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photo: Maura Lolandi  
April 9, 2015

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










photo: Nate Bidwell
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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




rick booye This Sunday...
April 12, we will gather in the Worship Center from 10:00-11:30 a.m.  Pastor Rick will be teaching. Programs for youth age Nursery-5th grade, Middle School and Teens meet at this same time in their respective classrooms.


Next Wednesday
April 15, Pastor Garret will be teaching from Genesis 30 after a time of worship. Join us from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Youth Programs meet at this same time in their classrooms.


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From our Pastors...

It's Friday but Sunday's Coming

 

(Selected passages) Part 2 of 2

  

SCENE #4 (The Empty Tomb)

I love spring because of the new life, fragrance and music that fills the air. From the first sounds of singing sparrows to the daffodils stretching their bright blooms after a long dark winter, signs of life are bursting forth to declare that when "it's Friday, Sunday is coming."

 

When the women and disciples went to the tomb where they laid the limp body of Jesus and realized that He was gone, they were so stricken with disillusionment and grief that an Angel from God's throne had to appear announcing that, He is not here! He has risen!

 

It was Friday but Sunday had come! The resurrection not only sealed our eternal life and promises that we too will rise on the last day, but it also portrays a principle in life that we must experience over and over again as Christians. After every death experience (emotional, spiritual or physical) there is a resurrection. A similar verse is Weeping may come for a night but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30

  

After every dark night of the soul, after every midnight trial, after every sleepless night, the sun eventually rises in the morning. Recently Pastor Rick stated that every single trial and heartbreak has an end to it. A common biblical phrase is "this too shall pass."

Romans 8:28 says it best, "All things work together for good to them that love God who are called according to His purpose.

 

Every time I think of the resurrection of our forerunner Jesus, I have an image in my mind of a scorched forest. The twisted and charred remains of the tress and trunks litter the landscape. There is no sign of life through the gloomy black remains. But in time, after a season of what appears to be a barren, lifeless scene, a little green shoot or blade appears through the ashen rubble. Life appears, and with time and growth, the green lush forest returns stronger, greener and more vibrant than the previous forest.

 

Wherever you find yourself during this most sacred of seasons, know the Lord has a specific purpose for every anxious thought and concern you have. See the vacant tomb and KNOW there is not only hope for our eternity, but for His will and purposes in your life.

The Lord Jesus showed us how to live and die like believers. The lessons in His final hours are pristine clear to us as His followers:

Life can be painfully isolating and dark. We can feel so alone, forgotten and misunderstood. We can plead to the Father to take our cup of suffering away without any answer. We can even despair of life itself. But the truth always remains, that because of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the vacant tomb left behind, you may be facing a very dark and lonely Friday, but Sunday is coming!  

 

A friend of mine said that "the stone wasn't rolled away so the Christ could walk out, but so that we could walk in".  

 

Praise His Blessed Name Forever and ever!



staff Bill G
Pastor Bill

questions or comments are
welcomed: [email protected]


tomb photo: Nate Bidwell

 

 
Events

Memorial for Debbie Revel Note

Friends of Debbie Note are invited to a Celebration of Life for our sister Debbie on Saturday, April 11, at 1:00 p.m. in the TCF Worship Center. Reception to follow. If you'd like to bring a plate of finger foods to share, contact Debbie Conley at 541.878.3501.

outdoors ministry nate Outdoors Fellowship
Anyone who would like to learn more about the Rogue River Salmon Fly Hatch and How to Fish It are welcome to attend Tuesday, April 21 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in the Teen Room. Bring a Bible, finger foods to share and your fly fishing set up. Beginners are welcome! Nate Bailey: 541.951.6952 or [email protected]

awana check it out Souper Supper
You are invited to a Soup Dinner and Presentation on Wednesday, April 29 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room. See what God is doing in the lives of TCF kids through the AWANA program. Please sign up at the Information Counter, no charge.

Communication Workshop

Sign up this Sunday 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. Stop by the Information Counter to pick up a flyer and to sign up. No charge, child care provided with advanced sign up.
Men's Ministry

Men's Study:  

Being God's Man...by Pursuing Friendships

 

Guys, our next Being God's Man study begins Thursday, April 23. If you ever hope to win battles you face in your spiritual journey, you must be connected to godly men. Learn how to build and benefit from godly friendships. We'll meet every Thursday for 9 weeks from April 23-June 18 at Campus Life (Main Street, Eagle Point). Pick up a flyer and register at the Info Counter, cost $8. Questions? Call Pablito: 949.246.9615 or email: [email protected] 


Last Sunday to Sign Up!
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. You may also sign up online HERE. 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

OWOW Women's Conference

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 this Tuesday

Moms, you are invited to join with other moms and kids for a brunch, teaching and fellowship. We normally meet twice a month from 9-11 a.m. in the Youth Center. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, April 14. Questions? Contact Cyndi Harrington at 541.826.9415 or [email protected].
Announcements...

Thank You!

 

Chuck Lawson would like to thank the volunteer who did the fabulous job weed-eating the berm along the highway in front of the church before Easter. He didn't write down your name - but wanted to say Thank You!  


Cornerstone Lecture Series

Old Testament Stories: God's Present Word  taught by Dr. Carl Trueman, Professor of Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary will be held Saturday, April 18 from 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Cornerstone Church, 608 N. Bartlett in Medford. To register call 541.773.8163 or email [email protected]. Pre-registeration cost is $25 for adults, $15 for students. At the door cost is $30 adults, $20 for students and includes Continental breakfast and lunch.

Youth For Christ Golf Challenge

 

You're invited to the 28th Annual YFC Golf Challenge, Saturday, May 16 at Eagle Point Golf Course, featuring a four-person scramble of 240 golfers with two shotguns (7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) ending with an awards and raffle banquet at 6:00 p.m. prepared by the Talon Grill. As a golfer, business sponsor or prize donor you'll become part of a long tradition while helping thousands of kids in the process through your support in this benefit Golf Challenge hosted by Youth for Christ in the Rogue Valley and Eagle Point Golf Course. Presented by Metal Masters, Inc. and Sponsored by Pennzoil & Lithia Auto Stores. For more information call YFC: 541.779.3275 or www.roguevalleyyfc.org 

 


Child Evangelism Fellowship Banquet

If you'd like to attend the CEF Fund-raising Banquet on Thursday, May 14 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. please RSVP by May 9: 541.772.8520 or email: [email protected]. The theme will be Around the World in 80 Years with guest speaker David Ra, CEF Regional Director for Asia-Pacific. Dinner will be held at the Community Bible Church, 500 N. Tenth in Central Point.

 

Host Families Needed

 

Foreign exchange students coming to the U.S. for the 2015-16 school year need host families. Will you host a student? One is Changtian, who is a 15 year old boy from China. He enjoys debate, chess, science, swimming, and piano. Exchange students speak English, have medical insurance, and pay their personal expenses. Host families provide room and board and loving parental guidance. Students become a part of the family while attending the local high school.

Host families are needed in the Crater, Phoenix, North Medford, South Medford, Grants Pass High, Rogue River Jr./Sr. High School, North Valley, Hidden Valley, and Eagle Point High School districts. Please contact me if interested or in need of more information. The sooner you choose a student, the sooner you can start to get to know them. An exchange student will thank you for opening their home to them. 

 

Email: [email protected] or call Elizabeth at 541-772-1294.

 

 

 

In Closing...

Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.

Luke 24:38-39




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]

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