Contact Us
- Phone: (831)465-3300
- Email:
- Address:
2701 Cabrillo College Drive | Aptos, CA 95003
Service Times
- Saturday: 6PM
- Sunday: 9 & 11AM
Youtube Live Facebook LiveVimeo Live Twin Lakes Live Español
Dear TLC family,
I want to let you know what we are doing at Twin Lakes Church to help our county health officials combat the spread of the coronavirus––and the anxiety associated with it. There’s a lot of info to cover in this update, but please read all of it so you have accurate information.
First, as your pastor, I encourage you to fix your thoughts on Jesus. He is at work even now. There is no need to fear or panic. Instead, look for opportunities to help.
With that important foundation in mind, I’ll answer some questions you may have.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH CHURCH SERVICES?
Our weekend services are now available online, both livestreamed during our regular service times, and available to watch later. Our simultaneous Spanish translation is available live at 9am, and also archived to watch later. We are also making great progress in transitioning most of our Bible studies and group meetings to online formats, such as Zoom and Google Meets. Follow along as we roll out these changes in the coming days.
We do all this not in fear, but in love, to care for the vulnerable. As we make real sacrifices in terms of movement and income, we are helping our world fight a dangerous virus. As the largest weekly gathering in the county, we have a great responsibility.
MAKE “REMOTE CHURCH” YOUR MISSION
Let me be clear: Church is not cancelled. It’s just changed. For the near future, let’s all continue to gather ––in our homes, by watching the livestream of our church services. Think of it as TLC moving into a thousand homes! I encourage you to treat this as kind of a house church.
Whether you’re joining us alone or with your family, send a picture to so we can share it with everyone! We will be streaming on YouTube, Facebook Live, and Vimeo during our regular service times, Saturday at 6 pm, and Sunday 9 am & 10:45 am. If you don’t have internet access, we can make a DVD of the service available to you.
HOW TO HELP AND FIND HELP
If you are alone and need help, visit tlc.org/help and we will find pastors or volunteers who can assist you. If you are wondering how you can help others, we can let you know where volunteers are needed, visit tlc.org/help or contact
If you need prayer, visit tlc.org/prayer.
One of the most practical ways you can help is by remembering to support TLC financially during this time. Our staff is still working and our global partners who rely on our support are still serving. You can donate online at tlc.org/give. Thank you!
I answered some additional questions in the links below.
STAY HOPEFUL AND PRAYERFUL
I know God is going to work through this in ways we can’t even imagine now. Many at TLC remember how God worked following the 1989 earthquake. Can you anticipate that God will move in great ways now?
He will deepen your faith.
He will deepen your family’s spiritual life as you worship together.
He will use the thousand open doors in homes streaming our services to reach people who may never have entered a church building.
As Christians we were called for "such a time as this.”
Let’s be people of peace and people of prayer. Pray for the leadership of our county. Pray for those who are seriously impacted by this virus. Pray that people all over the world will draw closer to God. Pray for the church, that we will be united around this, instead of divided by this.
I’ll leave you with some Scripture that helps me refocus on God when I’m anxious:
In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. Psalm 25:1
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life… Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6:25a,27
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Yours in faith, hope, and love,
René Schlaepfer
Senior Pastor
Twin Lakes Church
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW DO I LIVESTREAM SERVICES?
Streaming is easy: For example, just go to YouTube.com on your web browser, or the YouTube app on your TV or phone. Type “Twin Lakes Church Live” into the search bar. Click “search”, and you’ll see us as one of your first options (get this set up a few minutes before any of our service times so you don’t miss a thing). Still not working right? Call us at 831-465-3300 and we will help you! If you do not have access to the internet, we can make a DVD available to you.
Will all other events at TLC get cancelled or moved to live-stream? No. For full details, click the link below.
WHAT ABOUT OTHER BIBLE STUDIES AND CLASSES?
Please stay flexible. Many of our groups or classes will decide to cancel their meetings in the coming days. If you have any questions about whether your group is meeting, contact the group leader. You can also find an updated class list at tlc.org/classes or call the church office at 831-465-3300. We will look for ways to “go mobile” and respond to your needs for encouragement and instruction remotely. Keep checking tlc.org for developments!
HOW TO HELP –– AND FIND HELP
If you are alone and need help, visit tlc.org/help and we will find pastors or volunteers who can assist you. If you are wondering how you can help others, we can let you know where volunteers are needed, visit tlc.org/help or contact
If you need prayer, visit tlc.org/prayer.
One of the most practical ways you can help is by remembering to support TLC financially during this time. Our staff is still working and our global partners who rely on our support are still serving. You can donate online at tlc.org/give. Thank you!
WHO IS IN A HIGH-RISK GROUP?
Current evidence indicates that the risk of severe illness increases with age. The median age of reported cases has been 59 years and the median age of critically ill cases has been 66 years. People with underlying medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease, and immunosuppression, are also likely at higher risk.
If you are in these high-risk groups, please self-evaluate and consider staying home. And of course stay away from public gatherings if you have travelled within the past 14 days to an area associated with very high COVID-19 risk. According to the Center for Disease Control, there is no evidence that children are more susceptible.
For details about health department recommendations, go to santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus or call 211 or text coronavirus to 211211.
HOW CAN I STAY HEALTHY?
The best way to help stop the spread of the virus is to follow these common-sense guidelines:
- STAY CLEAN. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use the elbow bump rather than handshake as a greeting. If you sneeze or cough, please use a tissue or handkerchief.
- STAY HOME. California is under “Shelter at Home” orders. Please stay home except for exercise and essentials, and when out, maintain a 6-foot distance from others and wash hands frequently.
- STAY CALM. Constantly checking the headlines and worrying about getting sick can have the unintended effect of robbing you of sleep and driving up your stress. That makes you more vulnerable to illness, not to mention fear-driven hysteria. So as I said last week, let go of “anticipatory anxiety”.
- STAY CONNECTED to TLC. I encourage you, if you haven’t already, subscribe to our daily text messages by texting TLC to 41411. This situation is changing rapidly. We will update you if we hear of any new recommendations from the authorities.
For details about health department recommendations, go to santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus or call 211 or text coronavirus to 211211.
Is the Church Office Open?
- We are open for phone calls, appointments, and mail drop-off only.
- Call 831-465-3300 Monday–Thursday, 9am–4pm.
- If you are in the midst of a non-life-threatening emergency and need to speak with a pastor when the office is closed, please call 831-471-5564
What about the preschool and schools?
In keeping with our commitment to operate in full accord with our local health and educational agencies, and with the safety of our children as our top priority, we have initiated a student dismissal at both C.E.C. and Twin Lakes Christian School until further notice. TLCS students are receiving remote instruction from our teachers.
Is Camp Hammer Open?
- Camp Hammer will be closed until further notice.
- The office is open and can be contacted at:
- 831-338-3200
- camphammer.com
For details about health department recommendations, go to santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus or call 211 or text coronavirus to 211211.
As you know, this situation is quite fluid and changes come quickly. We will do everything we can to keep you informed of any changes to this information.