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March 31, 2016

Welcome

to this week's edition of

TCFinTouch

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

photo: Nate Bidwell

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...

April 3 our Sunday Service will be held in the Worship Center from 10:00-11:30 a.m. Pastor Bill 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, April 6, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. for Bible Study in the Fireside Room. Pastor Garret will be teaching. Youth programs 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 morning and Wednesday evening teachings for free.

From our Pastors...

Hemmed In by God

You hem me in, behind and before, and lay Your hand upon me.

Psalm 139:5

The language used by the Psalmist in this verse is suggestive of an animal confinement. Shepherds would sometimes stack up rock walls to shelter themselves and their flocks from wind and weather. Being hemmed in was a positive thing. It promoted security and well-being. God hems us in for the very same purpose. Sometimes those walls are quite literal. I've known several saints whose personal lives were rapidly deteriorating because of their drinking and/or drug habits and the Lord made sure they were put behind bars for their own good. This was not my assessment, but their own. It was a sobering experience both literally and figuratively but they knew God confined them to save them from harm.

Maybe less dramatic, but certainly just as real, are the constraining circumstances we experience in our lives. Perhaps you've had a job promotion that never materialized or a love that went unrequited. Maybe a physical condition prevented you from entering the military or a business partnership that went south. Almost everyone has experienced something like this and in the moment it seems as if the road to happiness has been barricaded off to us. It seems like a defeat or loss emotionally. However, the spiritual reality is just the opposite. God is graciously blocking you from taking a detour from or even exiting the road to happiness.

God's constraints upon our lives are for a purpose because we are a people of destiny. He is guiding us and shaping us that we will fully become a son or daughter with a Christ-like heart (1 John 3:2). God's hemming in of our lives is part of His wonderful leadership guided by love and wisdom. We should praise the Lord for all His blessings and perhaps especially for the ones that didn't come our way.

Grateful to a loving Father who knows what I really want is not always what I really need!

Pastor Chris

Upcoming Events

Great Commandment Festival

Meet representatives from local outreaches this Sunday, April 3 after church in the foyer. TCF is connected with many local outreaches, learn more about them and how you might get involved.

Starting Sunday, April 3, Oregon Voter Registration forms will be available for those who haven't registered, have moved or need to make an update. Visit the Ministry Connect Window this Sunday and speak with Phyllis Fletcher or call Jackson County Elections:

541.774.6148

Marriage Ministry Small Group Study

Sign up now for our next small group study, Growing Together In Christ, Thursday nights, April 7-May 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Six weeks of small-group discussions will cover the power of prayer in marriage, following Christ together, and having a spiritual influence on those around you. Sign up at the Information Counter using an Event Envelope, enclose $20 per couple and indicate child care needs. Space is limited. Contact Ben & Theresa Wewerka for more info at 541.826.7489.

Personality Differences Workshop

Pastor Bill Gallagher will be leading a fun and informative workshop on the variety of personality types God has created: organized, impulsive, busy, easy-going etc. on Saturday, April 9, from 9 a.m.-noon in the Fireside Room. We'll look at biblical examples and give you hands-on suggestions and tools for the workplace and home. Pick up a flyer and sign up at the Information Counter and indicate child care needs (up to 5th grade.) No charge, but space is limited. Refreshments will be served. For more information call 541.878.3501 or email billg@trail.org

Children of the World Choir Concert

Bring family and friends to enjoy the Children of the World Choir in the Worship Center Wednesday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m. This promises to be a spectacular evening

and experience of music, dance, and creative media with children from Nepal, Uganda, Philippines and Honduras. No child care. No charge but a Love Offering will be taken.

Also: we are in need of a family to house a couple of the children, if you're interested, please contact Debbie Conley: 541.878.3501 or email: debbie@trail.org

Baby Dedication

There is one spot left for the next Baby Dedication to be held Sunday, April 24. Please fill out the Baby Dedication form at the Information Counter and drop it in the Drop Box, or call Jacki at 541.878.3501 or email jacki@trail.org

Women's Ministry

Fight Like a Girl Women's Conference

TCF ladies are invited to attend a valley-wide Women's Conference, "Fight Like a Girl" on April 1-3 at Path Church in Central Point. Cost is $45. For more information and to Register call 541.664.3353

So. Or. Women of the Word

Women's Conference

SOWOW's 2016 Conference will be held April 22-23 at Community Bible Church, 500 N. 10th St., in Central Point. Kim Meeder of Crystal Peak Youth Ranch will be the guest speaker. Cost is $50. Questions? 541.659.1138

Ladies Bible Study

The Friday Women's Bible Study normally meets from 9-11 a.m. Our topic is "Our Life in Christ" taught by Norah Gorden, cost is $12. Child care is provided. Questions? Christean White: 541.664.2054

MOM's Group

The TCF MOM's Group will get together at TCF on Tuesday, April 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 or call Cyndi Harrington: 541.826.9415.

Youth Ministry

Investors Needed

Awana Helpers are needed on Wednesday nights from 6:15 to 8:00 p.m. Invest in a child's life by listening to them recite Bible verses. "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.." Mark 10:45 For more information contact Aaron Bradley at 541.210.1057

Men's Ministry

Men's Retreat

Only 2 Sundays left!

to sign up at the Information Counter for this year's weekend retreat at Lake Bradley that will be held April 15-17. You can sign up using an Event Envelope or online HERE. $20 discount ends April 10. Pick up a brochure with all the details. Questions? Contact Pablito: 949.246.9615

Being God's Man...in Leading a Family

Our next Men's Study: Being God's Man in Leading a Family, will help you accept your calling and experience God's blessing as the spiritual leader to your wife and children. We'll meet Thursday nights begining April 21 for 10 weeks at 6:30 p.m. at the Campus Life Center on Main St. in Eagle Point. There will be a guest appearance by Pastor Rick. Sign up at the Information Counter using an Event Envelope and enclose $8.

Questions? Call 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

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 Visit us on Facebook: Click Here

Area Events & TCF Messages...

Worship Center Food and Drink Reminder

Please contribute to the cleanliness of our Worship Center by leaving food and drinks outside, with the exception of water, which is fine to bring in. Thank you for helping!

In Closing...

Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."

Luke 24:45-49

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