Looking Ahead at LOTI
First Sunday of Advent
December 1st, 9:30 AM ~ Lake String Quartet, trumpeter Ben Alle, & vocal soloists
Second Sunday of Advent ~ Saint Nicholas
December 8th, 9:30 AM ~ cellist Audrey Snyder
Third Sunday of Advent ~ Sancta Lucia & Christmas Tea
December 15th, 9:30 AM ~ American Swedish Institute Nyckelharpalag
Fourth Sunday of Advent ~ Lessons & Carols & SS Pageant
December 22nd, 9:30 AM~ Sunday School children’s portrayal of the Nativity along with with chimes, harp, Irish instruments & trumpet
Christmas Eve ~ Family Worship & Candlelight Worship
Tuesday, December 24th, 4:30 PM & 10:00 PM ~ flautist Rachel Haug & Paul Mackenzie, chimes and strings
All Saints’ Sunday
Greetings!
When Janna and I were living in Bratislava, Slovakia, we would often take the bus across the Danube River, to the first Austrian village named Hainburg where we would do our grocery shopping. The bus stop on the way into town was located directly in front of the statue of the composer Franz Joseph Haydn, and for the return ride, we entered the bus directly in front of the Catholic church where Haydn performed as a young alto in the church’s boys choir. His talents were eventually discovered and he was invited to sing in the Vienna Boys Choir in the imperial court chapel in Vienna. When his voice changed, Haydn studied composition. His talents were soon recognized by the noble, Esterházy family and was selected as the court musician for their place in Eisenstadt. The family’s grand banquet hall was reconstructed to become the Haydn Concert Hall.
When Janna and I were living in Bratislava, Slovakia, we would often take the bus across the Danube River, to the first Austrian village named Hainburg where we would do our grocery shopping. The bus stop on the way into town was located directly in front of the statue of the composer Franz Joseph Haydn, and for the return ride, we entered the bus directly in front of the Catholic church where Haydn performed as a young alto in the church’s boys choir. His talents were eventually discovered and he was invited to sing in the Vienna Boys Choir in the imperial court chapel in Vienna. When his voice changed, Haydn studied composition. His talents were soon recognized by the noble, Esterházy family and was selected as the court musician for their place in Eisenstadt. The family’s grand banquet hall was reconstructed to become the Haydn Concert Hall.
As Haydn’s esteem rose in the eyes of the Esterházy family, so did his popularity as the Father of the String Quartet spread throughout Europe. In 1790, after 40 years of service to the family, the aging patriarch who adored music, died. His heir, who didn’t care much for music, dismissed the majority of court musicians, and no longer required any concerts from Haydn. He soon accepted an invitation to England, as well as Germany where he was inspired by the music of Georg Fredrich Handel and the young Ludwig van Beethoven. He also became reunited with his friend Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. These new influences gave an energy and freshness to elder Haydn’s works.
On Sunday, November 3rd, the Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church Choir and the Lake String Quartet will perform Haydn’s Little Organ Mass. The central movement of the mass the Benedictus, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of Lord,” features both an organ solo performed by our organist Dr. Kristina Rizzotto and soprano soloist Debra Gilroy. As we remember those who have died since last All Saints Day, and hear their names read and candles in their honor lit, we will be gently comforted by Haydn’s glorious music and the reassuring promise of God’s word that the one who comes in the name of the Lord proclaims the good news of everlasting life.
Peace, Pastor Arden Haug
Cloister Fundraiser
Sunday, October 13th
5:00 PM
The Reisberg Home
Greetings!
Nearly a century ago in November 1924, the members of the Lake of the Isles Community Church gathered for the laying of the cornerstone of their new home. The former Lowry Hill Congregational Church, which had been built in 1900, had been destroyed in a fire. Shortly afterward, having purchased a parcel of land along Lake of the Isles Boulevard, the congregation was prepared to write a new chapter in a new location. They commissioned the architectural firm of Hewitt & Brown, who had created the monumental, neighborhood landmarks of the Northwestern National Life Insurance Office Building, Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church and St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, to design their new sanctuary. Over the next 5 years, the church would take on its now familiar and recognizable form. Stoically, the gothic arches of the cherished cloister were the first to be erected. For nearly 100 years, this beloved space has been the backdrop and frame for wedding and family photos.
Unfortunately, after a century of Minnesota winters, the stone floor of the cloister is in desperate need of repair. That is the focus of our annual fall fundraiser.
On Sunday, October 13th, Bernie and Michelle Reisberg will once again open their home for a buffet dinner and silent auction, and Michelle McCreery will prepare an exquisite, delicious meal. A $20 contribution per person will cover the cost of the meal for the event. If you would like to offer a silent auction item, please contact Diane LaMere with the details. The deadline for auction items and dinner rsvp is Wednesday, October 9.
We hope to see you there!
Pastor Arden D. Haug
All are welcome to come and join our Wednesday morning Bible study! Pastor Haug leads the morning Bible study group in the Christy Room & via Zoom on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM.
Children’s Ministry October 2024
Blessing of the Animals
October 6th
10:45 AM
Our annual Blessing of the Animals event in honor of St Francis will be held outdoors near the patio after worship. This event is for all ages! You can bring your live animals and/or your most favorite stuffed/plush animals for a special blessing by Pastor Haug. If the weather is rainy, we will take turns under the cloister.
Sunday School Calendar Notes
October 20th
No Sunday School (MEA break)
Winter Gear Drive Begins
October 27th
Please consider donating gently used or new winter gear to help those less fortunate stay warm this winter. We need winter coats, boots, snow pants, hats, gloves, scarves and socks for ALL AGES. There will be collection bins at both entrances to the Sanctuary. Our drive will end on November 10. Donations will go to Project for Pride in Living.
Rally Sunday September 8th
A young man named Eutychus, who was sitting in the window, began to sink off into a deep sleep while Paul talked still longer. Overcome by sleep, he fell to the ground three floors below and was picked up dead. Acts 20: 9
Greetings!
The story of Eutychus is a comfort to pastors who fear their preaching is not always engaging. If, even the Apostle Paul had listeners nodding off during a sermon, why shouldn’t we be surprised when a parishioner accidentally dozes off. Fortunately today, they don’t often fall three flights to the pavement below. Anyone who has ever experienced the challenge of staying awake during worship, can appreciate St. Luke’s sly description that “Paul talked still longer.” Eutychus must have begun nodding off and then eventually drifted into a deep sleep. At that point, he fell out of that window which proved fatal.
Paul, however, interrupted his sermon to go down to the young man, kneel beside him and put his arms around him. Through the miraculous power of Jesus, Paul was able to raise Eutychus from the dead and to say confidently to the crowd, “Don’t worry. He is alive now.” And with that, the Apostle went right back upstairs to continue preaching through the night.
This may sound like an odd story to read for Rally Sunday. No doubt, we would like to announce that the pastor’s sermons at Lake of the Isles are always exciting, and that the children in the congregation are never bored. We would like to state that every member is fully engaged in worship and that no one tires of volunteering even if a meeting extends to the midnight hours. But that wouldn’t be an accurate depiction of life for any church- even at Lake of the Isles.
Of course, the story of Eutychus would be tragic if it had ended differently, but because he is raised from the dead, it seems almost humorous. That is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ worth sharing on Rally Sunday. God is always turning sorrow into gladness, and sadness into joy. Ironically, even the young man’s name is filled with a whimsical surprise. Eutychus’ name means “Good Fortune.”
My friends, I believe the author of Acts decided to include this story because it reminds us why we gather week after week as the people of God. It proclaims the power of God even over death. It also shows us how eager the early Christians were to be taught whenever they had the chance to gather regardless of the inconvenience of the hour. And on a lighter note, it reminds us not to fall asleep in church, or at least not while sitting in an open window on the 3rd floor. Join us for Rally Sunday on September 8th for toe-tapping music from the Flagstone Dixieland Band, good food, and hopefully, an inspiring sermon that doesn’t put you to sleep.
Peace, Pastor Arden Haug
Children’s Ministry September 2024
Sunday School Begins
September 8th
Sunday School for children ages 3 (by Sept 1) through 6th grade begins on September 8. If you haven’t done so already, please register for Sunday School using the button below. Children will begin in worship with their family and go to Sunday School after the Children’s Message and return to worship at the start of Communion.Children’s Ministry Director, Diane LaMere [email protected].
Register Here
Back to School Blessing
September 8th
All children and youth will be invited to come forward during worship on September 8 for a special blessing of the new school year.
Bible Presentations
September 15th
Sunday School children who are incoming 3 year olds, 3rd graders or children new to LOTI will receive a brand new Spark Bible. The Bibles are a gift from the congregation to celebrate our commitment to families honoring their baptismal promise. Presentations will happen during worship.
If you have a child receiving a Bible this year, you will receive an email with specific instructions for this day from Diane LaMere.
Foodshelf Donations Needed
This fall we will begin highlighting opportunities to provide donations to the Joyce Uptown Foodshelf. They accept non-expired, shelf stable foods and household items.
This month’s most needed items include peanut butter, cooking oil, canned fruit, whole grain cereal and oatmeal, and paper grocery bags with handles. Donations can be brought to the cart in Fellowship Hall. We will have volunteers bring them to the food shelf on Friday mornings. If you are interested in helping with transporting donations, please contact the church office.joyceuptownfoodshelf.org
2024-25 Conversation & Cuisine
Sign up by Monday, September 30th
Conversation & Cuisine is a casual evening of getting better acquainted, while enjoying a meal in each other’s homes or a restaurant of choice. Groups made up of 6-8 members & friends of Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church gather for three meals during the course of the year. If you would like to participate in the 2024-25 groups, please let Janna Haug know. You can connect with her at Coffee Hour, or contact the church office.
In the Footsteps of Saint Paul
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.
1 Peter 2:21
Although these words are attributed to St. Peter, they certainly do reflect the life of St. Paul. On his four missionary journeys, including his imprisonment in Rome, Paul travelled nearly 10,000 miles over 14 years. The majority of this was by foot. His willingness to travel great distances to preach of Christ helped establish Christianity across the Mediterranean.
Throughout the summer in our sermon series, we have been reminded that Paul’s challenges, however, were not merely the distances. He faced significant resistance, both from Jewish and Gentile believers. It is a courageous and inspiring testimony of faith. In his Second Letter to the Corinthians, he wrote, “Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea.” He was also arrested and imprisoned three times. In spite of it all, Paul could dare write to the Church in Philippi Rejoice! And again, I say, rejoice!
In the last Sunday of summer, we will continue to follow in Paul’s footsteps as he completes his work in Greece and returns to Asia Minor and the ancient Greek city of Ephesus. Today, Ephesus is only ruins in modern day Turkey, but it was once the most important Greek city on the eastern side of the Aegean. It was home to a large Jewish community, as well as the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Paul spent three years in Ephesus, the longest time he spent in any one place. From there he wrote many of his letters to the churches he established in Greece, including his letter to the Philippians, Thessalonians the Corinthians, as
well as his personal pastor letters. As was his usual pattern, Paul began his ministry in the synagogue, and then his presentation moved into the great city library. Finally, the discussions moved into the outdoor theatre where it ended in a riot with the worshipers of Artemis. This time Paul walked away unscathed.
Although, Saint Paul, was never as revered as the Apostle Peter and James, through his missionary journeys and his letters, Paul’s role was solidified as the Apostle to the Gentiles, the primary theologian of the Christian Church and the founder of the Church in Europe.
Peace, Pastor Arden Haug