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October 22, 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 25, 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 28, when we will meet for Wednesday evening Bible study from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Pastoral Intern Andrew Burns will be teaching from 1 Peter 2:1-12. 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...

Broken Vision

I was eagerly anticipating the privilege of spending a long week in Hawaii: diving, fishing, hiking, lying on the beach reading a good book and of course, photography opportunities galore. I couldn't wait to go!

The day finally arrived and as I picked up my gear to head to the airport my backpack ripped, spilling the contents all over the place. With an appalling crash, one of my expensive lenses crashed onto the hardwood floor-resulting in a huge crack...unusable.

Clenching my teeth so I wouldn't say something I would regret, I picked up my backpack's contents. Nothing else was damaged or even scratched. Why did it have to be one of my lenses? I was so angry at myself and started playing the "blame" and "what if" games as I drove to the airport.

The flight to Portland was uneventful but as I stepped into the plane heading to the islands I knew this flight would be different...someone was in my window seat.

The airlines had double booked my seat! The seat that I had wanted had just a little more legroom so I could stretch. The seat where I could look out the window and see the vast expanse of sky and ocean for 6 hours. The seat that was the exit row and in case of emergency I would be called upon to help and save the day! Instead, I got asked to sit in a middle row, the middle seat, crammed like a sardine in a tin can with no window to look out and no extra legroom and not in the exit row so I could save the day if need be! This vacation was turning out awful.

When the call came that it was ok to lean back your chairs I gladly pushed the button to allow my back that few extra inches to relax. The chair didn't budge. Maybe I had pushed the wrong button...maybe the button I had pushed was for my loud snoring neighbor!? I tried the button on the other side. Nothing. My chair was broken.

The food cart started in the front of the plane and my stomach was growling! With the spill of my backpack and the last minute repacking, I had failed to eat breakfast and I was getting hungry.

"And what would you like?"

"I'd love the chicken teriyaki bento for myself and my wife would like th-"

"I'm sorry, we don't have any more bento," she smiled sweetly as she added, "We just sold out."

I looked two rows in front of me and to the right...not only was he in MY seat, he was now eating MY bento!! I hope he chokes!

As we started to descend I could hear gasps of wonderment and joy from the people on the right side of the plane. It was a mother and calf humpback whale breaching in the crystal clear waters below, and I was missing it!

As we unloaded I half expected my checked baggage to be missing or ripped or TSA officials to come and arrest me for some stupid excuse. My bag arrived, late. I made my way to the car rental agency and surprise, surprise... The car I reserved was not available. They apologized and offered me a free upgrade. I took it, but it didn't matter. My day, and it was looking like my entire vacation, was already ruined.

As I drove around the big island of Hawaii, I found myself looking for ways to complain or excuses of why I shouldn't take pictures. Here I was in one of the most beautiful places on earth and I was missing the beauty and the adventure because I was living in hurts of the past.

That night's sunset was breathtaking and I didn't even bring my camera to the beach to try and capture the scene. How utterly selfish and hurtful I was. I had taken my eyes off the prize and was instead staring straight into the eyes of self-pity. I was not living in the freedom of Christ.

What happens when we take our eyes off of the hope that is in Christ? Self-indignation! We lose sight of the promise that He has made, the future that we get to be a part of. The things of this world become more important and sidetrack us from the gospel being lived out. When we do get a little bit of a break and can enjoy His beauty and creation are we looking at that, or aspects of our past or fears of our future?

...If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God...in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them...We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

We have all been given a broken lens to look at life through, but only Christ can reconcile the brokenness. What promise do you want to keep your eyes on?

Pastor Garret

October Events

Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes

Bless a child this Christmas! Pick up a shoe box this Sunday in the Foyer. You can take a box to fill and return by Nov. 8, or bring loose items for the AWANA kids to pack boxes with. Everything is due back by Nov. 8. Questions? Debbie Conley: 541.878.3501 or debbie@trail.org.

Meet & Greet Update with Nancy!

Nancy is back to share about the Lord's work this past year in Central Asia, Sunday, October 25, right after service in the Fireside Room. Join us for soup and bread along with her update. No charge, no child care.

Questions? Kelly: 541.878.3501 or outreach@trail.org.

Hallelujah Hoedown: October 31

Bring the kids, grand-kids, and their friends to this year's Hallelujah Hoedown, Saturday, October 31 from 1:00-4:30 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.

Campbell Soup Labels

If you'd like to be a part of helping the Navajo Mission school with labels and Box Tops for Education, please drop them in the Campbell Soup Box Display in the foyer or at the Willingheart Window. We're sending them out again in December, but you can submit them all year. Check to make sure the labels haven't expired and remember for Campbell Soup Labels, cut out the attached barcode or it's disqualified. Thank you for your support!

Questions? Darnell: 878-2550

November Events

Sewing Classes for Adults

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.

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

Baptism Coming Up

The date has changed for our next Baptism that will be held Sunday, November 8 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

"Blending or Colliding: A Workshop on Blending Families God's Way"

The Blended Family Workshop

led by Pastor Bill Gallagher

Dr. Kevin Lehman states that "families don't blend they collide." If you think the biological, nuclear, family is complicated, try blending two different ones together! Yet, the Scripture gives solid counsel on how God builds families and restores broken ones. This Workshop will cover:

Step-parenting without getting stepped on.

Getting on the same page or even in the same book, as a couple.

Yours, Mine, and Theirs- working with the other biological parent.

Who is priority, your spouse, child or both?

Rules, relationship, and respect!

The Blended Family Workshop will be held Saturday, November 14, 9:00 a.m.-noon in the Fireside Room. Childcare and refreshments provided. To register: pick up a Registration form/flyer and sign up at the Information Counter using an Event Envelope and indicate child care needs (red sticker). Cost is $25.00 per couple. Scholarships available.

Questions? Call Pastor Bill at 541.878.3501 or email billg@trail.org

2016 Events

Are you working on a video? More entries=more fun! You are encouraged to create a 5 min. or less family-appropriate video and submit it by Feb. 7. Everyone is invited to dress up and view the videos Feb. 26. Dessert will be served. For questions or to submit your video contact Dakota: 541.951.1100 or dakotaL@trail.org.

Men's Ministry

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.

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.

MOM's Group

The TCF MOM's Group will get together at TCF on Tuesday, October 27, 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.

Youth Ministry

Child Evangelism Fellowship Needs You

Helpers are needed soon! Clubs meet once a week during school times and present Bible lessons along with Scripture memory, games and songs. Click HERE for more about C.E.F.'s Good News Clubs. Call Idelle Collins: 541.878.2159 or Donna Buck 541.499.9105 for details.

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...

Cornerstone Lecture Series

The next event in the Cornerstone Lecture Series will be "The God of Promise (Understanding Covenant in God's Plan)", with Dr. Derek Thomas. The event is scheduled for Saturday, November 7 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at Cornerstone Christian Church, 608 N. Bartlett in Medford. Cost is $25 adults, $15 students who register before Nov.1. At the door: $30 adults, $20 students. (Includes Continental breakfast and lunch). For more information call Cornerstone Church: 541.773.8163 or email: churchinfo@cccm.org

Creation Apologetics Seminar

John Mittendorf will be leading a seminar on Creation Apologetics: A biblical approach to creation and secular science, Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9:00 a.m. - noon at First Church of the Nazarene, 1974 E. McAndrews, in Medford. No charge. For details contact Ken Meigs: 541.944.6996 or email ctw777kdm@gmail.com.

Medford Gospel Mission Christmas Eve

If you'd like to partner with the Medford Gospel Mission in providing gifts for the homeless on Christmas Eve, please check the following wish list. Just buying one item helps. Please drop off items to the Gospel Mission, 125 W. Jackson St, in Medford by Dec. 21. Please mark the items: for Christmas Eve Party.

Most needed items:

Long Johns, hand warmers, foot warmers, socks, men's wool socks, gloves (large), knit hats (large), flannel shirts (large), coats for men, women and children, neck scarves, new backpacks, blankets and hygiene products (mouthwash should be alcohol free).

For a complete list or for other ways to help, contact Debbie Hicks: 541.245.9807.

Food & Friends is Looking for Volunteers

Food & Friends provides hot, nutritious meals and a friendly visit to hundreds of seniors in Jackson and Josephine counties. Through our services, home-bound seniors are able to maintain their independence in the comfortable surroundings of their own homes.

The demand for meals is growing and home delivery drivers are needed in Rogue River. Deliveries are generally between 10 and noon. Mileage reimbursement is available.

Call Linnea at 541.734.9505 Ext 4 for more information.

In Closing...

Those who go down to the sea in ships,
Who do business on great waters;
They have seen the works of the Lord,
And His wonders in the deep.
Psalm 107:23-24

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