First Day of Spring is Tomorrow |
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Sunday's Gospel: John 12:20-33 |
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TLC's altar flowers for Sunday were given by John and David Thomson
in loving memory of Elaine Thomson.
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The Fifth Sunday in Lent
Lenten Hymn Festival
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Rob Reid
Director of Music
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Do come “Ready to Sing” this Sunday, March 21 at 9:55am, because it is our Lenten Hymn Festival this week! In pre-Covid times we would have been combining our music groups to present creative and inspiring arrangements of some of the hymns of this Lenten season. While we can’t do that this year, we will be able to hear two beautiful pieces from our " On-Demand" archives by the TLC Woodwinds and the Chancel Choir, thanks again to our talented and artistic Video Specialist, Brad Nolte. Watch for them in the Prelude Music at 9:55am, and during Communion. We will also be blessed by pieces that were recorded this past week at TLC: flutist Jill Reid and violinist Isabel Carter (aka Izzy) will play “Near the River” for our Call to Worship, accompanied by pianist Karen Daniels, and Izzy will also honor J.S. Bach’s 336th Birthday Anniversary (he was born on March 21, 1685) by playing one of his solo violin partitas during the Offering.
During Lent we have been presenting the Psalms in various ways, and this Sunday we will be using the pattern of Reading the Psalm Responsively, and inserting a sung Refrain throughout the reading. Since this week is Psalm 51, which includes the words “Create in me a clean heart, O God,” we will be singing four different settings of that text as our Refrain, one from each of these four Lutheran hymnals: the old Red SBH, the Green LBW, the Purple “Worship and Praise” contemporary songbook, and our current Red, or “Cranberry” hymnal, the ELW. See how many you remember as we sing these Refrains to amplify the meaning of Psalm 51.
Singers, Mary George and Jill & Rob Reid [recently dubbed Regis and Kathy Lee] and organist/pianist Karen Daniels will lead our hymns, including an especially lyrical setting of Hymn 330 “Seed that in Earth is Dying” by local composer Bradley Ellingboe.
Pastor Melanie continues to follow Jesus with the Purple Heart during the Time for Children, and Pastor Eva will Preach and Preside over Communion.
Don’t miss another delightful Service of Worship this week! See you on Sunday at 9:55am!
Peace,
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Above: Bulletins, percussion instruments and self-serve communion packets awaited the first TLC congregants.
Below: The congregation wore masks, were spaced six feet from other non-family members, spoke (but did not sing), and played the percussion instruments.
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One Year After the Pandemic Began
With the changeover to Daylight Saving Time greeting people waking up that morning, the Fourth Sunday in Lent, Sunday March 14, 2021, 8:30am, was TLC’s first In-Person Sunday worship service in the sanctuary for an entire year!
Members registered during the prior couple of weeks to attend. There were 18 congregants, staff and volunteers at the service.
Pastor Arthur led worship, pianist/soloist Mary George sang, Charlie Herron and Emily Jorschumb projected the liturgy and mixed audio respectively. The TLC COVID response team consisting of Steve Jorschumb, Pete Erickson, Janice Millford and Louise Olson were on-hand to maintain standards and answer questions. The service was not live-streamed.
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Order Easter Flowers
Deadline Extended to Sunday, March 21
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Order your Easter flowers online today to adorn the altar space outdoors during the live Easter Sunday drive-in service (weather permitting) or inside if the weather is inclement. Prices range from $10 to $24 and you may take your Easter flowers home after the Easter service. |
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COVID Response Team Update |
On March 14 , TLC held its first in-person worship in a year. It was a successful, hopeful and joyous service attended by 18 people including staff and volunteer leaders. The processes in place worked to keep people safe and distanced while still maintaining a meaningful worship space.
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With the first worship under our belts and the new guidelines from the MN Department of Health, the recommendation from the Covid Response Team to the TLC Council is:
- Expanding in- person worship in April and May. Here are the dates:
- April 4–10am Easter Service (TLC Parking Lot)
- April 18–8:30am and 10:00am limited in-person worship (Sanctuary)
- May 2–10am TLC Parking Lot Worship with Rite of Confirmation
- May 16– 8:30am and 10:00am limited in-person worship (Sanctuary)
- Opening for in-person Confirmation Ministry starting after Easter
- Starting the process of opening the church building for small groups after Easter
Note:
On-line participation for all of the above will continue to be available at www.tlcgo.live
Sunday School with Pastor Melanie will continue to be offered via Zoom at 9:30am
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If you are in need of prayer or have the name of someone you would like to add, please ask permission from that person first. Then, contact Marilyn Erickson, Care Ministry at 952-884-2364 ext. 10, or merickson@tlcmn.com.
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Dave Merrill
Jane Kinyon
Joel Wigstadt
Larry Granger
Barb Halverson
Irene Johnson
Kevin Erickson
Jerry Hanson
Jean Nyberg
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Walt Thomsen
Irene Amon
Dunwiddie Family
Don Jacobson
Carol Robbins
Judy Hanson
Laurel Riippa
Kirsi Ebli
Ron Schultz
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Prayers of Sympathy to:
- Linnea Anderson and family on the death of Linnea's mother, Avis Paulson.
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Live-Stream Viewer Data
Last Sunday, March 14, 2021
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268+ viewers of the 10:00am worship service.
Percent watching on specified device:
- Computer 51.2%
- Smart TV 25.6%
- Mobile phone 11.0%
- Tablet 12.2%
HOLDEN WEDNESDAY VIEWERS: 108
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INCREDIBLE
$64,000
UPDATE!
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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. As of Thursday, March 18, the compassionate giving by TLC folks has not only reached the original goal, but has gone beyond, to a new total of $34,000; being matched with Mr. Thompson's $30,000 benevolence, brings us to a new total of $64,000!
How far can we go?!
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.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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For over 25 years, TLC-ELC has organized a Spring Flower sale, with the beautiful, healthy flowers and plants provided by Pahl's Market in Apple Valley.
This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and all proceeds for the sale will go toward the upgrading of our playground.
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1) Print the form and drop it off at the check-in desk at the northeast entrance to the daycare at TLC-ELC, 11000 France Ave. S., Bloomington, MN 55431
2) Complete the fillable pdf and attach it to an email and send to: fundraising@elc.tlcmn.com
3)Type your order into the body of an email and send to fundraising@elc.tlcmn.com
Order forms are available at the TLC Church Office, Mon-Thu, 9am to 3pm.
Orders are due April 5 and flower pick-up will be on May 12. Payment (cash or check) is due at pick-up.
Thank you for your thoughtful support of the Early Learning Center
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When you look under our bird feeders, a pile of seeds has been raked up, the birdbath newly filled now, and then see a sweet little chipmunk, probably just awaking from hibernation, you know spring cannot be far away. Another clue that more snow may be on its way----the dark-eyed juncos are having a ball---I've written about them before, and they seem like little weather forecasters, hopping around, also enjoying the leftover bird seed right under their feet. Another spring arrival, the red-winged blackbird, is back after a pretty easy winter.
I hope many of you can walk outside now. It's been so easy with no below zero temps, and all the snow melting quickly. We got used to seeing the lawn again, still full of leaves from last fall. Our one maple tree waits too long to shed its leaves every year... but, most of the leaves are from oak trees several blocks away. As we drive to the store, we can say, "Well, that's where they are coming from!"
About a week ago I was walking on Overlook Drive behind Dwan Golf Course. Sometimes it's really treacherous walking back there, as ice forms quickly and there's very little traffic. Looking down at the road while I walked, I noticed a leaf that kept blowing in the gutter right next to me. It seemed to be leading the way, but then I saw a tail on the "leaf." A tiny mouse was my walking companion, and did not seem afraid of me, so we walked together a while. When fall arrives, I also have seen small snakes sunning themselves. No, I am not afraid of snakes, and this used to annoy my friends back in elementary school. The boys were probably just as afraid of snakes as the girls were, but I knew how to pick them up close to their heads, let the little snake wrap itself around my arm, and then put it back where it had been.
If you ever walk on Overlook behind Dwan, watch for Sandy Stooke's house. It's on the south side and Xerxes Ave. is close by. Sandy came to our house on Russell bringing a bag of ---guess what? Masks! She had made them, and I got one with birds all over it. I have worn that mask during this time of "being crareful" and it's so easy to wash, has a wire or pipe cleaner that makes the top stay over my nose. Works really well.
Thanks, so much Sandy.
Bless all of you as you do the "right thing" by wearing your mask in public, not gathering in large groups yet, and washing your hands... Maybe a sign to remind us to wash hands and grocery items when possible, would be good, as I seem to easily forget this one. Who knows who picked up that can or whatever before you did? I saw the Florida beaches full of spring break people, and all way too close together in their swim suits. I surely hope our virus and its variants don't make Easter a lonely time.
-Bloomington Bird Lady
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Why was the Bible Written?
How Torah and how the rest of the Hebrew Scriptures came to be
A continuing series by Pastor Al Dungan
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(Part 2)
There’s a lot of interest in genealogy nowadays. Ancestry.com and 23-and-Me are two of the most popular websites addressing genealogy. And, lest we forget, The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (the Mormons to most of us) have been in the genealogy business for years. But that’s a whole different matter.
The Hebrew people were no different in this interest. If you read Genesis 11:10-32, you will find a list of the ancestors of Abram and Sarai. It was important to these people to know who they were and who their ancestors were. This gave them a sense of their identity.
I find it interesting that in Genesis 11:30 it was mentioned that Sarai was barren. That she had no child. If you know this story you will see that the story teller was, in a rather indirect way, beginning to build the suspense of “will she conceive”? And, “when will she conceive”? And, “is this even possible at such a great age”?
Abram’s father was Terah. This extended family lived in a very ancient city in what is now Iraq. The name of the city was Ur and the Chaldean people lived there. (This is the city that Pope Francis visited when he was recently visiting Iraq.)
As the story goes, Terah decided to leave Ur and move to the land of Canaan. It doesn’t say why, only that Terah decided it was time to move. But he and the members of his extended family only got as far as the city of Haran. And there they settled.
Now, the story becomes interesting: Abram, his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot and his family had settled in Haran when one day, Abram received a message from Yahweh. Now I don’t know how Abram knew this God, but when Yahweh spoke to him, Abram paid attention.
The message was this, recorded in Genesis 12:
“Go,” Yahweh said. “Go from here, leave your family behind. Go to a land that I will show you.” I imagine that Abram thought, “Okaaay. What’s this all about?”
And now it becomes interesting, because it reminds us that Sarai is barren. Abram is told, not only to go but he is given a promise that God will make of him a great nation and though him all nations would receive a blessing.
At that point he was 75 years old and his wife was probably close to that age. People of that age don’t usually conceive and bear children.
But he trusted God and he went, not knowing where he was going and how in the world God was going to fulfill this promise.
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Next time: a lack of trust gets Abram and Sarai into all kinds of trouble. And…the plot thickens.
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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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Tears — A Meditation
Did you ever hear this when you were growing up? Stop crying or I’ll give you something to really cry about? Or big boys don’t cry.
I did. I heard them over and over. And so, I just stuffed my tears.
It’s natural to cry when we’re sad or hurt or happy or angry—especially when you are a little child. But when you get those messages over and over again, you learn not to express yourself with tears. Then tears can be dangerous or shaming.
I didn’t know it but when I stuffed my tears the feelings that I had “came out sideways” in other expressions: anger, pouting, hitting out at someone when I was a child. When I got older, the anger became occasional “rage outs” or snide comments or giving someone the “cold shoulder” for extended periods of time.
Even when I experienced some very painful situations, I just couldn’t cry because “big boys don’t cry” and now that I was a grown up big boy, I was definitely not going to show reaction to the pain by crying. I had practiced not crying for so long that I had forgotten how.
My parents divorced. I didn’t cry. My grandparents died. I didn’t cry. I lost several jobs. I didn’t cry. I was faced with some very crucial situations that hurt a lot. I didn’t cry.
Then…one day when I was studying to become an addiction recovery counselor, I attended a lecture where I heard just an astounding list of why I couldn’t cry. I started to cry and I cried for the whole hour that the lecture was being given. I didn’t know there were that many tears in the whole world.
What a wonderful gift that lecture was for me because it showed me that crying is okay. It is healthy. It allowed me to express my feelings in a very natural ways that for all my life had been very unnatural.
Today when I see or hear something that really touches my heart, the tears will start to flow. And sometimes when my wife sees me crying, she’ll say to me, “Are you okay?” And I can now respond, “Yes, I’m okay” because I really, really am.
What a blessing my tears have been since then.
-Al Dungan
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- Chris Campo
- Dave Dickson
- Al Dungan
- Mary George
- Griffin Myslivecek
- Louise Olson
- Beth Rahn
- Rick Zeidler
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Every year TLC partner’s with VEAP, participating
in the statewide Minnesota Food Share campaign to
ensure food shelves across the state are well stocked
as we near the end of the cold winter months. In the
past 2 weeks we have already delivered over 150 lbs.
of food along with monetary contributions to help VEAP
reach the goals they’ve set.
The Drive will continue until April 11.
Collection bins are in TLC's west entrance,
9:00am-3:00pm, Monday through Thursday.
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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 Passion Story – CALLING ALL FAMILIES! Good Friday Service
We would love to include your family in the “Passion Story” video which will be at the Good Friday service .
Families can take part on the following ways:
- Dress up and present a scene from the script – Record this on your phone (horizontally)
- Read Narrator parts (scripture verses) – Record on your phone (horizontally)
Once your family decides on the scene you’d like to record, you can stop by church and pick up the props/costumes for that specific scene – props will be ready by March 8. NOTE: ALL VIDEO RECORDINGS NEED TO BE EMAILED TO PETE BY Friday, March 26th.
If you’d like to sign up, here is the link to the “TLC Passion Story”. If you have trouble with the link, feel free to reach out to Pete Erickson and indicate which role you’d like to fill. We are looking forward to the many gifts that will be shared you! If you have questions about any of this, please reach out to Pete at PErickson@tlcmn.com
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Join us for one or both of the below events to help you get started. You’ll be glad you took this first important step.
Decluttering: How to get started & get organized
THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 • 11:00am - 12:00pm
Virtual information session: By ZOOM or telephone
About our presenter: Su-Yoon Ko, is a professional organizer and owner of Decluttering Key. She has a passion for decluttering, and specializes in bereavement organizing: helping people honor their loved one, while letting go of the things that do not enhance their own lives.
A link/phone number will be sent to you in advance of the presentation
Paper Shredding Drive-Up
THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 • 11:00am - 1:00pm
Bring personal papers to Martin Luther Campus
Complimentary community shredding event (up to 4 grocery bags). A shredding truck will be in our parking lot for immediate paper destruction.
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TLC Memorial Garden
A place of peace and reflection, honoring and remembering those close to our hearts. Please click here to visit our website dedicated to those who have passed on -- from 2012 to the present. Each person -Saint- has a page with their obituary, video photo collage, the funeral service bulletin, homily, photo album, and in more recent years, a video of the entire funeral service that was held at TLC. |
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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. 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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