Book Club
The purpose of the Book Club is to bring together a group of people who are reading the same work. Discussion takes place informally throughout the reading of the book, culminating in a final discussion at a reader's home. Hosts have the option of serving a light supper, snack or dessert. The Book Club meets every few months, depending on the time of the year and the length of the book. A sign-up sheet in the foyer appears as a new book is chosen. Readers should feel free to sign up whether or not they are able to come to the discussion, so that others will know whom to talk with about the book prior to the final meeting.
The books are chosen by a committee, whose goal is to have a wide range of styles, topics and time periods. The works range from classic to contemporary, always respecting the moral sensibilities of conservative Christianity. A few of the titles chosen have been The Book Thief, The Life of Pi, Night, Les Miserables, The Shack, The Count of Monte Cristo, Watership Down, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, AC/DC, and War and Peace. Contacts: Diane Jezierski and Jan Henderson.
The upcoming books are:
- When the Legends Die - Hal Borland: September, 2009
- Book of the Dun Cow – by Walter Wangerin: October, 2009
- A Morbid Taste for Bones – a Bro. Cadfael mystery by Ellis Peters: November, 2009
- Out of the Silent Planet – by C.S. Lewis: January, 2010
Cross Cultural Community
The purpose of this ministry is to reach out to immigrants in the area who want to practice conversational English, learn about American and Christian culture, and build new relationships in a friendly environment. We welcome all who are interested to join us at our meetings. Childcare is provided.
Volunteers are needed to participate in chatting with those who want to improve their English skills, providing childcare and building relationships with neighbors. Musicians are also needed. The world has literally come to live here in our area. This ministry provides great opportunities to reach out to the world without leaving your backyard!
We meet every month on the first and third Monday from 9:00-10:30 a.m. Contacts: Julie Hampel and Jon Enright.
Directed Prayer Group
The purpose of the Directed Prayer Group is to pray for each member of our congregation by name, for the prayer needs from the previous Sunday, and for the spiritual health, unity and witness of the body of Christ at TCC.
The group is sponsored by the Barnabas Ministry and meets for prayer every Wednesday evening. Participants attend the Wednesday evening worship service, and then are dismissed to the Prayer Room before the Bible lesson. Contact: Pastor Jon Enright.
Faith & Works Ministry
The main thrust of our ministry is to demonstrate God's love by helping families within Troy who are in need of assistance.
We partner with Troy People Concerned, a philanthropic organization in Troy. Each month, Troy People Concerned gives us the names of two or three families who are in need of food because of their financial difficulties. We assist by purchasing groceries and delivering them to their homes. The families we reach out to are very appreciative of receiving the groceries, and we are blessed by this opportunity to demonstrate God's love. Contact: Bev TerMarsch.
Fine Arts Department
The purpose of the Fine Arts Department is to praise the Lord through the creative gifts and talents that he has given, and to assist the congregation in praising the Lord by giving them "cues" to look upward and to think on him.
Technical Arts
The soundroom provides amplification and accompaniment tracks for services and performances, provides free CD and cassette recordings of services and Sunday School classes, and provides audio enhancement capabilities for the hearing impaired. Soundroom Director: Travis Lewis.
Instrumental Music
We currently have a brass group. It meets when it is convenient for the members, and plays once per month during both Sunday services. Director: Dave Wilson.
Adult Choir
This choir is for adults who like to sing—no audition is required. The choir meets each Wednesday evening, and sings about once per month at both Sunday services and at other services throughout the year. In conjunction with many other departments of the church, the Adult Choir produces a major musical about every two years. Director: Diane Jezierski.
Youth Choir
This choir is for students in grades 6-12. It meets each Wednesday evening, and sings about once per month during both Sunday services, as well as singing with the Adult Choir at different times throughout the year. The Youth Choir presents a musical each year, in the winter. Directors: Diane Jezierski, Sue Mallard, Lee Ann Thal, Lee Johnson.
Kids' Choir
This choir is for children from Kindergarten through fifth grade. They meet each Wednesday evening, and sing about once a month during both Sunday services. The Kids' Choir presents two musicals per year—one at Christmas and another in the spring. Directors: Jeff Jezierski, Nancy Gawel, Giselle Graham.
Mid-Lifers
The purpose of the Mid-Life Group is to offer opportunities for the adults of TCC to gather for social events with other adult members. We have no specific age range, but most participants are 35 or older and typically have older or grown children. Our events are open to all TCC adults and their adult friends and family members.
The Mid-Life Group schedules social events approximately every other month. These include game nights, pot-luck dinners, miniature golf, concerts and theater events, and an annual Christmas gathering. We are open to suggestions for new types of events. Contact: Donna Marcella.
Saturday Men's Group
The TCC Men's Group was formed by a group of men who felt the need to spend time with other men for prayer, personal accountability and Bible study. The group has grown to enjoy a regular attendance of fifteen to twenty men who share their burdens, pray for each other and the TCC community, and study God's word together.
The group is also committed to serving in tangible ways, in service projects such as painting and yard work, in providing financial assistance to those in the TCC community who are in need, and in providing monthly support to Tudor and Vali Machidon, who have started a children's ministry in a village in Romania.
There is always room for men who wish to join us. We meet in the TCC Library on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, from 7:00 to 8:30 a.m. Contacts: Jon Enright, Joe Eddings.
Small Groups Ministry
The mission of the Small Groups Ministry is to nurture personal relationship
with God and others in a safe environment of grace, truth and Christian love
by meeting together to encourage, challenge, and live out God's call to
oneness in Christ for the glory of God.
There are several small groups that meet on a regular basis for fellowship and mutual encouragement, including a parenting group and several growth groups. If you would like more information about the different small groups at TCC, contact Pastor Jon.
Softball
Our purpose is to develop relationships by playing the game of softball. TCC has participated with the Inter Church Athletic Fellowship league for over 25 years. It is a league that strives to provide an atmosphere for Christians to have clean fun, through its guidelines regarding behavior, attitude and actions.
The team practices during the month of April, as called for by the coach. Games are played at Liberty Park in Sterling Heights on Saturday evenings from late April through June. Many members of the congregation come just to cheer the team on and enjoy a great family night out. Contact: Jeff Jezierski.
Where Two or More Are Gathered
We take the teaching of Matthew 18:20 as our basis, firmly believing that the power of the Church lies in our becoming one with God in prayer and bringing heaven's glory to Earth for those who do not know him.
After completing a study of Andrew Murray's book, The Ministry of Intercession, our group has individually and collectively sensed a calling to intercessory prayer. To this end, we have organized the 24-hour prayer vigils recently held at TCC. We have also established the Second Monday Prayer Hour, held each month in the Sanctuary from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The focus of these prayer hours is that the "heart" of the church, locally and worldwide, would repent and become the holy bride of Christ that she is meant to be.
Our group meets the first and third Sundays of each month to nurture our relationship with God and to encourage each other in the faith. We begin with sharing and encouragment, discussing how God has been working within our life situations. The remainder of the meeting is held in the Sanctuary for group intercessory prayer. Contact: Carol McCartney.
