The Pastor’s Blog
Thank You from Mark and Patsy
Thank you for all of the cards, prayers, gifts and words of love and encouragement as Mark embarks on his retirement. It has been an honor, privilege and joy to serve Jesus with you for over 24 years as pastors of Medford Friends Church. Through the years we have experienced great joy, trusted God through great challenges and grown through all we have faced. We have been incredibly blessed by being part of this church family and as we are gone for a time, please know that our love and prayers will always be with you.
We take joy in knowing that as we step down everyone will be praying for Jesse Davis as he assumes the role of pastor and that he will be shown the same love, grace and acceptance that was so generously shared with us and our family.
Sunday, January 4, 2015 – Farewell for Mark and Patsy Burton.
There will be a time of fellowship following worship. Please bring finger foods to share. No Sunday School that day.
Sunday, January 11, 2015 – Welcome Pastor Jesse Davis
Jesse will be installed and deliver his first sermon as our new pastor. There will be a time of fellowship after worship. No Sunday School. Please bring finger foods to share.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Stan & Earlene Schlosser will share about their recent Medical Mission Trip to Malawi.
There will be a presentation with pictures, lots of fun stories and souvenirs! All adult Sunday School classes will gather together for this time.
All Church Potluck Sunday, January 18th
Please join us for a time of fellowship and good food! We’ll meet in the fellowship hall at noon, following Stan & Earlene’s time of sharing. Please bring a main dish and salad, vegetable or dessert to share.
Women Fellowship Group All ladies are invited and welcome to join us for sharing & caring fellowship on January 6th at 7 p.m. at the home of Denise Fleming, Cindi Garrett will be co-hostess.
Friends Women Missionary Fellowship Group The next meeting will be January15, 2015, 10 a.m., in the fireside room with a buffet lunch at the close of the meeting. All ladies are welcome.
Wednesday Night Bible Study will resume January 14th, the study by Max Lucado dealing with finding help and hope in difficult times is based on the life of Joseph in the book of Genesis. There are two remaining subjects, “Now, About Those Family Scandals and Scoundrels” and “God Can Use This for Good.” The Study begins at 7 p.m. and everyone is welcome.
In honor of Mark’s 24 years of ministry at MFC, the church has made a donation to the Friendly Water for the World Ministry. If you would like more information, or would like to make a personal donation in Mark’s honor you can do so at friendlywaterfortheworld.com. or to Friendly Water for the World, mailing address: David H. Albert, 1717 18th Court NE,Olympia WA 98506
Financial Report
December 2014 Year-to-date
Income $20,892.99 $198,898.36
Expenses 12,798.22 190,234.35
Difference 7,954.77 8,664.01
We are thankful for God’s generous provision to us and for of the ways that everyone contributes to the ministries of Medford Friends.
Thank You from the Staff Thank you from the Burton, Wilson and Garrett families for all of the cards, gifts and the cash gifts shared with us throughout the Christmas season. It is a joy to worship and serve Jesus with all of you, our church family.
Thank you from Glenn Archibald, Sr. Thank you so much for the outpouring of caring concerns, prayers, and cards of encouragement during this time of Donnalee’s illness. God has blessed us with a wonderful church family.
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The year is 2015. Back in 1989, in the movie “Back to the Future II,” the main characters, Doc Brown and Marty McFly, traveled forward in time from the year 1985 to 30 years in the future, 2015. The movie version of 2015 had among other things, hover boards, flying cars, shoes that affixed at the push of a button, and 3-D billboards. In 1989, 2015 seemed like a long way off and yet, here we are.
Most of what the writers and director of the movie envisioned for 2015 hasn’t yet happened but that doesn’t mean that the world hasn’t changed since 1989. We don’t have to look too far to see smart phones and watches, laptop computers and cars filled with technology that we never dreamed of in 1989. But even so, life isn’t really so much different than it was in 1989.
One way I hope that our lives aren’t the same as they were in previous years is in our relationship with Jesus. Jesus never intended for our relationship with Him to be static, stagnant or unchanging. From scripture we see that our faith and relationship with Jesus are to grow, mature and produce fruit for God’s kingdom. What that looks like is different for each one of us, but the one thing that is common for all of us is continued growth in our knowledge of Jesus and in our relationship with Him.
As 2015 unfolds, may we find ourselves growing in our understanding of who Jesus is, growing in our faith in Him in every area of our lives and growing in the joy we have as we live in the love and power of Jesus. The year 2015 may not be like the movies, but as we grow with Jesus it will be much greater than anyone ever guessed.
God’s Grace and Peace,
Mark
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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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