Donuts and Jesus! That’s what we get to focus on this Sunday as we celebrate our 29^th Anniversary and launch our new vision series called Journey with Jesus. I can’t wait for the donuts, but I’m most excited about the series. Journey with Jesus is the culmination of years of understanding about spiritual growth. Still, it’s taken shape as Pastor Mark and Laura Bauer devoted the COVID shutdown to its development.

Our church mission will still be “to lead as many people as possible into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.” We won’t change that. Our vision though, for the future, is to engage with Jesus in a lifestyle. It’s more than a set of beliefs or creed or religion or set of guidelines. Just as Jesus invited a group of men and women to follow Him, we’re embarking on a journey with Him and each other. We’re entering a lifestyle of being apprentices to Jesus.

Jesus called people to follow Him, and in the process, be transformed by that walk or journey. This has been my journey now for 29 years as your pastor. I just didn’t know how to say it. I’m so glad that Mark and Laura have helped us add concepts, words, and action steps that will help us engage fully with the transformation God wants to make in our lives.

People ask me how God wants us to live during these times when things are so crazy, and my response is that He wants us to know Him, become like His Son, and love others as He has loved us. It’s not complicated, but it does get complicated whenever we lay our various cultural and religious ideologies over His way of life.

Now that we’re free to gather together again, we’re finding that some people couldn’t wait for us to officially open our doors again and for various reasons have moved to other churches. This is a sad time, especially for Kim and me, in that regard because every person matters so much to Twin Cities. Please watch the video that was posted on Wednesday, where we share our hearts of love and tenderness. This kind of struggle is something we never expected to maneuver.

Let me appeal to those who feel that our church didn’t do enough to keep you connected during the COVID logjam or wish we had taken different actions, to please contact me. If you want, you can send me an email and let me know how you feel. I care and want to know how you’re doing. 

Our Children’s Ministry team has adapted and creatively changed the annual Easter Egg Hunt into an Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt. Families will go on an adventure by car to various locations around our community, where they will snap a photo, collect candy, and meet some of our Ministry Partners. They will then race to the church and celebrate victory by having a picnic. You can bring your own lunch or buy a Domino’s pizza for $5. Join us on the lawn for live music and games. Make sure to watch for more details as it becomes available.

On Sunday, as we kick off our series, Journey with Jesus, we’re going to focus on what it means to follow Jesus with our whole lives. Jesus invites us to more than a Sunday worship service or weekly Bible study or service project; He invites us to a life with Him. It’s all about a lifestyle. I am so eager to share this message with you! Make sure to come early and stay late as we enjoy donuts out on the patio!

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 

If you aren’t ready to attend a public gathering yet, let me encourage you to keep your Sunday rhythms by watching the service live at either 9:00 or 11:00am. I believe that will help you stay disciplined as we walk this road of COVID restrictions together and help our church family feel your nearness and encouragement as we continue to “gather” in His name.           

You can watch the current service or an archived service on demand any time you want from our website or APP. Here’s an idea: When you’re watching online, please invite your friends to join you. If you haven’t downloaded the TCC APP, go to the APP store and search for TCC GRASS VALLEY and download it today. You can watch the service right from your device.     

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

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