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Hope's Portage is a transitional housing facility located in Scott County, across the street from Shepherd of the Lake. It will open in late fall 2025 and will have 12-14 apartments for those individuals and families in need of transitional housing. Hopes Portage Hopes Portage offers transitional housing for families facing housing insecurity. Situated directly across from Shepherd of the Lake, Hopes Portage was established through a collaborative partnership between Scott County, Community Action Partnership (CAP), and Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church (SOLLC). SOLLC PARTNERSHIP WITH HOPES PORTAGE Scott County is the overall project and facility owner and operator of Hopes Portage. The CAP Agency provides coordinated services and case management for clients. Shepherd of the Lake provides wrap around services including a food pantry, welcome supply packs containing essential items, housing unit turns between family stays, and special events. Volunteer With Hope's Portage VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Leadership Roles Serve as a leader on one of three teams to provide ongoing vision for our wrap around services. We request that leaders commit to a one-year term (September-August). Welcome Team:   The Welcome Team is dedicated to offering hospitality with integrity, focusing on creating welcoming housing spaces that honor the dignity of families staying at Hopes Portage. This team oversees the collection and distribution of welcome packs, which provide essential items to families as they move in. Additionally, the Welcome Team manages the turnover of housing units between family stays, ensuring each space is ready for the next family in need. Food Insecurity Team: The Food Insecurity Team’s vision is to support the health and wellbeing of families by maintaining an onsite food pantry at Hopes Portage. The team manages the pantry to provide weekly groceries and hygiene essentials for families, with baby supplies available upon request. Special Events Team: The Special Events Team’s vision is to foster a welcoming and connected community at Hopes Portage. They organize year-round activities for resident families and enhance shared spaces with seasonal decorations. Volunteer Roles Looking for a short-term way to make a difference? Join one of our leadership teams as a volunteer and help bring the vision for Hopes Portage to life! Welcome Team: Assist with preparing and turning units. Food Insecurity Team: Help deliver food, clean, stock, and rotate pantry items. Special Events Team: Support special activities and add seasonal décor. Sign up to volunteer today! SIGNUP Learn more about the Welcome Team Learn more about the Food Insecurity Team Email Melanie Cole for more information. DONATION OPPORTUNITIES Give a monetary donation: Submit your financial gifts at our secure donation link DONATE to Hopes Portage

SOLLC Recipe Contest Filter by Season Fall 2023 Ultimate Italian Squash Our fall 2023 recipe contest winning recipe! Pumpkin Stew This DELICIOUS stew is cooked and served right in the pumpkin shell. It makes a very “Fall like” presentation for a potluck or family gathering. Hotdish in a Pumpkin This recipe was originally printed in the October 2000 The Land Magazine and was submitted by Linda Sauer. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Yummy muffins! So good you probably want to double the recipe.

Summer Programs Join our summer programs and grow in faith through connection, curiosity, and community! You do not have to be a member of our church to attend. All are welcomed and affirmed with Open Hearts, Open Minds, and an Open Table! 2026 VBX Camper Registration Vacation Bible eXperience (VBX) For Students who have completed Preschool - 5th Grade. Start off your summer fun at Shepherd of the Lake VBX! VBX at Shepherd of the Lake is a 4-day eXtended-day or half-day camp option held Monday June 8-11, 2026. The X in VBX means eXtra programming with eXtended-day options and eXtraordinary fun! Campers who have just completed 5th grade will have the opportunity to enjoy the fun of summer camp activities tailored to their older age, along with leadership development and practice with our youngest campers. half day: 9:00am-12:00pm eXtended day: 9:00am-3:30pm Have questions? Contact Director of Children’s Ministries, Becca Richardson. VBS Campers VBX STUDENT LEADERS For students who have completed 6th grade and beyond J oin us as a VBX leader! Explore all you are created to be while supporting campers through games, music, art, play and more. Have questions? Contact Director of Children’s Ministries, Becca Richardson . Update The 2026 VBX Student Leader program is full Join the waitlist VBS leaders "My daughter said it was the best week ever!!! We will be back next year" "This was my daughter's first time attending VBS. I sent her for the half day session and by day 2 she was asking if she could go to the full day! The energy, enthusiasm, and excitement was felt by all!" "He was skeptical at first, but came home the first day LOVING it. He was sad that it didn't last longer."

See what's happening at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church and join us for some of our upcoming events. EVENTS ALL CATEGORIES CHILDREN & YOUTH FAMILY ADULTS MUSIC WORSHIP SERVE View as Calendar Lead Pastor Installation Sun, Apr 19 More info Learn more Multiple Dates Gentle Gratitude Yoga Tue, Apr 21 More info Register Baptism Prep Class - April 2026 Thu, Apr 23 More info Register Multiple Dates Acoustic Open Jam Sat, Apr 25 More info Learn more Lakeside Youth Orchestra to play at the 9am worship service April 26th Sun, Apr 26 More info Learn more Favorite Things Spring Tea Party Sun, Apr 26 More info Register Empty Nester Dinner Club Tue, Apr 28 More info Register Multiple Dates Gentle Gratitude Yoga Tue, Apr 28 More info Register Multiple Dates Community Plate Meal Thu, Apr 30 More info Learn more Speaker Event: Climate Change in MN with Mike Augustyniak Tue, May 05 More info Register Multiple Dates Gentle Gratitude Yoga Tue, May 05 More info Register Multiple Dates Acoustic Open Jam Sat, May 09 More info Learn more Multiple Dates Gentle Gratitude Yoga Tue, May 12 More info Register Multiple Dates Community Plate Meal Thu, May 14 More info Learn more Pastor Dan's Celebration Sunday Sun, May 17 More info Load More

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Living Water is our Middle School Ministry where youth gather every Wednesday to learn faith fundamentals, explore the Bible, and participate in faith discussions. Living Water Living Water is a part of our Middle School Ministries at SOLLC for 5th-7th grade students. In Living Water, students learn faith fundamentals, explore the Bible, and are encouraged to begin asking questions about their faith journey. This is an exciting and interactive program filled with music, games, faith formation, and small groups. 300+ youth gather every Wednesday to learn and grow in their faith with peers and adult leaders. We encourage an open dialogue and provide a safe space for students to share. As 8th graders, students participate in Affirmation of Baptism - a year-long experience that is a culmination of Middle School Ministry. In AOB, students take the faith basics they've learned the previous years and are asked to start applying them to their lives, begin to figure out what they believe, and look at how they fit into the wider church as they journey towards the Affirmation of Baptism service in May. We hope that when each student enters the building, they feel welcomed and affirmed as the person they are and the person they are becoming. Every student has a place at God’s table – no exceptions. Schedule & Calendar Student Expectations Pizza Dinner FAQs Events Living Water Registration LIVING WATER SCHEDULE & CALENDER September 17, 2025 - April 29, 20 26 5:00pm: Pizza Dinner 6:15pm: Arrive, Digital Check-In, Sit w /Small Group 6:30pm: Large Group Opening (music, message, games ) 7:20pm: Small Group & Village Time 7:45pm: Dismiss Living Water Calendar Living Water Registration STUDENT EXPECTATIONS Students are expected to regularly attend Wednesday night sessions and communicate when they are unable to attend. Families and students are expected to attend worship regularly (multiple worship options are available). We expect students to follow all behavioral guidelines and respect all adult leaders and peers. Students will be expected to complete an Affirmation of Baptism Project during their final year in Living Water. DINNER & HANG-TIME Pizza Dinner Please join us for a pizza dinner in the Upper Great Room each week from 5:00-6:15pm. Cost is $7 and you get 2 slices of pizza, cookies, and a drink (gluten-free options available upon request). You can pay cash at the door. Pizza Dinner Registration Frequently Asked Questions What is the schedule on a typical Wednesday? Students can arrive after 5pm for pizza dinner or student center fun. Large group starts at 6:30pm followed by small group. We end at 8pm. Can my family eat pizza dinner with me? Yes! All are welcome to eat dinner together on Wednesday night. Many small groups meet there and eat together too. How are small groups put together? We place students with at least one person they know in grade specific groups. You can make a friend request on the registration form. Can I miss Living Water if I have conflicts? We know that families are busy so we just ask that you communicate when something comes up. We will work with you and your student. Do I have to be Lutheran or a member of SOLLC to participate in Living Water? Everyone is welcome to participate in the life of our church. There are no barriers and we will meet you where you are at in your faith journey. How many years is the program? Our program starts in 5th grade and confirms at the end of 8th grade. Students can enter the program after 5th grade as well. What if I have questions about my student's social, emotional, learning or developmental needs? We want all students to feel supported while they are in Living Water. Please contact Eric Foerster and we will work together to support your student. When do students get confirmed? Students will begin their Affirmation of Baptism project during their 8th grade year. They will confirm in May of that same year. Are scholarships available? Yes! We believe that money should not be a barrier to participation. Full and Partial scholarships are always available by request.

Living Water Service Trip. We will enjoy plenty of fun adventures along the way as we learn to show up in this world through service to others. Trip dates are June 13th – 16th. This trip is for completed 5th graders through completed 7th graders. Living Water Service Trip Come join us in Duluth this summer as we answer God’s call to serve others. We will enjoy plenty of fun adventures along the way as we learn to show up in this world through service to others. Trip dates are June 18th – 21st. This trip is for completed 5th graders through completed 7th graders. Register FAQs LIVING WATER SERVICE TRIP Duluth TRIP DATES: June 18-21, 2026 COST: $350 Partial scholarships are available upon request. Our goal is that this trip is financially accessible for all interested participants. Please provide a non-refundable deposit of $150 upon registration. The second payment of $100 is due May 1st. Final payment of $100 is due June 1st. Once a payment due date is reached, that payment is no longer refundable. Register FAQs PARENTS/CAREGIVERS: Parents/Caregivers, we would love to have you join us for this adventure! For all volunteer leaders, the trip expense is covered, we just ask that you cover any "on your own" meals. Please contact Eric for questions and space availability. When registering, select the ’Service Trip Leader’ option. Register FAQs Frequently Asked Questions What kind of transportation are we taking? We will be taking multiple 12 passenger vans. Where are we staying? We will stay at First Lutheran Church in Duluth What are we sleeping on? Church floors in sleeping bags! Are we getting fed? Yes! Most meals will be included in the Service Trip cost. However, there may be some “on your own” meals where we are traveling or out and about in the city. We’ll let you know when these are and students will need to have some money with them for these meals. What does a typical Service Trip day look like? Morning: Wake up, Breakfast, Head to Service Site Afternoon: Lunch, Finish Work, Showers Evening: Activity out in the town, Dinner, Evening Worship, Lights Out What kind of service work will we be doing? We like to partner with different organizations in the city we’re in, so each year will be unique. Past service work projects have been doing landscape work at a preschool and serving meals in an historic redlined district. The work is meant to help us learn more about the city and see how different organizations show up to serve. All projects are set up to be age and developmentally appropriate for our students.

Page Title This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content and make sure to add any relevant details or information that you want to share with your visitors. Section Title List Title This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content. List Title This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content. List Title This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content. Section Title Every website has a story, and your visitors want to hear yours. This space is a great opportunity to give a full background on who you are, what your team does and what your site has to offer. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want site visitors to know. If you’re a business, talk about how you started and share your professional journey. Explain your core values, your commitment to customers and how you stand out from the crowd. Add a photo, gallery or video for even more engagement.

Questioning your faith? Trying to understand faith? Want to learn more? Talk to us. We're here to guide you wherever you are on your faith journey. Faith Journey Questions We value curiosity, questions, and conversations. We don’t have all the answers and we certainly don’t pretend to know it all. We are all uniquely wired, and we are each on our own individual spiritual journey that encompasses all our life experiences and spans the whole range of human emotions. Have Questions or Doubts? At Shepherd of the Lake, we hold space for all of your questions and doubts - not so we can answer them for you or tell you exactly what to believe, but so you can be reassured that questions and doubts are a totally natural part of the faith journey. And so you don’t have to be alone in your wondering. You can safely explore your beliefs and spirituality in a supportive community of people who are doing the same. While we don’t have all the answers, what we do know is this: we know that God embraces our mess, heals our hurts, loves us unconditionally, and sticks with us no matter what. Have questions on your faith journey or struggling with how to make sense of your faith? Let’s chat. Contact Pastor Laila Barr at 952-230-2939 or lailabarr@sollc.org .

​Living Water is Shepherd of the Lake’s Middle School Ministry. It's an exciting and interactive program filled with music, games, faith formation, and small groups. Middle School Ministry 5th Grade - 8th Grade Living Water is Shepherd of the Lake’s Middle School Ministry. It's an exciting and interactive program filled with music, games, faith formation, and small groups. Youth in 5th through 8th grade gather every Wednesday during the school year to learn faith fundamentals, explore the Bible, and participate in faith discussions with peers and adult leaders. In the final year, students combine what they have learned in the three previous years to publicly affirm their faith before the congregation through an Affirmation of their Baptism. Living Water Expectations, Registration, Events Affirmation of Baptism (Confirmation) Adult Leader Information Small Group Leader Responsibilities, Background Checks Living Water Singers Come sing with us Living Water Service Trip Duluth Have Questions? Contact us! Eric Foerster | Director of Student Ministry ericfoerster@sollc.org Becca Richardson | Director of Children's Ministry beccarichardson@sollc.org Andrea Sheridan | Children's Ministry Coordinator andreasheridan@sollc.org

Love to sing? So do we! Come sing with one of the Shepherd of the Lake choirs. Singing Love to sing? So do we! Come sing with one of the Shepherd of the Lake choirs. Young adults to seasoned vocalists can join the Sanctuary Singers, while youth from 5th - 8th grade can be a part of our Living Water Singers. Sanctuary Singers Living Water Singers SANCTUARY SINGERS Love to sing? Join the Sanctuary Singers! Young adults through seasoned vocalists with any music background welcome. This 60th Anniversary season we’re making it easier than ever to jump in: Rehearsals: Sundays at 10:15am (right af ter the 9am service) Flexible “project” format: The year is split into several short projects. Sing in one, a few, or all —whatever fits your schedule. Lift your voice in worship, share anthems tied to the liturgy, and take part in special SOLLC music events. No cost, no long-term commitment—just come when you can and celebrate with us! For more information contact Leah Toppen . 2025/26 Registration 2025/26 Calendar LIVING WATER SINGERS Be a Leader with the Living Water Singers! Grades 5-8 I f you love to sing (or just want to give it a try), come help lead worship with us! No music experience needed — just bring your curiosity and your voice. When: Wednesdays 5:00–5:45pm , September–April What we do: Lead songs at Living Water on select Wednesday nights, sing special anthems in Sunday worship, and take center stage for our Youth-Led Services . This is your chance to grow as a leader , have fun, and lift our whole community in song. Register today or contact JoAnna Johnson for details! 2025/26 Registration 2025/26 Calendar

Learn more about baptisms, weddings, and funerals at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church. Life Events Shepherd of the Lake is here to support you through all of life’s milestones. We offer baptism services to welcome newborns into their faith journey. We also host weddings, both traditional and contemporary, to celebrate the union of two people in marriage. Funerals provide an opportunity to remember and honor the lives of those who have passed. Additionally, our church has a columbarium for those who wish to be interred in a sacred space. Baptism Weddings Funerals Columbarium