Our Namesake Sunday:
Transfiguration
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Rob Reid
Director of Music
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This coming Sunday, February 14, we celebrate Transfiguration Sunday, the day that Jesus went up the mountain with his disciples and was “transfigured!” His face shone White (the Liturgical Color for the day), and God said “This Is My Beloved Son” which are the words that appear on the stained-glass cross above our altar.
We sing several hymns which include the word "Alleluia!" led by Organist Karen Daniels and the Socially Distanced Quartet: Mary George, Jill Reid, Rob Reid and Scott Knight. With Lent starting next Wednesday at our Ash Wednesday Service, these will be the last Alleluias we sing until Easter Sunday. The Quartet will also sing a thrilling anthem "Jesus On the Mountain Peak" by Mark Sedio, Organist and Music Director at Central Lutheran and Augsburg College.
The service begins with an exciting Handbell Prelude "God of Grace and Glory" recorded this past Monday by The TLC Bell Ensemble: Jill Reid, Karen Daniels, Mary Anne Lofstrom, Mary Kelly, Marilyn Rundberg, and Ryan Hanish.
Pastor Arthur will share a fun Time for Children and preach, and Pastor Eva will lead our Prayers and preside over Communion. Come and worship, and re-live the wonderful Transfiguration Story.
Peace,
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Live-Stream Viewer Data
Last Sunday, February 7, 2021
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385+ viewers of the 10:00am worship service.
Percent watching on specified device:
- Computer 43.2
- Smart TV 28.4%
- Mobile phone 13.5%
- Tablet 14.9%
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Meet Your New Church Council Representatives |
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I have been a member of TLC since November of 1993. Over the years I’ve done a few things like teaching Confirmation for 18 years, am on the usher team along with communion assistant. I am also in some small groups like Guys for God and Women in Ministry, Addiction and Awareness Team and a small group bible study, along with the golf league and past member of the softball team. I have also been on the Capital Campaign team. I am one of the first on Michelle’s call list for volunteering, mainly because I have a hard time saying no. |
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Melissa Klement
2021 Treasurer
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Melissa Klement has been attending TLC since 2014 with her husband (Mike) and two children Max (2nd grade) and Bella (Kindergarten). During this time, Melissa has enjoyed assisting and participating in small groups and events including the TLC Women's Café small group, the Women's Retreat, the Neighborhood Block Party, and most recently becoming an interim member of Church Council since December 2020, due to a vacant seat. Her children enjoy attending Sunday School and the time they spent at the Early Learning Center. It’s been a pleasure to serve in the interim role on council with this wonderful group, and Melissa is hoping to continue using her gifts to give back and serve the church her family calls home. |
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I am a Bloomington native. My parents moved here in January 1961. Except for some time out of the country and living around the Cities, I have always lived in this city and have watched it grow and change. My husband loves living here. He was actually the one who really wanted to stay! We have two grown sons, one lives here and one in FL. Dave and I now live in a townhouse across from the Masonic Home and are enjoying the less busy life of retirement. I am a fairly new member of TLC, about 18 months now. I knew several families who attended the church and felt very much at home here. I think I have been warmly welcomed. I am retired now and prior to COVID, was looking forward to being more involved in the Church. I joined the Welcome Diversity group first because I’ve known Sandy Mullen since about 2004. I volunteered to take on the Small Group leadership when Renee left and due to that, I am on the COVID response team and Strategic Leadership team.
I recently joined the Racial Justice group as well. I think an informed community led by faithful council members brings vitality and interest to the Church as a whole. I am honored to serve on the Council.
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I was born in China during the 1949 communist revolution and emigrated to the US with my parents when I was 8 yrs old. I grew up in Alexandria, Va and graduated from Virginia Tech as an Aerospace Engineer. Following graduation, I served in the US Air Force as an instructor pilot and as a project manager on the Space Shuttle Program. Anita and I married in California and were active with our son, Eric, in Boy Scouts and marching band. I currently telework as a consultant for the USAF in CA and enjoy flying, building model planes, and volunteer at Wings of the North Air Museum. We’ve been in Bloomington and members of TLC for almost 5 yrs now and are enjoying Minnesota. I’m looking forward to serving on council supporting our church mission and getting to know all of you. |
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Steve Jorschumb
Council President
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Gretchen Schroeder
Secretary
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Church Council members who retired from their positions this year received a unique piece of artwork as a thank you gift for their challenging, thoughtful and heartfelt services to TLC. Dan Ekholm, Allision Lindman, Jerry Olson and Sandy Stooke were each given these handcrafted Haitian metal artworks, imported from "It's Cactus," the direct importer of Haitian artwork, whose sales revenue makes a positive impact on the Haitian artist who produced it.
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Note: Financial statement available in the next issue of the TLC Weekly.
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TLC COVID RESPONSE TEAM
February 12, 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: 22.5)
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 22.5 in Hennepin County
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We are in Phase 2 of our response plan(See the full response plan at tlcmn.com/covid19)
- Youth Ministry is opening for hybrid activities on February 10
- 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. Next possible 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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Meeting ID: 889 8178 7359
Passcode: 443251
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Mardi Gras /Shrove Tuesday
BINGO PARTY
February 16 • 6:00pm
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Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday—this year that’s Tuesday, February 16. Traditionally, Christians participated in confession and absolution on Shrove Tuesday. They also ritually burned the previous year’s Holy Week palms to use on Ash Wednesday, finalized their Lenten Sacrifices…and ate pancakes and other sweets in preparation for giving them up entirely during lent.
Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday” and synonymous with “carnival.” On Fat Tuesday, the tradition is to eat up the rich fatty foods in your household before the ritual fasting of Lent. (There is less about spiritual preparation to the traditions of Mardi Gras….) Pancakes and the like are the traditional food of the day—and they make a great dinner!
Many Christians in various cultures around the world observe/celebrate Shrove Tuesday and/or Mardi Gras. And we at TLC going to join them -VIRTUALLY- in our own way this year. You bring the pancakes/waffles/chocolate, etc., for dinner, link to ZOOM and play Lenten Bingo—a fun way to learn about the season that is upon us. We will meet at 6:00pm on Tuesday via Zoom—you’re welcome to be eating your Mardi Gras supper, and play.
I’m thinking waffles with strawberry sauce and whipped cream…maybe some hot chocolate and bacon, too…will be served at our house!
Wear Purple/Green/Gold and join us! Contact Pastor Melanie for a Bingo Card.
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Deepening our Relationships with God and One Another
Look for a detailed mailing (USPS) coming to your homes this weekend
with materials and ways to experience prayer in the coming season.
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Ash Wednesday, February 17
6:30pm On-Line Worship at tlcgo.live
Sundays in Lent (February 21– March 21)
9:30am – Songs and Stories with Pastor Melanie
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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Let's Agree on the
Important Things!
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Right now our country is going through a time where division has seemingly gotten out of hand. Today they are showing even more detailed videos of the January 6th insurrection at our capitol. So hopefully the trial about to take place will put some of our division to rest. Pictures don't lie. |
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As a young girl I was fascinated by "The Diary of a Young Girl," the story of Anne Frank, which was found by her father after WW2 was over. As you may recall, the Frank family, who were Jewish, had to hide in an upstairs space right in the heart of Amsterdam. When we visited there in 1996, we even climbed those stairs and opened the door to their hiding place. It felt surreal to be in a place I'd only read about, never dreaming I'd ever see it.
I have wanted to tell more of my friend, Louise Dillery's life, first as a teenager, and about the same age as Anne Frank was.
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No, she did not hide, but actually lived in her Paris apartment, and had to deal with the Nazi occupation, rationing, wearing a yellow star on her sleeve. ( She still remembers how awful that made her feel.) Her mother had died from tuberculosis not too long before, and she and her father were quite alone, doing pretty well, until one day. Louise had gone to pick up the ration books for the two of them, and on the way back to the apartment, was followed by two men. |
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They came in, got her father who was sick with ulcers, out of bed and proceeded to take him away. She has no idea why those men didn't also take her. It's a mystery, but Louise says she knows that angels watch over her yet. Her father was such a kind man, she says, and the only time she ever saw him cry was when her mother died, and then when the Nazis came in and took down the French flag, putting up the ugly Swastika. She found out later that her father had died en route to Aushwitz. When she found later that the two men had been executed, she felt no compassion for them... they deserved what they got.
Louise, still in school, then lived alone in the apartment, relying on the kindness of friends, a priest, her girl friend's mother, etc. She had to make trips down into the basement to bring up coal to heat the apartment. In all those trips, no one offered to help her. Food was not easy to get...She says think of a pork chop and then that it's all the meat you'll have that week.....Or a pat of butter...one per week, if at all. I think the "angels" also helped her pay the rent, and her best friend's mom would always have her come for Sunday dinner. Amazing that her best friend is still living and they can talk on the phone now.
I have told you about how Louise and I met. She would often be on the French language show, "Bonjour Minnesota" and I just wanted to meet her, as kind of my own Anne Frank. I told her that once and she said, "No, I was not at all like Anne Frank" I hope, later on, to continue this story, as Louise and I are still good friends, and she is now 95 years old.
Hoping to get vaccinated soon, let's pray for better distribution of the vaccine! Bless you all...take care.
-Bloomington Bird Lady
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Your caring contribution to VEAP helps individuals and families – our neighbors – remain strong and stable. When our neighbors are stronger, our community is stronger. Your support has a direct impact on low-income families living in the community. This means not only feeding families, but identifying the underlying needs to help lift people out of hunger.
Currently at TLC, new donation bins designed and built by Eagle Scout, Taylor English, are being used for a VEAP food drive now thru February 25. If you have donations that help support VEAP's needs, please drop them off at TLC just inside the west entrance doors (where the bins will be located), Monday - Thursday, 9:00am - 3:00pm. THANK YOU!
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- Have you dropped your landline phone?
- Changed your email address?
- Moved and have a new street address?
TLC records are only as accurate as the updated information you provide. Please contact the church office (952-884-2364 / office@tlcmn.com) with any changes to your contact information since our last directory was published in 2017. Thank you!
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Why was the Bible Written?
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The world view of the Hebrews was much different from ours. They believed that God, in the first creation story, separated the chaotic, pulsing waters into two parts. God did this by creating a dome which was above them that kept the waters from “up there” from the waters “down there” upon which the land rested. They believed this because when it rained, the waters “up there” came down. And when they discovered a spring or dug a well, the waters from “down there” bubbled up. The dome was the sky and the earth was like a flat plate on which everything lived and grew. The sun, moon and stars were created to give light to the earth and there was no reason to question any of this because “that’s just the way it was”. And, they said, God saw that all of it was good.
Our world view, of course, is vastly different because we have learned that 1) the earth is not the center of the universe; 2) the sun, moon and stars are a part of what we call the solar system; and 3) rain comes from an evaporation process which makes clouds, which become full of water and then drops back onto the earth.
Now, back to the Hebrew world view and how they viewed a whole bunch of things.
Genesis 1 was a very orderly creation process which showed to them how, step by step, God made this world that we live in and the task of caring for what God had made. In our culture we would call this the process of evolution.
Genesis 2-9 carries the story further by answering a whole series of questions—as best they could, you understand.
- Question 1: Where did we come from?
- Question 2: Why are some of us men and some of us women?
- Question 3: Why are we afraid of snakes?
- Question 4: Why do we have to work so hard so that we have food to eat and water to drink?
- Question 5: You tell us that once we lived in paradise. Why don’t we live there anymore?
- Question 6: Why are some people so mean that they harm others and sometimes kill them?
- Question 7: Why do we speak different languages?
- Question 8: And this is a really big one—why did God destroy the world through a flood?
The first 9 chapters address this from a story-telling point of view because that’s how their culture did things.
Have you ever asked any of these questions? The Hebrews did and that’s how they made sense of the world they lived in.
Next time: God calls Abram to….??
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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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When a person begins their 12-step journey in Alcoholics Anonymous it is with the hope that their life will change for the better. Last week, Griffin introduced the first of the 12 steps through his reflection. We will be exploring the remaining eleven steps in the months to come. For those in recovery, as we become sober and work through the 12 steps, we begin to recognize shifts in our attitude and perception. At some point, we begin to believe in the promises of sobriety that are laid out in The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous:
The AA Promises
- If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through.
- We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.
- We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.
- We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.
- No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.
- That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.
- We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.
- Self-seeking will slip away.
- Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.
- Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.
- We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.
- We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us - sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.
– pgs. 83-84, The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous
For those who are suffering from addiction, please join us in working through the 12 steps knowing these Promises are waiting for you!
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.
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.
- Chris Campo
- Dave Dickson
- Al Dungan
- Mary George
- Griffin Myslivecek
- Louise Olson
- Beth Rahn
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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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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 one for Wapo Youth and two for Sr. High. Our TLC spots are guaranteed until February 28. On March 1, all spots will be released to the public. Sign up soon! If spots fill up (which likely 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.
If you have questions, contact Suzi (Wapo & Ox)
or Nate (WCB)
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Interim Youth & Family Minister, Pete Erickson, hosted the "Children's Message" in last Sunday's online worship service. Some unusual "things" showed up during his story, including a campfire (?!) near the altar.
And a photo (left) of Pete as a camp counselor not too many years ago (NOT).
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High School Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday Event – Tuesday, February 16 at 5PM at TLC!
All 9th-12th graders are invited to come to church for fatty food, delicious treats, games and a meaningful outdoor project working on our Lenten Prayer Tree. Food will be provided; all you need to do is bundle up and show up! Connect with Pete if you have questions (perickson@tlcmn.com)
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 taking place on 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.
· Engage in three active seminars. The series includes seminars focused on developing valuable skills and expanding the participants vision for leadership opportunities.
· Receive a certificate of completion. Participants will receive a certificate from Gustavus Adolphus College acknowledging their completion of the STEP UP leadership curriculum.
· 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.
For more information on facilitators and the schedule for each day, visit
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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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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”, which is sent to your email every Tuesday at 6:30am.
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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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
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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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