The Pastor’s Blog
Peacemakers
Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
The word peace shows up over 370 times in the Bible. Jesus includes peacemakers in the beatitudes as those who will be seen as children of God. Jesus was a peacemaker himself. He came to bring an end to the enmity between us and God. He sought restoration and healing for this relationship through the Cross. His pain and suffering were caused by our sin. Seeking this peace between God and man cost Jesus everything.
Peacemakers are the ones who stand in the space between. They seek the points of conflict and look for resolutions. They put their wellbeing on the line for the sake of peace. They hold the tension of conflict in order to draw people together. They are often misunderstood and looked at as fools who hope beyond reason. Peacemakers are children of God who seek the image of God in others. The point to things that connect rather than things that divide.
In a culture that seems so intent on division it is hard to be a peacemaker. It is hard to work for restoration and reconciliation in a world where conflicts define us. When image is an amalgam of causes and responses we have a hard time getting people to look at the things that make them the same. When we are always looking for the thing that makes “us” different from “them” it is hard to function as a peacemaker. Christ sought peace for us before we even acknowledged our need for it: “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (ESV, Romans 5:6-8)
In light of the resurrection of Jesus we have the chance to examine our lives and look for places in need of reconciliation. We can function as those who seek peace in our lives and the lives of those around us. We can invite people to accept the peace offered by Jesus. We can live as those who are blessed by Christ in the beatitude above, children of God and makers of peace.
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Easter Sunday Schedule, April 1, 2018 In Celebration of our Risen Savior we will begin Easter Sunday with a Continental Breakfast at 9 a.m.in the fellowship hall followed by worship at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary. There are no Bible studies or Sunday school classes scheduled that day. After the worship service there will be an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. EFM's 2018 Easter Offering focusing on Nepal will be taken that morning. Prayerfully consider what your part in this offering should be.
Brush the Dust off those White Bucks – Polish those Saddle Oxfords
Get Your 50’s Attire Together – We’re Having a 50’s Sock Hop Party
Friday, April 13th -_ 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
There will be Root Beer floats, silly games and more. Please bring your favorite 50’s finger food to share.
Help our kids go to Twin Rocks Friends Camp! MFC’s Silent Camp Auction – Wednesday, May 16th
Items such as baked goods, handmade items, antiques, collectibles and company donations have sold well in the past. There is plenty of time to get creative! We are looking forward to a great evening of fun, fellowship and raising funds for camp scholarships for our youth.
April – All Church Potluck
We always have a great time of fellowship and good food! Please join us Sunday, April 15th, we’ll meet in the fellowship hall at noon. Please bring a main dish and salad, vegetable or dessert to share.
Friends Women Missionary Fellowship – We will meet on Thursday, April 19th, at 10:30 a.m. at MFC, in the fireside room. All ladies are welcome to join us.
If you are in grades 1-6, plan on attending our movie night on Friday, April 20th at 6:30-8:30. We will have popcorn, root beer floats and a fun move to watch. More information soon!
The Annual Southern Oregon Fellowship & Spring Missions Rally
This year’s theme: “Remembering the Past – Looking to the Future”
Saturday April 28th, at MFC – Meeting Time: 10:30 a.m.
Lunch served at the conclusion of the program
This annual So. OR Area event is sponsored by NWYM Friends Women organization. Watch for event poster to come soon!
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Good Friday & Easter
In Celebration of our Risen Savior
Good Friday Service – March 30th, at 6:30 p.m.
The service will feature reflection, repentance, communion with the elements and a time of open worship.
Easter Sunday Schedule, April 1, 2018
In Celebration of our Risen Savior we will begin Easter Sunday with a Continental Breakfast at 9 a.m.in the fellowship hall followed by worship at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary. There are no Bible studies or Sunday school classes scheduled that day. After the worship service there will be an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids.
EFM's 2018 Easter Offering – This year’s focus is Nepal.
Our library is in need of some tender loving care. The processing of the books will still be done. There are other needs to have the library continue to serve our congregation.
Needs: a person to file the cards from books checked out; shelve books, this would take 2-3 hours per month; a person to file cards in the card catalog; a person to send out overdue notices every two months.
Call the church office if you are interested.
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- Just A Reminder
Sunday, March 11th Daylight Savings Time Begins.
Be sure to set your clocks ahead 1-hour Saturday night, March 10th!
March – All Church Potluck
We always have a great time of fellowship and good food! Please join us Sunday, March 18th, we’ll meet in the fellowship hall at noon. Please bring a main dish and salad, vegetable or dessert to share.
1000 Pairs of Shoes
We are accepting donations of new shoes until Sunday, March 18, 2018
The give-away date will be Saturday, March 24th
from 2 to 4 p.m. at Medford Friends Church
Thank you for your participation in helping us reach our goal and to bless our community!
New Arrival Shoes may be placed on the pew up front on the platform in the sanctuary on Sunday or given to one of the ushers! We want to tally them before they are placed behind the pew.
From the Christian Ed Committee: We will hold an Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, April 1st
Your donations of bags of individually wrapped candy that will fit in small plastic eggs are welcome and much appreciated for this fun event and can be brought to the church any time. There is a box in the main hallway to place your candy donations in on Sundays.
Friends Women Missionary Fellowship We will meet on Thursday, March 15th, at 10:30 a.m. at the home of Phebe McManama. Following the meeting there will be a buffet luncheon. All ladies are welcome to join us.
The Annual Southern Oregon
Fellowship and Spring Missions Rally
This year’s theme
“Remembering the Past – Looking to the Future”
Saturday April 28th at MFC
Meeting Time: 10:30 a.m.
Lunch served at the conclusion of the program
This annual So. OR Area event is sponsored by NWYM Friends Women organization. Watch for event poster to come later this month when details are confirmed. Questions may be addressed to Nadine Brood, FW area representative.
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