TLC Weekly | Sep 8 thru Sep 15

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

Rally Day Sunday

September 8, 2019

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8:30am & 10:00am Worship at TLC

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Nursery available at both services.

Parent/children's Pray-Ground available in the Sanctuary

Hospitality from 9-11:00am in Fellowship Hall

Click on the above to view or download the service bulletin for Sunday, September 8, 2019.

Click on the live-stream logo below at the time of the service to watch it on your media device.

Altar flowers this Sunday are given by Judy and Elroy Verplank

in honor of their granddaughter, Ingrid Verplank's baptism,

and granddaughter, Lily's birthday.

The Cost of Discipleship

Ed Treat, Co-Pastor

In the Gospel lesson this week, Jesus challenges us to consider the cost of following him. Just like you wouldn’t build a house before you knew you had the money to finish, you should estimate the cost before following him. You don’t want to start something you can’t finish. So think about it carefully before deciding to be a Christian.

Jesus gives us some examples of what that cost is:

You must hate your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, even life itself.
You must take up your cross—you know the device by which you will be tortured and painfully and slowly killed. And,
You must give up all your possessions.

Sounds pretty expensive, doesn’t it? Can anyone really do this? Come Sunday--Rally Sunday--and learn how!

Music at TLC

Rob Reid

Director of Music

A new year of music-making is here

and we need YOU!

The Chancel Choir got off to a rousing start at their first rehearsal on Wednesday night. They will sing for both services on Rally Sunday, September 8. This is a group that works hard, has fun, and gives back.

This year we are taking on a Big Venture in singing John Rutter’s “Requiem” for All Saints Sunday, November 3, in memory of one of our departed singers, John Hilleren, and to honor all of our TLC loved ones who have passed away in this past year.

These four singers celebrated their Summer Birthdays with a great rendition of Happy Birthday by the Chancel Choir AND delicious cookies for dessert after rehearsal!

L-R: Scott Knuth, Rob Reid, Kevin Erickson, Shelley Smith

Please come and share your gift of music with us! Singing helps connect us to our church community and to God. Plus, it's been shown to be a great stress reliever! Even if it's been years since you've sung, you'll be amazed how quickly you'll be able to jump right back into it! We practice Wednesdays from 7:00-8:15pm in the Music Room. Email Director of Music Rob Reid for more information: rreid@tlcmn.com

Also, for those of you on the fence about joining a musical group, come to our Kick Off Party on Sunday, September 15 starting at noon. The TLC Music Staff (Rob Reid, Karen Daniels, Carmen Englert, Mary George and Phetsamone Ekholm) is hosting this All Music Group Picnic at the home of Carmen and Justin Englert.

It will be a great time to meet people from many of our Groups: Chancel Choir, Praise and Worship Team, TLC Handbells, Brass Choir, Woodwinds, Youth Bells and Oasis Music Team. Please come! Email Rob for more information rreid@tlcmn.com

And speaking about "giving back," that kick-off on September 15 is helping raise money and gather donations for Oasis for Youth in Bloomington. Anyone can donate money and/or items that are on the organizations wish list. Your donation helps provide a pathway for all youth at risk of homelessness to believe in bright futures filled with hope, stability, and self-fulfillment. [Click Here] for the link to help and to RSVP to the kick-off. See you there!

This Sunday, 10:00am Service

Child of God

Ingrid Eline Verplank

Born May 8, 2019

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Parents

Clare & Kristoffer Verplank

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Sponsors

Jim and Melanie O'Brien

Another new opportunity to give to missions is the beginning of the “Noisy Offering” . This is a second offering in our 10:00am service where the money given goes directly to our mission of the month. Our TLC children, grades K-6, will carry small metal offering pails throughout the congregation and receive our loose coins and currency. As we drop our coins in the bucket (with a bit of gusto), we all want to hear a clanging noise! That's why it's called the “Noisy Offering.” Yes, we are making a joyful noise unto the Lord! (Psalm 66:1). This Sunday’s offering goes to our Mission of the Month: Lutheran Social Services.

Grace Pardun Alworth

Please welcome TLC's new intern, Grace Pardun Alworth, who will be the worship liturgist at both services this Sunday and assisting in the baptism at the 10:00am service.

Erin Pommeranz

Erin Pommeranz will be installed as TLC's Community Health Minister at both worship services this Sunday.

Her primary roles include visiting those who are home bound or experiencing a health crisis. Erin is also a Stephen Leader for the Stephen Ministry program where they provide one-on-one care to those experiencing grief, divorce, or a new health diagnosis. In addition to this new role, she is a hospice nurse and has experience working in long-term care, rehab units, and pediatric home care.

-TAKING FAITH HOME-

Week of September 8, 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.

TLC Blood Drive

Monday, September 16, 3:00-6:30pm

In the TLC West Parking Lot.

Sign-up in the LIFE AT TLC bulletin insert.

All blood types are needed, especially TYPE-O!

Those Waning Days of Summer

There are some mysterious goings on in the bird world about now. One in particular has had me frustrated for years. We have a couple of Mountain Ash trees which are so full of berries right now, and maybe you have at least one by your house. Cedar Waxwings are well-known for their devouring of the bright orange berries----even to the point of passing berries on to their friends if they become too full. Such a pretty bird, kind of “understated elegance.”

So, I look out from our bedroom, and see the heavy bunches hanging there, just waiting for these birds. Why is it I always miss the attack on the berries? One day they are all there...then they have completely disappeared within hours...night? Morning? I don't even know that. Traces on the ground of dropped berries, but not many.

These Waxwings even use the berries in a courtship dance, so it would be fun to see at least part of the feast happening. They actually nest later than other birds just to be able to eat ripe berries, but hopefully not fermented.

We have five Mourning Doves at our feeders yet. Must be a family, as they seem so content to perch all together and stay for hours. The only thing they seem leery of is when a Bluejay takes over the feeder, squawking a bit. Bluejays are beautiful, but I think they know it too! They always act like they are the favored ones, and tend to chase the more peaceful birds away.

Finally, after filling the hummingbird feeder quite often, if only to keep the syrup fresh,we are getting those tiny birds now. Yesterday I saw one actually sitting still, on top of the wrought iron feeder holder. They mostly keep moving, so it's a surprise when they pause, maybe to rest? We like to see if it's a male or female sucking up sugar water, and lately it's been mostly the females. The males go ahead when migrating, and their off-spring are last. They head for South or Central America after a brief and refreshing stay in Louisiana. The trip will last only 34 hours. How can these tiny birds manage to do this? When I think of the hurricane right now, and how tough it would be to fly at all in such a terrific wind, I wonder how these tiny birds make that long trip!

If even birds are tenderly watched over by their Maker, shouldn't we feel secure in our day to day journeys wherever they may be? But...please, use your head when you see a schoolbus, and stop as the law says you must. Your whole life would be changed for the worst if you hit a child!

-Bloomington Bird Lady

Why Do We Worship?

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US?

By Pastor Al Dungan

Last week we defined WORSHIP as a sense of reverence paid to a supernatural or divine being. It was further defined as an action that means literally to “kiss the ground” before a superior.

Why in the world would we do something that is so submissive? After all, haven’t we been told time after time that we are self-sufficient and can take care of ourselves with no outside help? It’s like the quote that we’ve often heard, “I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul”.

That’s one way of looking at it—and many people do just that; believing that they can chart their own course in life with no need to give homage to some spiritual being.

“Poppycock,” they say! “I can take care of myself and that’s that! There is no such thing as a divine being and I’m surely not going to waste my time submitting to such thinking.”

This kind of thinking is a closed system way of looking at life. It allows no room for the possibility of something beyond my limited ability to perceive how I, and all that is around me, past—present—and future came to be.

However, breaking into this closed system of self-sufficiency is the affirmation of St. Augustine, a bishop in the North African Church in the 400’s: “You have made us for yourself, O God; and our hearts are restless until they find rest in you”. Augustine would go on to affirm that only when we are spiritual are we fully human, grounded and deeply rooted in this world.

As we look at the world around us, do we ever wonder why there is such restlessness in the people with whom we come into contact on a daily basis?

Is it perhaps that they (and sometimes we) are restlessly seeking a Being in which we can put our hope and trust? Are we, as Augustine says, seeking the One who made us and who can give us the freedom from anxiety that we so much crave and desire? We try this. We try that and nothing satisfies. We go here. We go there. And still we don’t find the contentment that we seek.

Maybe, just maybe, if we become willing to look outside ourselves, we will find that which can and will fill the empty place that Augustine would call “the God place”.

NEXT TIME: an answer to WHY WE WORSHIP

"Lazy Turtle"

ELC Photographer: Nolan

Nolan, 10 years old, took this picture, "Lazy Turtle," at the Arboretum on a warm summer day. The ELC group went down to see the Green Pond and there, sitting in the midst of all the green, was this turtle on a log.

Worship service with communion every Wednesday evening at 6:30pm.

Note the new times:

5:30pm - Community Meal. This week's meal: Lasagna, garlic toast, fruit, coffee & water.

6:30pm - Worship with communion (30-min. services.)

BYO Picnic & Games

11:00am This Sunday, September 8,

North Lawn of TLC.

In case of rain, the activities will move to Fellowship Hall.

The Addiction and Faith Conference happens later this month and is now offering two new ways to attend. If you can’t attend the full conference you can now attend Friday night only, or Saturday only. Each day offers the value of internationally known speakers, an array of powerful workshops, great food, fellowship and worship. We are in the midst of the worst health crisis ever faced by this country. It is our Christian duty to understand it and respond.

For ticket information: www.addictionanffaithconference.com or email Pastor Ed at pastored@tlcmn.com

WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Volunteers are needed for communion, ushers, greeters, pew crew and hospitality. We especially need ushers and pew crew. Commitment is flexible and tailored to your requests.

Please contact Michelle, 952-884-2364, ext. 15 or email at mreber@tlcmn.com

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. If interested, please contact Marilyn Erickson at merickson@tlcmn.com .

In 1865, Swedish Lutheran Pastor Eric Norelius of Vasa Lutheran Church, near Red Wing, heard about four orphaned, immigrant children in need of care with no one to provide it. Pastor Norelius drove a wagon to St. Paul, brought them to his home and thus began something that has spread throughout every corner of Minnesota, known today as Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota.

LSS has an annual budget of more than $98 million, received from individuals, congregations across the state and funding by the State of Minnesota. A total of 25 different programs reach out in the name of Christ, to provide loving care and concern for people in all kinds of situations.

September 15, Margaret Yapp, Circle of Welcome Coordinator from the Refugee Services office of LSS will bring a temple talk to TLC both the 8:30am and 10:00am Sunday services regarding the programs of LSS..

Terry Bonertz is TLC’s Ambassador for LSS.

If you have a favorite tried and true recipe that you're willing to share, please forward it to Norma Macdonald-Ockwig at weeyin57@aol.com to be included in a future weekly "Quick Fixin's" article.

QUICK CHICKEN POT PIE

Serves 4

Submitted by TLC Member: Norma R. Macdonald-Ockwig

Preheat Oven to 350

Y ou'll Need:

1 (12 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, corn, peas)
2 tablespoons butter, divided
½ onion, chopped
½ cup sliced celery
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken broth
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 teaspoon seasoned salt, or to taste
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1 cup sour cream
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 sheet prepared pastry dough

Directions:

Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add frozen vegetable mix, cover, and steam until tender, 2 to 6 minutes.
Melt 1 tablespoon butter in skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion and celery in hot butter until soft and translucent, 5 to 10 minutes.
Melt remaining butter in a pot over medium-high heat. Whisk flour into butter to form a thick paste. Slowly add chicken broth to flour-butter mixture, whisking constantly, until mixture is hot and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
Stir chicken, steamed mixed vegetables, and onion-celery mixture into broth mixture; season with seasoned salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Remove from heat and let mixture cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
Fold sour cream and mozzarella cheese into chicken mixture; pour into a casserole dish.
Spread pastry dough over the top of the chicken mixture and pierce the dough several times with a fork.
Bake in the preheated oven until crust is browned and chicken mixture is bubbling, about 30 minutes.

Blessings!

(Please submit your quick , tried and true recipes to Norma Macdonald-Ockwig at weeyin57@aol.com to be included in an upcoming Quick Fixin's.)

Be in the Parade

Saturday, September 21

Bloomington Heritage Day Parade, Saturday, Sept. 21, 9:30am. Families of all ages welcome. Gather, Grow and Go with our team representing TLC/ELC in the parade. Get your waving perfected! Contact ELC’s Barb Wigstadt to join the parade.

TLC's

College Ministry Team

Cares!

TLC’s College Ministry team will be sending care packages to college students and military members this Fall to remind them that we continue to love and support them while they are away. If you know of a college student or military service-person who would appreciate receiving a small care package or periodic note, please provide their name and college/military address to Beth Rahn at brahnfamily@comcast.net or 952-393-9817, or look for a sign-up sheet in the Narthex. Deadline to sign-up is September 25.

Join us for lunch at Hazelwood Restaurant , 8150 26 ^th Ave S, Bloomington at 11:30am on Sept 11 . Meet at TLC by 11:15am to carpool from the church or meet us there.

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.

The Cost of Being a Disciple

Luke 14:25-33

1) Fill in the blanks: Now large crowds were traveling with [Jesus]; and he turned and said to them, "Whoever comes to me and does not _______ father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple." (NRSV)

love
remain faithful to
leave behind
hate

2) "Whoever does not _______ and follow me cannot be my disciple." (NRSV)

leave his sword behind
carry the cross
leave his hatred behind
vow his allegiance

3) "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has _______ and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'" (NRSV)

laid a foundation
laid the stones
started the roof
paid his last penny

4) "So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up _______." (NRSV)

your wife and children
your life of sin
the ways of the world
all your possessions.

Quiz answers can be found near the end/bottom of this newsletter.

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

A Back Issues of the TLC Weekly

[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

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!

ALTAR FLOWERS

ONLINE ORDERING

There are still spots available

in August through December.

See the chart online.

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.

Free Subscriptions, sign up to be a volunteer, request care ministry and more!

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.

ANSWERS FROM QUIZ EARLIER IN THIS ISSUE

Reference Luke 14:25-33

Answer #4: Hate

Luke 14:25-26. This is one of those difficult to understand passages. Was Jesus really saying we should hate our closest relatives and even ourselves? That could hardly be the case in light of what Jesus consistently said about loving everyone!

Jesus was fond of exaggerating a bit to make a point and this was probably one of those cases. The consensus is that He was saying, for anyone who would be his disciple, devotion even to family and self must take second place to devotion to Him. Love for family, though great, must seem like "hate" when compared to love for Christ.

2) "Whoever does not _______ and follow me cannot be my disciple." (NRSV)

Answer #2: carry the cross

Luke 14:27. The multitudes of people were following Jesus around and hoping to share in the wealth and power when he came into His kingdom. They did not understand that the kingdom Jesus talked about was a spiritual kingdom instead of an earthly kingdom. However, everyone understood that dying on the cross was the most painful and humiliating death possible. When Jesus told the people they must carry their own crosses, He was warning them they could face scorn, suffering and even death if they became his disciples.

Answer #1: laid a foundation

Luke 14:28-30. Jesus was telling the multitudes of his followers to carefully consider the cost of being His disciple before making any commitment.

4) "So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up _______." (NRSV)

Answer #4: all your possessions.

Luke 14:33. Jesus and His disciples traveled about from town to town carrying nothing, owning nothing. Eventually, His enemies would kill many of the disciples. To be one of Jesus' disciples could mean giving up all that is dear in the world -- money, reputation, comfort, even life itself.

There is nothing wrong with having the money and possessions we need, but lusting after excess money or other material things is a sin (Matthew 6:19-21, 6:24, 1 Timothy 6:9-11, 6:17-19). Those who are blessed with more than the necessities of life have a strong obligation to share generously with those in need (Isaiah 58:10-11, Matthew 25:31-46, 1 John 3:17).