2025.08.31

“And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?” - Luke 13:16

I love how tender, and how fierce, Jesus is in this moment. He is not just healing a bent-over woman; He is restoring her dignity, naming her a daughter of Abraham, and challenging the idea that freedom has to wait. Eighteen years is a long time to carry pain, and Jesus won’t let legalism stand in the way of liberation, not even for one more day.

This story reminds me that God’s timing often (seriously more often than we like to admit) collides with our expectations. We may think healing or change has to happen in certain ways, or during “the right time”, but Jesus has a habit of showing up right in the middle of our routines and saying, “Now is the time to be set free.” It makes me wonder: What burdens have we learned to live with for so long that we’ve stopped imagining release is even possible?

This week, I invite you to reflect: What in your life has been bent over for too long? It might be an old wound, a quiet fear, or a pattern that’s kept you small. Jesus sees you, not just your struggle, but your worth. You are a beloved child of God, (Pastor Todd reminds the confirmation kids that this is the most true thing about us) and you were never meant to live bound. May you feel God’s hand gently lifting you, even now. And may we, as a community, become people who notice the burdens others carry, and join in the work of setting one another free.

With grace and hope, Pastor Erin

Check out the Weekly Bulletin to see the full schedule of what’s happening at TLC this week!

Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the friends and family for the recent passing of Sandy Peveler. Please keep Sandy’s loved ones in your prayers during this time of grief.
 

Please join us as we celebrate the lives of our friends:

Sandy Peveler
Saturday, September 13 at 11:00am 
Reception following in the Fellowship Hall

Vicki Laux
Saturday, September 20 at 11:00am
Luncheon to follow (RSVP to Elisa Takaya at elisa.takaya@gmail.com)

Interested in helping with our children's faith journey? We need Godly Play teachers! A training session will be held on September 5 from 6-9pm and September 6 from 9am to 3pm. If you're interested, please contact Gabby Ortiz, our Youth and Family Ministry Staff Lead.

God’s Work. Our Hands. – Sunday, September 7
Join us in the Fellowship Hall as we assemble Homeless Kits for distribution to those in need in the community.

We need both buyers (to purchase items from a supply list ahead of time) and helpers (to put the kits together on the 7th). Funds are available for the project, so if you’re interested in helping shop for supplies, please connect with Pastor Todd.

TLC will begin showing The Chosen, Season One, on Mondays at 3:30pm in the Fellowship Hall starting September 8. Each of the eight one-hour episodes will be followed by a short conversation. Come watch, share, and grow together in faith.

For questions, contact the church office or John Crowley.

Dine Out for TLC Youth – Monday, September 16
Support TLC Youth by enjoying a meal at Presto Pasta (5722 Telephone Road). Dine in or take out for lunch, dinner, or both — and 20% of your purchase will be donated to TLC Youth.

Be sure to pick up a flyer from the Welcome Desk and present it when you pay.

The Grief Support Group resumes on Sunday, September 15 at 11am in the Garden Room. For more information, contact Pr. Erin or Doug Miller.

Interested in learning how to operate our cameras, slide deck and soundboard? We'll be scheduling a training session in the near future. If you'd like to be a part of our Worship Tech Team please let Leo or Pr. Todd know.

• Dylan Gray, grandson of Jerry and Sharon Mittelholtz
• Frank Maggio
• Pat Morris
• Mike Diaz

• Sandy Peveler
• Vicki Laux
• John, bother of Nick DeBos-Haigler
• Helen Nicolle, moth of Geoff Nicolle