We don't change the message. The message changes us. |
|
Stewardship Sunday, November 15, 2020 - 9:55am
Worship Service with Communion.
|
|
|
TLC Stewardship Sunday
Giving Thanks and Giving Back
|
|
Rob Reid
Director of Music
|
|
What a wonderful Sunday of worship (November 15, Live Stream at 9:55am) you have to look forward to this week! Psalm 90 is our psalm of the day, and we will sing the familiar hymn based on that psalm “O God, Our Help in Ages Past.” To reflect the reference and gratitude for the past, we will hear 2019 recordings from three of our TLC Music Groups: The Praise and Worship Team, the Chancel Choir, and TLC Handbells. The members of those groups are so missing making music together this year, but they are so grateful for the ways TLC has supported music over these many years. The second line of the hymn is “Our hope for years to come…” and we look forward to the time when we can again gather those groups together to make music before you and with you in our beautiful TLC Sanctuary (The Nave).
Providing Special Music and leading our hymns this week is organist Carmen Englert, with songleaders Jill Reid, Mary George, Rob Reid and Scott Knight. We will hear a stewardship message from Dan Larkin; Interim Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries Pete Erickson will lead a Time for Children and the Prayers of the People; and Pastor Arthur Murray will preach (Matthew 25:14-30, the parable of The Talents) and will preside over communion.
“O God, Our Help in ages past,
Our Hope for years to come,
Our Shelter from the stormy blast,
And Our Eternal Home.”
God’s Peace ‘til we meet again on Sunday,
|
|
|
Live-Stream Viewer Data
Last Sunday, November 8, 2020
288+ total YouTube Viewers
|
|
|
|
144 Media Devices Linked
to TLC Live-Stream on Sunday
|
|
|
|
|
The Church office is OPEN, with staff members Marilyn Erickson and Michelle Reber available Monday through Thursday, 9:00am - 4:00pm. You need to call ahead for an appointment, wear masks, use hand sanitizer (available at the entrance to the office) and practice social distancing during your visit.
Please call: (952) 884-2364
|
|
|
After 10 years, we are saying thank you & farewell to our beloved Pastor Ed.
November 22 will find Pastor Ed in the pulpit preaching his last sermon at TLC. There will also be a memorable sending with special guests. You are invited, of course, to watch the live-stream of the service. Afterwards (approximately 11am) there will be a good-bye gathering via Zoom, where all are welcome to visit with Ed and others. The Zoom link will be posted in next week's TLC Weekly.
|
|
Your TLC Thanksgiving
Selfie Video
Need by next Wednesday, Nov. 18
|
|
TLC celebrates Thanksgiving in a new way this year!
TLC Confirmation student, Breanna Latzke, is putting together a Thanksgiving video and she needs your message!
Please email Breanna at brean7400@gmail.com a selfie-video of you and/or your loved ones speaking your names and then one thing for which you are grateful. Videos should be no longer than 30 seconds. Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, Nov. 18.
Breanna’s video will be included in TLC’s annual Thanksgiving service November 25, online at 7:00pm.
|
|
PLEDGING IS STILL OPEN
Your 2021 Stewardship pledge card should have arrived in your USPS mailbox. Please complete the card and mail back to the church using the enclosed return envelope. Or, you can click here to access our online pledge card and complete it right away.
|
|
Tonight's the Night
Friday, November 13
|
|
VEAP’s Annual Gala “Nourishing Connections” will be held virtually
TONIGHT, Friday, November 13, 2020 at 7 p.m.
Join us for a fun evening online with one-of-a-kind auction items, musical entertainment and more, all in support of ending hunger and housing instability in our community. You’ll learn how we’re supporting others and creating connections that nourish and strengthen people living in Bloomington, Richfield, Edina and South Minneapolis.
|
|
|
|
Register below to join the fun with host, Jearlyn Steele. Peruse some of the auction items to bid on or to make a donation if you are able. Many of our neighbors need food and the services that VEAP provides more than ever before. |
|
|
Meeting Minutes & Reports |
|
Hey! Where'd Those Leaves Go? |
|
|
A couple of days ago Birdman finished raking our leaves up, even if there were a
few left on our big maple that did not want to fall. He loves raking, and mowing,
and we even got a better used lawnmower this past season. The one it replaced
was stubborn to start, and Birdman claims his arm is not as young as it once was, so yanking on the starter was a royal pain!
Bloomington says not to rake your leaves out into the street because they'd end up in the Minnesota River by going down the drains. He's cleaned the areas next to the curb so well, and the only thing wrong with this picture is the lawn across
the street. That owner uses a lawn service and it did not show up to vacuum the
lovely red maple leaves----They are still there!
Did you know that Minnesota is one of the windiest states? When the velocity
picked up to 45 miles per hour, those red maple leaves got really “antsy” and
decided it was time to leave, lawn service or not. We watched while leaves from
way down the street flew by for a few hours, heading north. Nothing to stop them, so I wonder whose lawn got those?
Tomorrow is garbage day... but, it's supposed to snow, so putting the bagged
leaves out for pickup has to wait. I was glad to see that the city will continue
to have only one company picking up anything in our neighborhoods. We used
to have a steady parade of big trucks from maybe six or more garbage haulers
coming up and down our street, and there were lots of little children who might
have been run over. The asphalt pavement was not fond of those trucks either.
It's nice to still be able to get out and walk before the winter takes over. Just
a couple of days ago I was about four blocks from home, and suddenly it started
to sleet! Huge drops pelted down for a while, and I walked as fast as possible
to get home... I had never walked in sleet, and got soaking wet. How exciting
is that?
Soon the holidays will be here. With the virus still peaking in Minnesota, it is
not wise to have even quite small gatherings of family and friends. A couple of
our family members have immune systems that don't work well, so we have
decided to do something different for Thanksgiving, and there will be only four
of us with the full meal but ordered as “take out.” Gotta make a pumpkin pie
though! Some things have to stay the same. Hope we don't need to wear masks
with only four people.... Stay well, everyone, and God bless you all.
-Bloomington Bird Lady
~ ~ ~
Note: The continuing story I planned to tell of Louise Dillery's interesting life has been put on “hold” for a while. There was a death in her family last week and we will respectfully wait for a better time to continue.
|
|
By Pete Erickson
Interim TLC Youth Minister
|
|
|
College Planning 101 – December 6th at 6:30PM
Dreaming of college? Your path to graduating with less debt starts here. Join us for a FREE College Planning 101 workshop. Learn how to save on the cost of college and avoid excessive debt.
- The value of college and having a plan.
- Tips and tricks to lower your college costs.
- The basics of college financial aid.
This workshop will be held at Zoom: code 819 251 7181 Password 393992, Sponsored by TLC Children Youth, and Family Director, Pete Erickson and Thrivent Rep. Durk Peterson on Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 6:30PM.
No products will be sold.
TLC SUNDAY SCHOOL (Pre-K thru 4th Grade) will meet EVERY WEEK on Zoom STARTING THIS SUNDAY
A Zoom link and potential activity materials list will be sent to families each week for their age group.
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).
|
|
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN
FOR US?
-a continuing series-
By Pastor Al Dungan
|
|
|
|
This Sunday is the next to last Sunday of the Church Year. During these final Sundays much attention is given to The Last Times, our need to be vigilant and so be prepared for when the Lord returns.
Now what did that mean for the members of the Church in Thessalonica to whom Paul was writing in the Epistle lesson for today (1Thess. 5: 1-11) and what does it mean now for us in the Year of our Lord 2020?
The simple answer is: 2 things.
First, it speaks to the people who were members of the church in the city of Thessalonica. That’s the historical context.
Second, it speaks to us in our time, far removed from that church in Asia Minor in time and space. That is the current context.
First, the church in Thessalonica, like many other Christian communities, expected that the return of the Lord would be within their lifetimes. However, as time went on, it began to appear that this wouldn’t be the case.
So, St. Paul writes words of encouragement for them to remain vigilant. That meant developing an understanding that this might be a long-term thing.
It’s hard to remain vigilant for anyone in any time and the citizens of Thessalonica were no different.
On the Roman coins of the day the inscription read peace and security to give the impression that all was well throughout the Empire. However, this was propaganda used to keep people in line. It would be easy to relax and forget how important vigilance was.
This church was reminded by Paul that the coming of the Day of the Lord was going to be like a thief in the night, breaking into a home under cover of darkness or like a woman suddenly experiencing the painful pangs of labor. And, it seemed that they were remaining vigilant.
Now, what about the Church today over 2000 years later?
We’ve seen many ages come and go. We may, in this time, forget the importance of vigilance. We may get relaxed and comfortable with our worship formats and the general state of things, although the presence of COVID-19 has caused many to be hyperaware of what is happening in our world today. This has been a wakeup call like nothing else in our time.
Perhaps this is God’s way of helping us to be vigilant because we never know where the virus will strike next. Perhaps becoming vigilant in this time will remind us that we never know what’s coming next.
The important thing is this: “For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ…” (1 Thess. 5.9)
|
|
Now through December 30
FREE Meals for ALL of the
Bloomington Community
|
|
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.
|
|
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!
I have been asked by Pastor Arthur to keep a form of this devotional going. We have agreed to make it a weekly [e-mailed] 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
|
|
Hello fellow TLC members! Allow me to introduce “Pathways to Justice,” a new weekly short article e-mailed every Thursday morning. Pastor Arthur has asked me to take the lead with members from the Racial Justice and RIC teams assisting with writing. We will tackle and explore -in small chunks- ideas that may be new to some of us. In doing so, we will be allowed opportunities to ask ourselves and each other how we really actively can, as Micah 6:8 states, “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.” Please feel free to let me know if there are any topics that you would like addressed and please do consider contributing your own thoughts on what it means to be on a Pathway to Justice. I look forward to hearing from you!
Shelley Smith
|
|
|
|
Strong, Nimble and Steadfast are the three words to describe GHM's vision for the footprints they want to leave after navigating through 2020 and the next chapter of Covid-19 in 2021.
Even though our volunteer team is taking a "time out' from in person volunteering, our members and Global Health are still doing ministry all over the world.
- Beautiful newborn hats and blankets are lovingly knit by our own Marilyn Erickson and Marilyn Rundberg for the newborn kits that are shipped overseas.
- GHM has provided PPE to protect health workers in 13 countries.
- GHM is meeting the challenge of Covid with teleconferencing to communicate and educate local health care workers. A big project was setting up hand washing stations in the communities.
- A hospital in Northern India received a piece of medical equipment that enables them to perform laproscopic surgery.
"Because all people should have access to a healthy life."
Mary Mahre - TLC/GHM coordinator
|
|
|
|
Committees - Ministries - Small Groups
WRITE YOUR OWN ARTICLE
FOR THE TLC WEEKLY
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Do you ever need an extra prayer for yourself, a loved one, a world situation or a dear friend? TLC has a prayer team that is waiting to pray with and for you. Your prayer needs are sent on to the Prayer Team and kept confidential – just between you, the pray-ers, and God. If you have a prayer request, or if you would like to join the prayer team, please contact Marilyn Erickson at merickson@tlcmn.com or on the TLC website here.
|
|
|
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 24 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
|
|
ONLINE GIVING HELPS SUPPORT TLC
It’s important to know that we can depend on financial support from TLC members. Online 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 top of any page, or [Click Here] to start the process, or contact the church office. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!
|
|
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.
|
|
|
A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
|
|
A Culture of Diversity and Inclusion |
|
|
|
|
|
|
