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Learn what the SOLLC Church Council does, who is on the board, and more. Our Church Council The Congregational Council of Shepherd of the Lake is responsible for defining and evaluating the mission of Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church. Elected at the Annual Meeting of the congregation, the Council meets monthly and works in partnership with the Sr. Pastor. Council members are passionate about this congregation and serve to discern how to take all of the resources of this faith community - the amazing talents, passions, and gifts of the people, the excellence of the facility, and the talented staff, and use them to best respond to Jesus' command to love God and serve our neighbors near and far. Mike Jerke President Kim Hohn Vice President Aaron Stromley Treasurer Gina Gertner Secretary Jim Bausman Board Member Dave Bruss Board Member Allisha Gosselin Board Member Jack Haugen Board Member Sharon Krueger Board Member Scott Sindelar Board Member Jeff Taxdahl Board Member Harold Tilstra Board Member Kade Vopava Board Member Constitution and By-Laws Our Constitution is modeled after the recommended version from the Minnesota Area Synod of ELCA. SOLLC Church Council Constitution SOLLC Church Council By-Laws Council Monthly Meeting Minutes View recent and past monthly meeting minutes of the church council meetings. 2024 Meeting Minutes 2025 Meeting Minutes

Communion 101 is for anyone that is interested and ready to learn more about this sacrament. Typically geared toward 3rd-grade students, but any age is welcome. Communion 101 Communion 101 is for students who have not yet completed Communion Instruction, and, who feel interested and ready to learn more deeply about this sacrament. Typically geared toward 3rd grade students and their parent/caregiver. Together kids and their caring adult develop a deeper understanding of Communion through hands-on activities like games, songs and painting chalices. There is an adult only Q&A session during this workshop as well. REGISTER FOR COMMUNION 101 Fall Communion Class Class takes place Thurs, November 13, 2025 6:30pm - 8:00pm Celebration in worship takes place Sunday, November 16, 2025 Register Spring Communion Class Class takes place Tuesday, April 7, 2026 6:30pm - 8:00pm Celebration in worship takes place Sunday, April 12, 2026 Register If registration is full, please contact Becca Richardson to join the waitlist.

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EVENTS ALL CATEGORIES CHILDREN LIVING WATER HIGH SCHOOL FAMILY ADULTS MUSIC WORSHIP SERVE View as Calendar High School Youth Group Sept 21, 2025 - May 17, 2026 More info RSVP

At Shepherd of the Lake, we value curiosity, connection, and the power of community! Come learn and grow with us through our life groups, adult learning classes, and events. Community Life At Shepherd of the Lake, we value curiosity, connection, and the power of community! Come learn and grow with us through our life groups, adult learning classes, and events. Life Groups Bible Study, Dinner Clubs, Theology on Tap, Quilting & more Learning & Events Classes, Workshops, and Events

See what Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church is all about, including our beliefs and values. All are welcome! Who We Are Our mission and values are at the core of everything we do at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church. They serve as a compass, helping shape our personal lives and the life of our faith community. Our Values Our Beliefs Our Mission in Action Our Values Wherever you are on your faith journey, we will meet you there with Open Hearts, Open Minds, and an Open Table. OPEN HEARTS We value relationships. God has created us for connection. We value relationships with one another, with our neighbors, with the larger church body , with partner organizations, and with creation itself. We value authenticity. Bring your honest self. We value transformation. Each person is a work in progress! When we open our hearts to God, we open our lives to transformation. God is never finished with any of us and is always nudging us toward well-being and growth for the sake of the whole world. We value intellectual curiosity, questions, and conversations. We engage faith with our whole selves – body, mind, and spirit. Please don’t check your brain at the door! We value tradition, but we are not traditionalists. As members of a faith tradition (Minneapolis Synod, ELCA ) that is rooted in reformation, we are open to new ways of experiencing and celebrating God’s presence in our own lives and in the life of the congregation. We value our neighbors’ faith. We honor the sacred stories of our neighbors as we learn from one another and work together to foster a more just and peaceful world. OPEN MINDS OPEN TABLE We value God’s radical welcome. We affirm the inherent worth and dignity of all people – all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions; all ages, life stages, and abilities; all social and economic circumstances; all ethnicities, races, and nationalities. Every person is a beloved child of God. Every person has a place at God’s table – no exceptions. We value service as an act of love. God has created each person with a unique set of gifts and passions. At the table, God feeds us with God’s very own self so we can use our gifts in loving service to the world. We value your story. Everyone comes to the table bringing their unique story – all their history, hurts, and hopes. Your story is part of God’s story. God welcomes you to the table, and we do too. OUR BELIEFS IN A SNAPSHOT We love God and each other. We believe in hope and resurrection. We know this is a big messy human experience, and sometimes the world will be unfair, but we are not alone in any of it - and neither are you. We believe that God knows we are human and that God meets us where we are at, forgiving our failures and walking alongside us on our journey. Our Mission in Action We don’t just say that we are different - we live out our mission every day in the conversations we have, the events we hold, and the learning we do with others. ALL ARE WELCOME.FOR REAL. When we say that we welcome and affirm everyone who walks through our doors, we mean everyone on this Earth: humans of all gen der identities and expressions, ages, sexual orientations, marital statuses, life stages, and abiliti es, all social and economic circumstances, all ethnicities, races, and nationalities. Every person is a beloved child of God, and every person has a place at God’s table – no exceptions. OUR MESSAGE IS SIMPLE We won’t spell out a bunch of principles you have to follow and tell you how you should live out your faith. Instead, we will explore our sacred stories together and discover the ways that God is present and active in our lives and in the world, and how God might be calling us to show up in it. WE WELCOME & EMBRACE YOUR QUESTIONS And so does God! Each person’s faith journey is a unique experience. We encourage and hold space for questions and open dialogue as we move throughout our lives and faith journeys. While we don’t have all the answers, what we do know is this: we know a God who embraces our mess, who heals our hurts, and who loves us even when we fail. NOT YOUR TYPICAL 'SHHH' TYPE OF CHURCH Our worship services are very kid-friendly! We have created different worship areas with children in mind so all families can enjoy worship in a way that works best for them. We offer wiggle worship and kids are invited up front to play percussion during the sending song. You may even see an impromptu dance party break out in the middle of a worship song! NO STRINGS ATTACHED You do not have to be a member to attend worship or be involved in our programs. You can choose to be anonymous or participate in a million activities. There are zero prerequisites to attending our church. None. COMMUNION IS FOR EVERYONE When we say "Open Table", we mean it! Everyone is welcome to take communion, regardless of age, faith, and membership status. Worship with Us View Upcoming Events

EVENTS ALL CATEGORIES CHILDREN & YOUTH FAMILY ADULTS MUSIC WORSHIP SERVE View as Calendar Multiple Dates Acoustic Open Jam Sat, Nov 22 More info Learn more Cookies & Carols Sun, Dec 07 More info Learn more Multiple Dates Acoustic Open Jam Sat, Dec 13 More info Learn more Lakeside Youth Orchestra Performances at Youth-led Worship Services Sun, Dec 14 More info Learn more Multiple Dates Youth-Led Worship Services Sun, Dec 14 More info Learn more Multiple Dates Youth-Led Worship Services Sun, Dec 14 More info Learn more Lakeside Music & Arts Studio Children's Musical Auditions Tue, Dec 16 More info RSVP Multiple Dates Acoustic Open Jam Sat, Dec 20 More info Learn more Lakeside Music Studio Winter Recital Sat, Dec 20 More info Multiple Dates Christmas Eve Worship Services Wed, Dec 24 More info Learn more Multiple Dates Christmas Eve Worship Services Wed, Dec 24 More info Learn more Lakeside Community Orchestra Performance at Christmas Eve Worship Service Wed, Dec 24 More info Learn more Multiple Dates Christmas Eve Worship Services Wed, Dec 24 More info Learn more Multiple Dates Acoustic Open Jam Sat, Jan 10 More info Learn more Multiple Dates Acoustic Open Jam Sat, Jan 24 More info Learn more Multiple Dates Acoustic Open Jam Sat, Feb 14 More info Learn more Multiple Dates Acoustic Open Jam Sat, Feb 28 More info Learn more Multiple Dates Acoustic Open Jam Sat, Mar 14 More info Learn more Load More

Thank You fo r your outstanding financial support for the annual ministry of SOLLC. Your support makes a huge impact. Please take a moment to consider: SOLLC has come out of the pandemic strong and vibrant. Our ministry to children and youth is growing - this is our present and our future. This year, we are building a culture of invitation and growth - for the first time in years, setting our vision at growth. Please consider doing one of the following... A one time contribution by the end of 2023 –or– Increase your 2022 total contribution by 10% beginning now for 2024 –or– Email Pastor Dan i f there's something special you would like to fund, or if you have an idea for SOLLC to consider. Please click on the button that corresponds to your normal giving (or how you'd like to give ) or login as you would normally & make any changes/updates. Push Pay Realm/Connect Simply Giving Please let us know if you were able to increase your giving (telling us helps track the good news and bonus – we won't keep bugging you!) Thanks again! I did it! What will your gift help support? It will help us grow our ministries including music & arts, children, youth and family ministries, small groups, communication efforts, worship and outreach. All of the things that make SOLLC great! (In addition to our wonderful members!) Curious about the numbers? Here are our budgets and numbers at a glance...

EVENTS ALL CATEGORIES CHILDREN & YOUTH FAMILY ADULTS MUSIC WORSHIP SERVE View as Calendar !

Shepherd of the Lake would love to partner with you to create a wedding ceremony that reflects your love and God's love for both of you. We honor the sacred nature of ALL relationships. Weddings Congratulations on your engagement! Shepherd of the Lake would love to partner with you to create a ceremony that reflects your love and God's love for both of you. We honor the sacred nature of ALL relationships and look forward to helping you plan for this important event in your life! We have a wonderful team that you’ll work with, including a pastor, musician (piano/organ), wedding coordinator, sound technician, and custodian. Your wedding will be filled with the love of God, masterfully planned, and flawlessly executed. Pre-Marriage Process We are excited to play a part not only in your wedding ceremony but also in helping you grow a healthy relationship. The pre-marriage process at SOLLC helps support you and your partner on your path to marriage, giving you the tools, community, and encouragement to help set you up for a strong and healthy marriage. Contact Us Our Space SOLLC has gorgeous high ceilings with multiple windows in our worship center, as well as a beautiful, sprawling outdoor area. The space can accommodate large weddings (seating 800) and yet can feel intimate for smaller groups. Our "backyard" is Horkey Park, which is the perfect outdoor space for photos, featuring an expansive pond with a long bridge, gazebo, and trail. Have a wedding idea that is out of the ordinary? We’d love to help you plan a wedding that is as unique as your love! Please contact Kari Unruh at 952-230-2928 or kariunruh@sollc.org for more information on SOLLC weddings.

EVENTS ALL CATEGORIES CHILDREN & YOUTH FAMILY ADULTS MUSIC WORSHIP SERVE View as Calendar Volunteer at Cookies & Carols Sun, Dec 07 More info RSVP In Honor of Loved Ones Christmas Donations Nov 1- Dec 17 More info RSVP Hopes Portage Food Pantry Drive Nov 2-16 More info Learn more SOLLC 5K Run/Walk Planning Committee Date and time is TBD More info RSVP Outreach and Leadership Team Date and time is TBD More info RSVP Communion Servers Every Sunday More info RSVP

Are you a musician and want to be in a band? Join our Fellowship Band or Living Water Student Band! Come sing or play the guitar, bass, keyboard, or drums as part of a rock band! Playing Are you a musician looking for more opportunities to play? Join us! Come sing or play wind or brass instruments, the guitar, bass, keyboard, or drums! Orchestras Fellowship Band ORCHESTRAS Looking to join an orchestra? We have both youth and adult orchestras here at SOLLC. Our orchestras rehearse and perform for SOLLC events and worship. Lakeside Youth Orchestra Shepherd of the Lake is excited to announce the return of our Lakeside Youth Orchestra programs! Any young adult, ages 11-19 with band or orchestra experience are welcome to join. For more information, contact Leah Toppen . Winter 2025 Our celebrated day of Youth-led Winter Worship Service is Sunday, Dec 14 ! Our Lakeside Winter Youth Orchestra will be featured performing throughout the 9:00am worship service AND the prelude for the 10:30am worship service, Sunday, Dec 14 under the direction of our Festival Music Director, Leah Toppen. SIGNUP by Nov 12, 2025 Spring 2026 Our celebrated day of Youth-led Worship Service is Sunday, April 26 ! Our Lakeside Youth Orchestra will be featured performing throughout the 9:00am worship service AND the top for the 10:30am worship service, Sunday, April 26 under the direction of our Festival Music Director, Leah Toppen. SIGNUP by March 25, 2026 Lakeside Community Orchestra All who play a wind instrument, brass instrument, string instrument, keyboard, or percussion, are welcome to join our fabulous Lakeside Community Orchestra. These groups rehearse on an event basis. For more information, contact Leah Toppen . Christmas 2025 All are welcome to join our SOLLC Lakeside Community Orchestra this Christmas Eve! - Pickup music: by Dec 4 - Mass Rehearsal: Dec 21, 6:00-8:00pm - Performance: Dec 24, 7:00pm REGISTER by Nov 20, 2025 Easter 2026 All are welcome to join our SOLLC Lakeside Community Orchestra this Easter! - Pickup Music: by March 12 - Performance: April 5, 9:30am - Mass Rehearsal: March 29, 6:00-8:00pm REGISTER by March 5, 2026 - link to come FELLOWSHIP BAND Do you play Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keys, or love to sing rock music? Become a member of the SOLLC Fellowship Band! This unique group is a great fit for musicians, high school to adult, who are proficient in their instrument of choice and are looking for opportunities to make more music. While participating in this group, young adults will have the opportunity to work with seasoned musicians, and all players will have opportunity to work with the SOLLC music staff and members of the worship team on their musical journey. The Fellowship Band provides music for three big events at SOLLC during the program year, as well as other opportunities for music making that come up along the way. If you are interested in joining, contact JoAnna Johnson.

Looking to join Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church as a member? It's easy! Check out the steps to become a member. Become a Member Whether you’re brand new to Shepherd of the Lake or have been a part of our community for some time, we are happy to have you here! Please know that becoming a member is not required to worship or be involved here at SOLLC, though many people feel that making a deeper commitment to our church community helps strengthen their faith and connections overall. If becoming a member feels right for you, please continue below. 01 Let us know you're interested in becoming a member. Send us an email and fill out this contact information form . Once we receive that, we will create a basic account for you in Realm Connect, our church connection tool. (Click here to learn more about Realm Connect, how to use the features and why we use it.) 02 Attend a one-hour new member meeting. On-campus or virtually get an overview of all Shepherd of the Lake offers, including our community life opportunities and a campu s tour. Upcoming dates: Feb 3, 6-7pm Find these meetings and more on our events calendar . 03 Worship, connect, and dive in! Join us at worsh ip , one of our many events , or even volunte er . If you have any questions about becoming a member or this process, please contact our Engagement and Events Director, Shannon Hoffmann at shannonhoffmann@sollc.org . You're a New Member...Now What? You can immerse yourself as much as you’d like in the SOLLC community! We’d love for you to check out all the programs, life groups, and amazing community events that we have to offer! Worship Services Life Groups Serve Children & Youth Events New Member FAQs I’m ready to become a member! How do I join Shepherd of the Lake Church as an official member? To become a member at SOLLC, we’ll have you fill out a short form to sign up for a Realm account , attend a one-hour new member welcome celebration, and that’s it! I want to join Shepherd of the Lake, but I have questions prior to joining. Absolutely! We love questions and would be more than happy to help answer any questions you may have. Please direct your questions to our Communications and Community Life Director, Shannon Hoffmann, at shannonhoffmann@sollc.org . Do I have to be a member to attend worship and community life at SOLLC? Membership is not required to worship or be involved here at SOLLC, though many people feel that making a deeper commitment to our church community helps strengthen their faith and connections overall. If membership feels right for you, please register here .

Shepherd of the Lake is turning 60 and there’s so much to celebrate. 60 years of faith formation grounded in the grace of God, 60 years of service to Scott County and the wider world, 60 years of meeting people wherever they are with Open Hearts, Open Minds, and an Open Table. And the best part is – 60 years is just the start! We’re perfectly poised to move into the future that God is leading us in to. 60 Years of Growing in Faith Shepherd of the Lake is turning 60 and there’s so much to celebrate. 60 years of faith formation grounded in the grace of God, 60 years of service to Scott County and the wider world, 60 years of meeting people wherever they are with Open Hearts, Open Minds, and an Open Table. And the best part is – 60 years is just the start! We’re perfectly poised to move into the future that God is leading us in to. The Church Council has been working on a vision for the future of SOLLC that we'd like to share with you. Home for Generations Our focus over the next three years is on serving our community, engaging our members, and growing our reach and impact. We can't do it without you! Donate now to support this vision. Proposed Initiatives Generosity Videos SOLLC Info Video Message Generosity Stories Hear from Pastor Dan and members of Shepherd of the Lake as they share stories of generosity. Home for Generations Play Video Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Search videos Search video... Now Playing Home for Generations Generosity Video - Pastor Dan 03:46 Play Video Now Playing Home for Generations Generosity Video - Brooke W 02:01 Play Video Now Playing Home for Generations Generosity Video - Tenley 01:23 Play Video Now Playing Home for Generations Generosity Video - Wade 01:15 Play Video Proposed Initiatives & Projects Over the next three years, we'd like to invest in these areas. Food and Housing Insecurity . Our congregation said they felt strongly about outreach and service opportunities in this area for Scott County and beyond. Here are a couple of the ways we are helping to address this: Hope's Portage Community Plate Enhancing the SOLLC campus physical space to align with inclusivity, accessibility, and critical updates for continued use of the building Building maintenance items HVAC system - 20+ years old Boiler replacement - 20+ years old New digital screens in the Worship Center - technology is no longer working with these old screens Campus Refresh - Click for a detailed presentation Foundational First Impressions - integrating a more welcoming and gathering space when you enter the building with a coffee shop, updated staff offices and meeting rooms, and wayfinding signage and messaging Lakeview Connections - Updating and expanding the Upper Great Room to offer a more intimate worship space, updated kitchen, bathrooms and an outdoor deck with access to the courtyard Spaces for Growth and belonging - safer and more accessible learning spaces for children and student programming incorporating family-friendly universal restrooms General updated furnishings, worship center and lower level meeting room refinements Growing our engagement and enhancing the experiences and opportunities to grow in faith Annual speaker series Annual parenting and family conference Enhancing the Lakeside Music Studio and Theater offerings Investments in new expressions of faith communities in the Twin Cities serving younger and more diverse populations Ask a Question Projects Curious about our numbers? SOLLC serves over 5,000 people Shepherds Flock serves more than 120 families. Our eblast list consists of 3,000+ email addresses We have more than 615 youth participants in our CYF programs Over 300 5th - 8th grade students join us weekly for Living Water and Affirmation of Baptism. 45% of these students come from other churches because of the depth and love of our program We participate in 300 Community Events (at SOLLC or in the wider community) on a yearly basis SOLLC Pillars These are the things that the wider community associates with Shepherd of Lake and where we see ourselves leaning into, supporting and enhancing. Children, Youth and Family Programming Vibrant Worship Services Unique spaces and experiences for a "typical church" - we are intentionally tyring to do things differently Embracing: We are not trying to fix people; everyone belongs here. We hold space for all and all of life is sacred. Budget and numbes Up Project Leadership Team We are looking for volunteers to help us achieve our vision for the future. If you are interested in joining the team that is helping to gather support for our vision and future, please reach out to Dan, Jack or Jennifer. Dan Poffenberger Lead Pastor Jack Haugen Council President Jennifer Lambrecht Council Member

If you or someone you know is battling addiction or mental health, we're here to support you and ensure you have the resources you need - whether for adults, students, or kids. Mental Health & Addiction Support Don’t struggle alone. If you or someone you know is battling addiction or mental health, we're here to support you and ensure you have the resources you need - whether for adults, students, or kids. MENTAL HEALTH & ADDICTION TEAM Our Mental Health & Addiction team was created to support, encourage, build community, and embrace people living with addiction and/or mental illness. Everyone is embraced with Open Hearts, Open Minds, and an Open Table. If you have questions for our Mental Health & Addiction Team or need additional support, please fill out our care request form or contact Pastor Laila at 952-230-2939 or lailabarr@sollc.org . ADDITIONAL SUPPORT GROUPS & COMMUNITY RESOURCES Mental Health Support & Education Nami (National Alliance on Mental Illness) NAMI Minnesota is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with mental illnesses and their families. 651-645-7379 namimn.org Mental Health Center| Scott County, MN The Mental Health Center is an outpatient community mental health clinic that provides diagnostic assessment, therapy, and consultation services to the residents of Scott County. scottcountymn.gov/290/Mental-Health-Center Mental Health Connec t Mental Health Connect provides community-based resources, support, and education to improve access to mental health services and to connect individuals to the services they need. This organization is a 501(c)(3), sponsored by Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities. mhconnect.org Addiction Support & Education Center of Addiction & Faith Awakening faith communities to address addiction, to lift the fallen, to restore the broken, and to heal the hurting. addictionandfaith.com In The Rooms (Online Meetings) An online platform supporting a wide range of 12-step and non-12 step meetings. www.intherooms.com Families Anonymous Meetings Virtual or in-person meetings for parents, grandparents, siblings, spouses, significant others, family members, and friends of those with a current, suspected, or former drug problem. familiesanonymous.org 12 Step Meetings at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) Mondays at 7pm GA (Gamblers Anonymous) Fridays at 7:00pm For more information, call 952-230-2988 aaMinnesota aaminnesota.org Minneapolis and Suburban Inter-group Association 952-922-0880 aaminneapolis.org Minneapolis Inter-group Northeast 612-788-4464 St. Paul Inter-group 651-227-5502 aastpaul.org Al-Anon Meetings al-anon-alateen-msp.org/pages/meetings Minneapolis Area 952-920-3961 St. Paul Area 651-771-2208 Electronic Meet ings al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/electronic-meetings/ Adult Children of Alcoholics Phone and Online Meetings adultchildren.org Narcotics Anonymous naminnesota.org/ na.org/meetingsearch/ 877-767-7676 Nar-Anon Family Groups 12-Step program for family and friends of addicts. www.nar-an on.org