The Pastor’s Blog
Operation Christmas Child
Sunday, October 9, 2011, at 6 p.m. Join us at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2000 Oakwood Drive, Medford, for an opportunity to hear the amazing story of Perry Cartera, a small woman who has a big heart for children’s ministry!
Perry Cartera works full time at the Philippines Bible Society, but also does work building teams and training for the Box-to-Evangelist Operation Christmas Child program in Philippines and Indonesia. Perry began her journey with OCC as the discipleship coordinator for the National Leadership Team in Philippines and currently serves as an OCC International Field Representative, which allows her to spread her passion and experience to other countries. Perry is married to Mel Cartera. He pastors a church and works part-time as translator at the Philippine Bible Society. God did not give Mel and Perry any biological children. But through OCC they have thousands of children, not only in their own church where Mel implemented The Greatest Journey (TGJ) program, but also throughout the country. God has a prupose –we are His servants. All praises and glory to God alone! Romans 10:14-15
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October is Pastor Appreciation Month!
Rich Swingle Drama Presentation – Thursday, October 6th at 7 p.m.
New York Actor Rich Swingle will be with us on Thursday, October 6th performing his one man play entitled The Acts, based on the book of Acts. Rich grew up at Medford Friends and has performed and ministered for Christ in venues all over the world. Plan to come and bring your friends.
MFC Celebrates 69 Years with an All Church Potluck
Sunday, October 16, 2011 We will be “Counting Our Blessings”
You are invited to join us for a time of fellowship and a meal at noon, following the Sunday School hour. Bring your favorite main dish and salad, vegetable or dessert to share with the group.
FWMF (Friends Women Missionary Fellowship)
is open to all women of our church. Our time together is spent in fellowship and learning about the work of our missionaries, their needs and those people to whom they minister. This month all ladies are welcome to join us at the home of Donnalee Archibald on Thursday, October 20th, at 10 a.m. A buffet luncheon will follow the meeting.
Ladies Fellowship Group All ladies are warmly invited and welcome to join us for sharing & caring fellowship. In October we will meet Tuesday, October 18th at 7 p.m. at the home of Dawn DuLong.
Financial Report
September 2011 Year-to-date
Income $16,481.15 $159,149.32
Expenses 17,540.36 159,114.76
Difference -1,059.21 34.56
Thank you to everyone who gives to and works and prays for the ministries of Medford Friends Church and we thank God who provides for all of our needs. Together we are touching lives and hearts with the life changing Good News of Jesus!
High School Youth are Invited to Monday Night Football
Monday October 10th, @ 5:30 p.m.
Food and Fellowship at Angelo’s Pizza, 2161 W Main Street. Cost: Buffet $8. Sign up in Ross Chapel. Hope to see you there.
The Home Study that meets at Phebe McManama’s, led by Jim Fields will resume meeting on Monday, October 3rd, at 6:30 p.m. If you have any questions please contact Jim at 541-664-2786.
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The Home Study that meets at Phebe McManama’s, led by Jim Fields will resume meeting on Monday, October 3rd, at 6:30 p.m. If you have any questions please contact Jim at 541-664-2786.
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Staying Charged with His Power!
I really like my digital camera. I like the vibrant colors it captures, the zoom and wide angle settings options it gives me, the clear picture indicator, the auto flash and auto advance, and that I can shoot video with sound. What I don’t like is the fact that lately the rechargeable battery isn’t holding a charge. Without power the camera does none of those things. Without power it cannot fulfill its potential and becomes nothing more than an expensive paperweight.
When it comes to living for Jesus and reflecting His truth, grace and love to the world, we need to stay charged with His power, let’s consider four power sources that God gives us as we live with Jesus.
Ephesians 1:19 and 20 tell us that the power God wants to work in our lives is the same power that He exerted in Jesus when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms. Resurrection power has conquered sin and death, it breaks the bonds that hold us captive and it gives us the power to live for Jesus in a way that proclaims His truth, grace and love for all to see.
Ephesians 3:10-12 tell us that God gives us His wisdom, which is a power that defeats the work of the forces of evil and the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. The wisdom of God helps us to know right from wrong, gives us knowledge so we know how to live and can keep us from falling prey to the destructive schemes of the enemy. God’s wisdom is a source of power that we cannot afford to miss.
Philippians 2:5-11 speak to the power of humility, as demonstrated by Jesus, who being in very nature God, willingly left His throne in heaven, making Himself nothing, to die for the sins of all people. Humility is often an overlooked power source in the lives of believers but it has the power to disarm many of the threats that come against us and to lovingly reveal the truth of Jesus to the world around us.
Acts 1:1-8 tell us that the Holy Spirit gives us the power to be witnesses for Jesus. Being a witness can take many different forms in both word and deed, but what it all comes down to is living in a way that brings glory to God, which we are empowered to do as the Holy Spirit unleashes His power in and through our lives.
May we lived filled with God’s power and fulfill the potential that God has placed in us by staying connected to Jesus and all of the sources of power that He has made available to us. May we as individual believers and as a church, spend time each day with Jesus, allowing Him to fill us with resurrection power, with the power of His wisdom, with the power of humility, and with the power of His Holy Spirit.
In Christ, Mark
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