, here's your TLC Weekly for Nov 24-Nov 30

Gathering in Grace • Growing in Faith • Going Forth to Serve

November 24, 2019

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

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.

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

Sunday School Information

Early Learning Center Information

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.

Contact Staff

Contact Church Council

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Watching Our Live-Stream with Communion
Sponsor Text Devotionals for TLC College Students
Bird Lady and the Removable Altar
TLC Treasurer Report
Thanksgiving Eve Worship and Caroling
$3,000 Raised at TLC Talent Show
Pastor Al and the Church Year
The Original Thanksgiving
Volunteers?
Wanted: Church Leadership
Winner of the Quilt
Book your Parent's Night Out Now
December Toys for Liberia
Go Fund Me -- At-Risk Youth in Liberia
Green Presentation on Sunday, November 24
Taking Faith Home for November 24
Family Night at TLC
ELC Photographer Pic of the Week
Quick Fixin's
VEAP for the Holidays
Cold and Flu Season
Back Issues of the TLC Weekly
Altar Flowers Online Ordering for 2020
Signup Online for Everything!

Sunday's Gospel ~ Luke 23:33-43

NRSV

³³ When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. ³⁴ Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. ³⁵ And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” ³⁶ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, ³⁷ and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” ³⁸ There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

³⁹ One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” ⁴⁰ But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹ And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” ⁴³ He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Live Stream

with

Communion

Residents of The Waters Senior Living Community watch TLC's live stream Sunday mornings.

TLC services are being streamed online and shown in senior living communities like The Waters in Plymouth , MN, where a group gathers weekly to watch and participate in the 8:30am worship service. This past Sunday, November 17, our communion ministers, Becky Woll and Erin Pommeranz, visited and served communion to residents while they swayed to the organ music and said prayers together.

TLC hopes to continue to grow this ministry to other senior living communities in Bloomington as well! Representatives of TLC plan on visiting several in the near future, assisting in the initial set up of streaming reception and address any questions. TLC has prepared a brochure promoting this service for a variety of living environments. It is available at the "Welcome" desk next to the chapel.

Committees - Ministries - Groups - Clubs

POST YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE TLC WEEKLY

Reach over 700 subscribers to the TLC Weekly e-newsletter - submit your news and announcements (photos, too) to: tlcmedia@tlcmn.com

Deadline is Thursday afternoons for our Friday e-mail publication.

Note, this is not the same as announcements for the Sunday bulletin.

Show Our TLC College

Students that We Care

This Sunday, November 24, will be the last Sunday the College Ministry Team will be selling sponsorships to send Daily Text Devotionals to our college students. The books are $10.00 each which includes postage. Our College Ministry team will be in the Narthex this Sunday morning to accept your donations.

We always like to show our support and remind students that TLC is supporting them as they pursue their studies.

A Great Idea, and a Satisfying Success!

Did you get to attend the talent show last Friday evening? You won't get to see those contestants again soon, nor will you get to see the front of our sanctuary looking like a stage...glitter, smoke machines, an emcee who was outstandingly at ease and funny, plus the opportunity to bid extravagantly on baked desserts... some with Scandinavian names! Thanks to all who came, or performed, or decorated the “stage” for the special evening of fund-raising. To those who baked so well...Bless you all!

You realize that not every church can move their altar, altar railing, pulpit, and those cylindrical stands that were made years ago. We've had those same altar furnishings for many years, and it's been very handy to have them be mobile like that. Some churches will never be able to budge the very focal point of the sanctuary...probably made of marble or something. When our church had finally filled in the courtyard to make a larger sanctuary, the Bloomington Symphony came to play a concert. I hope some of you came to hear them.

I have been trying to pin down just when our furnishings were made. I know that Chet Nelson, husband of Betty Nelson, our first organist, made the cylindrical stands, but am not sure he made the main pieces. All of it matches, though, and he was a wonderful craftsman, working at an artificial limb company for years; fitting what he made onto the disabled person who would wear it, and trying to make the fit comfortable. What a fortunate couple to have as our almost first members. I felt bad when they sold their home on 112th Street and moved to an apartment... I still walk by their old place, which was remodeled of course... nothing ever stays the same, does it? Audrey Berg lived right across the street and Kent Hrbek a few houses west of theirs.

If you see any of those artistic bakers for our first talent show auction, let them know how yummy their dessert was. Maybe they should have put their name someplace on the container.... If it were my baking I'd probably not want anyone to know. Let's hope we can do this again next year, as it really worked well the very first time.

-Bloomington Bird Lady

...today watching 10 squirrels cavorting under, not IN the bird feeders... Like my own little circus.

The October 2019 Financial Report has been approved and is now available for review. [Click here] to read or download a pdf.

Or, [click here] to view a menu of the past four years of monthly financial reports.

THIS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27

There is a special 7:00pm worship service with communion, followed by pie, coffee and caroling with John Rosenow in Fellowship Hall at 8:00pm.

Talent Show Raises

over $3,000

Proceeds go towards TLC's December Mission Trip to Liberia

Comedian Chris Campo, a self-proclaimed "recovering Roman Catholic" hosted the show and was the baked goods auctioneer. Pastor Arthur, during his Sunday sermon two days after the show, commented on how much the church had looked like Broadway and then remarkably transformed back into a proper altar, sanctuary and nave.

The Narthex "lobby" took on a Hollywood theme, including a red carpet entry, thanks to the decorating skills of TLC's Norma Macdonald-Ockwig and her husband.

Pastor Arthur's wife, Laura, and their children performed a few of their favorite songs.

The Phantom of the Opera sweeps across the "stage" and fog.

Wearing a red feather boa, Karen Daniels rattles the rafters with the pipe organ while Phetsamone Ekholm in a Phantom hat motif plays the grand piano (below) performing the theme song from the Phantom of the Opera.

1st Place Winner, Stephen Nushann

Diane Lehman, Baked Goods Auction Coordinator, all set to begin the distribution of homemade goods for the auction.

The auctioning of homemade cakes, pies and dessert treats (18 in all) along with 10 outstanding TLC talents (plus a surprise) and a host that engaged the audience with laughter, excitement and an appeal to bring in a bid of over $100 for a single cake, made last Friday night an evening to remember. Perhaps setting a benchmark for future shows.

The entire event was the idea of TLC's John Thomson, who has been developing and nurturing the show along with the help of staff, since this past June.

Of the 10 talents, eight were competing for cash prizes (three talents were non-competing staff). All received "swag bags" filled with gifts. There were singers, storytellers, bellringers, piano players and a flautist. A mandolin player, a banjo strummer, and a solo dancer with skills that could lead to a future spot on a national "Dancing with..." TV show.

It was somewhere in the middle of the evenings' performances when the lights darkened to deep red. A flashing array of shapes spilled onto the tall pipes of the church organ. Fog billowed out from the "stage" and laser lights danced on the wall. Suddenly the place was filled with the sounds of a thundering, ominous pipe organ. A resounding grand piano accompanied as the fog surged. Then, dashing from the back towards the stage was a man in a black cape and a mask covering part of his face.

It was... the Phantom of the Opera!

Earlier that day, organist Karen Daniels and pianist Phetsamone Ekholm had decided to add a little something extra to the talent show per a request by the Phantom himself (errrr, Rob Reid). With just a brief rehearsal that afternoon, the three surprised nearly everyone in the audience with the powerful pipe organ and grand piano in what Karen Daniels later said, "...will never play that loud again."

The 1st Place Winner of the talent competition was Stephen Nushann, who performed an original spoken word that alluded dynamics of tone, gestures, facial expressions, and more in a piece about his life and others.

2nd Place went to Anabel L. for her dance solo, and 3rd Place to Mary Anne Lofstrom (handbells), Jill Reid (flute) and Karen Daniels (paino), playing "A Celtic Journey."

Between each act, a variety of homemade baked goods were auctioned including two Scandinavian almond cakes, a wide variety of pies, cakes, breads and cookies, fudge and topped off by a 12-layer Norwegian Kransekake celebration cake! The baked goods auction raised $1085.

The free-will offering that night brought in $1,142, plus that amount was matched by an anonymous donor, bringing it to $2,284.

Keep an eye open and your skills polished. Because of the success of this show, there may be another show sometime early next year!

All of the talent competition on stage at the end of the show, receiving awards and swag bags from Chris Campo. Winners were determined by audience member votes.

When Do

We Worship?

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US?

-a continuing series-

By Pastor Al Dungan

We now turn to a look at the Church Year.

“The church organizes time by the church year. It tells the story of God, who is beyond time, acting in history—above all through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ…"

“All Sundays of the year are festivals of our Lord Jesus Christ. In a profound sense, Sunday—the first day and the eighth day of the week, the weekly celebration of the day of resurrection –is the primary Christian festival…"

“The church year includes the Christmas and Easter cycles of seasons and the periods of time after Epiphany and after Pentecost…”

Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p.13

The Lutheran Church, along with the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Protestant Episcopal churches are liturgical churches. That means that we, and they, use particular forms of worship which we’ll look at in future articles. Guiding that process are the cycles we call the Church Year which are divided up into “God’s half year” and the “Church’s half year.”

Now then, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR US?

It means that every Sunday, following the Festival of St. Andrew, Apostle on Nov. 30 (who tradition says was the first disciple called by Jesus [John 1:35-40]) has a particular and specific meaning as the Church Year unfolds. In effect, for Christians, this is New Year’s Day because it reminds us that God is beginning again the reminder of how God graciously acts to save God’s people.

The first cycle in “God’s half year” is the Christmas cycle which begins with the season of Advent. We refer to these Sundays as Sundays in Advent.

The word advent is defined as: the coming or arrival, especially of something awaited or momentous. It is also a time of anticipation/preparation as we make ready to celebrate the first of the Church’s three major festivals: Christmas or The Nativity (birth) of our Lord.

During the season of Advent (preparation) our focus is on the promises of Scripture which remind us of how God continues to hold out the hope of a new life and world for those who believe and trust those promises.

The prayers of the Church during Advent remind God that we want those promises fulfilled. Advent 1: “Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come.” Advent 2: “Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only son.” Advent 3: “Stir up the wills of all who look to you, Lord God…” Advent 4: “Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come.”

So, Advent begins the Church year. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

The

Original Thanksgiving

The original thanksgiving celebration was held by the Pilgrim settlers in Massachusetts during their second winter in America in December, 1621. The first winter had killed 44 of the original 102 colonists.

At one point their daily food ration was down to five kernels of corn apiece, but then an unexpected trading vessel arrived, swapping them beaver pelts for grain, providing for their severe need. The next summer’s crop brought hope, and Governor William Bradford decreed that December 13, 1621, be set aside as a day of feasting and prayer to show the gratitude of the colonists that they were still alive.

These Pilgrims, seeking religious freedom and opportunity in America, gave thanks for God's provisions in helping them find 20 acres of cleared land; for the fact that there were no hostile Indians in that area; for their newfound religious freedom, and for God’s provision of an Indian interpreter named Squanto. Along with the feasting and games involving the colonists and more than 80 friendly Wampanoag Indians (who added to the feast by bringing wild turkeys and venison), prayers, sermons, and songs of praise were important in the celebration. Three days were spent in feasting and prayer.

Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/thanksgiving-Christian.html

Church Council & Synod Assembly Delegates

You can make an impact.

You can make changes.

TLC's Nominating Committee is beginning work to fill leadership positions in the church and are seeking anyone interested in serving on the Church Council or as a Synod Representative in 2020. There are two to four openings on the Church Council, and six delegates needed for the Synod.

TLC's Constitution states the Council's role is:

The Congregation Council shall have general oversight of the life and activities of this congregation, and in particular its worship life, to the end that everything be done in accordance with the Word of God and the faith and practice of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The duties of the Congregation Council shall include the following:

a. To lead this congregation in stating its mission, to do long-range planning, to set goals and priorities, and to evaluate its activities in light of its mission and goals.

b. To seek to involve all members of this congregation in worship, learning, witness, service, and support.

c. To oversee and provide for the administration of this congregation to enable it to fulfill its functions and perform its mission.

d. To maintain supportive relationships with the pastors and staff.

e. To be examples individually and corporately of the style of life and ministry expected of all baptized persons.

f. To promote a congregational climate of peace and goodwill, and, as differences and conflicts arise, to endeavor to foster mutual understanding.

g. To arrange for pastoral service during the sickness or absence of the pastor.

Click here to see our current TLC Church Council.

The Synod Assembly Delegate:

Each year, TLC sends six of its members to the annual Synod Assembly. It is a one-time commitment, and only involves attending and representing TLC at the annual meeting. This year, the assembly will be held on April 24 (late afternoon) and 25 (full day). The six positions can be filled by anyone in the congregation. We also select 1 alternate, in case one of the six isn’t able to attend for whatever reason.

Marlene Blair

Winner of the Quilt Raffle

Total funds raised from the purchase of raffle tickets: $485.60

CONTRIBUTE TO THE FUNDRAISER AND GET A GREAT DEAL!

Watch this space for fundraiser opportunities for the December Liberian Trip. Fundraisers remaining include Parent’s Night Out, a Final Liberian Dinner, and a Lemonade Stand.

Parent’s Night Out: Drop your kid(s) off at TLC from 6:00 thru 9:00pm 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! (Suggested donation amount $10 per hour per child)

December Toys for Liberia

We've collected surgical gloves and other needed items for our mission team to present to the Center for Changing Lives - Liberia (CCLL) in December. Now, since the children -many orphaned- are what this is all about, let's send donations of toys to help them celebrate. Just imagine their happy, smiling faces.

Bring your toy (and food) donations during November and early December. Use the VEAP boxes (in 3 locations), and we'll make sure the food goes to VEAP and the toys to Liberia.

Cultural norms are strong in Liberia, and for children who have been orphaned by the AIDS and Ebola epidemics, they can face stigma and be shunned from their community, leaving them with no place to live and no one who cares for them.

Every child deserves a chance at a decent future. [Click here] to visit the Go Fund Me page.

-TAKING FAITH HOME-

Week of November 24, 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.

5:30-6:00pm: Community meals served in Fellowship Hall. $5.00 suggested donation. This is a great community gathering for you and your family. Please invite a friend or neighbor to dine with us, or just enjoy a cup of coffee with others.

Oasis Wednesday Evening Worship Service from 6:30 to 7:00pm. It's a 30-minute service with communion.

7:00pm, Inspiring education and fellowship options for all ages
Child care and activities are available for infants to 3rd grade.
Volunteer adult leaders ensure a great time with new programs for kids, 4th-6th grade.
Confirmation and Peer Ministers 7th-12th grade meet for small and large group activities – friends are always welcome!
A Bible study for all ages is found with Coffee and Conversation, meeting in the Narthex.
Parent support and planning groups meet in the East Fellowship Hall.
At 8:00pm, High School students 10th grade and up meet in the Youth Room

Community Meal served from 5:30 to 6:00pm. Suggested donation of $5.00 per person.

Wednesday, Nov 27. No community meal due to Thanksgiving Week.

There is a special 7:00pm worship service. Pie, coffee and caroling follows at 8:00pm in Fellowship Hall.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27

DUE TO THE THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE AND CAROLING, THERE WILL NOT BE A COFFEE & CONVERSATION GATHERING.

Click Here to discover more about TLC's Early Learning Center.

"Rushing Water"

ELC Photographer: Nolan A.

Nolan A. is 10-years-old and has been with the ELC Photo Club for two years. Explaining his feeling when shooting the photo of the water, he said, "The water looked so cool, I wanted to jump in." Obviously this picture was taken during a warmer time then now.

Bacon Cheeseburger

Biscuit Bombs

Preheat Oven to 350

What you'll need:

8 oz. lean (at least 85%) ground beef
2 tsp. steak grill seasoning of choice
1/2 cup chopped cooked bacon (approx. 6 slices)
1 can (16.3 oz.) Pillsbury Grands!^TM Flaky Layers refrigerated Buttermilk Biscuits
4 slices (3/4 oz each) American, Swiss, or Cheddar cheese, cut in quarters
1 tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp sesame seed

Directions:

Line large cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper, or spray with cooking spray.
In 10-inch skillet, cook beef and grill seasoning over medium-high heat 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain. Cool 5 minutes. Stir in bacon.
Separate dough into 8 biscuits; let stand 5 minutes. Gently pull each biscuit apart, leaving bottom and lower sides intact, forming deep pocket. Place 2 quartered pieces of cheese inside biscuit pocket.
Holding opened biscuit in hand; place about 1/4 cup of the beef mixture inside, pressing inside to fit. Gently stretch dough over filling, pressing and firmly sealing around edges of biscuit. Reshape into round, and place on cookie sheet. (Biscuit will be full.) Repeat for remaining biscuits. Brush melted butter on top of each biscuit; sprinkle tops with sesame seed.
Bake 18 to 22 minutes or until biscuit tops are golden brown and inside mixture is heated through. Serve with remaining ingredients.

Blessings!

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

Source: Centers for Disease Control ( http://www.cdc.gov )

Back Issues of the TLC Weekly

including this issue (Today!)

[CLICK HERE] to visit the TLC web page where you can choose to read from the past 12 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!

Image for demonstration only

ALTAR FLOWERS

ORDER ONLINE

FOR 2020

See the chart online or stop in

at the church office to order.

The TLC website has an online form to order Chancel/Altar Flowers for any Sunday in 2020. 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.