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photo: Maura Lolandi     
February 26, 2015

Welcome
to this week's edition of
TCFinTouch
the e-newsletter of
Trail Christian Fellowship
in Eagle Point, Oregon




photo: Maura Lolandi
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As followers of Jesus
we gather throughout the week for worship, prayer, Communion, Bible study and fellowship. Our overall mission can be summed up as:
Helping People Think Like Jesus


This Sunday
March 1, we will gather in the Worship Center from 10:00-11:30 a.m. As part of our Great Commission Festival, Dale Rickards from Global Recording Network (GRN) will be teaching. Programs for youth age Nursery-5th grade, Middle School and Teens meet at this same time in their respective classrooms. Our global outreach partners will be available to visit with you before and after service in the foyer. Reminder: Please pick up your children from the Youth Center right after service and bring them with you to the foyer to visit with our global outreach partners.



staff Bill G Next Wednesday
March 4, we will continue our through-the Bible study. Pastor Bill will be teaching from Genesis 25 after a time of worship. Join us from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Youth Programs and AWANA meet at this same time in their classrooms.






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From our Pastors...

Providential Romance

 

from Genesis 24 

Part 2 of 2

  

 

One of the most comforting truths about God is that He is a God of Providence. That simply means that He has the wisdom, foresight and power to design and engineer all circumstances, good or bad, in the believer's life for His ultimate glory and our good. The New Testament equivalent to Genesis 24 is Romans 8:28, All things work together for our good for them that love God and are called according to his purpose. Essentially the story of how Isaac meets and marries Rebekah is Romans 28 with skin on it.

 

Although this particular story is woven with great romantic drama and intrigue, the overarching theme is one of God's precise guidance in the finding of a wife for the next Patriarch, Isaac.

 

In Part One, we left Abraham's servant at the well, where the women of the village gathered, with ten thirsty camels. The next scene is Rebekah appearing with a jar on her shoulder approaching the well (vs.15). From this point on the story unfolds rather quickly.

 

Moments before this scene the servant prays that the woman of God's choice would not only offer him a drink but would offer to give water to the ten camels until they were done drinking. Did you know that a camel can drink up to 25 gallons a day? At a maximum, she would give 2,500 gallons of water to the camels! It is clear that the servant is not only looking for a woman of the same faith as Isaac but he is looking for a woman with a hard work ethic, grace, hospitality and strength. This is another indication that God even hears our silent prayers and gives us specifically what He feels we need. He doesn't make mistakes and His timing is perfect.

 

Another way God reveals Himself in the unfolding of His purpose is that He gives us a strong unrelenting conviction about what is right. We read that the servant and woman are excited with what the Lord is beginning to unfold before them. She, of course, runs quickly to her mother's house and reports all that just had happened. Her brother Laban sees the gold nose ring and the gold bracelets the servant had given her and instantly he has dollar/shekel signs dancing in his greedy mind.  


Abraham's servant is offered a meal, but refuses to partake until he fulfills and articulates the goal and purpose for coming. We see in the messenger a shrewd, strong presence that will not be manipulated. Did you know that the Lord wants us to be wise and gracious in all of our dealings and relationships?

 

The next morning, as the servant is preparing to take Rebekah away to her future husband, her brother and mother ask if Rebekah could stay ten more days with them. On the surface it seems like an honorable request but the servant has a check in his heart and says no. The mother and brother really show their hand when they suggest asking the girl if she wanted to go? Do you smell the same rat the servant smelled? The deal had already been agreed upon, the dowry had been paid, the prayers were answered, the mission was accomplished, and now there is buyer's remorse and an attempt to sabotage the deal. The servant is not having it and stays with what was agreed upon.

 

As God leads and guides us through the maze of His purposes He calls us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. He desires we stay focused and keep our motives, intentions and priorities intact. In Philippians Paul tells the Church to abound more in love but to do it with knowledge and depth of insight...so they may be able to discern what is best...(Phil. 1:9-10). The longer we grow in the Lord and experience the people, places and circumstances He surrounds us with, the less gullible and more alert we should be. Especially in a decision of finding a mate as our text portrays.

 

As a note of interest, the final confirmation that the Lord was in the whole arrangement, was that there was perfect agreement with Laban, the servant and Rebekah. When God is the one that is leading, He generally confirms it through the believers that are closest to us. If you are the personality type that feels no one should be telling you what to do or speaking into your life, you are way out of line. More times than not, God confirms our direction and plan through other caring, faithful saints.

 

In verses 61-67, the last scene of the story, we see the Providence and Romance perfectly come together. This slow motion scene reminds me of the commercial of a man and woman running on a beach in slow motion toward each other and finally embracing midair with the breeze swaying their hair.

 

We read that as Rebekah, the servant, nurse and entourage of ten camels are approaching the Negev where Isaac was walking and meditating at dusk, he looks up and sees the caravan approaching. Rebekah also looks up and sees a man walking in the cool of the evening.

 

Rebekah dismounts from her camel, a sign of respect, and inquires who the man is. When the servant tells her that that is her groom to be, she puts a veil over her face. Hebrew women do not veil their face like Muslim women do. The only time a Jewish woman is veiled is during the wedding ceremony. In essence what Rebekah is saying to Isaac is, I am the one you have been waiting for!

 

By the way, I wonder what Isaac was meditating on as he walked along. Was he thinking about the recent loss of his mother? Did he reflect back 20 years and recall how Abraham laid him out on an altar ready to sacrifice him, when suddenly they heard the bleating of a ram in the thicket? Did he wonder how God could provide for him in his most frightening and confusing moment under the blade of his Father's knife and yet now he was so alone? Whatever he was praying or meditating on his answer wasn't far off.

 

Whatever God is providentially doing in your life, there is a specific purpose and divine plan behind it. Someday it will all come together and make sense. In the meantime, trust that He knows and hears and never runs late.

 

 

 

Pastor Bill 

 

 

staff Bill G

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have questions or comments on this article,  

feel free to email Pastor Bill at [email protected] 

 

 

Events

Great Commission Festival, March 1.  

 

On Sunday, March 1, our global outreach partners will be available in the foyer before and after service to share about what the Lord is doing in and through them. Reminder: Please pick up your children from the Youth Center right after service and bring them with you to the foyer to visit with our global outreach partners. Questions? Call Kelly 541-878-3501 or [email protected] 

 

Toddler 2 Teen Conference
this weekend

Local professionals will provide helpful tips and input on marriage, parenting, drug abuse, special needs, legal issues and more.  Pastor Bill Gallagher will hold a personality workshop. Join us Saturday, February 28, 12:30-5:30 p.m. at Cascade Christian High School. Childcare for kiddos age 4-10. Go to: www.FamilyToolsForLife.org for more information and to register.

Questions? Contact Debbie Conley: 261-2605 or [email protected].  

 

First Sunday Evening of Praise

Come together with others for our First Sunday Communion and Praise Service, Sunday, March 1 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Child care is provided.


 

 

Clothing Exchange:
Last Sunday to donate

 

 

Clean out your closets and bring your gently used, clean clothes to Ministry Connect Window this Sunday, March 1.  You can pick up a flyer there with all the details, and drop off clothing at the Church Office this week.  

Go "shopping" on Saturday, March 7 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the Fireside room. Women's, men's, teens, kids, baby clothes and accessories accepted (no shoes please). On shopping day: Monetary donations accepted (optional). 

Questions? Call Paige Harrison: 541.821.0459

 

 


 

 

You are invited to create a film and invite family and friends to view it Oscar Night, Sunday, March 15 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Awards given for best actor, actress, drama, comedy etc... All ages welcome, sign up required. Dessert provided. No child care. This is a dress up evening of fun! Videos must be Christ-appropriate, 5 minutes or less and submitted by March 11 to Dakota Lacombe. Call Dakota at 541.951.1100 or email [email protected]

 


Save the Date: Communication Workshop

Mark your calendars for Speaking the Truth in Love, a biblical boundaries workshop for Christians, led by Pastoral Counselor Bill Gallagher, Saturday, May 2, from 9:00 a.m.-12 noon. Watch the Bulletin and TCFinTouch for details to come.

It's Coming Soon!
Clocks Change March 8

A week from this Sunday we will be starting Daylight Saving Time, Sunday, March 8 at 2:00 a.m. Be sure to set your clocks forward one hour before bed on Saturday, March 7.

baptism Easter Baptism Coming Up

On Easter Sunday, April 5, there will be a Baptism in the heated Baptismal behind the Church office. If you'd like to be Baptized after service, pick up a loaner CD (Steps to Baptism) at the Willingheart Window or listen HERE,  follow the steps, then call the Church Office to speak with a Pastor. Church Office: 541.878.3501

 

 

 

Men's Ministry

A fabulous weekend of fellowship, teaching, great food, and outdoor activities at Camp Lake Bradley are in the works for April 17-19. Sign up now at the Information Counter using an Event Envelope, and enclose your payment. Prices and details are on the brochure available at the Information Counter. 


Questions? Pablito: (949) 246-9615 or [email protected]

 

mens 2

Early birds, bring other guys (friends, neighbors and relatives) for a time of food, teaching, and fellowship. Breakfast is on a donation basis. Questions? Contact Pablito: 949.246.9615 or [email protected].
Women's Ministry

Mark Your Calendar!

Oregon Women of the Word (OWOW) will be holding their 11th Annual Conference at TCF Friday, April 24 - Saturday, April 25, featuring Sheri Rose Shepherd. This will be a great time of teaching, worship, workshops and fellowship. Check OWOW's webpage: HERE for details and to register. Questions? 541.659.1138

MOM's Group

Moms, you are invited to join with other moms and kids for a brunch, teaching and fellowship twice a month from 9-11 a.m. in the Youth Center. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, March 10, and will be our only meeting in March. Questions? Contact Cyndi Harrington at 541.826.9415 or [email protected].
Youth Ministry...
American Heritage Girls

If you have daughters or granddaughters Kindergarten age through 18 who might be interested in a Christian Scouting Program for girls, bring them with you to an informational meeting on Thursday, March 12, 6:30 -7:30 p.m. in the Great Room. Check AHG for more information. Questions? contact Crystal : 541.944.2184

Dear TCF Family:  During this cold and flu season when we are often locked indoors much of the time, illnesses are spreading like wildfires. If you or your child is coughing, have a sore throat, a runny nose or a fever; for the sake of all others please remain home until your symptoms have passed. If you have questions, comments or concerns please feel free to call me.

 

In His Care, Debbie Conley

Director of Children's Ministry  

541-261-2605

 

 

Announcements...



If you want to be included in the 2015-2016 TCF phone directory, pick up a Directory form at the Information Counter, fill it out and drop it in the offering bag, at the Information Counter or the Church Office. You may also download the form (click HERE) and fill it out, turn it in or mail it. Previous years entries are not carried over. It takes a few months to compile this information, you can expect the new Directory to be available this summer. Questions? contact Jacki at [email protected] or 541.878.3501


St. John's Lutheran School Open House
TODAY & THIS EVENING

St. John Lutheran School in Eagle Point is thrilled to announce that our annual Open House will be February 26, from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m. This is also the first day of open enrollment for new students. St. John Lutheran School serves children from preschool through fifth grade. Be sure to stop by and let us show you how we are putting faith in education! For more information call the school: 541.826.4334

or check their Facebook Page. 

 

 


Free Used Yardman Riding Mower

If you need a riding mower this one can be used for spare parts or for you to fix up.
Call the church at 541.878.3501 and ask for Chuck, Celia or Dave. 
In Closing...

The strength of the King loves justice;
You have established equity;
You have executed justice
and righteousness in Jacob.

Psalm 99:4

Thank you for keeping in touch with the family of Trail Christian Fellowship via TCFinTouch. We welcome your questions and comments.
Feel free to contact us at
[email protected]

Copyright 2015. All rights reserved.