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Join Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Prior Lake for worship, events, music, and more. All are welcomed and loved! OPEN HEARTS. OPEN MINDS. OPEN TABLE. Wherever you are on your faith journey, we will meet you there. Values Worship I'm New Prayer List & Request SUNDAY WORSHIP at 9am & 10:30m | LIVESTREAM during both services Welcome to Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA Shepherd of the Lake is an ELCA Lutheran church with a vibrant and connected congregation, located in Prior Lake, Minnesota, working together to figure out what it means to follow Jesus in the 21st century. We offer a variety of worship options, programs, and events for everyone of all ages, genders, and life circumstances, and are committed to being a place where you know that you are loved, valued, and welcomed - just as you are. No matter where you are in life... Children Adult Middle School Family High School Life Events ...we'll meet you where you are. Whether you're looking to join a church, wanting to get involved, going through a rough time, or even questioning your faith, Shepherd of the Lake is here for you. I'm New Care & Support Community Life Faith Questions Frequently Asked Questions There was a technical issue on our end. Try again or refresh. View all FAQs 5,000+ Active in the Church Youth Participants 605+ Community Events 294+

Life groups at Shepherd of the Lake are a great way to connect with others in the same stage of life, that have similar passions or are interested in new learning opportunities. Life Groups Life Groups are a great way to grow in your relationship with God and with other people who: Are in the same stage in life Have similar passions for service or connection Are interested in extended learning opportunities Or some combination of the three! If you would like to join a SOLLC Life Group, check out our opportunities below. HIKING CLUB Monthly, Various dates/times Love to get outdoors and hike? Join the SOLLC Hiking Club! This group will try new hikes all year round, sharing and reflecting together as we hike. Hikes will generally be 2-3.5 miles in length, potentially working up to some bigger hikes depending on the location & time of year. We'll try to generally stay local, but are open to the possibility of making a bigger hiking trip once a year. Upcoming Hikes: Sat, May 30, 9:30-11am - Spring Lake Park Contact Leah Felsenthal for more info on the group or sign up to go to individual events on the SOLLC event page. EMPTY NESTERS DINNER CLUB If you are interested in connecting with others over a delicious meal, this might be the group for you! Dinner groups are formed of 8 people who will dine together once a month for one year. If you are interested in learning more or joining the fun, please contact Shannon Hoffmann ART AND SOUL Monthly, Second Monday of each month, 6pm Do you love art, design, and organization? Help us implement our worship center visions as this space is transformed throughout the year for different services and events. Some projects envisioned are: chancel decoration, seasonal decor, sacristy supply organization, music and theater event preparation, and set-up for festival Sundays (such as Advent). This is a new life group - the first meeting is Monday, May 11 at 6pm. Sign up here . Or reach out to Pastor Jonathan or Leah Toppen if you are interested in joining this group, but can't make the meeting. THEOLOGY ON TAP Monthly (October - April) One topic. One brew. One hour. This group meets the first Monday of each month from at Badger Hill Brewing from 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm from October through April. No need to sign up. Join the group as you are able or contact Pastor Mollie to learn more. HELPING HANDS Various Dates and Times Helping Hands is a life group and a service team rolled into one. Our Helping Hands team provides various types of support and maintenance around the SOLLC building and grounds. Some of their past projects include painting, repairing, organizing, gardening, mulching and creatively solving needs from each ministry. If you have time and passion for this type of service, please reach out to Keith Wanttaja . MUSIC MINISTRY We have a variety of ways for people to participate in music, no matter the level of experience, whether it's singing in a choir, ringing the bells, rocking out with the band, or taking music lessons. See our music options. WOMEN, WELLNESS & NATURE Monthly This group offers women the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and the holistic benefits of nature while engaging in fun, planned activities! The group meets monthly. Upcoming Events: May 27, 6:30-8pm: Birds & Turtles Hike Murphy Hanrehan Park Reserve Enjoy a peaceful sunset hike around Minnregs Lake within Murphy Hanrehan Park Reserve. We'll learn about the endangered Blanding's turtle and its nesting habits and take time for some spring birding along the trail. Bring binoculars if you have them to spot birds and wildlife as the evening light settles over the lake. Please bring a water bottle, bug spray if you'd like, and note that there is no restroom at this trailhead (sorry!) so come with an empty bladder if possible. June 23, 6:30pm: Exploration Hike Lakeville's Ritter Farm Park Ritter Farm Park sits on an estimated 340 acres of historic farmland. Much of the park remains in its natural state including an extensive trail system used for hiking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. Hike for an hour and then enjoy some refreshments in the picnic area. Contact Deb Hoger at djhoger@hotmail.com to join or learn more. PEACEMAKERS QUILTING GROUP Thursdays, 1pm This group meets every Thursday at 1pm at SOLLC to create quilts for people in need while enjoying fellowship and friendship. Also, they are in need of fabric donations! New members are always welcome. Contact Sharon Mizerny to join. BOOK CLUB Stay tuned for the next session coming Fall 2026 3 books. 3 months. 3 genres. The books this session will explore the theme of joy. Each month we will discuss one book and at the end, compare themes or lessons learned from all three. Please come to the first meeting having already read our February choice. GATHER: WOMENS EVENING BIBLE STUDY Thursday evenings An evening Bible Study group comprised of women of all ages. This is a very inclusive group that loves sharing, studying, and learning. Contact Maria Lambert to learn more. HAVE QUESTIONS OR IDEAS? Have an idea for a life group you would like to lead or questions about our life groups? Contact Shannon Hoffmann, Engagement & Events Director, at shannonhoffmann@sollc.org .

Meet our teachers So many great people sharing their talents! Instruction Flute Clarinet Bass Clarinet Soprano Saxophone Alto Saxophone Tenor Saxophone Bari Saxophone Piano (beginner piano only) Summer Availability offering lessons June and August Christopher Anderson Chris has been a private music instructor for over 16 years. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in music industry at Minnesota State University, Mankato where he was involved with the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Mavericks, Pep Band, and Pit Orchestras for their Department of Theatre. During his college career, Mr. Chris got to perform with Bobby Shew, Denis BiBlasio (Maynard Ferguson’s baritone saxophonist), and was an intern as a Sound Technician at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis. Currently, he is the Sound Technician for the band called The Stand Ups, a cover band that plays classic rock hits and soul R&B classics with a unique sound. Mr. Chris lives in Shakopee with his wife, two daughters, and Golden Doodle/Australian Shepard, Max. When he is not teaching, he enjoys spending time with the family at the cabin, being a dance dad, watching sports (especially the Vikings), and listening to jazz music. Instruction Voice (ages 7-12) Voice (18+) Piano (ages 7+) Summer Availability no availability for lessons June, July, August Patti Arntz Patti has been a music educator and church musician in the Twin Cities area for over 40 years. She has degrees in music from Hamline University and Drake University, and a Master’s degree in education from the University of St. Thomas. Miss Patti recently retired from teaching elementary classroom music with the Robbinsdale Schools in the Twin Cities area. During her 30 years of full-time teaching, she also directed the Robbinsdale All-District Elementary Honors Choir for 15 years. Throughout her teaching career, Patti has served as an organist and director of youth/adult choirs in local churches. Keeping in touch with her elementary music roots, she serves as an online adjunct professor at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN, instructing elementary education majors on teaching and integrating music into their future classrooms. She also writes curriculum for the Minnesota Orchestra’s Young People’s Concerts as the students prepare to attend concerts at Orchestra Hall. Patti has sung with the choral organization, Singers in Accord, since 2009 and is a charter member of the choir. She enjoys outdoor activities and traveling with her husband, Rolland. Her adult children, Melani and Kyle are both very involved in music in the Twin Cities area. She also enjoys traveling to other countries where she seeks out local folk songs. With those songs, she creates and publishes choral arrangements for children through adult choirs. Instruction Voice (ages 12+) Piano (basic fundamentals) Music Theory Summer Availability offering lessons June, July, and August Robert Graham Rob has been a private music and voice instructor, professional singer, choral conductor and arts administrator for 13 years. He is passionate about working with teens and adults of all ages, and witnessing the positive benefits and health outcomes of ongoing participation in the arts. He earned a Master of Music degree in two concentrations – Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting – from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, and earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance and Business Administration from Xavier University of Louisiana. Mr. Rob is currently the Learning and Engagement Manager at VocalEssence, a leading choral arts organization based in Minneapolis. He is overseeing several education and community programs, including the renowned WITNESS School Program that celebrates African American culture and heritage. He is also the conductor of VocalEssence Vintage Voices, an exciting choral program that integrates the arts into the everyday lives of older adults by fostering the creation of choirs in independent living communities and senior centers. He is also a member of the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and the Schola Cantorum at the Basilica of St. Mary, and performs occasionally with several other choral and vocal music ensembles around the Twin Cities. Most recently, Rob concluded a 6-year tenure as a tenor section leader of the adult choir at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis. He also enjoys providing vocal music for memorial services, weddings and other special events. While he's not making music, or teaching others to make music, Rob enjoys spending most of his free time outdoors in nature, attending live music and theater productions, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. Instruction Piano (ages 6+) Ukulele (ages 7+) Guitar (ages 9+) Violin/Fiddle (ages 7+) Summer Availability offering lessons June and July, and lessons resume in September Bonnie Hallettt Bonnie has been a private music teacher for over 50 years. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in music and art at Moorhead State University and received a Master's in Music and Art at San Diego State University. During her teaching career, Miss Bonnie has taught grades 1, 5-8 in Music, Art, English, and Reading. She played violin in country and bluegrass bands and for the Greater Grand Forks Symphony. She also headed up a bluegrass band called Prairiegrass, that played the greater metro area for a number of years and at Minnesota Bluegrass Association festivals. Miss Bonnie lives in Prior Lake and enjoys visiting her four grandchildren, driving to lakes and state parks, and singing in the Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church choir. Instruction Piano (ages 6+) Flute Clarinet Saxophone Trumpet French Horn Trombone Baritone Tuba Summer Availability offering lessons June and August Leah Toppen Leah has 11+ years of experience teaching and directing K-12 classroom music and band in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther College and received a Master of Arts in Education from Hamline University. Miss Leah has performed trumpet with the Marshfield Symphony Orchestra, Winona Brass Band, Winona Community Band, Prior Lake Windjammers, and is currently a member of the Delano Community Band. She is also a member of a brass quintet, PentaSonix, who performs around the metro area. Miss Leah has also been performing piano and organ for congregations in Wisconsin and Minnesota for 20+ years and enjoys accompanying local choirs and soloists. Currently, she is the organist, accompanist, and festival music director at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church. Miss Leah lives in Mound with her husband and Bernese Mountain Dog, Lambeau. When she is not teaching or performing, she enjoys going to Minnesota United and Timberwolves games, hikes, paddle boards, and enjoys, playing reading, sewing, and knitting.

Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, January 27, 2026 (MINNEAPOLIS, January 27, 2026) Hopes Portage, a new transitional housing establishment for Scott County residents, will hold an Open House for the community on Tuesday, January 27 from 11:30am - 1:30pm. Established through a collaborative partnership between Scott County, Community Action Partnership (CAP), and Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, this apartment complex, featuring twelve units for families experiencing homelessness, is the first transitional housing facility of its kind in Scott County. Prior to the Open House, there will be a private ribbon cutting ceremony for those intricately involved in the creation of this initiative. Five community leaders are scheduled to speak about the project including: Scott County Commissioner Dave Beer; Prior Lake Mayor Kirt Briggs; Pastor Dan Poffenberger, Shepherd of the Lake; Suzanne Misel, Director of Housing and Emergency Services, CAP Agency; and Julie Siegert, Executive Director, Scott County CDA. Hopes Portage will support families experiencing homelessness in a myriad of ways. Scott County, the project and facility owner, will manage the overall operations of Hopes Portage. CAP Agency will provide coordinated services and case management for families staying at Hopes Portage. Shepherd of the Lake, along with other non-profit organizations, will provide wrap-around services to support the families during their stay. These services include a food pantry with fresh and shelf-stable foods, welcome packs, apartment flipping services, and special events. ”We are proud to be part of this collaboration with Scott County and CAP Agency to provide a safe space for residents experiencing homelessness,” said John Holt, Director of Outreach at Shepherd of the Lake. “The donations and support from our community has been tremendous.” The first families are slated to move into Hopes Portage in mid-February. Shepherd of the Lake is hosting a benefit concert with the Grammy award-winning Okee Dokee Brothers on January 30 at 6pm to continue to raise funds to support this initiative. Tickets are $5 and all proceeds will go to Hopes Portage. If you wish to make a donation, go to sollc.org and click on Give and select Hopes Portage in the drop-down menu. Read the full press release

Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, Spring 2023 >> Download the issue Welcome to Telling Our Story! Read the Full Magazine During Lent, we are focusing on the Story of Jesus. After Easter, we will switch to focus on the Story of the Spirit. We invite you to discover the ways that your story is part of God’s story as we dig into the life and witness of Jesus and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit! What we know about the story of anyone living in Minnesota is that this magazine is most likely landing in your hands when actual spring feels really far away. Or maybe it’s one of those rare warm and sunny late-winter days and you’re wearing shorts (in 50 degree weather, like a true Minnesotan). Sometimes the stories of our lives and the seasons of our hearts feel as unpredictable and varied as the weather in Minnesota. What we do know as a constant, unchanging and unfailing fact is that God is with us in the midst of all of it, holding us in love. We hope that the stories in these pages will remind you of that. Interested in receiving our magazine in your mailbox at home? Please contact Kari Unruh at kariunruh@sollc.org or call 952-230-2988 to be added to our mailing list.

This past week, a group of our high school students participated in the 2023 High School Service and Adventure Trip. The group went out to Fort Collins, Colorado to serve La Familia, an organization that works with the Latinx community of Northern Colorado. Our students cleaned up the community garden, as well as mulched La Familia's playground. They were able to play with some of the preschool students and hear stories about how La Familia makes a difference in Northern Colorado. Along the way, students got to enjoy Estes Park, some waterslides at Water World, Mount Rushmore, Deadwood, South Dakota, and deepen their relationships with God and one another.