A family was visiting New York City where toured many of the historic sights, the Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall, and the United Nations Building. One evening they took a tour of New York Harbor. Perhaps the most beautiful sight was to ferry past the Statue of Liberty. That night as the father was putting his little six-year old daughter to bed he noticed a tear rolling down her cheek. A bit perplexed, he said to his daughter, “Why are you crying, honey?” In complete innocence she replied, “Daddy, I was thinking about that lady out there in the dark- with nobody to help her hold up the lamp. Shouldn’t we help her?”
Even if you’ve never seen her in person, you know, “Liberty Enlightening the World.” She is a most amazing women. When she was first erected nearly a hundred-thirty years ago, she towered over the New York skyline. Her torch was a veritable lighthouse. Today, she stands dwarfed by skyscrapers. Atop her head she wears a crown of seven spikes representing the seven seas and seven continents. Her sandal is 25 foot in length giving her a standard women’s shoes size of 879.
Interestingly, Lady Liberty is not standing still. A symbolic detail that people cannot see is the broken chain wrapped around the statue’s feet. Protruding from the bottom of her robe, the broken chains symbolize her strident forward movement, enlightening the world with her torch free from oppression and servitude. This great symbol of freedom greets the world in the famous poem by Emma Lazarus to “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp. Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Now the language may be a bit strange sounding, but the sentiment is quite simple. Indeed, the little six-year old grasped the simplicity of the message. For over a century the statue of “Liberty Enlightening the World” has offered a welcoming hand to the millions of immigrants seeking freedom in this country. The child understood that in order for her to keep welcoming the stranger and foreigner to our shores, we need to help. It is a challenge, for our nation as well. The broken chain is an important element to this self-understanding. Freedom is always on the move, and can never be kept in one place.
My friends, on this Fourth of July, I would like to share with you my hope that as a community of faith, and as citizens of this great nation, we will continue to keep on the move and help raise that torch of liberty and freedom for all to see.
Peace, Pastor Arden Haug
We have surpassed our initial goal of $12,000 for the commissioning and forging of a new bronze bell for Lake of the Isles. We are now working on the last $2,000 which will be used to cover the cost of transportation and the electrical connection for the bell in the tower. The Church Council has selected the Christoph Paccard of Charleston, South Carolina to design the 574 pound bell. The actual bell will be poured at the Paccard Foundary in France where they have been producing bells since 1796. The bell with its inscription, Soli Deo Gloria, Solely to the Glory of God, will be delivered for Reformation Sunday in October. It will be blessed for our All Saints worship service and then installed in the tower. There is still time and need to give a gift to honor the memory of someone you love.
Lake of the Isles Lutheran has been a partner with Our Saviour’s Housing for several decades. On the first Friday of every month we provide a hot meal for the approximately 40 people who are staying at the shelter. There are several options for your involvement. (1) You can be responsible for cooking the meal and serving it at the shelter. (2) Team up with another family or some friends to make and serve a meal one of the months. (3) If cooking for a crowd seems intimidating, Cheri Moe will be willing to help prepare the meal at the church. You can then take it to the shelter to serve. Or Cheri will go with you to help out. (4) Some people don’t have the time to cook the meal, but would be willing to help serve. We can use you too. (5) You can donate funds designated for the Our Saviour’s meal. Recipes for cooking for a crowd are available. Contact Cheri Moe (952-431-5226 or [email protected]) to volunteer or for more information. At this time the only month we need volunteers is for September 4th. This is Labor Day weekend and Cheri is will not be available to serve so please let her know if you are able to serve in September.
We are nearing our goal of $5,000 for the commission and forging of the new bronze bell for Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church. We have reached $3,750, so there is still ample for opportunity for you to help with the last $1,250.
On Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10th, LOTI was “flower bombed” courtesy of David Cook. He set up a beautiful display of large painted flowers on the front lawn and several took advantage to have their family pictures taken.
On, May 17th, Ascension Day, we celebrated the worship service with music by Dietrich Buxtehude, followed by releasing large dove balloons (environmentally safe, of course) into the air and a lovely Norwegian dessert table at coffee hour.
Dear LOTI Friends and Members,
For most Christians, “Merry Christmas” flows from the lips fairly easily, as does the greeting, “Happy Easter.” But can you imagine clasping a friend’s hand and joyfully offering a, “Peppy Pentecost,” or perhaps, “Have a Spirited Day.” Pentecost is often overlooked as a church festival. Of course, we know it is sometime in spring, but it is often sometimes in early summer when school is already out or on Memorial Day weekend when people are opening up their cabins or travelling to college graduations. Besides, you can never find a Pentecost card in the Hallmark Card aisle, so it must not be a very important day. Let me challenge you again: If there was no Day of Pentecost, if there was no wind or tongues of fire, if there was no power of the Holy Spirit, there would be no celebration of Easter or Christmas.
I must confess, I have struggled with the celebration of Pentecost. I have wondered how I could proclaim the good news of rushing wind and flames of fire resting on the heads of the twelve apostles without the message of Pentecost sounding like a biblical, history lesson. Pentecost you see isn’t simply about the wind, the tongues of fire, nor even speaking in tongues, but Pentecost is about change and the celebration of the gift of courage, strength and power which Jesus offers his Church through the Holy Spirit.
It happens when we are inspired to share the story of faith with or children and grandchildren. It happens when we dare to give public witness to our faith. And it happens, in our moments of faith when we choose to accept God’s will and believe. Martin Luther probably understood this best when he wrote in his explanation to the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed. It could just as well be his explanation to power of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. “I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to him, but the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel.”
Pentecost will never rival Christmas or Easter any more than the Holy Spirit will crowd Jesus out of the center stage of Christianity. Our simplest confessionsis still “Jesus is Lord.” But it is the Holy Spirit who brings us to know and love Christ.
Peace, Pastor Arden Haug
In May, the LOTI Endowment Committee will launch an appeal to secure the final funds necessary to commission the forging of a new bronze bell. The new bell will include an improved ringing system so that it can be used from the sanctuary during worship services, as well as for tolling at weddings and funerals.
We have already received a generous gift of $5,000. The Endowment Committee will match all gifts up to $5,000 to reach the goal of $15,000. Our hope is to order the bell by early summer so that it can be forged and installed by All Saints Sunday this fall.
As you celebrate Memorial Day this year and remember those who have gone before you, consider a gift to the Endowment Fund in honor of your loved ones. Let their memory continue to ring in your ear and to call young and old to faith.
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 Sunday School teachers: Max Formell, Abby Melbye, Andrea Nyhusmoen, Meg Ovikian, Sheridan Swee, and Anna Wilkens. We are grateful for the time and energy you have given our kids at LOTI this year. While you may never know the impact you have made on them, know that you have made a difference in their lives.
A special thank you and goodbye to our graduating teachers, Max Formell and Sheridan Swee. Thank you for your years of service here at LOTI leading our youth and best wishes in the next chapter of your life.
May 17 – Last Day of Sunday School and Guardian Angel Reveal Party The Sunday School children will finally get to meet their mystery Guardian Angel after nine months of waiting and wondering after worship in Fellowship Hall! We will celebrate with angel food cake.
May 31 – Children Sing in Worship The Sunday School children will join the choir on this day celebrating Holy TrinitySunday.
Sign Up for Summer Camps – ASAP!
Luther Park (Grades 1-12): We are excited to partner with Luther Park in Danbury, WI to provide a fun summer Bible camp opportunity for our kids (grades 1-12). Go to their website at www.lutherpark.com for more information and to register. Lake of the Isles will offer $100 scholarships for each of our congregation’s camp participants. Please contact the LOTI church office once you have registered with Luther Park, so that we can process the scholarship towards your camp fee.
Day Camp (4 yr olds – 6th grade): A local opportunity for our kids this summer is a day camp offered by a collaboration of several South Minneapolis churches, including LOTI. The day camp will be hosted this year at Bethel Lutheran at 4120 17th Ave South in Minneapolis. It will be heldJune 22-26 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. The theme this year is “Caught up in Creation”. Cost is $25 per camper, $60 max for families. Scholarships are available. Here is the link to the registration form:
http://oursavioursmpls.org/
Registration forms and information on both camps are also available at church. Invite a friend – it will double the fun!
Lake of the Isles Lutheran has been a partner with Our Saviour’s Housing for several decades. On the first Friday of every month we provide a hot meal for the approximately 40 people who are staying at the shelter. There are several options for your involvement. (1) You can be responsible for cooking the meal and serving it at the shelter. (2) Team up with another family or some friends to make and serve a meal one of the months. (3) If cooking for a crowd seems intimidating, Cheri Moe will be willing to help prepare the meal at the church. You can then take it to the shelter to serve. Or Cheri will go with you to help out. (4) Some people don’t have the time to cook the meal, but would be willing to help serve. We can use you too. (5) You can donate funds designated for the Our Saviour’s meal. Recipes for cooking for a crowd are available. Contact Cheri Moe (952-431-5226 or [email protected]) to volunteer or for more information. At this time the only month we need volunteers is forSeptember 4th. This is Labor Day weekend and Cheri is will not be available to serve so please let her know if you are able to serve in September.
Camp Amnicon is a high adventure camp affiliated with the ELCA and located on the south shore of Lake Superior. The summer camping season will soon begin and there is much preparation to do. The Family Camp wall tents must be put up
and furniture moved in. Staff cabins in the woods need to be cleaned and made ready for the summer staff. Meals must be prepacked for camping trips. In exchange for your volunteer labor, you have a bed to sleep in (bunk rooms) and delicious meals. No special talents are necessary and all ages are welcome. This would be an excellent opportunity for families or a group of young people. There is also time to explore the 700 acres of wilderness. You may even choose to spend a night sleeping on the beach or in a family camp tent. Thanks to volunteer labor, it is possible to serve many at-risk youth who attend camp on scholarships, which comprise about a quarter of the campers. If you are interested or want to learn more, talk to or call Cheri Moe or Margaret Coleman.
Camp Amnicon Information
715-364-2602 – [email protected] – www.amnicon.org
Alana Butler, director, & Bethany Ringdal, associate director