Practicing the Presence of Jesus

TCC • December 17, 2020

God is with us! That’s the beautiful and encouraging message the angel gave Joseph when he shared the news about the baby in Mary’s womb. I know that was messy for them and changed the plans they had for their lives. I can’t even imagine. I want to know more deeply how they had the kind of faith that allowed them to receive this news with such faith, trust, and confidence in God. That realization would help me more easily see God at work in my life like He was in theirs.

Our world is pretty messy right now as we continue to face the challenges of COVID, election animosity, racial tension, and an overall sense of division between people. We’re facing times like none of us have ever been through, and it’s revealing a need for a strong foundation. Actually, it’s revealing the strength of the foundation we already have. I want to express my gratitude to God that even though things have been difficult, I feel secure in His love.

That doesn’t mean that I’ve not had my emotional ups and downs. We all have those, correct? Just yesterday I had a couple of challenges that hit me deep in my soul. I felt fear, sadness, and loneliness. Instead of trying to manage those feelings on my own, I immediately took them to God and practiced being in the presence of Jesus.

At the same time, I listened to a devotional based upon Zephaniah 3:11-13. Here is where I was guided to focus my mind: “Picture the scene where the humble are led to a place of safety where no one will make them afraid. Can you place yourself in the scene? Can you allow yourself to be encouraged by these promises? Is there perhaps a change of attitude you long to see in yourself? In this season of Advent, wait in the presence of God who wants to bring you to a place of safety. Speak to Him openly, as one friend to another, about what is on your heart.”

The key for me was to imagine Jesus talking to me as His sheep and telling me that He was with me; therefore, there was nothing to fear. I was immediately able to do this because I had been practicing the presence of Jesus regularly. What an exciting moment for me in my journey. Will you learn with me what it means to know that He is with us in all moments? That’s what God with us means. Jesus made it possible for God to be with us and now, through the presence of the Holy Spirit, we have God in us as well.

Several people have thanked me for the 30-Day Gratitude Experiment. I know that I’m finding it to be uplifting as I am able to take my eyes off what is not right or not what I want and place them on what is good around me. After Christmas, I’ll ask you if the gratitude experiment made a difference in your attitude, joy, contentment, peace, and overall satisfaction. Let’s increase our joy together. Just make sure that when you post about gratitude that you use #TCC30DayGratitudeExperiment. Gratitude reminds us of how we’ve been blessed and generates emotional inertia to bless others.

Families, we’ve put a super fun Birthday Party for Jesus kit together for you to help you engage with your kids during Christmas. You can pick up a kit this Sunday from 9:00-11:00am in front of the building at the roundabout. If you can’t make it then, they’ll be available at the church office throughout the week during office hours. Make sure to check the website to find out more because these details may change.

It's Year-End Gift season. When we give to our church, we get to see our gifts at work to help the hurting, the helpless, and the hopeless right here in our community and around the world. But more than that, we know that every gift we give goes to support and provide guidance to people who need to experience God’s love and compassion. What we do has eternal significance. If you want to know more about our Year-End Giving emphasis and how you can give, you can read about it on our website.

This week the news reported that 50 million Americans are facing severe food shortages and hunger issues right now. You may have seen the video of long lines as people waited hours to receive food from the food banks. Interfaith Food Ministry reported that they have served almost 6000 individuals representing 2500 family units EACH MONTH during the Fall. Wow, that’s a lot of people in our community who need our caring assistance.

We can help Interfaith Food Ministries as we engage in our next "Shop, Stop, & Drop" Drive-Thru Food Drive. This is a no-contact, maximum-impact way to support our community and the growing number of people in need from COVID-19 hardships. We are asking for your help in donating much needed non-perishable food items. There is no need to leave your car. Drive to TCC’s parking lot between 8:00-10:30am THIS Friday, December 18. Just follow the signs and instructions from our wonderful volunteers who will be helping that day.

We continue our Advent series this Sunday by looking at Matthew 2:13-23. This is the first time in our history as a church that we’ve covered these particular verses that are part of the Christmas story. They are probably not on the top of most people’s favorite verses for this time of year because they are full of angst, pain and sadness. I want to invite you to watch this week because the message will comfort those who have faced loss and grief. If you know someone who has lost a loved one or faced any other significant loss, encourage them to watch the service on Sunday. It’s called Messy Problems. You might also take time to watch the video Kim and I were able to shoot this week. We talked about how to face tough emotional issues.

Our Worship Arts Team is actively working to produce a wonderful and inspiring Christmas Eve service. I am so eager to get a chance to see the final version and share it with our community. The service times will be December 23 at 6:00pm and December 24 at 2:00, 4:00 and 6:00pm. You will also be able to view it on demand any time after December 24. Will you help us get the word out? Just click here and consider sending an invitation to your friends. I can’t wait to experience all God has in store for us through this experience.

During this time when we can’t be on campus together, please make sure to stay engaged online. 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.

If you need, you can watch the current service or any archived service on demand any time you want right 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, just 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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