This Sunday is our annual Mother’s Day Family Blessing. During our worship, we’ll enjoy a video slideshow of the new babies and families that have blessed our congregation during the past year, and special prayers of blessing will be offered for the babies and children as they grow up in the Lord. We thank God for all the wonderful mothers and grandmothers in our midst, as well as those who have gone on before us – we love and appreciate you!
TVCC, in partnership with Kairos Church Planting, is hosting a Bay Area Church Planting Workshop on Saturday, May 19, from 10 AM to 4 PM. The workshop is open to everyone. Talk to Wes Wolford for more information to sign up. Multiple churches from around the Bay Area will be represented, and Jason Darden (our own church planter) will be one of the speakers. The workshop will not only cover strategies for planting new churches like the one in Berkeley, but will offer tools for revitalizing the work in our own neighborhoods. Mark your calendars for this special training event.
Over the next few months, you will be introduced to a Bible reading program called The Story. This unique, comprehensive program will move through an abridged reading of the Bible in chronological order, lifting out 31 of the most powerful and significant stories (people, periods, or events) for us to learn from. Our Tri-Valley leaders are convinced that it’s critically important for us to develop a common understanding of the core messages of the Bible. So, beginning this September we will move through this program together as a church for all 31 weeks. You can read along during the week with either The Story (abridged) or the entire Bible – or both.
From time to time you will see a vision statement from someone in the congregation about “The Story” printed here in our weekly newsletter (like the one at right), just to help us start thinking about the greater impact that “The Story” may have for our church family, our community, and beyond. Please be praying for this upcoming season, and be considering friends or family members who would like to join us on this amazing journey. Watch for more information in the coming weeks.
Our clothing ministry is in great need of clothing for children in sizes 3 to 12. If you have any gently used clothes that you can donate please bring them to the building on Mondays between 1:00 and 2:30. If this time is not convenient for you please contact the church office and we will arrange an alternate time. Thank you!
The Christian Chronicle recently highlighted the work of Tawee Donchai, a member of the Cheung Doi Church of Christ in Thailand, and the Thailand director for The Sold Project (based in Pleasanton, CA). Today we are happy to welcome Tawee, along with Rachel Carey (President of The Sold Project); they will tell us a little about how they help exploited children.
Tonight, Steve will be hosting a screening of two short movies about their work in the FLC/Teen Center, followed by a question and answer time. A separate children’s program will be provided. To find out more about their work helping exploited children, you’re invited to come back tonight from 5:00-6:30 PM. Invite your friends and neighbors to come too and learn how God is using His servants to make a difference.
Next Sunday, April 1st, our worship service will focus on the theme of lament. Scripture gives us language to express our trust in God even when we are in the depths of despair. Ultimately, the lament psalms remind us that though we are troubled, we’re not without hope. In our frustration, pain, and anger, we cry out to the Lord who is faithful and able to save us. Make sure to bring your baggage with you next Sunday!
Looking for something to do this summer? Why not join a short-term mission trip with World English Institute (WEI)? If you have at least two weeks to spend sharing the Gospel with others this summer, check out the short-term mission opportunities on the web at http://www.weiady.org/2012_short-term%20missions.htm. Campaigns are planned for Albania, Romania, Guatemala and Taiwan. Contact Brett Richardson for more details about WEI and summer missions.
We still need your help in gathering plastic eggs filled with wrapped candy to use for our annual Easter festivities. There’s a basket in the foyer for the donated eggs. Please write the total number of eggs on the outside of the bag or container, so we can keep up with about how many eggs we have. Questions? See Shelli Rhodes.
A primary focus of TVCC ministry in 2012 will center around helping a new church get planted in the Bay Area. That’s a big, faith-driven goal. To help us all learn what that means, the elders have requested a single, 9:30 am adult class during the month of March to explore church planting.
For those four Sundays, Steve Martin will guide a lesson and discussion in the auditorium, dealing with questions such as: “Why does the Kingdom need new churches?” “How can a new church effectively target lost people?” “How does a new church get started?”
It’s vital for us all to share a common understanding and set of expectations for planting a new church, so we need everyone to attend. Plan now to be present at 9:30 am on March 4, 11, 18 AND 25. See you then!
Our next Family Day is coming up fast: Sunday, February 26. It’s the perfect time to invite a friend or neighbor. We will have our usual light breakfast and fellowship time at 9:30 am, and a kid-friendly worship service at 10:30 am. Plan to come and enjoy!
