Conversation and Cuisine is a casual evening of getting better acquainted while enjoying a meal in our homes (or choice of a restaurant). Groups of 5-7 members and friends of Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church gather for three meals during the course of the year. Four groups were formed this past year and from all reports, it sounds like they really enjoyed their time together. New groups will be formed so that everyone will have a chance to get to know some more Lake of the Isles members. If you would like to participate in the 2015-2016 groups, please let Janna Haug know by September 30th at the latest. You can talk to her during church coffee or contact her by phone (651-497-0099) or email ([email protected]).
The molten bronze for the new church bell was poured in late August at the Paccard Foundry in Annecy, France. The bell mold is shown in the picture. Although the pouring takes only a minute, the bell cools slowly for 2 to3 days before the mold is removed and the bell is polished. The bell will then make its journey across the Atlantic to the Christoph Paccard Bell Foundry home city in Charleston, South Carolina. From there it will be transferred to Minnesota.christophpaccard.com/latest-bell-news/
Lars Olson coordinated and organized LOTI volunteers for the 2015 Paint-a-Thon this year. LOTI volunteers helped paint Goldie Peterson’s house in the Longfellow neighborhood and cleaned up her yard and gardens. The following people participated: Chanda and Henrik Olson, Steve Hoyt, Larry and Cheri Moe, Jennifer Cook, Lauren, Taylor and Maddy Rondestevdt, Jim Gilroy, Arden and Janna Haug, Pauline Haug, Ross and Wesley Bartels, Brad Anderson and Linda Nelson.
Thank you, Lars, and all the volunteers who participated in this event.
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| Taylor, Maddie and Lauren Rondestevdt |
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| Goldie (home owner) and Chanda Olson |
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| Jim Gilroy and Lars Olson |
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| Henrik Olson and Wesley Bartels |
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| Pauline Haug |
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| Lars Olson, Jim Gilroy and Brad Anderson. |
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| Janna and Arden |
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| Ross Bartels |
The Women’s Bible Study group concluded its last session of Beth Moore’s study of James earlier this summer. Plans are to start up again in September with another study for women lasting approximately 8-10 weeks. Please let the church office know if you are interested in participating. The meeting date and time will depend on the schedules of the women who enroll for the fall study.
We have volunteers for the shelter meal at Our Saviour’s scheduled through the end of the year. The following families are scheduled to serve through the end of 2015:
September 4 – the Kappel Family
October 2 -the Mechels Family and Amann Family
November 6 – the Sundeen Family
December 4 – the Moe Family
All months in 2016 are available and Cheri will take reservations for the first Friday of any month starting now.
Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Children often return to their homes when things start getting tough- at least they return in spirit. We return to sentimental memories when life seemed simpler and more meaningful. It happens when young men and women head off to college. For some, it is when they complete college and they begin life outside of a dorm room. For others, it is when a marriage ends and they begin life anew. Or it is simply when the physical, emotional and financial stress of daily life takes its toll. Some people dream of returning home in spirit, and then there are some who actually make the move- often to the surprise and consternation of their parents. When a recent college graduate returned home, I overheard a family friend ask, “Well, haven’t you uncovered the thorns yet?” It was a colorful phrase, and I had to know what they meant.
Bird watchers, and those who live along the Mississippi River or in northern Minnesota may know this, but uncovering the thorns is a pattern of nurturing and care practiced by eagles toward their young. Eagle parents are very attentive and keep their eaglets warm and protected until after the young eagles have grown all their feathers. Then the parents will “stir up the nest” uncovering the thorns, the briars and stickers that form the building structure of the nest. This stirring means tossing out all the soft nesting materials, rabbit fur, feathers, down and grass, so that the young eagles must stand on their own. This allows the eagles to strengthen their muscles and talons in preparation for adult life. The young eagles must learn to stand before they can fly.
But uncovering the thorns has another purpose as well. It forces the eagles to leave the comfort of their nest. When the young eagles are old enough to fly, they do not realize they are capable of flight. In fact, they are often terrified of falling out of the nest. Inevitably, the day comes when the parents have to” kick” them out for their own good. Some eaglets are terrified and become paralyzed by the thought of leaving the nest. The mother eagle must physically push them out, while the father eagle circles nearby waiting to catch them if they fall. This is the meaning of the song, “On Eagle’s Wings.” And I will raise you up, on eagles’ wings, lest you dash your foot against a stone. Uncovering the thorns allows the young eagles to grow strong, to learn to fly and to become independent. Without the thorns they would never fully mature. “To uncover the thorns” is an act of love, of independence, and of growth.
Life is not always easy, nor fair. Scripture teaches us that if you wish to meet the challenges of life, you need to renew your strength. At times, it may seem that God is trying to push you out of the comfort of your nest. Perhaps he is. Perhaps you too need to uncover the thorns that are making you comfortable, to stand up, and to venture out and to discover God’s creational all around you. But what a sight you shall see from eagles’ wings.
We are inviting volunteers to come for an hour or two, from 10:00 to 12:00 noon, every Thursday over the summer (unless it rains) to help with weeding the flower beds, trimming and any other light yard work that needs to be done. The church will provide coffee and donuts and we hope you will consider joining us when you are able. We ask that you bring your own gloves and gardening tools.
The Women’s Bible Study group concluded its last session of Beth Moore’s study of James earlier this summer. Plans are to start up again in September with another study for women lasting approximately 8-10 weeks. Please let the church office know if you are interested in participating. The meeting date and time will depend on the schedules of the women who enroll for the fall study.
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.