October 2026 TCC Newsletter

   

While I was on Sabbatical, I spent some time answering the question: why am I a pastor? I wasn’t thinking about leaving the ministry or anything, but I realized that I needed to get back in touch with the reason I do what I do. It didn’t take long for me to find the answer: it’s because I love the church. I’ve loved the church as long as I can remember. And I don’t mean going to church, I mean I love the people–the gathering of people who are all committed to loving Jesus and loving like Jesus.

A lot of people say they love the church, but they don’t actually love the people, the gathering. In fact, I think Christians might be one of the most self-loathing groups of people out there. We constantly apologize for the church. Sometimes it seems like we spend all our time trying to convince other people that we’re not those kinds of Christians. How many times have I heard people say that going to church doesn’t make you a better person?
On the one hand, I get what they’re saying–just showing up in the building does not make you a Christian. You have to have an actual relationship with Jesus. And that’s true. But you know what’s also true? Going to church does make you a better person. The studies are very clear: people who go to church are better spouses, better parents, better employees, better neighbors, and better citizens. They also live longer, have more economic security, and report greater well-being by almost every measure. But why?

God did not make human beings to operate alone. He made us to live and work together. That’s why he gave us the Church: because the only way for human beings to flourish the way God intends is by doing it together. When Jesus called his disciples, he didn’t offer them an independent study option. He called them to follow him, and he commanded them to love each other–because that’s what we need. We need a community of people committed to loving Jesus and loving each other like Jesus.

Community is a bit of a buzz word these days–which is strange, because community is going out of style. We don’t join groups anymore. We prefer to watch, to participate on our own terms, to keep our options open. Real community takes commitment, it takes belonging. It requires us to push against the trends of our culture that split us apart. Over the next several months, I am going to use this article space to talk about the principles that make for a strong community–from a book called “The Art of Community” by Charles H. Vogl. My hope is that it will help each of us understand what it takes to be a strong community, and why the things we do as a church are so valuable and important.

Thank you for being my church family. I love you all.

We are repeating this announcement, just in case you may have missed it last month!

To help us grow closer together, we are introducing a new project for the school year! You will find a white mailbox located near our preschool mailboxes at the end of the hallway. We would love to receive mail from you throughout the year. Whether it is a short note, a postcard, or even some fun stickers, your messages will be a joy for the children to receive.

Attached to this letter, you will find our school year schedule, which outlines our monthly themes, Bible stories, and verses. We would love for your mail to connect with those topics—for example, we are currently exploring all things "School," and next month we will be diving into everything "Farm." Beyond our monthly curriculum, we would also love to hear from you regarding things like the current season or any upcoming holidays! Whether you want to share a little nugget of knowledge, an interesting fact, a favorite tradition, or a cool photo, please feel free to drop a note in our mailbox. When you leave something for us, simply lift the red flag on the side of the box to let us know that mail has arrived.

We encourage you to print the attached calendar and keep it somewhere visible in your home as a reminder to send us a note throughout the year. We are so excited for the months ahead and cannot wait to learn from all of you.

Thank you for being such an important part of our preschool family.

Marilyn Boyle passed away and went home to the Lord on September 14, 2026.  
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Turner Christian Church on October 17th
at 10:30 am. Please keep Laurie and the family in your prayers.

We are headed to the Bowling Alley again! Our scores are improving--come join us either by bowling or being cheerleaders! The cost is $5.00 to bowl. Transportation will be leaving the church at 1:00 pm. Please register: https://turnerchristianchurch.subspla.sh/4f89g8x

Register at: https://turnerchristianchurch.subspla.sh/5xvgtjm