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The Weight of a Word

Did you know that Easter Sunday is the most attended service of the year for churches across
the U.S.? Whether it’s a cherished family tradition before the egg hunt or that one special annual
visit, it’s easy to see why. People are naturally drawn to the profound hope and celebration of
the Resurrection Day. Please know that you don’t need a lifetime of perfect church attendance
to claim the hope of the empty tomb; the invitation was written before you even knew His name.
Let’s take a moment to dive into the story and focus on Jesus’s two most famous last phrases
while on the cross that prove just how eager He is to welcome you into His family. You belong
here.

The Words of Forgiveness
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)

Jesus’s first words from the cross were nothing short of radical. He didn't wait for an apology,
nor did he retaliate. Instead, He prayed for the very people driving the nails. This proves a
life-changing truth: Grace isn’t a reward for good behavior. It’s a gift given long before we ever
thought to choose Him. If you’re a new believer, take heart—your new life doesn't depend on a
promise of perfection; your past is already handled. Jesus signed your pardon before you even
knew you needed one.

The Word of Absolute Victory
"It is finished." (John 19:30)

When Jesus shouted "it is finished," He wasn't announcing a defeat. He was declaring a
completion. In the original language, this was the cry of a debt being paid in full that tore the
veil, opening a direct line for a relationship with Him. For a new believer, these three words are
the end of exhaustion. They mean your faith isn't a "to-do" list you have to master to keep God
happy, but a finished work you simply get to rest in. You don't have to spend your life wondering
if you’ve done enough to reach Him because Jesus already did the heavy lifting to reach you
and offer the grace we don’t deserve. Your walk toward a relationship doesn’t have to start with
a checklist. You just have to walk the path He has already cleared for you.

Between the prayer of forgiveness and the shout of victory, Jesus settled your future. You didn't
have to earn a seat at the table because He made the ultimate sacrifice to make sure your
name was on the guest list. Welcome home.

An Easter Prayer
"Lord, thank you that the story of Easter isn’t just a historical event, but a personal invitation.
Thank you for the words you spoke on the cross that settled my past and secured my future
before I even knew I needed you. Today, I stop trying to earn your love and choose to rest in
your finished work. Help me to walk in the freedom of being forgiven and the confidence of
being yours. Amen."

2026: Starting Fresh

2026: Starting Fresh

It has almost been an entire month since the calendar was flipped to a New Year. The holiday is commonly used as a reason for fresh starts or personal resolutions, where we look toward bigger and better things for our lives and move on from the weight of the past. But whatever you envision for this year, we challenge you to let God take the reins and be the architect for your life of possibilities. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us that He is the creator of all things new; His compassion never ceases (NKJV). A fresh start isn’t about willpower - it’s about God’s grace.

It can be easy to dwell on the things of our past, but what we’ve done and who we were does not dictate our current walk with God. The Gospel doesn’t just offer us a second chance; it offers us a new life altogether. Holding onto guilt, old identities, and past shame ultimately hinders our growth and we’re called to leave it all behind to follow the new path He has set out for us. So where do we even start? It can start with a simple talk with Jesus. Tell Him about the things you are wanting to change and leave behind to follow Him, and watch as the blessings come to fruition as you focus on a new, spiritual walk where you let Him lead.

Have you heard of Peter the Apostle? In the Gospel of Matthew (chapter 14), Peter, along with other disciples, were sailing across the Sea of Galilee when a violent storm arose during the night. Fear kept rising when they saw Jesus across the water, asking them to make their way to Him. While the other disciples were too focused on the storm around them, Peter chose to be bold and listen to Jesus’s command. He stepped out of the boat and started walking toward Him. However, whenever his faith was wavering and he took his eyes off Jesus to look at the storm around him, he began to sink. It was only when he kept his focus on Jesus that he was able to stay above the water and walk toward Him to safety. While Peter’s fear and doubt tried to creep in, his choice to focus on Jesus gave him the strength he needed to overcome one of life’s most daunting obstacles.

Whatever obstacles you are facing, whether from the past or current situations, God’s goodness is more powerful. God is more interested in your future than anything you keep dwelling on. Let go and let God take control of your new beginning. He will give you what you need to battle the storm.

A Prayer for Your New Chapter:
“God, thank you for your grace and that my story doesn't end with my mistakes. Thank you for the gift of today and a chance to start over. Help me to let go of the weight I wasn't meant to carry, relinquish all my doubts to focus on what you have in store for my life, and to take one small step of faith today. Amen.”

The Ultimate Gift

9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
them, and they were greatly afraid. 10Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold,
I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11For there is born to you this
day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. -Luke 2:9-11 NKJV

Merry Christmas from the Torrance Community Church family! As we reflect on the year we are
leaving behind, we are in amazement of the generosity our church has shown. Thank you for
your desire to help your friends, neighbors, and community through love and outreach. As we
look forward to the year to come, we pray for more lives to be changed through discipleship,
hospitality, and kindness, just as God has done for us.

Though we are undeserving, God gave us the ultimate gift when He sent us Jesus. We were
sent a “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, [and] Prince of Peace” (Isaiah
9:6, NKJV).
          ● Wonderful Counselor: Though we might not have all the answers, He does and yearns
              to guide us.
          ● Mighty God: He is righteous and just, yet gives grace when we falter.
          ● Everlasting Father: He is always there to walk through trials with us, holding our hand
             the entire way.
          ● Prince of Peace: He is rooted in spiritual harmony and restoration - He offers us rest.

How lucky are we to have everything we will ever need and more through Christ Jesus?
Because of His sacrifice, we are able to have a personal relationship with Him to guide us into a
life worthy of salvation. Life comes with many challenges, both big and small, but we were never
meant to walk it alone. We are called to be generous with our time, our love, and our energy so
that others can experience the same gift they may not know they’ve been given - a Savior who
loves them and only wants the very best for their lives. Thank you, God, for sending your son to
be a beacon of love and light to guide us through.

Whether you have heard the story of Jesus’s birth a million times or this season is your first, we
would love for you to listen to last Sunday’s sermon that focuses on the joy and love his birth
brings. Many blessings to you and your families this Christmas and going into the New Year!

Your Torrance Church Family