Pastor’s Letter | Kids Ministry | Brother Greg | TOBC | Music Ministry | Announcements
Dear Church Family,
Easter is quickly approaching (April 5th), and it is one of the greatest opportunities of the year to “Be a Bringer.” As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, many hearts are more open than usual to an invitation to church and to a conversation about the gospel.
This year, our staff has prepared Easter invitation bags for every church member to use as a simple and practical tool to invite your unchurched and dechurched friends to Towering Oaks. We want to place something tangible in your hands that can help you start gospel conversations.
Let me say it clearly: every one of us can play a part.
Who should you invite?
Invite friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors. Invite the parent sitting beside you at a ballgame. Invite the coworker down the hall. Invite the person behind you in line at the grocery store. Ask the Lord to place names on your heart-and then act on it. I challenge you to prayerfully identify at least 10 people you will intentionally invite to Easter at Towering Oaks this year. How can you invite them?
Social Media: Post a personal invitation and include a link to ToweringOaks.org.
Text Message: Send a thoughtful invitation to people in your contacts.
Phone Call: Personally call someone you believe might respond.
Hospitality: Deliver fresh-baked cookies to a neighbor along with an Easter invitation bag. (If you need extra bags, stop by the church office.)
Email: Send a brief, personal note inviting others to join you for Easter and include the church website link.
When should you invite them?
Start today.
Let’s pray boldly, invite intentionally, and trust God to do what only He can do. Easter is about new life in Christ-let’s give as many people as possible the opportunity to hear that good news.
“Do you want to get well?”
We read about the encounter at the pools of Bethesda in John 5. He has been sick for thirty-eight years.
Jesus asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
The man answered, “There’s no one to help me into the water when it is stirred.”
Jesus said, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk!”
Instantly the man was healed.
As is the case with every passage of scripture, there is much more to glean from this divine appointment.
We visited this place. I looked down at the ruins of the pools and could imagine the man, helpless and lame, longing for help to healing.
Jesus’ question-“Do you want to get well?” is echoing in my mind as I write these notes. My legs work just fine but there are many other ways healing is needed. I’m not alone in this and His question is for you as well.
Do you want to get well?
Bitterness. Sorrow. Jealousy. Distraction. Self-centeredness. Anger. Negativity. I can do it myself. Worry. You see where I am going here. Physical is one thing but what about our spiritual illnesses? I think sometimes I get so comfortable with a few of these they become more like old friends that the sin-sickness they are.
I do want to be well. I need forgiveness and relief from my pet sins. I only need the help of Jesus. I love thinking back over the years of His faithfulness. God keeps His promises.
I’m excited to serve you and your families. I’m excited about the opportunities ahead and I am praying YOU will hear God’s voice tell you to come see me. Let’s talk about His goodness. His faithfulness. His healing of every sort of ailment. And let’s talk about your spot in reaching boys and girls for Jesus this summer.
I love serving alongside you, Shelley
KidsMin Easter Celebration – March 29
4-6 Grade Summer Camp at the Oaks – May 20-22
K-3 Grade Summer Day Camp – June 8-12
Vacation Bible School – July 20-24
Shalom, from Israel –
As I write these words, Randa & I are just outside the old city of Jerusalem.
Over the past week, we have journeyed from Banias & Dan (two of the three feeder springs that feed the Jordan river) to the Sea of Galilee, Jordan River, Dead Sea, Nazareth, Jerusalem, and everything in between.
To see in all of its dimensions the place where Jesus ministered, healed the sick, raised the dead, went to the cross, and rose up from the grave, adds such beautiful clarity to the truth of scripture.
However, in these moments, the world has their eyes on Israel. At any time, the news may shift to war and destruction. The scripture says she will be a “cup of trembling” and a “burdensome stone” (Zechariah 12:2-3), so we can expect such international challenges. These challenges are nothing new. From the moment Israel was rebirthed as a nation (Ezekiel 37), May 14th, 1948, Satan has attempted to thwart God’s plan for Israel.
Yet, God is not finished with the People or the Land of Israel. She is at the very center of end times prophecy.
Twelve thousand of each of the tribes of Israel (144,000) will be tribulation saints (Revelation 7,14). God’s two witnesses will be in Jerusalem (Revelation 11:3-13), and Jesus will return to Israel (Zechariah 14:4), upon the very place from which He departed (Acts 1:9-12).
Regardless of the contrary opinions – “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.”
Psalm 122:6-9 Brother Greg
Dear T.O.B.C. Family,
I’m sure this finds you looking forward to spring as much as I am; I’m grateful that the Lord provides us an amazing array of colors and new life each spring to enjoy. As Easter approaches, we have exciting things planned in the school and church ministries to celebrate our Risen Savior soon as well. I want to thank you again for your prayers and ask that you continue to pray for salvation decisions. The generosity towards the Sower’s Scholarship has been so wonderful as well and is sure to be an enormous blessing to our future senior graduates.
In His Service,
Amy Pfaff-Biebel
Hello TOBC family,
Stacie and I want to thank you for giving us such a warm welcome. I am so excited to serve as your minister of musical worship and my monthly article will be to encourage you in your walk with the Lord.
When Stacie and I were engaged to be married we used this scripture for our wedding and this scripture still has much meaning to us.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. -Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV)
This is my prayer for the music ministry of TOBC. I pray that He would use our music ministry exceedingly and abundantly for His glory and honor. It’s all about Jesus!
That being said, I am excited to begin choir rehearsals with our choir. If you have been on the fence about joining choir or have not been in choir, this is a great time to join us. We meet at 4:30 on Sunday afternoons in the choir room and we will be working on general Sunday music and also upcoming Easter music. If you are an adult or even a high schooler and love to sing praises to the Lord please come join us!
Please know that Stacie and I are praying for you and pray God’s richest blessings on your life as we follow
Jesus!
-Lee Allen
