The Pastor’s Blog
New Year
New Beginnings. A fresh start. A clean slate. These are what we long for in a new year. 2017 is over. 2018 is just beginning and has that New Year sense of hope. We hope that this year will be better than the last one. That we won’t face as much trial or struggle. We hope for something new.
As Christians we are offered this not just one day a year but every day. Christ offers us new life each morning. Scripture tells us “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Cor. 5:17) The offering of Christ is Newness. We come to Him with an old and battered life, hard used and worn, and He gives us a new life bursting with opportunity and love. I hope that this New Year you accept Christ’s New Life for you each day.
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Annual Ladies Ornament Exchange – Friday, December 8th
Ladies, please join us at 6:30 p.m. at MFC for a celebration of Christ’s Birth. Share in the joy and laughter as we fellowship together, interact with the story of the First Christmas, and exchange ornaments. Bring the special women in your life, a wrapped ornament, and a favorite holiday treat to share.
FWMF will not hold a regular meeting in December. The next meeting will be Thursday, January 18, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at MFC in the fireside room.
Sunday, December 24th, Join us at 9 a.m. for a Fellowship Time
with Christmas Worship Service at 10 a.m.
Our Christmas Celebration will include special guest
Rich Swingle performing his one man play
“Views of the Manger”
No Sunday School that day.
Please bring a favorite finger food to share at the
morning fellowship time.
No Christmas eve service this year so please be sure to join us in the morning activities.
Pray for the Garrett Family
Please be praying for Brett and Cindi Garrett and their family following the death of their son Christopher, who died in a work-related truck accident on December 5, 2017. Please also keep Christopher's wife Karla in your prayers, that God may grant all of their family/families with His comfort in these difficult days. While we deeply mourn Christopher's passing, we take comfort in knowing that He is in heaven with Jesus. There will be a memorial service for Christopher later in December, most likely during the days following Christmas.
Vera Wisely has been in declining health in recent days and she was called home to be with Jesus on December 7, 2017, at the age of 104. There will be a service at a later date and we will announce that when we know. Please keep Marilyn Johnston and all of their family in your prayers.
Love Offering
In response to the passing of Pastor Jesse's mom in Kansas, we are collecting a love offering to provide Jesse with airfare to be used for him to visit his father at a later date or for him to fly his father out for a visit. Pastors can't always get away to support their families as they would like so this gift will allow Pastor Jesse the opportunity to minister to his father in the months to come. If you would like to contribute to this love offering please designate your gift "airfare." Thank you!
EFM Christmas Catalog for 2017
We have an opportunity to make a difference and help with family needs in a way you might not thought of before! Can be found on the usher’s table in the foyer or go online to friendsmission.com/christmas.
New Year’s Eve White Elephant Gift Exchange – Welcome in the New Year!
Everyone is invited to join us at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall for a fun time. Bring a wrapped white elephant gift for the exchange game, board games and finger foods to share. (If you plan to stay late bring extra munchie foods!)
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Wednesday, November 1st at 7 p.m. Vision Meeting at MFC
Talent FWMF ladies are holding their Annual Christmas Bazaar & Bake Sale Saturday, November 4th, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Talent Friends Church, 50 Talent Avenue. Everyone is invited.
Sunday, November 5th Daylight Savings Time Ends! Be sure to set your clocks back 1 hour Saturday night, November 4th.
Tom Walker will be 90 on November 12th! The family will have birthday cake to celebrate the occasion! Please join us during the fellowship time that Sunday and feel free to bring a birthday card to honor Tom being 90!
FWMF November Monthly Meeting all ladies are invited to join us on Thursday, November 16th, at the home of Phebe McManama. The meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. with a luncheon to follow.
FWMF – November 19th will be the
Pre-Thanksgiving/Holiday Baked Goods Event
Look for ladies in the fellowship hall on Sunday, November 19th between services and following Sunday School. In addition to the usual cookies, cupcakes, brownies etc. they plan to have pies, sweet breads, yeast breads & rolls, holiday cookies & candy etc. If you would like to be sure to get a homemade pie you can reserve one by contacting Nadine Brood, choices are: pumpkin, apple or cherry!
All Church Thanksgiving Potluck
Sunday, November 19th
Please join us for a time of celebration, fellowship and good food! We will meet in the fellowship hall following the Sunday School & Bible Study hour. The church will provide the Turkey and Ham. Please bring Thanksgiving side dishes and desserts to share.
1000 Pairs of Shoes We are accepting donations of new shoes up until Easter time of next year! At this time, there are 199 pairs of shoes accounted for! 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. So far we have collected 224 pairs!
Walnuts for Sale!!
Donna Hansen has walnuts in the shell for sale $1.50 per pound. Look for her on Sunday morning, or contact her at home.
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Russia Trip Reflection
From September 19th through 30th I had the opportunity to join Esther Mae Hinshaw (Newberg Emerging) and Tracy Wilson (Silverton) on a trip to visit Johan and Judy Maurer in Russia. This was a wonderful experience full of amazing moments. We spent time in Moscow orienting ourselves to some of the Russian history and culture by visiting some popular sites and museums. After a few days there we traveled to Elektrostal and got the chance to stay with one of the Maurer’s students, Sergei, in his home.
This was the highlight of the trip for me. We got to play a lot of games together and learn about Sergei and his fellow students. We were immersed in the culture of Russia and got to have some wonderful conversations until the wee small hours of the morning. We also visited the institute that Johan and Judy taught at and helped one of the other teachers with some of his classes for high school students. These times of speaking with and learning from the students about their country and how they see the world were so enlightening and I am very grateful that we had the chance to join Johan and Judy there for a short time and see their home and the lives they had built there.
We finished our trip in Saint Petersburg. We visited the Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood and other historical sites, we went to the Winter Palace which is home to a beautiful collection of paintings and artifacts that span the last 4-500 years. This time also gave us a chance to reflect on some of the things we had experienced and to hear about some of the tragic history of the city and country.
As much as we enjoyed traveling all over the country and spending time with students one of the most memorable things was joining our Russian Friends for worship. We sat in silence together sharing the Spirit’s peace together and had a lovely time of fellowship. To me this was a beautiful preview of our future together with the Lord.
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