Wasn’t it great to have Fritz Moga return last week? I love Fritz’s heart for God, our church, and communicating God’s Word. As I watched the message, I was taken back to a time ten years ago when Kim and I had the privilege along with several members of our church to go to Israel. We were able to be in Jerusalem and stand over the city as the walls that Fritz talked about were being explained. Folks, God’s Word is real, true, and based on fact. The story of Nehemiah actually happened in history, and, therefore, we can learn how God worked in the lives of His people in the past with hope for His work in our present and future.

One of the key points we can glean from Nehemiah 3 is this phrase “next to him” that is used seven times. The idea is that the people chose to work together, and each person chose to do their part. They chose to join hearts and hands together to accomplish what was insurmountable in the eyes of everyone – even the builders of the wall. When we take our place upon the wall, God can do great things through us.

I’ve been struck by that as I’ve seen how much can be done by a few who get serious about working together. When each of us participate, we make the load lighter, we make the job easier, and we impact our world more. As we look at Nehemiah this summer, a key point we need to recall is this: Every story about God’s people in the Old Testament has direct application to God’s church today.

That’s why our mission statement is: We are engaging together to lead as many people as possible into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. That mission will only be accomplished as we engage together. I know that’s complicated in our world of social distancing and face coverings because it’s hard to relate to when you can’t relate to them as we did before COVID.

This is where I want to stop and emphasize an idea I’ve expressed several times during the COVID disruption. I’ve said several times that we can have the freedom to choose our response to the reality we are now living in. One choice we can make is to do what we can to help others, our church, and our community and do it all in the name of God so others can see Jesus through our service.

We are working to look at opportunities we can engage in together and serve our community. Our Drive-Thru Food Drives have been such a huge success and Interfaith Food Ministry has expressed their gratitude for our impact. This week we were able to engage with the Grass Valley Downtown Association and help serve the businesses that are creatively moving their services outside. In a few weeks, we’ll be receiving a special offering to help with our ministry partners at Hospitality House and Interfaith Food Ministry. More than that, we’ve heard from many of you who are looking for ways to show Jesus to your friends by serving to meet the needs they have by mowing, moving, feeding, encouraging, praying, running errands, babysitting, and encouraging.

In order to engage together we must slow down and see the needs others have. We need to slow down and even if we’re six feet apart and covered with a face covering, do our best to actually “see” the people and the needs they have. Last week I told you about two people who blessed me when I really needed to know God was with me when I was having one of those difficult travel days. The first was the United Airlines Customer Service Representative who stopped a moment, looked me in the eyes over the top of her face covering and said, “I will pray for you.” It stopped me in my tracks and reminded me that I was not alone. God was with me and another human being cared. The second was when the young part-time United Airlines employee offered to drive me two hours through a major thunderstorm so I could get home to be with my mom. When he looked at me and said, “I will take you." I knew it was God showing His faithfulness in my life, but it came through a person who chose to engage. Later, I learned that the young man was a Follower of Jesus, and I was able to give thanks to God for how His people can bless others when they engage. 

I want to encourage you during the days we are under our COVID restrictions and isolation that you won’t let fear, social distancing, or facial coverings stop you from slowing down, listening to someone’s story and need, and responding by engaging to offer some sort of comfort, help, or prayer. God wants to show the love He has for others through you and me. Let’s be ambassadors of joy, hope, and love. I heard a man say this week that a little bit of hope is all it takes to change someone’s outlook and story.

On Sunday we continue our RISE UP series by looking at Nehemiah 4. It seems that whenever someone wants to do something good and helpful, that others really don’t want what is best for everyone if it costs them. Nehemiah faced some overwhelming opposition from those who had something to lose if the walls were rebuilt. We’ll look at how he overcame the obstacles to God’s work.

Even though we’re live again in person onsite, it may be weeks before we can all be together again at church, so please make sure to stay engaged online. 

Our services will continue to be streamed live at 9:00 and 11:00am, or you can watch them on demand any time you want right from our website or APP. If you haven’t downloaded the TCC APP, just go to the APP store and search for TCC GRASS VALLEY and download it today.

Last Sunday we offered an outdoor venue for people who wanted to be able to sing and sit outside during the service. This week we’re expanding that opportunity and offering an outdoor venue at 9:00am and 11:00am. You’ll find the shaded area on the West end of our building where our Children usually hang out (near the bears). We’ll have chairs available, but if you want to bring your own comfy recliner type chairs that’s good, too. Even though it’s outdoors, our Nevada County Health Department still requires social distancing and facial coverings, but we get to sing as loudly and enthusiastically as we want.

During this season we are a church of people who gather together both online and onsite to offer our worship to God. 

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