Hearts Bound Together
So Emily and I got married a few weeks ago! It was an amazing time of celebrating our new life together with family and friends. Thank you to everyone who came out to experience that day with us! We are blessed beyond measure by all of the support and care for us that has been shown in our time dating one another and now as we are joined together.
As we look at August it is a season of change. Time when people are looking towards school starting again for their little ones and the weather is at its hottest. We want to get out and do things but the smoke and the heat often keep us inside. Sometimes that drives people a little nuts. Cabin Fever can set in really quickly and we just want an escape from the feeling of being bound up in our houses. As this feeling starts to set in I want us to consider that it doesn’t just happen with our homes or in this season. We sometimes feel bound up in other places in our lives. We can feel that way at work or with our relationships. Anywhere we spend our time can begin to feel like this if we don’t watch for it. Church too can sometimes feel like a place where we are bound up. We might feel locked in or stuck in our relationship with God. We want to move. We want to grow, we want to explore, and we want to experience something new.
One beautiful thing about this feeling of being bound up is that when it comes to the church, we are. We are bound together in love. Christ has called each one of us to this community for a purpose. To work and grow together in the love of God for the glory of His name and in His Kingdom. As this feeling of cabin fever sets in, don’t run from it. Take time to ask why you might be feeling the way you are and ask if it is because Jesus has something more for you to experience. Ask Him what that experience is and how He wants you to pursue it. Are there others in your community that can help you seek it and grow towards it together? We are called to be working together to carry whatever burdens the Lord has placed on us. No matter where you are, if you are feeling bound up, we can help you grow and move towards the goal that God has in store for you. So, how can we help?
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August 01, 2019 Update
Landscaping Project Has Begun on the Corner of DeBarr Avenue and Merriman Road! Yes, this is Medford Friends Church’s front yard, be sure to check it out as it progresses. At this time working conditions are hot and smoky keep the Monkey Business workers in prayer.
Help us redo the kitchen! We are going to need some help demolishing the kitchen so we can start our remodel! We will begin Monday, August 5th. The work begins at 9:30 a.m. please bring work gloves and safety glasses. If you have a favorite demo tool bring that too!
MFC is Invited to Join Talent Friends for a fun time of Bowling at Roxy Ann Lanes! Mark your calendar Tuesday, August 6th. Meet them there at 10 a.m.
School Supply Drive Is Here Again
Many families in the local community cannot afford to provide school supplies for their children and we want to help. Below is a list of supplies that we are collecting to share with students in need at Howard Elementary. You will notice that some of the supplies are listed by their brand name and educators tell us that is because even though they may cost a little more, those brands provide better bang for the buck. A collection box for these supplies is in the main hallway.
On Saturday, August 31st, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Talent Friends & Medford Friends will meet for a BBQ picnic at the pavilion at Bear Creek Park. BBQ to be 11 to 1. Please bring picnic potluck side dishes & desserts. Bring lawn chairs or blanket etc. We are looking forward to gathering together for a great time of fellowship.
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July 02, 2019 Update
Evan Hayes is attending Boys Camp at Twin Rocks July 1-5 and Payshens Cichy will attend Girls Camp at Twin Rocks July 6-10.
Please remember to pray that they would have an unforgettable experience learning more about God and His great love for them. Also pray for camp staff and for safe travel for our drivers. You may go to www.twinrocks.org for photos posted during the week of camp.
Surfside Camp August 4-10 for youth completing 8th – 12th grades, cost $395 if registered before July 17.
Register youth on line at www.twinrocks.org, print your confirmation of registration form and bring it to the church office for the auction scholarship. (We reimburse you the scholarship amount by check.)
Sounds like Fun! Hope to See You There! We have been invited to join Talent Friends on Saturday evening, July 6th from 6 to 8 p.m. for anIce Cream Social and Game night.
William Anderson is working on his Eagle Scout project. The project is a portable wall ball wall to be used for DHS supervised visits for children in foster care to play with their parents. Many kids have requested a way to play wall ball with their parents during this time. William would appreciate any donations to purchase supplies for this project. Please memo your donation Eagle Scout project and place it in the offering on Sunday. Thank you.
Friends Women Fellowship Our annual potluck meeting to conclude the program year is Thursday, July 18th on Billie Taylor’s patio! A special invitation to all women whose schedules are free to join us. Lunch set up will be at 11:45 a.m. (regular members will have a shortened meeting for business at the usual 10:30 start time.
Box Tops for Education If you have box tops to be passed on to FWF please turn them in by Sunday, July 14th, so they can be included in this year’s final tally. Thank you!
Pastor Jesse will be out of the office July 13th to the 27th. If there is a pastoral need please contact one of our Elders. A contact list of MFC’s Elders can be found on the usher’s table in the foyer.
Yearly Meeting Annual Sessions – July 21-24, 2019
“Fresh Vision”
Held on campus at George Fox University
Brockie Follette is a
Certified “Growing Young” Presenter for the Fuller Youth Institute, with a
special focus on the Friends Church. She serves as the Director of Kaleo
Academy (the National Friends Youth Training experience) held at Barclay
College, where she also leads students as the college Chaplain. Brockie
will be featured as a workshop speaker each morning and as a guest in one of
the evening sessions.
Jim Le Shana, Superintendent of Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends Church is
a graduate of George Fox University, Jim shared here earlier this month at our
area meeting. He is convinced that the best days for the Friends Church are
still ahead, but that many of us today may need a “fresh vision” – to see
ourselves, the world, the needs, and the opportunities around us with greater
hope and clarity from God’s perspective. Jim will serve as our primary
speaker in the evening sessions.
Online 2019 Annual Sessions Registration – There is much more information at the Yearly Meeting website and you can register there as well, they highly encourage pre-registration for attending YM Sessions.
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Changing Lives
I just recently got back from a short-term mission trip to Mexico. We build a home for a single mother and her three children. It was an amazing week of working with great people and helping the Lord change this family’s world for the better. Spending time playing and building with the family was so worth it. Knowing that they have a safe place and a solid roof over their heads is a comfort. As much as building the home changed their lives it changed ours as well. We came to recognize how blessed we are and what opportunities we have been given. We give back because of all that Jesus has done for us and in so doing help to magnify His name and Kingdom in our world. Because Jesus has changed our lives, we work to help Him do that in other’s lives. It is Jesus that inspires and enables us to do these things. When we allow Jesus to change out lives we end up moving more and more closely towards the heart of God for those around us. Why is this? Because our will and being begin to reflect that of Jesus.
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