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June 23, 2016

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...

June 26 our Sunday Service will be held outdoors in the Pavilion area behind the church from 10:00-11:30 a.m. Pastor Rick will be teaching. See below for details. 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, June 29, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room for our Through-the-Bible study. Pastor Bill will be teaching from the Book of John. Programs for youth age Nursery-4 year-olds in Room 2, age 5-5th grade meet for Dog Days (see details below in Youth section), Middle School and Teens meet at this same time in their respective 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 morning and Wednesday evening teachings for free.

From Our Pastors

"Finishing Well, Part One"
(A Two-Part Study in 2 Timothy 4)

"...The time for my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith....." II Timothy 4:6-8:9

"You don't pay off on the drive." This is a golfing term from yesteryear that suggests it doesn't matter how well you begin the game, but how well you finish.

In these few verses, the Apostle Paul gives us a look through the window of his soul in his final hours of life on this side of heaven. His last inspired letter, or memoir, to Timothy drips with emotion, reality and hope. Paul knows his time is short. Of course, history tells us that it was shortly after this final communique with Timothy that Nero beheaded him in 64 A.D.

And so, we can glean some insight from Paul on how to finish well. Some may see his final hour as one of defeat, weakness and failure. He goes on to say that, at his first defense or trial, everyone deserted him. He speaks of Alexander, the metal worker, doing him a great deal of harm. He then asks for Timothy to visit him and bring him his parchments and cloak, because he is cold, and winter is coming on; hardly a picture of victory by all outward appearances.

However, Paul doesn't see it that way, and neither does Christ; nor should we who bear the name of Jesus. First of all, he says his departure was at hand. This is mariner terminology that suggests his pending death is not final. It pictures the cutting of ropes away from a dock to sail to another destination. Paul had all of the hope and confidence he needed. He knew that to leave this rickety harbor on earth was just to dock at the glorious harbor of Paradise.

He then uses phraseology that implies his life has been very difficult, yet victorious: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." A fight, a race, and a clutching of the faith; I see imagery of real hard living in the Lord. I smell sweat, I see exhaustion, I hear sounds of tears and singing. In spite of Paul's endless trials and hardship, with a great sigh of relief, he crosses the finish line, finishes his bout, and rests on the fact that Jesus has helped him hang on to his faith to the end.

How hard is your life? Are you finishing well? Chuck Swindoll says we get through the storms of our 30's so we can go through the hurricanes of our 60's.

It's never too late to recommit to Christ, and repent. We are always a breath away to reignite our faith. Yesterday had a huge consequential impact on our lives, yet, from God's perspective, what is most important is how we end in the tomorrows of our life of faith.

I witnessed a very powerful example of this on Wide World of Sports in the 80's. The event was a triathlon. The race began with a 2.5 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bike race, and ended with a 26.2 mile marathon.

The world was mesmerized as a single mother of four, who only entered the heat to say she could do it, found that she was leading all of the women approaching the finish line. About 50 yards away from the line she collapsed to the ground, and with wobbly knees stood to her feet to stumble a few more yards. Again, she fell to the dirt and tried to get up. She then began crawling toward the finish line. In the meantime, the female athlete who was supposed to win passed her and broke the tape. Nobody cared, the camera didn't move. With tears the world watched this single mother crawl across the finish line.

I believe her life was hard as a single mother of four children. However, that single moment eclipsed all of the hard days of her life because she finished well. Is your life hard? Are you crawling toward the line? You are not alone. Many in the faith crawl with you.

Finish well, don't give up. It will be worth it all!

"....Now there is laid up for me the crown (victory wreath) of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing."

Pastor Bill

Upcoming Events

Baby Bottles

If you took a Baby Bottle to fill with change, please remember to turn it in as soon as possible! This is the Pregnancy Center's biggest fundraiser of the year and each bottle counts. Even if the bottle is not full, please bring it back, it costs TPC a lot for the bottles. 541.772.1921

baptism Baptism

If you have not been Baptized you have an opportunity to partake of this sacrament. This Sunday, June 26 there will a Baptism right after service in the new Baptismal behind the Church Office. Listen online HERE and speak with a Pastor or Prayer Team member on Sunday before being Baptized.

Church Office: 541.878.3501

Outdoor Sunday Service this Sunday!

Come outside and worship with your Church Family under the open sky! This year's outdoor services are scheduled for this Sunday, June 26, July 31, and August 28 (weather permitting). In case of bad weather, service will be held indoors. Lunch will be served after service for a small donation. No indoor seating. If you'd like to volunteer for set up or help with the lunches, contact Jacki: 541.878.3501 or jacki@trail.org

North Africa Trip Sharing

Pastors Rick, Chris and Kelly will be sharing photos and stories from their spring trip to North Africa and Cyprus, Sunday, June 26 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Please bring a dessert to share at the potluck following the presentation. No charge, no child care.

All Church Hike

Saturday, July 2, we'll meet at TCF at 8:00 a.m. to car pool. We'll hike from Woodruff Bridge to Natural Bridge along the Rogue River trail, then back to Woodruff Bridge. It'll take about 3-4 hours round trip. If you only want to hike one way to Natural Bridge, we can have a car shuttle you back to Woodruff Bridge.
Bring snacks, water bottles, bug spray, camera, First Aid kit and comfy shoes.

This is a pretty easy to moderate hike with some minor inclines on a well-established trail system. The views are great and temperatures will be cool along the river during the early part of the day with old growth timber providing shade and the river breeze.

Questions? Call Terry Birch 541.944.3767

Women's Ministry

Save the Date

The Ladies Camp Out will be July 29-31 at Lake of the Woods. Space limited to 18. Signups begin June 26, and will not be accepted sooner.

Janice Cantore: 541.727.6041.

Men's Ministry

Save the date! July 29-31, Men's Pack Trip

Guys, mark your calendar if you want to be a part of the 2016 Pack Trip. We'll back pack into the Marble Mountains in Northern California. All details are to be announced, no advanced reservations. Sign-ups begin July 3 and attendance will be limited to 25 men. Questions? Dave Facciuto: 541.773.9550

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

Youth Ministry

Summer Camp

Sign ups for Kid's Summer Camp close June 26.

Camp Wonder is for kids age 5-10 and is held in the Pavilion at TCF June 27-June 29.

Camp Mahanaim is for kids age 8 through 6th grade and will be held at Camp Apserkaha on Howard Prairie lake, July 8-10.

Pick up a flyer with prices and details at the Outdoor Office or in the Youth Center. You can download or fill out the forms online at www.trail.org, click on the rolling banner for Camp Wonder and/or Camp Mahanaim.

Debbie Conley: 541.878.3501

Jr. High Summer Camp August 2-7

at Creation Fest

Pick up a flyer with details and register in the Youth Center or online: www.trail.org, click on the Jr. High Camp slide. For kids going into 7th-9th grades. Six days of camping, worship, praise and fun! Sign up by July 17 as there is limited space. Questions? Dakota: 541.951.1100

Dog Days means Summer Fun!

Wednesdays, May 18 - September 7, Children's Ministry features Dog Days of Summer for kids 5 years - 5th grade (6:15- 8:00 p.m.) beginning with a hot dog meal. Check-in at the Youth Center. Regular childcare for 0 - 4 years available in Room 2. Pick up a flyer at the Information Counter or in the Children's Ministry office for more details. Debbie Conley: 541.878.3501 or Debbie@trail.org

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...

Sanctuary Food and Drink Reminder

Just a friendly reminder that water is the only beverage that can be brought into the Worship Center Sanctuary. Please do not bring any kind of food, coffee, tea, soda or juices. Many thanks!

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...

How blessed is the one whom You
choose and bring near to You
to dwell in Your courts.
We will be satisfied with the goodness
of Your house, Your holy temple.

Psalm 65:4

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