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December 24, 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...

December 27, 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 No Service

December 30, there will be no service, AWANA or Youth Programs. Our next Wednesday night Bible Study will be Wednesday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room.

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...

The Meaning of

the Manger of Jesus

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

In Rome there is a cathedral dedicated to the virgin-mother named Santa Maria Maggiore (in English 'Saint Mary Major').This church not only brings in Catholic pilgrims but tourists from around the world to see its central attraction: the remains of the manger of Jesus, which consist of several very ancient pieces of wood.

Having been both to this church and to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, it strikes me that Bethlehem would have been a more natural setting to house this historic relic than a church in Rome, but this is to ignore history. In the 7th century Islamic crusaders conquered the Holy Land which caused a stream of Christians to flee, many taking refuge in Rome. It was a group of Greek Christians who brought these treasured boards with them and gave it to the church for safekeeping where it has been protected under the high altar ever since.

Proving the authenticity of this is not without difficulty. First, typical mangers found around the shepherds caves of Bethlehem were made of stone not wood. Wooden mangers are more in keeping with Western European animal husbandry practices. Second, although the sycamore boards are from a tree common to Israel, the same tree is also very common in Rome. Finally, to my knowledge the boards have never been carbon dated. It is very possible under the right circumstances that a 2000 year old piece of wood could survive, and something like this certainly would have been treasured enough to be stored with great care, but even if C-14 testing were to prove it was 2000 years old, there would be nothing that would absolutely link it with Jesus.

So why bring up the manger in Rome if it is so dubious? Because so many people come to visit it and want to connect with it, true or not. Even if it isn't the actual manger of Jesus, it represents what is arguably the most famous infant bed in human history as the story of the Nativity is known the world over, even in many non-Christian lands.

So why in God's providential orchestration of the birth of His Son is He presented to the world in a manger? That was not merely by chance. St. Augustine points out that the manger is where the animals would find their food. In placing Christ Jesus there, God is setting before us to a new and different kind of nourishment.

Jesus said "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world...I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst (Jn. 6:32-35)."

The bread that truly nourishes and makes humanity whole again is Jesus Christ. His placement in the manger on that first Christmas is a call to every hungry soul that man does not live by bread alone (Mt. 4:4). As the table of God is set before us, He gives us the food and drink of eternal life, His only begotten Son. And the Spirit and the Bride say, "Come".

Wishing you a joyous Advent,

Pastor Chris

Upcoming Events

Christmas Eve Service Tonight

Bring your family for a Christmas Eve Communion service tonight, Thursday, December 24, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Worship Center. There will be a time of worship, a short teaching and Communion.

Children's Christmas Eve message in the Youth Center ages 0-3rd grade.

No Wednesday Night service December 30

There will be no Wednesday night service, AWANA or Youth Programs on December 30. Wednesday night services resume January 6.

Church Office Closure

The TCF Church Office will be closed Friday, December 25 and Friday, January 1 for our staff to enjoy Christmas and New Year's day with their families. We will reopen Monday, December 28 and Monday, January 4 at 9:00 a.m.

2016 Events

Are you interested in learning more about what God is doing through His people? Join the Global Outreach Team at Mission Connexion, January 15 -17. This is the largest gathering on the West Coast focused on expanding the Kingdom of God through the mobilization of His people. This free event will be held at Sunset Presbyterian in Beaverton, Oregon. We will carpool up and share the cost of Hotel rooms.

From Missionconnexion:

Our purpose is to connect local churches and individuals to mission so that increasing numbers of believers are actively serving in areas of the world's greatest need and opportunity. See www.missionconnexion.com for more information. Reserve your spot by calling the Church Office: 541.878.3501 or outreach@trail.org

Weekend to Remember Marriage Getaway

There is a 2 1/2 day getaway weekend planned for married couples in Sunriver, Oregon, March 4-6, 2016. To register online for this "Weekend to Remember" Marriage Getaway by Family Life click HERE. Use group name: TCFMarriageMinistry for a $100 discount. (Further discounts are available Jan. 4 -25.) Brochures are available at the Information Counter.

Questions? Call Ben and Theresa Wewerka for more information: 541.826.7489 or email theresa_wewerka@hotmail.com

Building Teamwork In Your Marriage

Join with other couples for 6 weeks of helpful discussions where you'll learn the importance of building teamwork in your marriage. Join us Thursday evenings

Jan. 14 - Feb. 18, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Learn to see your spouse as your teammate and not an opponent - growing closer and stronger in your marriage. Sign up using an Event Envelope at the Information Counter. Cost is $20 couple. Child care is available with advanced sign-up.

Questions?

Contact: Ben & Theresa Wewerka: 541.826.7489

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.

Women's Ministry

Women's Bible Study

The Friday a.m. Women's Bible Study will begin a new study on "Our Life in Christ" Fridays, starting January 15 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room. Norah Gorden will be teaching. New students only need to fill out a Registration Form at the Information Counter. The Registration fee is $12 due at the first class. Child care provided. For more information contact Christean White at 541.664.2054.

An alternate evening study begins on Thursday, January 21 at 6:00 p.m. in Eagle Point, but it is full. You may put your name on a waiting list at the Information Counter. If there's a cancellation we'll call you.

MOM's Group

The TCF MOM's Group will get together at TCF on Tuesday, January 12, 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.

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. Please note: NO breakfast on Christmas Day.

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

Global Outreach...

A Christmas Letter from TCF missionaries Jon and Sher Cadd who have served in Africa over 30 years.

Dear Friends,

As we have lately been focusing on our many blessings, the Lord has reminded us that we are among the very, very few in this world who have so much, both physically and spiritually. In this internet age it is possible for us to actually witness the suffering and poverty of people all over the world, practically as it happens. I struggle with how to respond appropriately to such overwhelming need and with how seeing daily local, as well as global, physical and spiritual poverty affects our daily lives so little. Even living rather simply here in an African village there is no denying that we are still, by world standards and statistics, very wealthy people. Why us?

I was talking to our son, Josh, the other day and I told him of an idea I had for how to actually experience the daily life of, probably, 90% of the people in the world. It went sort of like this: Leave your house in what you are wearing at this very moment. Take nothing else. Now go out into the yard and build a kids' fort out of sticks and mud, even if it is raining. IF you can talk a neighbor out of a very small tent, you can use that instead. But not one of your own. Now take ALL of the food in the house and burn it...all. No toilet. Perhaps more painful, no toilet paper. Take your whole family, including the 2 day old baby and go live in the yard...forever. Get your neighbor to shoot at you occasionally.

A week ago today a village 15 kms from us was raided by their neighbors from a militia camp, walking distance away, who came and shot their chief and a little girl and killed a pastor with a machete. They wanted food. A woman I know personally ran all night in her pajamas to get here to safety. She lost everything. Today I can see that our blessings enable us to share with her! Happily, sometimes an appropriate response is no mystery.

What an amazing God we have who loves all people so much that he chose to actually identify with poverty and suffering, living a life not too unlike my little backyard scenario and suffering terrible persecution and torture for our sakes. And what a privilege it is to be able to come here to one of the poorest parts of the world bringing modern transport, medical aid, a friendly face and good news.The people here say that our presence gives them hope. I pray that it will be an extension of the angels' message of peace and goodwill between God and men. Thank you for sending us.

Jon and Cher

More information about the work of MAF is available at www.maf.org.

Area Events & Announcements...

Help Needed

Are you a Licensed Professional counselor, LCSW, LMFT or have your Ph.D or D.Psy? Redemption Ridge Inc is seeking a compassionate individual with a heart to serve those impacted by domestic sex trafficking. Redemption Ridge is a faith-based organization committed to bringing hope and healing to those struggling with the devastating effects of sexual exploitation. Apply online at www.redemptionridge.com

Forgiven & Set Free Bible Study

The Pregnancy Center will hold an 11-week study on Wednesdays starting January 13 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. to help post-abortive women overcome depression, guilt and painful memories. The class uses Scripture to promote healing, forgiveness and hope in a confidential and non-judgmental setting. To register or for more information call the Pregnancy Center at 541.772.1921.

Register now for our Spring Semester that begins the week of January 4, 2016. Classes offered include Bible/Theology, Ministry, Art/Music, Counseling and General Studies. For a complete description of the Spring classes go to www.pacificbible.com or call 541.776.9942.

In Closing...

...the Angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:10-11

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