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Altar flowers this Sunday are given by Sandy Mullen in honor and celebration of our
LGBTQIA+ community.
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Altar Flowers this Sunday are given by Judy Pittelkow in loving memory of her husband,
Bob Pittelkow.
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RIC Sunday - Variety!
All Are Welcome Here!
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Rob Reid
Director of Music
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If last Sunday featured VITALITY in our worship service, this Sunday, February 28 at 9:55am, will surely compete with its VARIETY! So many music groups will be heard this week, and we will hear so many different speakers from our congregation, as well as our guest preacher for RIC Sunday, Pastor Jeff Sartain (see related article).
The Call to Worship by our Handbell Ensemble is “The Gift of Love,” a familiar melody which originally set the words of First Corinthians 13 into a lovely vocal solo, and later inspired a choir piece. RIC Member Ryan Hanish plays the low bells in the group, which also includes Karen Daniels, Mary Anne Lofstrom, Mary Kelly, and Marilyn Rundberg.
Our Time for Children this week is led by RIC Team Member Allison Lindman, who also sings with Jill Reid, Jenn Herron, and RIC Team Member Mary George, leading our hymns for the day, with Karen Daniels on the organ and piano.
During the offering we will see an inspiring recording from RIC Sunday 2018, sung by Tenor, Taylor Bothun and accompanied by Pianist Hudson Smith: “Love Will Be Our Home” by Steven Curtis Chapman.
Our Communion Anthem will be “Love Has Broken Down the Wall,” by Mark A. Miller. It is sung (and Signed) by Jill Reid, Mary George, Rob Reid, Scott Knight, and is accompanied by Karen Daniels.
Pastor Eva Jensen will lead us through worship and preside over communion.
Come experience the Variety of expressions of Welcome, Joy and Love in this beautiful service.
Peace,
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Live-Stream Viewer Data
Last Sunday, February 21, 2021
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358+ viewers of the 10:00am worship service.
Percent watching on specified device:
- Computer 49.4%
- Smart TV 27.9%
- Mobile phone 17.6%
- Tablet 5.1%
HOLDEN WEDNESDAY VIEWERS: 112
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Guest Preacher Jeff Sartain
is at the pulpit.
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Reconciling In Christ Sunday |
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WELCOME to our guest Pastor Jeff Sartain who serves at nearby Edina Community Lutheran Church, his first call as an ELCA pastor. He attended Luther Seminary, and was ordained in the United Church of Christ where he served for 27 years in Wisconsin and in Minnesota before being received on the ELCA roster in 2018. He earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in 2011.
Jeff is married to Mark Sedio, Cantor at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Jeff served with former Transfiguration pastor, Stephanie Coltvet Erdmann at Edina Community Lutheran, and sharing that connection, he is especially grateful for the invitation to be with us today.
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The Sanctuary had Company
Confirmation Youth Met and Worshiped
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For the very first time in nearly a year, TLC's Sanctuary was occupied by selected confirmation youth and family members worshiping along with Lenten Holden Evening Prayer by watching the online stream this past Wednesday evening. The stream was projected on the wall screens as 18 worshiper's sat in the pews. The youth were there as part of a confirmation meeting.
It's a cautious beginning of in-person worship services based upon COVID case counts in Hennepin County and closely monitored by the TLC COVID Response Team [ See TLC COVID updates here]. As of this writing there are plans to hold a Sunday morning in-person worship service on March 14. Watch the TLC Weekly in the next two weeks for more details. |
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$11,575 Donated to Date by 26 Supporters
+
$11,575 Matching Dollars
$23,150 total contribution so far.
$60,000 is our GOAL.
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Since God has sufficiently provided for TLC’s internal needs for 2021, are we called to do more for those in greatest need?
The TLC member who raised this question, John Thomson, has presented us with a challenge. John believes so strongly in the responsibility of Christians to care for those in need, that he is offering to match all funds committed to Mission and Outreach (also known as Benevolence) by April 1, 2021 up to the amount of $30,000. This could lead to an additional commitment of $60,000 or more in benevolence giving in 2021.
If you are able to join this effort, responding to Christ’s invitation to love our neighbors as ourselves, please click here to complete a Pledge Form before April 1, 2021. The form is also available as a menu selection [1plus1] at tlcmn.com. If you have any preference as to how those funds are to be allocated, there is a check-list on the form of programs that have been involved with TLC in the past. Your input will help inform the recommendations of the Mission and Outreach Team.
Thank you for your prayers and your participation in the ministry of TLC.
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Prayer Squares for Easter |
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Left: Basket filled with hand-knitted prayer squares - reminders of God's Love.
Above: The cross within a square.
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—By Marilyn Erickson
As with all their knitting projects, members of the Transfiguration K3P3 Knitters prayed while they knitted these prayer squares. The prayer squares will be included in bags brought to the homes of young families during Holy Week -- a Pathway to Prayer for kids, which will be explored during Easter. The prayer squares will also be sent to TLC members who are homebound, in care centers, recovering from surgery, or have other compromising health conditions. If you look carefully at a prayer square you will see a cross in the center of each “mini prayer shawl,” which you can carry in your purse or pocket as a reminder of God’s love.
If you'd like to make your own prayer squares, stop by the church office and pick up a prepared package of yarn and directions to knit a prayer square/cloth. You will need to provide your own needles (size 7 or 8).
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This Sunday Afternoon @ 3:00pm |
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Robert B. Pittelkow
November 7, 1935 ~ October 29, 2020
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Bob Pittelkow, born November 7, 1935, passed away suddenly October 29, 2020. He was a husband, father, grandfather, retired engineer, an avid amateur woodworker and longtime private pilot. Bob is survived by his wife of 51 years, Judy; son Mike (Tara) Pittelko; daughter Sarah (Tom) Pelinka; grandchildren Petra Pittelko and Alex Pelinka; sisters Dee Harris and Cindy Jacobson (Gary Ewing) and many other relatives and friends. Memorials preferred to the Experimental Aircraft Association, EAA.org/donate. A private Memorial Service for the immediate family will be held at Transfiguration Lutheran Church at 3:00pm Sunday, February 28, 2021. There will be live-stream access at www.tlcgo.live.
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TLC COVID RESPONSE TEAM
February 25, 2021 Update
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Here’s the latest from the team on how Covid-19 is impacting TLC ministries
(Current Case Count/10,000 people: 18.1)
The TLC Covid Response Team will be doing a regular update of both the case counts in Hennepin County as well as the impacts on ministry and programming at TLC. Here is the latest from the team:
- Case count/10,000 people is currently 18.1 in Hennepin County.
- We just entered Phase 4 of our response plan - the Covid Response Team will be addressing Program implications
- Youth Ministry is open for hybrid activities with plans being made for phase 4
- Children’s Ministry will also be starting work on a hybrid schedule. It will be some monthly events and a monthly “Sunday School” potentially starting in April.
- In-person worship will be scheduled when case count drops below 30 for two consecutive weeks. The tentative date for in-person worship is March 14.
[Editor’s note: You may view the daily case count at the following website. It takes several seconds to display all the data]
TLC COVID Response Team
Brown, Jeanine
Erickson, Pete
Jorschumb, Steve
Millford, Janice
Murray, Arthur
Olson, Louise
Reber, Michelle
Reid, Rob
Wenge, Karen
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Deepening our Relationships with God and One Another |
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Sundays in Lent (February 21– March 21)
9:30am –
Songs and Stories with Pastor Melanie on ZOOM
10:00am –
On-Line Worship at tlcgo.live
Wednesdays in Lent (February 24 – March 24)
6:00pm –
Story Time with Pastor Melanie on Facebook Live
Club 56 with Karen Wenge on Zoom. Any 5th or 6th Grader can join.
Holden Evening Prayer On-Line Worship
6:30pm –
Messages led by TLC Staff will amplify some of the many “Pathways to Prayer” Online at tlcgo.live
7:00pm –
Confirmation
Adult Bible Study led by Pastor Eva on Zoom
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How's your memory holding up? Now that the Lenten season is here and will go by quickly, I do miss those nice suppers in Fellowship Hall! I don't remember the menu - probably something easy to make --- but, they were always served so that everyone who wanted to have a nice meal would get enough. NO SECONDS UNTIL EVERYONE HAS THEIR FOOD. Big or little, adult or child, who was served, always got enough....(but not more than their share). Now, with live streaming, I hope those suppers will be remembered and will live on. Wouldn't we hate to see Covid take over just because we wanted to eat together?
I hope you read the Weekly from two weeks ago now. I plan to tell more about my special friend, Louise, who lived through the Nazi take-over during World War II. She was living all alone in her Paris apartment, a teenager, relying on her friends, experiencing tough regulations on so much---especially when trying to buy food that was rationed. She had to bring heavy coal pails up from the basement to heat the place, and the toilet was down the hall. Now she relishes the fact that she has two toilets, air conditioning, etc. As difficult as life was then; her mother dead from TB, and her father dying on the way to Auschwitz, the years passed, and she found a job after the liberation, working in a dental office. Now age 20, she was doing her best, and always following the way things were run.
One day a lovely woman came into get some dental work done. She looked familiar, but Louise had to follow the directions and fill out the necessary forms. The lady had on a blue and white striped long dress that buttoned down the front, and even though she turned out to be Marlene Dietrich, whose legs were insured, Louise had to ask, "How old are you?" It was on the form --- had to be asked. You would have thought something really terrible had been asked, as Ms. Dietrich, her long dress now unbuttoned so her legs would show, glared back at Louise, in anger. I mentioned memories, and to this day, Louise feels sorry that she asked "poor Marlene" that question. That's a long time to feel sorry, isn't it?
Remember the good stuff...the bad will always come back to haunt us, even if we followed the rules.
-Bloomington Bird Lady
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Minnesota Seniors is an amazing, FREE resource service for seniors as well as family caregivers who have questions and need answers. There is a wealth of information and help -- too numerous to list. [Click Here] and see for yourself.
It's something to do and you don't need to wear a mask while browsing.
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Why was the Bible Written?
A continuing series by Pastor Al Dungan
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One of the things I appreciate about the Bible is that it’s the only religious book in my experience that looks at creation and humankind in a brutally honest way.
I mentioned at the end of my last article about “warts and pimples”. The Bible doesn’t try to cover them up when it looks at the relationship between God and humankind, humans with each other and humans as they interact with the world in which they live.
It begins, almost immediately, to acknowledge that almost from the very first, humans (Adam and Eve in the Genesis account of creation) have been in rebellion against a God who wanted/wants only the best for us.
The story in Genesis 3 relates how the Hebrews recognized and acknowledged that “something” stood between God and God’s creation. The word they used to describe it was the word sin. Sin has made it impossible for humankind to be in a healthy relationship with God, with other humans and the world in which we live.
We disobey God (Genesis 3)—sin. We kill each other (the story of Cain and Able)—sin. We do not treat our world as a precious gift from God but continue to rape it of its resources concerned only with improving our economic status—sin. A very current example of this is Line 3 which is crossing Indigenous lands and will put clean water and the harvesting of wild rice at risk. And, lest we forget, the terrible weather in Texas that left millions without power, heat and clean water. There are many more examples of this which are too many to count for this limited space. But, I think you get the point. Sin it is and sin it continues to be.
But, back to the Bible. The stories of Abraham and Sarah, of Isaac and Rebekah, of Jacob and Esau and of Joseph and his brothers are prime examples of how the Bible, unlike other documents that have been written, tells the plain, unvarnished truth. It doesn’t try to whitewash the behavior of the humans it chronicles.
This was the family that God chose to bring salvation to the world. And they were probably one of the most dysfunctional families on the face of the earth. Yet God, in spite of them, continued to offer the promise/covenant to this headstrong group of people.
Why was the Bible written? I believe that it was written to show us that no matter how far we stray away from the God who created and loves us with an everlasting love, God doesn’t give up on us. It’s called grace my friends and it never ends.
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TLC's
Addiction Awareness Team
Update
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Mission: “This ministry exists to provide a safe environment for those seeking hope and restoration from addiction and codependency.” |
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Do you have a love/hate relationship with food? Have you tried over and over again to control your eating and weight, but nothing has worked? Compulsive overeating, under-eating, food addiction, anorexia, bulimia, binge eating or over exercising….no matter your challenge with food or body image, you will find support in Overeaters Anonymous (OA). OA is available to anyone struggling with eating behaviors or trying to determine if they have food issues. They believe compulsive eating is a disease and offer recovery tools for people experiencing a wide variety of eating behaviors. The organization follows a 12-step approach and is centered on group meetings and sponsors to aid with recovery. This support group recognizes that compulsive overeating can be physical, emotional, and spiritual.
In addition to their support group meetings, OA offers individualized eating plans and tools that can help promote recovery from addictive eating behaviors and symptoms. OA may have benefits if you:
- Have obsessive thoughts about your body weight
- Have obsessive thoughts about food
- Use over-exercising, diet pills or laxatives with the aim of weight loss
- Feel compelled toward binge eating
The first Overeaters Anonymous meeting was held in 1960 and since that time has grown to about 7,000 meetings in more than 20 countries. To learn more about OA or to find a meeting near you, go to www.oa.org or call 505-891-2664.
To learn more about this ministry, or if you or someone you care about is in need of support, please reach out to one of us directly or send a confidential email to us at addictionawareness@TLCmn.com
- Chris Campo
- Dave Dickson
- Al Dungan
- Mary George
- Griffin Myslivecek
- Louise Olson
- Beth Rahn
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NLC Virtual Hymn Festival: Hope Lives!
Join the National Lutheran Choir and guest artists, the Keith Hampton Singers, for a FREE virtual program blending spoken reflections, songs and familiar hymns of joy and hope with new music that speaks to our present time, inviting all people of faith to sing in joy together!
Sunday, March 14 @ 4pm (Central Daylight Time) @ NLCA.com
This online presentation is FREE for all. For a Virtual Subscription to exclusive content ($10/month), visit NLCA.com
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It’s been a year since we were able to have the last TLC 'Pancakes with a Purpose' for our Mission of the Month. It was last March 2020 for VEAP.
The statewide campaign, convened by Minnesota Food Share, is the largest grassroots food and fund drive in the state, bringing together organizations, businesses, and faith communities to help those in our neighborhoods supplement their food needs.
We have 2 brand new collection bins to fill at TLC. They will be inside the doors of the west entrance from 9:00 to 3:00 Monday-Thursday during the month of March.
Note that financial contributions allow VEAP to respond most flexibly to changing needs. Every $30 donated allows VEAP to feed an individual for an entire month (90 meals!)
One year later and the need is greater than ever.
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Pastor Melanie Heuiser Hill
Interim Youth & Family Support
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Pete Erickson
Interim Youth & Family Minister
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TLC High School Leadership Development Opportunity!
STEP UP is a leadership development resource offered by Gustavus Adolphus College for high school youth who are in grades 9, 10, or 11. The STEP UP experience in 2021 is a three-part series held over Zoom that will introduce youth to college-level concepts of leadership and offer practical tips for developing a stronger personal plan for continuing to grow as a leader.
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Engage in three active seminars. The series includes seminars focused on developing valuable skills and expanding the participants vision for leadership opportunities.
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Receive a certificate of completion. Participants will receive a certificate from Gustavus Adolphus College acknowledging their completion of the STEP UP leadership curriculum.
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Become eligible for a renewable scholarship. Students who complete the STEP UP Leadership series and attend Gustavus Adolphus College will be eligible to receive a $500 annually renewable scholarship (up to $2000).
This three-part series is offered via Zoom.
Each seminar is from 3:00-4:30pm CST on Sunday March 7, 14, and 21. Registration costs $40 per student (includes STEP UP t-shirt and all three seminars).
Deadline for registration is Monday, March 1.
Camp Wapo Summer Registration is now open!
Camp Wapo is a longstanding tradition at TLC. The 2020 Summer was a difficult one for those who have been campers at Camp Wapo, but in 2021 Camp Wapo is open again with a 50% camper capacity. Here’s what that means for camp this summer:
Our youth camp (4th-8th grade and Senior High) week is June 27-July 2 and our SEEDS camp (1st-3rd Grade) week is July 5-7. Because of the limited capacity, TLC’s allotted numbers have been reduced to 1 for Wapo Youth and 2 for Sr High. Our TLC spots are guaranteed until February 29. On March 1 all spots will be released to the public. Sign up soon! If spots fill up (which I’m sure they will), there will be a waiting list.
Camp Wapo Summer Staff NEEDED!
Do you know any young adults that are looking for a meaningful summer job? Working on summer staff builds incredible skills in leadership, problem solving, conflict resolution, and relationship building. Being on staff gives young adults a unique opportunity to grow in faith, inspire others, and learn valuable skills they will use for a lifetime. Click here to fill out an online application. If you have questions, contact Suzi (Wapo & Ox) suzio@campwapo.org or Nate (WCB) nathanb@campwapo.org.
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The Church office is staffed with Marilyn Erickson and Michelle Reber, available Monday through Thursday, 9:00am - 4:00pm. Please 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. If no answer, you may listen to a recording of staff names and phone extensions to select and leave a specific message.
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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, the Nutty Knotters (TLC Quilters), Memory Bear Group, and Linda Meyer 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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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.
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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!
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Free Subscriptions, sign up to be a volunteer,
request care ministry and more!
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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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