Welcome to TCFinTouch!
The e-newsletter of
Trail Christian Fellowship
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Don't forget the new Service time and venue! |
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Sundays at 9am in the Outdoor Sanctuary
Children and Youth Ministries Available
Service is Simulcast to the Indoor Worship Center
Service is Livestreamed on trail.org, YouTube, and Facebook
Communion will be served this Sunday, July 11
Wednesdays at 6:30pm in Baptismal Courtyard
Children and Youth Ministries Available
Service is Simulcast to the Indoor Fireside Room*
Service is Livestreamed on trail.org, YouTube, and Facebook
Communion will be served this Wednesday, June 23
*Masks are required for indoor venues
*Please join the TCF family online if you are not feeling well
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The Parable of the Fish
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 13:47-50
Once there was a civilization of fish. It was not a bad life really. Swimming came naturally. The watery environment supplied all that was necessary to fishness and the fish adapted to the temperature of their world. There were big fish and little fish, fat fish and skinny fish, good fish and bad fish. They were generally busy with survival, but survival was not impossible and it was all they had ever known. They gathered in schools and learned from each other about being fish. They had fish meetings, lived in fish families, planned fish careers.
Life as a fish did have its risks. The only way to grow was to eat other, smaller fish, which was a serious drawback as long as you were little, but became easier the bigger you got. The large and wise old fish felt it was equitable and the small, young fish didn't get to vote. There were no small old fish.
Occasionally, certain fish of a particular sort would speak about what they called "Life Above". You see, the fish universe stopped at a clearly marked border overhead, known as the Eternal Plane. No one knew for sure what it was or how it had arrived, but it had always been there and above that point it was known that no fish could survive. Sometimes fish died of natural causes and floated upward to this plane where they just drifted away. The whole situation presented the fish world with a perplexing question--what's up there?
The ones who spoke of these issues held that there was some form of life "up there" which was larger and more powerful, somehow more "real". They taught that there was a whole world out of reach to fish in their natural state, inhabited by creatures radically different from anything the fish had ever known. It was said by some fish, who seemed to know, that someday all fish would be drawn through the Eternal Plane and have to answer for all their fish-deeds to Someone in that other world. In order to prepare for this, these fish recommended repentance and faith, which would offer life in the Eternal Plane forever.
These thoughts were added to by personal stories of some who had had the "out of water experience". They had achieved this by starting deep and rushing headlong to the edge of the universe, momentarily breaking through and then re-entering life again. No scientific knowledge could be developed in this field of study, however, because the experimenters would either return quickly or simply disappear forever. And those who did return were confused and unable to adequately describe what they had seen.
But most fish didn't believe or even have time to think about such things. They had places to swim, things to do, others to eat. Life was more than full.
The fish universe burbled along for many millennia. In every generation there were those who took the "life above" seriously and swam in a way which reflected their faith. They became known as the "good ones", but it was not a complement. The vast majority of fish were committed to other ways of understanding their universe, ways that made more room for what they wanted to do and think.
Then one day the unthinkable happened. The fish universe began to close in. There were great ripples in the Eternal Plane overhead and then a terrifying, crushing togetherness. The fish swam furiously against the inexorable pressure, but to no avail. Some overwhelming power was lifting them toward the Eternal Plane. It all happened so fast. There were so many unfinished fish tasks, so many unsung fish songs, so many dashed fish hopes. All gone.
In the other world the fish were separated into two groups, good fish and bad fish. This was quite infuriating to the bad fish (much the larger group) because they had always thought of themselves as really good at heart, though they had violently rejected the concept of ultimate goodness. And they thought it was unfair and wrong that they should be all piled together as if there were no other distinctions. After all, even among the bad fish, there were some who were worse than others, and the somewhat good ones bitterly resented being classed with the much worse ones. They wanted a chance to argue with the mighty creatures that handled them but lacked the capacity to understand or communicate. And there was a strange sound in the distance. Something they had never heard before—a furnace.
Just a thought…
Pastor Rick
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MyTCF Account
If you consider yourself a part of the TCF family, then stay connected with a MyTCF account! You can manage your contact information, easily register for events and give securely online. Members can view the directory.
Visit trail.org and click "MyTCF Login" from the top menu bar. Need a login? CLICK HERE then follow the instructions.
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TCF is installing a new campus-wide telephone system. Thank you for your patience as we work through the inevitable bugs, kinks, and hiccups. Any message will be returned as soon as possible! |
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TCF’s meals ministry is a very practical way to serve the body of Christ! By helping an individual or family in need of temporary support, and TCF has teamed up with Meal Train to make it easy. Visit https://www.mealtrain.com/groups/tcf for opportunities to reach out, connect, and provide for those in need.
For more about the Meal Train organization, click here.
Note: Meal Train is not just for meals! Help is also needed for transportation to church services, appointments, and errands for those who are unable to drive themselves. Drivers are needed sometimes using your vehicle, sometimes theirs.
For details, contact the Outreach Department (541) 878-3501 // outreach@trail.org
CLICK HERE for TCF’s current opportunities to serve!
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Family Camp
July 22-25, 2021
See brochure for details.
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Baptism
August 22, 2021
If you have yet to be baptized and you are ready to take this important step of faith, please listen to “The Obedience of Faith: Baptism“ mp3 by Pastor Rick, or pick up an audio CD from the Information Counter in the outdoor Pavilion following any Sunday service. Following a brief conversation with a TCF Pastor, you may register for the next Baptism HERE.
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Men's Prayer Gathering
Friday Mornings
6:30-7:30am
Join us in the outdoor Pavilion for our traditional weekly time of nourishment in the Word, a preview of what's to come on Sunday morning, and devotional prayer time led by one of our Pastors or Elders.
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Men's Pack Trip
August 5-8
Lake Isherwood
See brochure for details.
Registration opens June 24.
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From hiking to swimming to biking, there's a lot to do this summer! Click the link below to view the Trail Teens for Truth summer activities...
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Trail Teens for Truth High School Camp
For those entering 9th grade through 12th grade
August 5th - 8th
EARLY SIGN UP
BY JULY 1 - $110 PER STUDENT
LATE SIGN UP
JULY 2 - 22 - $135 PER STUDENT
ALL PAYMENT AND REGISTRATION DUE BY JULY 22
Space is limited so register NOW!
Questions? Contact Rob Milton: 541.821.7261 or robert@trail.org
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Sunday, July 11
Thank you for being a part of Children’s Ministry!!!
See flyer for details.
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Do you have a talent that kids love?
The TCF Children’s Ministry is looking for members who can contribute their skills of puppetry, mime, music, storytelling, ballooning, clowning, or (fill in the blank). With only a modest commitment of a couple of Sundays per year, God can use you in big ways in the lives of our kids!
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Wednesdays
6:15pm - 8:00pm
Summer is coming and TCF has lots of fun planned for our kids ages 4 through 5th grade! This year's theme is "Answers for Kids" beginning in the book of Genesis. Click on the flyer link below for more details...
Debbie Conley: 541.261.2605
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We need you!
Awana volunteers make a difference because “Kids matter to God”
Each Wednesday night from 6 - 8pm, you could help a child learn scripture verses, be a Game Director, or help with check-In!
Kids need you to be part of their team 😊
Contact
Aaron Bradley at aaron@trail.org
Debbie Conley 541.261.2605 or debbie@trail.org
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June 28-29 or June 30-July 1
Ages 5-10
TCF Pavilion
Both Camp Wonders are full. Waiting lists are under the Event Registration tab at trail.org.
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July 30 - August 1
Ages 8-12 (and only going into 6th grade)
Mountain Lakes Bible Camp
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TCF Children, Youth and Family Camp Fundraiser
If you’d like to make a special donation to help kids attend our summer camps, stop by the large banner on Sunday on the Pavilion sidewalk, pick an envelope and drop your donation in.
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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 debbie@trail.org 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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A Christian 12 step program for those struggling with any addiction, abuse or other hurts, habits or hang-ups. We meet every Tuesday at 6:30pm (masks required).
You're welcome to come early at 6pm.
No nursery or child care program available at this time.
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The Pregnancy Center
Baby Bottle Drive
Ends on June 20!
Pick up a bottle at TCF, fill it with your donations (money and/or check) …then return it to the inside Information Counter in the Worship Center (not outside), the Church Office during business hours or at TPC (2019 Aero Way # 103, Medford, 97504) by Father’s Day, June 20. You may also make a donation at their webpage: tpcpartners.us
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Life, Laugh & Liberty:
A Fundraising, Comedy and Carnival event for the whole family!
Friday, July 9
6:30-8pm
Trail Christian Fellowship Pavilion
Live music: BrokenWorks with Jenni Abdo
Tickets sold at the event: $10 per person or $25 per family
(541)772-1921
tpcpartners.us
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Thank you for visiting TCFinTouch
the weekly e-newsletter of Trail Christian Fellowship
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Church Office Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm
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