What a great celebration this past weekend with the Pilgrim Fellowship (TCC Youth Group in the 70's and 80's) reunion!  Over 80 PF alumni gathered on Saturday night to remember together God's faithfulness. Pastor John Ames, PF alumnus, Wayland High School quarter back, and former missionary to la Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa, led the services on Sunday morning.  Pastor John's charge from Acts 20:24, reminds us that a full life comes from a life 'surrendered,' 'completed,' and 'focused' on the grace of God in Christ.  He, along with Dr. Rick Sacra (SIM in Liberia) who shared during our mission's moment even brought back West African temperatures into the sanctuary as our AC compressors decided to give in precisely on Sunday morning! (Our Facilities team is working on the problem).

This week, we are ready to launch our "Summer of Freedom" sermon series anchored in the Book of Exodus and focused on Christ as our Deliverer.  Paul in Romans 6 equates our struggles with guilt and shame to slavery. In the face of an implacable and ruthless master (Pharaoh of Egypt), the children of Israel suffered greatly in the bondage of Egypt.  However, Pharaoh would soon meet his match and receive a front row seat experience in the might and power of the Living God to save His People. In the same way Jesus is calling us to freedom. For it is through Him alone that we can be delivered from the addiction of sin, guilt and shame in our lives.   As the song says, "Let Freedom Ring!" only this time, it's not freedom from the Red Coats, but freedom that is far greater and will last far longer than any earthly realm. My prayer for TCC is that this will be our Summer of Freedom, that we all become spiritual 'Minutemen' against the 'ruler of this age.'   In a culture filled with addictions of all kinds, only the power of God as revealed in Christ will bring us true hope and comfort in this epic struggle for independence.