Trusting His Plan + Sunday Morning Resources

TCC • April 2, 2021

It’s EASTER WEEK, and I’m so excited to be with you and celebrate the greatest event in history. Jesus rose from the dead! He is risen! He is risen indeed! Jesus came to Earth on a mission to save us from our sin and lead us into a relationship with the Father. As Kim and I shared through our weekly video, this mission ended in the cruelty of the cross as Jesus was crucified for us.

 

Today on Good Friday, let’s not miss this opportunity to reflect on His death on the cross on our behalf. Holy week began with Palm Sunday, when Jesus was coronated as King of the Jews by the Jewish people – the same people who just days later were calling for His crucifixion. Jesus knew abject rejection, complete injustice, and cruel pain, and all of that was for us.

 

As Kim and I shared, the most moving of Jesus’ words from the cross were the final ones where in hopeful anticipation of renewed intimacy with God, He said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” Wow, that is so moving to me. He is expressing ultimate confidence in God’s faithful relationship with Him.

 

I’ve been using that phrase as a breath prayer this week to help me relate to Jesus and to help with some anxiety I’ve been feeling. This COVID logjam has left me susceptible to moments when I wonder just where God is and what He’s up to. In fact, I told someone early this week that it’s like my shocks are broken, and every bump I hit jars my entire system. But when I turn to God using this phrase as my breath prayer, He helps me trust in His plan, and each bump seems to have less impact on me.

 

The way breath prayers work is to engage your body and focus on a particular Bible verse or phrase. In this case, as I breathe in, I say, “Into Your hands.” I then hold that breath for a few seconds to focus on the One to whom I am saying these words. As I breathe out, I say, “I commit my spirit.” I could also say, “I commit my health, or resources, or future, or children, or marriage, or work.” I think you get the idea. This can help us grow in peace as we move into this season of Easter and beyond.

 

Easter is just two days away! We’re going to have four identical services so you can invite your friends to attend in person with you or gather online with you. You will be able to make sure we can have plenty of space by choosing to attend at 6:00pm on Saturday or at 8:00am on Sunday. That will allow us to have plenty of room for everyone. Of course, if that is not possible, we will look forward to seeing you at 9:30 or 11:00am as we celebrate Easter together. 


Our Children’s Ministry team has adapted and creatively changed the annual Easter Egg Hunt into an Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt. Families will go on an adventure by car to various locations around our community where they will snap a photo, collect candy, and meet some of our Ministry Partners. They will then race to the church and celebrate victory by having a picnic. You can bring your own lunch or buy a Domino’s cheese pizza for $5. Join us on the lawn for live music and games. Make sure to check out the website for all the details. Helpful hint: You can come by the church and pick up your Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt map and instructions so you can be ready to launch out from your home. If you can’t make it by, stop by the church after 8:00am, and the team of friendly volunteers will get you started.

 

On Sunday, we’re going to take a different approach to Easter. I know some of you are saying, “Ron, don’t mess with Easter. Just give us the straight story.” Well, I want you to know that this message came out of some deep angst – I might even call it despair – I was feeling a couple of months ago. I was wondering just what God was going to do as we begin to rebuild after all that has happened during this COVID logjam.

 

It was during one of those dark moments that God gave me a word from Isaiah 43. I found the hope in that chapter to be so impactful for me, and it’s all about the expectation we have of our future home – HEAVEN – and how God wants us to live our lives in complete trust that He is in control. But more than that, He has promised to rebuild a new thing out of the ruins of the old. I hope you’ll encourage your friends to join us in person or watch the service online.


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,

New Paragraph

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,

Easter Weekend at Twin Cities – You’re Invited! + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • April 18, 2025
Easter is almost here — and we’ve got a full weekend planned to connect and celebrate as a church family! Here’s everything coming up: Good Friday Community Service – 12pm @ TCC Join us Friday at Noon at Twin Cities Church as we gather with churches from across Nevada County to remember the triumph of the cross. It will be a wonderful time of worship, unity, and gratitude for the grace Jesus purchased for us. Egg Hunt & Pancake Breakfast – Saturday at 9am Bring the whole family out for a fun morning filled with pancakes, eggs (the plastic kind), and connection with our local community. It’s a great way to build memories and share the joy of Easter with our neighbors. Easter Sunday – He Is Risen! Celebrate the resurrection with us on Sunday at one of our three Easter services: 8:15, 9:45, & 11:30am . This is the perfect opportunity to invite a friend, neighbor, or coworker to come experience hope and new life in Jesus. The 8:15am service is typically the lightest attended, so if you’re flexible, join us early and help make space for guests later in the morning. We can’t wait to see 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 With anticipation,

Great Expectations + Sunday Morning Resources

By TCC • April 11, 2025
This weekend, we’ll prepare our hearts for Easter by reflecting on Palm Sunday. As Jesus entered Jerusalem, crowds lined the road shouting, “Hosanna!” — a cry of praise and hope. They had big expectations for what He had come to do. But just days later, their cries would turn to “Crucify Him!” We’ll explore how quickly expectations can turn to disappointment — and how dangerous it can be when we carry those same kinds of expectations into our relationship with God. Join us as we walk with Jesus into Holy Week and open our hearts to the kind of King He really is — not always the one we expect, but always the one we need. 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 Looking forward to seeing you Sunday,
More Posts