Children’s Ministry January 2024
Pajama & Movie Day
January 7th
Sunday School resumes on this Epiphany Sunday with our traditional viewing of the movie 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 to church in their pajamas and any comfort items to snuggle with while we watch the movie together.
Children’s Ministry December 2023
Winter Gear Drive Results
Wow! We set a record of donating 182 winter gear items this year – amazing! Thank you for the new and gently used winter gear items that will be going to those less fortunate to stay warm this winter.
Thank you to LizBeth Brown, Linda Nelson and Mary Sabatke for helping sort and organize the donations in preparation for delivery to Project for Pride in Living.
College Care Packages
Twelve care packages will be heading to our college age young adults in the next week – just in time for finals preparation. Thank you to the Sunday School children for helping pack them and thank you to the families who donated the snacks. The college students love receiving this gift of love from LOTI.
This year the Sunday School children will present the nativity scene during the Lessons and Carols service on Sunday, December 17. Details will be sent via email to Sunday School families for this very special day.
Calendar Notes
DEC 10
Children process in worship with Sancta Lucia
DEC 17
Children present the nativity scene during the Lessons and Carols service
DEC 24 & 31
No Sunday School
JAN 7
Sunday School resumes
Our Saviour’s Shelter Meals 2024
Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church provides a meal for 40 on the first Friday of every month. Our monthly meals are provided by donation. The shelter orders & serves the meal. Cost per meal is $250. You may contribute online at myvanco.com or mail a check to the church.
Thanks to Elizabeth Hansen for December 2023.
| JAN | Anonymous Gift |
| FEB | Mary & Dave Goplen |
| MAR | Anonymous Gift |
| APR | Rick Gripentrog |
| MAY | Liz & Mike Brown |
| JUN | Robert & Kristi Brownson |
| JUL | Susanne Haas & Ross Formell |
Please consider signing up for 2024. To do so, contact Diane LaMere.
Children’s Ministry November 2023
Sunday School Calendar Notes
November 12
~ Winter gear & college care package donations due
November 19
~ Assemble college care packages during Sunday School
November 26
~ No Sunday School (Thanksgiving weekend)
Winter Gear Drive Wraps Up
November 12th
Please consider donating your 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 in the Narthex (back of Sanctuary) and Fellowship Hall. Donations will go to Project for Pride in Living.
College Care Packages Donations Needed
November 12th
Our Sunday School children will be assembling the college care packages just before Thanksgiving for our college age members. The Care Packages will contain a letter of encouragement from Pastor Haug, snacks and other fun items. If you would like to donate items for the care packages, please contact Diane LaMere for a list of items needed. The packages will be mailed out after Thanksgiving so that they arrive in time for finals weeks.
Successful Water the Lawn Fundraiser
[You Did Avoid ~
Putting the Pastor Out to Pasture Faster]
Greetings!
What a wonderful gathering last Sunday evening at the home of Bernie and Michelle Reisberg.
There was so much to celebrate, it is hard to know where to begin.
Thank you, Bernie and Michelle for your warmth and hospitality. Not everyone would welcome 75 guests to walk around their home. Thank you to Michelle McCreery, Mark Duff and Brad Anderson. Michelle always manages to prepare a wonderful meal.
This food was exquisite– and served the proper beverages poured by Mark and his bar back Brad. Thanks to Marty Carlson for moving furniture and food up and down the hill.
Thank you to Susanne Haas and Dale Thomas for organizing the silent auction. They solicited a wonderful collection of items and services- from sourdough baking classes to a weekend stay at the Harvard Club in New York.
Thank you for all those who contributed items, gifts and services. And thanks to all who bid on the items. Everyone found a way to contribute in a meaningful way to the success of this fundraiser.
Pastor Arden D. Haug
Children’s Ministry October 2023
Blessing of the Animals
October 8th
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 22nd
No Sunday School (MEA break)
Winter Gear Drive Begins
October 29th
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 12. Donations will go to Project for Pride in Living.
Our Saviour’s Housing Meals
For many years, Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church has provided a meal on the first Friday of each month. Due to COVID-19 & changes at the shelter, our monthly meals are by donation to the LOTI. Cost per meal is $250. You may contribute online at MyVanco or mail a check to the church. The shelter orders & serves the meal. Thanks to Kathy & Mark Hering for September.
| OCT | Bruce & Jean Carlson |
| NOV | Mary Sabatke |
| DEC | Andrew Wallin & Elizabeth |
| JAN | Hansen Dave & Mary Goplen |
To signup for 2024, contact Diane LaMere or Michelle McCreery
LOTI Director of Music, Dr. Kristina Rizzotto, performed in the opening concert of North Central American Guild of Organists series in the Twin Cities on Tuesday, July 4th. She received a glowing mention in Star Tribune’s review in the Variety section on Wednesday. We are continually grateful for her tremendous talent, musicianship & leadership. Congratulations, Kris!
https://www.northcentralago2023.org/
Children’s Ministry June/July 2023
Summer Camp for Children, Youth & Families
June & July
Luther Park, Danbury WI
For registration & details go to Luther Park
Half Week Cabin Camp (Grades 1-4)
Weeks of June 18, June 25, or July 23; (Sun-Wed)
Full Week Cabin Camp (Grades 3-6)
Weeks of June 18, June 25, or July 23; (Sun-Fri)
Treehouse Camp (Grades 7-12)
Weeks of June 18 or July 23
Beginner Horse Camp (Grades 4-12)
June 25-30
Intermediate Horse Camp (Grades 4-12)
July 16-21
Canoe Camp (Grades 7-12)
Week of July 9
Grand Camp (Grandparents/Grandchildren)
July 16-July 19
Camp Getaway for Families
Fri-Sun: June 23-25, Jun 30-July 2, July 7-9, July 21-23, July 28-30
Thank You to Linda Nelson
On Sunday, May 21st, Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church celebrated office manager Linda Nelson’s June retirement and her 11 + years of service. When the announcement of Linda’s retirement first became known, I had someone ask how the Church Council would find three people to replace her. It is not an exaggeration. Linda has been the voice of the church and first responder to countless visitors. Of course, that is only the first part of her job description. Linda has also served as our financial secretary and accountant. Did I mention that she organizes the volunteers who lead Sunday morning worship, as well as the coffee servers? She is active in nearly every aspect of our congregational life. Personally, I am grateful for the work Linda has done, for her friendship, her organizational skills and her willingness to take on new projects and challenges. Yes, it will be hard to find three people to take her place.
With that said, I am very pleased to announce that Diane LaMere has accepted the invitation and challenge of following Linda as the new office manager. Diane is no stranger to the congregation or to the work that Linda has been doing. Diane is truly a gifted church worker. I first knew her when we were colleagues at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Excelsior where she was responsible for leading contemporary worship. From there she went on to be the Director of Children’s Ministries at Mt. Calvary in Excelsior with an enrollment of 400 students. 10 years ago, I invited her to lunch to discuss whether she would be interested in making the Sunday School floor more inviting and child friendly. Little did I know that she had a BBA in Accounting from the University of Iowa. She will continue Linda’s work schedule of three days in the office each week, and work from home in preparation for the Sunday School program. We are all excited about this transition.
Linda will remain active in the life of Lake of the Isles, so you will see her regularly. And Diane will continue to be the face of the church for our Sunday School families. Thank you to both Linda and Diane for your service.