyrian overlords. Hezekiah seeks to strengthen his nation's fortifications by building a tunnel to Jerusalem to hide his water supply. The tension mounts as the Assyrians march closer--and Hezekiah's tunnel remains incomplete. With his officials advising him to submit to the Assyrians, Hezekiah's faith is once more severely tested.Previously published as The Lord is My Song.

 
LOTI Church Council Reopening Letter
Sent July 27, 2020

LOTI Church Council Reopening Letter
LOTI Virtual Worship Services

Beginning in April our prerecorded virtual services have premiered each Sunday at 9:30 am on our YouTube channel. The videos remain for subsequent viewing, as well. For the corresponding worship service bulletins go to the Worship Service Bulletins page.

On SundaySeptember 13, at 9:30 am we will begin live streaming our Worship Services. To view, go to our YouTube channel OR to find the live-stream link & worship service bulletin go to loti.org

Special thanks to Joseph LaMere for filming, editing and uploading our videos. We couldn't do it without you!
Virtual Coffee Hour
many_coffeemugs.jpg

Join Coffee Hour on Zoom.
This recurring meeting has met on Sundays at 10:45 am throughout the summer months. Beginning September 13, we'll begin at 11:00 am.
If you would like to take part, contact Michelle McCreery.


Member Directory
We're finalizing the 2020 Directory. It will be available to download, as an interactive PDF, from an email sent to members. A print version which can be picked up from the church (or sent via USPS) will be provided for those without internet access.  
For questions or photo/info submissions, contact
Michelle McCreery  


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 9:00 am each Friday and closes at 12 pm or earlier if supplies are depleted. 
Mount Olive's address is 3045 Chicago Avenue South. 
Monetary donations should be directed to www.cesmn.org
whose relationships with food suppliers can extend funds further than individuals are able.
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 pastor@loti.org. You will receive a link and invitation to the group meeting. 
Virtual Prayer Ministry Group
All are welcome to join us on Tuesdays from 9:15 - 10:00 am 
for a Zoom meeting
Questions? Contact Janna HaugDebra Gilroy, or Linda Nelson


balloons_happy_bday.jpg 
Happy Birthday!

September
Magnus Skold
Diane Svard
McKenna Gruys
Erin Wilcox
Ryker Alden
Jacob Hovda
Trygve Svard
Taylor Rondestvedt
Daryn Skjefte Brown
Heather Jacoby
Brittany Lawonn
Pamela Aagaard
Katherine Bracken
Charlie Gruys
David Hagford
Miles Gruys
John Frahm
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.

In This Issue
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List
Upcoming Events
September 4
Our Saviour's Shelter Meal

September 5 -- 9:30am
Priscilla Circle
Church Patio

September 9 -- 4:00-5:00pm
Confirmation
Church Patio

September 10 -- 7:00pm
Growlers & Theology
Church Patio

September 12 - 10:00am2:00pm 
Family Pre Rally Day
Sanctuary & Patio

September 17 -- 7:00-8:30pm
Women's Bible Study

September 17 -- 7:00pm
Church Council Meeting
Zoom Meeting

September 24 -- 7:00 pm 
Growlers & Theology
LOTI Patio

September 25 -- 5:00pm
Women's Book Group
Church Patio or Zoom
LOTI
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

September 2020
In-person
Worship Protocol

Staff Members
Rev. Dr. Arden D. Haug - Pastor
Dr Kris Rizzotto 
- Director of Music
Dawn Allan - Choir Director
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
Sandy Swan - Wedding Manager

(612) 377-5095

Council Members
Ross Bartels - Treasurer
Jenny Cook - Vice President
Chanda Olson - President
Jorgen Olson, Youth
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.
Michelle McCreery - LOTILink, 
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