Being in the Presence of Jesus + Sunday Morning Resources

TCC • April 29, 2022

Jesus is present in the storms we face in life. That’s exactly what Sunday’s service opened up to us. I know about storms (I grew up in Oklahoma!) and realize how scary and discombobulating they can be as you are being tossed about in the throes of a storm’s fury. However, I appreciated how Pastor Mark developed his message to show how compassionate, concerned, and capable Jesus was in the middle of this storm. I love how Jesus was secure enough in His Father’s care to be relaxed and calm. As Mark said, we can unleash hope in our storms as we trust Jesus – He sees us, cares about us, is present with us, and brings us through the storms we face with strength and hope. I find great comfort in that promise.


Several people have asked me how to practice being in the presence of Jesus. I love that question. Being in the presence of Jesus has been my life goal now for the past nine years. This is why we’ve transitioned our vision of how we grow in our faith to this model: If you want to have the life of Jesus, you must practice the lifestyle of Jesus. In other words, if we’re going to be present with Jesus, we must engage in the practices He did, which gave Him great strength because He had been in the Father’s presence. I pray that we will all get this. You might go to our website and look at the resources we’ve curated there that will help you practice the way of Jesus. It’s done as we SHARE LIFE with Jesus and each other, STRENGTHEN FAITH as we grow in confidence in God’s Word for our lives, SERVE OTHERS by humbly putting the needs of others ahead of our own, and SPREAD HOPE as we devotedly pray and purposefully act for the rapid spread of the Gospel message in our world.


Learning to be in the presence of Jesus requires discipline, determination, and delight as we pursue Him. In my current season where I’m more aware than ever that I am not in control of the circumstances of my life, and I’ve discovered that this is a practice I need to engage in more and more. As I’ve watched the NBA playoffs, I’ve seen a video of Steph Curry practicing his jump shots repeatedly for long periods of time each day. You might think that he wouldn’t need to be so disciplined to practice that much as good of a shot-maker as he has become. But, the truth in this is that if we don’t practice, we won’t grow. But we also don’t stay the same because we actually digress in our ability. So, let me encourage you that following Jesus, and becoming like Him, requires a lifetime of practice.

 

Here are some upcoming opportunities to SHARE LIFE, STRENGTHEN FAITH, SERVE OTHERS, and SPREAD HOPE to our family and community. 

 

SERVE OUR COMMUNITY is back and with expanded opportunities to get out and impact our local community. In my message from March 13, I walked us through the vision to be a church for our community as working for the common good of our friends and neighbors. The truth is that as our community is better, then our lives are better. We get to benefit from what God does to shine the light of Jesus into our world. This year we will be out in our community over three weekends beginning April 30. It’s still not too late to join us TOMORROW. Just show up at the church at 8:00am. Please know that there is something for everyone, whether you can do physical-type projects or not. You can check out the opportunities Pastor John Fairchild and Mare Dibert have worked to make available and sign up for the one that fits you best on our website. 


WILLIAM JESSUP UNIVERSITY CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA – Friday, May 6, 7:00pm at TCC. Join us as we are led to worship and connect with Jesus with this awesome group of college students. WJU is one of our ministry partners because we want to be part of investing in the next generation. Some of our own TCC young adults will be part of this musical experience. This FREE event is designed for everyone in our community so please invite your family and friends to be part of this with us. 


GROWTH PATH is Sunday, May 15. Growth Path is a fantastic time to find out more about our church and how you can fit in here. We all need a place where we can know and be known, love and be loved, serve and be served, and celebrate and be celebrated. So, I hope you’ll go to our website and register to attend the class that fits you best. We are eager to talk about God’s call on our church and how you can belong and participate in a meaningful way as we practice the way of Jesus together.

 

THIS SUNDAY, we continue our UNLEASHING HOPE series as we focus on the Unleashing Hope in Your Suffering – in the struggles of life. Just like we talked about in the service on Unleashing Hope for Your Relationships, we don’t get much training or teaching in how to face suffering in life, which is unfortunate since Jesus guaranteed that we would have troubles in this life. On Sunday, we will consider Paul’s advice and instruction on facing discouragement and disappointment as we hold firm to the anchor of hope. 

 

CANCER HEALING JOURNEY. Thank you for your continued prayers for my healing journey from cancer. This was a very busy week of treatments and procedures. I was in San Francisco on both Monday and Tuesday concerning the surgical procedure to remove the stent from my esophagus. The purpose of the stent was to stretch the opening of my esophagus and allow me to swallow so I could begin gaining weight. Praise God, it worked, and I’ve gained TEN pounds since February 22. I also met with my local oncologist on Monday. He gave me a thumbs up to continue my immunotherapy treatments. On Tuesday morning, I did my eighth treatment at SNMH before Kim and I drove back to San Francisco for my stent removal surgery which went well. Wow! What a week. I’m feeling pretty fatigued and have a sore throat today. Please pray that my esophagus will remain open so I won’t need more procedures in the future. While you’re at it, please pray for the efficacy of the immunotherapy treatments so that my immune system will attack any future cancer growth. I love you so much. ï»¿

 

Here are the links you’ll need to prepare for Sunday’s Service: 


   

Joyfully living everyday life on mission in intimacy with Jesus and others,

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At the End of All Things: A Conversation about End Times and What Follows + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • June 27, 2025
Last Sunday, we had a candid and meaningful conversation about death and the afterlife. I’m so grateful for the wisdom Gregory Ingram shared with us — and for the space we had to grapple with honest questions about such a tender topic. I know for many, that conversation stirred up even more questions, which is why I’m excited that Gregory will be continuing the conversation in July as part of Grow University . Click here for details. This weekend, we’ll explore a couple of important topics we didn’t have time to fully address. With so much happening in the world — especially in the Middle East — it’s natural to ask, “Is this it? Are we living in the End Times?” We’ll also wrestle with another big question: "If Heaven is real, what about Hell? Why would a loving God send anyone there?" Pastor John will guide us through these difficult, but important questions as we continue our Beyond Doubt series. You won’t want to miss it. Here are some helpful resources to get you ready for the weekend: Message Notes and Study Guide Weekly Spotify Playlist Children's Ministry Student Ministry See you Sunday.

A Big Week at TCC — and a Big Topic This Sunday + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • June 20, 2025
What a week it’s been! Our campus has been filled with laughter, learning, and life-changing moments as over 270 kids enjoyed an amazing week at Vacation Bible School. Meanwhile, more than 50 students have been away at youth camp, growing in faith and friendship. A huge thank you to every parent, volunteer, and leader who made these incredible experiences possible! Speaking of investing in the next generation, with all the Father’s Day excitement, we almost forgot to mention that last week marked 20 years since we moved into our current building! This milestone comes at a perfect time — together, we just crossed the $100,000 mark toward our Investing in the Future campaign. I know I haven’t talked much about it (I really don’t like talking about money), but we’re trusting God to help us raise a total of $600,000 to repair our roof, façade, and HVAC so our building remains a safe, welcoming place for decades to come — and to help build a church for a growing community in Uganda. To learn more or join in, click here . This Sunday, we’ll tackle one of life’s biggest questions: What really happens when we die? Do we go straight to Heaven , or do our souls wait until Jesus returns? What will eternity actually be like? Will it be an endless worship service in the clouds — and will we know our loved ones when we get there? To help us explore these questions, I’ll be joined by Gregory Ingram, director of Anew Day and a former hospice chaplain with nearly 20 years of experience walking alongside people in their final days. You won’t want to miss this meaningful conversation. I’m so grateful to be on this adventure of following Jesus together. Here are some helpful resources to get you ready for the weekend: Message Notes and Study Guide Weekly Spotify Playlist Children's Ministry Student Ministry See you Sunday.

Is God Really a Good Father? + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • June 13, 2025
This Sunday is Father’s Day, and we know it can stir up all kinds of emotions. For some, it’s a day of gratitude and great memories. For others, it’s more complicated. That’s why we’re asking a big question this weekend: Is God really a good Father? Because let’s be honest, some of what we read in the Old Testament can make God seem angry, distant, or even harsh. But what if those difficult passages are meant to be read through the lens of Jesus, the Son who came not to protect us from the Father, but to show us who He truly is? We’ll explore some of those tough questions honestly and discover a clearer picture of God’s heart. Plus, we’ll celebrate Communion together as a tangible reminder that in Christ, we are fully loved and fully welcomed home. Here are some helpful resources to get you ready for the weekend: Message Notes and Study Guide Weekly Spotify Playlist Children's Ministry Student Ministry See you Sunday.

The Problem of Suffering + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • June 6, 2025
The single most asked question we got was some form of the following: If God is good, why does He let us suffer? Maybe you’ve asked it in a hospital room, or in the middle of a sleepless night. Maybe you’re asking it right now. If so, you’re not alone. It’s one of the deepest and most difficult questions of faith, and we’re facing it head on this weekend as we continue our Beyond Doubt series. We’ll explore what the Bible says about suffering and how viewing it through the lens of Jesus can shift our perspective. It won’t erase the pain, but it may help us see that God has not abandoned us in it. In fact, He may be closer than we ever imagined. If your heart is heavy or your hope feels thin, come. Let’s seek God’s presence and peace — together. Here are some helpful resources to get you ready for the weekend: Message Notes and Study Guide Weekly Spotify Playlist Children's Ministry Student Ministry See you Sunday.

The Bible’s Rosetta Stone – A Conversation You Won’t Want to Miss + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • May 30, 2025
This Sunday, we’re continuing our Beyond Doubt series with a conversation I’ve been really looking forward to. I’ll be sitting down with Dr. David Timms, Dean of New Testament and Leadership at Jessup University to talk about how we make sense of the Bible as a whole. More specifically, we will discuss the lens which he suggests best brings the whole of Scripture into focus and reveals the heart of God most clearly. It’ll be an honest, thoughtful conversation about questions many of us have had — especially when different parts of the Bible seem to paint very different pictures of God. David has a gift for making deep theology accessible, and I think you’ll find his insights both challenging and encouraging (his accent is pretty awesome, as well). If you’ve ever struggled with how to read Scripture or wondered how it all fits together, this one’s for you. Here are some helpful resources to get you ready for the weekend: Message Notes and Study Guide Weekly Spotify Playlist Children's Ministry Student Ministry Can’t wait to share it with you,

Twisted Scripture: How to Read the Bible Responsibly + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • May 23, 2025
This Sunday, we’re continuing our Beyond Doubt series with a crucial follow-up to last week’s message on trusting the Bible. Now that we’ve established what the Bible is, we’re turning our attention to how we read it — because let’s face it, the Bible has been used to justify both beautiful and terrible things. So how do we make sure we’re interpreting it responsibly? We’ll talk about why context matters, how our personal lens can unintentionally distort God’s Word, and why a single verse — ripped out of its context — can be twisted to say almost anything. You’ll learn a practical, easy-to-remember approach to reading the Bible faithfully and responsibly — not just devotionally. If you’ve ever struggled with conflicting interpretations or felt unsure about how to make sense of the Bible, this message is for you. Together, we will discover how to let God’s word shape us — without being reshaped by us. Here are some helpful resources to get you ready for the weekend: Message Notes and Study Guide Weekly Spotify Playlist Children's Ministry Student Ministry See you Sunday,

Can I Really Trust the Bible? + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • May 16, 2025
This Sunday, we continue our Beyond Doubt series by asking one of the most foundational questions of all: Can I trust the Bible? For many of us, the Bible has shaped what we believe about God, ourselves, and the world. But have you ever wondered how this ancient library of books came to be? How the early church decided what made the cut? And whether what we read today matches what was originally written? We'll explore how the Bible was formed, and evidence for why it's still trustworthy and relevant today. If you've ever struggled with doubts or wrestled with tough questions about the Bible, this message is for you. You just might come away with a renewed sense of confidence in the truth you hold in your hands. Here are some helpful resources to get you ready for the weekend: Message Notes and Study Guide Weekly Spotify Playlist Children's Ministry Student Ministry See you Sunday,

Donuts, Doubt & Dedications – Celebrate Mother’s Day at Twin Cities

By TCC • May 9, 2025
Last Sunday, we got to celebrate as 31 of our brothers and sisters in Christ went public with their faith through baptism. What a powerful moment for our church family! And we’re not slowing down. This weekend, we’re pulling out all the stops to make Mother’s Day meaningful and memorable. First, there will be donuts. Because what’s a celebration without some guilt-free carbs? Sweeter still, we’ll hear from Kim Thompson, the founding mother of Twin Cities Church. Kim will be sharing a timely message about doubt and identity — how easy it is to forget who we are when life gets loud. If you’ve ever wrestled with your worth, your calling, or your place in God’s story, this message is for you. Then we’ll close the service with Family Dedications — a beautiful moment where we not only dedicate children to the Lord, but also commission parents for the sacred journey of raising them in faith. Whether you come with your mom, your kids, or just a heart ready to celebrate, you’ll be surrounded by family. We can’t wait to celebrate with you this weekend. Here are some helpful resources to get you ready for the weekend: Message Notes and Study Guide Weekly Spotify Playlist Children's Ministry Student Ministry See you Sunday,

Is It Okay to Deconstruct Your Faith? + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • April 25, 2025
Last weekend, we kicked off our Beyond Doubt series by voicing something many of us feel, but rarely say out loud: we have questions that can feel at odds with our faith. But as we’re exploring in this series, doubt isn’t the enemy of belief — it can actually be the doorway to a stronger, more resilient faith. This Sunday, we’re taking on a topic that’s increasingly common, yet often misunderstood: deconstruction . What do you do when the version of Christianity you inherited begins to crack under the weight of hard questions, disappointment, or pain? Is it possible to examine and pull apart your faith without walking away from it completely? We believe it is. This weekend’s message is for anyone who’s ever wrestled with their spiritual worldview — or walked alongside someone who is. We’ll talk about what it means to ask honest questions, seek real truth, and reconstruct a faith that’s stronger on the other side. Join us this Sunday as we move beyond doubt — together. Here are some helpful resources to get you ready for the weekend: Message Notes and Study Guide Weekly Spotify Playlist Children's Ministry Student Ministry With hope,
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