The Apostle Paul wrote, “He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV

He also wrote these words from Philippians 1:6, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” So, folks, no matter how things look, God Is In Charge!

Tuesday marked a momentous event in my cancer treatment journey and classroom. This was the day I went back to UCSF to remove the stent from my esophagus that was installed after a complication during my surgery. I woke up Wednesday morning, exhausted from being back at the hospital again for yet another procedure. Here’s the thought running through my mind during the entire prep for the procedure: Where is the finish line? Where is the finish line?

Well, on the one hand, I’ve reached the finish line laid out before me for treating my esophageal cancer. This journey was way more complicated than words like chemo/radiation and surgery that lasted way longer than I would have expected. June 14 was my first chemo treatment, and December 14 was my last procedure in this journey. Wow. That was way more time than I could have ever imagined when this began. 

So, here I sit with my cancer cleared, a big YIPPEE! I want to thank God, my lovely and caring wife, an army of servant-minded friends and loved ones who offered us help, and of course, the fantastic staff God has given us. I can’t even begin to express my gratitude for how our staff team has carried on in my diminished capacity. I am so proud of them. I’m also aware of your heart to serve that was expressed to my family. Thank you. I’ve sure had a sensitivity wake-up for those whose lives are disrupted by cancer and other illnesses like COVID.

I guess I heard from God this morning that this wasn’t necessarily the finish line, but rather, this is the starting line for the rest of my life. I still have a race to run. I still have a purpose to fulfill. I still have a passion to express. I still claim these verses from Psalm 27 today, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of God in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord. Stand strong and take heart.” That’s where my focus is today! Will you claim these same verses for your lives and the life of our church? God is not finished with us yet!

I can’t wait to see you on Sunday. Yes, God willing, I will be in church on Sunday!

Here are some upcoming opportunities to SHARE LIFE and SPREAD HOPE to our family and community. 

HOLIDAY SERVE OPPS are in full swing. Let me encourage you to go to our website and look at all the ways we’re serving our community this holiday season. Even though the baskets and stockings have all been received and delivered, our community has many places where we can serve and help. People tell us with deep appreciation that our engagement really boosts the hopes and spirits of those who are in desperate situations in these challenging times. 

It’s YEAR-END GIFT time and I want to encourage you to give a special gift to our church as an act of worship and appreciation to God for how He has used TCC in your life over the past year. The beauty of this giving opportunity is that it allows us to serve even more people throughout the year generously. You can get more information on our website. 

LOVE ALL is the theme for our Christmas services this year. People resonated with John Lennon when he sang, “All You Need Is Love” because we live in a day where love seems to be in short supply. Though catchy, John’s lyrics and tune are only wishful thinking or sentimentality unless we receive love from above and share it with others. The service will feature a family to guide us to light the white Christ candle. Then, we’ll sing some fun Christmas carols and listen to a short message about love. We will end with a special candle lighting moment as we thank God for His work in 2021, or memorialize a person who has passed away, or express our hope that we will see the land of God’s goodness all while we sing Silent Night. Please make sure to plan which service you want to attend and invite friends and family to join you. 

THIS SUNDAY, we continue our Advent series by focusing on the core concept of this series. SLOW DOWN, SPEND LESS, and GIVE MORE are all part of a bigger idea: WORSHIP FULLY. That’s what we’ll look at this week as we consider the most famous of Christmas songs – The Magnificat. I am so eager to be brought to the throne of Heaven by these fantastic lyrics.

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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