Bells Ring Out!
Voices Sing Out!
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Rob Reid
Director of Music
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Socially Distanced Quartets of Singers AND Ringers will be heard and seen in this Sunday's Live-Stream, so don't miss the beautiful, joyful music!
With Karen Daniels on organ and piano accompanying everyone, you will hear Jill and Rob Reid along with Mary Kelly and Mary Anne Lofstrom playing "This Is the Sprit's Entry Now" for the Prelude, and "Adoro te Devote" (Thee We Adore) for Communion. Our hymns will be led by Jill, Rob, Angela Burla and Kevin Erickson.
Interim Youth and Family Minister Pete Erickson will share a Time for Children and will lead the Liturgy and Prayers, and Pastor Ed will preach and Preside over Communion. Come be blessed by worshiping together on Sunday, that we may a blessing to others in our week ahead.
Rob Reid
Director of Music
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Live-Stream Viewer Data
Last Sunday, August 9, 2020
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Estimated viewers: 308+
~ ~ ~
154 Media Devices Linked
to TLC Live-Stream on Sunday
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322 Views Sunday Live & Repeats
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Results of the August 6-10 Online Survey
375 opened the email cover letter
107 participated in the survey
Many thanks to all who filled out the survey last week (August 6 thru August 10). It provided crucial feedback in helping the COVID Response Team make a recommendation to Council at the August meeting this past Tuesday regarding re-opening of the church building. Please read the recommendation below which was adopted unanimously by Council. Following this article are links to pdf's of the actual survey results, both the data answers and the text responses. Or you can visit the TLC Website for the same information.
To briefly summarize, the current recommendation is to continue to dedicate efforts to maintaining high quality online worship offerings, including regular outdoor worship. Necessary training of staff and volunteers will begin in September to prepare for eventual in-person worship. The earliest possible date being considered for public, in-person worship is October 25. This is subject to change. Sunday School, Confirmation and High School ministry is being planned in consultation with families and will begin in October, probably with a combination of online and outdoor offerings, weather permitting.
I am incredibly grateful to the ongoing extraordinary work of the dedicated TLC Staff, who continue to tend to their duties in very unusual circumstances and to the TLC Church Council who are highly engaged and wrestling deeply with the challenges and blessings of tending to the health of the community in these times. Also, my sincere gratitude goes to the COVID Response Team led by Pete Erickson and Jeanine Brown who will continue to work on planning and implementing our response as we move forward into the fall.
We miss you. We miss gathering in person. We trust one another to God’s daily provision and care.
May the Almighty God bless and keep you this and every day,
Pastor Arthur
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Intern Pastor Grace Pardun Alworth |
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As part of my internship, I am required to do a project. When Pr Arthur completed his internship here, he organized a series of lectures. With his guidance and the advent of the Covid Pandemic, we dreamed up the Hope for the Day daily devotions. We wanted to provide a way to link the congregation together in a time of isolation. So the idea was that I would solicit contributions, curate and edit the pieces, and create these daily Hope For the Day emails. |
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Inspired by Martin Luther's instructions for Morning Prayer, I decided to include daily hymns that would go along with the devotionals and scripture readings. Thank you to Evan Collins who faithfully partnered with me on this project both as a contributor and as our primary musician.
We will be wrapping up this iteration of Hope For the Day with its 100th edition on August 31st. This doesn't mean that TLC won't ever have daily devotional emails again, it simply means that this version of my internship project is coming to a close in time to meet the Seminary deadline of all my internship paperwork in by 9/1/2020. Thank you to all the contributors of this project. It was a joy to read your words and encounter Jesus through your witness. Thank you to all the readers who sent in email responses sharing how meaningful these devotionals are.
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Our Church Council discusses staff transitions, changes and additions. Financial info details receipts have fallen behind in July, now adding to a $51,000 deficit. Click on the images below to read the pdf reports. |
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WHAT DOES THIS MEAN
FOR US?
-a continuing series-
By Pastor Al Dungan
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The
Church's
Half Year
(Part 3)
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Isaiah says in Chapter 56.1, 6-8 “Thus says the Lord: Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed…And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord (Yahweh), to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord (Yahweh), and to be his servants, all who keep the Sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast to my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples (highlighting mine). Thus says the Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered (highlights mine).”
The temple in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus was divided into 4 segments: The Holy of Holies into which the high priest could enter once a year on the Day of Atonement to offer sacrifice to Yahweh, the God of Israel on behalf of the people of Israel; The Holy Place where regular, daily sacrifice was offered by various priests chosen for that purpose; The Court for Israel where Jewish men could worship; and The Court of the Gentiles where those of other nations could worship who had come to belief in Yahweh, the God of Israel.
In Jesus’ day, the Court of the Gentiles had been turned into a place where money from other nations was changed into Jewish currency (money laundering at its finest) so that sacrifices might be purchased and then offered and the place where Gentiles and others might purchase a dove, a sheep or a bullock which would then be slaughtered as a sacrificial offering.
Guess what? That left no place for the Gentiles to worship. They had been nicely edged out.
It was to that scene that we read about how angry Jesus was when he made a whip of cords, turned over tables and drove out the money changers and the sellers of doves declaring, “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers”. (Mt. 21.13)
Okay, what’s the point? It’s this: how has our house of prayer become a house of prayer that welcomes all people? It hasn’t.
The ELCA has been called the whitest denomination of all churches in the U.S. What have we done besides making high sounding statements in our biennial conventions to make our place of worship one that welcomes all people? The answer speaks for itself: precious little.
Maybe the scattering we have experienced due to the coronavirus is God’s way of telling us that we need to take another hard look at ourselves and discover how we can truly make our place of worship a welcoming place for people who have different skin colors and different cultural backgrounds from us.
We have a great deal of work to do to make the needed changes. May God give us the wisdom, courage and determination to bring them about.
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Neighbors helping Neighbors
9600 Aldrich Avenue South
Bloomington MN 55420
952.888.9616
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"Together"
by Lyla
Lyla is 8 years old and has been a Photo Club student for the past two years. Her favorite picture is of the ducks called, "Together." She thought the ducks were cute and was especially excited about how she got the shot. The Photo Club group was out by a nearby lake when the ducks came right up to the water's edge where the kids were hanging out. The ducks probably thought they were getting some food. Lyla leaned in a little and got this picture. She said she really liked the way they appear like they are looking at each other.
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COMING THIS
SEPTEMBER!
Watch this space for updates in coming weeks.
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Don't Forget to take TLC on Vacation |
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Summer always presents TLC with its biggest challenge each year to stay connected with everyone. Now, through our new media website, TLCGo.Live, you can watch "live" (or pre-produced) services each Sunday at 10:00am or browse through the OnDemand section and its playlist of over 600 TLC worship services and events. And there's a click 'n easy "Online Giving" tab providing a secure webpage for your offering or donations.
Blessings,
TLC Stewardship Committee
(2 Corinthians 9:7 - Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.)
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Committees - Ministries - Small Groups |
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We want to hear from you! Share your stories with the TLC community.
Are you meeting?
How have you adapted your meetings to keep everyone safe?
What projects are you working on?
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Send a brief description and some photos to tlcmedia@tlcmn.com and we will share your news in the TLC Weekly.
FYI, to date Linda Meyer has been generous with story submissions, but really, people, you should promote your groups. Does anyone have the chutzpah to get 'er done.
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The Bloomington Bird Lady is off this week. |
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TLC is closed to all visitors unless by appointment. It's important that we maintain this rule during the pandemic crisis. Spontaneous visitors, regardless of well-meaning intentions, may cause complications in the church environment or compromise the health of church staff or ELC staff and children, and, vice-versa. Any questions or concerns, please contact the TLC office at 952-884-2364 or:
office@tlcmn.com
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Financial Questions in Uncertain Times? |
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If you would like have a conversation at no charge about your financial situation, please contact our Thrivent Financial Professional, Durk Peterson.
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THANK YOU!
Since TLC's worship services have gone exclusively online, many of you have signed-up for online giving.
Besides being a great convenience for you, it supports and regulates the church budget.
If you have moved to online giving and normally receive envelopes, please let the church know so we can stop forwarding envelopes.
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Bible Study
with Pastor Grace
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Wednesday at 7:00pm on Zoom
Join Intern Pastor Grace and other fun folks for an in-depth Bible Study. Bring your bible and your favorite beverage. Feel free to jump in at any point during the series. Email Pastor Grace if you have any questions or want the PowerPoint from Wednesday night. GPardunAlworth@tlcmn.com
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 960 1654 7916
Password: 891335
BIBLE SCHEDULE
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8/19/20 Romans 7:7-25 ... Sin
8/26/20 Romans 8:1-17 ... Life
9/2/20 Romans 8:18-39 ... God's Grip
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By Pete Erickson
Interim TLC Youth Minister
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TLC YOUTH MINISTRY KICK-BALL & SCOOPS FIELD TRIP - AUG 19
WHAT: KICK-BALL AND SCOOPS
WHEN: Wednesday, August 19
WHERE: Meet at Dred Scott Fields (10820 Bloomington Ferry Road)
WHO: Middle School and High School
DROP OFF: 6:30PM
PICK UP: 8:30PM
REMINDER: WE ARE COMMITTED TO YOUR SAFETY!
- This event will be outside and dinner will also be served outside.
- If you are sick, even just mildly sick, please do not come to the party.
- If you have a known exposure to someone with Covid or Covid symptoms, please do not come to the party.
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Bring a mask as a precaution if you have to go indoors
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"Devilicious" Picnic Italianos
By Caroll Evens
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- 1 loaf French bread
- 2 4½ oz. cans deviled ham
- 3 tomatoes, sliced
- 4 slices American or Mozzarella cheese
- ½ tsp oregano
Split bread in two, lengthwise. Spread cut slices generously with deviled ham. Top with tomato slices. Sprinkle with oregano, then add cheese slices. For spicier flavor, add chili sauce on top of the cheese. Bake at 375 until cheese is melted and sandwiches are thoroughly heated. Slice sandwiches in desired lengths for serving.
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Please Visit TLC's Memorial Garden |
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Since 2012, loved ones who had their funeral or memorial service at TLC now have a place and a webpage on our TLC Memorial Garden website. Please visit these saints, honor and remember them; read their obituary, the bulletin and homily, watch the live-stream archive of their service, browse their personal photo album, and, if so inclined, leave a personal message on their page.
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Do you ever need an extra prayer for yourself, a loved one, or a dear friend? TLC has a prayer team that prays often for members, their families and friends of the congregation. Send your prayer requests to merickson@tlcmn.com or on the TLC website here. Your prayer needs are sent on to the Prayer Team and kept confidential – just between you, the pray-ers, and God. If you would like to be a member of the prayer team, please sign up on the yellow Life@TLC bulletin insert.
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On July 31, Sheridan Story reached a new milestone in its coronavirus response. Sheridan Story has been working extra hard to keep children fed, providing meals in these past four months. It maintained a 400% increase in meals, provided and surpassed the number of meals they usually provide in a whole year. The organization can’t stop! It needs our help to provide another 2,000,000 meals through the fall of 2020.
With Governor Walz’ announcement on July 30 on the safe learning plan for the 2020-2021 school year, many school districts will opt for distance learning or a hybrid approach when the school year begins. As a result, many children will lose the nutritional safety net of a school meal.
Sheridan story needs to raise $1.8 million to provide another two million meals (or 100,000 meals per week) to children across Minnesota his fall. If that funding is not reached, they will need to cut the food they provide by 70%.
It costs $250 to feed a child a year. Right now, every dollar you donate will be matched, up to $200,000 by the Otto Bremer Trust. Please consider making a gift today of any amount. Send to Sheridan Story, 2723 Patton Rd, Roseville, MN 55113 or place in the offering designated to Sheridan Story.
Reminder: Behind every meal that is funded, there is a child who does not have to worry about where the next meal will come from.
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Back Issues of the TLC Weekly
including this issue (Today!)
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[CLICK HERE] to visit the TLC web page where you can choose to read from the past 16 months of weekly E-newsletters from Transfiguration Lutheran Church. This is also a great way to share TLC Weekly with those that don't receive it in email. Tell them to visit tlcmn.com/tlcweekly
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ELECTRONIC GIVING HELPS SUPPORT TLC
It’s important to know that we can depend on financial support from TLC members. Electronic giving is fast, secure, and reduces administrative costs, allowing more of every dollar to support the important work we are called to do. You can give anytime, anywhere to specific funds with our GivePlus Mobile app (free from the app store). You can also schedule and manage recurring donations by visiting our website and clicking on TLC ONLINE GIVING icon at the bottom of any page, or [Click Here] to start the process, or contact the church office. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!
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Free Subscriptions, sign up to be a volunteer, request care ministry and more! |
Subscribe a friend to this newsletter, TLC Weekly, or subscribe yourself and others to the TLC publication, Transcripts. Interested in TLC membership? Sunday school? Our renowned TLC music program, volunteering and more are choices on this easy online TLC Request Form. Just [Click Here] or the "Sign Me Up" button on the left.
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A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
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A Culture of Diversity and Inclusion |
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