Being Servants + Sunday Morning Resources

TCC • February 25, 2022

One of the key ideas of this series called MOVING FORWARD is that the Church is alive, and God is on the move! Last Sunday we focused on the concrete principle that God has placed us here, in this place, at this time, to be servants – just like Jesus. Thank you for your encouraging responses and eager willingness to become a spiritual contributor and not just a spiritual consumer. You bless my soul.

Toward the end of my message on Sunday, I asked us a series of imagining questions. Just to remind you, here they are: Can you imagine the impact we could have if we were known as the church that serves? Can you imagine the impact we could have if our church got this? If we made it our goal to live with a towel and basin mentality? Friends, when we engage together and serve others, we can help our church be a place where people can come find hope. We can make it our goal that there will always be a space, a place, a room, a smile, or a touch for those who come to Twin Cities. We can make sure there is always a place for others to be able to get what we’ve received over time. We want to serve as we’ve been served. Imagine how your neighbors and friends would react to that.

I believe we are known in our community for being servants in a huge way. Here’s an example of how we are viewed by our community. This note was written by a woman from our Nevada County District Attorney’s office.

Dear Twin Cities service crew, I want to thank you for once again demonstrating to our community what it means to “be the church.” I work as a victim advocate in the Witness Assistance Center. Recently, your crew of servants agreed to come to the rescue of a victim whose age and lack of resources left her needing some physical labor type assistance. She was unable to find help when your team graciously stepped in to meet her need. Thank you so very much. Please accept my sincerest gratitude on behalf of this client.

I love how she expressed her gratitude by saying “once again.” This is what we’re known for in our community. As Followers of Jesus, we are loved by Him, forgiven by Him, and called by Him to humbly serve His purpose in our church, community, and world. Can you imagine this? Our message of hope would be irresistible to people. And maybe our friends and neighbors, family, coworkers, and classmates would finally come to know our humble servant King Jesus through the loving self-denying actions we display.

I also received this note from one of our servant team members who recently helped with a project here in our community. He said, “Last week a group of us went over to Interfaith Food Ministry and served by helping with some building and landscaping repairs. I'm proud of TCC's continuing involvement in our community.”

As we move closer to our 30th birthday and anniversary, it’s vital to our future that we live out these principles we’re talking about in this series. We are people who SHARE LIFE, STRENGTHEN FAITH, SERVE OTHERS, and SPREAD HOPE. If you missed last Sunday, please watch the entire service soon. God moved in an amazing way through our music, teaching, giving, praying, and Communion. Please make sure to engage all the way to the final song as our team led us into God’s presence as we focused on our wonderful Savior and Friend, Jesus Christ, and what He has made possible for us. We don’t serve to get love, but we serve because we are loved. My prayer is that you know how much God loves you! We have places where can all serve and develop our gifts.

Please take a moment to look at the many opportunities we have for you to join a team and make a difference.

CANCER TREATMENT UPDATE. Thank you for praying for me as I had another procedure over at UCSF this week. I had reached the point where I couldn’t swallow anything except liquids, and that with difficulty. It was painful and discouraging. They told me they would do a “stretching” procedure or put another stent in to try to widen my esophagus. When the surgeon put the endoscopic probe down my esophagus, he saw that it was almost completely closed. He told Kim that the opening was only as wide as a pencil lead. Wow! He ended up doing a stretch to open it AND put in a stent as well. I will have the stent for the next six weeks, and while it’s there, I’m on a soft food/liquid diet. Let me update you as well about my immunotherapy. I will have my fourth infusion next Tuesday. I am happy to say that now that the COVID side-effects are past, I don’t notice a lot of side-effects from the immunotherapy. Mainly, it’s just fatigue. Thank you for your prayers for me and my family. While you’re at it, we have several people in our church who have cancer. Please pray for them as well. I love you.

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

GROW UNIVERSITY begins on Monday, February 28. Go to our website and look at the specialized offerings designed to help you grow in your faith as you live for God’s purposes in our world. You can take Financial Peace University, Marriage Works, Life After Death, and GriefShare.

ATTENTION: We’ve added a new class for GROW UNIVERSITY. We want to be part of increasing the leadership potential in our church and community by teaching the keys to leadership. We all lead something – whether it’s a family, a business, a Life Group, a hobby club, etc. Would you like to become a better leader and grow in your skills? Our new addition to our GROW UNIVERSITY classes is on how to grow as a leader – wherever it is that God has placed you. The teacher is Richard Christenson, retired pastor and teacher of leadership. Contact Lisa to register or to get more information.

Our next BAPTISM will be on March 6. That’s our 30th birthday! What a great time to go public for Jesus as you take this step of identification and intimacy with Him. If you’ve never been baptized after you said “YES” to Jesus, please pray about this opportunity for you. You can attend our baptism class this Sunday at 9:00am and find out more. Check it out and register on our website.

GROWTH PATH is Sunday, February 27. Growth Path is a great 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. I was sad that Growth Path 101 was cancelled last time because of my cancer treatments, but I’m better now and eager to talk about God’s call on our church and how you can belong and participate in a meaningful way.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. We have two part-time jobs open right now for the right person who not only wants to work but wants that work to make a difference in the lives of others. Here is the link to see the current job openings. If you’re interested in any of these positions, don't hesitate to get in touch with the person listed. We look forward to having you join our team of motivated servant leaders.

THIS SUNDAY, we get to continue our Vision series called MOVING FORWARD. We’ll focus on what it’s like to follow Jesus and SPREAD HOPE together. When we commit to BE with Jesus, we BECOME Like Jesus and LIVE like Jesus. It’s all about being on a journey with Him. This is the way God made things to work. So, see you Sunday as we gather to worship and be inspired by Him.

Here are the links you’ll need to prepare for Sunday’s Service:

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

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Secure in the Spirit + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • September 12, 2025

Last week, we saw how Jesus’ ministry began with the Father’s blessing and identity spoken over Him . But what came next? Rejection, criticism, and pressure to compromise or conform at every turn. How did Jesus stand strong when others doubted, opposed, or even tried to silence Him ? He was secure in His Father’s love and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This Sunday, we’ll look at what it means to live with that same Spirit-filled confidence, rooted in God’s voice and empowered by His presence, not the world’s opinions. 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.

Let’s Take a Walk With Jesus + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • September 5, 2025

This Sunday we’re kicking off a new series, Walking With Jesus . Together, we’ll journey through Luke’s Gospel and learn how Jesus stayed rooted in the Father’s love, stood firm against pressure, and never lost sight of what mattered most. Our journey will begin where His public ministry began, grounded in identity, love, and blessing from the Father. That secure foundation shaped everything Jesus did, and it’s the same foundation we desperately need today. I hope you’ll join us as we take the first step in Walking With Jesus . 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.

Don’t Just Go to Church — Be the Church + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • August 29, 2025

It’s so easy to think of church as a place we go for 70 minutes on Sunday. But Jesus had something far bigger in mind. The church isn’t a building or a service; it’s people. WE are the church. We comprise this brand-new movement that Jesus came to start and it’s a movement that moves beyond a building and permeates every area in our community. When you step into your school, workplace, neighborhood, or family, you bring the presence of Jesus with you. This Sunday we’ll wrap up our Brand: New series by exploring what it means to live as the church everywhere we go and how each of us has a unique role to play in God’s mission. 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 Way Up is Down + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • August 22, 2025

Have you ever noticed how the world works? The ones on top call the shots, set the rules, and expect others to fall in line. And deep down, we tend to think that’s how change happens, by overpowering those who oppose us. Jesus had a different idea. He looked His disciples in the eye and said, “Not so with you.” True leadership isn’t about getting your way; it’s about giving yourself away. This Sunday, we’ll explore what it means to lead, serve, and live in a way that flips the world’s expectations upside down. Take the Next Step: If you’re ready to go deeper in your relationship with Jesus and connect more with our church community, join us after 2nd service for Growth Path classes. This is your chance to learn, grow, and discover how you can make a difference where you are. Click here to learn more. 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.

What Does Love Require of Me? + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • August 15, 2025

This week we continue our Brand: New series with a question that can reshape every relationship, every decision, and every interaction you have: What does love require of me? Jesus replaced rule-keeping religion with something far simpler, yet far more demanding. He taught that our devotion to God is best demonstrated by the way we treat the people around us, especially those who are hardest to love. Join us Sunday as we explore how to live out this radical, world-changing way of love. Then, join us Sunday afternoon from 4:00-7:30 for our annual Picnic at the Park & Baptisms at Pioneer Park in Nevada City. Our cooking team will be grilling chicken and hot dogs for everyone. We just ask that you bring either an app, salad, or dessert to share. Then at 7:00 we’ll head over to the Pioneer Park pool to cheer on those taking the next step in their faith journey through baptism. You can find out more details about the picnic and baptisms here . 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.

What’s Love Got to Do With It? + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • August 8, 2025

This weekend, we continue our series Brand: Ne w with a look at how Jesus launched a movement unlike anything the world had seen before. The night before His crucifixion, Jesus gave a defining command: "Love one another... By this, everyone will know that you are My disciples." John 13:34–35 This wasn’t just another rule — it was the foundation of a brand-new way of living. Early believers embraced this wholeheartedly, building a community marked by generosity, grace, and sacrificial love that even the unbelieving world couldn’t ignore. But over time, the Church drifted back toward an old, rule-based, temple-model mindset — sacred places, sacred people, sacred texts in the hands of a select few. Power replaced love, belief trumped behavior, and this simple command of Jesus got buried under layers of religion. This Sunday, we’ll explore how we can reject the temple model in our own lives and return to the movement Jesus intended, one where relationship replaces religion, love outweighs law, and people matter more than places. 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.

Brand: New – Why the Old Way No Longer Works + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • August 1, 2025

This weekend, we’re continuing our Brand: New series by looking at why the “Temple Model” of religion, with all its rules, rituals, and spiritual scorecards, is incompatible with the brand-new covenant of grace Jesus came to give us. Paul says it best in Galatians 5: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. ” But for many of us, letting go of old ways of earning God’s love feels almost impossible. We like the idea of grace… but we still want to “pay what we can.” This Sunday, we’ll see why Jesus’ new covenant isn’t just an upgrade to the old system. It’s a completely different way of life. Bring a friend and join us as we discover how freeing and powerful this brand-new movement really is. 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 Benefit of Doubt and a Chance to Make a Difference + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • July 18, 2025

This Sunday, we wrap up our Beyond Doubt series, not because the questions have run out, but because they never will. Doubt isn’t a detour from faith; it’s part of the path. So we’ll end where we began: exploring how our honest questions can actually lead to deeper trust in God. We’ll look at one of the psalms of lament and discover how engaging our doubts can strengthen a resilient, grounded faith. Also, don’t forget that our Hope for Nevada County Backpack Giveaway is just one week away! We’re excited to bless local families with the tools their kids need to start school strong, but we’re still in need of several key supplies: • 1" binders • 70-page spiral notebooks • Pencils (both regular and mechanical) • Colored pencils • Glue sticks • Scissors • Highlighters Please choose one or more items, purchase multiples of them and bring them with you to church on Sunday or have them shipped directly to the church. Click here to find out more about the event. Thank you for being a church that shows up for our community in real, practical ways. 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.

Living on a Prayer + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • July 11, 2025

Prayer. It’s something many of us struggle with and long to understand better. What is it really for? Does it actually change anything? And how do we pray when we’re not sure what to say? This Sunday, as part of our Beyond Doubt series, I’ll be joined by Pastor Dan Prout, who heads the California Prayer Coalition. Dan has spent decades leading prayer efforts in our region and across the state, and I can’t think of a better guide to help us wrestle with some of our biggest questions about prayer, including, “Does prayer change God’s mind?” and “If God already knows what’s going to happen, why should we pray at all?” I hope you’ll join us for this honest, encouraging, and practical conversation. And if it leaves you wanting more, Dan will also be leading this week’s Grow University session to help you take the next step in your prayer life. Click here for details on that midweek conversation. Finally, we are two weeks away from Hope for Nevada County, our countywide back-to-school effort to help struggling families prepare for the start of the school year. We have all the backpacks, but what we really need are back-to-school supplies to fill those backpacks: pencils, mechanical pencils, glue sticks, binder paper, pens, 2-pocket folders, 1" binders, 70-page spiral notebooks, colored markers or pencils, scissors, dry erase markers, and highlighters. You can purchase multiples of one of these items and drop them off at church by Sunday, July 20 or just have them shipped directly to the church. Click here to find out more about the event. 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.