We watched two significant moments yesterday. One was the final remarks from President Trump as he said farewell to America. It was sobering to see him walk up the steps to Air Force One, wondering what he felt as he left office – not like he would have liked. Second was the inauguration of our 46^th President, Joe Biden. Once again it was sobering to think of the job before him. He has said that his number one goal is to unify our country. That, my friends, is going to take a miracle from Heaven.

Will you commit with me today that we will pray for President Biden and his team? Let’s pray for God’s mighty hand to work in ways that we can’t even begin to imagine or dream. I was talking with a friend right after the inauguration who said, “We pray for God’s will to be done in America as it is in Heaven.” I agree.

You can find strength in praying our 2021 Church Prayer. I’ve seen great encouragement this year by engaging in that prayer each day. If you look at it in context, it comes from the Apostle Paul’s instructions on how to be prepared for spiritual warfare. Prayer is both defensive armor and an offensive weapon. I encourage you to pray this prayer with your church family.

Friday is the day we pray for each other. I know that the COVID restrictions have led to relational loneliness, financial loss and devastation, family stress, career derailment, and emotional depression in so many people. I want you to know you can count on me praying for you every Friday. Folks, COVID will end its run. In the meantime, let’s all do what we can to stay connected in the ways we can. If you’re struggling – feeling isolated, or have financial hardship, or need emotional support – please reach out to your church for care.

In this time, we must keep our faith alive by looking for ways we can remain connected as a church family. One couple I know decided that they wanted to grow in their faith and connect with other Followers of Jesus, so they launched a new group. You may want to consider something like that. Gather 8-10 people in your home to study the Bible, watch the Sunday service, or reflect and pray using the Message Notes from Sunday. One person wrote this to me recently, “We are hoping the church will be able to open soon so we can resume worship as a group again, however, the fact that we can't meet as a church doesn't stop us from worshipping in small groups and doing whatever we must to continue our journey as Christians.”

Grow University begins soon, and now is the time to choose which class you want to take to help you grow. Here are this session’s classes.

• Resolving Everyday Conflict helps you improve your communication skills and learn to resolve conflict in a healthy way.
• GriefShare helps you find healing after loss and learn ways to cope with the deep sadness, loneliness and confusion that comes with the loss of a loved one or someone close.
• Financial Peace University helps you gain financial stability and learn how to manage your money and reduce your debt.
• Be with Jesus helps you deepen your relationship with God and learn practices that will draw you closer to Him.

No matter which area you are hoping to grow in this year, remember: God is WITH you every step of the way and He’s already moving mountains for you because He loves you. And with God on your side, who can be against you? Our team is here to support you and help you. GROW now through Grow University! You can register online through our website. If you have any questions about any of the classes or need help getting registered, you can email Laura or call her at 530.273.6425 ext.300.

We continue to extend compassion to the hurting in our community through our monthly Drive-Thru Food Drive. Nevada County Food Bank has had a reduction in the amount of food provided by the government, which has put an increased burden on all of our food distribution outlets. We support Interfaith Food Ministry, and our monthly food drives go a long way to helping them have the food resources they need to help meet the increased demand. So, go shopping for non-perishable food items and bring them by the church on Friday, 8:00-10:30am. You won’t have to get out of your vehicle. Our team will receive your food and help the Interfaith volunteers sort and box the food before it is transferred to their distribution center.

Another way we extend compassion is through our involvement with LivingWell Medical Clinic. LivingWell has been one of our ministry partners for over 28 years. Just like all non-profits, their fundraising efforts have had to be restructured. Unfortunately, that also meant that their income was hindered. We’re going to pitch in and receive a special offering this Sunday, January 24 to help them during this tough time. If you want to give, you can go to our website or directly to their giving platform. Please pray about how you might want to give to help protect the unborn.

On Sunday, we continue our Walking the Way of Wisdom series. This week, we’ll take a look at what Proverbs has to say about Wisdom and FRIENDS. The past ten months have really challenged us, and it’s shown us how deep our friendship pool is. Some of us are finding that our pool was pretty shallow. Proverbs has a lot to say about friendship – how to make friends, how to forge friendship, and how to enrich friendship. I hope you’ll make sure to tune in online this weekend to hear God’s Word for you.

We’ll also observe communion on Sunday, so make sure to have juice and bread or a cracker on hand so that you can engage in this deeply moving spiritual practice. If you want, you can make your own communion bread. Here’s a recipe I use that makes fantastic bread for communion. Join me in making this experience interactive and involve your entire family.

During this time when we can’t meet in person, please make sure to stay engaged online. Let me encourage you to keep your Sunday rhythms by watching the service live at either 9:00 or 11:00am. I believe that will help you stay disciplined as we walk this road of COVID restrictions together and will help our church family feel your nearness and encouragement as we continue to “gather” in His name.  

If you like, you can watch the current service or any archived service 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. You can watch the service right from your device.

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

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