The road you walk - Dec 16 thru Dec 22

TLC E-Transmissions - Sunday, December 16 thru Saturday, December 22

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

THIS SUNDAY - December 16

8:15 & 9:30am Traditional Worship

11:00am: CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Note: The Children's Program Live-Stream is private

and requires a password for on-demand access.

Third Sunday in Advent

Altar flowers this Sunday are given by Jill and Dave Collins,

in memory of Jill's dad, Bill Ericson.

Senior Pastor Ed Treat

Where is the Joy?

It’s ironic that we celebrate the most joyful event of the year in the middle of winter, the darkest, coldest, deadest time of the year.

This third week of Advent highlights the spirit of joy that Christ brings into the world and yet it’s hard to know joy in the midst darkness and death. Trauma, tragedy and suffering are all around us. Isn’t this a time of year when sorrows are actually magnified? Where is this joy?

Joy, as I have stated in sermons, is not necessarily “happiness” but rather comes from knowing in your heart the road you are currently called to walk…even when it hurts…is where God has called you. Joy comes not from particular circumstances but from an abiding faith and trust in God no matter what.

Mary knew joy at the birth of Jesus--a poor woman, far from home, weary from a long trip, with no place to give birth to her first child. It was a cold, dark night in a stinky barn. There was the terrible pain of childbirth and not much in the way of physical comfort. Not even clean blankets or fresh water. Her joy came from trusting what God was doing with her, not from how life was treating her. Joy is found in trusting God.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. --Romans 15 :13

WHAT'S THAT NOISE?

Clack, Thwack, Crack.

Have you ever checked out the lower level of TLC?

Step down the wide staircase on the east end of the building (or take the elevator on the west end). As you get close to the lower floor you can hear the characteristic clack of breaking billiard balls, a ping pong ball thwacked by a paddle, then bouncing on a hard tabletop, or the loud, distinctive crack of a plastic disc being hammered across a blanket of air. How about one or more voices singing along with the accompaniment of drums and a piano?

Sometimes you might hear nothing but soft voices.

The sign outside the door says, "Youth Room," and if you peek inside it quickly becomes obvious that this isn't like any other room found at TLC. Here TLC youth and their friends can hang out, decompress and let go of daily pressures and stress. A safe atmosphere of activities that include ping-pong, pool tables, air hockey, foosball, video games, a band stage... well, if you're a "youth" then just walk in and see what you can do. Or choose to do nothing and relax.

However, it's not always about the games. The overall look, the wall murals and graffiti, the layout of cozy furnishings and accents were created or inspired by recent generations of TLC youth. The room helps define them, embracing their unique contributions and existence in the world. The look, feel and function of the youth room supports an environment of grace and hospitality -- a place to explore faith with friends.

Ben Cherland, TLC's Youth and Family Minister and a key contributor in the design explains, "It's a great place for some of the older kids to hangout on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. But anytime they want, they can come find me and I'll open it up."

Cherland was pleased to report that the “Wish List” on the youth page of TLC’s website still needs fulfillment, but was answered in the past month with a donation of several strings of white Christmas lights, ping-pong nets and paddles and, Cherland said, “a fancy pool table; really beautiful, with brand new felt,” gratefully adding, “A big thank you to TLC members, Lee and Nicole Larson for their contribution of the pool table.

Finally, if you come down the stairs and hear nothing at all, it may be the TLC youth and friends involved in thought about this passage from 1 Timothy 4:12, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."

Noisy or quiet, it's a place for youth to decompress.

An atmosphere created by TLC Youth

" 11 ball in the corner pocket," says Emma

Youth Leader Karen Wenge and Kayla in Air Hockey.

Background: Megan and Youth Leader, Molly Schuh play ping-pong.

Megan, Kayla and Emma. The next "Spice Girls"?

DECEMBER SCHEDULE OF TLC SERVICES

You Are Invited

This Wednesday, December 20, 5:00pm

Welcome back, Irene!

You are invited to visit with Irene Amon who will join us this Wednesday, December 19 at the evening meal. Serving will begin at 5:00pm. Irene will also be preaching that evening at 6:15pm.

There will be a second opportunity to visit with Irene on Sunday, December 23 at 9:30 over a cup of coffee and Christmas goodies.

Irene is from Ghana and studied at Luther Seminary for two years, during which time she attended worship at TLC and took part in many of the educational activities plus she did some preaching. She is now attending Fuller Theological Seminary working toward a PHD in Missiology (the study of religious missions and their methods and purposes).

Thanks to many friends of Irene, TLC was able to give support to Irene the past two years. She has also received support from Hill Avenue Grace Lutheran Church in Pasadena, CA. These gifts cover her living expenses with scholarships going toward the college tuition expenses.

Please sign up on the yellow Life@TLC Sunday bulletin insert if you are able to join us for dinner on December 19 at 5:00pm.

Service of Remembrance and Healing

This Thursday

December 20, 7:00pm.

Be it recently or in the distant past, the holiday season can be a difficult time for us if we are grieving the loss of someone, something that we treasured, changes in life, healing from illness or loss of a job.

Each Christmas season, we have the opportunity to gather for a service that invites us into the healing presence of God.

This service includes prayer, song, and a time of sacred remembrance.

Please invite family and friends.

ILLUSTRATING ADVENT

Week 3

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]

PUPPY CHOW

By Beverly Nolte

1 cup peanut butter

1 pkg. (12 oz.) chocolate chips

1 stick margarine

1 box *Kellogg's Crispix cereal

3 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups salted peanuts

Paper grocery bag or large plastic container

Melt peanut butter, chocolate chips and margarine. Stir in vanilla. Add cereal to melted ingredients, stir to completely coat cereal. Put mixture and peanuts into paper bag or plastic container. Add powdered sugar and shake contents gently to completely coat cereal. Store in containers or Ziploc bags at room temperature.

*Corn, Rice or Wheat Chex cereal may be used in place of Crispix.

[Click Here] for pdf of December 2018 Board Meeting Minutes.

[Click Here] for pdf of November 2018 Church Council Meeting Minutes .

[Click Here] for pdf November 2018 Church Council Financial Report

[Click Here] to complete TLC's online Giving is Growing Pledge Card.

It's not too late.

If you are able, we ask you to prayerfully consider letting the church know what you think you might be able to give in the coming year. This helps us plan our work and budget for the coming year.

TLC FELLOWSHIP HALL @ 7:00PM

THIS WEDNESDAY!!!

Confirmands, Peer Ministers and post HS grads are all welcome so don’t miss it!

Summer is Coming! REALLY?!

Let’s get CAMPING! Keep your eyes and ears open early in the new year for information regarding summer camp registration and canoe-trip planning. We’re offering summer adventures with Wilderness Canoe Base, Wapo Lutheran Bible Camp and TLC-BWCA guides. These three types of experiences promise to be life changing and we look forward to sharing them with you. SO look for more details here in January!

NEW FEATURE ON TLC'S WEBSITE

Access recent back issues of the online newsletter E-Transmissions.

Yes, what you're looking at right now is E-Transmissions.

[Click Here] to jump to the webpage.

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.

STILL NEEDED!

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.

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 19

TOPIC: Let Love Find Me

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.