The Pastor’s Blog
Kids 3rd Saturday Friends Day – Fun Activities 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. August 16.
We must have written permission for your child to participate. There are copies of the permission slip located on the table in the foyer. Watch for more information about the activities that are planned for August!
Pool Party & BBQ at Stan & Earlene Schlosser’s Saturday, August 16th –
Pool opens at 4 p.m. Dinner at 6 p.m.
We will provide burgers, dogs (with all the condiments) and lemonade. Please bring potluck salad, chips, or dessert and your own chair!
Please Circle “S” on the back of your information sheet and place it in the offering if you plan to attend. Be at MFC by 3:15 p.m. if you would like to ride in the church van.
Birthday Celebration for Vera Wisely
Sunday, August 17th, please join us for cake and coffee in celebration of Vera Wisely’s 101st Birthday! Meet in the fellowship hall following the worship hour. Sunday School will follow as usual at 11.
School Supply Drive
Many families in the local community cannot afford to provide school supplies for their children and we want to help. Below is a list of supplies that we are collecting to share with students in need at Howard Elementary. You will notice that some of the supplies are listed by their brand name and educators tell us that is because even though they may cost a little more, those brands provide better bang for the buck. A collection box for these supplies is in the main hallway. The deadline for bringing in supplies is Sunday, August 17th.
Supply List :
12 pack Ticonderoga brand pencils, 24 count Crayola crayons; pencil top erasers; large erasers; 12 count Crayola color pencils; 8 count Crayola color markers (washable); glue sticks; bottles of white glue; rulers; pencil pouches; red, blue, yellow and green pocket folders, notebook paper; pens; solar calculators; 3 ring binders; pocket dividers for binders; 3×5 lined note cards; spiral notebooks; Kleenex tissues; backpacks.
Help Wanted We are currently looking for people who would like to serve in the Holy Grounds coffee ministry during the fellowship time on Sunday mornings. Training will be provided. If you are interested or have any questions please see Nate Swift.
Holy Grounds Proceeds to Child Evangelism of Jackson County For the last few years all of the Holy Grounds Coffee shop proceeds and tips have gone to building houses in Mexico. The decision has been made to share the proceeds with other ministries too, and through December the proceeds and tips will go to Child Evangelism Fellowship of Jackson County. So, buy a drink and help share the love of Jesus with the kids in our area!
Schedule Change – No Sunday School on August 31st
On August 31st we will have worship as usual at 9:30 a.m., followed by a fellowship time but we will not meet for Sunday School that day.
Financial Report
July 2014 Year-to-date
Income $12,045.96 $110,901.92
Expenses 12,041.20 120,981.48
Difference 4.76 -10,079.56
We are thankful to everyone who gives to, prays for and serves in the ministries of Medford Friends Church. And we thank God for His faithful provision to meet our needs as we serve Him.
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I recently opened my email and found a message in my inbox carrying the name of an old co-worker and friend who passed away last year. Pat was my field training officer when I was a Parole and Probation Officer and my initial hope was that it might be something from his wife, perhaps some kind of last message that Pat wanted to send out to his friends, but in my heart I knew it was really just some unscrupulous person using his name and contacts to go phishing. I didn’t open the attachment and deleted the email, but I was left feeling a little disappointed that it wasn’t a real message.
That experience got me to thinking about how incredible it is that God has given us His word, His message to us. Through His word God shares His love with us; He imparts His truth and wisdom to us; He challenges our suppositions; He stretches us to grow in our faith; He comforts our hurts; and He gives us His guidance and reveals the path He would have us to follow.
II Timothy 3:16 and 17 put it like this:
“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
For God’s word to have this kind of power and impact in our lives we must accept that it is from Him, we must take time to study what God has said to us and to meditate upon what He wants that truth to do in our lives. We must be willing to spend time listening to the Holy Spirit as He teaches us and leads us. And we must avoid using God’s word to prove our point to others, but instead allow God to prove His point to us. To do this we must approach God’s word with humility and reverential fear. Every time we open and read it we must be open to God speaking, challenging, training, correcting, leading and encouraging us.
As you spend time reading God’s message to you, soak in His truth, meditate on what it means and allow the Holy Spirit to work the power of His word in you.
God’s Grace and Peace,
Mark
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Home Study for July 28 through August 2, 2014
Monday – Read Colossians 3:12-17
Which of these things are the hardest for you to do?
By whose power may you do them?
What do you need to do to plug into that power?
What will you do?
Tuesday – Read John 8:31-32
What do we need to do to be disciples of Jesus?
What is the role of God’s word in our lives?
How does His word set us free?
What does His freedom look like?
In what way(s) do you need Jesus to set you free?
Invite Him to do so.
Wednesday – Read II Corinthians 4:13-16
Why does the truth of God’s grace cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God?
Do people see God’s grace in you?
What might you do in your life for God’s grace to shine more brightly through you?
What do you need to do in your relationship with Jesus today?
Thursday – Read Colossians 4:2-6
Why do we want to season our conversations with grace?
What has Jesus done in you that others need to hear?
What can we do to open the door to share Jesus with others?
Pray for Jesus to show you to whom He would have you share His love, grace and truth.
Friday – Read Revelation 22:21
What is significant about this being the last verse in the Bible?
What do you think God is saying to His people and the world?
How can you help to communicate that message to the people in your life?
Invite the Holy Spirit to help you do that.
Saturday – Read Titus 3:1-8
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Home Study for July 21 through 26, 2014
Monday – Read Romans 3:21-26
Why do we need to experience God’s grace in our lives?
What did God do to make His grace available to us?
How do we experience the fullness of God’s grace in our lives?
Who do you know who needs to experience God’s grace?
Pray for them and be open to sharing god’s grace as the Holy Spirit leads.
Tuesday – Read Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6 and I Peter 5:5
What is God saying by repeating this same truth three times in both the Old and New Testaments?
Why is human pride so detestable to God?
Who sets the example for true humility? See Philippians 2:5-11.
Why does God bless true humility?
What is God saying to you? How will you respond?
Wednesday – Read John 3:16-17
Who can experience forgiveness and life through faith in Jesus?
Is anyone excluded here?
Why did God want to save the world and why does He want to save us?
How is God challenging you? How will you respond?
Thursday – Read Ephesians 5:15-21
How should we live in these days?
Are you living filled with the Holy Spirit? Why is this important?
As you look at these verses, what might the Spirit be saying you could do differently or better?
How will you respond?
Friday – Read II Timothy 1:7-12
What kind of spirit has God given us?
Is this spirit a gift of His grace or the result of our works?
What hope did Paul have even as he faced difficult times?
Can we live in that same hope today?
What difficulties are you facing? Where is your hope?
Saturday – Read Colossians 3:12-17
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