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

Third Sunday of Easter, April 26, 2020 Worship at 10:00am ~ Live-Stream Only

THIS SUNDAY: Sunday's live-stream worship service includes new segments with Intern Pastor Grace and Time for Children, involving "Throwing Pottery," plus her passionate sermon tying to Mental Health Awareness Sunday. The singing talents of Rob & Jill Reid, accompanied by Phetsamone Ekholm on piano are also new - recorded yesterday (Thursday) at TLC. And a special hymn, "Canticle of the Turning" with acoustic guitar, fiddle and the penny flute, all performed by Jake Pernsteiner and Solveig Orngard, also recorded Thursday at TLC. Mix and blend well with a redux of the TLC Handbells and the Praise and Worship team and you will definitely find yourself "going to church!" in style this Sunday.

Watch the Live-Stream starting at 9:55am Sunday Morning

Visit www.tlcgo.live or click above at the time of broadcast to watch the live-stream of the service. Programming starts at approximately 9:55am Also find us on your Smart TV...

Mental Health Awareness Sunday

Visit www.tlcmn.com and look for Mental Health under the [Ministries] menu selection on the top of any page. The Mental Health page provides contact information for the TLC ministry and several organizations dedicated to the mental health and well-being of YOU! Mental disorders are common , more common than cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. According to the United States Surgeon General, an estimated 23 percent of American adults (those ages 18 and older)—about 44 million people—and about 20 percent of American children, suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder during a given year.  Source: www.doctoroz.com The mission of the Mental Health Awareness Ministry Team at TLC is to provide support, encouragement, education and acceptance to individuals and their families living with mental illness in a faith-based environment. We share prayer, friendship, joy and laughter, concerns and sadness, milestone moments and opportunities that have helped us to grow in God's abundant grace.

Sunday Coffee Hour We have been having a fun and meaningful time connecting on Sundays via Zoom immediately following the 10:00am live-stream. Please join us this Sunday here: https://zoom.us/j/9921615891 If you have not used Zoom before, you will need to download the free app when prompted. Bring a coffee and snack and join the fellowship!

All TLC in-person worship services, programming and activities remain suspended until further notice. The TLC office is closed until further notice. Staff are working from home, monitoring emails & voice-mails. In addition, they are in the church office sporadically throughout the week accomplishing on-premise tasks. If you call the church office the auto-attendant will provide instructions on how to reach staff.  For pastoral care concerns, the pastors are readily available by phone, email and social media. We love hearing from you! Please don't hesitate to be in touch! TLC office phone: 952-884-2364  Main Emails: Office@tlcmn.com Pastors@tlcmn.com Council@tlcmn.com Pastor Arthur: amurray@tlcmn.com Pastor Ed: pastored@tlcmn.com Pastor Grace: gpardunalworth@tlcmn.com Deacon Renee Jefferson: rjefferson@tlcmn.com Rob Reid: rreid@tlcmn.com Marilyn Erickson: merickson@tlcmn.com Michelle Reber: mreber@tlcmn.com Other Connection Opportunities Contact Marilyn to help call or to receive a call as part of our phone chain ministry: merickson@tlcmn.com Contact Erin to find out about the mom’s online support group: epommeranz@hotmail.com Contact Dan to find out about the dad’s online support group: danlarkin11@gmail.com

Pastor Arthur Update Pastor Arthur is in the midst of two weeks off to focus on homeschooling and parenting. He returns to the “office” on April 28.

April 2020

Each month, the TLC Mission and Outreach Team has shared a Mission of the Month to help fund the work of that mission. One of the fundraising activities has been Pancakes With a Purpose . This month the Early Learning Center (ELC) is our mission of the month. As you may know, there have been no public gatherings at TLC during April to enjoy the delicious pancakes and sausage provided by Paul and Delores Hugo. So, we invite you to enjoy a “virtual” Pancakes With a Purpose at home by serving your family pancakes following the on-line Sunday services. As you share this meal, please pray for the ELC and consider making a donation like you would if you were enjoying pancakes with your TLC family. Please make checks payable directly to the ELC and mail them to: TLC-ELC 11000 France Ave S Bloomington, MN 55431 Photos of making and/or woofing down your homemade pancakes? Attach and send to: TLCMedia@tlcmn.com

There Are Other Things Going On!

Yes, I know...we all know there needs to be testing done and in an orderly fashion. Not just here, but in many places; and the materials are not easy to have on hand. If you test and can't verify properly, it would be done for no reason. Someone who knows exactly how to go about it in an orderly fashion.... who is that? Listening to Governor Cuomo from New York this morning, he has a good understanding of materials needed and how to use them. It'll have to happen... maybe we line up like they do to receive the food where it's needed.... stay in your car and wait patiently. During all the virus problems, other things have been taking place. It's over a week, I think, and many people's favorite place to visit on the North Shore of Lake Superior, had a fire which destroyed three businesses. Grand Marais, MN! Stay in a cabin down the shore—maybe 30 miles further south, but always a trip to Grand Marais, or we feel like something's missing when we get home. I received a Facebook video of the fire in progress...smoke everywhere. They told the residents not to come and watch, especially if they had any issues like asthma. Too much smoke! When we realized what buildings were involved, we were so sad. How many times had we been on that street, either to visit the Ben Franklin store, or look in the gift shops, or buy the famous doughnuts a block away. In the last few years we discovered one shop that sold coffee beans.... every kind you can imagine. Well, if you'd like variety in your cup, we'd hit the jackpot! The latest kind was called “Snickerdoodle” and did taste a bit like that cookie. Imagine the place being suddenly burned up...all the souvenirs and coffee beans are now gone. The very morning of the fire, we had talked with the shop to see if our order was ready to send. Amazingly, the package arrived the next day. Will we go back to Grand Marais? I hope so, but our excuse to visit is now gone until rebuilding happens over time. One restaurant on the south side had a delicious salad dressing that they would even sell or perhaps give the patrons if they asked what was in it. It probably doesn't have a name and was invented right there. I'll bet you have favorite spots that are a must if you are in the area. It seems a small thing to feel sad about, but isn't life always throwing us something we must get past? We will get past our pandemic, and I hope it's soon. Too much is shut down, kids are not being in school, the church services are only on the internet..etc. Yes, we have our favorite spots right here, and don't need to go anywhere. We just have to be patient. I got a bit tired of the whole thing and finally wrote a limerick to feel better. “STAY HOME, DON'T GO OUT” SAYS OUR GOV. “WE'LL GIVE THAT DARN VIRUS A SHOVE. ENFORCED VACATION MAY BRING OUR ELATION! NO MORE VIRUS? A GIFT FROM ABOVE!” - Bloomington Bird Lady

Click on images below for a pdf of the Church Council Meeting Minutes and/or Treasurer's Report for March 2020

Four Menu Choices: Live - On Demand - 24/7 Stream - TLC Website It's so simple and it offers so much! www.tlcgo.live

Where Do We Go From Here?

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US? -a continuing series- By Pastor Al Dungan I’m sure that’s the question Jesus’ disciples were asking each other as they huddled for safety in that room where they had very recently heard Jesus say, “This is my body…” “This is my blood…” I’m sure they didn’t have a clue to what Jesus meant when he said those words to them. I’m sure they were in shock and denial (the first awful stages of grief) as they clung to each other fearfully awaiting the knock on the door that would mean their own arrest. And, then, who knew what would happen to them next?

It’s a terrible thing to have no hope; to have no assurance that they weren’t on the list to follow Jesus into torture and death. It’s a terrible thing to be faced with what appears to be an overwhelming situation for which there appears to be no end. Only a stark black hole into which they gazed with ever growing apprehension. But we know differently, don’t we? We know that there’s much more to the story than a group of frightened men clinging to each other wondering what was going to come next. We’ve seen “what comes next”. We have the benefit of looking back, being able to see what they couldn’t. We have the hindsight that they didn’t. BUT being faced with a similar situation and with no ability for hindsight as we’re confronted with COVID-19, many, if not all of us find ourselves sheltering in place wondering much the same things as the disciples of Jesus did on the morning that began an entrance to a whole new world. We hear a lot about “returning to normal”. Dear friends in Christ, that’s just not going to happen. Just as the disciples discovered that they were entering into a new normal with the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, so, we who follow that Resurrected One continue day after day to experience that same resurrection power. Just as they were called to new life, so we also are called to live that same new life as we face our own “black hole” of hopelessness called COVID-19. COVID-19 is our Good Friday and it seems like there will be no end to its power and effects. BUT we are “Resurrection People”. And that means that we face each new day with the sure and certain hope that just as Jesus rose from the dead and was given new life, so also, will we be given that life. Take it. Enjoy it. And, by all means, share it with others. And that’s the good news for today.

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.

Ham Potato Casserole

What you'll need: 9 x 13 baking dish Cubed (1x1 inch) cooked ham - enough to make 2 layers loosely in the baking dish 1/4 inch sliced potato's (enough to make 2 layers loosely in the baking dish 1 cup of diced onions 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup (no water or milk added) 1 cup of sour cream 3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese Directions: Preheat oven to 350 Put both cans of soup, sour cream, and 1 cup of shredded cheese in a pot, and heat until combined into a sauce In the 9x13 baking dish, alternate layers loosely of ham, potatoes, onions and sauce twice. Make sure to salt and pepper between layers to taste Top with remaining 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese Cover with foil Bake in oven for 1 1/2 hours, uncover and bake for 15 minutes more. (Poke potato's with a fork to make sure they are tender. If not, heat for 15 more minutes.)

Click Here to view or download a pdf of the 3-page discussion guide. Coronavirus Family Discussion Guide The Coronavirus Family Discussion Guide from Milestone Ministries offers an opportunity for family and friends to gather together in their homes or online and verbalize worries and concerns. It is a time to pray and bless one another. It is a difficult time for all -- and these conversations can be reassuring and helpful.

Golf League Slices the Starting Date

Welcome to the TLC MEN’S GOLF LEAGUE! We hope to add new members of all abilities to our 8 team rosters. Start of play at Hyland Greens Golf Course to be announced, and will continue on Tuesdays until Aug. 18. The only Tuesday to be excluded will be Aug. 4 (Neighborhood Nite Out). There will be 4 players participating on each night for each of the 8 teams. Most players will be scheduled for 7-10 of the 15-week season. For more information, please call Keith Swanson at 612-741-7182.

[Click Here] to visit the VEAP website Dear VEAP supporter and friend,   We have been so incredibly moved by the outpouring of support from many of you! In the past few weeks, VEAP has received hundreds of new volunteer applications, a huge influx of home-made cloth masks for our team and calls from eager supporters wanting to know how they can help.    The need is truly greater than ever.   Requests for home deliveries of food are now up seven times our normal rate and our intake lines have been flooded with calls from families needing food and support. We're working in overdrive to meet these individuals' need and keep our staff healthy and safe.  In these overwhelming times, VEAP is counting on our network of supporters now more than ever. We'd love your ongoing help! Here are three ways to get more involved: Donate Funds Donate Food Volunteer Thank you for your support and our best wishes for a safe and peaceful weekend, Kari Thompson, Advancement Director P.S. To those who have already given, thank you! Know you're making a huge impact.

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 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

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!

Please help? The Coronavirus has clearly upset life in Minnesota and around the world. As you know, even TLC is feeling the impact. Our church services and meetings are all on hold for now and only staff is left in the building, but our mission continues. Without the ability to gather for worship, we have no offering baskets being circulated to collect weekly offerings. In the mean time, bills still have to be paid and we need the continued financial support of our members.    If you normally submit your offering in the offering baskets during service, we ask you to mail your offering to TLC at your normal interval while services are suspended.    If you haven’t done so already, please consider signing up for automated giving through the Online Giving link at the top of every page on our website www.tlcmn.com . Or click here to begin your donation. This easy to set up program allows you to schedule your offering payments at an interval convenient for you so your support is given whether you can make it to service or not - and whether we are able to hold services or not!    We realize that some of you may have suffered loss of your job or income during his crisis and are unable to fulfill our offering pledge at this time. If this is the case with you, please let us know and we will keep your in our prayers.    Like other crisis’ before it, the Corona virus will eventually pass and our lives will return to near normal. It’s times like these that can really test our faith. Take care of each other and yourself. We will get through this together. And, please don’t forget to support TLC in the mean time.

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