LOTILink
Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church
January 2020







Ring Out, Wild Bells is a poem written by Lord Alfred Tennyson, the Poet Laureate of Great Britain during the reign of Queen Victoria. He was hugely popular with such poems as The Charge of the Light Brigade, Crossing the Bar, and Ulysses. Published in 1850, Ring Out, Wild Bells is a portion of In Memoriam AHH, a poem which Tennyson dedicated to his university friend who died at 22, Arthur Henry Hallam, as well as his sister's fiancĂ© who died that year. 
 
According to a story widely held in Waltham Abbey, the wild bells in question were the bells of the Abbey Church. Lord Tennyson was staying at High Beach in the vicinity of the church and heard the bells being rung on New Year's Eve. The wild bells itself refers to an accepted English custom of allowing the bells to swing nearly a full 360 degrees to ring out the old year and ring in the new.
 
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
 
Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.
 
No doubt, we have all had years like Lord Tennyson when we were glad that the old year had passed. It may have been a death, disease, uncertainty or transition. There was nothing more that we could hope for than taking down old calendar from the wall and hanging up the new. We begin the year with the hope that new will be better. 
 
Ring out the want, the care, the sin, The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes But ring the fuller minstrel in.
 
As people of faith, we do have more than a new calendar to build us up.  We have the assurance that Christ himself will enter the new year with us, to offer us his strength and vision. That is the confidence we have. 
The Christ Child of Bethlehem, becomes a full grown Savior to walk and accompany us as the God- Emmanuel. As so Tennyson closes his poem with a word of hope for each of us in the new year.
 
Ring in the valiant man and free, The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be.
 
Happy New Year 2020!  Pastor Arden Haug

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Adelaide Elizabeth Schwarm
Daughter of 
Andrew and Monica Schwarm
Baptized on December 1, 2019






Our Saviour's Housing Shelter Meals

Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church has provided a meal for 40 the first Friday of every month for many years. This is a wonderful opportunity for families or a group of friends to work together! 

Thanks to  Cheri Moe & Family  for serving on December 6.

Sign up to volunteer for an event in 2020!

JAN 3
Kathryn Anderson
JUL 3
FEB 7
Janna, Arden
& Pauline Haug

AUG 7
MAR 6


SEP 4
APR 3


OCT 2
MAY 1


NOV 6

JUN 5


DEC 4
Cheri Moe & Family

Contact  Cheri Moe or phone (952) 431-5226 for more information.
Recipes are provided. 
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 Shelter continuing needs.
Donation of the grant by Thrivent members, who are unable to make the meal, is much apprecitated! (4-6 weeks lead time) 
If you have not served the meal, feel the cost is more than you can comfortably contribute, or would like to work with others, contact Cheri Moe or Linda Nelson. You will be connected with  others for a shared, enjoyable experience. 

Join us 
Saturday, January 4
9:30am
for a time of camaraderie
in the Christy Room

Please join LOTI Women's Fellowship ~ Priscilla Circle. 
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)
Children's Ministry

Important Sunday School Dates
JAN   5 Sunday School resumes
JAN 12 Grade 5-6 Parent/Tween Talk
JAN 19 No Sunday School (MLK weekend)
JAN 26 Family Fun Day
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Sunday School will resume on Sunday, January 5 for children age 3 through 4th grade. We will enjoy our annual movie day watching a beautifully animated movie called The Very First Noel. Narrated by Andy Griffith, the movie tells the story of the three wisemen following the magnificent star in search of the newborn King. Kids are invited to come in their PJs for our movie day!  Grade 5-6 class will remain in worship.  
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Grade 5-6 Parent/Tween Faith Talk
This is a new offering this year for families with 5th and 6th graders and is all about faith conversations (and fun) for parents and tweens! Families will meet after worship on January 12 with Pastor Haug and will end by Noon.
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Family Fun Day -  BINGO!
We had so much fun last year, we're going to do it again!  Plan on soup lunch after worship January 26, followed by lots and lots of Bingo. This event is for all ages -  stay for as long as you are able.  Fun prizes, free laughs and lots of great fellowship.
The Festival of Epiphany
The Twelve Days of Christmas end on January 5th. Historically, these were favorite days for music and theatre. William Shakespeare wrote his comic play "Twelfth Night" for the close of the Christmas season. In Leipzig, Germany, during the time of J. S. Bach, the city marked the Advent season with silence in the churches. There was no music performed until Christmas Eve. The twelve days that followed were filled with music. Bach's own Christmas Oratorio was to be performed on the First, Second and Third days of Christmas.  
On  Sunday, January 5th, we will celebrate the close of the Christmas season with the festival service for Epiphany.  Epiphany traditionally marks the visit of the Wise Men to Bethlehem. This will allow us one last chance to sing such favorite Christmas carols as "The First Noel" and "We Three Kings." Sunday School will resume this day as well.
The Baptism of Our Lord

The First Sunday after Epiphany is traditionally marked as the Baptism of Our Lord. It is the day in which the church remembers Jesus' baptism in the River Jordan. In the yearly retelling of Jesus' life, it is the shift from the Christmas story to Jesus' adult ministry. The Baptism of Our Lord,
Sunday, January 12, also allows us to reflect on the meaning of baptism. In particular, the day allows us to reflect on the sacred gifts and benefits offered at baptism.
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 at the Parsonage
The next meeting is  Thursdays, January 9 & 23, at  7:00pm .
Wedding at Cana Sunday
wedding at cana
In the Syriac Christian Church, the Sunday before the beginning of Lent is marked as Cana Sunday. The gospel for that day is read from St. John's writing which recalls Jesus' first miracle at the wedding of Cana where he turned water into wine. It is a day to celebrate the gifts of family and food before the penitential season of fasting begins and to be reminded that God's abundance will be shared again. In the Western Church calendar, this same passage is often read at the beginning of Epiphany season. It is a revelation of Jesus' divine nature.
We celebrate Wedding at Cana Sunday, January 26.

LOTI Book Club
You're Invited
to Read with Us! 
Gatherings are held at the
 Home of Debra Gilroy 
5:00pm 

Our selections for 2020 meetings are:
January 24
Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, &
 Priscilla Warner
The Faith Club
February 28
Geraldine Brooks,
People of the Book
March 27
Mary C. Neal,
To Heaven and Back
TBD
Anne Lamott,
Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith

January's Selection...

A groundbreaking book about Americans searching for faith and mutual respect, The Faith Club weaves the story of three women, their three religions, and their urgent quest to understand one another.
When an American Muslim woman befriends two other mothers, one Jewish and one Christian, they decide to educate their children about their respective religions. None of them guessed their regular meetings would provide life-changing answers and form bonds that would forever alter their struggles with prejudice, fear, and anger. Personal, powerful, and compelling, The Faith Club forces readers to face the tough questions about their own religions.
Pioneering, timely, deeply thoughtful, and full of hope, The Faith Club's caring message will resonate with people of all faiths.


Snacks and beverages are shared.
Contributions are welcome, but not required.

Service Outside the Church
First in a series

On Sunday, January 26th, 
Bekah Olson, a representative of Alight (formerly known as the American Refugee Committee) will talk about the amazing work her global team is doing to help people  displaced from their homes and countries Alight, which is based in Minneapolis, works closely with refugees, trafficked persons, and economic migrants to not only help meet their basic needs, but to co-design solutions that help them build lives filled with joy, dignity, connection and purpose. Bekah's talk will take place at 11:00. After a brief time of fellowship, you can bring your coffee and snack to the Christy room for Bekah's presentation from 11:00 -11:45.
LOTI Annual Meeting
Our annual congregational meeting will be held February 2 in the Fellowship Hall, following Sunday Morning Worship and Coffee Hour. 
Women's Bible Study

Our group meets 1st and 3rd Thursdays. 
However, due to holiday schedules we will resume
Thursdays February 6 & 20,  7:00pm  in the Library. 
This session's text is Numbers: Learning Contentment in a Culture of More by Melissa Spoelstra.

LOTI Choir
Weekly rehearsals are 
Wednesdays at 7:15.
We are preparing for weekly anthems as well as looking ahead to music for Lent and Easter.
New singers are welcome!
Join us!
praying hands
Prayer Ministry Group
We welcome all who would like to join us on 
Tuesdays  from  9:15-10:00 am in  the Christy Room. 
Questions?  Contact  Janna Haug Debra Gilroy   or  LInda Nelson
Wednesday Morning Bible Study



Join us on Wednesdays at 
10:00 am for Bible Study. The informal study explores the Letters of St Paul. And yes, coffee and treats are a part of every Wednesday morning. 
Fellowship Hall Exhibition

Lauren
Tulips
Gilles

Louise Gillis is a classically trained painter of all mediums. For over twenty-five years, she has achieved notoriety as both a painter and instructor. Her knowledge of impressionist color theory sets the stage for portraiture, still life, interiors, landscape and murals in oil, watercolor, pencil and charcoal. This versatility allows Louise to focus on the needs of her subject matter and create the vibrancy and depth of each individual painting.
 
She is pleased to exhibit her paintings at beautiful Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church. 

( 612)865-2728
Pastor Arden's 2020 Tour has 4 places remaining...

HEART OF EUROPE
Featuring the Oberammergau Passion Play as well as
Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany 
& the Czech Republic
June 21- July 3, 2020

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January Birthdays
Cody Rustad
Patrick Bracken
Naomi Mechels
Laura Nortwen
Mary Goplen
Bernie Reisberg
Kathy Hering
Elyssa Gustafson
Dominik Amann
Ruth Lee
Jackson Ulland
Nicholas Messerli
Gretchen Robertson
Robin Bloom
Susanne Haas
Max Formell
Mary Sabatke
Aryn Kuehn-Larson
Morgan Larson
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Ushers*
January
  5 Casey Christy & Linda Nelson
January 12 Ben Guengerich and Lauren Huffman
January
19 Eric and Kate Mechels
January
26 Lars and Chanda Olson
*
We are in need of more volunteers to usher. 
If you can help, contact Linda Nelson.
Initially, you will be scheduled with an experienced volunteer.
Altar Servers
January   5 Linda Nelson, Mary Flynn, & Pauline Haug
January
12 Mary & Dave Goplen
January
19
Carolyn & Dave Hagford
January
16 Kathy Hering
Worship Assistants
January   5 Kathy Hering
January
12 Marty Carlson
January
19 Michelle McCreery
January
16 Mary Sabatke
Coffee Hour Hosts*
January   5 Justin and Stephanie Kappel
January
12 Ellie Holmquist, Ruth Lee, Eivor Lund
January 19 Allyson and Jon Sprain
January 26 Chris and Vicki Hovda
*
We are in need of more volunteers to host coffee hour.
If you can help, contact Linda Nelson.
Initially, you may choose to host with experienced volunteers.
In This Issue
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List
Upcoming Events
January 3 - 9:30 am
Shelter Meal
LOTI & Our Saviour's

January 4 - 9:30 am
Priscilla  Circle
Christy Room

January 5 - 9:30 am
Festival of Epiphany 
Sanctuary

January 5 
Sunday School Resumes

January 12 - 9:30 am
Baptism of  Our  Lord
Sanctuary

January 12 - 11:00 am
Tween Faith Talk 
Christy Room

January 9 - 7:00 pm
Growlers & Theology
Parsonage

January 16 - 7:00 pm
Council Meeting
Christy Room

January 16 - 7:00 pm
Women's Bible Study
Library

January 23 - 7:00 pm
Growlers & Theology
Parsonage

January  24 - 5:00 pm
Women's Book Club
Home of Deb Gilroy

January 26 - 9:30 am
Wedding at Cana Sunday
Sanctuary

January 26 - 11:00 am
Family Fun Day 
Fellowship Hall

January 26 - 11:00 am
Service Outside the Church
Christy Room

January 30 - 7:00 pm
Women's Bible Study
Library


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

Worship Service: 9:30 A.M.
Coffee Hour: 10:40 A.M.

Children are always welcome in worship. However, if the need arises, the Christy Room is staffed with a Nursery Attendant for your child. If you need assistance, please ask one of the ushers to help yo u.

Staff Members

Rev. Dr. Arden D. Haug - Pastor
Dawn Allan - Choir Director
Diane LaMere - Children's Ministry
Al Aakre - Seminarian
Linda Nelson Office Manager
Tori ReisbergNursery Attendant
Sandy Swan - Wedding Manager

(612) 377-5095


Council Members
Ross Bartels - Treasurer
Martin Carlson - President
Casey Christy 
Jenny Cook
Ross Formell - Vice President
Debra Gilroy
Reagan Gusman
David Hagford
Kathy Hering
Chanda Olson
Jorgen Olson, Youth
Jon Sprain - Secretary
Joshua Wilcox

Michelle McCreery - LOTILink, Website, & Social Media


We welcome your input to the our newsletter. Contact us if you would like to submit events, schedules or other information to share with the LOTI congregation.