19th Century pastor Dwight L. Moody once said, “Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to a sick man.” And yet in-person church attendance seems to be moving toward a new low for those 55 and younger. I read today that somewhere around 35-40% of people younger than 55 who were regular church attenders and participants pre-Covid do not plan to come back to in-person church. The number one reason listed was the convenience of online and on-demand church and the ability to watch when they want so they can fit it into their lifestyle better. The second factor contributing to lower attendance patterns is changing habits. It was easy to put something else in their schedules where church used to fit.

I’m struggling with this reality since I realize how much I need in-person physical gatherings. There’s nothing on Earth that can compare to the moment when God’s people gather together to worship Him. On Sunday, Fritz Moga did a great job of reminding us about the power of corporate worship gatherings in his message. I hope you will take the time to listen if you happened to miss Sunday. Here’s what I’ve discovered in the past few months: I’ve been forced to Livestream my worship experience online way more than I would have ever dreamed because of my health challenges. I am so grateful for the headway we’ve made to offer quality Livestream experiences for those times when we can’t make it to church, but they were never intended as replacements for gathering together. 

The writer of Hebrews wrote: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25)

Friends, these verses tell us that our hope, trust in God, love for each other, and acts of service – our overall well-being is based upon our gathering together. You cannot have those things consistently in your life if you try to go it alone. We need each other.

I write this because we begin a new series on Sunday. It’s our annual Vision series. We’re going to talk about how we will continue Moving Forward to become the people and church God has in store for us. Our vision is tied to the fact that we have been called to follow Jesus and love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves. Each week in this series, we’ll talk about an aspect of what it means to journey with Jesus as we practice His ways.

You may be able to listen and learn through our Livestream in this series, but the best place for you to really get all God has for you is to be present in person. So please gather with us each Sunday because this is the vision that will propel us forward for the next decade of our life together as Twin Cities Church. See you Sunday! 

CANCER TREATMENT UPDATE. I was able to undergo my second immunotherapy treatment on Tuesday morning. I am now on a schedule to get regular infusions for the next twelve months. I probably won’t talk much about this after today. I ask you to pray because it’s more to manage emotionally and physically, and I already thought I was at capacity. This is hard for both Kimberly and me. We are grateful for your consistent care and prayers during this difficult time. God is good, and we are glad to get to walk through this with our church family.

Here are some upcoming opportunities to SHARE LIFE and SPREAD HOPE to our family and community.

FAMILIES get ready for a fun artistic experience on Friday, February 11 when we bring back the Artist Workshop. Registrations are a must, and there is a cost to pay for the supplies and canvas you’ll use. The last time we offered this, it was fun as well are inspiring. Check the website.

GROW UNIVERSITY registrations are now open for our Spring semester of classes that begin on Monday, February 28. Go to our website and look at the specialized offerings designed to help you grow in your faith as you live for God’s purposes in our world. You can take Financial Peace University, Marriage Works, Life After Death, Resolving Everyday Conflict, and GriefShare. 

Our next BAPTISM will be on March 6. That’s our 30th birthday! What a great time to go public for Jesus as you take this step of identification and intimacy with Him. If you’ve never been baptized after you said “YES” to Jesus, please pray about this opportunity for you. Check it out and register on our website. 

GROWTH PATH is Sunday, February 27. Growth Path is a great 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. I hope you’ll go to our website and register to attend the class that fits you best. 

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. We have several part-time jobs open right now for the right person who not only wants to work but wants that work to make a difference in the lives of others. Here is the link to see the current job openings. If you’re interested in any of these positions, don't hesitate to get in touch with the person listed. We look forward to having you join our team of motivated servant leaders.

THIS SUNDAY, we get to begin our Vision series called MOVING FORWARD. We’ll focus on what it’s like to follow Jesus and SHARE LIFE together. This is the way God made things to work. See you Sunday as we gather together to worship and be inspired by Him.

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

• Message Notes and Study Guide
• Weekly Spotify Playlist
• Children's Ministry
• Student Ministry 

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

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