The Pastor’s Blog
Home Study for December 29 through January 3, 2015
Monday – Read I Peter 1:13-16
How can we prepare our minds to act for Jesus?
What difference does this preparation make in how we live each day?
What does it mean for us that God is holy?
Can we fulfill this call to be holy on our own? What/who do we need?
How does this passage challenge you? How will you respond?
Tuesday – Read I Peter 4:7-1
Why are we to live clear minded and self-controlled lives?
How does that impact our ability to pray?
How does it allow us to live in love?
How does it help us to live to give God glory?
Wednesday – Read I Peter 5:6-11
How does humility allow us to be self-controlled?
How does being self-controlled allow us to resist the attacks of Satan?
How does this passage encourage you? What will you do?
Thursday – Read I Thessalonians 5:1-11
We do not know when Jesus will return. How should we live in these days?
How does being self-controlled help us to live in the light of Jesus in these days?
How does this passage challenge you? How does it encourage you?
Friday – Read II Peter 1:3-11
How can we escape the corrupt nature of the world?
How are you doing in working with the Holy Spirit to add the qualities of verses 5-7 to your life?
How does this passage encourage you? How will you respond?
Saturday – Read Philippians 3:12-16
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Home Study for December 22 through 27, 2014
Monday – Read Galatians 4:1-7
What is the difference between being a slave and a child?
How does this apply to being a child of God?
What does this mean to you?
Take a moment to express your feelings to God.
Tuesday – Read Romans 4:1-8
What is the difference between wages earned and a gift?
Why has God chosen to make salvation and eternal life gifts?
Why does God make receiving His gift of salvation so easy?
Why do humans complicate it so much?
What is God saying to you? How will you respond?
Wednesday – Read Romans 5:1-5
What brings us peace with God?
Have you received that peace?
When we are living with Jesus, how does He work for good through the difficulties we face?
How does this passage challenge/encourage you?
Thursday – Read Romans 5:6-11
What does this tell us about the timing of Jesus’ life?
What does His death for us tell us about depth of His love for us?
Take time to thank Jesus for what He has done in, through and for you.
Friday – Read Romans 8:1-4 and 9-17
How do these verses encourage you?
What hope do they give you?
What does it mean to you to be a child of God?
Take time to give Jesus thanks for what He has done for you.
Saturday – Read Galatians 5:22-23
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Home Study for December 8 through 13, 2014
Home Study
Monday – Read Matthew 5:1-12
Blessing, God’s favor, comes to us in some of the most surprising ways. What do these verses tell us is important to God?
Take time to pray through this passage and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to your heart.
Tuesday – Read James 4:6-10
Why is God so opposed to human pride?
Why does He honor humility?
What encouragement do you find in verse 7?
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you? How will you respond?
Wednesday – Read Ephesians 4:1-6
How do the qualities of love, humility, patience and gentleness allow us to live a life worthy of God’s call upon our lives?
How do those qualities allow us to live in unity under Jesus?
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you? How will you respond?
Thursday – Read I Peter 2:13-17
What do you find to be the most challenging in this passage?
Why?
According to verse 15, why are these instructions important?
How are the church and God’s people doing at fulfilling this call in the U.S. in these days?
How does living as we read here give our testimony more authority in the eyes of people?
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you? How will you respond?
Friday – Read I Peter 2:21-25
How can we follow Jesus’ example but still proclaim His truth?
How should these verses impact how we view Jesus and ourselves?
How can we live out this challenging call?
Saturday – Read Galatians 5:22-23
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New Sunday School Class Begins December 7th This will be a multi-generational class that will look at current events through the eyes of scripture. The class will be led by Bruce Workman and Janelle Ralph. All junior high and high school youth are welcome. The class will meet in the conference room, room #6.
At our business meeting on November 23, 2014 it was approved to extend to Jesse Davis an initial 3 year call to serve as pastor at Medford Friends. Jesse has humbly accepted that call and the Elders will meet on December 4th to discuss the timing of this transition. More details will be shared as decisions are made. Please be praying for Jesse and our church family as we look forward to all that God is doing.
Annual Ladies Ornament Exchange – Friday, December 5th @ 6:30 p.m. All ladies are welcome to join at us at MFC for this festive event! There will be a reading of the Christmas Story. Bring a wrapped ornament and a favorite holiday goodie to share.
FWMF: A reminder that we will not meet in December. The next meeting will be January 20, 2015, 10 a.m., in the fireside room with a buffet lunch at the close of the meeting. All ladies are welcome.
Fellowship Hall and Main Hall Improvements
We are thankful for the generous gifts that are allowing us to paint and install new carpet and new windows in the fellowship hall and kitchen.
The windows will be installed beginning December 3rd and the carpet will be installed beginning December 8th.
We will remove the old carpet on Saturday December 6th, beginning at 8:30 am. Many hands will make the removal go quicker so if you can help please plan to be there.
Giving Tree – This year we will be doing our giving tree a little different than in the past. We will be collecting a variety of gift cards that can be given to people and families in need this Christmas season and throughout the year as needs arise. You can use the envelopes on the tree or just bring in your gift cards on a Sunday Morning. Cards from stores like Target, Walmart and Fred Meyer will provide the greatest options to meet a variety of needs. Thank you!
Christmas Program – Sunday, December 21st at 11 a.m.
Once again we will be having our Christmas program in the morning and we have room for those who would like to share a Christmas themed musical number, sketch or reading. If you are interested in sharing in this Christmas celebration please circle “C” on the back of your friendship, found in the Sunday bulletin and write what you would like to do or contact Mark Burton.
There will be a time of fellowship following the program, please bring finger foods to share.
Christmas Eve Service Please join us in the sanctuary Wednesday, December 24th at 5 p.m. for our traditional “Come As You Are Family Celebration.”
Financial Report
November 2014 Year-to-date
Income $20,729.00 $177,973.05
Expenses 18,094.25 $177,296.13
Difference 2,634.55 676.92
We are thankful for all of the ways that God provides for the needs of Medford Friends Church and for all of the ways that everyone contributes through your giving, your time, your work and your prayers.
Year-end gifts must be received at the church by Wednesday, December 31, 2014 to be reflected in your 2014 giving report. Thank you.
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