Welcome to this week's edition of TCFinTouch
The e-newsletter of Trail Christian Fellowship
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As followers of Jesus, we meet throughout the week for worship, prayer, Communion, Bible study and fellowship. Our overall mission can be summed up as:
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Come worship with us this Sunday at 10am. Pastor Rick Booye will continue the series on The Light of the World. Children's and Youth ministries meet at the same time in their respective locations.
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Join Pastor Travis in the Fireside Room next Wednesday evening as we begin our series through Galatians.
Service begins with worship at 6:30pm.
Children's ministries are at the same time.
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Our Sunday morning service has programs for
children and youth through 12th grade.
AWANA is for kids age 3 through 6th grade.
We meet
in the Youth Center on Wednesday nights from 6:15-8pm
Nursery and Children's Program for 0-2 years old.
Middle School and High School students meet in their respective locations.
Debbie Conley (Nursery-grade 5): 541.878.3501
Nate Bailey (High School): 541.951.6952
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Missed a message, or just want to hear it again? Visit the sermon audio archive and catch up on our studies, with the most recent sermons at the top.
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Pastoral Resolutions
Annie Dillard is a writer’s writer. She won the Pulitzer at the tender age of thirty and has published numerous award-winning works of prose and poetry. So, naturally someone asked her to create a book about the writing craft itself. The result is a tiny, deep pool of crystal-clear insights called simply
The Writing Life
. In this work, she highlights an overlooked reality which is true in every form of communication—especially pastoral and Christian communication. This is what she wrote:
“The people who read are the people who like literature after all, whatever that might be. They like, or require, what books alone have. If they want to see films that evening, they will find films. If they do not like to read, they will not. People who read are not too lazy to flip on the television; they prefer books.
I cannot imagine a sorrier pursuit than struggling for years to write a book that attempts to appeal to people who do not read in the first place.
” (emphasis mine). (Annie Dillard,
The Writing Life
, p. 19)
The same is true in all forms of endeavor. Professional football players play for football fans, not baseball fans. Concerts of any sort are for people who like a particular style of music. No apology need be made for not appealing to those who don’t like the music in the first place.
As a pastor, charged with the vocation of communicating God’s word, I occasionally find myself tempted to manufacture desire in people who, at this moment in their life, have no inclination toward God at all. Not only is this manufacturing process impossible, it is misguided. I read years ago of a minister who, in an effort to “get people into church” told his congregation that if they all brought a friend on a particular Sunday morning, and attendance reached a certain goal, he would
parachute
into the parking lot. Now there’s a guy who has lost any vestige of biblical pastoral theology, and a few gray cells to boot. For one thing, he’s more interested in the people who
aren’t
there than the ones that
are
, which is crazy-making for everybody involved. And for another, he is assuming that attendance, for whatever motive, is all that matters in church, which is the
opposite
of biblical discipleship.
The anxiety to generate or maintain enthusiasm is conspicuously absent from the Lord’s own ministry, and from that of His apostles. They assumed that there was such a thing as thirst for God, and that when they spoke and taught the truth, those with that thirst would come to receive living water (Jn.7:37-38, 10:27-30). They knew that the gospel, rightly understood, is the most relevant message on earth, and that those who don’t think so are simply out of touch with Reality. The result was that they communicated the message in every way they could think of, but they always kept the emphasis on Jesus Christ. They tirelessly proclaimed, persuaded, and sought to bring people to faith in Christ. But they didn’t over-invest themselves in the disinterested folk, altering the message to boost ratings. Dillard would say that they weren’t writing for non-readers.
God’s word only makes sense to people who are being touched in some way by the Lord Himself. Paul makes this point in 1 Cor. 2:12-14.
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing Spiritual truths in Spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are Spiritually discerned.
Paul is saying that our ministry and witness will produce fruit in a certain sort of person, the person in whom God has put a real interest, either because they are already born again, or because for the first time in their life, they are becoming aware of God’s presence in the world and their need for Him. The apostles did not chase after all the people who upon hearing the message walked away. Instead they nourished those who wanted to hear the truth. They focused on those who desired God’s word and who demonstrated this desire by showing up, rather than on those who for various reasons were peeved or bored or distracted or simply unbelieving (Acts 28:28).
All of this has shaped my personal ministry philosophy in the following five resolutions:
- I will let God do the converting as I seek to communicate His truth. I will not harp on people or nag them into loyalty to Christ or church attendance. Instead I will pray for them and try to present His word in ways that make sense to them.
- I will stop talking about God to people who have no interest. I will not manipulate them into a spiritual discussion, though I will always bring up the subject when the real opportunity presents itself.
- I will not design pastoral ministry around the desires of people who do not want to hear about Jesus Christ. I will do the best teaching I can for people of all levels of maturity, but I will not wring my hands every time a secularized person becomes distracted by the world.
- I will not cloud the real issues of the message with church jargon and lifeless platitudes. In order to reach those who are being called to Christ, I will try to strip off the varnish of church tradition when I am in their environment. I want to reach those who want Christ, not those who are simply good potential church-goers.
- I will take every opportunity, however odd it might appear, to meaningfully communicate the essentials of who Jesus is and what He has done for us all (Jn.3:16).
New Years is a time for fresh commitments, re-evaluation of attitudes, deepening of roots. It’s a great moment to re-calibrate our desires and goals. Mine are in process, just as yours might be. This is a page out of my personal journal. Perhaps it’s not exactly what you have been thinking about recently. It certainly is not all there is to say about ministry or evangelism. But I offer it in hopes that we will all develop our thirst for the Lord’s word and our confidence in His work.
Just a thought…
Pastor Rick
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Is Service Cancelled?
To get instant notification when a Service is cancelled, subscribe to TCFinTouch and a special email will be sent to you. Notifications also appear in the Church Life app, our social media, and the Church Office phone greeting.
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Evening Worship
Sunday, January 5
One hour of worship and Communion at 6:30pm in the Fireside Room. Child care available.
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Global Outreach Prayer
Monday, January 6 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Meet to pray for TCF supported partners and outreaches.
Adult Classroom. All are welcome. No child care.
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Galations: Paul's Manifesto
Wednesday, January 8
Join Pastor Travis on Wednesday evenings for a series through the book of Galatians.
6:30-8pm in the Fireside Room beginning January 8.
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Children and Youth Ministry Volunteer Meeting
This is a mandatory meeting for anyone currently volunteering with ages 0-High School, as well as those interested in doing so.
Choose either:
- Monday, Jan 6th, 6:30-8:30pm
- Saturday, Jan 11th, 9-11am
Volunteers
must
attend one meeting. Find out what is new, what is expected, and gain some valuable tools while interacting with like minded volunteers. Snacks provided. Child care is available with advanced sign-up. Space is limited, so sign up now!
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Mission ConneXion
January 17-18
Come with us to Rolling Hills Church in Tualatin for the largest outreach conference in the NW. Check out missionconnexion.org (link below). Kellen: 541.878.3501
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Mom's Group
Tuesday, January 14
Moms and moms-to-be are invited to connect with other moms and children that are in the same phase of young family life. Join us on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the school year,*
9-11am in the Youth Center Great Room. We share a brunch breakfast, teaching, and great fellowship. Children are welcome to participate, and childcare is available. Pick up a calendar in the Nursing Mom's Room.
Contact Debbie Conley for more information: 541.261.2605
*During the summer months, the Mom's group still meets at private homes.
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Single Ladies' Dinner
Monday, January 27
The Single Ladies monthly dinner is a great time to come together with our sisters in Christ and share a home cooked meal. It's a wonderful time sharing food, fun and fellowship. Held in the Fireside Room from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. No sign-up, just show up! All are welcome.
Church Office: 541.878.3501
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Women’s Bible Study
For our Spring study, Janis Rubis will teach through the Gospel of John chapters 13-21. We will meet Friday mornings starting February 7 from 9-11:30am in the Fireside Room (no meeting March 6). Cost is $10. If you’re paying with cash or check, please still register. Child care available for nursery – 6th grade.
Contact Janis Rubis for more information: 541.878.3501
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AWANA
AWANA (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed) is a global, nonprofit ministry committed to the belief that the greatest impact for Christ starts with kids who know, love, and serve Him. AWANA is for kids age 3 through 6th grade. Register in the Sunday School foyer Sunday through Thursday, or click the link below to download documents to fill out and bring in to the Children's Ministry Office. Let us help your kids and grand-kids hide God's Word in their hearts, Wednesdays at 6:15pm.
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Prayer Warriors by Email
If you would like to be a regular part of praying for the Children's Ministry and receive an email prayer letter periodically to keep up with what God is doing with the next generation, email [email protected] to get on the list. This will be a blind copy email and your email address will not be shared with others.
Debbie Conley: 541.878.3501
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Trail Life USA
Trail Life USA is a Christ-centered outdoor character development adventure program for boys and young men ages 5-17. TCF’s Trail Life troop meets every other Thursday from
6:30-8pm during the school year. For more information about the Trail Life USA organization, click
HERE
.
- For TCF’s Troop Information, and to confirm meeting times, contact Matthew Paradela: 541.625.0359
Our next meeting is Thursday, January 9 from 6:30-8pm at TCF.
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American Heritage Girls
American Heritage Girls is a faith-based character building program for girls ages 5-18. Girls learn leadership and team building skills while growing spiritually. TCF’s AHG troop meets every other Thursday from 6:30-8pm during the school year.
- For Trail Christian Fellowship Troop information and to confirm meeting times, please call Karrie Hovis at 541.951.3135 or email [email protected]
- For more details about the American Heritage Girls organization, click HERE.
Our next meeting is
Thursday, January 9
from 6:30-8pm at TCF.
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Celebrate Recovery
Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered 12-Step program that helps participants live fuller lives by breaking the chains of addiction. Join us at 6pm every Tuesday for dinner and fellowship, followed by the meeting at 6:30. Celebrate Recovery is for any and all who struggle with addiction, abuse, hurts, habits, or hangups.
If you have questions or need child care call Paige Winfrey 541.878.3501 or send an email to
[email protected]
. You can also keep up with Celebrate Recovery on our
Facebook
page.
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You are invited to start the new year with a deeper walk with Christ through
this free 4-day HeartChange workshop: Jan 2-5, 2020.
Trinity Baptist Church, 2555 Corey Rd.
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Pacific Bible College
Spring semester begins January 6. Registration is open!
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Pacific Bible College is looking for a
Spanish teacher.
541.776.9942
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Redemption Ridge is looking for Care Specialists to work directly with the girls at Grace House. This is an amazing opportunity to affect the lives of hurting teenage girls. The job is located in the upper Rogue area. For more information please call Redemption Ridge 541.816.4415 or email
[email protected]
.
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If you've been hunting for small group fellowship and Bible study, check our website. There's no better opportunity to reach out and connect with brothers and sisters. Pastor Travis: 541.878.3501 or [email protected]
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Thank you for visiting TCFinTouch
the weekly e-newsletter of
Trail Christian Fellowship
18881 Hwy 62
Eagle Point OR 97524
Church Office Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
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