The Pastor’s Blog
Rich Swingle Sharing in Worship on March 12
Rich Swingle grew up at Medford Friends Church and now lives in New York City and travels the world ministering for Christ through drama; writing, acting in plays and movies and teaching. During worship on March 12th, Rich will be performing the one man play he wrote entitled The Acts. The Acts brings to life the miracles and wonder of the first century church as God empowered His people through the Holy Spirit. The story is told from the perspective of a man who spies on the followers of Jesus for Saul. As he reports back their actions and beliefs he begins to realize they are following more than just stories.
The Acts is a powerful presentation of how God worked in the early church and how He desires to work in and through His people today and you won’t want to miss it.
FWMF Meeting for March The ladies will meet at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 16th at the home of Phebe McManama. There will be a buffet luncheon following the meeting. All ladies are welcome to attend.
Looking ahead, FWMF date for this year’s Spring Rally, to be held at Talent Friends will be Saturday, April 22.
All Church Potluck Sunday March 19th Join us for a time of fellowship and good food! We’ll meet in the fellowship hall at noon, please bring a main dish and salad, vegetable or dessert to share.
Everence® informative webinar in March
Basics of investing: Tuesday, March 21 (2 or 8 p.m.)
In this webinar, we’ll discuss how investing can help you meet your financial goals, go over different types of investments and help you determine your appropriate level of risk. We’ll also cover how to get started and address your questions. Presented by Dennis LeFevre*, CFP®, Trust and Financial Advisor.
For more information or to register, contact Melissa Short at (800) 222-5054 or melissa.short@everence.com; or visit everence.com/direct. (All times Eastern Daylight Time.)
From the Christian Ed Committee:
We will hold an Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, April 16th. Your donations of bags of individually wrapped candy are welcome and much appreciated for this fun event and can be brought to the church any time.
Help our kids go to Twin Rocks Friends Camp!
This year’s Silent Camp Auction will be May 17th. 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.
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My Little Kingdom
I grew up playing video games. It started with a Nintendo and then a Super Nintendo. We got a Sega Genesis when it came out and it was hard to imagine what could ever be better than the things we saw on the screen. Playing with my brothers was one of my favorite things. We would take turns switching off trying to beat a level or zone. As we got older the games only got more complicated. I started playing computer games and found a deep appreciation for Real-Time Strategy and Grand Strategy games. You have to build up a good economy to sustain your expansion as you consider how best to conquer the little digital world that is depicted on the screen in vivid colors. I like the challenge presented and the instant gratification of taking over a fortress from my opponents. It is nice to have my own little kingdom where I am in control and have the power. It is a lovely illusion.
Sometimes I let that kind on kingly thinking come into my real life. I want to be in control. I want to make quick progress and see rapid change. In a game a few moments could represent days, months, or even years. The progress there is artificial and still somehow satisfying, but only as long as I play the game. As soon as I close the program I am just me again. I have a real life that doesn’t move so swiftly, the changes are harder to see, progress more difficult to track, and my enemies are clearly marked by the lines on the map or the clothing they wear. It is nice to have my own little kingdom sometimes. I get to be in control, I get to shape things, I get to make things happen, and decide where I go and what I do. As fun as it is to play games and get lost in that unreality, it is so much more pleasant to live in God’s Kingdom. He is in control, not me. He is the one who shapes the story, not me. He is the one who sees the progress made in my life and is satisfied. Having God in control makes life all the more enjoyable. That means I have to give up my little kingdom. I have to let go of the desire to control and be content to follow the leading of the true King, the Lord of All, and the Lover of my soul.
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February 12, 2017 there will be a Business Meeting to consider the proposed budget. We will meet in the sanctuary after the worship service with Sunday School to follow.
Sweet Treats for Everyone! The Friends Women Missionary Fellowship Group will also hold their Valentine’s Baked Goods Event on Sunday, February 12th, with all donations supporting mission projects. Look for their table set up in the fellowship hall!
FWMF Meeting for February will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, February 16th at MFC instead of Phebe McManama’s. There will be a buffet luncheon following the meeting. All ladies are welcome to attend.
Cadds to Share on February 19th in Worship
We are delighted to have Jon and Cher Cadd with Missionary Aviation Fellowship join us on February 19th, sharing an update on their continued ministry with MAF in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They will share more and will take time for questions and answers at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. Jon and Cher and their family left Medford Friends in the 1980s to begin their ministry with MAF.
February’s All Church Potluck at 12 noon that same day! Join us in the fellowship hall for good food and fellowship! Please bring a main dish and salad, vegetable or dessert to share.
A Matter of Perspective Movie Premiere
Rich Swingle shared about this upcoming film when he was here at MFC last June! We are invited to Trinity Presbyterian Church 100 Windsor Ave., Medford on Saturday, February 18th at 7 p.m. for the premiere of A Matter of Perspective in which Rich plays a middle-aged Christian who has drifted from his faith. The film has some beautiful footage of Southern Oregon and surrounding area. Other short films will also be shared including a special behind the scenes for A Matter of Perspective.
Sunday, Feb. 26th – Pizza & Bowling
Medford Friends Kids Grades 1st – 6th – Fun Day on Sunday!
We will be going to bowl after having a pizza lunch at church. Arrive at church by 11 a.m. and bring $5 for bowling. To participate, all kids will need permissions slips signed by parents or guardians. If you have turned in one for a previous event, we only need a new one if the information has changed. We will return to MFC at 2 p.m. Contact Drew Krupp or Patsy Burton for more information.
Celebrate all that God is doing through Operation Christmas Child!
Friday, February 10th at 7 p.m. at Medford First Church of the Nazarene,1974 E. McAndrews Road. You are welcome to come and hear the testimony from a shoebox recipient about the impact of a simple gift. Be inspired by the true stories of Operation Christmas Child and learn area and national totals and where our boxes went. RSVP to Rhonda Sloan at 541-891-7431.
Everence® to present informative webinars February 20th & 21st
Budget basics and beyond: Monday, Feb. 20 – 2 or 8 p.m. In this webinar, designed for pastors, church leaders and others interested in church budgets, we’ll discuss what congregations can do to get people excited about giving, what a church budget should do and the four basic church budget models. Presented by Beryl M. Jantzi, Stewardship Education Director.
Women and Money: Tuesday, Feb. 21 – 2 or 8 p.m. Designed for women of all ages, this educational webinar addresses the specific financial hurdles faced by women, preparing financially for the future, plus quick, easy ways to launch an investment plan. Presented by Shari Beck*, Financial Advisor and Rhoda Blough, Stewardship Consultant.
For more information or to register, contact Melissa Short at (800) 222-5054 or melissa.short@everence.com; or visit everence.com/direct. (All times Eastern Daylight Time.)
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Cloudy Days
It is amazing to me that weather can have such a profound impact on our mood. We experience seasonal and weather changes with our emotions as well as our bodies and that is phenomenal in my opinion. Sunny weather and summer are often experienced as a time of wonder and exploration, even lifting our spirits and feeling not just warmth from the sun but warmth in our souls. Contrasted with that is cloudy weather and winter. Dark and gloom sink into us and we are often left colder, physically and emotionally. Even with celebrations at this time people often experience this darkening/chilling effect of the weather. It makes me consider what other events or circumstances affect me.
We often call life events “seasons” and in doing so recognize that our lives change. It is a good practice to recognize that life events and circumstances are variable and can shift or be changed by events often outside our control, like the weather. Unlike the weather we have a choice as to what our response will be to the changing seasons of life. Knowing that spring will come after winter ought to give us peace of mind and encouragement on the cloudy cold days. In a similar way we have a promise of new “seasons” in Christ. Many in our world feel like we are living in cloudy days (and not just because it is winter) they are letting that coldness sink into them and their responses are often negative and as chilly as a winter breeze. That is the response of a person who has forgotten that seasons change. They feel as though we are locked into a perpetual winter and therefore have lost sight of the sun beyond the clouds.
As Christians we need to remember that there is a Son who shines for us even on cloudy days and during wintery seasons of life. The hope we have in Christ is one of a new creation, a new day dawning, a change in the seasons that will come. That fills us with warmth and hope and changes our response to the cloudy weather and storms of this life. On cloudy days we know that the sun will come again, during the stormy nights we know that it will pass one eventually, and in times when we don’t remember what spring feels like we get a glimpse of the beautiful God who makes us grow. I hope that your cloudy days are filled with glimpses of the Son shining through this month!
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