THIS DARKNESS WILL NOT LAST FOREVER! What a foundational promise, and the Resurrection is proof that God can do what He says He can do. He will do what He has promised. And that means that just as He raised Jesus from the dead with light bursting forth from that tomb, He can break through the darkness we face in our lives. We can be set free! 

On Easter weekend, we sang about the fact that on Resurrection Sunday death was arrested and in that amazingly supernatural act is the promise that He will turn our graves into gardens. That fact gives us resilient hope! I am moved deep in my soul by the love Jesus showed when He died for me and my sins. He made it possible for me to walk with Him in an ever-growing relationship. He is my Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. He is in charge, and I can let go of my deep need to be in control. What a freeing place that is to live. God has allowed me to have several moments in these days since Easter to reflect on the new thing He is doing in my life. One of the new things He’s doing is to help me reflect on these names and roles of Jesus in my life. I want to listen, rely, trust, and rest in Him!

On Sunday, l gave a loud shout-out to our Children’s Ministry Team – staff and volunteers – who were able to flex and pivot at the last minute and move our Easter Egg hunt indoors. We knew it would be chaotic, but we also knew it would be fun and memorable. Here is an article by the Union Newspaper complete with pictures if you want to celebrate what God did through us. 

I also want to express kudos to our Arts Team for the two art pieces in our lobby and the new stage design we were able to experience for Easter. The river painting in the lobby depicting life change and transformation is a beautiful kinesthetic and abstract view of how God has used us to touch many lives over the past 30 years. Likewise, the mirrored expression of Hope in the Darkness hanging over our fireplace depicts the life transformation that is possible as we let His light transform us. 

We change our stage design about four to five times per year to remind us that God is a creative God who is constantly moving us forward in life-change. I’m so grateful for Dave Bollen and our Tech Teams, who design and install these new visual representations to inspire us in our worship of God. 

Isn’t this amazing! But the most fantastic part of this is that most of what I’ve mentioned is only possible as gifted, talented, willing people step into the mix and let God use them with their unique wiring and giftedness. Your love and willingness to give and serve overwhelms me with joy and gratitude, and I thank God for you. Lastly, thank you for the candy you brought to make our Egg Hunt so fantastic. The kids loved scooping up those plastic eggs to get to the goodies inside. 

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

WOMEN’S RETREAT is April 29 – May 1. Ladies, join us for Times of Refreshing at Camp Del Oro outside of Nevada City. You will be amazed at the beauty and serenity you can enjoy at this treasure of a camp just minutes out of Nevada City. Come enjoy a weekend of fun, relaxation, workshops, worship, crafts, and stories of transformation. Register online or at church. If you have questions about costs or rooms or what to expect, please call the church office at 530.273.6425. 

SERVE OUR COMMUNITY is back and expanding so we can impact more people in our local community. In my message from March 13, I walked us through the vision we have to be for our community and work 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. 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 Storms. We all face storms in life, and so it’s good to decide where we will turn when they occur. God is faithful and will never allow more than His Spirit can help us through. He is on our side! Let’s express our hope in His plan – even in storms as we learn to walk by faith, not by sight.

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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