Sunday was a special moment as we gathered to worship God, celebrate twenty-nine years of ministry, and share in fellowship TOGETHER. I emphasize that last word because it’s been a long year of feeling distant and isolated from one another. As I say that, I realize that many people are still not comfortable gathering again in large groups. I get that, and I am so glad you feel the freedom to take care of yourselves.

Many people sent me emails responding to my blog/blast from last week as I asked you to share how our adherence to COVID restrictions has affected you. I really appreciate those responses. The majority of the comments were like this one: My family is being pretty careful, so you may not see us in person yet, but we are committed, and we’ll be back as we feel comfortable. In the meantime, we are watching services and devotionals online, and our kids are coming to smaller settings as we feel comfortable. We love you and miss you!

Folks, I continue to ask that we would be patient with one another in this season as things continue to be as unclear as ever. There may be aspects of gathering together again that you find uncomfortable, and that’s okay. Others may be ready for us to throw all caution to the wind and step across all the restrictions. Here’s what you can count on from us: We’re still going to be cautious and slow in our approach because there is so much anxiety about regathering again. At the same time, we realize that the guidelines designed to help keep us safe in one area may be doing significant harm in another.

Here’s what I mean. Two weeks ago, I shared a verse in the message on Wisdom and EMOTIONS from Proverbs 18:14. “The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?” That verse spoke to me loudly and clearly about our current situation. It’s a both/and verse. On the one hand, we are called to adhere to guidelines that will protect us from sickness, AND on the other hand, we are called to care for the spiritual needs of the soul. We’ve been doing both for 52 weeks, and as we move forward, we’ll still do the same. That doesn’t mean that we know how to respond correctly to every situation, but we will always seek God’s wisdom when we do.

Up until now, for 52 weeks, we’ve been putting our primary focus on avoiding sickness and protecting people from illness. At the same time, during the stay-at-home orders and other restrictions, we focused our staff’s energy on feeding the spirits of people who call Twin Cities their home. We added online devotionals, Zoom training and Community Groups, creative ministry opportunities, online worship gatherings, and at-home children’s ministry kits. I’m really proud of how we’ve responded and pivoted to engage all of us in our journey with Jesus.

We understand that the isolation people have experienced hurt some people – emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. That’s why we will seek to offer ways to tend to the needs we all have for connection and gathering in worship. Four weeks ago, we were able to gather again for in-person services. The news came that we could gather again at 25% capacity, yet we weren’t ready to leap into action that quickly – specifically concerning music. We had been in an environment with completely different schedules and procedures, so we couldn’t just switch on a dime. Well, our teams have been at work, and we’ll be able to add live music to our services beginning on March 28.

You may not see much difference in what we’re doing, but you can know that we are moving forward with a dual focus – the health and safety of our people and community and the spirits of those of our people and community. It’s a both/and approach. I say all of this to once again ask for your patience and understanding because if there’s one thing we’ve learned through our COVID logjam, it’s that we just don’t know everything.

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.

Our next Drive-Thru Food Drive is Friday, March 26 from 8:00-10:30am. Please bring your non-perishable food items by the church and drop them off. You don’t even have to get out of your car. This is just one of the ways we’ve been able to adapt to our current situation and still help our community in tangible ways.

Last Sunday, we kicked off our vision series called Journey with Jesus. What a fantastic beginning to a new ministry season together. 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.

This series is going to lay out a new paradigm of spiritual growth and personal transformation that is powerful for us as a church. If you missed Sunday, you’ll want to watch it soon and be ready to engage with the rest of the series. The key idea is that we’re called to be Followers (Apprentices) of Jesus. Our quest is to carve out space to Be with Jesus so that we Become Like Jesus and then we naturally Do What Jesus Did.

On Sunday, we’ll talk about Be with Jesus. I’m eager to learn new practices for developing intimacy with God.

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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