The Pastor’s Blog
Home Study for November 17 through 22, 2014
Monday – Read Romans 2:1-4
Why is it spiritually dangerous for us to pass judgment on others?
Why is God’s judgment fair?
What does God’s kindness lead us toward?
Why is it important to understand this?
How can our kindness do the same for others?
Tuesday – Read Romans 11:22
In His perfect love God can be both stern and kind.
What is the purpose of His sternness?
What is the purpose of His kindness?
Think of a time that God was stern with you, was His sternness also an act of kindness?
Give Him thanks for His sternness and kindness.
Wednesday – Read Philippians 2:1-4
How does acting in love lead us to acts of kindness?
How does selfishness keep us from being kind?
How does humility overcome selfishness?
What is most challenging to you in this passage?
How will you respond?
Thursday – Read Philippians 2:5-11
How has God shown us the ultimate kindness?
How can we follow His example?
What is Jesus saying to you?
How will you respond?
Friday – Read Philippians 2:12-13
Who works in us to act according to God’s good purpose?
Does His good purpose include acting in kindness as He is kind?
How can we best do that?
Take time in prayer to ask God to work in you and through you according to His good purpose.
Saturday – Read Ephesians 5:15-21
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Thank You for Your Thank You
Thank you for the wonderful Pastor's Appreciation celebration. It was a total surprise. The trip to Sunriver, the gifts and words of love and appreciation blessed us richly, warmed our hearts and brought tears to our eyes.
We look forward to taking the trip but we also look forward to the times we have left together as my retirement approaches. Medford Friends Church is a wonderful & loving family and we have been incredibly blessed to be part of it.
Mark and Patsy
Blast From The Past Party Friday, November 7th at 7 p.m. Bring your favorite finger food and prepare for a good time. Come dressed in costume from a memorable decade. Is it the 1800’s, 1920’s, 1970’s, or 2000’s? Whatever, be creative and start planning your unique outfit. There will be Name That Tune, hula hoops and other fun games for the whole family.
Pastoral Candidate to Visit Medford Friends – November 7th through 9th
The Elders have invited Jesse Davis for a formal interview for the position of pastor. Jesse has an Associate’s Degree in Theater, a Bachelor’s Degree in Bible and Pastoral Ministry from Barclay College and a Master’s Degree from Azusa Pacific University. He has completed two internships, served as an apprentice pastor for one year and has many other ministry experiences.
In addition to an interview with the Elders, Jesse will join us for the Blast from the Past Party on November 7th and will preach in worship on November 9th, which will be followed by a fellowship time.
We hope everyone will make it a priority to meet Jesse as together we prayerfully seek God’s will for us as a church family.
New Topic for Wednesday Night Bible Study “You’ll Get through This”
This Wednesday night we’ll begin a new Bible study by Max Lucado dealing with finding help and hope in difficult times. It’s based on the life of Joseph in the book of Genesis. The session titles are “You’ll Get Through This,” “Down and Out, but Never Alone,” “Stupid Won’t Fix Stupid,” “Is God Good When Life Isn’t?,” “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.
Operation Christmas Child – Filled Shoe boxes and $7.00 or more per shoe box need to be dropped off at the church office by Wednesday November 12th so we can get them to the drop off point on time.
All Church Potluck Sunday, November 16th
Count Your Blessings, together with your church family! This potluck will have a Thanksgiving theme, so please bring generous side dishes and desserts that compliment a festive holiday dinner! Turkey and ham will be provided. We will meet in the fellowship hall following the Sunday School & Bible study hour.
Ladies Meetings for November:
Ladies Fellowship Group – All ladies are welcome to join us. We will meet at MFC on Saturday, November 15th, at 9 a.m. to bake cookies for Hearts With a Mission. There will be a light soup lunch. Cookies will be delivered to Hearts with a Mission when we are finished.
FWMF (Friends Women Missionary Fellowship) – Our next meeting will be held in the fireside room at 10 a.m. Thursday, November 20th, with lunch at Wendy’s. All ladies are welcome to join us for the meeting or lunch afterwards.
FWMF Harvest Baked Goods Event is scheduled for Sunday, November 23rd. There will be Cookies, Cakes, Breads, Pies, Jams & Jellies etc.! Items will be available between worship and the Sunday School hour, then again following Sunday School if items remain. Prices by donation (you determine a fair price according to your means). Funds go toward selected projects in support of our NWYM Friends Serving Abroad (missionaries) and local outreach projects. If you have questions call Nadine Brood at 541-535-1722 and leave a message.
NWYM 2014 Thanksgiving Offering This year’s offering will focus on Friends Center Scholarships. The Friends Center at George Fox Evangelical Seminary exists to support students as they prepare for ministry. More information to come in a bulletin insert soon. We will take this offering on Sunday, November 23rd.
Financial Report
October 2014 Year-to-date
Income $13,211.10 $157,210.31
Expenses 12,984.50 158,989.95
Difference 226.60 -1,729.64
We are thankful for all of the ways that everyone supports the life and ministries of God’s work at Medford Friends Church. We thank God for His continued and faithful provision to meet our needs as we seek, follow and serve Him.
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Patsy and I really enjoyed our recent trip to Arizona to visit our son Michael and his wife Tiara. The weather was fantastic and each of the various landscapes we encountered was breathtaking.
Shortly after driving out of the Phoenix airport the speed limit on the freeway was 75 miles per hour with the traffic moving even faster. Being one who likes to make good time on the freeway I said to Patsy, “These are my people.” Two days later I was singing a different song as I found that many Arizona drivers view traffic lights as merely a suggestion and they love to lay on their horns when even a simple honk isn’t needed. Upon further evaluation, I recognized that my first impression was both ill-informed and premature, as drivers, they are not my people.
First impressions are not always bad or wrong, in fact a time or two they’ve saved my life. However, most of the time it’s better to partner our first impressions with prayer, taking the time to seek the Lord’s will, allowing Him to clarify what we are seeing, hearing and sensing.
Proverbs 3:5 and 6 tell us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
The road of life can take us on some long and winding trips. Isn’t it good to know that as we trust in the Lord He will show us the way. He will lead and guide us as we seek Him through prayer and study. He will keep us from acting on our first impressions alone. He will keep us from making ill-informed decisions and He will lead us to the road that will take us where He has planned for us to go.
Trust in the Lord. Seek His way. Follow Him. Those steps will always protect us from making premature decisions based on first impressions alone and will take us where we are supposed to go and in the way we are supposed to get there.
Thankful to Follow,
Mark
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Home Study for November 3 through 8, 2014
Monday – Read II Peter 3:8-9
How would you describe God’s patience?
Where would we be without God’s patience?
How does this encourage you? Challenge you?
What will you do today to show patience to someone?
Tuesday – Read I Timothy 1:15-17
Why did Jesus come into the world?
How does His salvation display His unlimited patience?
How is our salvation a testimony to those who still need to be saved?
How might you be able to share this message with someone this week?
Wednesday – Read James 5:7-11
What example of patience are we given here?
In those days farmers were totally at the mercy of things that were not under their control, how is that like the things that make us impatient?
Why is it important for believers to be patient with one another?
How does this passage challenge you? What will you do?
Thursday – Read I Corinthians 13:4 and Ephesians 4:2
How is showing patience an act of love?
To whom should we show patience?
How do these verses challenge you?
How will you respond?
Friday – Read Lamentations 3:19-24
How does this passage reveal God’s patience toward us?
When does God’s compassion for us end?
How does recognizing God’s compassion and patience shown in our lives help to develop those qualities in us?
Wait upon God and give Him thanks.
Saturday – Read Isaiah 43:18-19
Why does God continually lead us to new things?
What new things is He doing in you?
Rather than being scared of the new, trust God in it.
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