Surprises - Dec 9 thru Dec 15 - TLC TRANSmissions

TLC E-Transmissions - Sunday, December 9 thru Saturday, December 15

Gather in Grace • Grow in Faith • Go Forth to Serve

THIS SUNDAY - December 9

8:15am Traditional Worship

9:30 & 11:00am: Praise and Worship

[Download service bulletins below]

Second Sunday in Advent

Senior Pastor Ed Treat

God is a God of Surprises

In scripture we find many things, but the best parts are the surprises—the things that shouldn’t happen that happen—like the sudden parting of a sea to save a whole population from destruction, like the birth of a baby to a very old couple, like the birth of a baby to a virgin, like the resurrection. There is tragedy in scripture yet out of the tragedy comes God’s best surprises.

Advent is a time to wait and watch for the God who can really pull a rabbit out of a hat, who brings light to the darkest of moments, who knows how to always save the day.

Waiting is not the strong suit of many of us in our hurry-up culture. Everything is urgent. Hope is foreign to people who expect quick relief, cures, and solutions. Waiting is difficult because we’re forced to admit that we are not in control—God is.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

and in his word I hope… --Psalm 130:5

SIGNING OFF

15 Years of Church Appeal

Curb appeal is often defined as the attractiveness of the exterior of a property, as viewed from the street.

What about “Church Appeal”?

TLC certainly has an abundance in our members welcoming visitors or telling friends and even strangers about the church. People driving by see the ELC children on the playground; the cars in the parking lot on Sundays; a flower sale on the lawn in the spring, even a few outdoor services.

However, one particular constant, yet ever-changing “church appeal” offered to passersby at the corner of 110th and France avenue is TLC’s large illuminated sign.

In 2002, Frances Simonson donated funds to build TLC's

corner sign in memory of her late husband, Dale Simonson.

This past week the sign's message and messenger changed.

Money to build the sign was donated by Frances Simonson in 2002 as a memorial to her late husband, Dale Simonson (mother and step-father of TLC member, Laurel Riippa). Since then the sign has been TLC’s visual outreach to travelers on the streets and sidewalks with impactful messages using less characters than even Twitter allows.

Jim Sorum – the sign’s imaginative wordsmith – has attached his last character as of this past Tuesday. He’s been at it for 15 years with a box of letters and numbers, a key, and an acquired knowledge of the nuances in the sign’s acceptance of thick plastic characters sliding into the tracks.

“Yes, I intentionally misspelled a few words once in a while,” said Sorum, “to see if somebody driving by would stop into the office – and they did!”

Spelling hi-jinks aside, the messages themselves are mostly crafted by Sorum.

“Most of the sayings are my originals. I’ve picked some from various magazines, tweaked them and used them. Others come from listening to sermons and hearing a phrase that would be good on the sign.”

Sorum has saved a list of all the messages, keeping them in a folder for future sign makers. Now it is being turned over to Ben Cherland, Youth and Family minister, who was there Tuesday for training. He plans to have the sign's message compositions and assembly as part of the confirmation program, saying it’s a great ministry of the church.

Sorum had a closing thought about his sign-making tenure. “I loved being able to create and come up with sayings – and once in a while having people comment about what they saw, ‘That message was really significant,’ or, ‘That message was really upbeat.’ But then there comes a time when you just have to retire from a lot of different things. This was one of them. It can now be passed on to the next generation.”

Jim carefully lifts open the frozen acrylic covering.

Jim (foreground) gave Ben

Cherland a quick lesson in

character placement.

Ben Cherland (left) and Jim Sorum display the Advent "Church Appeal"

DECEMBER SCHEDULE OF TLC SERVICES

Note: corrections made to Dec 9 and 16

BLESSING THE HANDS OF KNITTERS

TLC'S K3P3 Prayer Shawl Ministry

Above: On the day K3P3 volunteers gathered to work on their shawls, Deacon Renee Jefferson blessed their hands with anointing oil.

Right: Spending time this past Thursday knitting the prayer shawls.

By Marilyn Erickson | TLC Care Ministry

In December 2003, TLC initiated the “K3P3 Prayer Shawl Ministry” (K3P3: Knit 3 Purl 3). Care and the love of knitting are combined into a prayerful ministry that reaches out with a handcrafted gift to those in need of comfort and solace as well as the newly baptized. Each time a knitter picks up their needles, prayers and blessings are included. As a person knits, prayers are woven into the shawl for the person who will receive it.

Members of TLC receive a prayer shawl whenever they are sick, in the hospital, recovering from illness, just needing a prayer, and members who request a prayer shawl for family or friends who are experiencing difficult times.

Our shawls were sent to Peru when Pastor Stephanie and others went there. Shawls were taken to New Orleans after Hurricane Sandy. A prayer shawl was sent to a friend in Canada when he was going through cancer treatment. Some were given to St. Francis Hospital and Luther Seminary. We also gave to families who spent a week at TLC through the Families Moving Forward. K3P3 also makes white baptismal shawls that are given to all children baptized at TLC.

TLC’s K3P3 has been a ministry for over 15 years. In those fifteen years over 1,500 shawls have been knit and gifted to someone. That makes for a lot of prayers to those who need extra care and love. We get many lovely notes from people who have received a shawl, and all of those notes can be found in the knitting hall closet.

ILLUSTRATING ADVENT

Spot the C o l o r i n g Cart

Look in the Narthex for the rolling coloring cart. It features a black and white coloring page with the current week's Advent Meditation theme. Youngsters from 1 to 101 years old are invited to grab the supplied colored pencils and add their artistic talents to the image. Eventually all four Advent pages will be on display in the Narthex. For more details including scripture, meditation, stories and more, visit the home page of TLC's website [Click Here]

A Stephen Minister Is...

A child of God who walks beside someone who is hurting.
A congregation member who is carefully selected to serve in this role because of his or her caregiving gifts.
A layperson with 50 hours of training in providing high-quality, distinctively Christian care.
A caring Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports, and encourages.
Someone who meets faithfully each week with his or her care receiver for as long as there's a need.

Please talk with one of our Stephen Ministry Leaders: Bob Riley, Erin Pommeranz or Becky Woll, visit our kiosk (pictured) in the TLC Narthex, or email StephenMinistry@tlcmn.com

SNACKIN' RANCH CRACKERS

By Beverly Nolte

3 pkgs.(9 oz. ea.) Nabisco oyster crackers

1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch mix

1 tsp. dill weed

1/2 tsp. onion salt

1/2 tsp. garlic salt

1/2 tsp. lemon pepper

1 cup warm salad or canola oil

Paper grocery bag

Be sure the oil is warm - this helps dissolve the dry ingredients.

In a small mixing bowl add oil. Stir in the dry ingredients until dissolved.

Put oyster crackers into the paper bag. Slowly pour the oil mixture into the bag. Shake vigorously.

Empty into two 9x12 cake pans. Place in 300-degree oven for 10 minutes.

Store in containers or Ziploc bags at room temperature.

DECEMBER

One Monday each month, Transfiguration volunteers gather and car pool to Global Health Ministries in Fridley. During our time there we sort, pack, inventory and evaluate medical supplies that have been donated from all parts of Minnesota and surrounding states. These supplies are eventually shipped to clinics and hospitals throughout the world that urgently need supplies.

If you would like to become involved in this important international ministry, come and join us. We have lots of fun. We are there from 10:00am-2:00pm (bring a bag lunch). A medical background is not necessary. Your help touches the lives of people in developing countries and brings them toward better health and greater productivity. If interested – please talk with Pastor Arthur or Mary Mahre at mmahre@comcast.net or 612-345-4235.

[Click here] to visit Global Health Ministries

HELP FILL THE VEAP BOX

It's especially important to start off cold winter mornings with a good breakfast. Consider helping fill the VEAP box with hot cereal mix, oatmeal, pancake mix, Bisquick, canned fruit, muffin mix, cocoa mix and juices. The VEAP box is located just outside the church office.

Your donation of $50 to VEAP will purchase $500 worth of food for families in our community!

Write a check if you are able, to TLC with VEAP on the memo line. Monetary donations and food donations both help to alleviate hunger in our own neighborhoods. WE CAN HELP!

CHAPEL MORNING PRAYERS

Martin Luther calls baptism “a daily dying and rising.” How do you do that? One way is to pray.

At 11:00am Monday through Thursday, you are invited to join Youth and Family Minister Ben Cherland in Morning Prayer.

Meet in the TLC Chapel and discover the opportunity to get acquainted with a new way to pray, sink into an old church tradition, and hear what God has for you each day.

Above: ELC's Aardvark class of 3 year olds had fun tearing

up and "destroying" the original memorandum.

LICENSING DECISION AGAINST ELC REVERSED

Petition Provided Influence

In October of this year, TLC’s Early Learning Center (ELC) presented a case to the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services to appeal the Maltreatment Determination due to an incident where a 3 year-old sustained a broken wrist in a fall from a climber earlier in the year. It was suggested that with a petition, ELC would be able to have most of the parent's and staff's support easily shown. The petition was circulated by hard copy and email to ELC and TLC recipients.

On November 30, ELC received news that the maltreatment determination by the State of Minnesota had been reversed. Staff were told to "destroy" the original memorandum. The Aardvark class (3 year olds) enjoyed doing that.

The reversal decision stated, in part, "As the result of an administrative review, the original determination that the facility was responsible for neglect was reversed. The disposition was changed to maltreatment not determined, and the order to pay a $5,000 fine was withdrawn.

Based on the [ELC] program's initial installation of the equipment, the use of the equipment for the past 24 years without a similar injury and the precautions the [ELC] staff took when screening which children could use the uneven bars, there is not a preponderance of the evidence that the facility acted unreasonably, or failed to protect the child from conditions or actions that seriously endangered the child's physical or mental health."

ELC’s Director, Barb Wigstadt was overjoyed, saying, “God is faithful!!! He says to trust and I guess the best time to show that you trust is when it is difficult to do; when all seems against you. But He is faithful!”

Worship Volunteers for Christmas Eve Services at 2:00, 3:15, 4:30, 11:00pm. Ushers, greeters, communion assistants, lectors, and pew crew needed. Please sign up on the Life@TLC yellow insert, on the TLC Website , or contact Michelle Reber, mreber@tlcmn.com .

ANNUAL GATHERING OF MINNEAPOLIS SYNOD ASSEMBLY

By Marilyn Rundberg

The Minneapolis Area Synod gathers annually to conduct business in the Synod Assembly, which is the synod’s highest legislative authority. More than 600 participants attend the Synod Assembly each year, including representatives from each congregation and all active rostered leaders. The gathering is filled with worship, inspiration, presentations, and necessary business. Source: http://mpls-synod.org/our-synod/synod-assembly/

If you are interested in the workings of the Lutheran Church in our synod, this is a perfect opportunity for you!

Along with several members of TLC, I have participated in this event for about 10 years, and I find it very interesting. As a voting member, you are able to help make some important decisions. There are guest speakers, who are leaders of the Lutheran Church both in the United States and the world, some wonderful entertainment, and most importantly, meaningful and inspirational worship services.

This is a great way to get involved in your church, to meet new people, see old friends and former Pastors, and to learn more about our Lutheran faith.

The Synod Assembly will be held at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Ramsey, MN, May 3-4, 2019. We carpool from TLC, which is another opportunity to get to know some of the other TLC disciples. If you are interested, please let Beth Rahn know by December 19. Her email is: brahnfamily@comcast.net . We will be sending 6 Representatives to be chosen at the 2019 TLC Annual Meeting.

TLC RECEIVES GIFT OF $4,905 DOLLARS

REACH OUT TO THRIVENT

If you have Choice Dollars to designate for an organization, please call Thrivent at 800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” at the prompt for further assistance. Press 1 to direct Choice Dollars or 2 to hear Thrivent Choice® program Terms and Conditions. (If prompted, say or enter your phone number and date of birth.) 3. A representative will work with you to direct Choice Dollars.

The hours of operation are Monday through Friday 7:00am to 6:00pm Central Time. Choice Dollars designated during the calendar year can be directed until March 31 of the following year. Thrivent Choice dollars are designated to eligible Thrivent members throughout the calendar year. Transfiguration Lutheran is a designated site for receiving Choice Dollars.

NEWS FLASH!

Thrivent Financial just informed TLC that we have been given a gift of $4,905 from two TLC members who directed their Choice Dollars to our ministry. We are so grateful for these kinds of gifts that further support our important work.

If you have Thrivent Choice(R) dollars to direct please consider having your dollars sent to TLC.

NEW!

Bible, Beer and Burgers Group – Meets the first Tuesday of the month from 6:15-8:00pm at Shantytown Grill, 8512 Pillsbury Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420. We eat together and then discuss the reading and message from the previous Sunday's worship services.

To be added to the list just [ Click Here ] to email Pastor Arthur or just show up.

Holiday Gift Giving

The ELC is selling SCRIP gift cards again! SCRIP is Christmas shopping made easy. SCRIP gift cards make wonderful Christmas gifts for family, friends, co-workers, teachers, coaches, anyone. SCRIP order forms are available in the Sunday bulletins, in the ELC office or online through mid-December. Questions contact Renee G or Barb at (952) 884-7955. Thank you for your support!

With Deacon Renee Jefferson

DECEMBER 12

TOPIC: Let Joy Find Me

DECEMBER 19

TOPIC: Let Love Find Me

TLC FELLOWSHIP HALL

RESCHEDULED

TLC's Racial Justice Team movie presentation of "Selma" originally scheduled for Monday, December 10, has now been rescheduled for Monday evening, January 7, 2019 at 6:30pm in Room 2 (TLC lower level).

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HOLIDAY SPECIAL

Pastor Ed’s new book, The Pastor , just received a great review on Kirkus Reviews , which is not an easy review to get. People are enjoying the book and many say they can’t put it down. Copies are available at the front office for $20. Pastor Ed is glad to sign your copy if you like, just ask.

Now through January 1, 2019, 15% of the book purchase price will be donated to the Fellowship of Recovering Lutheran Clergy ( frlc.org ). Help a pastor struggling with addiction.

“Was it murder or suicide? The reader is kept guessing through plot twists and turns that finally weave together in a credible and absorbing conclusion. Also woven into the story are insightful details about the myriad issues that a pastor deals with day-to-day and a clear and inspiring expression of the pastor's own faith.” –Mary Omak

Treasures of Italy

Pastor Ed is leading an 11-day tour of Italy and Germany the summer of 2020. Sites include Rome, Assisi, Florence, Venice, Salzburg, and Munich. The trip concludes in Oberammergau, Germany, to see the longest running theatrical production in the world--the Passion Play at Oberammergau. This is a rare opportunity to see an amazing and powerful spectacle.

For more information, pick up a brochure at the welcome desk or [Click Here] to visit the special page on TLC's website.