The Pastor’s Blog
Gratefulness
It has been a crazy couple months. From the bottom (and top) of my heart I am grateful for such a wonderful church family. You have blessed me so much and I will never be able to live up to the love that has been shown. It is more than I deserve. I have said it before (and I will say it again now) the only measurement that Quakers know is abundance. Thank you for all your support and prayers over the last month and a half as my family and I have mourned the loss of a son and brother.
As we look towards Christmas and the celebration of Christ’s coming into the world I am excited. I love how this season brings people together and helps us show our appreciation for one another. We get to give to one another.
The giving we typically think about is in the form of presents given to our friends and family. We buy or make gifts for certain people based on what they like and what we feel they would enjoy or sometimes need. This is good and ends up being really exciting, especially for the younger members of the family! We do this to show how special the people are to us, that we care about them and want to share that in a physical way through a gift of some sort.
Another way we can give is through our presence, being together and sharing our lives is a wonderful gift that we give to one another. We were made to be in relationship and it is during the Christmas season that we celebrate this by coming together and celebrating. We aren’t celebrating ourselves though. We are celebrating Jesus. Our little reunions around the holidays where we share ourselves with one another reflect the Great Reunion of God and the World through Jesus.
As we gather together during this season make sure that you share yourself with those you love. Take time to celebrate being together. Make space to enjoy the relationship that is offered to you in Jesus, a Great Reunion with God. Above all remember to give (yourself, your love, and your other gifts) with the only measurement that Quakers know: Abundance!
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Christmas Eve Service Please join us in the sanctuary Saturday, December 24th at 5 p.m. for our traditional “Come As You Are” family celebration.
Christmas Day We will meet for worship at 10 a.m. with no Sunday School or Prayer Meeting that day. We will have an opportunity for kids to come forward and share a Christmas gift they have received! The church office will be closed on Monday, December 26th.
In Lieu of the Giving Tree and gift cards we have done in the past, this year we ask that you consider giving a donation for an item in the EFM Offering Christmas Catalog (copies can be found on the usher’s table in the foyer) or a local charity organization. As the Lord leads you share a gift, thank you.
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!)
We will take a break from Wednesday Night Bible Study for the month of December. We will resume meeting January 11th.
Annual Ladies Ornament Exchange Friday, December 2nd @ 6:30 p.m.
Ladies, please join us 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 a wrapped ornament, and a favorite holiday treat to share.
The Anderson family invites our Medford Friends family to attend Richard Anderson's Eagle Court of Honor on Saturday, December 17th at 2:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. A reception will follow. Thank you so much for your support of our sons in scouting for so many years.
Sunday, December 18th, as we celebrate the Christmas season our pre-school and kindergarten class will share in music during the worship service “Little Drummer Boy.” Following the service please join us for a time of fellowship, bring your favorite holiday goodie or finger food to share. Sunday School will follow. No Prayer Meeting that night.
Please be praying for Stan Schlosser and the medical missions team he is serving with in the Philippines. They will be doing optical exams and fitting people with glasses.
It’s time to update our birthday file and directory information. If you are new to MFC within the last year we would like to have the birth dates of those in your family. Please list the month & day on the back of your Information Sheet. (Adults are not required to list the year, however it is helpful for children!)
It’s also time to update our MFC directory…
if you have moved or have new phone numbers or a new email address please fill out the top of the Information Sheet and place it in the box on the table in the foyer. Thank you.
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Game Night with Ice Cream and Hot Chocolate November 4th at 6:30 p.m. at MFC
Join us for a fun get-together for everyone!
The Activities Committee has planned a Game Night with refreshments November 4th at 6:30 p.m. at MFC. Ice Cream and Hot Chocolate will be provided, attendees are asked to bring ice cream toppings and their favorite game to share.
Medford Friends Kids! Grades 1 through 6
We are going to the Science Works in Ashland on Sunday, November 6th. We will leave MFC at 11 a.m. and return at 3 p.m. Bring $5 for lunch and entry fee. All kids will need to have permissions slips, if you have turned in one for previous events, we only need a new one if information has changed! If you have questions contact Drew Krupp or Patsy Burton.
Please be praying for God's comfort and peace to be upon Pastor Jesse and his family following the passing of his brother in Arizona. He will be staying with his family for a time as they work through this time together.
Josh and Audra Cadd thank you for your prayers and financial support for their family. The Cadd family serves with Wycliffe Associates and DOOR International, their mission prayer reminder cards are located on the usher’s table, please take one. The information on the back is helpful in keeping up with their ministry.
Ladies Fellowship Meeting for Sharing/Caring/Praying
The group will meet on Tuesday, November 1st at Patsy Burton’s: 2500 Bethany Court, Medford. All ladies are welcome 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Friends Women Christmas Bazaar & Bake Sale at Talent Friends Church, 50 Talent Ave.
Saturday, November 5th, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lots of baked goods, local fruit jams, handcrafted items & a bargain basement featuring gently used items. Luncheon served from 11 a.m. to closing with vegetable beef soup, bread and pie.
Administrative Committee Meeting Tuesday, November 8 at 7:00 p.m.
Committee Clerks, let's be ready to jump into sharing what our committees are planning and where we might work together and/or help one another.
Farewell for Ilene Ogier
Ilene Ogier has been a part of Medford Friends Church for over 65 years. Through those years she has ministered and shared the love of Jesus through music and teaching and being a loving friend to all.
Ilene is moving to Friendsview Manor in Newberg and November 13th will be her last Sunday with us. To say “thank you” and “until we meet again” we will celebrate with Ilene during our fellowship time between worship and Sunday School. Everyone is encouraged to bring a card of thanks and blessing to share with her.
The November FWMF Meeting will be held at MFC on Thursday, November 17th, at 10 a.m. All ladies are welcome to join us in the fireside room. Following the meeting there will be a buffet luncheon.
Thanksgiving Potluck – November 20th
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 sides dishes and desserts to share.
The Friends Women Missionary Fellowship group will hold their Harvest Baked Goods Sale on Sunday, November 20th. Be sure to take advantage of their specialties that will compliment your Thanksgiving dinner! There will be pies, cakes, cookies, as well as quick and yeast breads/rolls, and candy. Purchases can be made during the fellowship time following worship. Proceeds will support Friends Serving /Teaching Abroad, our local church, and community.
Volunteer Needed to facilitate the senior’s Sunday School class. Please be praying about a new leader for the class. They use Adult Friends curriculum, reading through it in class with some discussion. Please contact Christian Ed. clerk, Patsy Burton for details.
Requirement to work with our youth at MFC
In compliance with the Mandatory Abuse Prevention Standards of NWYM anyone working with minors in our congregation must go through a training session and renew their background checks. This is a requirement to work with our youth. If you were unable to attend one of the classes last month we will work with you on getting the training and background check done, contact the church office.
Samaritan's purse – Operation Christmas Child
We have an opportunity to bring the love of Jesus to children all over the world through shoeboxes that demonstrate Jesus’ love. Printed Operation Christmas Child boxes are available on the table in the main hallway (or any standard size shoebox will work as well). There are printed instruction pamphlets with gift suggestions for filling the boxes, be sure to take note! Things have changed, as what is allowed and be sure to include $7 or more with each shoebox to help with shipping and other expenses. Be sure boxes are returned to MFC by Wednesday, November 16th.
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From Kenya to Bulgaria!
On Sunday, October 23rd during the worship hour Josh and Audra Cadd and family will be with us sharing a little about their recent call to change ministry location, by moving to Bulgaria! The Cadds serve with Wycliffe Associates and DOOR International, Deaf Opportunity Outreach, they have been in Nairobi the past 10 years. We will be taking a love offering for the Cadd family that Sunday to help support their ministry. Here are ways we can be praying for their family:
~ Please pray for our safety as we continue traveling.
~ Pray for the translation team in Eurasia as they set up the new office & work with Josh long
distance.
~ Please pray for strength & stamina for us as we are out of our “routine” & stepping into new
places.
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