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Lake of the Isles Lutheran  Church  

January 2019

 Greet Now the Swiftly Changing Year




In the December 31st, 2018 edition of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, columnist Richard Chin noted a few "quirky" New Year's Eve traditions. In Spain, an age-old tradition involves eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight, one grape for every strike of the bell. In Denmark, it is a tradition to jump off a chair at the stroke of midnight signifying a leap into the new year and the leaving behind of evil spirits. In Russia, there is a tradition of burning notes with wishes written on them. 
Over the course of the past 30 years of marriage, Janna and I have experienced a variety of New Year's Eve traditions. Perhaps the most atmospheric was a cold New Year's Eve in Bratislava, Slovakia where a variety of New Year's traditions were brought into one. We were standing just below the Bratislava castle which towers over the city with friends and neighbors sipping cold champagne from frosty glasses. From that vantage point church bells could be heard ringing across the city. Fireworks could be seen bursting in the sky and their colors reflecting below on the waters of Danube River. To top it off, Chinese letters were being set skyward from the city's central square and drifting off across the dark horizon.  
  As I stood there, experiencing a mixture of the sacred and secular, I was reminded of a Slovak hymn we sang on New Year's Eve in previous congregations. It is called "Rok Novy"or simply "New Year." The text of the song was translated by the late Slovak-American hymn writer Jaroslava Vajda into the hymn "Greet Now the Swiftly Changing Year." 
This Jesus came to end sin's war; This name of names for us he bore.
Rejoice! Rejoice! With thanks embrace Another year of grace.
  His love abundant far exceeds The volume of a whole world's needs.
Rejoice! Rejoice! With thanks embrace Another year of grace.
We really don't know what the new year will bring. But we do have the assurance that "God's love abundant far exceeds The volume of a whole world's needs."  For me, that is good news. I can look at the new year ahead and rejoice. Indeed, God has given another year of grace.
 
Happy New Year 2019!  Pastor Arden Haug

Children's Christmas Program! 
See video Offertory Bell Choir
Share your videos...LOTIVideoUploads

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 Peter Van Bergen and Catherine Carlson for serving on December 7.
Sign up now for 2019 Events!
Contact  Cheri Moe or phone (952) 431-5226.
JAN
4
Pastor Arden, Janna & Pauline Haug
FEB
1 Cheri Moe & Family
MAR
1 Julie & Scott Gallop
APR
5 Confirmation Class
MAY
3 Mary Flynn & Family
JUN
7
JUL
5
AUG
2
SEP
6
OCT
4
NOV
1
DEC
6 Cheri Moe & Family
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. For those who are Thrivent members, but are not able to make the meal, please consider applying for this grant in advance (4-6 weeks lead time) for other volunteers' use to serve. 
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 5
9:30am
for a time of camaraderie
 at the home of John Bergford
2218 Mount View Drive
Minneapolis
(612) 377-1319

If you or a friend are interested, 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)

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 6th, 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.

Children's Ministry
Sunday School
will resume on Sunday, January 6 with 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!
 
____________________________________________

Family Fun Day Skaters 2 cropped
We are excited to offer this new opportunity for everyone on 
Sunday, January 20 
11am to 1pm
Bring your skates and warm clothes to church. We will gather in Fellowship Hall for soup lunch after worship and get our gear on to ice skate on Lake of the Isles.  Free loaner skates are available on a first come, first served basis at the warming house. Sizes and quantities vary. More details will be available in the worship bulletin as we get closer to the date.

Growlers & Theology
growlers Following the model of Luther in his home in Wittenberg, Germany, Pastor Haug leads the informal study of  theology and
"adult beverages," twice monthly at the Parsonage. This month's gatherings are January 10 & 24 at 7:30pm

Women's Book Club
 Please join us
 Friday, January 11
 5:00pm 
 Home of Deb Gilroy 
 2201 Oliver Avenue South
 (763) 442-0358


We will discuss Pilgrim's Progess by John Bunyan. This story of man's progress through life in search of salvation is set against realistic backdrops of town and country, the powerful drama of the pilgrim's trials and temptations follows him in his harrowing journey to the Celestial City.

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 13, 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.

Worker Speaker Series
Working is the theme of an ongoing speaker series in which people associated with our congregation talk about what they do all day and how they feel about the work they do.
The next session will be Sunday, January 13th and the guest speaker will be new LOTI member Mary Flynn. Mary works in the Medical Services Unit (MSU) at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in Plymouth - a treatment center for adolescents and young adults ages 14 to 24. Her co-worker, Courtney Wilkins, R.N., will also be present to explain direct medical care given to clients while on the MSU and throughout their stay at the facility.
Mary and Courtney's talk will take place after a brief coffee break following the Sunday morning service. Those who are interested will be invited to take their coffee/tea into the Christy Room for about 45 minutes. The first 15-20 minutes will be an informal talk by Mary and Courtney, leaving the time remaining for questions from those in attendance.
If you are interested in sharing your Working story, contact jannahaug@yahoo.com







W
edding at Cana
Sunday 
Handel for Any Wedding 
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.
For nearly 200 years, the music of George Frideric Handel has been included in the weddings of the British royal family. It was true again in May 2018, when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were wed. The soon to be American princess was escorted down the aisle to Handel's "Eternal Source of Light Divine."  This year, for our Wedding at Cana Sunday worship service on January 27th, 9:30 am, we will feature the music of George Frideric Handel performed by the LOTI Choir and the Lake String Quartet.
In the afternoon at 4:00pm, we will have a Wedding at Cana Wine Tasting. Deb Black from The Wine Company will pour a sampling of wines that are paired with different appetizers and dessert. There will be a Mary Tyler Moore theme to this year's gathering which will be hosted in the home of Bernie and Michelle Reisberg. 
We are looking for volunteers who will make the appetizers from one of five different recipes. Please contact   Linda Nelson    if you can help. The $20 donation will be directed to CES, Community Emergency Services.
For reservations, click  WinePairing  
or  call (612)377-5095.   

Women's Bible Study  
Our Spring 2019 Session begins next month.
The text will be announced shortly.

Sessions meet at  7:00pm in LOTI Library on the following dates:
February  7
February 21
March 7
March 21
April 4
April 18
May 16
May 31

LOTI Annual Meeting
Our annual congregational meeting will be held February 3 in the Fellowship Hall, following Sunday Morning Worship and Coffee Hour. 
Camp Amnicon
Make Your Summer Plans Now!

Open-Enroll Wilderness Adventures!
There is a place in this canoe for YOU!
Good news! Amnicon is offering open enroll opportunities in 2019 for all of our most popular wilderness trips! That means you can sign up as an individual. You don't need to get 9 friends together before you come with us on the adventure of a lifetime, but you will have at least that many friends when your adventure is done. Included in your trip is food, gear, campsite reservations, daily devotions and Bible study, professional wilderness guides, and a whole lot of adventure.
Pricing is flexible. Space is limited. Call to reserve your spot in the canoe! (715)364-2602
There are many trips to choose from!
Wilderness Discovery, June 30-July 3
A trip for all ages! No camping experience at all? No problem! Join us for our Wilderness Discovery trip and see what time in the woods is all about. (Very young campers may need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Call for details.)
Namekagon Scenic Riverway, June 16-21 
For ages 11 and up, and perfect for any experience level, the Namekagon and St. Croix Rivers have something for everyone. Beautiful wildlife, remote campsites, and a peaceful meandering river. Travel with us beside quiet waters, and restore your soul.
Flambeau River Ramble, June 23-28
An intermediate paddling route for ages 11 and up, the Flambeau River Ramble is great for those who would like to try their first forays into white-water canoeing. Master basic paddling skills, and then put them to the test! Bring home memories of wild days on the river, and peaceful nights beneath the stars.
Apostle Islands Voyageur Canoeing, August 4-9 
Our signature wilderness experience for ages 15 and up, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore on Lake Superior offers unmatched beauty you have to see to believe as you camp on the islands and paddle between them in a 34' Montreal Canoe with up to 14 other people! A true north country experience in the oldest traditions of Lake Superior travel.
Women's Glamping, August 22-25
For adult women only. Camp Amnicon is offering for the first time ever a more comfortable and sophisticated camping experience. We'll still sleep in tents, but they'll be huge canvass tents with real mattresses and bed frames. We'll still cook and eat outside, but with a style and quality rarely associated with the outdoors. We'll still hike, swim, and paddle, but only as far as we'd like to, because camping can be glamorous after all.
See you at camp!
Hannah Damon, Associate Director
8450 E Camp Amnicon Rd
South Range, WI 54874
(715) 364-2602


Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Join us on Wednesday morning for Bible Study  at 10:00am. The informal study will explore the Book of Ecclesiastes. And yes, coffee and treats are a part of every Wednesday morning. 
Prayer Ministry
The prayer ministry group would welcome anyone who would like to join them on Tuesday mornings in the Christy Room at 9:15-10:00 a.m. Please contact Janna Haug, Deb Gilroy or Linda Nelson for more information if you are interested. 
LOTI Choir
Weekly rehearsals are Wednesdays, at 7:15 
New singers are welcome! Join us!
As our beloved director tells us...

       "You don't have to have a great voice, 
to make great music."


In April 2019, Pastor Haug will lead a European tour to the places where the Haug family served as ELCA missionaries. The 13 day tour entitled Springtime in the Baltics will include visits to Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. For more information contact Pastor Haug

balloons_happy_bday.jpg
January Birthdays
Cody Rustad
Patrick Bracken
Naomi Mechels
Laura Nortwen
Mary Goplen
Bernie Reisberg
Kathy Hering
Elyssa Gustafson
Dominik Amann
Ruth Lee
Jackson Ulland
Brian Vike
Kara Long
Nicohlas Messerli
Gretchen Robertson
Lucienne Walters-Beck
Robin Williams
Susanne Haas
Maximilion Formell
Mary Sabatke
Aryn Kuehn-Larson
Morgan Larson
Ethan Rand

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Ushers
January  6 Linda Nelson & Anita Duder
January
13 Carol Kuehn & Rebecca Morell
January
20 David Ackerman & Jenny Cook
January
27 Bruce Sabatke & Don Holzschuh
Altar Servers
January   6 Pauline Haug and Linda Nelson
January
13 Carol Kuehn & Rebecca Morell
January
20 Phyllis Dahl and Carolyn Hagford
January
27 Kathy Hering, Mary and Dave Goplen
Worship Assistants
January   6 Mark Waldeland
January
13 Mary Sabatke
January 20 Marty Carlson
January 27 Michelle McCreery
Coffee Hour Hosts
January   6 Chris & Vicki Hovda
January
13 Eric & Renate Amann
January
20 Mark Duff & Michelle McCreery
January
27 Mark Waldeland
In This Issue
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List
Upcoming Events
January 4 
Our Saviour's Shelter Meal
LOTI and Our Saviour's 

January 5 - 9:30am
Priscilla Circle
Home of John Bergford

January 6 - 9:30am
Festival of Epiphany
Sanctuary

January 6 - 9:30am
Sunday School Resumes

January 10 - 7:30pm
Growlers & Theology
Parsonage

January 11 - 5:00pm
Women's Book Club
Home of Deb Gilroy

January 13 - 9:30am
The Baptism of Our Lord
Sanctuary

January 13 - 11:00-11:45am
Working Speaker Series
Christy Room

January 20 - 
11:00am- 1:00pm
Family Fun Day
Fellowship Hall 
Lake of the Isles Skating Rink

January 24 - 7:30pm
Growlers & Theology
Parsonage

January 27 - 9:30am
Wedding at Cana Sunday
Sanctuary

January 27 -  4:00pm
Wedding at Cana Wine Pairing
Home of  Bernie and Michelle Reisberg

February 3 - 11:00am
Annual Meeting
Fellowship Hall

February 7 - 7:00pm
Women's Bible Study
LOTI 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
Kenneth Q. Vigne Organist
Dawn Allen - Choir Director
Diane LaMere - Children's Ministry
Linda Nelson Office Manager
Dane Peterson - Facilities
Sheridan SweeNursery Attendant
Sandy Swan - Wedding Manager

(612) 377-5095


Council Members

Martin Carlson - President
Ross Formell - Vice President
Ross Bartels - Tresurer
Jon Sprain - Secretary
Kathy Hering 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.