Down to the Sea in Ships—The Summer Sermon Series
Over the Memorial Day weekend, we rolled out our dock into the waters of Lily Lake in Stillwater and then we launched our peddle boat for another summer season. Almost instinctively, our 2nd and 4th grade grandchildren asked whether we were going to strike the side of the boat with a bottle. My oldest son quickly explained that this was a tradition reserved for new boats on their maiden voyage. Our little peddle boat, he noted, had already clocked many circles around the lake. Still, the tradition was well known to them.
Celebrating a new ship and the sailing season with a libation offering is tradition that dates back millennia. During ancient times, a priest would offer a libation to the Gods in the form of wine. This was done by pouring it on the ship or in the waters that would soon receive the vessel. The Christian Church adopted the practice, but objected to the use of red wine, viewing it as an affront to its sacraments. Because of these objections, white wine was used. In 1843, the SS Great Britain, the world’s first modern transatlantic liner, was christened with champagne. When the first bottle missed the ship, Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert quickly grabbed another bottle and threw it against the bow. It was believed that if the christening bottle didn’t break or if a ship wasn’t christened at all, bad luck would haunt the vessel. One passenger liner that skipped the ceremony was the Titanic.
Prayers often accompanied the christening of the ship.
Perhaps the oldest prayers is the following:
O God, who didst bring our fathers through the Red Sea, and didst bring them in safety through great waters, singing praises to Thy holy name, we humbly beseech Thee that Thou wouldst keep from all danger Thy servants who are on board ship, granting them a calm voyage and the wished-for haven. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
The ship was an ancient Christian symbol representing the church itself tossed on the sea of disbelief, worldliness, and persecution, but finally reaching safe harbor with its cargo of humanity. Part of the imagery comes from the symbol of the ark saving Noah’s family during the Flood and Jesus protecting the Peter’s boat and the apostles on the stormy Sea of Galilee. The cross was also a great symbol during times of persecution when Christians needed to disguise the cross. The cross may be seen in the form of the ship’s mast, as it is used in the logo for Lake of the Isles, or as an anchor. Interestingly, the sanctuary itself is often called the nave which comes from the Latin word navis, which means ship.
Throughout the summer I have chosen to preach on the ship as the symbol of faith by drawing upon the stories of ships in scripture. This will include the stories of Noah and Moses in the Old Testament and Jesus, the disciples, and Paul in the New Testament. And of course, there will be a connection to the Norwegian Restauration and the 200-year commemoration of Norwegian immigration to America.
Peace, Pastor Arden Haug
Dedication of the Votive Ship—Restauration
On Sunday, May 11th, we celebrated the arrival and blessing of the Restauration, a gift to Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church from Pastor Arden Haug. (Across the US, Norwegian-Americans are celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Restauration’s travels and the beginning of Norwegian emigration to the US.) We are grateful for this generous, significant gift of a votive ship. Pastor Arden led the blessing liturgy along with Brad Anderson. In addition, The Norwegian Glee Club sang for the worship service, presenting naval themed choral music, and the church choir performed Norwegian themed hymns with the contemporary twist of a soprano saxophone.
Norwegian National Day—
Grieg’s Landkjenning at Mindekirken
A final event for the Norwegian National Day celebration. Pastor Arden directed a combined chorus, Grieg’s Landkjenning, at Mindekirken his church of 40 years ago.
Children’s Ministry June 2025
Boatloads of Blessings!
Sundays
9:30 AM
June 15th & 22nd
July 13th & 20th
While Sunday School takes a break for the summer, we’re offering a little something special for kids twice a month during worship for a time of service or creativity. Kids will experience providing boatloads of blessings for others, recognize the people in their lives that have blessed them and learn a little something about boats and faith too. We’ll pack snacks for those in need, make cards to honor loved ones, and even build a boat inspired by a favorite Bible story. This time together is open to all kids present that day—no sign-up needed. Just come and join the fun during worship on June 15 and 22, July 13 and 20.
Summer Camp for Children, Youth & Families
Luther Park, Danbury WI
Cabin Camp (half or full week): Completed Grades 1-6
Beginning Sundays: June 22nd, July 13th, July 20th*
Campers spend a half or full week in cabins (with electricity, bathrooms and showers). They will play games, do arts and crafts, swim/boat in the lake, worship and sing by the campfire, build relationships, hear stories, and develop their faith. Full week campers will participate in a banquet and variety show on Thursday.
*Pastor Haug will attend Cabin Camp beginning July 20th.
Horse Camp: Completed Grades 4-12
Beginning Sundays: June 22nd, July 20th
All the great things of camp, plus horses! Campers will stay at Luther Park and be shuttled daily to Frontier Stables in Frederick, WI to learn all about horses.. After a day at the stables, campers will participate in the evening camp activities. Whether you’re new to horses or have some riding experience, our All-Skills Horse Camp is designed for riders of all levels. Beginners will learn the fundamentals while more experienced campers will build on their existing skills.
Grand Camp: Grandparents & Grandchildren
Sunday, August 3rd—Wednesday, August 6th
All the fun things of camp but with your grandparent or grandchild. Grandparent-grandchild camp is a heartwarming and unique experience designed to strengthen the bond between generations. Our skilled staff will lead the camp activities and games, while our fabulous cooks will provide all the delicious meals. Guests are welcome to freely enjoy the waterfront and recreation areas. Additionally, there will be staff-led worships, campfires, engaging Bible activities, and much more for everyone to participate in.
Camp Getaway: Families
Fridays—Sundays: June 27th–29th, July 11th–13th, July 25–27
August 1st–3rd
Plan a weekend getaway this summer with your family and invite your friends too! These weekends are what you make of them – swim and use the watercraft in the beautiful Lake 26, participate in activities hosted by the staff, relax in the fresh air or just enjoy being at camp with your family and others!
Find more details on lodging choices and fees at lutherpark.com
LOTI Summer Pick Up Choir
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!
A Votive Ship for Lake of the Isles
May 2025
Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the mighty waters. Psalm 107:23
A votive ship is a ship model displayed in a church either hanging from the ceiling, resting in a window or on occasion painted, especially in France, painted on a canvas. The practice stems from the Middle Ages and appears to have been known throughout Christian Europe. The oldest known remaining votive ship is a Spanish ship model in the 15th century. A model ship originally displayed in Stockholm Cathedral dating from 1590 is the oldest surviving example in Scandinavia. The name votive itself comes from the Latin phrase Ex-Voto which means “made after a vow.” These model ships, as a rule, were constructed and given as gifts to the church by sailors and ship builders after the completion of a tour of service or survival at sea
Growing up in southern Minnesota, as far away from any great sea or ocean as one could imagine, I was fascinated by wooden sailing ships. I assembled many plastic models, but I never attempted to do it in wood. Nearing closer to retirement, I have begun to contemplate a departing gift for my ministry at Lake of the Isles. After visiting the stave church of my ancestors in Kvernes, Norway, and seeing the votive ship hanging there, I decided to build my own wooden ship for Lake of the Isles. The question was simply which ship would it be, and how long would it take to complete? Finally, I decided on the Norwegian ship, the Restauration which sailed from Norway to New York in 1825. I was hoping to complete it before I completed ministry at Lake of the Isles.
The Restauration was the right personal, family choice. On July 4th, 1825 the Restauration, the single masted-slooper, began its journey from Stavanger, Norway to New York City with a small band of emigrants aboard seeking religious freedom. The passengers, under the leadership of Cleng Peerson, were Quakers and Haugeans who were not tolerated by the State Church of Norway. For this reason the Restauration was known as the Norwegian Mayflower. The majority of my Norwegian ancestors were solidly Lutheran, but my mother’s father’s side of the family were English Quakers. They arrived aboard William Penn’s second ship, the Bristol Factor in 1680 to establish the colony of Pennsylvania. The Restauration tied these family histories together.
Of course, the spoiler alert to this story is that I am not retiring in 2025, but my model wooden ship is finished and waiting to be displayed. Across the US, Norwegian-Americans are already celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Restauration’s travels and the beginning of Norwegian emigration to the US. So what am I to do? Wait around for a few more years, or just present it to the church now? Well, I’ve decided it will be a grand day to celebrate the arrival of the votive ship to Lake of the Isles on Sunday, May 11th.
It will be a day of music and Norwegian food. The Norwegian Glee Club will sing for the worship service, presenting naval themed choral music, and the church choir will perform Norwegian themed hymns with the contemporary twist of a soprano saxophone. Everyone is invited to bring their own favorite Scandinavian dessert or appetizer for the coffee fellowship hour.
Peace, Pastor Arden Haug
2025 Palm Sunday Festivites—Great Success!
Our annual Palm Sunday festivities were wonderful!
We served 130+ for breakfast. A huge thank you goes to Don Holzschuh & family for cooking! Thanks also to our volunteers who set up, served and cleaned up: Anita Duder, Ellie Holmquist, Linda Nelson, David Ackerman, Eivor Lund, Lisa & John Mittelsteadt, Lorraine Spies, Ross Bartels, Marty Carlson, Pierre LaMere, Mary Knoblauch, and Michelle Reisberg. Thanks to Joseph LaMere for the wonderful photos.
Thanks to those in attendance for the $900 we raised for Luther Park Summer Camp scholarships!
The Egg Hunt at the parsonage was enjoyed by 30 kids.
Thanks to Pastor and Janna Haug for this very special event.
Our Saviour’s Housing Meals
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 Stephen & Leslie Hite for April.
| MAY 10 | Jim Olson, in memory of ChanSoon Olson |
| JUN 14 | Rick Gripentrog |
| JUL 12 | Philip Friedlund & Lisa Isenberg |
| AUG 9 | Anonymous Giver |
| SEP 13 | Gronseth & Quam families |
| OCT 11 | Beryl & Don Waldeland |
| NOV 8 | Mary Sabatke, in memory of Bruce Sabatke |
| DEC 13 | Bruce & Jean Carlson |
Foodshelf Donations Needed
This month’s most needed items include peanut butter, cooking oil, canned fruit, whole grain cereal and oatmeal, paper grocery bags and empty egg cartons. 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.
Member Directory
Updates Due May 31st
We will update the member directory during the summer. Please submit any changes in your contact information to Michelle McCreery or Diane LaMere.