COVID-19 UPDATES

09 | 16 | 21

A word from our pastors...

TO MASK OR UNMASK, THAT IS THE QUESTION

Tony Evans wrote, “If you’ve ever read the Bible, you’ve seen the Truth…and you know it matters. But in our world of tolerance and inclusion, the Truth is being written off quickly and forcibly.”

In our media age and the ever-changing news, it’s difficult to know if what we’re told is truth or not. Even in uncertainty we have a Biblical mandate. The Apostle Paul said, “In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God”(2 Corinthians 6:4). That includes how we handle problems, mistakes, uncertainty, and sin. It includes how we deal with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

In Acts 4:31 says, “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” The Greek word for boldness, “parhesia,” means outspoken, frankness, candor, the opposite of cowardice. In Acts it speaks of a divine enablement that comes to ordinary people exhibiting spiritual power and authority as of result of being filled with the Holy Spirit. My prayer is that as I “speak boldly,” my words would give you divine inspiration regarding a very important subject today.

The COVID crisis has triggered unprecedented conflict throughout our nation, as well as in the local church. How long has it been since you’ve heard of a church being divided over major issues such as the virgin birth or salvation by faith in Christ alone? Most of the strife that divides is over trivial matters, not matters of the Faith. One of these issues today is, the MASK. Churches are literally dividing over masks.

Seemingly everyone has an opinion on masks: when to wear them, how to wear them, which ones are best, and whether we should wear them at all. It’s my opinion that the question of wearing or not wearing masks has revealed the cracks in our faith. In the COVID era, I’ve noticed Christians to be deeply divided about a matter that just one year ago would have seemed very trivial: wearing masks. I have encountered many believers in my circle who feel strongly both for and against wearing masks. Both sides have their impassioned arguments and experts to cite. After hearing from both sides, it is striking how different sources of information will lead to different conclusions.

While most experts agree wearing a mask maybe more effective than not wearing one in curbing the spread of COVID-19, there is some disagreement about exactly how effective they really are. Further complicating the matter, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has waffled in their directives and guidelines. I heard someone say that, “[Fighting covid is] like playing soccer instead of football. You don’t line up in a tidy line,” he said. “The field is changing. Every two to three weeks you have variables to consider. You say, 'Here’s what we know now.'” This debate has become sometimes heated and not handled in a Christ-like manner. Most disappointingly, instead of talking to one another as members of the same body of Christ, we talk to one another as if they’re threats to our security according to the sources we get our information from. We dig in our heels and raise our voices as we repeat information from CNN or Fox News. In the process, we destroy unity in Christ.

As I’ve thought about this, masks are a visible symbol with two interpretations. On the one side, masks are a symbol of stopping a deadly virus from spreading. Wearing one signifies care and concern for our neighbors and their health. On the other side, masks are a symbol of fear about sickness and death, as well as acquiescence to government overreach that is beginning to put restrictions on worship. I believe that both interpretations deserve our consideration.

When the topic arises between Christians in the church, the same lines of argument you would hear in a town hall or school board meeting are exchanged by people who follow Christ above all else. These debates about masks often show we are defined by the world and its tribalism more than we are defined by Christ.

The Bible does not mention masks as a moral or doctrinal matter. Nowhere does the Bible command us to wear or not wear masks. However, among fellow believers in Christ, we are called to "make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification"(Rom. 14:19). Therefore, the discussion on mask-wearing among fellow believers should take a different tone than one where there was a direct challenge to sound doctrine. Whether the masks are effective or not is beside the point. Whether the government is going beyond its constitutional authority is beside the point. The economy of God’s kingdom does not rise or fall on the correctness of rulers or medical experts. God’s kingdom does rise and fall on the way brothers and sisters in Christ handle disagreements about disputable matters (Rom. 14; 1 Cor. 8-10). The latest question around masks brings yet another round of debates over how to both continue in corporate worship and how to protect against a possible spread of the virus. Ed Stetzer, executive director of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center in Illinois. once said, “You don’t want to be part of the problem; you want to be part of the solution.”

"Most important is we Worship and Serve in Unity.”

Blessings to Your Household,

Pastors Fred & Betty

09 | 26 | 20

Hello TLF Family,

Great news! We will be opening our doors for our Sunday Worship Service starting October 4th. As we re-open, here are important information to keep in mind.

When do our in-building services resume?

• Sunday, October 4th, 2020.

What are the service times? Do I have to RSVP?

• We will resume our service at 10:30 a.m. No RSVP’s or registering! Just show up!

Will there be Children’s Ministry?

• There will be no Children’s Ministry.  Later this season, we hope to open up our Children’s Ministry. More information to come concerning our nursery.

Health Policy

• To ensure the health and safety of everyone, masks are required, and encourage everyone to socially distance. As you enter you will be greeted and ushers will seat you. As always, thanks for being considerate of the safety of those around you!

Cleaning?

• There is thorough cleaning of the Sanctuary

Is there still Praise & Prayer Night?

• Sunday from 5:00pm-6:00pm is Praise & Prayer

When will live-stream be available?

• Currently, we are not live-streaming our services. However, we are pre-recording our online service earlier in the week and making it available on the weekends.

09 | 24 | 20

Hello TLF Family,

The Bereans "received the word with all readiness and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:10-11).

Today, I’d like to share with you the topic of “Morality and Ethics in America". I think we need to go back to the first message preached in our current series that’s entitled But God. The 1st topic was, “What Is Truth?” I stated that for the next several weeks I will be addressing several critical issues facing us today.  I will endeavor to explore these through the lens of the Word of God, which is in my estimation, the final authority. In our sessions together we have been consistently trying to present a worldview that is in harmony with the Bible. It’s important as believers in Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Savior, that we view all aspects of life through the lens of the Word. When God speaks, it’s not for man to interpret via his own feelings what God has said. There is an absolute system of teaching, just as there is an absolute set of morals—both are defined by God, and as such are not open to postmodernism’s relativistic way of thinking. Perhaps the most sobering thought in this is that by these absolutes we are judged, and by these absolutes we are either confirmed or condemned. It’s not by our own feelings, but by what God has established from the beginning in the form of moral and biblical absolutes. In a time when the world around us says, “Just do it,” those of us who are Christians should not be swept away by moral or scriptural relativism. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yea and forever,” (Hebrews 13:8) and as imitators of Christ, we should continue to teach absolutes that are “the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
                          
So, I ask the question: Why Is Scripture the Ultimate Standard for Morality and Ethics? The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:16–17: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." According to Webster, ethics is defined as “the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation.” But why start with Scripture? Although humans are given an inherent sense of good and evil (Romans 1:32, 2:15), that can’t ultimately be our guide for ethics. Without an absolute standard, morality would be relative and dependent on each individual. But morality is not a human invention; it flows from the nature of God, who is eternal and unchanging. Therefore, as much as we may want to, we cannot determine what is right and wrong on our own. Our Creator, the Source of all truth, has revealed what we need to know of right and wrong in His Word. Many liberal scholars acknowledge that the Bible is full of excellent moral teaching, yet ultimately, they reject the inspiration or inerrancy of Scripture. This is just another example of how people want to pick and choose what parts of God’s Word they think are true and apply that to their lives as they see fit. However, if Scripture were not “God-breathed” truth and 100% reliable, how could we trust anything written in it? If any part of Scripture were false, then the whole would be suspect—especially since the Bible claims to be truth without error! Jesus Christ, the Son of God, regarded Scripture as the ultimate standard. He claimed, “Your word is truth” (John 17:17) and “the Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). These passages show us all Scripture is truth from God and therefore must be our foundation in every area, “that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The Bible is our basis for morality and ethics. Psalm 119 is devoted to extolling the greatness of the Word of God and makes these claims of absolute, unchanging truth: "The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever" (Psalm 119:160). "My tongue shall speak of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteousness" (Psalm 119:172). The writer of Psalm 119 explained how to live a moral life. He wrote, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word” (Psalm 119:9). Have you been giving attention to His Word, or are you relying on your own standard of “truth”?

I like to end, as your pastor, by reminding you once again that as we contemplate all that is happening around us today, let us not get caught up in emotional rhetoric or movements that are contrary to, “thus saith the Lord.” Especially as we near a very important election in November, let us seek the Lord and ask for divine wisdom.  As American citizens we have a responsibility to vote in the upcoming election. My prayer is that God’s hand of mercy may continue to rest upon The United States of America.

Here’s today’s big idea: The Word of God is truth—the only foundation for right and wrong.

May God’s Riches Blessings Be Yours,

Pastors Fred & Betty

08 | 28 | 20

Greetings TLF Family,

Our culture is rapidly changing like never before. There are many points of contention that fill our headlines, social feeds, and conversations. The church has a history of neglecting certain issues. We, too, often compromise or isolate, but Jesus didn’t shy away from uncomfortable topics. He spoke to the culture with both clarity and compassion...and so should His followers. So how do we do that?

What do you say? I realize, I’ll probably offend someone because I won’t say something totally right and I’m sure I’ll leave out some things that should be said. In the middle of raw racial pain, bitterness, anger and hostility in our country and community, some believe, it’s a political issue and not a spiritual or theological issue and try to be careful to not politicize the moment, but please listen. Our society needs a prophetic voice who clearly is saying, "This is God’s truth…" When I’m talking about what the Bible says about racism, I’m taking on a prophetic role, speaking from God in a society that needs to hear it. One of the reasons I am so compelled to write regarding this controversial issue is because the church has largely been silent on this topic. But my motives are deeper than that. I want us to be like a group of people called the Men of Issachar. Listen to what is said about them in 1 Chronicles 12:32: “[They] had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” In the midst of upheaval and uncertainty…

• They understood their culture. The word “understanding” means, “to have skillful insight.” It’s important for us to have insight into what’s going on in our society.

• They engaged their culture. They knew what Israel “ought to do.” This phrase refers to a “moral obligation or purposeful response.” God is calling us to revolutionary love not reactionary hate.

Here’s a simple prayer: “Lord, help me to understand my culture and then enable me to engage with people in order to share the gospel.”  Prejudice. Discrimination. Segregation. Racism. Our society cries out against such offenses as it should! Three weeks ago in our But God Series, we tackled "What is Truth".  Two weeks ago was about "Social Justice". Last week was "The Sanctity of Life". That’s quite a line-up, isn’t it? My aim is to not be politically correct but Biblically correct. We can’t be silent when God has spoken, can we? We must not be cowards and simply think of racism as a temporary crisis that will eventually fade away, but instead as a sinful reality that will remain until Jesus returns.
 
Sometimes we look to the wrong places for answers. So, let’s ask the question, does the Bible talk about racism?  Let’s start with a definition of what we call today “racism.” I like the one that John Piper adopted in his book, Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian: “Racism is an explicit or implicit belief or practice that qualitatively distinguishes or values one race over other races.”

As you and I look at this topic it's something all of us began facing way back on the playground.  Racism really begins in kindergarten, although kids don't really understand.  It's like, "You're different from me...  You're black ... You’re white, You’re eyes look different..."  They notice differences.  And those differences too often become a reason for pulling people apart. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” At its core, racism says, “I’m better than you. I have more worth than you.” A racist heart ends up dehumanizing those who are different from them.

The Bible has an answer for all the issues we face in our lives. I’d like to walk through some key passages in the Bible in order to catch God’s heart for unity within diversity, and His desire to encircle all ethnicities into His church. In Genesis we’re reminded in 1:27 that everyone is created in the image of God and, therefore, has great worth and value: “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” The imago Dei or the image of God, has been stamped on every human being. Physical differences and ethnic distinctions are secondary to being made in the image of God. The late Ravi Zacharias nails it when he said, “The reason we are against racism is because a person’s race is sacred. A person’s ethnicity is sacred. You cannot violate it.” C.S. Lewis put it like this: “You’ve never met a mere mortal.” Or, as H.G. Wells said: “Our true nationality is mankind.” We are of various ethnicities but only one race. In that sense, Ken Ham is right when he says that, “The only race is the human race.”

We’re all ultimately children of Adam and Eve, so we’re all related. God’s Word is clear. There is only one race.  Acts 17:26 reads, “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings.” We can talk about people groups, but only with the understanding that these groups represent what the Bible refers to as “tribes” or “nations.” People do have ethnic and cultural heritages that can be honored and celebrated, but we are all one blood. In Genesis 3, sin enters the world and disharmony and disease and disunity are unleashed. But we need to still remember that even fallen, sinful man has the status of being in God’s image and must be treated with the dignity and respect that’s due God’s image bearer. 

All human beings are related, and we can trace our ancestry back to the first man, Adam. As descendants of Adam, we are all sinners. As sinners, we are in need of a Savior (Romans 5:12). Jesus Christ, the Last Adam, was born as a man, as a descendant of Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45).  The idea of “races” calls us to ask a serious question: if there are different races, then which race did Christ die for? The answer has eternal consequences. The Bible says that Jesus Christ has broken down all the walls of separation and made everyone one. Everyone has full and complete access. The Greek word for “one” means “new kind, unprecedented, novel, unheard of. James 2:9: “But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”

I love the picture of multiple people groups praising together in Revelation 5:9: “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” Revelation 7:9-10 gives us more detail: “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’”

Our worship down here is but a dress rehearsal for worship up there when all reconciled people will gather around the throne to worship the Lamb who was slain. “The bloodline of Jesus Christ is deeper than the bloodlines of race. The death and resurrection of the Son of God for sinners is the only sufficient power to bring the bloodlines of race into the single bloodline of the cross.”

Again, a quote by MLK Jr. “I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word...”        
                  
"…I'M ENCOURAGED because the Gospel gives mankind hope.”

Have a Blessed Day,

Pastors Fred & Betty

08 | 07 | 20

Greetings TLF Family,

BIBLICAL THOUGTS REGARDING TITHING

“And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.”  Leviticus 27:32

This week I thought I’d talk to you about tithing. It’s easy to understand why too often we tiptoe around the subject of stewardship. Money is still a god to many church members, and many visitors are skeptical of the church’s motives. Certain spiritual con men have fleeced their congregations and given preachers a bad name, and we don’t want to be identified with them.

Even though preaching on money turns some people off, some are turned off when we preach on adultery or forgiveness, too. But we don’t apologize: “If you’re having an affair, please understand we seldom talk about sexual purity. Come back next week and you’ll be more comfortable.” We don’t print a disclaimer in the bulletin: “The preacher will be talking about releasing resentment today. Please understand this sermon is for our members only. If you’re visiting today, you aren’t expected to forgive. If you’re currently harboring a grudge, earplugs are provided.”

I understand as a pastor and under-shepherd of the flock, I have an obligation, a biblical mandate to proclaim the entire counsel of God.  So, WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE TITHE? Let us first explain what the tithe is. Simply stated, the tithe is one tenth of the increase. It can be explained by an example. Suppose your income incurs no expenses in its production. You would tithe ten percent of it all. Some people tithe from the top, regardless of any expenses they incur. But suppose your income incurs an expense, such as that of: A farmer. You would take the cost of fertilizer, seed, equipment expenses, rent on land or land improvement costs, labor (not your own), storage and other direct or indirect costs and subtract that from the income from the farm. The result would be your increase. You would tithe ten percent of this amount. Perhaps, you own an apartment and rent it out. This does not mean you begin spending lots of money to fix it up, saying, "I’ll give what is left-over to the Lord." You are not to play games with God. Ten percent of your total income, before taxes, before bills, before food, belongs to God. Ten percent of your gross income, right off the top is God’s. If you rob God, you can expect to have a curse on you. "All the tithes" would be all the ten percent.

TO WHOM SHOULD THE TITHE BE PAID?
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse..." That is, bring the tithe to the LORD’S house. It should be presented to the LORD "...that there may be meat in mine house." The work of the LORD should be supported by the tithe of the LORD’S people. If His people tithe, there will be plenty to support His work. But if they do not tithe, both they and the work of the LORD will suffer.

WHEN SHOULD THE TITHE BE PAID?
Ex 23:19 “The first of the first fruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God.”

The tithe should be paid first. If we wait until all the bills are paid, and the things we think we need are purchased, there will not be anything left for the tithe. The people of Israel were to give the "first fruits" to the LORD and trust Him to give them enough afterwards for their needs. He promised to do it.

OUR GIVING IS AN ACT OF WORSHIP.
Tithing and alms are not merely a duty; it's an act of worship.

We shouldn’t give our tithes and offerings because we feel obligated to do so. Nor should we give them because we are afraid of what God might do to us if we don’t. Instead, we should follow Abraham’s example and give our tithes and offerings to God as an expression of our love and appreciation for Him and the way He has blessed us.
I’ve met some who claim that they can’t afford to tithe. In reality, what they’re saying is that they don’t trust God to provide for their needs.

Illustration: A church member was having trouble dealing with the concept of tithing. One day he revealed his doubts to his pastor. He said, "Pastor, I just don’t see how I can give 10 percent of my income to the church when I can’t even stay on top of our bills now."

The pastor replied, "John, if I promise to help you pay your bills if you fall short, do you think you could try tithing for just one month?"

John thought about that for a moment then said, "Sure, if you promise to help me out when I fall short, I guess I could try tithing for one month."

"Now, what do you think of that," the pastor said, "You say you’d be willing to put your trust in a poor preacher like myself, who doesn’t even own a home, but you can’t seem to trust your Heavenly Father who owns the entire universe!"  John got the point loud and clear!

One of the best ways to monitor how your spiritual maturity is to look at your giving.
• Are you giving God your best?
• Are you striving to give to Him first or are you giving Him your leftovers?
• Do you really trust God enough to give the way He wants you to?

Where is your treasure? Is it invested in yourself, in possessions or pleasures? Is it hidden away in banks and securities, or is it invested in the kingdom of God where it will be used for his work? When we give to God, it reminds us from where the things we have come. Where you spend your money is an accurate gauge of what you value in life and where the things of real importance are to you. Have you invested in the material or spiritual? How we give demonstrates whether we are trusting God, or whether our security lies elsewhere. The things on which you spend your money and where your treasure is invested is especially important, because Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Have a Blessed Week,

Pastors Fred & Betty

P.S.  I’d like to shout out a great big, “THANK YOU!” for all who have stayed the course and been so faithful in your tithes and offerings.  We have been able to continue to reach our community and world with your generosity.

07 | 29 | 20

Greetings TLF Family,

Greetings in the Name Above All Names!

Our prayer is that you are having a fantastic week. 

I don’t know about you, but my mind and emotions are almost fried with all that has been taking place since Spring. It has been a “roller-coaster ride,” with little of the thrill normally associated with the adventure.  If you’re like me, my mind is on overload, trying to process all the information that’s being poured out in print, commentary, and news. This “news” at times boggles that which is common sense. There seems to be such a leaning to the far-left or far-right that it leaves very little room for moderation or normalcy. I’m going to step back this week, for a breather from COVID-19 updates and the tension of protests, even though they are very real and must be addressed.  

A few updates back, I said that Truth matters. Today I’d like to also explore the fact that Character also matters.

A store owner interviewed a young man for a job. He asked, "If I hire you to work in my store, will you be honest and truthful?" The young man answered, "I will be honest and truthful whether you hire me or not." Someone has said, “Character is who you are or how you act when no one is watching or listening.” It is the very core of our being, it’s who we really are.

When it comes to our character, everyone has blind spots. This is why it is so important for us to examine our hearts and plead with the Lord to grow the fruit of the Spirit within us, to be open as the Holy Spirit speaks Truth into our hearts and minds. These past several months have been a time of introspection and there are some things I’m glad to see but there are other areas that are less than stellar.  King David prayed, “Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong- then guide me on the road to eternal life.” (Psalm 139:23-24 MSG)

Our worldview will be determined by what we are processing and allowing to enter our mind, and find lodging in our hearts. How we address the current events that we are confronted with will be determined from our character.

Let us allow godly character to prevail. As we navigate through this sea of life, how will history view our decisions? But more importantly, eternity?

Have A Blessed Week,

Pastors Fred & Betty

07 | 25 | 20

Greetings in His Wonderful Name, Yeshua!

My prayer is that you are finding Jesus even “sweeter” than the week before.

I asked you last week to pray regarding these weekly updates, that they be timely, intellectually, and spiritually enlightening. This week, I’m going to begin to tackle a subject that is both controversial and often misunderstood. I won’t be able to cover the whole subject in one update. It’s the subject of Racial Tension and the Christian Gospel.

As a white Christian, I admit that it’s hard to know where to start. It’s easy to post Martin Luther King Jr. quotes, etc. and simply move on.  I wonder if those in the parable of the Good Samaritan might have done the same.  It’s the story in the Gospel of Luke told by Jesus. It’s about a traveler who is stripped of clothing, beaten, and left half dead alongside the road. First a priest and then a Levite comes by, but both avoid the man. Most Jews of Jesus’ day despised Samaritans. They avoided physical or social contact with them, if possible. Finally, a Samaritan happens upon the traveler. I can just imagine that the priest and Levite may have had sympathy for the traveler but didn’t want to get involved. The Samaritan, which represents Jesus, got involved. I believe that Jesus’ involvement in this parable should reflect the attitude of us–the Body of Christ. We must adopt Christ’s attitude of humility and love with those we know and meet.

Recently in America, the issues of racism and equality have been particularly at the forefront of our national discourse. Following the events in Charlottesville, Virginia, many Christian leaders have spoken out about racism, reconciliation, and what the Church's role ought to be in all of this. Ultimately, many Christian leaders have acknowledged that there is injustice to face and work to be done, but that the Gospel is essential to true and lasting reconciliation.

In 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. along with 250,000 people from all races gathered in Washington DC, and declared in his, “I Have a Dream” speech,  “that it would take both black and white men and women standing together to make this dream a reality.”

I want to emphatically declare, that ALL racism is hate directed towards someone created in the image of God.  There is no room for racism in the heart of a Christian.  Jesus shed his blood for all mankind.  When one comes to the cross, where the ground is level, and where grace is freely given, we are then able to love all people, with the grace we have been shown.

Scripture declares that racial reconciliation is not simply something nice that Christians should be doing, a sort of add-on to the gospel. It is the very heart of the gospel.  The people of God, forgiven and redeemed–a holy people, will manifest in their social practices, the very life of God.

Pastor Tony Evans stated, "God does His best work in the midst of unity. In fact, so essential is the issue of oneness in the church that we are told to be on guard against those who try to destroy it. God has intentionally reconciled racially divided groups into one new man, uniting them into a new body, in order that the church can function as one. When the church functions as one, we boldly brag on God to a world in desperate need of experiencing Him."

Rev. Franklin Graham stated, "I denounce bigotry and racism of every form. I pray our nation will come together. Our answers lie in turning to God." 

Here are some closing thoughts to ponder:

• Heaven will be diverse. We learn from Revelation 7:9 that people from every tribe, tongue, and nation will be in Heaven, worshipping God together.

• Jesus came to break down the walls that divide. Galatians 3:28 declares that in Christ, every wall is broken down, and we are all one family.  That doesn’t mean we don’t see our differences, it just means we don’t allow them to divide us.

• When the world sees us lovingly caring for all people, then they will see Jesus!

What would it say to the world around us if they saw our churches made up of every tribe and tongue and nation and language serving one another, loving one another?"

In the Bond of Christian Love,

Pastors Fred & Betty

07 | 18 | 20

Greetings TLF FAMILY,

Greetings in the majestic Name that is above all names, Jesus.

My prayer is that you are having a blessed week.  I encourage you to continue your daily devotion with Bible reading and prayer.  I suggest that along with a systematic reading of scriptures, include a Proverbs for the day.

I am getting this update to you later than normal.  I’ve spent quite a few hours in contemplation and prayer about the unrest and quite frankly, in some instances the rage that we are experiencing today.
I was recently reading an article in Christian News Northwest (July 2020), a newspaper that we (TLF) receive monthly.  It had an opening statement on the front page, “We’ve all heard the phrases: 'Unprecedented time.' 'Challenging times.' 'Difficult times.' However we describe it, between the coronavirus pandemic and then the terrible unrest our nation has experienced, it is clear that what was normal before, no longer is.”

This is a factual statement, in some sense these “Times” are a wake-up call, a blessing for the church.  I am not talking about the loss of lives and anarchy that is being too often clothed in legitimate protests. “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber.” (Romans 13:11)

In the next several weeks I would like to address some of these social issues, filtered through the lens of truth, the Bible. Too often we are driven in our speech and actions by fear, emotion and secular or partial truth. Truth matters as a Christian, I should not be sequestered in a stain glass house of worship, but instead leading in “Truth” instead of sheepishly following a deceptive movement hostile to the Gospel.

Drawing from what I have seen, heard, studied and life experiences, I would like to address a few of these issues.  I don’t want to come from a liberal or conservative or political mindset, but instead, what is Biblically based, and Christ driven.

Today, I would like to address the assault on Christianity. It is not only happening with the destruction of Houses of Worship and persecution of Christians world-wide, but here in America we have recently seen attacks against the church that is rooted in satanic fury. Violence that has nothing to do with the tragic death of George Floyd.

Let’s just take a brief walk through history. It seems as if there are some who would like to rewrite history--but it is a fact,  good, bad or ugly--we can’t erase history, but we can hopefully learn valuable lessons that will positively impact the future.  I was reading about the French Revolution in 1794.  There was a dechristianization campaign as an extension of the philosophies of some of the leaders of the Enlightenment. It included: destruction of statues, crosses, bells, and other external signs of worship. It seems much of these actions were directed as a hatred of God or any kind of authority. It was the idea that Enlightened Man is an authority themselves and God isn’t included in the equation.

In Herman Melville’s classic novel Moby Dick, Captain Ahab was “consumed with rage” and wanted to “murder God.” When German Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer stood against Nazi Germany, he knew that their attack on the Jews was animated by the spirit of Antichrist: “These were not just political mobs, there was something deeper and darker-it was an attack on God himself."

Let us not just hide our heads in the sand and fail to respond. We need to read and understand the Bible.  Bible characters stood up against the evil in their day. We need to speak up and fight for our faith. The power of prayer is still the most powerful weapon in our arsenal against the spirit of the age.

I ask you to pray for me as I continue to write these updates and that they may be intellectually and spiritually enlightening.  “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly place.”  (Ephesians 6:12)

In His Service, To You With Much Love,

Pastors Fred & Betty

07 | 09 | 20

Greetings TLF FAMILY,

There have been several thoughts entering my mind lately. It seems that during this time of less social interaction that you probably have had some of the similar thoughts run across your mind as well.  One that is reoccurring is: If Christianity became illegal in America, how would our faith and our church survive?  Another is: Are we entering the end times?

The world is continuing to experience a highly-contagious strain of coronavirus referred to as COVID-19. To battle this global pandemic, public officials have implemented emergency orders to slow the spread of the virus and save lives.

We have seen unprecedented things happening such as the basic closing of our total economy, skyrocketing unemployment, protests, and chaos across our nation. Churches have been closed in America. This seems surprising given the broad protections for the free exercise of religion. Many have questioned the legality of the government closing churches. Some California faith leaders aren’t happy with the order, often pointing to racial-justice protests where crowds engaged in singing and chanting. The Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, says it’s “completely discriminatory” to ban singing in churches after allowing “tens of thousands to march in protest without wearing masks.”

This situation raises a more philosophical question the church in the U.S. is currently grappling with: When do we, as Christians, push for our civil liberties and when do we submit to the authorities?
There’s a lot to contemplate. I believe this virus has taught us how unprepared we are. If you were truly isolated all by yourself, even without the Bible, would you be ok? We have the internet right now so we are not truly isolated, but if we were, would you be able to continue your walk with the Lord, or even lead others to Christ. Now is the time to evaluate our lives and relationship with God.

Our world is broken. Now more than ever. Specifically, in what is now called post-Christianity, many have no moral compass and no spiritual anchor. We are collectively crying out for change, and for people and institutions to “do something” – whether it’s the pandemic, unemployment, climate change or racism. Most know that the human heart lies at the center of most changes. Without a moral compass and a spiritual anchor, there is no sense of even what exactly needs to be fixed. We desperately need the heart and mind of Christ.

Stop being so afraid that nothing will change, or that everything will change, that you are willing to say things you don’t really believe. Stop letting fear rule the day. Start letting the voice of reason back into your heart and the voice of God, the voice of wisdom, back into your spirit.

My prayer is that God is moving us into a new season, God is taking us to a different place.  God is doing something now that I’ve never seen in my lifetime…It feels like we’re headed into a new season.  I’m trusting that God is using this pandemic to get people’s attention and usher in a Great Awakening.   Amen.

With Much Love,

Pastors Fred & Betty

07 | 01 | 20

Greetings TLF FAMILY,

If the last few months have taught us anything, it’s that the world lacks stability. It’s likely that some of you are growing more and more concerned about the direction our world is headed. Today, there is much discussion about racial matters, etc. I’m afraid that there is more opinionated speech than real discussion.  

In the book of Romans, deep disagreements based upon culture, backgrounds, and preferences threatened to divide the church. They created an unwelcoming culture among members. Battle lines were drawn. Tribes formed. Emotions ran high. Paul called them to a bigger vision: “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” —Romans 15:5–7

Many of us don’t know how to talk about it. We are understandably nervous about discussing racial reconciliation because there are so many land mines. Words must be chosen carefully and we fear saying the wrong thing. Sometimes we retreat from hard conversations because we don’t know what to say. All it takes is a video on Facebook highlighting a racial incident, blunt words from a friend, a battle on social media, or a theological discussion on justice, and the fear and the division deepens.

Do you know what really scares me as a pastor? It’s that my words are going to cause people to take action. People will, based on a sermon, based on a tweet, based on an interaction, or a counseling session, decide things about their future based on my advice, based on how I explain the wisdom of whatever the topic might be.

I’ve seen lately so many use social media to voice their opinions. It seems as if some are just trolling the medium to lash back with a catty comment or a hurtful response. Some of these who are using the media to air their mind are “Christians.”  If we’re honest, it’s hurts our witness.

God, grant us the heart to weep with those who weep. Give us empathy and understanding. Create trust where there is pain. Make your church the united bride you want her to be.

The fact is, that responsibility weighs on all of us. It weighs more on those who speak up for and represent what they believe the Scriptures to teach. James, in the third chapter of his book, addresses that. He says, “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers. Because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1). And he’s saying that all of us will be judged for our words because our words will make a difference in the people around us. But for those who choose to teach, there is this extra layer of responsibility.

What I want you to understand and what I want you to take away from this is that your words matter whether they are spoken or on the net. The things that you say matter.

• When you are speaking up for someone or against someone, those words matter.

• When you are insulting, rude, or mean, those words matter.

• You’ll be held accountable for what your words have said.

• Your words will matter, perhaps, for eternity, and God is always listening.

This is my prayer: “O God. Without you, nothing will ever change. In our pain and our weariness, we hope that Jesus will change our hearts and unite the church. We believe the gospel is greater than our divisions. And we long for the day when the world will take note of how we love each other. So, help us to meet each other in this prayerful journey. Hear us as we weep together, that we might walk together.”

In the name of Jesus, our King. Amen.

Pastors Fred & Betty

06 | 24 | 20

Greetings TLF FAMILY,

A recent study stated, “Americans' happiness falls to all time low.”

If you're feeling stressed today, know that you're not alone. A recent survey shows that just 14% of American adults say they're very happy. The study reports that Americans' happiness in recent weeks was the lowest ever recorded.  

Today, I’d like to talk to you about the difference between being happy and peaceful.  In John 14:27, Jesus tells his disciples, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

What sort of peace is Jesus offering and how can we receive it today? For many people, peace can mean the absence of conflict or trouble. While this is a definition of peace, I don’t believe that is what Jesus was talking about here. This peace that Jesus was talking about means rest, quiet, or a stillness in your heart. It is not the absence of trouble, but it exists in spite of trouble.

Peace (Happiness) that the world gives is dependent mostly on the circumstances. When everything lines up, life is good, and there are no problems, this is when a measure of peace comes. Peace (Happiness) by the world’s standards, is simply the absence of any problems, disturbances, or inconveniences.

The peace that Jesus gives is far different from that. It is not dependent on circumstances. This peace flows in the midst of persecution, trouble, disappointment, confusion, and anxiety. Jesus recognizes that he would not always remove you from the challenging situations of life. He never promised to do that. What he did promise is that despite the situations in life, he will give you peace.

Getting to this place of peace won’t come from worry or stress. It will come from resting in the loving arms of your savior. Knowing that he is in control and that he will carry you through any situation that life has to offer. What Jesus said to his disciples still rings true today; he will love you to the end. When you let that sink deep into your spirit and this reality becomes true to you, there is only one byproduct of this – peace. This truly is a peace that no one in the world could ever give you.

Name your greatest challenge, fear, or worry. Now trust it to your omnipotent Father, specifically and intentionally. Thank Jesus for loving you and praying for your needs right now. And ask the Holy Spirit to show you the path to your best life today.

He is still at work, even when difficult things surround us. Listen, He hasn’t lost control, not ever.

Blessings,

Pastors Fred & Betty

06 | 18 | 20

Greetings TLF FAMILY,

This week we celebrate Father’s Day. I’d like to address another subject, instead of  Covid-19, and speak to you about another very important “epidemic” that is impacting our nation.

We often simply associate the word “epidemic” with a virus or a disease. We need to understand that Fatherlessness is a “rot” that is eating away the soul of our society. Much of our families are starving for fathers. Fatherlessness is one of the prevailing issues of our generation. For almost half of America’s children (43%) the memories of a loving father will be limited or completely missing.  The byproduct of an absentee father in the home is sobering. In 1940, teachers reported that the worst problems in public school were talking out of turn, chewing gum, making noise, running in the hallways, cutting in line, dress code infractions and littering.  In contrast, today teachers identified the following problems: drug abuse, suicide, rape, robbery and assault. Character building begins in the home. The biblical pattern is for the father to set the tone for values in the family. By his teaching and example, the father leads his children into understanding the difference between right and wrong.  By putting God first in his life, a father teaches his family what Godly values and virtues are.

Why has fatherlessness become so prevalent today?  There are several reasons that I believe has to do with our culture’s mentality in general.  Our culture has an instant gratification kind of mentality. It is plain hard work being a dad, but the blessings far outweigh the effort. The Bible says in Malachi 4:5-6, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.  And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children.”  I honestly believe that “turning” is what we crave again in our time. It is so easy for us to simply say, “Well that’s just the way it is…” I encourage you to be bold and say, "NO, that’s not the way it has to be."

It is time for believers to take the offensive.  We must lead society back to God and the Bible.  The Apostle Paul stressed the importance of prayer as a weapon to be used in our current cultural conflicts: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)

We will win the battle for the family if we stay focused on our calling to take opportunities for the Church to make a difference in our culture.  As the Church of Jesus Christ, we can help usher in the revival America needs. Through our commitment, our intercession, and our love, we will see the fulfillment of God’s promise given through the prophet Joel: “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions...And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth.” (Joel 2:28-30)

God’s Richest Blessings,

Pastors Fred & Betty

06 | 10 | 20

Hello TLF FAMILY,

The Bible says, “Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying.” 

We know injustice makes God angry, and it should make us angry too. Because of what the Bible teaches, we can’t be silent when injustice happens. This applies to those unborn, who can’t defend themselves as well as, “plead the cause of the poor and needy.”

Jesus, Martin Luther King Jr, and many others have taught us that violence to end violence never works. Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” We don’t fight fire with fire, we drown it with water.

As a Christ Follower, we believe what James wrote in chapter 2:14-19, “Faith without works is dead.” When James uses the word "works,” he means actions such as acceptance, caring, loving, and speaking the truth to bring about change.

It’s very easy to say what you’re not. It’s easy to say I’m against abortion, I against racism, I’m against injustice. Good! But are we “against” only in silence or are we living out our beliefs in public?

We need to start each day by saying, “Holy Spirit what do you want to do in my life today?  What works of yours can I participate in today?  Come Holy Spirit!

Be Richly Blessed Today,

Pastors Fred & Betty

P.S. We’ll be together soon--planning on being back in the Sanctuary 10:30am for a celebration on June 28th.

06 | 02 | 20

Hello TLF FAMILY,

It might surprise you, but Christian persecution around the world is one of the biggest human rights issues of our day.

Freedom of religion, like all freedoms of thought and expression, is inherent. Our beliefs help define who we are and serve as a foundation for what we contribute to our societies. However, today, many people live under governments that abuse or restrict freedom of religion. Christians in such areas face persecution, suffer deeply, and are denied basic freedoms that humans should be entitled to.

In just the last year, there have been:

• Over 260 million Christians living in places where they experience high levels of persecution

• 2,983 Christians killed for their faith

• 9,488 churches and other Christian buildings attacked.

• 3,711 believers detained without trial, arrested, sentenced, or imprisoned

In the midst of a worldwide pandemic and all the chaos and persecution... GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE!  

The same secular media that seems to feast on stories of people losing their faith such as the recent news of the son of a pastor and member a not-super-famous Christian rock group renouncing his faith, could it be that the world would rather celebrate unbelief than faith, largely ignoring stories of people coming to Christ?

In the middle of all the world is experiencing, people are coming to Christ in record numbers. I just read a letter from a missionary friend in Colombo, Sri Lanka, ”In the month of February we had the opportunity to baptize over 30 people...It’s was such an amazing time to see their excited faces to proclaim to the world they are a Christian.”

While official figures are imprecise, experts believe there are about 60 million Christians in China.  As Christians are persecuted, pastors imprisoned and church buildings are demolished, Chinese Christians Declare, "We Will Not Forfeit Our Faith".

Let us, here in America, thank God for our freedom of religious liberty.  We are so blessed to be able to assemble together (not in our normal way) and worship unafraid.  I just want to take this opportunity to shout out in printed word… OUR GOD REIGNS!

Let’s not just major on all the evil that is certainly going on in the world, but let us proclaim that there is life, victory and hope now and beyond the grave in Christ Jesus Our Risen Lord.

Have a Wonderful Day In Christ,

Pastors Fred & Betty

05 | 28 | 20

Hello TLF FAMILY,

This weekend we celebrate Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is the birthday of the Church
It is in the 2nd chapter of the Book of Acts that we read about the beginning of the Church.

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven & filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated & came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit & began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

The purpose of the Church is to establish a fellowship that is unique.  Can’t you see these early Christians after they first hear the good news about Jesus? On the Day of Pentecost there are 3,000 new converts and they suddenly share something that has never been shared before.  They have repented of their sins. They’ve been baptized. They’ve been redeemed and they’ve been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. No wonder their number quickly grew to 5,000 and then into multitudes as the Church spread throughout Jerusalem. It was different from anything else in all the world.  On the first Christian Pentecost, the Holy Spirit moved in the hearts of fifteen different language groups, molding them into the single body of Christ (Acts 2:9–11, 41).

In a world (FILLED) with division… We are to be a different people, a different culture. An oasis in the midst of a desert, a shade tree on a summer day, a cup of cool water when you are thirsty, a place to come and to know that you won’t be rejected, that you’ll be accepted and loved, brothers & sisters, the family of God.

I am writing to make this point: God hates racism. He hates prejudice. He hates it when we discriminate against each other. His word demands that we see each other as he sees us: children of the same Father (Genesis 1:28), members of the same human race (Genesis 3:20; Acts 17:26), each of us equally valuable in the eyes of our Lord (Galatians 3:28). The Spirit of Christ unites all people in the all-embracing love of God. The Spirit of Christ burns away our many fears and anxieties and sets us free to move wherever we are sent. That is the great liberation of Pentecost.

Tim Keller wrote, “To work against social injustice and to call people to repentance before God interlock theologically. God wants us for himself so much so that Christ came as our justification. Because we are so valued by him, he came to die. But the message of justice is equally true—that God insists that people, the crowning work of his creation, be treated with dignity, care and respect.”

The Church must always be that. Most institutions are only interested in what they can get from you, but the Church wants to give. Many will take advantage of you, but the Church is where you can come and hear the truth, and be ministered to, and where needs will be met in your life.

Please don't ever tolerate what God forbids.  Please join me in asking the Spirit to liberate our hearts and our nation today. Pray for the miracle of Pentecost.

Have A Blessed Week,

Pastors Fred & Betty

05 | 23 | 20

Hello TLF FAMILY,

I’d like to address the press conference held by our President Trump.  He announced that churches will be deemed “essential places that provide essential services” and called for the governors to allow churches to open their doors immediately.  While I totally agree with him, I’d like to let you know that we are putting a plan together for safely reopening TLF.  I will be making an announcement regarding the schedule and plan soon.  When we open the church will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized and hand sanitizer will be available.  There will  be social distancing practice in place (more info to come).  We encourage those who are older and/or with immune-compromised health, to continue watching services online rather than attending in person.  If you are not feeling well please stay home.  We will continue to have service available online.

Please stay tuned for further information as it becomes available. Keep all of this in your prayers.
 
God Bless You,

Pastors Fred & Betty

05 | 21 | 20

Hello TLF FAMILY,

Memorial Day is almost here and it’s going to be a little different, isn’t it? But different is not always bad. I think it’s easy to turn Memorial Day into a holiday that represents grilling out, gathering together, and starting the summer. In our current situation, maybe it’s the perfect time to turn our thoughts and prayers to the meaning of Memorial Day and remembering.

This weekend is a time each year when we pause to remember those who laid down their lives for family, friends, and freedom. One week after the Pearl Harbor attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “Those who long enjoy such privileges that we enjoy forget in time that others have died to win them.” Freedom is never really free; it’s almost always bought with the blood of patriots.

The biggest battle we, as Americans, are facing today is the battle for the very soul of our nation. We see it all around us everyday. The erosion of our society has been a slow process, but we’ve seen it accelerate rapidly in just the past few years. It really doesn’t matter whether there’s a Democrat or a Republican sitting in the Oval Office, this nation that we’ve all come to know and love continues to erode. The position we’re in today is because of what we tolerated yesterday. And the position we’ll be in tomorrow will be because of what we tolerate today.

History has a way of repeating itself down through the centuries. In Daniel’s day, he saw a lot of what we’re seeing today. But his situation was much worse. The fifth chapter of Daniel describes the collapse of a culture. They became so comfortable and secure within the confines of their strong walls, but they crumbled from within. The way I see it, Babylon made four huge mistakes. They lost all sense of remembrance. They lost all sense of reality. They lost all sense of restraint. And they lost all sense of respect.

On this Memorial Day, my prayer is that we would be challenged to be a people of repentance and that we would acknowledge that anything we do is vanity without the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Betty and I continue to keep you in our prayers.  We daily go through the list we have, and your name is on it.  Looking forward to the time that we can all meet together again.  In the meantime, keep reaching out to each other.  Continue watching Sunday am and Wednesday pm services.  If you have any prayer requests, simply text: (323) 389-7006 or email prayer@tlfchurch.com .

Thank you for your continued prayers and support of this ministry.  These are unprecedented times and we are trying to use all the resources available to touch peoples lives.  Because of you, these outreaches are made possible.

Sending Our Love and Prayers,

Pastors Fred & Betty

P.S. Hope you have joined in the Worldwide Fasting & Prayer from May 21-31, a challenge I have set forth to you in the last newsletter.

05 | 13 | 20

Hello TLF FAMILY,

I want to greet you in the Mighty Name of Yeshua.

We are aware of a crisis brewing with the reopening of church facilities across the nation, but especially here on the West Coast. It has been strange to not gather for “normal” services both for Resurrection and Mother’s Day Sundays. These have always been wonderful times of celebration. Corporate worship is central to Christian life; it’s extraordinary for churches to not meet even for a single Sunday. How many of us are just waiting for this quarantine time to be over?
        
Having said all the above, as a pastor, I want to make the best decisions for the people I lead. I’ve read the legal memo from Liberty University and have been following the growing trend in Christian circles regarding this issue. I have expressed my frustration to a few people regarding this “lockdown”, making the church in some leaders’ opinions, seemingly unimportant and marginalized. I do believe the information we are receiving, basically does not come from a spiritual perspective but from a secular” mindset, “clothed in science.” I can’t recall in my lifetime a single instance when America faced a crisis that national leaders and the public at large were not called to prayer. I have heard the exact opposite. When folks have been ridiculed for calling upon God in this pandemic. A Governor stated just recently, regarding Covid-19 and a flattening of the curve, “God did not do that. Faith did not do that. Destiny did not do that. A lot of pain and suffering did that… That’s how it works. It’s the math…”  I ask the question, can’t it be both, can’t it be men, made by God, strengthened by Him in the face of evil?

I’d like to remind you that TLF Church never really closed--we aren’t just about the weekends. Church happens in circles, not just in rows. While the building is closed, I encourage those who feel safe, to gather in small groups to watch online worship together, possibly with a barbecue or brunch.  That will resemble the early Christian church in Acts, with people connecting and investing in one another.

I’ve prayerfully and thoughtfully come to the conclusion, while somehow movie theaters and churches are getting lumped into the same category of phasing into public life again, we need grace, we need supernatural help. We need to be good citizens.
 
Maybe in our anxiety, fear, and stir-craziness, there’s an invitation to ask God, why we are living in this time of global pandemic? Maybe it’s an opportunity to ask Him how He sees us and what He wants to show us. God is obviously doing more than we can ever imagine. 
Until further notice, right now, you can worship in your PJs on the couch… How can you beat that?

May God continue to help us and give us wisdom as we continue this challenging journey together.

Pastors Fred & Betty

P.S. I’d like to share a message that was sent by a friend of mine from South Africa, Bishop Stanley Moodley:

Dear Bishops,

Greetings in the Most Awesome Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth – the Ascended One!    I trust you are doing well and staying healthy during this struggling time for our nation, world, and community, during this extended situation we find ourselves in. Like you, I’m praying God will clear this out so we can get back to some sense of “normality.” We pray that a global Holy Spirit activity will provoke the Church to move into higher realms and embrace what God is doing and to allow the rivers of revival to refresh, reshape and refill the Power of God in our lives, our homes, our Churches and our cities.  Unity is strength!  Where there is unity, God will command a blessing!  I am trusting that all our churches in Grace International Africa will get involved and Bishops as the leaders of your nations, you can make this happen. I will also be inviting other leaders from all over the world to join with us. Our Churches must become streams of Living Water!  The more streams flowing together – the more powerful the river becomes.  As each stream humbles itself and prays with sincerity and honesty and embraces the other streams and cross pollinates with them, the River of God increases in power, might and depth!  The greatest gift during revival times is not necessarily the gift of leadership but the gift of fellowship!    To this end, our annual ‘Days of Glory’ is scheduled from 21st-31st May stretching from Ascension Day to the Day of Pentecost.  I am calling for a solemn period of fasting and prayer where we unite in one accord to the ‘pulling down of strongholds and tearing down everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Let us not allow this unseen enemy which is commonly known as Corvid 19 dictate the terms of our spiritual endeavors.. We trust that this Global venture will gain momentum and gather as many Churches as possible to form a mighty and powerful force against enemy activity!

I’m calling TLF to join this 10-Day Solemn Assembly May 21-31.

05 | 06 | 20

Hello TLF FAMILY,

How time passes when you’re on lockdown… Not Really!!!

It is hard to believe that we haven’t gathered in the sanctuary for 8 weeks now.  I’m so very thankful for technology that allows us to keep connected.  I hope that you have been blessed by the Sunday messages and Wednesday Bible study in Luke along with these weekly TLF Updates.

This Sunday we celebrate Mother’s Day.  I’d like to give a big shout out to all of the wonderful women in True Life Fellowship!

Following is A Mother’s Day Comment by Chuck Swindoll:

I remember a Mother’s Day card I saw that was really cute. It was a great big card written in a little child’s printing—little first-grade printing. On the front was a little boy with untied sneakers. He had a wagon, and toys were everywhere. He had a little cut on his face and there were smudges all over this card. It read, “Mom, I remember that little prayer you used to say for me every day,” Inside was the prayer: “God help you if you ever do that again.”

Mothers—God's precious gift. The Bible says in the book of Wisdom (Proverbs) there is a woman whose “children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all” (Prov. 31:29). Who is this woman? Her name is, “MOTHER,” and she is a precious gift from God, as the next verse reveals: “Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain – but the woman who reverences Yahweh, she shall be praised” (Prov. 31:30).

Some Things My Mother Taught Me:
- My mother taught me about RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

- My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don’t straighten up, I’m going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

- My mother taught me LOGIC.
"Because I said so, that’s why."

- My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident."

- My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I’ll give you something to cry about."

- My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

- My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

- My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

- My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home"

- My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

- My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"

On Mother’s Day we can’t say enough good things about our mothers, but we’ll try. And God help us if we don’t!

The Bible says that “laughter does good like medicine.”  I pray that you have a wonderful week.

May God’s Richest Blessings Be Yours,

Pastors Fred & Betty

We thank you for your faithful support of this ministry!

05 | 01 | 20

Greetings TLF FAMILY,

I pray that this update finds you all blessed.

We are continuing to follow Gov. Brown’s orders to extend closure of our church facilities. There has been no date set for reopening, although I am looking for that to happen soon. We are following any details given and will relay any information we receive.

In the previous update, I spoke on the importance of prayer. There are incredible stories flooding the airwaves about the power of prayer and how the local church is shining during these dark times. On May 7th, we have the opportunity to unite with other believers during The National Day of Prayer.

I want to share an article that I received from our friend Lucas Levin about taking your prayer time into a different dimension:

“Prayer is powerful!  As we have all practiced social distancing, I thought we could take our prayer life to a new level and add some exercise!  Prayer walking is an awesome way to do both and to engage God at a higher level for the needs of our community.  Here are some guidelines: How to Prayer Walk:  As you prayer walk, your prayers extend beyond your own concerns, focusing directly on the needs of others and opening yourself to see them with God’s eyes and heart.

• Pray with a Partner.

You can prayer walk alone, but many find that their prayers are more focused when expressed with a friend.  This is a great way to spend time as a couple, with a child, or with a friend. Pray audibly for clarity and better agreement.

As you finish, discuss – or even write down – the prayers, people, and places of most importance. You’ll be ready for the next round of on-site prayer.

• Pray with God’s Spirit

Invite the Spirit of God to accompany you, guiding your steps and your words.Be attentive during moments of silence, allowing the Holy Spirit to help you see with His eyes and pray in accordance with His heart.

• Pray with God’s Word.

Read Scripture aloud. God breathed it and loves to bless it. Express God’s thoughts in your own words. Carry Scripture with you. Use a small Bible or note cards. Choose a particular verse or theme as a base for your prayers throughout one day’s prayer walk. Use another to launch your prayers the next day, and so on.

• Pray with Purpose.

Pray for the present-hour needs of people and places that you see. Sketch a map to focus on select streets and homes.

• Pray quietly. You can be on the scene without making one.

In confidence of God’s unfolding purpose which includes your preparation prayer, don’t look to initiate Gospel conversations during your prayer walk. Pray for God to open doors of communication soon.
Explain what you are doing to inquirers: 'We’re praying God’s blessing on the neighborhood. Are there specific ways we can pray for you or others?'

• Be persistent.

Try prayer walking the same areas near your work, school or home in a regular way. You’ll often find that your prayers deepen and your concern and awareness of God’s heart for people increases.”

If there is anything that we can join with you in prayer, let us know. We also want to hear your testimonies!   

God’s Richest Blessings,

Pastors Fred & Betty

04 | 21 | 20

Greetings TLF CHURCH FAMILY,

During this pandemic of staying at home with more time on your hands than normal, I’d like to share with you some of my thoughts on prayer. I believe that this would be a good time to put in some “extra-time” and effort in our prayer life.

As Christians, we turn to God in times of fear and uncertainty as we do in times of joy and celebration.  We are surrounded by neighbors, family members and co-workers that are very anxious because of the uncertainty of the times.  There are questions about society ever returning to what we have always known as “normal”, whatever that means.

As children of God, those whose hope is in the Lord, we also, to be truthful, feel some anxiety.  I know that we trust in the Lord, but our lives are right now, anything but normal. It is at these times that we need to practice what we “preach.” The Bible says in Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” The hardest thing sometimes for us to do is to be still.  We allow our minds to run overtime, trying to figure it all out. God tells us, “We just trust in Him and not in our own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

King David was called a man after God’s own heart. David faced many trials in his life. The challenge that we most remember is the one against the giant Goliath.  Everyone else was afraid at the thought of facing the Philistine but not David the shepherd boy. Why? Because David’s trust was in the Lord. We must remember that God is almighty. No matter what we face, God is bigger still. I John 4:4 tells us, “That greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.”

We didn’t get to choose where we find ourselves right now, but we get to choose how we respond. I believe that as the world around us seems to be spinning, God is instructing us to be still.  We live most of our lives in the public, around other people.  Often our lives are lived in such a hurry. Let me suggest that as you are “shutdown” from the outside world, that you take this precious time to open yourself up to God in prayer. Take time to reflect on God’s truth and let our minds be saturated with the Word of God.

I would like to challenge you to turn off the news or put down that craft you’ve been engrossed in and spend an hour with your best friend, Jesus Christ. Get alone in a place that you will not be interrupted, turn off your phone (it will go to voicemail) and spend the hour with Jesus. As you pray, keep a pad and pencil handy to jot down thoughts, needs, and names of people that God will bring to your mind. Stay focused and it will amaze you how quickly the time pleasantly passes in His presence.

God Bless You as You Pray,

Pastors Fred & Betty

04 | 14 | 20

TLF CHURCH FAMILY,

I’d like to greet each one of you with, “Hallelujah He Is Risen!” We just celebrated Resurrection Sunday, and oh what a celebration it was. It was quite different from any we have had in our lives.

From my perspective, God must be up to something incredibly significant. He is getting the attention of the whole world, as the message of Jesus is going beyond the walls of the church, using technology and Facebook and YouTube as conduits of hope and healing. Change is being forced upon us. It comes whether we like it or not and we must adapt. Most church leaders believe the church is more than buildings and gatherings or at least we say that. But our philosophical commitment to the church, is being seriously tested.

There has never been a better time to be the CHURCH. The entire world is being brought to its knees. In all the chaos and craziness, what the world is seeking for is PEACE. Let me say, now is not the time for ministry to diminish. Now is the time for ministry to accelerate. The need is great.  People are more receptive to the Gospel than ever. God is expanding His kingdom through means we were planning for, but never imagined we’d be part of so soon.  We were basically forced to think about how we do digital church.

I am certain that this crisis we are in is not something to endure, but is an opportunity to allow the light of the Gospel to shine. You might ask, “How am I to express this peace, this calm assurance when everything that can be shaken is being shaken around us?” Listen carefully, following Jesus is not just acknowledging Him. It means to “take up the cross” follow in His footsteps. It means to take His purpose and mission into the world.  Let’s show the world the love of God and let’s lead from a place of calm and conviction. This will not happen if we as believers, retreat within our walls and hide in fear. Yes, there is a lock-down for containment of a virus, but it should not contain the Church. Yes, we are living in uncertain times, but what is absolutely certain is God’s love for us, and His love for those who don’t yet know Him.

God has graced you and me for such as time as this to carry the gospel of Jesus in calm, confidence and conviction. We might not know what the future holds, but we absolutely know who holds the future.

Have a blessed week,

Pastors Fred & Betty

04 | 10 | 20

Good Friday is the Road to Sunday

From that time on, Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God but the things of men." Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

Matthew 16: 21–25

Good Friday is the day we remember the crucifixion of Jesus, but there is more to it than remembering, Friday is the road to Sunday. There's no Easter Sunday without Good Friday. There is no Resurrection without the Cross.

Everyone has a problem with the Cross. The brutality, anguish and death. The cross is all about suffering and who wants to think much about suffering. Jesus said, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone, but if it dies, it produces many.” (John 12:24)

Good Friday allows Christ followers to say, “Once you’ve been to the Cross, everything changes.” Our life is never the same. I ask you a question: Since coming to the Cross, has your life been different? The Bible says, “Old things pass away all things become new.” If nothing has really changed in your life, maybe you haven’t been to the Cross.

I ask you this Good Friday to once again visit the Cross.  Would you, as King David prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” (Psalms 138:23)

We are living in anxious times faced with an uncertain future, yet we know in whom we trust and in Him we find our strength and confidence.  Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “If it be Thy will let this cup pass from me, nevertheless not my will but Thine be done.” As a man, Jesus modeled how to trust the Father. May you and I trust God, knowing that the Cross changes everything.

Friday is the road to the Empty Tomb… Hallelujah!!

Blessed Good Friday,

Pastors Fred & Betty

04 | 07 | 20

Greetings TLF Family,

This week is the most significant celebration of the year for believers all around the world. It is Holy Week, the time for remembering Christ’s journey to the cross, the celebration of his Resurrection, and the gift of new life. The reality is - we have incredibly much to be grateful for and the enemy knows that. So, he is going to do everything he can to try and distract us away from the true meaning of what this week means.

God desires that we press in close to him, so close that we can hear his heartbeat, know his voice, and feel the peace of his presence surrounding us. Yet, it is often a struggle. During what we, and the entire world is facing, we can find ourselves distracted, forgetting who and what we are even celebrating.

I’d like to address the reason True Life Fellowship exists. Many of us have heard the challenge: If our church disappeared, would our neighborhood miss us? COVID-19 is really challenging that question even more. Without Sunday services and Bible studies, what are we offering people? Are we missed?

Overall, COVID-19 is teaching us a lot right now. These are unprecedented times. People are learning new things about themselves—the church began with Jesus and it is not going away. It’s the greatest movement in history, and it is something to be proud of. But it needs periodic refocusing. This is the season to assess the practical impact of our church.  One of the questions that we need to ask ourselves is: Are we equipping our congregation to minister to our TLF Family and our neighbors? If not, how can we change that?

These are questions that I have been pondering during these last few weeks.  We need to think about how God is positioning us to make a powerful impact on the culture and our neighbors around us.
I am asking, would you begin to seriously pray with me that God would give us some strategic ways, which we as a church, and specifically you, can fulfill God’s plan to reach our neighbors for Christ.

Once again, as we think of the Resurrection, nails did not hold Jesus to that cross, love did—love for you and love for me. He died for us… But He also rose from the dead for our salvation.  “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

God help us to be, as Jesus said, "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world". Being salt and light is not optional. Jesus did not say you can be or you have the potential to be. He said you are. Everyone who has trusted Christ for salvation and is born again is the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

C.S. Lewis once said, “Live life in light of eternity, not in light of fear… and live it fully.”

We pray that you and your loved ones are safe and well and that you will continue to find strength and comfort in the endless love of our Lord and Savior!

Blessed Resurrection True Life Family,

Pastors Fred & Betty

03 | 30 | 20

Greetings TLF Family,

We are living during some strange times. More and more cities are taking drastic steps to contain the spread of the Coronavirus. We, as a ministry, have taken drastic steps as well. We have cancelled our face-to-face group meetings for the immediate future and have moved our ministry online.

That’s what it takes to contain a global pandemic like the Coronavirus. But something we must remember, even if every Christian was quarantined to their homes for the next several weeks or even months, in the worst possible scenario…you can’t quarantine the Gospel. It is an unstoppable contagion that doesn’t hurt, rather, it heals. It doesn’t destroy, it transforms. It doesn’t bring death, it brings life.

The Apostle Paul understood this well. At the end of his life, he was stuck in a jail cell, chained to a Roman soldier, waiting to be executed. He was in a final and ultimate quarantine of sorts. But he wrote these words in 2 Timothy 2:9, “And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained.”

I love that last phrase, “But the Word of God cannot be chained!” That message was spreading and multiplying even while Paul was in quarantine on death row! In the same way, we may feel somewhat quarantined during this time of social distancing and house confinement for many. But the Word of God cannot be chained.

I believe that we are living at a time where the Gospel could spread faster and farther than ever before. The circumstances surrounding this pandemic can actually accelerate the spread of the good news of the Gospel. For the first time since 9/11, many people are turning to God, worried about death and concerned about this life and the afterlife.

This weekend we are celebrating Palm Sunday, which is the beginning of the Passion Week.  This was the last week of Jesus on earth as God and man. As Jesus made his way to Jerusalem for the Passover, he knew that he had less than a week to live. His mind and heart were filled with all kinds of different thoughts and emotions. If you only had a week to live, what would you do? Some people answer that question by saying that they would go out with a bang, doing all the things they never got to do but wanted to do. Others would say they would spend that last week visiting with friends and family. Finally, some people would say that they would spend their last few days getting their life in order. Making sure the bills were paid, and that the life insurance premiums were up to date, and that the funeral arrangements were taken care of. 

As you think of Palm Sunday, may we, with surrendered hearts, cry out, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!" May you find encouragement in Christ Jesus.

Remember to stay connected with others…and don’t stop sharing the Good News. Yes, we are in the midst of a global pandemic, but you can’t quarantine the Gospel.

Blessings True Life Family,

Pastors Fred & Betty

03 | 24 | 20

Greetings TLF Family,

We are living in unprecedented times. We've never faced a crisis of this magnitude in our lifetime.

As I watched TV this past week, the scenes of frantic people stocking up, afraid that they wouldn't have enough, that they would be in want, I immediately thought of Psalm 23, verses 1 and 4. "The Lord is my shepherd, and I shall not be in want." In other words, God says, "I will take care of all your needs if you'll just trust Me." And then down in verse 4, it says, "And even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me."

This coronavirus is deadly for some people. Current estimates are 1%- 2% die. Others have had mild non-life threatening reactions.  Now, we already know in advance that this virus will not last. It's a valley that we will walk through, and we're going to walk through it together.

I want you to know that as your pastor, I understand the reasons that you may feel anxious. Betty and I have been praying for you every day. Today, I want to focus on strengthening your confidence. Specifically, you need to know how to replace fear with facts and faith.

In 2 Corinthians 1:7, Paul is talking about how he handled unexpected problems, and he says, "And our hope for you is firm because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, you'll also share in God's comfort...Our hope is firm because we know.” Here's the point of that verse: What we know, gives us hope and gets us through whatever crisis we're in.

Here are some things I want you to remember:

#1 Remember not everything you hear is true.
"The gullible believe anything they're told, but the prudent sift and weigh every word." (Proverbs 14:15 MSG)
Not everybody who speaks on the internet, on social media, TV, or on the radio knows what they're talking about. So, as your pastor, I'm telling you, be selective.

The Bible says in Proverbs 13:16, "The prudent man always acts out of knowledge." The Bible repeatedly says, especially in a crisis, that you should always base your decisions and actions on the facts. The Bible has a lot to say about the facts.

• "What a shame. Yes, it is a folly to decide before knowing the facts." Proverbs 18:13 TLB  

• "A foolish person doesn't care about the facts; all he wants to do is yell." Proverbs 18:2 TLB

• "Get the facts at any price, and hold on tightly to good sense." Proverbs 23:23

#2  Remember to focus on what is unchanging.
We know there are going to be a lot of changes in the days ahead. Remember all the changes that happen after 9/11. The key to stability is to focus on the unchangeable TRUTH when everything that can be shaken is being shaken. Focus on HIM who never changes.

#3 Remember no matter what I go through, God will go through it with me.
"When you go through deep waters,  I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned up. It will not consume you." (Isaiah 43:2) That's what you want to focus on. Maybe a little less listening to the internet, and a little bit more listening to God in the days ahead.

I need you to keep meeting with one another every week for worship together. We're not shutting down worship, we're just shutting down where we worship. In addition, for the foreseeable future, we're going to have church in the home via website, Facebook and Youtube. We may not be able to meet in our building, but we can meet in our separate homes (together) via electronic media. That's called fellowship. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 12:27, "Together, you are the body of Christ." And each one of you is a part of that body. We will continue to communicate with you either by email, or by text, phone, or by social media. We're not going to let you get isolated.

Now, if I don't have your contact information, then I need to get it from you.

#1 I need your emergency contact information.
You can send that to me by email at: fred@tlfchurch.com.  It's simple. Email me your mobile phone number, email, & emergency contact information.

#2 I need you to sign up for online giving so our church can keep serving.
You can do that at www.tlfchurch.com/online-giving. At Sunday, "On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside some of your money in proportion with your income and give it as you're offering to the Lord." (1 Corinthians 16:2)

#3 TLF  Prayer team will be praying on Sunday 5-6 PM.
If you have a request or a praise report please contact us.  The contact information is at: www.tlfchurch.com/join-prayer.

#4 Our TLF Church family is a global church family and we are part of the Grace International family.
During this time of uncertainty, it is important to remember that we have 3600 churches outside of the United States, and they are facing the same issues we face, but many don’t have the benefits of a medical system that we do. While we all might be involved in the outbreak in our own communities, it is important to remember our churches around the world and daily lift them up in prayer. “May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)

Blessings to All,

Pastors Fred & Betty

03 | 19 | 20

Dear True Life Family,

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) has intensified in our area, we wanted to touch base again with our church family to let you know our plan of action. While we love our Sunday morning gatherings and believe that it is one of the foundations of who we are as a church, we cannot ignore the physical safety of our church family.

After the most current recommendations of our state government, it is with much prayer and deliberation among our elders and staff that we have determined the best way to love our church family and care for their physical well-being is to move towards Online-Only Services. You will be able to access our services on our website, Facebook, and YouTube.

We will be monitoring the situation weekly and will be making the determination of our Sunday services as the conditions change, so please be sure to follow closely online to know about each Sunday.

We are continuing to monitor how True Life Fellowship Church may be a blessing to those around us who have been affected by the coronavirus. We will let you know of any opportunities there may be for you to help as we arrange them.

Please join us in praying for those who are affected by this illness, as well as the caregivers and those who are working around the clock to minimize the impact of this virus.

In Psalm 46, we are reminded that it is God who is our refuge and strength, and our ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, let us not fear, but with confidence use this opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus through our prayers and our care for others.

In Christ,

Pastors Fred & Betty
TLF Elders & Church Staff

What you need to know for this upcoming Sunday:

We will be uploading Pastor Fred's message, which is a continuation of the "Against All Odds" series, on our Website & Facebook. The video will be uploaded this Sunday (03/22/20) at 10:30am on our WELCOME homepage or simply go to www.tlfchurch.com.

Don’t forget to add us on Facebook! Click, like, and share our posts to get the word out to others! Thank you!

03 | 17 | 20

Greetings TLF Family,

I hope you’re well and trusting and rejoicing in our Lord Jesus today, even during a sobering series of events as our nation and world responds to the COVID-19 pandemic.  It seems as if everywhere you turn, people are talking about the Coronavirus. Across our country, schools, restaurants and public events are being canceled. (Toilet paper is flying off the shelves.) I’d like to remind you that in the middle of all this, God is still in control.

A few events have taken place recently that required some decisions to be made. Oregon Governor Kate Brown has prohibited any gatherings of 25 or more to be held for the next 4 weeks for public health reasons.  Due to this, TLF will suspend public gatherings until further notice.  I want you to know that this is not motivated by fear. There is a real difference between fear and common sense.  We aren’t canceling our gatherings because we are afraid of getting sick or even dying, “to live is Christ and to die is gain”. We are canceling because of the mandate and the possibility of putting people at risk.

Our plan going forward is to either livestream, pre-record, and/or make messages, devotions, etc. available to you. We are still in the process of working on all the details. We will be giving you the information needed to access this SOON!

As a last word: your continued financial giving is really important. Everything we do is because of your continued generosity.  It’s easy to give online using a credit or debit card. Simply go to our church website, www.tlfchurch.com and click on “Giving”. You can also use the pre-addressed TLF offering envelopes.

Until further notice, no events will be happening in our church building. Thank you for your continued prayers as we navigate through this together.

May The Lord Bless Our Efforts,

Pastor Fred & Betty

03 | 14 | 20

Dear TLF Church Family,

With the ever-growing concern, world-wide and at home, regarding the coronavirus, I wanted to keep you updated regarding TLF approach to this pandemic. First, remember the words of the Apostle Paul: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Many churches are canceling services and events until further notice. Here at TLF, we care deeply about your spiritual edification and personal safety. After much thought and prayer, I don’t believe at this time that the Lord is directing us to suspend our services. Having said that, I am strongly urging everyone to be very cautious about their interactions with one another and to practice good hygiene (washing you hands, covering your mouth when you cough, etc.). There are hand sanitizers at entrances and while greeting others, please give acknowledgement by elbow “virus bump” instead of a handshake.

Let me leave you with four things we can all do:

• PRAY for God to aid scientists in discovering a vaccine quickly; for the witness of the church, that we wouldn’t allow the coronavirus to quarantine our faith.

• ACT responsibly (wash hands, practice proper hygiene, etc.).

• RESPECT the space of others.

• REST in God.

With love and prayers,

Pastor Fred & Betty

03 | 12 | 20

Dear TLF Church Family,

I want to update you on how we are responding to the concern of the COVID-19 virus.

We will continue to hold regular scheduled services. There will be no children’s church or toddler care provided for the next few weeks. We will be taking extra precautions with disinfectant used on surfaces and there will be hand sanitizers available. We encourage everyone to do the elbow “virus bump” instead of shaking hands.

Let’s keep the situation in prayer, especially those most vulnerable with existing health issues. Thank you for your continued support and financial generosity as we get through this difficult time together.

Remember that we live in hope, not fear.

Praying for peace, joy, and protection.

In His Great Love,

Pastor Fred