We don't change the message. The message changes us. |
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~Second Sunday in Advent~
Advent Hymn Festival 2020: Rejoice!
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Rob Reid
Director of Music
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This coming Sunday’s service (December 6 at 9:55am) is what we call a Hymn Festival. It’s a service in which organist and brass choir director, Karen Daniels and I have considered the suggested hymns for the day and have chosen ones that pertain to the themes of the season or the pastor’s sermon. We sing some familiar hymns and put a slightly new twist on them, (this week using past recordings of the TLC Woodwinds, TLC Handbells, and Chancel Choir). And we introduce newer hymns that we can learn together, that bring a fresh perspective to the service. I will be sharing historical background details about some of the hymns during the service, to enhance their meaning or purpose.
Each of the Music Groups will also share one or two solo pieces that were recorded at last December’s Hymn Festival, including Amy Grant’s “Breath of Heaven” by the Woodwinds (be sure to tune in at 9:55am to hear their Prelude), “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” by the Choir and Woodwinds during the Offering, and “O Little Town of Bethlehem” by the Bells during Communion.
Pastor Melanie Heuiser Hill will share the first installment of her “Wandering Nativity” during the Time for Children. Each week in Advent she reveals surprises in the sanctuary, including the area of Bethlehem near the altar Christmas trees. She then takes us on a mission seeking out where Mary & Joseph are in their journey within the sanctuary. Along the way Pastor Melanie discovers an angel attracted to music and moving about in unexpected high places, along with shepherds and their flock wandering in a ding-a-ling location. She will preach her Message based on Isaiah 40:1-11 and the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 1:1-8 and preside at Communion.
Interim Youth & Family Minister, Pete Erickson, will share a Welcome, prayer of the day and the Prayers of the People this week.
So get your Advent Candles ready and join us for another wonderful week of worship at TLC!
“Together… We Wait… “ in Hope and in Peace.
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Live-Stream Viewer Data
Last Sunday, November 29, 2020
New Record Amount
336+ total YouTube Viewers
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168 Media Devices Linked
to TLC Live-Stream on Sunday
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
HOLDEN Evening Prayer Service
94 Viewers
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Altar Poinsettia Orders Online
Deadline THIS MONDAY! December 7.
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Last opportunity to order Poinsettias to adorn the altar during the online Christmas Eve services. Then, because we are pre-recording the services this year, you will be able to take your plants home or donate them (nursing homes, hospitals, etc.) prior to Christmas Eve! Date and time to do so will be announced in soon.
Each Poinsettia plant is $12.00. You can include a personalized sentiment with each order, such as: In Memory of..., In Honor of..., or Merry Christmas from..." which will be printed in the Christmas Eve bulletin and online in that week's issue of the TLC Weekly.
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Wednesday Evenings
During Advent
Watch and listen online to this beautiful service of mediation and music with a new message each week.
Wednesdays, 6:25pm
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It's Advent already! With COVID-19 getting worse in Minnesota right now, how careful must we be?
Right now we have four pans of Elegant White Fruitcake in the oven baking for two and a half hours... better pay attention to my timer and not finish the crossword puzzle. Fruitcake should be baked a few weeks before Christmas so it can “ripen” a while for the best consistency.... Cutting too soon is not wise.... NO, Not Even A Taste!
The gathering of families for Thanksgiving did not help to squelch the virus. We were told not to have any gatherings of more than four people, so that's what we did. Our son-in-law picked up Thanksgiving dinners for four people, the food tasted wonderful, and the only thing homemade was my pumpkin pie. We did not wear masks while eating of course. Birdman's mask lost its wire over the nose, and it refused to be put back together.
The TV news kept showing all the people at airports, not social distancing at all, and wanting to take off for “Grandma's House” over the river and through the woods, maybe. Everyone was supposed to forego that for this year, right? Now the same TV news says not to gather for Christmas either. If we really want the virus to stop getting worse, that will have to happen, I guess.
Even the dentist's office is “social distancing” these days. I came up a flight of stairs and was going in the door, but a sign said, “Do not enter---Someone will let you in.” So they did open the door, took my temperature and I had to fill out a form that swore I did not have any symptoms of disease, or knew anyone else that did. Signs placed around the desk for checking-in read in three places: “Social Distancing, Please.” I had to take my coat into the exam/hygienist room, as there was no place to hang up coats any more. One last comment... it was quite cold in there, and I was asked if I wanted to wear my coat during the exam and cleaning. I guess germs do not thrive as well in cooler temperatures. Even my feet got cold while the gal scraped away at my teeth. It's good that even dentists' offices are “minding' the rules for that virus to be squelched.
My timer just dinged, indicating one hour has passed while the fruitcake bakes. I re-set it for another hour... and hope the pan of water on the shelf under the fruitcake helps to keep it moist.
Am I weird for enjoying crossword puzzles? They are a little easier at the beginning of the week, and there is a feeling of accomplishment if one can finish the New York Times Crossword. We all have our little quirks, including the Bird Lady!!
-Bloomington Bird Lady
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Time Off
Editor's Note:
Al Dungan is taking some well-deserved time off from his TLC Weekly column. He is expected to return with a new series of articles this January 2021.
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Advent Storytime! 6:00pm on Wednesdays on TLC’s Facebook Page
Hey kids! Wednesday evenings we have something just for you! LIVE on TLC’s Facebook page there will be Advent Storytime with Pastor Melanie. Join us and hear stories of the season. Pastor Melanie has a substantial collection of holiday picturebooks and she’s excited to share them with you!
Wednesdays, December 9th,16th,23rd
We start at 6:00pm and we’re done before 6:30pm. Hope to see you there!
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By Pete Erickson
Interim TLC Youth Minister
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TLC FAMILY NATIVITY
CALLING ALL FAMILIES!
December 24th at 2:00pm
We would love to include your family in the “Family Nativity” video which will be the ONLINE Christmas Eve Service at 2:00PM.
Families can take part on the following ways:
- Dress up and narrate a scene from the script – Record this on your phone (horizontally)
- Offer to sing/play/lead one of the songs that is included in the script – Record this on your phone (horizontally)
- Both narrate a scene and sing/play/lead the song from that scene – Record this on your phone (horizontally)
Once your family decides on the scene you’d like to record, you can stop by church and pick up the props/costumes for that specific scene – props canned be picked up this Monday, December 7. NOTE: ALL VIDEO RECORDINGS NEED TO BE EMAILED TO PETE (perickson@tlcmn.com) BY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18TH.
If you’d like to sign up here is the link to the “Family Nativity”. If you have trouble with the link, feel free to reach out to me and indicate which role you’d like to fill. We are looking forward to the many gifts that will be shared by you! If you have questions about any of this, please reach out to me: perickson@tlcmn.com
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It’s the second week of Advent – we will be lighting the 2nd candle of the Advent Wreath, singing some great songs, and hearing a meaningful story. We look forward to seeing you at TLC “Songs & Stories” on Sunday at 9:30am. Here is the Zoom link to join the fun.
Meeting ID: 832 1747 0428
Passcode: 696867
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Conversation on the 50th Anniversary of
the Ordination of Women
Sunday, December 13, 2020 - 11:00am CST
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In 2020, the ELCA is celebrating the 50th anniversary of U.S. Lutheran churches' decision to ordain women, and continuing to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the ordination of the first women of color and the 10th anniversary of the ELCA's decision to officially ordain people in same-gender committed relationships.
Throughout Advent, we will welcome a number of women’s voices into the TLC pulpit both on Sundays and Wednesdays. On Sunday, December 13 at 11:00am following the online worship service, we will join together on Zoom to hear from a number of women, including a number of our guest preachers, on how the ELCA decision has impacted their lives and calling. A panel discussion will be followed by time for Q&A. Please join us.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 898 5493 2716
Passcode: 771341
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Matching Grant from TLC Households |
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As part of our farewell and blessing to Pastor Ed in his new ministry, two TLC households have combined to offer a $5,000 matching grant to The Center of Addiction and Faith as start-up funds. The invitation and challenge to TLC members is to match that $5,000 by year end. Gifts can be made out to TLC and designated to Addiction and Faith. If we succeed in matching the funds, the total gift will be $10,000 (or $1,000 for each of Pastor Ed’s 10 years of ministry at TLC). |
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During Advent, TLC will partner with:
1. VEAP - The double center entry doors on the west side of TLC will be open from 10:00am to 3:00pm, Monday through Thursday, the weeks December 7 and December 14. Please bring your items and place them in the bins just inside the doors. Monetary gifts can also be received. At VEAP, support means so much more than a bag of groceries or a rent check. It means HOPE. Watch for more information.
You can send a donation by clicking on their respective link, by check to the above organizations or to TLC with the organization listed on the check.
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TLC invites you to come together as we wait and anticipate during this Advent season – looking to Jesus, born into the world to bring light and love to all creation – the pioneer and perfector of our faith. This season we will focus on three community priorities: |
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Worship: On Sundays online during Advent, we will light candles and sing hymns and songs of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love as we welcome "Emmanuel - God with Us." Wednesdays at 6:30pm, we will gather online for Holden Evening Prayer, with leadership provided by young people at TLC.
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Faith Practices: Living our faith in the world is the very essence of our baptismal promise. In Advent, TLC will provide families with opportunities to grow faith practices at home, engage in rituals during worship, and connect with each other in community. Families with young children are invited to gather Sunday mornings at 9:30 (via Zoom) for a time of stories, songs and learning about Advent and its practices. Look for the weekly email with easy ideas to make living out our faith more tangible during this season of hope and expectation.
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Show love to our Neighbor: This pandemic has placed an undue burden on those who are already food and clothing insecure, struggling with housing, and looking to local outreach for help. Our mission partners are desperate for churches like TLC to join their effort to fill food shelves and serve those in need. In Advent, TLC will partner with VEAP, Meals on Wheels, Feed My Starving Children, World Hunger. See Mission of the Month for more information.
Look for more Advent dates and specifics in the bulletin, the TLC Weekly, and on TLC social media.
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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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The holiday season can be stressful under the best of circumstances and this year is more challenging than ever. More families are experiencing hunger and the threat of homelessness. VEAP has been providing healthy food and critical resources to our neighbors for almost 50 years.
At VEAP, support means so much more than a bag of groceries or a rent check. It means Hope.
With so many out of work and the uncertain economy, families are going hungry and at risk of losing their homes. Please continue to help with donating some of these most needed items or monetary donations as TLC has faithfully done for all of these past 50 years.
The double center entry doors on the west side of TLC will be open from 10:00am to 3:00pm, Monday through Thursday, the weeks December 7 and December 14. Please bring your items and place them in the bins just inside the doors. Monetary gifts can also be received.
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FREE COVID TESTING SITE IN BLOOMINGTON |
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In order to expand access to free, "no barrier" COVID-19 testing, the Minnesota Department of Health has opened a new saliva testing site in Bloomington.
The Bloomington location is Ridgeview Elementary School, 9400 Nesbitt Avenue South (see map below). Pre-registration is advised to avoid long lines and wait times.
[Click Here] to pre-register. People who walk in without an appointment might have to come back later or on another day.
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COVID Testing at Ridgeview Elementary School |
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Health authorities have made the COVID-19 vaccine front and center in media outlets. There is some positive news regarding this topic. If you would like to know 8 things about the vaccine planning, please [Click Here]. |
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Minnesota Seniors is a FREE resource service for seniors as well as family caregivers who have questions and need answers:
Visit the website, MinnesotaSeniors.com, and find a comprehensive Business Directory, Senior Housing Directory, Aging In Place and Health Care Directories, plus Community Events, Getaways, Book Picks, Senior News, Employment, Volunteer Opportunities and so much more. Find most everything you need and even things you don't need.
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The National Lutheran Choir Christmas Festival comes to audiences FREE in a virtual, multi-media format on December 11. The Incarnation: For the Healing of the World brings music from around the globe announcing the birth of Christ with messages of peace and joy that nothing – not even a pandemic – can take away.
Friday, December 11, 2020 – 8pm (CST) @ NLCA.com
This online presentation is FREE for all. For a Virtual Subscription to exclusive content ($10/month), visit NLCA.com
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Now through December 30
FREE Meals for ALL of the
Bloomington Community
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We're now offering grab and go meals for adults in our community through Dec. 30, thanks to a grant! All adults are welcome, whether or not they have school-age children. Meals can be picked up from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Monday - Friday at Kennedy High School, Door 5.
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A great gift Pastor Grace shared with TLC was her “Hope for the Day” devotional. I for one found it very enlightening and healing during this Pandemic. I found myself looking forward to receiving and reading it daily. I so enjoyed the different writings penned by different TLC family members!
I have been asked by Pastor Arthur to keep a form of this devotional going. We have agreed to make it a weekly [e-mailed] publication called “Hope for the Week”. If you would be willing to share an inspired devotional(s) going forward with your TLC family, please contact me at weeyin57@aol.com. I’d love to hear from you! Blessings,
Norma R. Macdonald-Ockwig
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Hello fellow TLC members! Allow me to introduce “Pathways to Justice,” a new weekly short article e-mailed every Thursday morning. Pastor Arthur has asked me to take the lead with members from the Racial Justice and RIC teams assisting with writing. We will tackle and explore -in small chunks- ideas that may be new to some of us. In doing so, we will be allowed opportunities to ask ourselves and each other how we really actively can, as Micah 6:8 states, “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.” Please feel free to let me know if there are any topics that you would like addressed and please do consider contributing your own thoughts on what it means to be on a Pathway to Justice. I look forward to hearing from you!
Shelley Smith
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The Church office is staffed with Marilyn Erickson and Michelle Reber available Monday through Thursday, 9:00am - 4:00pm. You need to call ahead for an appointment, wear masks, use hand sanitizer (available at the entrance to the office) and practice social distancing during your visit.
Please call: (952) 884-2364
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Committees - Ministries - Small Groups
WRITE YOUR OWN ARTICLE
FOR THE TLC WEEKLY
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Thanks to the Faith, Fact and Fiction Book Club, the K3P3 group, Stephen Ministry, Welcome Diversity Team, Global Health Ministry, Coffee and Conversation, and the Nutty Knotters (TLC Quilters) for submitting photos and stories to the TLC Weekly.
Other committees, groups and ministries, 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 story and some photos to tlcmedia@tlcmn.com and we will share your news in the TLC Weekly. Be sure to provide names of people in your photos.
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Do you ever need an extra prayer for yourself, a loved one, a world situation or a dear friend? TLC has a prayer team that is waiting to pray with and for you. Your prayer needs are sent on to the Prayer Team and kept confidential – just between you, the pray-ers, and God. If you have a prayer request, or if you would like to join the prayer team, please contact Marilyn Erickson at merickson@tlcmn.com or on the TLC website here.
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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 24 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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ONLINE GIVING HELPS SUPPORT TLC
It’s important to know that we can depend on financial support from TLC members. Online 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 top 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!
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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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A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
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A Culture of Diversity and Inclusion |
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