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July 21, 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 24 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 27, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room for our Through-the-Bible study. Pastor Chris will be teaching from John, Chapter 11. 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 Eight "I am" Statements of Jesus

Part 1

"I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."

John 6:35

We are born hungry and thirsty. For most of us, the first thing we do upon arrival to this world is take nourishment from our mother and it continues on from there. According to the UK Express News, the average person eats 35 tons of food in their lifetimes. Just to put that number in perspective, that is the equivalent to eating a fully grown female humpback whale (bones and all) or just over 93,000 cans of Spam (which might be tastier than a whale). Any way you look at it, we require a lot of nourishment to stay alive.

We humans have an odd affliction that is not shared by other living creatures. Rarely do animals eat far beyond what is necessary to keep them alive. Now this could be due to the fact that, not having such things as hands, or kitchens for that matter, a bear or an octopus is at a serious disadvantage when it comes to whipping up a batch of brownies or microwaving a plate of nachos. But it could also simply be that not having a fallen nature as we do, their appetites are less likely to run amok. Unfortunately, we can have an exaggerated appetite when we are stressed out or anxious or we can struggle to have any appetite at all when we are depressed or emotionally hurting. Another problem is confusing hunger and thirst. Many of us think we are hungry when we really just need a glass of water. We are hungry but we are often confused by the hunger we feel.

When Jesus said "I am the bread of life" He was referring to a situation far different from our own in modern America. He said this in the context of the miracle feeding of the 5,000 in Galilee. At the time people experienced far more food scarcity and often found themselves in hunger. Obesity, a common problem in our culture, was only an affliction of the very rich in Jesus' day. The people were delighted to have the loaves and fishes and were following Jesus in hopes He would produce another round for them.

Jesus came back to them and said He had a food even greater that this because it produces eternal life and satisfies far beyond the loaves and the fishes. Puzzled by these words, they said to Jesus, could this be better than the bread (manna) that God provided Israel in the wilderness? Jesus uses that miracle to point to Himself. The provision of bread in the wilderness wanderings that fell fresh every morning and miraculously sustained their lives points to the greater work the Father would do in sending His only-begotten Son. Just as our bodies need nourishment to live, our souls need sustenance if they are to survive as well.

Hungry souls reach out for all sorts of things in this world that they think will satisfy them and bring them life. But they don't satisfy for long and are often actually more toxic than life-giving. The Lord says He is the true food for our souls and only His food is able to give us eternal life.

Is your soul feeling hungry friend? Perhaps you have been eating the wrong food or even starving your soul. Come and feast on Jesus' words, partake of the freedom and forgiveness of His Cross, drink from the well of the Holy Spirit (John 6:37-39). This is the food that comes to us in the wilderness of this world when we trust that Jesus is truly the son of God and the Savior our soul so desperately needs. To him who eats in faith will come the deep and complete satisfaction of eternal life. Jesus is the bread of life.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Chris

Upcoming Events

Church Office Closed Today

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

Global Outreach Prayer

Come together with others to pray for TCF's Global Outreach Partners and ministries, Monday, August 1 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in Eagle Point. Call Kelly for directions or questions: 541.878.3501 or globaloutreach@trail.org

Save the Date

A Child Advocacy Training, Darkness into Light, will be held Monday, August 15, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at TCF. More details will be available next week.

Our next Baptism and Potluck Dinner will be held Sunday, August 21. The Potluck Dinner will be held at 5:30 p.m., please bring a dish to share for 8-10 people. The Baptism will follow at 6:30 p.m. along with worship and Communion at the Baptismal behind the Church Office. If you want to be Baptized, please pick up a loaner CD at the Willingheart Window. You may also listen on line HERE.

Call the Church Office for any further questions: 541.878.3501. or email information@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

Only 3 spots left! The Men's Pack Trip sign ups continue this Sunday, July 24. 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

High School Camp

Hey High Schoolers! Don't miss a great Summer Trip! August 18-21, for those 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...

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.

Fall Semester classes will begin the week of August 29 and end the week of December 9. Pick up a flyer with a listing of all the classes offered at the Information Counter. There are many exciting classes in Bible/Theology, Psychology, and General Studies. Don't delay as classes fill up quickly! Call 541.776.9942 or check pacificbible.com.

In Closing...

..You know me, O Lord;

You see me;

And You examine my heart's

attitude toward You.

Jeremiah 12:3

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