February 2026 TCC Newsletter

   

This month our curriculum focuses on the Church and its practices–who are we, and what do we do? The lessons take us into specific topics like communion and baptism, the Lord’s Day, and stewardship and mission, but the overall answer is very simple: the church is the community of God’s grace, and we share God’s grace with others. That’s who we are, and that’s what we do.

It’s easy for us to lose sight of that purpose. We set other goals and expectations for ourselves, our church and our community. When God doesn’t seem to be meeting those goals, we open ourselves up to discouragement and disillusionment. This is what happened to John the Baptist when he was in prison. He sent messengers to ask Jesus if he was really the messiah, because Jesus wasn’t meeting his expectations. We don’t know exactly what John was expecting, but it probably involved overthrowing the king that had thrown him in prison. In John’s eyes, the kingdom was in danger and Jesus wasn’t doing enough to defend it.

Jesus responded this way: “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

Jesus didn’t criticize John or his expectations. He simply pointed John’s attention to what Jesus was doing: he was changing lives, one by one, just as his Father had sent him to do. God was moving and working in Israel through Jesus. The kingdom was coming, even if it wasn’t coming in the way John expected.
 
The Bible doesn’t tell us how John reacted to Jesus’ words, but I can imagine the comfort they brought him. It’s easy for us to get caught up in our own goals and expectations, and to feel like the world is falling apart if they aren’t being met. It’s even worse when we feel powerless, unable to do anything to fix the problem (like John must have felt in prison). Jesus’s words reminded John that the world wasn’t falling apart. The Messiah was on the move, even if he couldn’t see it. The kingdom was advancing, God’s plan was working–even while John was in prison.

When I feel overwhelmed or discouraged, God has a habit of showing me something he’s doing in the church–usually this church–to remind me that he is still working. Usually it’s a person or family who has received God’s grace in some special way through our church family. He reminds me that he is still working, always working, even when I don’t see or recognize. All I have to do is keep faith in him, and follow where he leads.

Join us on the first and third Sundays of each month at 6:00 PM
for a focused time of congregational prayer. 

Together, we seek God’s guidance for the future mission of our church—listening and discerning for the paths He is preparing. Whether you come with vision, questions,
or quiet hope, this gathering is a space to align our hearts with God’s purposes and
pray boldly for what’s ahead.

passed away and went home to the Lord on December 26, 2025.
A Celebration of Life will be held at TCC on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 1:00 pm.
Please keep Blanche and family in your prayers.

 passed away and went home to the Lord on Monday, January 26th.
George and his wife Frances were members here for several years when they came to Turner. They moved closer to family last year, and Frances passed away last August.
George's service will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 28, 2026 here at TCC.
Please pray for the family as they grieve.

was baptized into Christ on December 21, 2025.
Noah is the son of Mathew and Angela Harland.

Wednesday, February 18, 2026
6:45—9:00 am

Ash Wednesday is a day set aside by Christians for reflection and repentance.
This year we will observe Ash Wednesday with a morning open house.
The sanctuary will be open for anyone who wants to receive ashes.
You are welcome to spend time in the sanctuary praying as well.
Drop in on the way to work or at the start of your day!

Seniors Celebrate Lincoln's Birthday
Thursday, February 12th
Please join us in the fellowship hall as we celebrate the late President Lincoln's birthday
from 1 pm - 3 pm. We will have snacks and will get to enjoy a guest speaker!
You can register for this event on the church app:
https://turnerchristianchurch.subspla.sh/q94j5wd


Bowling at Northgate Bowl
Friday, February 20th
We are heading to the bowling alley again! Our scores are improving- come join us either by bowling or being cheerleaders! The cost is $5 to bowl, and cheerleaders are free! Transportation will be leaving the church at 1:00 pm.
You can register for this event on the church app:
https://turnerchristianchurch.subspla.sh/w7mfx7m

Quarterly Church Potluck Lunch
Sunday, February 22nd
Please join us for a potluck lunch following the All-Age Sunday morning worship service.
Last names starting with A-I bring main dishes, J-R bring sides and S-Z bring desserts.

New flooring is being installed in the hallway in the education wing and the fellowship hall over the next few weeks! The old carpeting has been removed and walls have  been painted thanks to wonderful volunteers!

We are approaching a new growing season here in the Community Garden and we are reaching out to invite you all to join in and help with this valuable community resource. We have many opportunities available with as little as 1 hour on up to days of volunteer help. It takes a whole community to assure the success of our program for now and into the future. Please make the decision to get involved soon.  Opportunities include plot maintenance, produce care, and community events. We look forward to seeing you in the garden!!

UPDATE: The recent flood waters have devastated Mary’s wonderful flower gardens near the roadside that everyone enjoys every spring and summer and Mary and her team need your help to get them in order again in time for this year’s flowery showing, Say you’ll come help !! (turnercomgarden@gmail.com)