How are you doing as we move into the final week of our election while dealing with the continued COVID-19 reality? If you are like me, you’re feeling a level of fatigue – emotional, physical, and mental – like you have never experienced. I want you to know I’m praying for you during this time. I’m praying that you will practice the presence of God by following Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. I’m praying that the peace that passes all understanding – even through elections and pandemics – will be real in your soul.

One of the aspects of our Uncommon Sense series has been the constant call to walk the way of wisdom and discover that when I trust God I can know confidence and peace even when things are difficult around me. There’s a lot of chaos and noise and disruptive events happening around us, and the temptation is to think that God is not working and try to take matters into our own hands. We can tend to believe the old saying, “If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me” and get even more stressed because we are acting out a belief that if we don’t take charge, then we’re going to lose what we hold dear.

Kim and I just finished shooting our weekly video, and I want to encourage you to watch it because we talk about something Jesus said in Luke 21. If you’re familiar with this chapter, Jesus is talking about the chaos that will be experienced by those living during the end times. He mentions all kinds of difficulty that will come our way, and most of it is beyond our ability to control through our own efforts. Then He says these words that I want to get in your mind and soul today. Jesus said, “In your patience, possess your soul.” Luke 21:19 KJV. The NIV reads…. “Stand firm and you will win life.” I believe that Jesus is saying, “Get hold of yourselves. Remember who I am and what I’ve promised. Come to Me, and I will give you all you need for each day whatever that day brings. So be patient.” I don’t know about you, but I am finding it difficult to be patient as we wait in this season of chaos, disequilibrium, and loss.

One thing Kim shared in our video is that when we come to times like this, it’s not helpful to ask, “How can I make things go back to the way they were before this?” Instead, what if we were to ask, “What does this make possible that wasn’t possible before?” Folks, that kind of question allows us to dream and discover possibilities we may have never imagined.

The beauty of looking forward with hope is that hope has a way of demolishing the stronghold of discouragement in our lives. Hope destroys discouragement, and since discouragement is at an all-time high in so many people, then hope is our greatest need. I want you to take a look at our new website whenever you get a chance. It begins with this vision tag – “Where Hope Is Found.” We are building a church and community where hope is our primary commodity.

Today, I am praying that you can discover a new way to look at our current reality and believe God for a better tomorrow. I am praying that you will grow in your resilience and ability to wait with patience and possess your soul. That’s pretty strong action language. Possess your soul and expand your hope by placing your trust in Him.

I love you and want you to know that I’m here for you and will be here for you as long as God allows. Let’s grow in hope and then look for ways to unleash it together so that everyone can know where hope is found!

We want to gather to pray for unity in our nation as we enter the last few days before the election on November 3 – even though many people have already voted. I believe that one of the key things we can bring before God, other than His will being done, is for unity and peace in our nation after the election is over and the ballots are counted. We are at a crossroads as a nation, and I want to encourage us to be part of lowering the angry tension and frustration being expressed by so many.

Please join us in front of the building – between the prow and the cross – this Sunday, November 1 at 10:15am to pray for the election. We’ll be praying for God to guide the voting and the ramifications in our country no matter who wins. We’ll be praying for civility and humility as we move forward with positive attitudes to help our nation be the best it can be.

Fall Family Festival is SATURDAY, and I’m extremely pumped about our new look for Fall Family Festival for this COVID-19 year. You can look at our website and see the plan John Fairchild and Mare Dibert put together to help our community have a fun and free event for the entire family, especially the kids. We’ve offered FFF for our community 15 years now, and even with the COVID-19 restrictions in place, we believe we can offer a safe experience.

You still have time to sign up to serve or help us make sure our community has a fun and safe time. Please contact  mare@twincitieschurch.com. She told me that we still have places for people who want to serve. So, if you’re not sure we need you, we sure do! Also, let me encourage you to invite your friends to come give it a try. If you’d like, you can sign up to serve online or at church and go ahead and use our website link to invite your friends while you’re at it.

Here’s some good news we can use: We get an extra hour of sleep Saturday night! Make sure to set your clocks back ONE HOUR before you go to bed and take advantage of this once a year opportunity.

I am taking on a huge task this Sunday by tackling the better part of three chapters of Proverbs all dealing with biblical values concerning sex. I hope you’ll pray with me as I work this out in a way that speaks God’s Word clearly, compassionately, and courageously. You might read Proverbs 5-7 so you can be ready to receive even more from the message. 

During this time when it’s impossible for us all to be on campus together, please make sure to stay engaged online if you can’t be here with us either outside or inside. 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. Here’s an idea: When you’re watching online, please invite your friends to join you. If you haven’t downloaded the TCC APP, just go to the APP store and search for TCC GRASS VALLEY and download it today.

We plan to add live music back in as soon as possible, but until we do, our Worship Arts Team will keep recording quality and inspiring song sets each week that will allow us to engage in worship together. We will still have the outdoor venue available for those who want to have more space and freedom. We have tents outside. Each week we’ll continue to adapt and flex as we expand that opportunity at both 9:00  and 11:00am.

Let me encourage our young families that we have space for you and to keep checking the website for new activities.  Please make sure to register your kiddos on our website before you arrive.

Our Student Ministry Team has moved to a format on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30pm at the church that will allow our students to engage. Junior High students meet with their leaders on one end of the building  and High School students and their leaders meet on the other. Students are also meeting at 10:30am on Sundays for connect time and donuts, and then they attend the 11:00am service together. Make sure to encourage your students to be here because they need community in ways they may not even be aware.

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