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July 14, 2016

Welcome

to this week's edition of

TCFinTouch

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

photo: Shahala Bruce

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...

July 17 our Sunday Service will be held in the air conditioned 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, July 20, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room for our Through-the-Bible study. Pastor Matt will be teaching from John, Chapter 10. 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

The Scariest Thing in the Universe

Let's talk about the scariest thing in the universe. No, not meteors headed for earth, nor aliens or zombies...no, not even the coming presidential election! I mean the thing Pharaoh encountered in the process of his "heart-hardening" against the people of God (Exodus 4-14). Even though God promises to harden Pharaoh's heart in Exodus 4:21, He doesn't actually get around to it until 9:12. In the meantime, Pharaoh's heart is hardened several times...by Pharaoh himself! (8:15) Therein lies our first clue.

Scant weeks later, miraculously rescued from the wrath of Pharaoh and freshly bound in covenant relationship to the living God of Abraham, the people of Israel balk at entering the land God prepared for them, weeping and wailing and digging in their heels, refusing to trust the providence and protection promised them by God. But for the hasty intercession of Moses, Israel might have ceased to exist then and there in the fury of God's anger. But they are spared annihilation, condemned instead to wander 40 years in the desert, finding death in the wasteland instead of life in the Promised Land (Numbers 14).

Perhaps the picture is beginning to become clear now. Fast forward about 15 centuries to the North shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus has just fed the 5,000 (probably more like 10-15,000 counting moms and kids) and is speaking to a fractious crowd of "groupies" impatiently pressing for more, especially that He might grab the throne and toss the Romans out on their ear. But He's having none of that and proceeds to carefully explain just how different His plan is from theirs.

"I am the bread of life...the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread he shall live forever; and the bread I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh" (John 6:48, 51). Totally misreading His meaning, the "groupies" are grossed out by the implied cannibalism (esp in light of Leviticus 17:10-14!). But instead of clarifying the allusion and explaining more clearly, Jesus turns up the heat; "...he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood...shall live because of me" (John 6:56-57). Whoa dude...brutal! !! The "wannabes" throw up their hands in disgust and stomp off in a huff.

Jesus turns to His chosen men and asks "You don't want to go away too, do you?", and Peter answers for them all "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life". Don't you just love that guy? For in that moment, is revealed the scariest thing in the universe; the simple fact that God honors human choices. Even more to the point, God honors the true motives that lie beneath the choices we make.

Peter and the guys were certainly as appalled and mystified and distressed with Jesus' words as the disgruntled Jews were but they had already chosen; "We have believed and come to know that you are the Holy One of God." Eleven of them were not deterred by their own lack of understanding. Judas and the "groupies" however were only looking for evidence to bolster their own ideas and Jesus obliged them with "evidence" that only a faithful heart could withstand and get past.

As a pastor I often encounter people seeking evidence and proofs: reliability of Scripture, reality of the resurrection, the true divinity of Jesus, you name it. I tell them it all depends on what you're looking for. If you're really looking for an excuse not to believe, the Lord will provide you with an abundance! There's no shortage of mysteries, uncertainties and gaps in our knowledge of God. The danger lies in the fact that many people consciously (or not) seek those things out as a justification for not believing. My counsel will do you no good in that case. You've already chosen what to look for.

The only safety lies in seeking the absolute bedrock of truth with the trust of a child. That person will find the truth...in the person of Jesus Christ. For God has promised "Ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find, and to him who knocks, it shall be opened" (Matt 7:7).

Just remember to be careful what you ask for...because the scariest thing in the universe is that God will give you what you're really looking for, He will honor your choice. Be sure you know what you really want before you go seeking.

Good hunting,

Pastor Matt

Upcoming Events

Night of Worship this Sunday

Join us for an hour of Enormous Praise, Communion, and a brief teaching this Sunday, July 17, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Worship Center. The sound will be turned up! Dakota: 541.951.1100

Church Office Closed

The TCF Office will be closed Thursday, July 21, for a staff event. We will reopen Friday, July 22, at 9:00 a.m.

Crater Lake Hike and BBQ

There'll be 2 hikes on Saturday, July 23: the first is to the water at the boat ramp.

Following that we'll have a BBQ hot dog lunch (Hot dogs, buns and condiments provided). Bring a side dish to share.

The 2nd hike will be to Watchman Look Out that overlooks Wizard Island. Each hike takes about 1 � hours and both take some effort. It's a 3-4 level of difficulty due to elevation change and thin air. You can swim in Crater Lake but it's very, very cold! It'll be a hike you'll never forget - the views are unbelievable with the majesty of it all.

Meet at TCF at 7:30 a.m. and return about 4 p.m. Please call Terry Birch: 541.944.3767 if you're going to have lunch or have any questions.

photo: Maura Lolandi

Upcoming Outdoor Sunday Services

Come outside and worship with your Church Family under the open sky! This year's outdoor services are scheduled for Sunday, 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

Women's Ministry

Ladies Camp Out

This Camp is full. There is a waiting list at the Information Counter in case someone cancels. Questions? Janice Cantore: 541.727.6041.

Ladies Fall Retreat Oct. 7-9

The Ladies Fall Retreat sign ups have begun! You can register at the Information Counter or online.
Pick up or download a brochure with registration information, cost is $120 through August 28. We will be returning to Camp Bradley and our guest speaker will be Michelle E. Caswell.
Questions? Denise Green: 541.664.9871

Men's Ministry

Men's Pack Trip

The Men's Pack Trip sign ups continue this Sunday, July 10. This year's pack trip will be to the Marble Mountains in Northern Calif. We'll use pack animals to carry some gear for our 6 mile walk (modest elevation gain). Enjoy worship and fellowship in God's creation. For directions and items needed, pick up a flyer. Cost is $40 per person (includes food and water) using an Event Envelope.

Space is limited to 25 guys who register and pay, no reservations.

Questions? Bary Kaiser: 541.821.2259 or 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

Jr. High Summer Camp August 2-7

at Creation Fest

This Sunday, July 17, is the last day to sign up! 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! Space is limited. Questions? Dakota: 541.951.1100

High School Camp August 18-21, for kids who have just completed grades 9-12, we'll be going on a Klamath/High Mountain tour. Sign up in the Teen Room. Nate Bailey: 541.951.6952

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...

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

Green Bag Day is August 7

We are collecting the Green Bags full of non-perishable food on Sunday, August 7. If you participate, leave your filled bag at the food pantry box near the Information Counter and take a new bag. Pick up a flyer there for more information. The next collection day will be on Oct. 2. These food donations are distributed to families in the Upper Rogue at the Access Food Pantry held weekly at St. John's Lutheran Church. Volunteers are needed to distribute this food every 2nd Wednesday of the month from 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Call Pastor Matt: 541.878.3501 if you can help.

In Closing...

May God arise, may His enemies be scattered;
may His foes flee before Him.
May You blow them away like smoke,
as wax melts before the fire,
may the wicked perish before God.

Psalm 68:1-2

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