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 the Beryl & Don Waldeland for sponsoring the October meal.
If you would like to sponsor a meal in 2026, please contact [email protected] for details.
| NOV 8 | Mary Sabatke, in memory of Bruce Sabatke |
| DEC 13 | Bruce & Jean Carlson |
| JAN 10 | Isaac Spanjer |
| FEB 14 | Jim & Pat Bausel |
All Saints Sunday
November 2nd
Remembering the Saints
Dear Friends of Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church,
When Janna and I were living in Central and Eastern Europe, one of the most memorable celebrations was All Saints on November 1st. Whether you were Roman Catholic or Protestant, families would make the annual pilgrimage to the family cemetery to honor those who were their ‘beloved saints’. Most often these were family members, but they could also be cultural and political figures. The candles and lamps would burn well into the night. Surprisingly, the following night the lights would reappear again as families moved on to other family cemeteries. All Saints was more than a cultural ritual. It was way to reconnect with the past and to retell the stories of family and faith of an earlier generation.
Remembering the saints is one of the most important tasks we have as Christians. In Proverbs 10:7 we read, The memory of the righteous is a blessing. St. Paul writes about celebrating the faith of the saints both living and the dead, in his letter to the Ephesians 1:15-17, I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. Remembering the saints is honoring the men and women who have nurtured us in our faith. It is also a confession, that no Christian stands strong alone. We are supported by a host of “saints” who support and encourage us in own journey.
How we choose to remember the saints in our lives is a matter of culture and tradition. Several years ago, Janna and I drove around to the various cemeteries where our grandparents were buried. We carried our lamp with us from place to place where we said a prayer and sang a song. It was a meaningful day. In worship, we often light candles and ring bells to honor and remember the newly passed. This coming Sunday we would like you to come forward during the singing of the hymn of the day Shall We Gather at the River to place a flower in a vase in front of the Easter Paschal candle in memory of the fallen saint in your life.
There is still another way of remembering the saints. Traditionally at Lake of the Isles, members and friends have designated special financial gifts to the LOTI Endowment Fund on All Saints Sunday. These gifts continue to grow and serve as a reminder that the legacy of faith doesn’t end in death. The life of faith lives on through love, memory and continuing service.
Join us this Sunday, November 2nd for All Saints Sunday and consider what ways you can remember the saints in your life.
Peace, Pastor Arden Haug
Daylight Saving Time Ends
Sunday, November 2nd
2:00 AM
Get ready for an extra hour of sleep! .
Daylight Saving Time 2024 ends at 2:00 AM CDT, Sunday November 3, 2024. That’s when we’ll move our clocks backward by one hour to 1:00 AM CST.
Welcome Guest Preacher Miranda Stadem-Ward
Sunday, November 2nd
Miranda Stadem-Ward, a native of Northern California, has been serving in professional ministry since 2005. Originally ordained in the Assemblies of God in 2010 after completing her BA of Divinity and Counseling Psychology programs at Bethany University in Santa Cruz, CA, Miranda has been deeply involved in several interfaith and ecumenical ministries throughout the United States, Central America, and the United Kingdom. After experiencing a call to help the Church reach people beyond its walls, Miranda earned her MA of Divinity and additional certificates in the History of the Reformed Church and Anglican Studies at Emory University’s, Candler School of Theology in 2014.
In the following years, Miranda served as a clinical chaplain at Emory University Hospital, on Emory and the CDC’s Ebola Team, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and the Burning Man Project community. Additionally, Miranda has worked in Corporate Leadership and HR Consultancy for the past 15 years, and currently works for Ralph Lauren in client development.
Miranda lives with her husband Hans, their one-year old son Theo James, and their menagerie of animals in North Minneapolis since 2020.
Welcome Guest Pastor Gary Anderson
Sunday, November 2nd
Gary Anderson will be our guest pastor on Sunday, November 2nd. Pastor Anderson is not a stranger to Lake of the Isles. Marty Carlson is his nephew. He and his wife Mary Ann served in the congregation in Vilnius, Lithuania that Pastor Haug and his wife Janna established.
Poinsettia Orders
Due November 9th
Purchase poinsettias to adorn our chancel for Christmas. You are welcome to take them home after Christmas services. You may use the order form in Sunday bulletins for cash/check, order online using the QR code, or go to myvanco.com.
$10.50—Single Stem: red or white
$17.00—Double Stem: red or white
Looking Ahead at LOTI…
First Sunday of Advent
November 30th
9:30 AM
—Guest musicians and LOTI choir performing Telemann’s Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Gates
Second Sunday of Advent ~ Saint Nicholas
December 7th
9:30 AM
—cellist Audrey Snyder
Third Sunday of Advent ~ Sancta Lucia & Christmas Tea
December 14th
9:30 AM
—American Swedish Institute Nyckelharpalag
Fourth Sunday of Advent ~ Lessons & Carols & SS Pageant
December 21st
9:30 AM
—Sunday School children’s portrayal of the Nativity along with trumpet and chimes
Christmas Eve ~ Family Worship & Candlelight Worship
Wednesday, December 24th
4:30 PM & 10:00 PM
—Austrian-themed Christmas music featuring the alpenhorn at both services
God the Lord is Sun and Shield
J.S. Bach’s Reformation Cantata BWV 79
Reformation & All Saints Worship
October 26th—9:30 AM
Lutherans today often wonder about the connection between Reformation Day, October 31st and All Saints Day, November 1st. Halloween often sneaks into the conversation as well. In many parts of the world, including the United States, Reformation Sunday is celebrated in churches on the Sunday closest to October 31st, and All Saints Sunday is the following Sunday. Surprisingly, in the Protestant federal states of Germany, October 31st is a state holiday, and All Saints is celebrated on the last Sunday of the church year. In the Roman Catholic territories, All Saints is a federal holiday on November 1st, and Reformation Day is simply dismissed. Throughout Roman Catholic and Protestant states, the American tradition of Halloween has become more popular. Instead of trick or treat, children tap on doors and cry out, “Fröliches Halloween! Süßes oder Saures!” Happy Halloween! Sweet or sour!
There is a connection between the two days which is very important and historical. During the time of Martin Luther, Frederick the Wise, the ruler of Saxony was one of the seven electors who chose the Holy Roman Emperor. He was also a devout Christian. Over the years he had amassed a collection of over 19,000 relics. At that time most Christians venerated and worshiped these items. Relics were said to have special powers of healing as well as penitential merit. In other words, the prevailing notion was that by praying over them, touching them, or even just looking at them one could earn “points” towards salvation. Frederick the Wise was very proud of his collection, which was housed in the Castle Church in Wittenberg, so that every year on All Saints Day he made his relics available for public viewing.
Meanwhile, early in 1517 Johann Tetzel began selling indulgences in a village only twenty miles away from Wittenberg that were said to provide forgiveness of sins or a reduction of the penalty of sin. It was really a fundraising scheme and caused Martin Luther great consternation. He felt compelled to confront this practice and so, he invited an open debate on the topic by writing 95 theses that challenged the sale of indulgences and the prevailing understandings of salvation. He nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg on October 31st, the Eve of All Saints. Martin Luther couldn’t have picked a better occasion time to challenge the prevailing understandings of indulgences and relics for salvation. Instead, Luther believed that men and women were saved by faith alone in Jesus Christ by his grace alone. Luther also taught all Christians who placed their trust in Jesus could rightfully be called saints.
Our musical celebration for Reformation Sunday on October 26th honors those men and women who lived by faith alone and placed their trust in Christ. Johann Sebastian Bach wrote his BWV 79, God the Lord is Sun and Shield in 1725 for Reformation Day worship in the Thomas Church in Leipzig. The cantata begins with a pounding timpani beat replicating the sound of Luther nailing the 95 Theses onto the Castle Door in Wittenberg. The festival service will honor those who have passed away in this past year since last All Saints Day.
Join us on Reformation Day as we celebrate the saints in life.
Peace, Pastor Arden Haug
Children’s Ministry October 2025
Blessing of the Animals
October 5th
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 19th
No Sunday School (MEA break)
Winter Gear Drive Begins
October 26th
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 9. Donations will go to Project for Pride in Living.
Building Up the Building Fund—
LOTI’s Seventh Successful Annual Fundraiser
On Sunday evening, September 28th, we gathered at the Reisberg residence for our annual fundraiser. Many thanks to them for hosting again! This year our intention was to refurbish the building fund. The evening was festive and productive generating $25,000 in donations. 67 attendees enjoyed a meal prepared by Michelle McCreery and Mark Duff, along with our signature cocktail served by Mark and Brad Anderson.
Special thanks to Diane LaMere and Joseph LaMere for checking everyone in; Susanne Haas and Dale Thomas for orchestrating the silent auction; Diane, Tedi and Charlie O’Brien for checking out auction item recipients. And of course, special thanks to our Master of Ceremonies and auctioneer extraordinaire, Pastor Haug. A fine time was had by all!
