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December 31, 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...

January 3, 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.

Wednesday Service

Join us next Wednesday, January 6 from 6:30-8:00 p.m for Bible Study in the Fireside Room. Pastor Rick will be teaching from Psalm 1. Youth programs and AWANA will be held in their respective classrooms at the same time.

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...

Leaving the past, in the past

Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions. Ecclesiastes 7:10

Have you ever wondered why God didn't put eyes in the back of our head? Or why our feet are shaped with toes in the front rather than facing the back of the foot? Maybe it's a humorous reminder from our Maker that He wants us be more about moving forward rather than looking back. Maybe the Lord knew that we can only advance in His will if we are forging into the future. Notice we can't do both at the same time. Either we are moving ahead or returning to what was. I love the way Ecclesiastes puts it,

"Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions. So analyze this with me. Why isn't it wise to question why the good old days were better than the ones we are in?

Here are the reasons that come to my mind:

* We can't bring the old days with us into the new.

* It keeps us stuck reliving and dreaming about what was rather than what could be.

* We can't move ahead and embrace the new opportunities while fixated on the" old better days".

* There are missed opportunities in the future because we can only see the irreplaceable wonder of the past.

* The enemy of our souls can plant a seed of bitterness and discontentment in our mind about what we don't have or used to have.

* Our faith stops growing and is eclipsed by what God did 20-30-40 years ago.

* We lose the child-like sparkle that comes from watching what the Lord can do next for our good and His purpose.

* And focusing on the past prevents us from enjoying what we have right now.

I'll never forget that shortly after I came to Christ, 40 years ago (hmmm), that a good friend of mine noticed that my clothing and hair style was a little out dated and reminiscent of my "good old days." He gently, yet humorously told me that flared bell bottoms were no longer in and I definitely needed to shave my sideburns.

It's just interesting to me that we can all stay stuck with traces of what was, but the God of the universe consistently calls us to follow Him to discover the wonders of His purposes for our future. Our life of faith pushes us to trust in God's provision and plan for what is yet to come for, "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen." Hebrews 11:1

Perhaps the only joys you find yourself thinking about are the memories of yesteryear. Maybe you feel stuck in a stale place in your marriage today. Perhaps you are retired and feel your purpose for living is over. Maybe you feel that God no longer hears the deepest cries from your heart. You may have even started to feel cynical toward people or toward life in general. Whatever the case, God is not done with you yet or you would be in Heaven.

Listen to some sage advice from our fathers of the faith about moving on:

* Of Samuel's loss of his prot�g�, King Saul, "Samuel, How long will you mourn for Saul since I have rejected him as king? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way;"

I Samuel 16:1.

* Of the Apostle Paul's self-confidence in his past accomplishments, "...forgetting what lies behind and straining towards what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13,14

* Of Joshua preparing God's people to enter the Promised Land, "Keep your eye on the ark before you, for you have never been this way before." Joshua 3:4

* Of Paul facing his pending execution, "I have fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. Now there is in store for me a crown of righteousness..."

II Timothy 4:6-9

* Of Jesus facing the cross, "...Let us run the race of endurance that is set before us looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross..." Hebrews 12: 1,2

Look my friends, the only good that comes out of the past are cherished memories that need to be framed in the walls of our mind and home, and the faithfulness of God who has walked with us through all of them.

So let's embrace this New Year, trust God to do great, new things in our life, and believe that He will walk ever so closely with us through the joys and losses of 2016 and stop asking why the old days were better than these.

Happy New Year!

Pastor Bill

Upcoming Events

Church Office Closure

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

Start the New Year with an evening of Communion and worship Sunday, January 3 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Child care is provided.

Global Outreach

Meet with others to pray for TCF partners and outreaches Monday, January 4, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Kelly's home.

Kelly: 541.878.3501

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

Being God's Man Bible Study

All men are encouraged to attend our 9-week study "Being God's Man in the Face of Temptation, January 21-March 17.

All men are tempted to compromise. But not all men do. Some have learned the secret of being undivided between what they believe and how they actually think and live.

We'll meet Thursday nights from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Eagle Point Campus Life Building. Register at the Information Counter using an Event Envelope, enclose $8 then or pay at the first class. You are welcome to come January 21 and sign up and pay then. Registration closes Jan. 21 or when all the books are taken. Questions? Pablito: 949.246.9615 or email: pablito@trail.org.

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. Yes we will have Breakfast on January 1.

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...

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...

...though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Philippians 2:6-7

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