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The New Normal
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
Isaac Watts, 1708
After nearly two months of settling into new patterns of doing things, I am slowly adjusting to the New Normal of parish ministry at Lake of the Isles. It certainly is not what I was expecting for 2020. In spite of the challenges, I am still leading Bible Study and teaching confirmation- all by Zoom. I am preaching for Sunday morning service, although it is now usually recorded on Fridays. Surprisingly, my wife Janna and I are worshiping together- which hasn't ever happened regularly in our lives. I am visiting with people on the phone, and greeting parishioners wearing masks on the sidewalk in front of the church. This is The New Normal. Of course, we would all like to move back to the old familiar patterns, but it seems for the foreseeable future we will have to adjust to this new way of doing things. Even when we do return to the old normal, there may be things that we will continue to do in the new way as well. YouTube worship services, for instance, have touched a whole new group of people and have kept us connected to members living far away.
Christians throughout the centuries have experienced times where they were forced to adjust to challenge, and create their own new normal. In the early 1700's the young theologian Isaac Watts penned the words to the hymn O God, Our Help in Ages Past as his hymn version of Psalm 90. He wrote hymn paraphrases of almost all 150 psalms which he called The Psalms of David Imitated in the Language of the New Testament, so that congregations could follow the historic pattern of the church of singing the psalms. With his natural gift for rhyme, Watts wrote over 750 hymns. William Croft, who was the organist at St. Anne's Church in Soho composed the hymn which is now traditionally sung to the hymn. For Watts, it was a time of trial and social change. He, himself, was ostracized for belonging to a minority religious movement known as the Congregational Church. Watts created a genre of hymns which allowed the congregation to sing freely, but in a majestic unified voice. This is certainly true of the words, O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come.
We are all experiencing a major recalibration of our values and beliefs at this time. It is often painful and troubling. But we need never lose heart. God assures us that he will be present in the future, just as he was present in the past. The New Normal may not be what you and I ever dreamed of, but God will be with us as our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home.
Peace, Pastor Arden Haug
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Council Action and SBA Government Loan
As we all continue to grapple with the many impacts of COVID-19 on our lives, the Church Council is doing the same for LOTI, and is paying particularly close attention to the church finances. Along those lines, the Council is pleased to report that LOTI was recently approved for a loan under the new federal Paycheck Protection Program. These funds are intended primarily to help LOTI maintain its current staffing levels and staff pay levels, and the loan itself is forgivable if the funds are used for this purpose in the next two months, which is the council's intention. Like most churches, LOTI faces significant economic uncertainty in these unprecedented times, and we are grateful for this assistance, particularly as we head into the summer months, which tend to be lean even in the best of years. If you have questions about LOTI's participation in this program, please feel free to contact
Pastor Haug
,
Chanda Olson,
Council President or
Ross Bartels,
Council Treasurer.
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LOTI Virtual Worship Services
Our virtual services premier 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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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 Mary Knoblauch & Marty Carlson for providing the April 6th meal and to Lars & Chanda Olson for May 1st.
IMPORTANT UPDATE!
On April 27,
Our Saviour's Housing
has notified us that
they are no longer able to receive meals for the shelter from volunteer providers, effective April 29th 2020.
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.
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.
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2020
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SCHEDULED VOLUNTEERS
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JUN 5
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Paula & Steve Hoyt |
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JUL 3
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Heather Jacoby, Gretchen Robertson, Ruth Lee, & Ellie Holmquist
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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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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 |
Please consider signing up now, for September, or October. 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.
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A Season of Hope
Lutheran World Relief Personal Care Kits
During Lent, we're joined
Lutheran World Relief
in
A Season of Hope
to announce to the world the HOPE of Christ. Our goal is to assemble 75 Personal Care Kits.
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.
Contributions can be made in two ways:
- Cash donation to support purchasing in bulk.
- Items may be purchased by individuals and delivered to LOTI, when we gather after Minnesota's Shelter In Place Order is lifted.
At that time, we will schedule a date for
assembly and shipping preparation.
Each kit will include:
- Two or three bars of soap
- One bath towel
- One toothbrush
- One comb
- One nail clipper
Important Guidelines
- Be sure to shop for light or medium-weight towels in darker colors, which are easier for kit recipients to hand wash and air dry, take up less storage space and are considerably less expensive than the fluffier towels we may prefer.
- Please give new items only.
- Please do not donate items with any religious symbols, messages or a group's name.
- Please do not donate any items decorated with a U.S. flag, patriotic or military symbols, or references to the armed forces, including camouflage.
- Please do not add other items or leave out any of the items listed.
- All items should be new.
- Do not enclose kits or any contents in plastic bags.
Contact Linda Nelson with questions or to let us know that would like to help.
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Children's Ministry
As the Sunday School program year comes to an end, we want to say a huge
THANK YOU!
to our Sunday School teachers:
PreK-K:
Stephanie Amann, Alexis Jacoby, and Kate Mechels
Grade 1-4:
Joe Mechels, Susan Melbye, and Andrea Nyhusmoen
Extra thanks to Stephanie and Kate for their years of service as Sunday School teachers as we wish them the very best as they go off to college in the fall. We will miss you!
We are so very grateful to all of you for the time and energy you have given our kids this year. Thank you for helping our kids grow in God's love!
__________________
Weekly Sunday School
& Family Materials
For materials to use at home for the weekly Bible stories and faith activities, please continue to check your email and visit:
loti.org >
Resources >
Sunday School for SS age
loti.org >
Resources >
Family for intergenerational
May they be a blessing
to your family
as you practice
faith at home
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Virtual Women's Bible Study
Our group meets
1st & 3rd Thursday
s.
Our next meetings are
Thursdays May 7 &
May 21
,
7:00pm
.
This session's text is
Numbers: Learning Contentment in a Culture of More
by Melissa Spoelstra.
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Virtual Growlers & Theology
The informal study of theology and adult beverages continues
. Following the model of Luther in his home in Wittenberg, Germany, Pastor Haug leads a twice monthly gathering.
This month's gatherings are
Thursdays, May 14 & May 28, 7:00pm
If you would like to participate in virtual
Growlers & Theology, please send your email address to
Pastor Haug
.
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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!
Claire Bokelman
Travis Haverty
Carolyn Hagford
Bridget Fleck
Casey Christy
Joseph Mechels
Phyllis Dahl
Anita Duder
Kamie Moen
Avery Nelson
Julie Gallop
Mary Knoblauch
Ryne Nelson
John Bergford
Deborah Pizarro
Cade Duff
Raymond Kappel
Andrew Ulland
Shan Vike
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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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May 1 - 5:00 pm
Our Saviour's Shelter Meal
May 7 - 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Women's Bible Study
Zoom Meeting
May 14 - 7:00 pm
Growlers & Theology
Zoom Meeting
May 21- 7:00 pm
Church Council Meeting
Zoom Meeting
May 21 - 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Women's Bible Study
Zoom Meeting
May 28 - 7:00 pm
Growlers & Theology
Zoom Meeting |
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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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Staff Members
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Rev. Dr. Arden D. Haug - Pastor
Diane LaMere - Children's Ministry
Al Aakre - Seminarian
Linda Nelson - Office Manager
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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