Last Saturday our church did such a fantastic job of serving our community during the festivities in downtown Grass Valley. Pastor John and Mare Dibert and a host of TCC volunteers cooked and served pancakes, engaged families and kids in carnival games, and provided some amazing and fun music. 

This is one of the benefits we’ve realized through our entire COVID experience. We’ve discovered new ways to invest in our community. 

A recent survey of non-churched people found that they typically have a low view of how churches care for their local communities. Churches are perceived as only being interested in fulfilling their own agendas instead of serving their community. In fact, only 21% of non-Christian people have a positive view of the church and its role of transformation in the community. 

Therefore, it’s so important for us to be involved to show we care for those who are neighbors – not just those who are part of our church family. We want to be a church that is seen as “for” the community. That’s why we engage with groups like Interfaith Food Ministry, Hospitality House, Krisis Kare Nursery, Anew Day, LivingWell Medical Clinic, Meals on Wheels, our local schools, and our local businesses. This is why we serve our community through our food drive, Sister’s and Kidz Closets, Fall Family Festival, Easter Egg Hunt, Serve Our Community, and so many other helpful events. 

As we continue to move beyond our COVID restrictions, the opportunity to have a transformational impact are huge. Our local community needs us to be invested in shopping local and serving in tangible ways. If you have ideas for how we can better serve our community, please email John and share your thoughts. You never know what planting a seed of thought can do to produce a harvest of goodwill. 

Children’s Summer Camp is happening this year. Our kids have been through so much disruption in our COVID logjam, and it’s time for them to have some fun. Camp offers them a chance to be kids and be reminded that God is with them and for them. Parents, there is still time to get your kids (2nd grade –5th grade) registered. You can find out more on our website or email Bobby. 

Drive-Thru Food Drive is Friday, July 23. Engage with us and support the efforts of Interfaith Food Ministry to feed the hungry. Make sure to gather your non-perishable food items and drop them off any time from 8:00-10:30am. We’ll have a team of friendly folks here to take them – you don’t even have to get out of your car. If you want to come help unload cars, just show up at 8:00. More people make it more fun!

Here’s a short update on my cancer treatment journey. Today, I am wrapping up my fourth week of chemo/radiation, and that means only two weeks to go. I wish I could say that it’s getting easier, but that’s just not my reality. Please pray that I can continue to swallow liquids and foods without pain or obstruction. Please pray for my energy, stamina, and immunity. And if you want, you can pray that my hair doesn’t fall out. It hasn’t so far, and I’m happy with that. 

I’m resting behind God’s shield of protection each day, and I’m finding Him to be so present and faithful. His goodness is so real. You are a big part of how I see Him at work. Your support through cards, prayers, and emails has been such a huge part of my classroom. You inspire me! 

You may have heard of the hit Disney series called The Mandalorian. The Mandalorian are a group who live by a code of conduct that they will not violate or deny. The phrase they use is “This is the way.” That phrase is a bond between them that gives them meaning and purpose. Jesus gives us His way to live and calls us to follow Him with the same kind of commitment. 

On Sunday, we’ll continue a section of the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus contrasts His way with the way others might say is the best way to live. He uses a series of phrases that go like this: “You’ve heard it said… but I say.” Folks, this is where Jesus begins to draw a difference between the way cultural religion and even cultural Christianity define what it means to walk with God and the way Jesus says God wants us to approach Him. 

In the second of these two “but I say” statements, Jesus talks about Following the Way of Commitment. We live in a time where many of our commitments are transactional in nature. In other words, “I’ll do for you what you earn or deserve.” But the Bible says that our commitments and covenants are to be based upon something greater – LOVE. 

Here are the links you’ll need to be fully prepared 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,

New Paragraph