Set your clocks back 1 hour Saturday night. |
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Sunday, November 1, 2020 -10:00am
Sunday morning worship service with communion.
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All Saints Sunday:
Candles, Comfort and Beautiful Music
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Rob Reid
Director of Music
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I hope you'll join me this Sunday, November 1 for two meaningful worship experiences that are coming your way.
Sunday is All Saints Day, and for our 10:00am Live Stream Service at TLC, in addition to the Naming of the Saints who have gone before us during 2020, we will also see and hear the beautiful performance of John Rutter’s "Requiem" that was presented by the Chancel Choir and a Guest Orchestra in November 2019. Thanks again to the Hilleren family who made possible the presentation of this work last year, in memory of TLC Tenor John Hilleren.
Then at 4pm you are invited to the National Lutheran Choir Virtual Program " Remember, Persevere, and Hope." It will be a multimedia program that weaves music, images, and words into a meaningful and sacred experience. Find the concert at www.nlca.com at 4pm on Sunday, November 1, 2020.
Praying these services bring you comfort and hope in these challenging times.
Peace,
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Live-Stream Viewer Data
Last Sunday, October 25, 2020
424+ total YouTube Viewers
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212 Media Devices Linked
to TLC Live-Stream on Sunday
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Dear TLC Community,
Thank you for welcoming me into this church family. These past 14 months have certainly been different than I expected! The first half of my internship was a fairly normal one, and then suddenly, it changed to learning how to minister during a pandemic. What an intense way to learn “adaptive leadership!”
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Thank you also for your abundant generosity. You have been generous to me with time and resources. You’ve invested in my growth as a pastor as well as helping me through the financial upheaval of the pandemic and then with building my pastoral library. It’s fitting to reflect upon the ways you’ve shown generosity, especially during stewardship season.
I loved being with you each Sunday and Wednesday. I loved leading bible study and practicing with the choir. I love that you all eat pie together on Thanksgiving Eve after worship. I loved it when you stopped to say hello as you left the service to head out to fellowship or brunch or to watch a football game. You are a special congregation and I am so glad I got to spend time with you.
I am holding your community in prayer as you discern next steps together.
May God bless you and keep you,
May God look upon you with delight,
May God’s grace and mercy be irresistible,
May God’s peace surround you forevermore.
Amen.
Pr. Grace
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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! |
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I have been asked by Pastor Arthur to keep a form of this devotional going. We have agreed to make it a weekly 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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Your 2021 Stewardship pledge card will be arriving soon in your USPS mailbox. Please complete the card and mail back to the church using the enclosed return envelope. Or, if you wish, you can click here to access our online pledge card and complete it right away.
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The traditional candy distribution has been abandoned, but Bloomington’s annual Halloween party will take place tomorrow, Saturday, October 31.
Instead of an evening indoor party, drive-thru candy distribution will take place from 3:30pm to 5:30pm in the parking lot of Northwestern Health Services University (formerly Penn Jr. High) on the SW corner of 84th & Penn Ave. S.
Police officers, firefighters and costumed characters will greet vehicles passing through, and children will receive candy and other prizes that are being coordinated through the Bloomington Optimists Club.
Donations to VEAP’s Food Shelf are welcome and will be collected during the Halloween drive-thru.
CLICK BELOW MAP TO ENLARGE DISPLAY
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By Pete Erickson
Interim TLC Youth Minister
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TLC Sunday School is LIVE and CHANGING – Pre-K “Songs and Stories” and “1st-4th Grade Sunday School” ( 9:30-10AM on Sundays)
Starting November 8th, “Songs & Stories” (Pre-K) and 1st-4th Grade Sunday School will meet EVERY WEEK on Zoom. A Zoom link and potential activity materials list will be sent to families each week for their age group. Here is what the time on Sunday mornings will look like:
- Inviting God Ritual
- Scripture Reading
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Story (Pre-K) or Experiential Activity (1st-4th)
- Song(s)
- Active Prayer Ritual
- Sending Song/Ritual
Here is the link each week starting November 8th:
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 832 1747 0428
Passcode: 696867
If you have questions about Sunday School or would like to help provide leadership one time a month, please contact Pete (perickson@tlcmn.com).
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In Case You Were Wondering |
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If I could attend worship services at TLC in-person, what would they be like during this time of the COVID pandemic?
—By Brad Nolte
As determined by TLC’s COVID response team, the “Stay Safe Minnesota” campaign and the CDC, opening up TLC’s sanctuary for in-person worship services (e.g. Sunday mornings @ 10:00am) would present an experience something like this:
- Capacity of the sanctuary would be limited to approximately 50 people, including pastors, keyboard musicians, ushers, and technical staff. Why 50 when various agencies and government state 25%-50% capacity? Because of the size of TLC’s sanctuary and the social distance mandate of no less than 6 feet in all directions (see next item).
- Congregants would be seated in every other row of pews, be required to wear face masks and socially distance themselves from another congregant in that pew and in front and behind by 6 feet. Families could sit together, but be spaced on all sides 6 feet from a non-family congregant (pew lengths may differ, but you could approximate 3 individuals or one family and a single individual per every other row of pews).
- There would be no live “singing” or “brass” performances by TLC musicians because both project increased aerosol droplets at a greater distance from the person singing or blowing into an instrument. Those performances would be pre-recorded and presented via projections on the Sanctuary wall-screens during the worship service.
- Congregants are not permitted to sing. Again, due to amplified aerosol dispersion of the virus-containing droplets from the mouth and nose of a potentially infected person.
- The in-person worship service would basically consist of the pastor performing the welcome/announcements, liturgy, prayers, sermon and communion – where communion would be non-contact. Congregants would be provided with a small communion “kit” of juice/wafer as previously demonstrated at the TLC drive-in services.
- There would be no fellowship inside the building before or after the service.
- Cleanup and sanitizing the sanctuary, narthex, and entrance areas post-service by TLC’s contracted cleaning service would be comprehensive; involving distinctive (and higher cost) methods of sterilization.
Source Links of COVID-19 containment:
Stay Safe Minnesota – Minnesota COVID-19 Response
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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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 Little Bit of Everything |
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Got any leaves left in your yard? Birdman kept up with the raking, but there's a ton of leaves yet to fall, and they are taking their time...some are still green.
Thanks to all who put together last Sunday's Reformation service. So nice to see the bells again both in a new performance with red masks homemade by Mary Kelly, and a piece from last year’s Reformation Sunday. And even if it was last year's choir, I missed singing the familiar hymns with those dear people. A sad farewell to our intern, Grace, as that was her last sermon for us. I know she has a very bright future and will find a wonderful congregation, and I wish it were ours! Something about having a woman pastor~ it feels right at TLC, as we've had some really fine ones. I looked back in the directories and remembered greeting Pastor Stephanie on her first day as she came in the office! Also remember her and Pastor Ed doing a sermon together and sitting in boxes pretending to be salt!
This Sunday is All Saints' Day when we remember our friends and relatives who have gone on... As we get old the list grows so long. I now write the date of their passing into my birthday book on their page... and most of the pages have two dates now!
Do you dread looking into your emails when one says “Death notice from Transfiguration?” The last one I remember was Caryl Minnetti's. Last week I wrote about our friendship, but forgot to tell one sweet thing. She needed a walker these past few years, and she had named her walker “Fred.” Fred was bright red and she'd park it over by the sound board as we came into the choir. If she needed it to go up to the altar, it was handy.
Halloween is this Saturday, and I hope we get the trick or treaters this year. Last year not even one child came to our door, and I had my electric pumpkin turned on, the front light on, the candy in the bowl right by the door, all set to go. Disappointing, and then there are all those candy bars to eat... (Freezing does not make them any less tempting)
Next week, as I promised, I will introduce you to Caryl's and my friend, Louise Dillery. Five years ago she had a letter published for the opinion page of the Pioneer Press. I have that rather short letter, so Louise will actually introduce herself with that! Louise is now almost 95 and lived through the holocaust in Paris. She has quite a message for us all.
Soon time to set the clocks back. At least this is the “good one” as Rob Reid always says. Nice to gain an hour, and if it ever warms a little, maybe the bay windows will get washed.
-Bloomington Bird Lady
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WHAT DOES THIS MEAN
FOR US?
-a continuing series-
By Pastor Al Dungan
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Shema Yisroel. Adonai Eluhenu. Adonai Echod. (Deuteronomy 6:5).
Hear, O Israel. The LORD is our God. The LORD alone.
This is and has been the credo (the “I Believe”) of Israel from the time of the second giving of the Torah (the book of Deuteronomy) until this very day.
It was a time of reform in Israel—the Israel that had fallen away from Adonai (The LORD) time and time again. It was a call to renew and recall Israel’s heritage. It was a time for making major changes in their allegiance to The LORD. It was a time to start fresh. It was a time to renew the covenant that the God of Sinai had made with them when they had been set free from slavery in Egypt. It was that time when The LORD had given to them Torah (The Teaching) of how The LORD expected them to live. We call them in our world the 10 Commandments. But they were more, oh so much more, than a set of rules and regulations which they became and, which they seem to still remain for so many today.
They were to be a reflection of gratitude from a saved people to their Savior. A mirror, if you will, of how a people could reflect their love to their God.
And how were they to love the God who had freed them? They were “to love The LORD with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their might”. There was no part of their individual and corporate lives that was to be outside their grateful love for the God who had saved them.
This past Sunday was Reformation Sunday in the Lutheran Church throughout the world. It is that special day of the Church Year when we are reminded that we are a Reforming Church—a Church that is always in an ongoing state of change. We are not reformed (the past tense of the verb). We are reforming (the gerund tense which means “to be ongoing”).
To those who believe that we should hold fast to the past and resist change it needs to be said, “Change is inevitable.”
All we have to do is look at the past 8 months to see how true this has been of the world that we used to live in.
For those who would like to return to normal, we have to say, “That will never happen”. We now live in a “new normal”, a reformation, if you will and it has been just as shaking an experience for us as the Reformation was in the time of Luther.
The LORD reminded Israel who they were to be. The LORD reminds us who we are to be also. Let us welcome that and continue to love The LORD with all our heart, soul and mind.
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Faith Partners Team Training – Participants Wanted! |
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By Beth Rahn—
TLC’s Addiction Awareness team is participating in an online training course with Drew Brooks of Faith Partners and we are inviting you to join us! A group from TLC first participated in the Faith Partners training 18 years ago, which provided the foundation and tools necessary to offer resources and support to those suffering from addiction, along with their families who oftentimes feel helpless.
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Online Training with Drew Brooks |
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Addiction can take on many forms: drinking, gambling, food, consumerism, electronics/social media, drugs… the list is endless. Through this Team Training, we will become better equipped to offer help and hope through prevention, education, early intervention, referral assistance, and recovery support, as well as providing support and resources to family members and friends. The training will take place during five sessions in November, via Zoom. Won’t you consider joining us in this life-saving, life-giving ministry? We’d love to have you! Please contact Beth Rahn for more information or to get signed up, brahnfamily@comcast.net or 952-393-9817.
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Dear Faith Community Leaders,
I'm writing to you today to extend a special invitation to join me and VEAP staff at our first ever virtual gala, Nourishing Connections, on November 13, 2020 at 7 p.m.
VEAP made the decision to take our annual fundraising event completely online because of the ongoing health crisis. This 30-minute engaging event (streaming for free on Facebook and YouTube) will highlight how our mission of ending hunger and housing instability is having a transformative effect on our community.
You'll hear from passionate volunteers who've dedicated their time and energy to VEAP, as well as from the individuals who utilize our Food Pantry and Social Services as a critical support in their lives. Entertainer and Emmy-award winner, Jearlyn Steele, will lead us through the evening with uplifting words and music.
We're inviting individuals to host virtual watch parties with 4-8 of their friends, colleagues or family to learn more about VEAP. If you're interested in learning how to do so, please reach out to our Marketing and Digital Manger, Caley Long: caleyl@veap.org
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As always, thank you for your support!
Joe McDonald
VEAP CEO
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Currently, Transfiguration volunteers are not able to gather and car pool to Global Health Ministries in Fridley. When they are able to work there again they will 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 you are interested in making a monetary gift, please send a check to TLC and the money will be forwarded to Global Health Ministries.
If interested – please talk with Pastor Arthur or Mary Mahre at mmahre@comcast.net or 612-345-4235.
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Who will you remember during NLC's All Saints virtual program?
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Tune in NLC's All Saints Virtual Program offering music of remembrance, perseverance and hope for all who have experienced loss in this difficult year.
With the very breath of so many being silenced by illness and injustice, NLC commissioned artist in residence Paul Rudoi to compose a new setting of the hymn text “Breathe on me, Breath of God.” This work--and the undying yearning to be comforted and changed by the breath of God--forms a through-line for the program.
A core component of the program resides in a set of powerful African American spirituals by composer Moses Hogan and arrangers Marques Garrett and William Dawson. These works have much to teach us about God’s love through hardship and loss. Music by John Tavener and Heinrich Schütz round out this newly curated, virtual program that will feature new performances by NLC singers in physically-distanced settings.
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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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TLC is closed to all visitors unless by appointment. It's important that we maintain this rule during the pandemic crisis. Spontaneous visitors, regardless of well-meaning intentions, may cause complications in the church environment or compromise the health of church staff or ELC staff and children, and, vice-versa. Any questions or concerns, please contact the TLC office at 952-884-2364 or:
office@tlcmn.com
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Please Visit TLC's Memorial Garden |
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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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Do you ever need an extra prayer for yourself, a loved one, or a dear friend? TLC has a prayer team that prays often for members, their families and friends of the congregation. Send your prayer requests to merickson@tlcmn.com or on the TLC website here. Your prayer needs are sent on to the Prayer Team and kept confidential – just between you, the pray-ers, and God. If you would like to be a member of the prayer team, please sign up on the yellow Life@TLC bulletin insert.
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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 16 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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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!
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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.
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A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
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A Culture of Diversity and Inclusion |
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