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photo: Debi Hassler

October 1, 2015

Welcome

to this week's edition of

TCFinTouch

the e-newsletter of
Trail Christian Fellowship
in Eagle Point, Oregon

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...

October 4, our Sunday Service will be held 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

Join us for a time of worship and teaching, October 7, when we will meet for Wednesday evening Bible study from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Pastor Bill Gallagher will be teaching. Youth programs and AWANA meet at this same time in their classrooms.

Listen to Trail Christian Fellowship Teachings

If you missed a service, or live out of our area, we invite you to click HERE

to listen to our recent Sunday a.m. and Wednesday evening teachings for free.

From our Pastors...

Jonah: A Fish Story for All of Us

Pt. 3 of 4

And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it
vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.

Jonah 2:10

One of the troublesome issues with the book of Jonah has always been whether he really was swallowed whole by a fish, managed to live in the belly for three days, and then was vomited out on the shore again at the command of God. Really the only troublesome issue is if you don't believe in the existence of a sovereign God and must depend on a natural explanation. Late in the 19th century a couple of people thought they would help God out with this and fabricated a story about fisherman who was swallowed whole by a whale and when the whale was subsequently caught by a whaling vessel and butchered they found the fisherman alive but his skin was white and all his hair had been eaten away the fish's digestive juices. This story was reported to a newspaper who printed it and then it was picked up and printed in a Christian book as proof positive that the Jonah story was real because a similar incident had occurred in modern times. This in turn was repeated by ministers in sermons about Jonah for many years. Many years later, a curious scholar investigated the origins of the story and found that almost every detail it was a complete fabrication done for the enjoyment of fooling the public.

That said, we are left with three possible explanations for this turn of events in the life of Jonah. First, it was no miracle at all but a perfect confluence a several natural factors coming together to preserve Jonah's life. Somehow the fish had a large belly and an air bubble inside with enough air to get Jonah through for a few days. There is no record of this happening to any other human beings (unless you consider Pinocchio and Geppeto real persons!) but admittedly, strange things can and do happen on our beautiful planet.

The second possible explanation is that God miraculously intervened and caused all of the above to happen by supernatural agency. God could have caused this to happen in any number of ways and because He controls all aspects of nature, this would have been a relatively easy operation to pull off.

The final possibility could be that Jonah was not kept alive in the stomach of the great fish but rather died and then was revived three days later by God. This is a miraculous intervention along the lines of Lazarus who was raised from the dead by Jesus after he had been buried for several days. What makes this possibility stand out in my mind is that Jesus uses Jonah to describe what will happen to him after the crucifixion:

For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Mt.12:40).

When Jesus was in the tomb for three days, he was not alive and on life support. As the Apostle's Creed states "he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.." This would make the belly of the fish like the tomb of Joseph of Arimethea, just a temporary space used by God to fulfill His mission.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Chris

October Events

Michael Farley Concert Tomorrow

Gifted musician and guitarist Michael Farley will be in concert Friday, October 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Beloved hymns and original songs will be presented with Michael's incredible skill and insight. No cost, but a love offering will be taken. Bring friends! No child care. Check www.michaelfarleymusic.com for a preview.
Questions? Call Ken Rensi: 541.951.1584

Couples Study
Signups start this Sunday

Couples are invited to a 6-week Bible study starting October 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Our text will be
Improving Communication in Your Marriage
by Dr. Gary and Barbara Rosberg.
Child care provided. Cost: $17 per couple.
Ben & Theresa Wewerka: 541.826.7489

For more: click HERE

First Sunday Evening of Praise

Come together to worship and take Communion this Sunday, October 4 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Child care is provided.

Pheasant Fields Farm Field Trip

All ages are invited to visit Pheasant Fields Farm in Phoenix Sunday, October 18. The bus leaves at noon and returns at 5:00 p.m. Bring a sack lunch or buy lunch there. Pick up a flyer for all the details and sign up at the Information Counter. No charge but there may be activities you need a few dollars for.

Questions? Call Debbie Conley: 541.878.3501.

Hallelujah Hoedown: October 31

Bring the kids and grand-kids to this year's Hallelujah Hoedown, Saturday, October 31 from 12:30-4:30 p.m. in the Youth Center. There will also be a TCF family Potluck lunch from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Volunteers are needed to make this the best Hoedown ever! Pick up a candy/volunteer sheet and indicate how you can help. There are also flyers available with Hoedown details. Please call Debbie Conley at 541.878.3501 or email debbie@trail.org if you would like to volunteer to help.

November Events

Sewing Classes for Adults & Kids

Sewing (for Adults): Beginning sewing for adults will be held November 1 and 8 (continuing dates will be discussed later). We will meet from noon - 2:00 p.m. (bring your lunch - NO nuts please) in Room 8.

Bring a sewing machine if you have one or call for a loaner to use.
If you did not sign up at the Informational meeting, please contact Debbie Conley in advance if you would like to attend 541.878.3501.

Baptism Coming Up

Our next Baptism will take place Sunday, November 1 after service. If you'd like to be Baptized, pick up a loaner CD at the Willingheart Window or listen online:
click HERE

And now why do you wait? Rise and be Baptized and
wash away your sins, calling on His name. Acts 22:16

Mary Rice Hopkins &
Puppets with a Heart Concert

Bring the kids and their friends for a delightful evening with Mary Rice Hopkins and Darcie Maze Friday, Nov. 6 from 6:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. in the Worship Center. No charge but a love offering will be taken. For a preview: www.maryricehopkins.com

Questions? Debbie Conley: 541.878.3501 or debbie@trail.org

Children's Ministry Training

If you work with kids, Mary Rice Hopkins and Darcie Maze will lead a workshop Saturday, Nov. 7 from 9:30 a.m.- noon in the Fireside Room. Light refreshments served. Register with an Event Envelope at the Information Counter or at trail.org. Cost is $20.00. CEUs are are available. No child care. Questions? Debbie Conley: 541.878.3501 or debbie@trail.org

Men's Ministry

Ducks Game: 2 tickets left!

2 seats are available for the Ducks vs WA Football Game
Saturday, October 10. Stop by the Church Office during office hours and enclose $98 in an Event Envelope. If the tickets are still available on Sunday, stop by the Information Counter to sign up. Price includes cost of 1 ticket, transportation and pizza. Bring spending money. Game time is 3:00 p.m. You are not signed up until you pay!
Questions? Call Jim Ulrich at 541.878.2399

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 pablito@trail.org.

Women's Ministry

Women's Fall Bible Study

You are invited to join us for the Fall term of Women's Bible Study, on Friday mornings from 9:00-11:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room. Norah Gorden is teaching from the book of Jonah, come and see it is much more than a "whale of a tale." Child care is provided. The cost for the term is $8 and payable at your first class. Questions? Christean White: 541.664.2054.

MOM's Group

The TCF MOM's Group will get together at TCF on Tuesday, October 13, 9:00-11:00 a.m. in the Youth Center. This group usually meets twice a month (2nd and 4th Tuesdays) and we enjoy a breakfast, a devotional or mentor guest speaker, and fellowship centering on Christian family life.

Check our Facebook page: TCF Moms Group or call Cyndi Harrington: 541.601.2066.

Single Women's Dinner

Single ladies of all ages are invited to the next Single Women's Dinner Monday, Oct. 26 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Enjoy a time of fun, fellowship, and a home cooked dinner. No charge, please sign up at the Information Counter. Child care available with sign up. Questions? call Cyndi Harrington: 541.826.9415.

Ladies Retreat: Last Sunday to Sign Up

Last chance to be a part of the Fall Retreat which will be held at Camp Bradley October 9-11. Kari Patterson will be teaching on
One: Courageous Community, based on John 17:23, "...that they may be perfectly one..."

Pick up a brochure and sign up using an Event Envelope or online HERE. Cost is $130.
Questions? Contact Denise Green: 541.664.9871

For more about our speaker check www.karipatterson.com

photo: Charmaine Brackett

Youth Ministry

Child Evangelism Fellowship Needs You

A helper is needed in a Central Point public school, Wednesdays starting in October from 1:00-3:00 p.m. C.E.F. is a Bible-centered, worldwide organization dedicated to seeing every child reached with the Gospel. Please call Idelle Collins: 541.878.2159

If you'd like to support Rogue Valley Youth for Christ, please check out their Online Auction HERE. The Auction ends October 5. Over the years, local dollars have helped fund the unique and outstanding work Rogue Valley YFC does in helping the hurt and neglected kids throughout our community. As you may know, we provide positive influences to over two thousand children and teens each year through several youth mentoring initiatives. You can visit us online at www.roguevalleyyfc.org to see our youth outreach efforts.

Celebrate Recovery...

Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered resource for rising above life's hurts, habits and hang-ups. Through eight simple principles people will move from bondage to freedom and will experience a new joy and peace in life. Join us in the Fireside Room for open meetings every Tuesday: Dinner is at 6 p.m. and the meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. Child care is provided. For more information contact Paige Harrison at 541.821.0459 or email celebraterecovery@trail.org. Visit us on Facebook: Click Here

Area Events & Announcements...

Jackson County Right to Life Event

This Sunday, Oct. 4, from 2:45 to 4:00 p.m. is the National Life Chain prayer event - a time of public prayer for our country and to stop abortion. We welcome everyone to this event, it is held at the busy intersection of Biddle Rd and McAndrews. There is plenty of parking in the Blue Sky Plaza parking lot. We have special event signs for this occasion, so no need to bring your own. We welcome families, children, and PASTORS and CHURCH LEADERS! Bring a lawn chair, umbrella, sun hat - and plan to spend an hour in prayer.

In Closing...

The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:2-3

photo: Emily Wilder

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

tcfintouch@trail.org