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Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church

May 2026

Sing to the Lord a New Song

May 2026

Sing to the Lord a new song,

for he has done marvelous things;

his right hand and his holy arm

have worked salvation for him.

Psalm 98:1

Greetings!

Sixty years ago, when I was growing up at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin, Minnesota, children were far more likely to hear Latin spoken in the church than Norwegian. We were known as the Scandinavian Lutheran church in town, but that was primarily only for one week of the year when the congregation celebrated it's Scandinavian Day. The women of the church were busy for weeks rolling out lefse and making meatballs. Paper plates were labeled with the Norwegian names for various cookies and breads, and then set out in a special room for the first-come/first-served bake sale. Within days, however, the Norwegian phrases disappeared, and we were back to Latin. In our Sunday bulletin, we read simply the Introit, the Gloria Patri and Gloria in Excelsis, the Verba, the Sanctus and the Agnus Dei. Even the Sundays of the church year were commonly referred to by their Latin names. Septuagesima and Quinquagesima. Of course, the Sunday School children were never taught Latin in formal classes, but like our Roman Catholic neighbors, we were expected to know the meaning of basic Latin words and phrases and to pronounce them properly.

My favorite church season was Easter with its playful Sunday titles of Quasi Modo, Misericordia, Jubilate, Cantate and Rogate. The dates often coincided with the last day of

Sunday School, which also meant the end of the choir season. Traditionally, this meant the choir would sing its favorite anthems of the year in a single service called Cantate Sunday. The name Canata derived from the Introit Cantate Domino canticum novum for the day, Sing to the Lord a new song. The tradition of referring to the Sundays by their Latin names disappeared in the 1970’s when American Lutheran congregations adopted the Green Hymnal, but that didn’t quite eliminate the practice of saving the music of the year for the spring of the year.

This May, Lake of the Isles will resound with special music. Our morning worship services will feature our own church musicians performing their favorite solos, as well as guest musicians. You are also invited to hear the music of The Isles Ensemble on Sunday, May 3rd in an afternoon concert celebrating three centuries of female composers, as well a special concert of choral music and organ on Friday evening, May 8th at the Cathedral in St. Paul with our own organist Kristina Rizzotto. There will even be a performance of Norwegian music sung in Latin performed by our church choir together with the unveiling of a commissioned painting in the sanctuary on Mother’s Day.

There are many ways to Sing to the Lord a new song. Join us at Lake of the Isles and experience the marvelous things our God has done. Cantata Domino.

Peace, Pastor Arden D. Haug

In-Person, Livestream Worship & Sunday School

Sundays—9:30 AM

Coffee Hour—10:30 AM

Inspired by Christ, living and growing in faith, Lake of the Isles is a loving and open community of worship, witness, & service in God's world

Upcoming Events

May 2nd—9:30 AM

Priscilla Circle

Fellowship Hall

May 3rd—2:00 PM

Isles Ensemble Concert

Sanctuary

May 7th—7:00 PM

Women's Bible Study

Christy Room

May 8th—7:30 PM

American Guild of Organists

Gregoriana

Cathedral of St Paul

May 9th

Our Saviour's Shelter Meal

May 10th—9:30 AM

Mother's Day Service

Sanctuary & Livestream

May 14th —7:00 PM

Growlers & Theology

Parsonage/Zoom

May 17th—9:30 AM

Ascension Sunday

Norwegian National Day

Sanctuary & Livestream

May 21st—7:00 PM

Council Meeting

Zoom

May 22nd—5:00 PM

Women's Book Club

Home of Deb Gilroy

May 24th—9:30 AM

Pentecost

Sanctuary & Livestream

May 31st—9:30 AM

Holy Trinity & Senior Salute

Sanctuary & Livestream

Quick Links

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Children's Ministry April 2026

A Great Big Thank You!

As the Sunday School program year comes to an end on May 17, we want to say a huge THANK YOU to our volunteers who helped teach in the classroom throughout the program year: Kamie Moen, Becca Morell, Shannon Morell, Jennie Nelson, Nicole Olson, Andrea Reno-Christy, Andy Schwarm & Monica Schwarm. Thank you for sharing your love of God with our kids!

Our kids are blessed to have such caring adults!

In addition to kid's programming, Luther Park Bible Camp also offers opportunities for families.

Camp Getaway for Families

Fridays—Sundays

Session 1: June 26-28

Session 2: July 10-12

Session 3: July 24-26

Session 4: July 31- August 2

Grand Camp for Grandparents & Grandchildren

Arrival, Sunday August 2nd

4-5 PM

Departure, Wednesday August 5th

11 AM

Foodshelf Donations Needed

The most needed items include sugar, salt, cooking oils (16–24 oz containers), canned fruit, canned vegetables, rice, mac n cheese, canned soups, canned chicken/tuna, Ramen (not in cups), toilet paper, soap, shampoo & conditioner. They accept all non-expired shelf stable foods.

All donations make a huge difference. Donations are collected on the wooden cart in Fellowship Hall. Volunteers deliver them to the food shelf on Friday mornings.

joyceuptownfoodshelf.org

Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church provides a meal on the second Saturday of each month. Our monthly meals are provided by donation. The shelter orders & serves the meal.

Thanks to Rick Gripentrog for April.

MAY 10

JUN 14

JUL 12

AUG 9

SEP 13

OCT 11

NOV 8

DEC 13

Jim Olson, in memory of ChanSoon Olson

Kristie Eklund, in memory of Richard Eklund

Laura Nortwen & Kathy Greenbank

MaryBrooke Maher

Leslie & Steve Hite

Mary Sabatke, in memory of Bruce Sabatke

Michael & Jana Kavoukjian

Join us

Saturday, May 2nd

9:30 AM

Fellowship Hall

for a time of camaraderie!

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 Isles Ensemble

Celebrating Three Centuries of Women Composers

May 3rd

2:00 PM

Sanctuary

The final concert of our 2025-26 season will celebrate the important contributions women composers have made over the past three centuries.

Works by Fanny Mendelssohn and Amy Beach will be interspersed with a couple of surprising new discoveries, including a newly unearthed suite from 1932 for unaccompanied viola by British composer, Imogen Holst, and a charming string quartet by the little-known 19th century Swedish composer, Laura Valborg Aulin. The centerpiece of the program will be Libby Larsen’s Sorrow Song Jubilee for string quartet, a work that is based on African-American spirituals and heavily influenced by Dvorak’s iconic “American” quartet. Please join us as we pay homage to the immense talent and creativity of female composers, including one of Minnesota’s true cultural treasures, Libby Larsen, during her 75th birthday season.

LAURA BALBOURG AULIN

IMOGEN HOLST

LIBBY LARSON

FANNY MENDELSONN HENSIL

AMY BEACH

String Quartet No. 1 in F Major

Suite for solo viola

Sorrow Song and Jubilee for string quartet

Fantasia in G minor for cello and piano

Trio, Op. 150, for violin, cello, and piano

Admission is $25, or pay as you are able. Children and students are admitted free of charge.
Tickets may be purchased at the door or online at Eventbrite.

Women's Bible Study

Thursday, May 7th

7:00 PM

Christy Room

We are continuing our study of Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman! by Beth Moore. Join us! LOTI Groups

Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists Presents a Members Recital

Gregoriana

Friday, May 8th

7:30 PM

The Cathedral of Saint Paul, 239 Selby Ave, Saint Paul, MN

Join us for a Members Showcase featuring a performance of new pieces from the recent publication Gregoriana (compiled & edited by Anna Lapwood), twelve chant-based organ pieces by contemporary women composers based on Gregorian themes.

Organ soloists will be Dr. Kristina Rizzotto, Diane Meredith Belcher, and Melanie Ohnstad. The Women’s Schola of the University of St. Thomas Liturgical Choir, led by Dr. Elena Bird Zolnik, will introduce the ancient Gregorian melodies on which the new organ solo works are based, featuring the 86-rank Skinner/Aeolian-Skinner/Quimby pipe organ.

Come to hear performances of new music in the awesome space of the Cathedral of Saint Paul with its Skinner and Aeolian-Skinner/Quimby pipe organs…prepare for an extravagant experience of scintillating sonorities.

Free and open to the public. RSVP encouraged at TCAGO.org

Mother's Day

Sunday, May 10th

9:30 AM

Sanctuary

Although Mother’s Day is not a church holiday, it is an important day worth celebrating. Not only is motherhood vital in scripture, but St. Paul calls out the mother of Timothy and his grandmother. He honors them for being the ones who gave Timothy a vision of what to believe. “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well” (2 Tim 1:5). If St. Paul called out mothers and grandmothers for meritorious conduct, the church should feel comfortable with a little sentimental celebration as well.

Our celebration on Mother’s Day at Lake of the Isles will be filled with music performed by our choir and the Lake String Quartet. The service will also include the unveiling of a new work of art. Join us for this special Mother’s Day celebration.

Growlers & Theology

Thursday, May 14th

7:00 PM

Parsonage/Zoom

The informal study of theology and adult beverages continues. Following the model of Luther in his home in Wittenberg, Germany, Pastor Haug will lead a monthly gathering.

Ascension Sunday

Sunday, May 17th

9:30 AM

Sanctuary

According to the Book of the Acts of Apostles, Jesus walked upon the earth another 40 days after his resurrection from the dead, and before he ascended into heaven. For that reason, Ascension Day always falls on a Thursday, which means few churches can celebrate the day in worship. This year, Ascension Day is Thursday, May 14th. Many churches today, mark the Sunday service either before or after the day as Ascension Sunday. At Lake of the Isles, we will celebrate Ascension Sunday on May 17th.

One of the most striking symbols of the Ascension Day reading is the extinguishing of the Paschal Candle which has been positioned near the altar throughout the season of Easter. The candle is the symbol of Jesus’ resurrection light and his ongoing presence in the world for 40 days. As Jesus ascends and is seen no more the flame of the candle is snuffed out. The Paschal Candle is only lit again for baptisms and funerals.

The Sunday School program year comes to an end on this Sunday, May 17, as well.

Norwegian National Day

Sunday, May 17th

10:30 AM

Fellowship Hall

Our Coffee Hour this day will be Norwegian themed. We will appreciate any Norwegian food contributions by members of the congregation. They can be hot or cold, savory or sweet. Please contact the church office of anything you would like to contribute.

Women's Book Club

Friday, May 22nd

5:00 PM

Home of Deb Gilroy

Our book this month is Pope Joan, Donna Woolfolk Cross

In this international bestseller, Donna Woolfolk Cross brings the Dark Ages to life in all their brutal splendor and shares the dramatic story of a woman whose strength of vision led her to defy the social restrictions of her day.

Join us! Bring a snack to share if you like.

LOTI Groups

Pentecost

Sunday, May 24th

9:30 AM

Sanctuary

Wear Red

According to the Book of the Apostles, on the 50th day of Easter known in the ancient Greek world as Pentecost, God sent his Holy Spirit upon the disciples. They had gathered in prayer and thanksgiving wondering when God would send them a clear vision for the church. On that Pentecost God sent the spirit upon the disciples, and the spirit appeared upon their heads like tongues of fire. This is the day we celebrate as the birth of the Christian Church and its mission to proclaim the good news to the whole world.

Nick Messerli

Lenore Raykovich

Jack Ulland

Join us as we celebrate our graduating seniors…

Senior Salute

Sunday, May 31st

9:30 AM

Sanctuary

LOTI Summer Pickup Choir Begins

June 7th

8:45 AM

Choir Loft

As in summers past, we will continue vocal music in worship, with our LOTI Summer Pickup Choir. If you would like to sing in the pickup choir, please arrive at 8:45 AM on Sunday mornings in the choir loft for warmup and rehearsal of the piece for that day. Please join us as your schedule allows - all are welcome!