Gather in Grace • Grow in Faith • Go Forth to Serve
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West Africa Sunday
Featuring the Praise & Worship Team
with Liberian Guest Musicians
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October 13, 2019
8:30am & 10:00am Worship at TLC
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Accommodations throughout the church for those with disabilities.
Wireless hearing assist devices available for worship services.
Closed Captioning available with on-demand playback (not live) of worship services.
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Nursery available at both services.
Parent/children's Pray-Ground available in the Sanctuary during worship.
Hospitality & Social Activities from 9-11:30am in the Narthex and Fellowship Hall
Click on the live-stream logo below or visit www.tlcgo.live at
the time of the service to watch it on your media device.
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Meet Pastor Janice Gonoe
Sunday's Guest Preacher
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Reverend Janice Gonoe is an ordained pastor with the Lutheran Church in Liberia and a former director of the HIV & AIDS Programme. She is a trained HIV and AIDS counselor and a Trainer of Training (TOT), receiving her training in Liberia and Botswana. Pastor Gonoe is author of the book "The HIV Pandemic as a Threat to the Life of the Church in Post-War Liberia"
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-TAKING FAITH HOME-
Week of October 13, 2019
Use this friendly tool to enrich your family times with conversation, rituals, prayer, blessings, and service ideas.
[Click Here]
for this week's edition.
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[Click Here] for the Church Council Meeting Minutes from September 2019.
Note: There were no council meetings this past July and August. Thus, no minutes.
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[Click Here] for the Church Treasurer's Report for September 2019
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Craft Preaching Conference
What did I learn?
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Intern Pastor Grace Pardun Alworth
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Dear Community,
If you’re anything like me, you are way too busy and are overwhelmed, tired, but also grateful for this thing we call life.
I spent the first half of the week at a very inspiring preaching conference. But it was scheduled during my day off, cut into my work and school schedule, and left me quite exhausted. My head is filled with all the exciting things I’ve learned and ideas I want to try out, but my body and spirit are so tired. I can pretend to be an extrovert at these things, but between you and me, a cabin in the woods alone with a stack of books sounds blissful.
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What do you need, Grace? I asked myself. If I’m feeling tired, overwhelmed, exhausted, depleted, surely I am in need of something, rest maybe? Space?
At the conference, I was reminded of the ancient practice of the Breath Prayer. This is where we are reminded that God is the Source of compassion and here in that compassion all of our needs are met. A room full of pastors were given the gift of space, rest, and support as we practiced the Breath Prayer together.
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So, this morning, I sat down at my desk to pray. I lit a candle to remind me that God is here with me, holding all my parts together. But then, of course, my mind wandered to my very long to do list: dishes, dog, house, work, projects, sermon, emails, chickens… The exhaustion and anxiety returned.
What do you need, Grace? I asked myself again, stopping the runaway train of my thoughts.
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Seeing my needs written out on a post-it note felt better. I could see them. If I can write these needs out, then I know what they are, which then means I can figure out how to meet them.
Then something happened. Under each of my needs, I organized my to do list.
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Space:
read, journal, yoga, pray
Order:
laundry, dishes
Contribution:
feed chickens, walk dog
Learning:
read homework, work on internship project ideas.
The anxiety was replaced by empowerment. Feeling overwhelmed was replaced by feeling excited. I’m not doing my chores because they are on my list. I’m doing my chores because they are meeting my needs for space, order, contribution, and learning.
God daily meets our needs in ways we least expect it, sometimes it’s even in a reorganized to do list. May you create space to meet God today because God’s already there, waiting for you.
Breath Prayer
- Sit in a comfortable position. Reflect on Psalm 46 “Be still and know…”
- With your eyes closed, imagine God calling you by name.
- Take a moment to name God.
- God asks, “What is it that you need?”
- Name your need.
- Combine your name for God with your need.
- Breathe in God’s name and breathe out your need. Stay here as long as you wish.
Sincerely,
Pr. Grace
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Free Bikes for Kids
A Chance for Happiness
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This past weekend the annual program “Free Bikes for Kids” happened again. You've never heard of it? People donate their unused and perhaps even unusable older bikes. Trucks pick them up and take them to a warehouse over in Southtown, where they are unloaded, and I suppose evaluated, then repaired for use. Our son-in-law happens to drive for U Haul which takes part in this worthy cause each year. This year they handled over 7,000 bikes, taking the donated ones off the trucks and putting them in storage for repairs; kind of like a bucket brigade, but bikes instead. The needs are many and varied, and there is paperwork to be filled out, so no one would just walk in and ask for a free bike. Fairness is important.
I can remember my own girls, probably about 10 or 11 at the time, wishing they had a bike. They got some piece work to do at home for Pako Photo, earned some money and were able to get a lovely English bike. They parked it beside the house, behind a large evergreen, and guess what? It got stolen! Such sadness, after working so hard too.
The kids who ride bikes these days seem younger than ever. They have little helmets on which is good, and most of them are still riding on the sidewalk for safety. What ever happened to tricycles? You've seen the families, usually with a baby stroller and a dog, or maybe mom and dad riding bikes with their kids, yelling to “be careful” as they came to an intersection.
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I really wanted a bike as a 10 year old. My brother had gotten a nice one for his birthday when he was 10, but being a girl, maybe no one thought I really needed one. I decided to earn my own bike, and began to mow lawns, using a push mower and earning about a dollar for a whole yard. When I had about $15 saved, I looked at ads in the town paper and found a used one for sale a few miles north of town. My dad took me
up to look at it! Yippee! I had a bike!
What follows is kind of weird. My cousin and I took our bikes out in early spring and were riding on Highway 169... sounds bad, but in the town of Milaca, 169 was just a street through town, running in front of our house. She and I biked south, out of town, and suddenly
it began to sleet! Our bikes, having fenders, began to collect the sleet between the wheels and the fenders and freezing the wheels so they refused to move. There we were dragging our bikes along the highway, and getting cold and wet.
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Came to a farm house, asked to use their phone...(an old crank type) and called my dad, who came and saved us from walking all that way home dragging our bikes. We had learned a lot in that short hour, and I know we were watched over - just as I said last week when referring to a verse from a hymn:
"For His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.”
His eye is on the bike riders too!
-Bloomington Bird Lady
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Aging Well in Bloomington
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Have ideas on how Bloomington can better support its aging population? Public Health wants your input!
Let’s get one step closer to making Bloomington an aging friendly city.
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CONTRIBUTE TO THE FUNDRAISER AND GET A GREAT DEAL!
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Watch this space for fundraiser opportunities for the December Liberian Trip. Fundraisers include a Mission Bazaar, Fall Yard Clean-Up, Parent’s Night Out, Final Liberian Dinner, Lemonade Stand and a Talent Show.
SIGN UP FOR THIS NOW!
Yard Work/Fall Clean Up: Offered for a donation to the Liberia Trip Fund. Available dates: October 19, 26 & November 2, 9, 16, 23, weather permitting. Contact Greg Barringer at
mn.runner.juan@gmail.com to help with the work, or to have your yard cleaned.
Parent’s Night Out: Drop your kid(s) off at TLC from 5:00 thru 8:00pm on November 8, November 22, or December 6. Make a donation to the trip fund and enjoy some R&R from parenting! Contact Gretchen Schroeder at
ga.schroeder@yahoo.com to help out with child care, or to make arrangements for your night out!
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The Term Messiah
and the
Suffering Servant songs of Isaiah
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WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US?
By Pastor Al Dungan
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As I’ve already mentioned, names DO mean something. This was especially true in ancient times. YHWH, Elohim, El Shaddai all spoke to the power of the God that Israel worshiped. The name that Mary’s baby was given, Yeshua/Joshua/Jesus=Savior, also spoke to that power but in a much different way as was played out through his birth, life, death and…wait for it…wait for it…his resurrection
from
death.
As an oppressed people for hundreds of years by one Middle Eastern power after another, The Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Romans, the Israelite's longed for freedom and the right to govern themselves. And in this great longing the hope developed that One would come, anointed by God like their great King David, who would set them free.
The term for their longed for national, political savior was Messiah which means “The Anointed One.” Anointing with oil was the symbol of a God-called leader.
Mary’s child, Jesus, according to God’s messenger (the angel Gabriel) would be that Anointed One: “…you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:31-33
WOW!! It was finally happening. After all those years of waiting, it was finally happening. But God’s mind, as we have discovered over and over again, doesn’t work the same as our minds. God had other plans to bring about the setting free of God’s people.
The prophet Isaiah, whose name means “The Lord is salvation”, is particularly known for that part of his message called The Suffering Servant songs. These “songs” describe who this anointed One will be like and what his life and message will be. I’ll leave it up to you to read these “songs” for yourself. They can be found in Isaiah 42:1-4; 53; and 61:1-7.
The early followers of Jesus saw in his ministry the fulfillment of these words. Not a powerful political figure but a humble servant. The power structure of the day couldn’t resolve this with their view of the anointed one and so they got rid of him using the Roman power structure of crucifixion.
But it didn’t work did it? God’s power is always greater than man’s power. An early hymn of the Church describes this in Philippians 2:1-11 which I will leave you to read for yourselves. Now
that’s
power.
Next time: Where Do We Worship?
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National Lutheran Choir
2019-2020 Concert Season
Sign up to win two free NLC Season Passes! Look for the black box hanging extended from a kiosk in the TLC Narthex, fill out an entry blank, & put it in the box. The winner will be drawn on Sunday, October 27.
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TLC Organist, Karen Daniels, encourages you to take a brochure and also sign up for a chance to win two free NLC Season Passes.
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Save over 18% on tickets with a Season Pass. 3- and 4-concert subscriptions available to fit your schedule! Brochures, with sign-up information, are in the TLC Narthex.
Look in the NLC Brochure for more info on the first concert of the season, "All Saints Mozart Requiem" on November 2nd & 3rd. What an exciting event this will be!
The TLC Weekly will continue to update info on this, too.
Questions: Contact Karen Daniels, TLC Organist
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness month
, a time to celebrate survivors, honor those who have died, raise awareness, and confirm our commitment to preventing intimate partner violence in our community.
The purple candle, which is lit on the altar throughout October, symbolizes the hope that each person who has been hurt by verbal, emotional or physical violence in an intimate relationship, has a place of safety in the Body of Christ.
"For surely I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”
-Jeremiah 29:11
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Wednesday Evening Oasis for All
5:30pm -
No community meal this Wednesday due to Bloomington Public School's Development Conference on 10/16 and MEA on 10/17 & 10/18.
6:30pm - Yes, there will be the Worship service with communion (30-minute service).
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Yes, there will be Coffee & Conversation this Wednesday, October 16.
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Coffee and Conversation invites you to a steaming cup of coffee with good friends and conversation. The session this coming Wednesday, October 16, will encourage a discussion on seeing God.
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Click Here to discover more about TLC's Early Learning Center.
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"Violet Flower"
ELC Photographer: Jack
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Jack is 10 years old and this is his fifth year in the ELC Photo Club. The "Violet Flower" photo was taken during an ELC trip to the Como Conservatory of the Como Zoo.
Jack is known for getting down close to the subjects he is photographing. He said of this violet, "I thought it would be cool to get an inside shot of the flower."
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COLD & FLU SEASON: WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STAY HEALTHY
- Know the facts. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or into your sleeve if you do not have a tissue available.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Get vaccinated. Vaccination is the best protection we have against flu.
Provided by Erin Pommeranz, TLC Community Health Minister
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[Click Here] or on the image above for the online RSVP form.
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FOR ADULTS, YOUTH & CHILDREN
Test your knowledge of the Bible in each issue of TLC Weekly.
Answers can be found on the last section of this issue.
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PESTO TORTELLINI BAKE
Preheat broiler to high or oven to 500 degrees
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup of milk
- 2 oz of pesto
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 unit of vegetable stock concentrate
- 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese
- drizzle of olive oil
- salt and pepper to season
- 6 oz of asparagus
- 1/4 cup of Panko breadcrumbs
- 9 oz of cheese tortellini
Directions:
Wash and dry all produce
Thinly slice garlic
Trim and discard bottom inch from asparagus, then cut stalks into 2-inch pieces
Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat (use an ovenproof pan if you have one).
Add asparagus and toss until slightly softened, 1-2 minutes.
Add garlic and toss until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Season with salt and pepper.
Add milk, stock concentrate, and pesto to pan and stir to combine.
Add tortellini, spreading them out in a single layer. Bring mixture to a boil, then lower heat and let simmer until sauce thickens and tortellini are tender, 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. (TIP: Add a splash of water if pan seems dry.)
While tortellini simmers, combine panko, Parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Remove pan from heat. (TIP: Transfer mixture to a small baking dish at this point if your pan isn't ovenproof.)
Sprinkle crust mixture over tortellini, covering them as evenly as possible.
Place pan or dish under broiler (or in oven). Remove once crust is toasty and sauce is bubby (1-2 minutes).
Divide tortellini between bowls and serve.
Blessings!
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TLC Sanctuary
Tuesday, October 29 - 6:30 to 8:30pm
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We are thrilled to let you know not only that the promised Co-Pastor Panel Discussion has been scheduled, but especially that everyone we had hoped would take part enthusiastically agreed.
Moderator:
Craig Pederson, Assistant to the Bishop, Minneapolis Area Synod
Panelists:
Jeff Sartain, Co-Pastor, Edina Community Lutheran Church
Mary Halvorson, Co-Pastor, Grace University Lutheran Church
Mary Pechauer, Co-Pastor, Bethlehem Lutheran Church
This event will be promoted by the Minneapolis Area Synod and may well attract interested clergy and lay leaders from beyond TLC.
We hope you will be able to be present for what promises to be a stimulating and informative evening.
Blessings,
Pastors Arthur and Ed
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Philip Nushann founded Center for Changing Lives - Liberia (CCLL) when he returned to Liberia in November 2016. Transfiguration is the primary community support for CCLL, leading a partnership of Minnesota Churches supporting Philip’s vision. CCLL was inspired by Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota to bring Health Services, Education, Housing, Counseling, Empowerment, Resource Building, Hope and Love to the children and families of West Africa.
Please join us at our 4th annual fundraising event on Thursday, Oct.15, 2019, 6:00-8:00pm. We will join together with members from other churches in our community to support the children and families in Liberia. You will enjoy a wonderful meal and many heartfelt stories from an update at Center For Changing Lives - Liberia.
For more information on CCLL, to RSVP for the October 15 fundraiser, or to make a
Watch for fundraiser opportunities for the Liberian Trip, which departs in late December. Fundraisers include a Mission Bazaar and a Talent Show.
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WE DON’T ALL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO ON THE TRIP TO LIBERIA...
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...but we can participate in TLC’s mission there by contributing some of the specifically requested large items that they are in need of, to be used in vocational training programs.
During the month of October we will collect-GOOD WORKING SEWING MACHINES, MUSIC KEYBOARDS, LAPTOPS and DOLLAR DONATIONS TO BUY DRUMS.
We can only imagine the difference these items will make in the lives
of the children our mission team will meet at Philip Nushann’s school.
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Happy fall! The leaves are turning and it is time to return to our yoga practice to keep us balanced as we move through autumn.
A 4-week session of Lila Yoga will run on Mondays 7:00-8:30pm from October 7 thru October 28. The full series will cost $56 and we need a minimum of 6 students to sign up for the full session. Drop-ins are $18 (sliding scale is available).
Wear comfortable exercise clothes in layers, and bring a blanket and a yoga mat if you have one, or you may also borrow one.
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The bazaar will again have a quilt raffle– tickets on sale in the Narthex or contact Renee Jefferson. We are inviting donations of handcrafted items. Sale proceeds will benefit Oasis for youth and the Liberia Trip. Contact Renee Jefferson,
rjefferson@tlcmn.com or Marilyn Erickson,
merickson@tlcmn.com Watch the TLC Weekly and bulletins for more information
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[Click Here]
to watch a short video of talent show examples.
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HOW DO YOU ENTER?
Record an audition video about 1 minute in length and send via email to Rob Reid, TLC Director of Music at
rreid@tlcmn.com no later than October 25, 2019. Contestants selected to perform will be announced on November 3, 2019.
Acts are limited to 4 minutes (set up, performance & exit). The top 12 acts will be placed in the show. Winners selected by audience ballot vote. Cash and Swag Bag Prizes will be awarded the evening of the contest.
All themes must be appropriate for the church environment and subject to approval by staff.
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WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers are needed for communion, ushers, greeters, pew crew and hospitality.
We especially need ushers. This is a family friendly volunteer opportunity.
Commitment is flexible and tailored to your requests.
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Communion Ministry
Share communion with shut-in's who are unable to attend TLC worship services, or those in long-term rehab. Watch for more information as the group reorganizes this fall. There is a training session on Wednesday, October 16 from 5:30-6:30pm in the TLC Conference Room. If interested, please contact Marilyn Erickson at
merickson@tlcmn.com
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Look for the sign-up easel in the Narthex this Sunday!
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TLC's
College Ministry Team Cares!
Seeking Donations: The College Ministry Team is seeking donations to assemble care packages to be sent to students attending college and technical schools, as well as our young people in the military. Please stop by the bulletin board in the Narthex to pick up 1 or 2 donation tags, purchase the items identified on the tag, and return the items to the designated bin
no later than October 20th
. Please join us in reminding our young adults that we continue to support and care for them while they are away from TLC!
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Contribute to the
TLC Weekly
TLC Weekly staff are looking for both youth and adult "reporters" that would like to tell a story about life, an event or an anecdote inside or outside of TLC. Photos also welcomed. Submit your *story (and *pics) to:
TLCMedia@tlcmn.com
*Subject to editor approval
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Back Issues of the TLC Weekly
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[CLICK HERE]
to visit the TLC web page where you can choose to read from the past nine 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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ALTAR FLOWERS
ONLINE ORDERING
There are still spots available
through December.
See the chart online or stop in
at the church office to order.
The TLC website has a new and easier online form to order Chancel/Altar Flowers for any Sunday in 2019.
[Click Here] to access the form now, or visit
www.tlcmn.com later and look for the "Purchase Altar Flowers" button at the bottom of any page.
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Free Subscriptions, sign up to be a volunteer, request care ministry and more!
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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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AUG-SEP-OCT 2019
TRANSCRIPTS
Now Available Online
download the pdf
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