The Power of God's Word + Sunday Morning Resources

TCC • May 28, 2021

One of the themes we’ve talked about as a church is the power of God’s Word when we face difficulties in life. I am amazed at how much of His Word has been surfacing and running in my brain since my doctor confirmed I have cancer. God gives us hope and confidence as we lean into His Word.

 

What’s really meaningful to me right now is how many people have sent their go-to Bible verses as a way to encourage Kim and me. It’s been comforting to know that the people I get to shepherd have hidden His Word in their hearts. So please keep those words of encouragement coming. You may never know how your faith will help strengthen us in this classroom called cancer.


The Bible verse God is using for me today is from Isaiah 26:3-4. It says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD God is an everlasting rock.”


On the day we began making appointments for tests that we knew we needed to schedule, I called a facility to see if they could get me in soon. I had my phone switched to speaker mode, and as the person put me on hold, the music began playing an old familiar song. Here’s what I heard:

 

Sometimes in our lives

We all have pain

We all have sorrow

But if we are wise

We know that there's always tomorrow

 

Lean on me

When you're not strong

And I'll be your friend

I'll help you carry on...

 

For it won't be long

Till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on


Even though that song was not written explicitly about God, it was written to describe the power of community and friendship in times of struggle and difficulty. It was written to help us realize that we all need each other and, therefore, we can lean on others for support. But in another sense, it is about God. He calls us to come to Him and lean on Him, and when we do, we will find that He’s always there and available when we need someone to lean on.

 

I was able to talk with my Surgical Oncologist on Wednesday, and he agreed that we would follow a standard treatment protocol considering my cancer staging. That would include chemotherapy and radiation followed by a period of rest and then surgery. The doctor and his staff were empathetic, upbeat, encouraging, and optimistic, and assured me that I will be cancer free when this is all over. We are not sure of a start date, but it should be in the next couple of weeks.

 

Even though, this will be hard, I am confident, as I shared last week, that He who began the good work in me is faithful and will bring His work to completion. Will you trust in Him with me? Let’s believe together that God has this, and that our Good Shepherd will lead us together toward a place of rest, renewal, and restoration.

 

I’m so glad we have such a loving church family. You are amazing! You’ve walked with us through so many difficulties in these three decades together. We will keep you updated as we have news. 

 

Public Service Announcement. I’ve received several emails and texts about an email that appeared to come from me asking for money. Folks, I will never send an email asking you to buy gift cards for me FOR ANY REASON. Please be aware that these scams seem so legit, and they play off our emotions – even the feelings you have for me as I am in hospital situations. If you receive an email and wonder if it may be legitimate, please call the church office and ask if what you’ve received is from me or anyone else on our staff who is asking for money in the form of gift cards.

 

Run for the Community is on again this year with some modifications. The runners in our community are so excited to have an event to look forward to, and we’re looking forward to providing it. Go to our website to find out more about the 5K run/walk and register there. This is an excellent opportunity to volunteer and help serve our community. Email John to help serve.


VBS Day Camp is June 14-18, and registrations are open now. Parents and grandparents, this is a great way to give your children and grandchildren a fun experience as the summer begins. Our Rock Solid Kidz Team has been doing their part to offer a creative, fun-filled, safe, Bible-based experience for your kids. You can come in person or participate online from your own home. You can sign up on Sunday or on our website. We also have openings for those who want to invest in the next generation by serving. There are many different ways to help that will fit your comfort level. Please reach out to Bobby, and he’ll help you find a place to serve.


I am amazed at what God continues to show us through our series, The Good Life. Each week we’re seeing that the Beatitudes have much deeper meaning than just “attitudes to be” or “virtues to attain.” They are much more than that. Jesus is talking about what happens in the lives of people who walk with Him. They become like Him. 

 

Last Sunday, we talked about what it means to be pure in heart. Pastor Mark did such a good job of continuing to emphasize that these Beatitudes are all about grace. God gives us the grace to want to become like Jesus, and through His grace, He gives us the power to become what is not natural for us to accomplish on our own.

 

This Sunday, we get to look at Beautiful Peacemaker. I believe we can all agree that peace is something our world needs to experience in ever-growing degrees. The deal, though, is that our world can’t create a peace that lasts – no matter how much we try. Lasting peace is only attainable through the power of His Holy Spirit as we take the presence of Jesus into our world.

 

Here are the links you’ll need to be fully prepared for Sunday’s Service:


   

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

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At the End of All Things: A Conversation about End Times and What Follows + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • June 27, 2025
Last Sunday, we had a candid and meaningful conversation about death and the afterlife. I’m so grateful for the wisdom Gregory Ingram shared with us — and for the space we had to grapple with honest questions about such a tender topic. I know for many, that conversation stirred up even more questions, which is why I’m excited that Gregory will be continuing the conversation in July as part of Grow University . Click here for details. This weekend, we’ll explore a couple of important topics we didn’t have time to fully address. With so much happening in the world — especially in the Middle East — it’s natural to ask, “Is this it? Are we living in the End Times?” We’ll also wrestle with another big question: "If Heaven is real, what about Hell? Why would a loving God send anyone there?" Pastor John will guide us through these difficult, but important questions as we continue our Beyond Doubt series. You won’t want to miss it. Here are some helpful resources to get you ready for the weekend: Message Notes and Study Guide Weekly Spotify Playlist Children's Ministry Student Ministry See you Sunday.

A Big Week at TCC — and a Big Topic This Sunday + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • June 20, 2025
What a week it’s been! Our campus has been filled with laughter, learning, and life-changing moments as over 270 kids enjoyed an amazing week at Vacation Bible School. Meanwhile, more than 50 students have been away at youth camp, growing in faith and friendship. A huge thank you to every parent, volunteer, and leader who made these incredible experiences possible! Speaking of investing in the next generation, with all the Father’s Day excitement, we almost forgot to mention that last week marked 20 years since we moved into our current building! This milestone comes at a perfect time — together, we just crossed the $100,000 mark toward our Investing in the Future campaign. I know I haven’t talked much about it (I really don’t like talking about money), but we’re trusting God to help us raise a total of $600,000 to repair our roof, façade, and HVAC so our building remains a safe, welcoming place for decades to come — and to help build a church for a growing community in Uganda. To learn more or join in, click here . This Sunday, we’ll tackle one of life’s biggest questions: What really happens when we die? Do we go straight to Heaven , or do our souls wait until Jesus returns? What will eternity actually be like? Will it be an endless worship service in the clouds — and will we know our loved ones when we get there? To help us explore these questions, I’ll be joined by Gregory Ingram, director of Anew Day and a former hospice chaplain with nearly 20 years of experience walking alongside people in their final days. You won’t want to miss this meaningful conversation. I’m so grateful to be on this adventure of following Jesus together. Here are some helpful resources to get you ready for the weekend: Message Notes and Study Guide Weekly Spotify Playlist Children's Ministry Student Ministry See you Sunday.

Is God Really a Good Father? + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • June 13, 2025
This Sunday is Father’s Day, and we know it can stir up all kinds of emotions. For some, it’s a day of gratitude and great memories. For others, it’s more complicated. That’s why we’re asking a big question this weekend: Is God really a good Father? Because let’s be honest, some of what we read in the Old Testament can make God seem angry, distant, or even harsh. But what if those difficult passages are meant to be read through the lens of Jesus, the Son who came not to protect us from the Father, but to show us who He truly is? We’ll explore some of those tough questions honestly and discover a clearer picture of God’s heart. Plus, we’ll celebrate Communion together as a tangible reminder that in Christ, we are fully loved and fully welcomed home. Here are some helpful resources to get you ready for the weekend: Message Notes and Study Guide Weekly Spotify Playlist Children's Ministry Student Ministry See you Sunday.

The Problem of Suffering + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • June 6, 2025
The single most asked question we got was some form of the following: If God is good, why does He let us suffer? Maybe you’ve asked it in a hospital room, or in the middle of a sleepless night. Maybe you’re asking it right now. If so, you’re not alone. It’s one of the deepest and most difficult questions of faith, and we’re facing it head on this weekend as we continue our Beyond Doubt series. We’ll explore what the Bible says about suffering and how viewing it through the lens of Jesus can shift our perspective. It won’t erase the pain, but it may help us see that God has not abandoned us in it. In fact, He may be closer than we ever imagined. If your heart is heavy or your hope feels thin, come. Let’s seek God’s presence and peace — together. Here are some helpful resources to get you ready for the weekend: Message Notes and Study Guide Weekly Spotify Playlist Children's Ministry Student Ministry See you Sunday.

The Bible’s Rosetta Stone – A Conversation You Won’t Want to Miss + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • May 30, 2025
This Sunday, we’re continuing our Beyond Doubt series with a conversation I’ve been really looking forward to. I’ll be sitting down with Dr. David Timms, Dean of New Testament and Leadership at Jessup University to talk about how we make sense of the Bible as a whole. More specifically, we will discuss the lens which he suggests best brings the whole of Scripture into focus and reveals the heart of God most clearly. It’ll be an honest, thoughtful conversation about questions many of us have had — especially when different parts of the Bible seem to paint very different pictures of God. David has a gift for making deep theology accessible, and I think you’ll find his insights both challenging and encouraging (his accent is pretty awesome, as well). If you’ve ever struggled with how to read Scripture or wondered how it all fits together, this one’s for you. Here are some helpful resources to get you ready for the weekend: Message Notes and Study Guide Weekly Spotify Playlist Children's Ministry Student Ministry Can’t wait to share it with you,

Twisted Scripture: How to Read the Bible Responsibly + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • May 23, 2025
This Sunday, we’re continuing our Beyond Doubt series with a crucial follow-up to last week’s message on trusting the Bible. Now that we’ve established what the Bible is, we’re turning our attention to how we read it — because let’s face it, the Bible has been used to justify both beautiful and terrible things. So how do we make sure we’re interpreting it responsibly? We’ll talk about why context matters, how our personal lens can unintentionally distort God’s Word, and why a single verse — ripped out of its context — can be twisted to say almost anything. You’ll learn a practical, easy-to-remember approach to reading the Bible faithfully and responsibly — not just devotionally. If you’ve ever struggled with conflicting interpretations or felt unsure about how to make sense of the Bible, this message is for you. Together, we will discover how to let God’s word shape us — without being reshaped by us. Here are some helpful resources to get you ready for the weekend: Message Notes and Study Guide Weekly Spotify Playlist Children's Ministry Student Ministry See you Sunday,

Can I Really Trust the Bible? + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • May 16, 2025
This Sunday, we continue our Beyond Doubt series by asking one of the most foundational questions of all: Can I trust the Bible? For many of us, the Bible has shaped what we believe about God, ourselves, and the world. But have you ever wondered how this ancient library of books came to be? How the early church decided what made the cut? And whether what we read today matches what was originally written? We'll explore how the Bible was formed, and evidence for why it's still trustworthy and relevant today. If you've ever struggled with doubts or wrestled with tough questions about the Bible, this message is for you. You just might come away with a renewed sense of confidence in the truth you hold in your hands. Here are some helpful resources to get you ready for the weekend: Message Notes and Study Guide Weekly Spotify Playlist Children's Ministry Student Ministry See you Sunday,

Donuts, Doubt & Dedications – Celebrate Mother’s Day at Twin Cities

By TCC • May 9, 2025
Last Sunday, we got to celebrate as 31 of our brothers and sisters in Christ went public with their faith through baptism. What a powerful moment for our church family! And we’re not slowing down. This weekend, we’re pulling out all the stops to make Mother’s Day meaningful and memorable. First, there will be donuts. Because what’s a celebration without some guilt-free carbs? Sweeter still, we’ll hear from Kim Thompson, the founding mother of Twin Cities Church. Kim will be sharing a timely message about doubt and identity — how easy it is to forget who we are when life gets loud. If you’ve ever wrestled with your worth, your calling, or your place in God’s story, this message is for you. Then we’ll close the service with Family Dedications — a beautiful moment where we not only dedicate children to the Lord, but also commission parents for the sacred journey of raising them in faith. Whether you come with your mom, your kids, or just a heart ready to celebrate, you’ll be surrounded by family. We can’t wait to celebrate with you this weekend. Here are some helpful resources to get you ready for the weekend: Message Notes and Study Guide Weekly Spotify Playlist Children's Ministry Student Ministry See you Sunday,

Is It Okay to Deconstruct Your Faith? + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • April 25, 2025
Last weekend, we kicked off our Beyond Doubt series by voicing something many of us feel, but rarely say out loud: we have questions that can feel at odds with our faith. But as we’re exploring in this series, doubt isn’t the enemy of belief — it can actually be the doorway to a stronger, more resilient faith. This Sunday, we’re taking on a topic that’s increasingly common, yet often misunderstood: deconstruction . What do you do when the version of Christianity you inherited begins to crack under the weight of hard questions, disappointment, or pain? Is it possible to examine and pull apart your faith without walking away from it completely? We believe it is. This weekend’s message is for anyone who’s ever wrestled with their spiritual worldview — or walked alongside someone who is. We’ll talk about what it means to ask honest questions, seek real truth, and reconstruct a faith that’s stronger on the other side. Join us this Sunday as we move beyond doubt — together. Here are some helpful resources to get you ready for the weekend: Message Notes and Study Guide Weekly Spotify Playlist Children's Ministry Student Ministry With hope,
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