May 2025 TCC Newsletter

   

The Beatitudes #3: The Meek
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Mt. 5:5)

Let’s be honest for a moment―none of us actually believe this beatitude, do we? Jesus is claiming that the ones who will inherit “the land”―that is, the promised kingdom of God―are the meek―a word which can mean mild, tame, gentle, friendly, kindly, or (in Hebrew) oppressed and weighed down. How absurd!

If there is one thing we can all agree on, across all the lines that divide our culture, it is that we hate meekness. In fact, meekness is our one common enemy. With the stakes as high as they are, how can anyone remain meek? How can we hold back from fighting with every ounce of our energy, using every tool at our disposal to get ahead, to win, to defeat the other guy? The only people we hate more than the group on the other side are the people who refuse to pick sides.

And yet, Jesus says, “Blessed are the meek”― meaning, they are the ones who receive God’s generosity. And how do they receive it? They receive the inheritance God has promised his people. Jesus is not saying anything new here. In fact, he’s quoting Psalm 37:10-11:
       A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
       though you look for them, they will not be found
       But the meek will inherit the land and
       enjoy peace and prosperity. (NIV)

If you read the entire psalm, you will find an excellent explanation of what Jesus is getting at here. David begins by saying,
       Do not fret because of those who are evil or be
       envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass
       they will soon wither, like green plants they will
       soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good;
       dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. (37:1-3)

His goal in this psalm is to help us overcome the temptation to behave like the people who seem to win by dishonesty or cruelty. It is hard to watch people succeed through sin. We often feel like the only way to defend ourselves against such behavior is to fight back the same way. The more fearful we get, the easier it becomes for us to justify “fighting fire with fire.” We say we are being “realistic” or “reasonable.” After all, if we don’t fight back, how will we survive?
 
And yet, David tells us not to worry or be angry, because “it only leads to evil” (v. 8). Instead, we should “be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him” (v.7). Why? Because,
       The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD;  
       he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
       The LORD helps them and delivers them;
       he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
       because they take refuge in him. (v. 39-40)

When we give into the ways of the world–when we fight fire with fire and compromise our integrity for short-term wins–we lose sight of the ultimate hope we have in God: how hope is not in the power we can gain now, but in the inheritance we receive as children of God. People of the world fight only to defend and increase their own “pantries,” and when we fight their way we do the same thing. But the whole point of the Gospel is that we are children of God, we live on his estate, and we have access to the family pantry–the whole kingdom of God.

One of the reasons why people have such a hard time listening to each other today is because we have all been conditioned to believe that everything is at stake all the time. That feeling is exactly what gets us into trouble, because that heightened fear causes us to lash out in the worst ways. Only when we ground ourselves in the generosity―the blessing–of God can we face this world with meekness–which is the only attitude that will lead us to godly wisdom.
                                                                                   

May Financial Update

April was an amazing month for giving! Our monthly report is still being compiled, but I can tell you we received more than $40,000 in offerings for the church budget–which is more than double any of our previous months this year! This boost really takes the pressure off of our short-term financial situation. In the long term, what we are looking for is sustainable, regular monthly giving–that will determine whether we need to make changes to our budget. Thank you for your giving!

April has truly been a remarkable month for us in preschool, centered around the theme of life cycles. As we planned our year, it was no coincidence that we chose to learn about life cycles during the same month as Easter. Although these concepts may seem different at first glance, they intertwine beautifully through the ideas of death and resurrection, representing a lifecycle of hope for all of us.

I know I have said this before but can confidently say that April is one of my favorite months in preschool! Watching the tiny caterpillars transform into beautiful butterflies has been awe-inspiring. We observed their metamorphosis from caterpillars to chrysalises, and finally to stunning butterflies. This year, we also added an incubator full of a variety of eggs (turkeys, ducks, and chickens) that the children eagerly check daily for signs of life. I wish you all could have been in the classroom to hear squeals of excitement when they first heard the tiny chirps coming from the incubator; truest form of joy!

This month is all about fostering wonder and observation, allowing the children to experience nature's transformations firsthand. As they explore, we are here to support them, answering their questions and guiding their curiosity. We set up a nature play area to learn about Easter with this model in mind. We engaged in daily activities, using nature found around our outdoor space, that told part of the Easter story. It was wonderful to watch the children participate in these activities, learning, some for the first time, the powerful story of Jesus. I cherished being present to support their learning and curiosity along the way.

It is my hope that the students will continue to recognize the beauty and wonder of God’s creation in nature, appreciating the intricate life cycles that surround us. Each observation, each moment of curiosity, serves as a building block in their understanding of the world, inviting them to explore and marvel at the gifts we’ve been given. Thank you for being a part of this journey, and for your support as we nurture their sense of wonder and discovery.

Let's Bless Our Local Community!
Each family will have the opportunity to adopt a local business or organization for the day. You'll get to put a flower basket together for them, and drop it off, along with a card from the church. We ask that each family contribute $5 towards materials when they come. Please register in advance.

This meeting is designed for all parents at the church who have a child between the ages of 0-18. We'll eat together at 5:30 pm, and kids will head to childcare at 6:00 pm.
 
Why do we keep kids in church for the start of the service? Why are our kids classes divided the way they are? What will summer activities look like? How can I connect with other families at the church? I want the church to have more kids and families―what can we do to grow?
   
If you have any of these questions, or more, we have answers! This meeting is a great opportunity to hear more about Kids and Family Ministry here at TCC―it should also just be a great time with other parents!
   
We'll be doing a taco night! If your last name starts with . . .
A-D:  Please bring some taco toppings (veggies,
           salsa, guac, cheese, etc)
E-K:   Please bring a protein (taco meat, beans, etc)
L-M:  Please bring a side dish
N-Z:  Please bring a dessert
                   
                                      You can use the QR Code below to register:

All daughters, moms, sisters, aunts, grandmothers are invited to come and celebrate
being Daughters of God and Sisters in Christ! The Celebration will have a princess
theme and princess dresses are encouraged! Please RSVP on the church app:
https://turnerchristianchurch.subspla.sh/ktbyntx

When was the last time you rode a horse or an elephant?
Come join the fun as we hop on the carousels in Salem and Albany.
If you don't feel comfortable riding one of the beautiful hand carved animals
come and examine the beautiful art work of the local wood artists.
We will be stopping for a no host lunch at Sizzler Restaurant in Albany.
We will leave the Church parking lot at 10:00 am and return by 3:30 pm.
Sign up on the church app: https://turnerchristianchurch.subspla.sh/xw63cms.

Join the Seniors as we take our third annual trip to the Schreiner's Iris Farm, May 22nd.
The bus will leave the church parking lot at 9:30 and return by 3:30.
Walk the fields or enjoy the display garden your choice.
We will of course have a picnic under the beautiful shade trees.
The cost at the door will be $6.00.
Register on the church app
https://turnerchristianchurch.subspla.sh/7ztj3j9

 

The Nehemiah Project is a work and witness weekend. It's based on how the Israelites, under the direction of Nehemiah, rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem. Nehemiah said "Let us rise up and build" and they set their hands to do this good work." That's exactly what happens during the Nehemiah Project. Projects are lined out for all ages and skill levels. All ages work together on projects for three great days of relationship building. You will be blessed as you spend time making a difference at the Nehemiah project!

Everyone who has a "mind to work" is invited to come and stay on the Oregon Christian Convention grounds Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 16-18. Each day we share meals together, work together and worship together. God always does something amazing as we spend these sharing with each other in work and worship.

If you would like to take part in Nehemiah Project 2025, please email info@nwchristiannetwork.com You can come for any part of the event. Please indicate if you would like to stay on the grounds and which days you will be attending. All meals and housing are free.

These are a few of the projects we are hopeful to accomplish, thus many hands are needed:
We are going to remove the old sound booth in the back of the tabernacle, so a major demolition project there. Also we want to put wood paneling on the stage and repaint the rest in a nice brown rather than the burgundy.

The A-Frame is rotting, so much is needed to repair it. Cabin 8 needs porch work as well as fixing of door and other little things.

Scraping and painting of ramps/stairs leading into the tabernacle. All of the picnic tables need to be refreshed. The railing going into Pioneer needs scraping and staining.