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April 7, 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 10 our Sunday Service will be held in the Worship Center from 10:00-11:30 a.m. Pastor Matt 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 13, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. for the Children of the World Concert in the Worship Center. (See more below). Bible Study will resume the following Wednesday, April 20, 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 morning and Wednesday evening teachings for free.

From our Pastors...

Providence, Choice, and the Future

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Psalm 139:16

One of the personality differences I have noticed among many couples is their viewpoint towards planning and schedules. One person will find the order of a planned out day to be liberating while the other will find it confining, preferring instead the spontaneity of leaving many options open. I tend towards being a planner but have also experimented with spontaneity (technically, I believe you would call this 'planned spontaneity') and have found it did not produce the level of chaos I was certain was going to ensue. But here is a question I have often wondered about: How much freedom do we actually have in our daily lives (for planning or spontaneity) anyway?

According to Psalm 139, God knew us before we were born and planned the scope and span of our lives. They were written in His 'Book of Life'. But does that mean everything that happens within those days is pre-planned and pre-ordered? Some would say that this means everything is kismet or 'fated by God.' However, if this be the case, why would God hold anyone morally culpable for their actions?

I believe this passage certainly indicates the idea of meticulous providence or that God plans the very details of our lives. But we must not forget that there are plenty of other Scriptures in which human choices are called to be made. We are to choose to serve the Lord, choose life, choose good over evil and when we choose evil, we are to make the choice to repent. However, verses like John 15:16 and Ephesians 1:4 unequivocally tell us that God's choice of us precedes any choice we may make to follow Him. I don't think providence and human choices are irreconcilable positions at all. Choices are real and consequential in our present lives and eternity. For choices to be merely an illusion seems quite out of sorts with the calling of Christ. His call is for disciples not automotons. In light of this, it seems more likely that our choosing and choices are baked into God's providential plan. We are moving towards God's pre-planned destiny which is, in some part, shaped by our choices.

But to end with an answer to this question alone is to miss an important point. The psalmist who wrote psalm 139:16 is singing the praises of God when he considers that his life was planned so thoroughly before he was born. Certainly he was praising the power and creative mind of God whose very thoughts call all things into reality, but there is also a great comfort here we should not miss. None of us knows our future. We have no idea what tomorrow may bring. It might be delightful or dreadful. When it comes to our future, uncertainty is our only certainty. If you would have asked me in the year 2000 what I thought my life would look like today, the answer I would have given then is only remarkable in its utter inaccuracy. Next to nothing in my life is as I would have planned it and there have been some very hard things come my way that I absolutely didn't think would or could happen to me. I'll bet the same is true in your life too. But I also don't think you or me would have found much comfort or assurance if we would have known how things were going to turn out either!

Our peace and comfort lies in the fact that every day before us is a day the Lord has planned for us. If He planned it, He will be present and so will His provision of future grace. God created every day you have for you, but they are created for His glory and it is His glory to care for each of His saints.

Trusting in His future grace,

Pastor Chris

Upcoming Events

Personality Differences Workshop this Saturday!

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. Sign up by calling the Church Office and indicate child care needs (age 5 years-5th grade.) No charge, but space is limited. Refreshments will be served. For more information call 541.878.3501 or email billg@trail.org

This Sunday, April 10, 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

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

Night of Enormous Praise

Every third Sunday night we turn up the volume of an hour of worship, Communion, devotion and fellowship. Join us April 17 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Worship Center. No child care. Questions? Call Dakota: 541.951.1100

Baptism

If you have not been Baptized, please note we will be holding a Baptism Sunday, April 24 in the NEW Baptismal behind the Church Office. Stop by the Willingheart Window in the foyer and ask for a loaner CD on Baptism, or listen online HERE. Further questions, call 541.878.3501.

National Day of Prayer

Join Pastor Chris White on Thursday, May 5 from noon-1:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room for an hour of prayer for our nation. Church Office: 541.878.3501.

TCF Family Camp

Everyone is invited to attend TCF's Family Camp at Camp Apserkaha, Memorial Day weekend, May 27-30. Rustic cabins, tents and RV sites are available. Space is very limited. Pick up a brochure at the Information Counter or in the Youth Center. Questions, call Debbie Conley at 541.261.2605 or Rosita Redd 541.218.5507

Women's Ministry

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? Norah Gorden: 541.878.2549

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.

Single Women's Dinner

Single ladies of all ages are invited to attend a home-cooked dinner Monday, April 25 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Sign up at the Information Counter, no charge, child care with sign up.

Youth Ministry

Grand Prix

All ages welcome! Kids from newborn to age 85...Come join AWANA for an old fashioned Pinewood Derby, Sunday, May 22, following church. Awana will provide a hot dog lunch in the Pavilion, then head up to the Youth Center for the race. Car kits go on sale Wednesday, April 20 and each Wednesday and Sunday through May 4. Final car check-in for participants is May 18 from 6 - 8 p.m. in the Youth Center. Questions, call Aaron Bradley 541.210.1057

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

Last Sunday to Sign Up!!

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 SUNDAY, 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...

Green Thumb Ministry

Come out and enjoy the beautiful weather while you help with cleaning up and refreshing the landscape beds around Trail Fellowship. It takes many willing hands to keep our grounds beautiful.

Call Celia at 541.890.6560 or email cwann@trail.org or call the Church Office: 541.878.3501

Live Nativity

If you'd like to be a part of the Rogue Valley live Nativity in December, please read the flyer in Sunday's Bulletin.

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!

If you're looking for a way get to know people and to help those in our community, here's an excellent opportunity.

Food & Friends provides hot, nutritious meals and a friendly visit to hundreds of seniors in Jackson and Josephine counties. Through our services, homebound 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 Eagle Point and White City. Deliveries are generally between 10 and noon. Mileage reimbursement is available.

For more information call Linnea at 541.734.9505 Ext. 4

In Closing...

For You, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon You.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
listen to my plea for grace.
In the day of my trouble I call upon You,
for You answer me.

There is none like You among the gods,

O Lord, nor are there any works like Yours.

Psalm 86:5-8

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