August Worship Volunteer Schedules
Visitors to orthodox churches are often surprised by the iconostasisor icon wall which stands in the front of the church. This was certainly true for our group at Lake of the Isles when they visited a Russian orthodox monastery in St. Petersburg for the Easter vigil. They wondered why the priests kept disappearing behind the doors of the iconostasis, and what the icons represented. The altar itself is actually hidden behind the icon wall and is only visible when the royal doors, the center doors, are open.
Of course, there is an order and meaning to all the icons on the iconostasis. They depict the great events in Christ’s life, the feast of the church, and one icon is always there to illustrate the name of the church. Perhaps, surprising to all the Protestant Christians is that all the Old Testament prophets are portrayed with a halo above their head. More frequently it is a disc of light. The prophets are also referred to as saints. (Please note the icon of Jonah and the Great Fish.) For the Orthodox Church, the icons present an unbroken chain of holiness from the Old Testament into the New.
Throughout the summer we have been meditating on the Old Testament prophets in our worship. This has included occasional readings from the three major literary prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, and the twelve minor prophets. In the ancient Jewish tradition, the Minor Prophets or simply Twelve Prophets, were all included on one scroll. The term “Minor” relates to the length of each book (ranging from a single chapter to fourteen); even the longest is short compared to the three major prophets. It is not known when these short works were collected and transferred to a single scroll, but the first extra-biblical evidence we have for the Twelve as a single collection is 190 BC. There is, however, a common theme in the words of the prophets. They focus repeatedly on the acts of sin, and the challenge of a resolute new life. In the New Testament, we are reminded by Jesus himself, that he is the fulfillment of these words. It is an unbroken chain of God’s action.
There is one more month of stories to hear. Don’t worry if you missed a Sunday or two. They are always available here. Join us as well, after church on Sunday, August 11, as fellow Lake of the Isles members, share their favorite stories of travel in Russia and the Baltic States.
Pastor Arden Haug began his ministry at Lake of the Isles in January 2013. His colorful and innovative use of music, liturgy and the history of the Lutheran Church has evolved over 25 years of ministry in Minnesota and in Europe. Pastor Haug’s doctoral studies in homiletics or the art of preaching are reflected in his personal, relevant and often humorous and inspiring sermons.
Diane joined the staff at LOTI in 2013. She oversees the Sunday School program and events/activities held throughout the year involving children and families. Diane comes with years of experience as a children’s ministry director, children’s music director and worship accompanist.
As choir director, Dawn is committed to providing members of the choir with rigorous musical preparation combined with spiritual understandings that allow them to present the songs of the Church as the treasure they are. She works closely with the Pastor and other staff members to build a bond among those serving in the choir that is sustained by the Holy Spirit and their love of the Lord.
Kenneth Vigne joined the Lake of the Isles staff on January of 2014. He believes that a church’s music must serve the Word, and brings a variety of musical offerings to explore that relationship. Kenneth is an experienced musician who employs both repertoire and improvisation to tie the elements of the service together.