This Week at Twin Cities Church

This Week @ Twin Cities Church - Preparing for the Park!

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:37:00 +0000

Hey everyone, TCC At The Park is June 3 at Western Gateway Park in Penn Valley. We’re going to gather together in one service – every person who calls TCC home and their invited friends and guests – to celebrate God and His work through us in the past twenty years. I am completely amazed and humbled to have walked this road with so many of you. We’ve witnessed God use broken and ordinary people to help transform lives.

I am so fired up for this day! I can’t wait to see all of you gathered together in one service to focus on our great and awesome God. Get ready to experience amazing music, heart-warming stories of life-change, baptisms and a picture of the Biblical mandate we believe God has given us for the next ten years of our ministry together. I’ve been eagerly anticipating this opportunity for a long time.

This is a day to hang together so plan on eating lunch at the park. Immediately after the service and before the concert, we’ll have lunch. You can bring your own or you can buy a complete lunch for $5 at church on Sunday or just go online right now. It’s simple.

We’ll have 1000 chairs for those who want them. There will also be a huge grassy area for those who want to bring their own beach chairs and blankets. We’ll have a full Children’s Ministry complete with nursery for the babies and bounce houses for the older kids. Our kids will also get a wonderful presentation by a Christian Illusionist!

The gates open at 9:00 and the service begins at 10:00. Make sure to give yourself extra time so you can be relaxed and get the most out of the day. Remember to be as flexible as possible and to be an encouragement to those who will be serving that day.

This weekend will include everything an anniversary service should have, plus we’ll all be together!

See you Sunday,

Pastor Ron

**Remember that our monthly food drive it this Sunday!**

This Week @ Twin Cities Church - Modern Family Life Begins!

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:46:00 +0000

Hey everyone, I want to thank you so much for the excitement you helped generate during our Heaven series. A woman stopped me today and said, “I want to thank you for this series. My mom is going to die this week. It’s been such a comfort to know where she is going.” Another person said, “I was so encouraged to know I will see my child again.” Folks, Heaven is a real place for real people with a real loving God.

I have two ideas on how to keep the energy going from this series. One, think of those in your world who need to know how to be sure they are going to Heaven. Begin praying for them and ask God for an opportunity to talk about the reality of Heaven and how to be certain of going there some day. Two, consider engaging in a Heaven study using the Randy Alcorn video series. Many of the questions we didn’t get to answer are covered in that study and his book on Heaven.

On Sunday we start a new series called Modern Family Life. Each year we take time in the spring to talk about relationships. How we relate to one another is a HUGE factor in our satisfaction and happiness in life. The family is the laboratory for spiritual growth and development as we learn to treat one another in a manner consistent with how Jesus wants us to live. It’s not easy to have a home where harmony is felt by all.

Modern Family Life is for everyone – single, married, empty nester, parents and grandparents. It’s amazing how the Bible speaks so clearly about family in a way that also applies to all our relationships. Personally, as I began my study for this series, I realized how much I needed a tune up or refresher on family life.

Looking Forward to Sunday,

Pastor Ron

This Week @ Twin Cities Church - Checking In

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:58:00 +0000

Hey everyone, God is moving in us. One of my life verses is from 2 Chronicles 16:9. “The eyes of the Lord search the whole Earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” I believe we’re seeing that as we humbly seek His face and commit ourselves to His mission.

We entered this year with several challenges designed to help us know God’s voice and will. How are you doing at the Read the Bible Daily Challenge? If you’ve missed or slipped, I want to encourage you to open your Bible today and jump right back into that rhythm.

How are you doing at the 2012 5/5 Lord’s Prayer Challenge? I have had so many emails and personal conversations with people who tell me those five P’s are rocking their world. One person said, “The Pardon prayer has allowed me to forgive three different people whom I had been holding captive. It feels so good to be free of that bitterness.” Another person wrote, “Asking God for His daily provision has allowed me to take my eyes off of my bleak financial situation. I am encouraged!” If you’ve missed praying these five P’s, I challenge you to say that prayer again today.

You can find out about the Read the Daily Bible Challenge and the 5/5 Lord’s Prayer Challenge on our website.

I think that those two challenges combined with our 28 Days of Prayer and Fasting have caused us to humble ourselves before our mighty God. I believe He has taken notice, and is supercharging all we do with His Holy Spirit. Think about these things as you focus on God this week! Be available for Him to use and bless.

If you’ve missed any of our Heaven series, please watch or listen online and catch up. Also, if you miss, you can always listen to the previous week’s service each Sunday morning at 7am on KNCO 830. This Sunday, we will focus on the question, “Will there be rewards in Heaven?

Looking forward to Heaven with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week @ Twin Cities Church - A "Taste" of Heaven

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:01:00 +0000

Hey everyone, “Is Heaven on Earth?” This was one of the common themes raised as people were able to voice their questions about Heaven. That is a pretty weighty question. One thing for certain, this is not Heaven. Since Heaven is described as a new Earth, then how can this Earth be Heaven? Even though we may feel exhilaration at our experiences now, they in no way compare to what the Bible describes Heaven to be like.

What we experience now is just a “taste” of Heaven. Heaven will have nature, mountains, rivers, plants, fruit, animals, flowers and people. It will be a place of incomparable beauty. Nothing compares to the beauty of Heaven.

All pain will be gone. There will be no more tears. No more suffering. No more pain. All joy will be known. There will be singing. There will be dancing. There will be wholeness.

I can’t wait for Heaven. At the same time, I don’t get to choose when I go. So, in the time between now and Heaven, I am asking God to help me make the most of this blur of hours and days and decades. I want my life to be the kind that when I go to Heaven, someone can say, “He gave God glory with his life.” It’s not a life of perfection or completion. It’s a life of devotion. Here’s my prayer: “God, help me to bring You glory in all I do. In everything I do, let it be an act of worship.”

I hope you will come Sunday. If you missed last week, make sure to watch or listen online so you’re caught up as we continue our series, “Unseen: Exploring the Realities of Heaven.” We will focus on the question, “What will relationships be like in Heaven?”

Looking forward to Heaven with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week @ Twin Cities Church - Exploring Heaven

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:56:00 +0000

Hey everyone, “Heaven sounds awesome! I can’t wait to go!” That was one of the comments someone wrote on Sunday after the first message in our Heaven series. As much as I agree, I wonder if that’s really how we feel. It’s like the pastor who asked the church, “Who wants to go to Heaven?” Everyone raised their hands except a 10-year-old boy. After the service the pastor asked him, “Son, don’t you want to go to Heaven?” The boy said, “Yes, but I thought you were asking if we wanted to go today!”

I believe that many of us are just like this boy. How do I know? Well, because I am. On Sunday, I asked you to keep in mind how the reality of Heaven changes us. It changes our perspective on possessions, people and pain. Ask yourself, “How much time and energy do I give to attaining and maintaining stuff that I can’t take to Heaven?” Ask, “How much time and energy do I give investing in the people I can take to Heaven?” Ask, “How do I react to the pain of this world?” Your answers to those questions show the direction of your heart – toward Heaven or Earth.

Our theme verse for last Sunday was from Colossians 3, “Think about the things of Heaven, not the things of Earth.” What a challenge. Can we do that? It will take discipline, but it will also require knowing more about Heaven.

I hope you will come Sunday – if you missed make sure to watch or listen online to last week so you’re caught up—as we continue our series, “Unseen: Exploring The Realities of Heaven.” We will focus on the question, “What will I do in Heaven? Will Heaven be boring?”

Looking forward to Heaven with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week @ Twin Cities Church - UNSEEN

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:33:00 +0000

Hey everyone, Easter! Wow! I want to thank you for your amazing generosity toward our Helping Our Neighbors Easter Food Drive. We took over a packed trailer and two pickup loads of food to help replenish the empty shelves over at Interfaith Food Ministry. The volunteers at Interfaith wanted to express their gratitude and appreciation. You blessed them, and they were able to turn that blessing around and help many of our neighbors this week.

As I wrote notes on Tuesday to all the first and second time guests who visited us for Easter, I was HUMBLY AMAZED at how many of our guests wrote one of your names down as the one who invited them. Folks, that shows me ownership, faith and understanding that Jesus and His church are the only hope our friends and families have. Thank you for your trust in us and belief that God will touch your friends and family while they are here.

I want to thank all the volunteers and servants who gave during our Easter season. In fact, so many people told me that this was our “best” Easter ever. I am a little biased, though, in that I think every Easter is awesome! Thank you for your love for what God continues to do in and through us.

We begin our new series on heaven on Sunday. After I went through the hundreds of questions you wrote, I could tell that this series was going to strike a chord. Thank you for sharing your honest questions about heaven through your Connection Cards on Easter. We will do our best to answer as many as possible.

You might want to consider either joining a Community Group that is going to do the Heaven DVD curriculum or coming to our special Heaven LifeSkills group that starts April 18, 6:30 pm right here at Twin Cities. Stop by the Groups table on Sunday to find out more.

Looking forward to heaven with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week @ Twin Cities Church - Easter!

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:09:00 +0000

Hey Everyone! Easter is the most important date in history. It’s not a holiday. It’s not about eggs and bunnies. It's not about religion. In fact, Easter is about one thing and one thing only – Jesus came back to life. Jesus was resurrected from the dead. All other religions, philosophies, traditions and spiritual practices are based upon the teachings or actions of a leader or group of leaders. Christianity stands ALONE because it’s based upon a person who was raised from the dead. Please be praying for those people you are inviting or plan to invite that they will come and hear how believing in a risen Jesus can transform them, give them freedom and inspire confidence in a life full of uncertainties and discouragement.

We’re also doing something very tangible as we help our neighbors this Easter weekend. After our last food drive, the volunteers who delivered the food items you brought came back and mentioned to us that the shelves at Interfaith Food Ministry are alarmingly low. They have even reduced their delivery schedule because the need is greater than they can currently fill. We’re going to help by doing an Easter Food Drive.

We will have bins available at all our entrances this weekend. I want to ask you to bring a can, a box or a bag of non-perishable food with you as you come to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Will you help us make a huge difference in the daily struggle some have just to feed their families? Let’s help encourage the people at Interfaith with a huge outpouring of generosity.

Make sure to pray for all the servants who will lead us this weekend. Also, please look for ways you can help someone feel welcome or included. Look around for those who seem to be hesitant or new and offer a smile. You might even ask if they need help finding their way.

Coming awake with you for Easter,

Pastor Ron

This Week @ Twin Cities Church - Easter Food Drive!

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:09:00 +0000

Hey Everyone! I wish you could have seen the mass of humanity, cars and trucks that descended on our property this week. Nevada County Food Bank sent a request asking if we could be the site for their satellite food delivery services once each month. I was amazed at how many volunteers it took to make this day happen. BTW, many of you responded to the email request that was sent and showed up that day ready and eager to serve. Thank you so much! These kinds of partnerships go a long way in allowing us to share the tangible love of Jesus with our community.

On a very related note, after our last food drive, the volunteers who delivered the food items you brought came back and mentioned to us that the shelves at Interfaith Food Ministry are alarmingly low. They have even reduced their delivery schedule because the need is greater than they can currently fill. Here’s what we’re going to do to help. We want to do an Easter Food Drive.

We will have bins available at all our entrances on Easter weekend. I want to ask you to bring a bag of non-perishable food with you as you come to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Will you help us make a huge difference in the daily struggle some are having just to feed their families? Let’s help encourage the people at Interfaith with a huge outpouring of generosity.

Thank you for the response to last week’s blast as I asked you to go out of your way to welcome those around you each Sunday. I saw a huge lift in energy in our auditorium and in the lobby. Let’s be the friendliest place in town!

Coming awake with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week @ Twin Cities Church - A Warm Smile

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:57:00 +0000

Hey everyone! I received this Connection Card comment today: “Tomorrow is our 24th wedding anniversary. Thanks to Twin Cities Church and Celebrate Recovery, Jesus Christ is now at the center of our marriage. Thank you to all who serve and make this possible. Yea God!!!” Isn’t that just awesome? I love how God continues to use our efforts to help people discover the hope and new life we can have through a relationship with Jesus and His church. Thank you for serving, giving and sacrificing so others can know new life.

A few Sundays ago, I noticed something I want to bring to our attention. On this Sunday during the greeting and welcoming time, I saw a woman and her daughter (obviously guests) standing during the entire segment wondering if anyone was going to welcome them. All around people were laughing, talking and touching, but for some reason on this week no one noticed this woman and her daughter standing there alone. I could tell by their faces they were feeling left out. I did make my way back to them before the song ended, and they were so relieved to have a warm welcome.

People tell us all the time that we are such a friendly church. Yet, I know there will be times when in our zeal to talk to our friends we miss out on those who want to know if our church, or any church, or even God, Himself, cares. A touch, word and smile is all it takes to break through that barrier and help someone feel welcome and included.

This Sunday, make sure to look for those right next to you who need a welcome word. Just a reminder, we used to talk more about being available in the lobby to greet people. That’s another time when it’s easier to tell when someone is here for the first time. This Sunday, look for those folks and make them feel welcome with a warm smile and a “Good Morning.”

Coming awake with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week @ Twin Cities Church - Second Chances

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:19:00 +0000

Hey everyone! I received several comments and emails last week after the service on FAITH. First, thank you so much for letting me know how the things we do, including the messages we give, impact you. Second, thank you for your heart! I was so thrilled at how many people heard last Sunday as a wake-up call. The question that I got the most comments about was, “Would the people in your world be able to determine you are a follower of Jesus based – not upon what you say – but on what you do?”

I want to pose that to us again. Would the people at work know you are a person who follows Jesus Christ based upon your attitude, integrity, mouth, words, work ethic, dependability or honesty?

Would the people you hang with socially be able to know you are a follower of Jesus by the way you talk, the way you spend or consume stuff, the attitude you display, the gossip you share, the encouragement you give, the entertainment you watch or the substances you consume?

Would the people in your home see Jesus in you based upon the tone you use when you speak, the anger you spew, the consistency you display, the values you express, the love and compassion you share, the touch you give or the forgiveness you offer or seek?

I just had to ask those questions because last night I had a difficult night managing the side-effects of my medications. In my mind, it was ugly. And if my family were to judge me based upon about a five minute run, they would have to say, “Jesus was nowhere to be seen.” I am so glad for second chances. You have a second chance at work, in your social settings and at home, too. Make the most of it and live by faith.

On Sunday, we’ll talk about one of the most important aspects of the Christian faith – our ability to embrace God’s love for us.

Coming awake with you,

Pastor Ron

**Remember that Sunday 3/18 is our monthly food drive! Click here for more information!**

This Week @ Twin Cities Church - Thank You!

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:55:00 +0000

Hey everyone, thank you to everyone who invited friends, shook hands, smiled, served donuts, cheered, celebrated, and dreamed with us last Sunday for our 20th Anniversary Celebration Party! The place was electrified with God’s Spirit and Power.

Thank you to all of you who parked in the dirt, gave up “your” seat, helped someone find a parking spot, held a baby, loved on a kid, gave a positive word to a student, sang a song, played an instrument or made a coffee drink.

Thank you to our video team for making the “I Am Twin Cities” montage.

Thank you to the faithful folks who folded programs, hung balloons, wrote names on tags, greeted guests, helped people find seats, and prayed for those with needs. It takes all of us to do what God has called us to do and be. I am so proud of our church. We Are Twin Cities!

This week is another great week to invite your friends. We will focus on understanding and waking up to the simplicity of faith. Faith is a very confusing term in our world, but in the Bible it’s not at all. Faith is taking God at His word. I hope you’ll come ready to hear God’s word for you this Sunday.

Remember to SPRING AHEAD this weekend as the time changes.

Coming awake with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week @ Twin Cities Church - 20th Anniversary!

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:56:00 +0000

Hey everyone, Let’s Party! I have been praying that Sunday will be a new beginning filled with new passion as we celebrate 20 years together. First of all, we want to thank God for His extravagant grace and blessings. If you missed Sunday evening watch it before you come to church this weekend. That will give you even more context. Thank you God!

Second, I want to thank all the awesome servant-minded volunteers who give so much week after week to make what we do possible. We would not be who we are as a church without the incredibly humble and sacrificial people who have linked arms with us in this journey. Thank you!

Third, I want to thank the pastoral and administrative staff God has allowed us to gather here. The quality of staff we have is beyond compare. I am so grateful to get to serve beside these dedicated women and men in this grand adventure. Thank you!

Sunday has the potential to be a big day for us. God has prepared our hearts through the Rhythms series, Daily Bible Reading, 5/5 Lord’s Prayer Challenge, 28 Days of Fasting, and Re-think Leadership because He wants to unleash us for even greater impact for Him. I am so thrilled and encouraged by how you have so willingly and eagerly engaged during this time of preparation.

I am praying for the friends you plan to invite. It’s never too late in the week to make that invitation. Let God use you!

HELP: If you will be serving in any capacity this Sunday, please park off-pavement and arrive early. We have spots on both ends of our parking lot where you can park. Let’s serve by making it as easy as possible for our friends and guests to get in and get out. Remember to be your friendly and courteous selves to everyone you see.

See you Sunday as we celebrate 20 years together,

Pastor Ron

**Listen to Ron & Kim’s KNCO Radio Interview from 2/29!**

This Week @ Twin Cities Church

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:53:00 +0000

Hey everyone, I need to say this again! You are amazing people. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of leading with you. God continues to speak to me through you. I cherish the people He’s encouraging us to become. Keep sending me those emails and notes about how you’re loving our focus and vision casting as we move forward to our 20th Anniversary Celebration on March 4. I love this season.

This Sunday we are having DIFFERENT services on Sunday morning and evening. On Sunday morning, during our three regular service times, we’ll cover what it means for us as a church to GO out to take God’s love and compassion to those who are hurting, broken and in need. We’ll talk about what it looks like to be His church in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces and recreational activities.

On Sunday evening we’ll come back together as we end our 28-day FAST for a time of worship. It’s the final “G” in our strategy. We GLORIFY God! We’ll do that through music, teaching and prayer. Our choir will lead us as we come before God to give Him glory for who He is. We’ll end with a time of prayer and commitment to what God wants for us in this next season of our church which we’re calling D3 – Decade of Destiny.

“I Will Follow” is our 2012 church theme. I hope you will come to BOTH service opportunities – Sunday morning, as normal, and then Sunday evening at 6:30pm. We will commit ourselves to following God wherever He guides as we lead people to know and follow Jesus. Let’s do that together.

Getting in rhythm with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week @ Twin Cities Church - Monthly Food Drive!

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:48:00 +0000

Hey everyone, thank you so much for sending me those emails and notes about how you’re loving our focus and vision casting as we move forward to our 20th anniversary celebration on March 4. Isn’t it cool to know that God is moving in our lives and church? In the coming months, I look forward to laying out more of what we dream for this next decade.

Here are key words that I want to bring back into your minds today. Daily Bible Reading. 5/5 Lord’s Prayer Challenge. Fasting (ends on February 26). I Will Follow (this was our theme at Rethink Leadership which you can still watch online). Friend Day (invite friends to come for our anniversary celebration on March 4). Baptism (we would love to baptize 10 people per service).

You can get information online so that you can be engaged fully in what God is doing through us in this season. The phrase I want to bring back to our minds is from Rethink Leadership – Jesus Christ and His church is the hope of the world. Our new mission statement says, “We are leading people to know and follow Jesus.” Let’s do that together.

This Sunday we look at another of the Rhythms God gave us so we could live lives of meaning and purpose as we deepen our intimacy with Him. If you’ve missed either of the past two weeks, be sure to watch the service you missed so you can be part of our new way of expressing God’s plan for our church.

Remember that February 26 is the end of our 28 day fast. We’ll gather together twice on that day: In the morning and then again in the evening to celebrate what God has done during this season. I can’t wait to share this moment with you.

Getting in rhythm with you,

Pastor Ron

**Remember to bring food for our monthly food drive this week!**

This Week @ Twin Cities Church - Friend Day Approaches!

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:26:00 +0000

Hey everyone, I got several emails this week about the Read the Bible Daily and 5/5 Lord’s Prayer Challenge and how these two spiritual practices are energizing some folks forward to know God better as they also experience Him more fully in the “everyday” moments of life. This Sunday, we’ll hand out the Lord’s Prayer Challenge bookmarks, I promised, to help you make the most of this season.

How’s the fasting going? It’s really cool to know that we’re all doing this fasting thing together. If you want to engage, it’s not too late. We are doing without something that we know or suspect could have a hold on us that might be hindering our relationship with God. We’re doing without that thing, substance or activity between now and February 26. The really cool thing is that we’re doing this together asking God in those times we’re fasting to show us His direction for our church’s third decade. I am so thrilled about how God is using this in me and in our church.

Friend Day is March 4. For the past 20 years, we’ve set aside the first Sunday in March to celebrate our anniversary and to remind us why God planted us here in the first place. He wanted a church that had His heart for people who were still separated from Him and His church. As we celebrate 20 years on March 4, it’s going to be a great opportunity to invite your friends. That’s how we started our church, and that’s been our philosophy – God’s people inviting their friends to experience Him in a fresh, exciting, excellent way. Who are you inviting?

On Sunday, we’ll talk about the idea that God made church to be the place where we GROW TOGETHER.

Getting in rhythm with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week @ Twin Cities Church - Communion!

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:57:00 +0000

Hey everyone, this is a season filled with potential! I don’t know how to say it any other way. I can’t recall a time in the last few years when I’ve had such a spirit of anticipation and even expectation for what God is going to do in the lives of our faith family. Rethink Leadership was like getting a “coffee red eye” – that’s a shot of espresso. The theme “I Will Follow” was so evident and as we sang I Will Follow to end, I could sense that we were saying, “We’re on board God. Show us, and we’ll go.” If you missed Rethink, you can watch it online and get in on this inspiring day.

So, here’s what’s happening as we ramp up to our 20th anniversary celebration on March 4. We began 28 Days of Fasting that will end as we come together in our evening service on February 26. If you missed Sunday, make sure to go online and catch it. Pastor Mark did a wonderful job of defining and explaining fasting. We all agreed to fast from some food, substance or activity that we know is keeping us from fully engaging with God. While we fast, we are asking God for His direction in the life of our church and our part in it as we begin D3 – our third decade of ministry.

We’re also asking everyone to Read the Bible and Pray the 5/5 Lord’s Prayer challenge each day of 2012. We want to seek God’s presence and hear His voice as we step out together toward a new decade.

On Sunday, we’ll talk about the idea that God made church to be the place where we GATHER TOGETHER. I look forward to being with my church family as we celebrate Communion.

Getting in rhythm with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week @ Twin Cities Church!

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:40:00 +0000

Hey everyone, Rethink Leadership is Saturday. I really didn’t know how cool the FREE gift we’ve been promising would be until they arrived today. Wow! I can’t wait to give one out to everyone who comes on Saturday. Don’t miss out on this morning of inspiration, insight and impact! We’ll begin at 8:30 with a FREE continental breakfast. Make sure to go online and register. You’ll be glad you came.

On Sunday over 750 people signed a card saying they would take the 2012 5/5 Prayer Challenge. I was so moved by your overwhelming response. I know that many others are doing it, but putting it down on a card was just too much to ask. In a couple of weeks I hope to have a bookmark ready to help you with the 5 prayers for 5 minutes at the start of each day. Here they are: Praise, Priority, Provision, Pardon and Protection. If you missed Sunday’s service, you’ll want to watch it soon and be sure to listen for the “My Story” from Kevin Simas and how the Jabez Prayer Challenge has rocked his world. Prayer works!

This Sunday we get to talk about another Rhythm – Fast. We’ll hear about a seldom observed and yet powerfully transforming spiritual practice that will impact us in a huge way. I also want to encourage you with the Read-Through-The Bible-Challenge for 2012. Read the Bible for some amount each day in 2012 and let God’s word change your heart. You can use our reading plan, YouVersion.com or any plan of your choosing. Make sure to send me emails or notes about how God is using this in your life.

Getting in rhythm with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week @ Twin Cities Church!

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:14:00 +0000

Hey everyone, we’re beginning 2012 with Rethink Leadership. We started this annual event a few years ago as a way of clarifying our direction and mission for the coming year. But, it’s more than that. We also use this as an opportunity to give us tools that will help us all be better! If you’re like me, you want to grow, and this event is designed for everyone who wants to grow.

Rethink Leadership is January 28 at 8:30am. The event is free and includes continental breakfast, teaching experiences, singing, and a gift for everyone who attends. You can get information and sign up right now online or you can sign up this Sunday. This is for everyone who calls TCC home.

Our U8 team should be arriving home TODAY! I ask you to pray for a smooth reentry back to life at home for these folks. For two weeks they have been in a very foreign environment compared to what we experience. They have eaten foods, experienced pain, suffering and poverty, worshiped with abandon, and loved on children. They will be fatigued and yet full of wonder at what God did in them while gone. Please pray for everyone involved in the reentry back home because it almost never equals what they and their families might expect.

This Sunday we get to talk about another Rhythm – Pray. I want to encourage you with the Read-Through-The Bible-Challenge for 2012. Read the Bible each day in 2012 and let God’s word change your heart. Make sure to send me emails or notes about how God is using this in your life.

Getting in rhythm with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week @ Twin Cities Church - Monthly Food Drive!

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:14:00 +0000

2012 is going to be a huge year for our church family. It’s going to be a year of change, definition and vision. It’s going to be a year of opportunity, transformation and mission. I am so excited (even in my medically induced state) for what God is going to speak into our lives in the coming months.

I want to let everyone know about the “Read The Bible Challenge” from this past Sunday. We’re challenging each of us to read the Bible every day in 2012. Rick Henderson did a great job on Sunday of helping us see why it’s important from Psalm 1. Let’s all engage in the Word of God each day in 2012. Many TCC folks use the reading plan we give out as a guide or tool to help them stay on track. You can get the same reading plan or look at others that might work better for you at www.youversion.com. Another tool we have to help is the Life Journals available in our Next Step Bookstore.

This Sunday we get to talk about another Rhythm – Stop. Last week we said that we need to Dive in with God’s people and God’s word. This week we’ll talk about the need to stop everything, to get silent, so we can hear from God.

The latest we’ve heard from our U8 team is that they are safely in Uganda and being used dramatically to show the love of Jesus. Will you make it a point to pray for their mission, impact, safety and travel smoothness? Let’s pray with faith that many hundreds of lives will be impacted by the ministry of our people who are going global.

Getting in rhythm with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week @ Twin Cities Church!

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:47:00 +0000

Hey everyone, 2012 is going to be a huge year for our church family. It’s going to be a year of change, definition and vision. It’s going to be a year of opportunity, transformation and mission. I am so excited (even in my medically induced state) for what God is going to speak into our lives in the coming months.

I want to ask a favor – you might even call it a special request of you as we begin 2012 with our series called Rhythms. Will you make it part of your normal rhythm, even make it part of your spiritual commitment and discipline, to be in our services every time you’re in town. We will be planning each week with the belief that God wants to speak into our lives, individually and corporately, as a church family. Here’s the rest. When you’re not here, please watch the service online at some point during the week you missed. We have our services online by Tuesday each week.

Our online service allows people to be introduced to our church before they ever come to our facility and stay connected even while they’re out of town. After our last Christmas Eve service, a couple came up to me and said that they watch our services each week online. They called themselves a satellite church of TCC in Virginia. I’ve had people introduce themselves to me and say, “I’ve been watching you online the past months. I feel like I already know you.” Isn’t that cool? Others let me know that they watch our services each time they miss, and they love how connected they are able to stay.

Our U8 team left today for the long trip to Uganda. Will you make it a point to pray for their mission, impact, safety and travel smoothness? Let’s pray with faith that many hundreds of lives will be impacted by the ministry of our people who are going global.

Looking forward to 2012 with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week @ Twin Cities Church!

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:21:00 +0000

You are a wonderful group of others-focused people, and I love doing Kingdom life with you. What a privilege it was to serve with the hundreds of you who made our Christmas Eve services a huge highlight for so many. I can’t remember when we’ve had a Christmas Eve experience with such a high level of ownership by all. Thank you for your attitudes that represent the self-sacrificing life of Jesus

I especially want to thank the entire Celebration Arts Team for the hundreds of hours they spent planning, rehearsing and then actually performing. It is such a privilege to serve with such devoted servants. The really cool thing is that everyone…from parking lot volunteers, to ushers, to coffee bar baristas, to dancers, to singers, to techies, to foodies, to children’s ministry workers, to yours truly… EVERYONE who served did it to make sure our guests and family got to see and experience Jesus.

Please pray for all those who said, “Yes!” to receive or renew or reflect on the message of Jesus. I know God touched so many with the clear message of the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, Immanuel.

I also want to thank you for your generous understanding toward all of our committed volunteers and servants about why we changed our service times last weekend to Friday and Saturday. I look forward to a new year of vision and purpose as we celebrate our 20 years of doing God’s work together here in Western Nevada County.

FYI – in order for your giving to be attributed to your 2011 records for IRS purposes, you will need to give online or by mail (must be postmarked by December 31) or by bringing your offerings to the church office. We will close at 1:00 on December 30.

Looking forward to a new year with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week @ Twin Cities Church - Christmas Eve Services!

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:23:00 +0000

Hey everyone, I am praying for the friends and family you have invited to our Christmas Eve services. If you haven’t yet, I know there is still time to re-gift the gift of Jesus to someone else. A lady told me on Sunday that the concept of re-gifting Jesus has changed the way she is approaching Christmas. Another woman told me that the concept of re-gifting Jesus motivated her the following week to share Jesus with a person who said “Yes” and crossed the line of faith. That is awesome! If you missed the service on re-gifting Jesus, you can watch it online.

Since we’ve moved our service times this weekend to Friday and Saturday that means we won’t have services on Sunday, December 25. I will include a Home Church Guide in your program for Christmas Eve which you can use to slow down and sit with Jesus in your home.

Just a heads up that not meeting on Sunday will impact your General Fund and Year-End giving opportunities as we end 2011. So, here are some options you can choose from for your giving. We will receive offerings at all of our Christmas Eve services on the 23rd and 24th. You can give online anytime, or send your check through the mail, or bring it by the church office (We will be closed December 26). Remember, giving must be made online, hand delivered or postmarked before the end of the day December 31st to be credited to your 2011 charitable donations. If you are making a stock transfer, it must be transferred into our Schwab account by the end of the day on December 31st.

Remember that we will only meet at 9:35 and 11:15 on Sunday, January 1.

May you see Jesus in a fresh way this Christmas and allow Him to fill you with all of His fullness!

Believing in Jesus with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week @ Twin Cities Church - Monthly Food Drive!

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:43:00 +0000

I am still thanking God for the NINE people who said “YES” to faith in Jesus as their Savior in the past two weeks. I continue to express gratitude for the way God blesses us with His fruit. Nine individuals nailed down their eternal destiny and began their walk to become like Jesus. I am also grateful for how you continue to be concerned for your friends, loved ones and coworkers so much that you are willing to risk your own comfort by sharing Jesus with them.

Our Christmas Eve services will be a great time to invite folks to experience your God, your faith in Jesus and your church. Our goal this year is to be so crystal clear about Jesus that everyone can understand why He was born. I think you got a good idea of this from our service on Jesus as Savior. If you missed that day, please watch it online. God really used it in my life.

Since we’ve moved our service times next weekend to Friday and Saturday that means we won’t have services on Sunday. That will impact your General Fund and Year-End giving opportunities as we end 2011. Here are some options for you: Sunday services December 18, all Christmas Eve services on the 23rd and 24th, online or mail. You can also bring your giving by the church office. Remember that giving must be made or postmarked before the end of the day December 31st to be credited to your 2011 charitable giving. If you are making a stock transfer, it must be transferred into our Schwab account by the end of the day on December 31st.

This Sunday we continue our “Believe” series by focusing on Jesus as Christ. I know you’ll be drawn into a deeper appreciation for the way God works in our lives as we focus on this title given to Jesus.

Believing in Jesus with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week @ Twin Cities Church - Communion!

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:51:00 +0000

Hey everybody, this Sunday our Year-End Giving emphasis moves into full swing. I want to ask that you make this a matter of your prayers. I know we get many requests for giving this time of year. The unique idea about our Year-End Giving approach is that we ask you to give out of your appreciation for what God has done in your life through our church this year.

It’s really cool that each dollar we give goes to improve and enhance ministry. We are able to take ground in ministry areas that would be impossible without this giving. Even better is that, unlike some other giving requests you’ll get this season, giving to our Year-End Gift emphasis not only helps meet people’s physical needs, but it also helps people know the source of hope – Jesus Christ.

Our Year-End Giving is designed to cause us to think through our spending choices. I was amazed when I read in the news this week how many people planned to spend more than they had and go deeper into debt this Christmas. Let’s fight against that tendency and make sure to keep some sanity concerning your holiday spending.

It’s clear that we’re still in the middle of some of the most difficult economic times many of us have ever faced. If you’re in that mix, we continue to pray for you and want to encourage you not to give unless you know God has guided you to do so. It’s not the giving that matters. It’s the heart.

We are observing Communion this week as part of our new series, “Believe.” We’ll look at the promise the angels made that “Jesus came to save us from our sins.” What a great way to start the Christmas season.

Praying about my giving opportunities with you,

Pastor Ron

This Week @ Twin Cities Church!

noreply@blogger.com (Twin Cities Church) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:44:00 +0000

Hey everybody, it seems like all America is moving at a rapid pace toward December 25. As I watched the news this week about the largest spending weekend in history, it made me thoughtful. Of course, we are all repulsed by the maniacs and over-zealous shoppers we’ve read about. We are all saddened when we hear of people being run over, trampled and even overlooked in emergency situations just to get that best deal.

I gave a challenge on Sunday – “Just be NICE. Let the love of Jesus shine brightly because it’s going to directly contrast with what many people are experiencing.” I pray we will all be civil, polite, and courteous in all our dealings with people remembering that we represent Jesus Christ.

Christmas is really more about love than it is about gifts. It’s more about relationships than it is about parties. It’s more about giving than it is about getting. I ask you to consider how you can serve others this Christmas. Be a surprise to someone else. I got a note on Sunday from a gal who said, “I am in a very difficult time. My hours were cut back last week, and I couldn’t see how I could possibly afford a Christmas tree. Well, when I arrived home, someone had anonymously left a tree outside my door. Miracles happen.” Be someone’s miracle this Christmas.

I hope you will make your way out to Cornish Christmas in Grass Valley on Friday. We have a combined chorus of children and students who will be singing Christmas carols and sharing the love of Jesus. Come on out, enjoy good Christmas music and support our kids in front of the Holbrooke Hotel at 6:30pm.

This Sunday continues our Year-End Giving emphasis. Make sure to spend time asking God to show you what He would have you give as a way of expressing your gratitude to Him and your church.

Pastor Ron