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

Third Sunday in Lent Sunday Worship Times 8:15, 9:30 & 11:00am

Altar flowers this Sunday are given by John & Stephanie Rosenow in honor of grandson Mason's first birthday!

Pastor Ed In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talks about many of the essentials of faith, including two important ones to consider: prayer and fasting. He tells us how we can do these wrong and how we can do them right.   The wrong way to pray, Jesus says, is to be sure others see and hear you praying and putting on a show. The wrong way to put a prayer together, he says, is to think that a prayer’s value is in its length, or in its use of key phrases repeated over and over again, or in its ability to impress those around you.   The right way to pray in your personal walk with Jesus is to find a room, a private room. Go into a private space, and there speak with your Father in heaven. You won’t get any applause for your prayer, but your relationship with your heavenly Father will grow exponentially just as any relationship flourishes with deep and rich conversation.   The same thing with the practice of fasting. The wrong way to fast is to put on a miserable face in public to show how difficult our fast is and how pious we are. The right way to fast, just like the right way to pray, is to do so privately. When we fast for the right reasons, to deepen our connection to God, we can expect great rewards. We can be set free a little more from our dependence on the material, and deepen our connection to the spiritual. Those rewards are rooted deep in our relationship with our heavenly Father.   As we search for ways to live this precious life we have, we want to get it right. Due to that, let us always turn first to Jesus, the master, to teach us how. Let us listen to his instruction first, always. And when we don’t – and too often we don’t – we know he is patient and willing to start once again with us. That is the grace he offers. We don’t have to be perfect.   Lord, as we journey with you this Lent, teach us to pray and fast so that it does the good in us that that you want us to know. Teach us to pray and fast in such a way that we come to know you more fully and follow your way more closely.  Amen

A Sneak Peek at TLC for Easter Turn up your volume and watch this excerpt of last year's Hallelujah Chorus featuring the Holtkamp Pipe Organ, Grand Piano, TLC Brass & Timpani, Chancel Choir and Bell Choir along with volunteer members of the congregation joining the choir. [Click Here] to play the clip.

Adventure - Culture - History A 20 Day Journey Through Vietnam presented by Mary Kelly {Video Now Available On-Demand}

Journey to Vietnam, hosted by TLC's Guys for God & Women in Ministry, included dinner in Fellowship Hall and Mary Kelly's Presentation live-streamed from the Sanctuary.

Mary Kelly. Many have seen and heard her performing with the TLC Bell Choir. Recently, though, with some time off from the bells, Mary and husband, Dan, plus some close friends, went on a long-distance exotic adventure in January and February journeying through the land of Vietnam. They came to embrace the culture and people, from Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, and Hoi An, to Nha Trang, Dalat, and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon, South Vietnam). Exploring Vietnam today, especially between January and February, was overly colorful and festive, mostly because it was during Tet, the Vietnamese New Year. Overwhelming splashes of color in flowers and clothing, exceptional and unique cuisine (be careful!), herds of water buffalo roaming freely, small shops filled with everyday supplies and tourist attractions, unparalleled mountain views, ancient temples and more make this travelogue a “forever memory.”

Mary explains Vietnamese humor in signage for the restrooms, aka, Water Closet.

The narrative and visuals of Mary’s Journey to Vietnam is an expedition that can be appreciated over and over, thanks to TLC’s Guys for God & Women in Ministry hosting Mary and her delightful slide show presentation in the TLC Sanctuary this past Tuesday. The program was live-streamed and is now highly recommended for viewing on-demand. It’s a show that captivates your interest almost immediately (there was a brief malfunction in the slide show at the beginning).  “I was glad to see so many smiling faces,” said Mary, referring to the TLC audience that evening. “Sharing experiences with friends is fun. I hope folks enjoyed it.”

Travel companions had an opportunity to make their own rice paper, with mixed results.

Mary’s story-telling skills and pace, along with the beautiful photography definitely holds your attention. Then mix-in a question and answer session at the end, along with Dave Dickson’s offbeat approach to handing out prizes to the audience, and you’ve got 80 minutes of good entertainment. Asked if she would do it again, Mary replied, “We love to travel – to anyplace and at anytime. Seeing and experiencing new places broadens the way I look at the world and the people in it.”   She concluded with, “God must really love us to have created this amazing world!”

Mary introduces their Vietnamese tour guide, Vince, and talks about Tet, the Vietnamese New Year.

On the left is a unique edible - a very expensive delicacy in Asian culture. Watch the video of Mary's program and discover it's exotic ingredients.

[Click Here] to see Mary Kelly and her Journey to Vietnam presentation. Or visit the TLC website “live” page tlcmn.com/live and look for the On Demand icon to view her program at a later date.

Going from the “light of Epiphany” into the darkness of the Lenten Season Pastor Arthur's sermon this past Sunday conveyed that while spring is gradually coming and we get accustomed to Daylight Saving Time, the Church's time of darkness and introspection is here....Lent! Somehow the ever-lengthening days that are a real blessing, don't feel related to how Lent affects us personally. We face a challenge: Be optimistic but at the same time get ready to walk to the cross on Good Friday and hang our list of sins on one of the nails. God's grace is free to all! That extra hour of daylight may be with us longer than we realize. The Legislature could be getting ready to vote on staying permanently on DST. Hmmm....Would we like that? I know that mornings on Daylight Saving Time seem very dark. I used to have some piano pupils who came before school started, and so in the darkest time of winter, the doorbell would ring about 7:45 in the morning, and a sleepy and probably unprepared pupil would usually say,”I forgot my theory book at home” or some other familiar phrase. I do not remember why we were still on DST all winter...Does anyone know? As spring unfolds, and Lent continues, are you ready for this challenge? There is so much that is negative in the world right now. Mosques being attacked, and praying worshipers killed....Horrible weather patterns with tornadoes and much destruction....Do we need to pay closer attention to global warming? Stop Enbridge in its tracks for making more fossil fuel available quicker? I wonder what will happen as we blissfully continue on our present path. Let's keep a positive attitude. Too much negativity can be like gossip...it drags a person down both mentally and physically. My mom, a church organist and piano teacher for nearly 40 years, had a good saying that she'd write in people's autograph books: “Make happiness your habit, 'tis always worth your while to wear a smiling face and not a frown. For the eye that makes a habit of always looking up, will never find a cause for looking down.” -Bloomington Bird Lady

Sunday, March 31 Noon to 2:00pm TLC Sanctuary

The Pastoral Leadership Team and the TLC Church Council sincerely request your attendance on Sunday, March 31 from 12:00-2:00pm in the Sanctuary. A presentation will provide details on the Co-Pastor Proposal that was first presented at the Annual Meeting on January 27, 2019. The presentation will be live-streamed.  Childcare will be provided. Also, light refreshments provided by the church council beginning at 11:30am. A note from your pastors: Please make every effort to attend this important meeting in the life of our church. If for some reason you cannot, please plan to watch the live-stream at www.tlcmn.com/live . It will also be archived for later viewing. A copy of the updated co-pastor proposal will be sent by email this coming week. Hard copies of the proposal will be available in the church office on Friday, March 29. Please come ready to participate and share your perspective. There will be a time for Q&A and comments following the presentation. Please keep your elected leaders (Church Council) and this project task force (Pastoral Leadership Team) in your prayers. They are doing some really challenging work right now with many folks working many volunteer hours to prepare for this meeting. All of them care deeply about the life and vitality (past, present and future) of this congregation. They need your prayers and support. In all hope and faith, Pastor Ed and Pastor Arthur

Deja Vu All Over Again

[CLICK HERE] to visit the TLC web page where you can choose to read from the past six 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.

Saturday, March 30 at TLC Ordination of Laural (Midthun) Meester

Laurel Meester (formerly Laurel Midthun) will be ordained at Transfiguration Lutheran Church on March 30, 2019 at 10:00am. Everyone is invited! A note from Laurel: By the grace of God I have completed Seminary, Candidacy and received a call to serve in Dows, Iowa. I would not have been able to do so without the support of TLC! I would like to extend an invitation to all of you to attend my ordination and the luncheon afterwards! Thank you for all of your support, guidance and love! -Laurel Meester

Laurel Meester's Ordination Service will be live-streamed starting shortly before 10:00am Saturday, March 30. Visit tlcmn.com/live and click on the Live icon to watch.

Mark your calendars for your pre-purchased spring flowers to arrive at TLC-ELC on May 16th. This year we are partnering with Pahl’s Market located in Apple Valley. [Click Here] to visit Pahl's website. We have researched many garden centers in the metro, and have chosen Pahl’s because of their quality, variety, and service. An added plus is that many of the children at the ELC have attended field trips to Pahl’s in the past!   Order forms will be distributed this week (week of March 24). Working with a different nursery necessitates changes, some things you may note are:   • Some plants have more variety or different color choices • There are some new plants (including perennials) • Prices will increase for certain items • Sizes of many of the plants are larger • Quantities will be different (we can no longer order half flats but we can order annuals in single packs) • We can buy Pahl’s gift certificates (not for purchasing the flowers, but for future purchases)   We will have staff available at the beginning of our sale to help explain the changes, so you will be able to pass on this information to your family and friends. We hope you will understand we are doing our best to have this fundraiser match the success we have had in the past. We appreciate your support in this, our longest lasting, most successful fundraiser.  Order forms will be available in the Narthex: Sunday, March 24 Sunday, March 30 Sunday, April 7 Wednesday, March 27 Wednesday, April 3 Wednesday, April 10 Deadline to turn in order forms: Friday, April 12 Flower delivery day: Thursday, May 16

TOMORROW!

You are invited to a performance by the Luther College Concert Band on Saturday, March 23, 7:00 p.m., at Advent Lutheran Church, 9475 Jefferson Highway, Maple Grove. If you have never heard a top-notch concert band, these 57 talented student musicians will uplift and inspire you. The concert is open to the public; a freewill offering will be taken.

PERFECT BROWN STEW By Nancy Shemanek

1 lb. stew meat, carefully browned 1 quart hot water (add to meat; then add): 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1 clove garlic 1 small onion, sliced 2 bay leaves 2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp paprika 1/4 tsp pepper Dash of allspice 1 tsp lemon juice Let ingredients simmer 2 or more hours. Add vegetables (vegetables you like best) and simmer until done.

ORDERING EASTER ALTAR FLOWERS

Help celebrate the joy of Easter Sunday by adding a plant to our Easter Garden. Plants are provided by Bachman’s. Order forms are in the Narthex. Flowers may be taken home following the 11:00am Easter Sunday service. Thank you!

For adults, youth and children. Test your knowledge of the Bible in each issue of TLC Weekly. Answers can be found on the last section of this issue.

New Testament  1) "And Jesus increased in wisdom and __________, and in favour with God and man." (Luke 2:52) popularity speed stature knowledge 2) "Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the __________ days." (Matthew 12:12) Sabbath worst of Passover cold 3) Why couldn't Zacchæus see Jesus? (Luke 19:3) Jesus was too far away Zacchæus hurt his leg and could not stand Zacchæus was too short to see past the crowd Zacchæus was blind from birth 4) What parable did Jesus give after speaking with Zacchæus? (Luke 19:12) The parable of the ten virgins The parable of the good samaritan The parable of the pounds The parable of the prodigal son Answers in the last/bottom section of this issue.

COMING SOON! Vacation Bible School will be here before you know it.

Detailed information brochures with registration forms now available in the church Narthex. Online registration arriving soon on TLC's website.

WEDNESDAYS IN LENT March 20, 27; April 3 & 10. Noon – Lenten Worship and Communion 6:15pm – Holden Evening Prayer and Communion ~ ~ ~ Sunday, March 31 - Lenten Hymn Festival 8:15 & 9:30am - TLC Woodwinds and Chancel Choir 11:00am - Praise and Worship Team HOLY WEEK Sunday, April 14 - Palm Sunday 8:15 & 9:30am - Chancel Choir 11:00am - Praise and Worship Team Maundy Thursday, April 18 Noon - Worship and Communion 7:00pm - Chancel Choir and TLC Handbells Good Friday, April 19 10:00am - Children's Worship and Activities 7:00pm - Tenebrae Service led by the Chancel Choir and Low Brass Choir EASTER Easter Sunday, April 21 Celebration and Worship Services at 8:15, 9:30 and 11:00am Featuring the Chancel Choir, TLC Brass Choir and TLC Handbells ~ ~ ~ LENTEN EXTRAS 10:45am on Wednesdays in Lent – Sermon on the Mount study (immediately before the noon worship) Fellowship Luncheons during Lent – after the Wednesday noon worship, join at least one of the TLC staff as we eat together at the following locations: AFTER THE NOON WORSHIP SERVICES March 20 – Willy McCoy’s March 27 – Zeke’s Place April 3 – Baker’s Square April 10 – North Star Tavern

ALTAR FLOWERS ONLINE ORDERING 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.

Mission of the Month

LAST CALL! On Sunday the TLC Confirmation kids will be collecting donations from the neighborhood for VEAP's participation in March-Minnesota Food Share month. On Thursday, March 28, a group of TLC volunteers are headed to VEAP to: DONATE & DO! We hope to be able to deliver large quantities of donations on that day when we will work at VEAP in the food pantry, sorting foods and stocking the shelves. Please help donate food, diapers, toilet paper, personal care items and/or a financial donation before March 28. It's SO EASY to do but means so much to so many in our own community.

INTER-GENERATIONAL MISSION TRIP 2019 Liberia, West Africa

Liberia Trip Info Sessions: Curious to know more about the Winter 2019 trip to Liberia, West Africa? Come to one of the following info sessions: Tuesday, March 26, 5:30. Sunday, March 31, 10:30. Sunday, April 7, 10:30. All downstairs in the Adult Education Room. Trip leaves Dec 26, 2019. Students will return in time for school. Adults have the option to stay a few more days. Highlights will include a visit to our ministry partner, Philip Nushann and the Center for Changing Lives – Liberia. Youth will participate in the Liberian Lutheran National Youth Gathering. Open to current 7th graders through adults. Contact Ben, Bcherland@tlcmn.com or Pastor Arthur, amurray@tlcmn.com.

Will resume after Easter

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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.

ANSWERS FROM QUIZ EARLIER IN THIS ISSUE  1) "And Jesus increased in wisdom and __________, and in favour with God and man." (Luke 2:52) Answer #3: stature 2) "Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the __________ days." (Matthew 12:12) Answer #1: Sabbath 3) Why couldn't Zacchæus see Jesus? (Luke 19:3) Answer #3: Zacchæus was too short to see past the crowd 4) What parable did Jesus give after speaking with Zacchæus? (Luke 19:12) Answer #4: The parable of the pounds

MARCH - APRIL 2019 TRANSCRIPTS Now available online. [Click Here] to view.

~~LINKS~~

Subscriptions Online Giving Altar Flowers

Visit TLC's website at www.TLCMN.com Comments and questions: TLCMedia@tlcmn.com