The Pastor’s Blog

Notes, news, information, lessons, and updates from the Pastor’s desk and others.

Home Study for April 28 through May 3, 2014

Monday – Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9
According to this passage, what place should God hold in our lives?
Why are we to talk to our children/family about this?
How can we live to show our love for God to the people around us?
How does this passage challenge you? How will you respond?

Tuesday – Read Matthew 22:34-40
What did Jesus say was the greatest commandment in the Law?
Which is harder, to love God whom you can’t see or to love your neighbor whom you do see? Why?
How do loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves put the rest of life into perspective and order?

Wednesday – Read Joshua 24:14-15
Living for Jesus and putting Him first in our lives is all about the choices we make. What choice did Joshua make?
Why do we need to make this choice each day?
How does making this choice bring order and peace in our lives?
Who do you choose to serve today?

Thursday – Read Matthew 19:16-26
Jesus gave this man a choice, at what point did he chose to not follow Jesus?
What other kind of things besides wealth can get in the way of us choosing Jesus?
What happens when we choose anything besides Jesus?
What is this passage saying to you? What will you do?

Friday – Read Galatians 5:1-6
Paul is responding to people who insisted that a person is justified by obeying the Old Testament Law. In verse 4, what does Paul say that does to our relationship with Jesus? Why this important to understand?
According to verse 6, how should our faith by expressed?
How can this help others to see Jesus?
How does this passage challenge you? Encourage you?

Saturday – Read Matthew 10:40-42


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Home Study for April 14 through 19, 2014

Monday – Read Matthew 5:1-12
Which of these blessings surprises you the most?
From these verses, how vastly different is Jesus’ kingdom from the kingdoms of men?
How does this challenge you? How does it encourage you?
How will you respond?

Tuesday – Read John 10:1-10
What does it mean to “have life, and have it to the full?”
What does Jesus want to give us to “the full?”
Why do we too often miss it?
What does Jesus want to do in you? How will you respond to Him?

Wednesday – Read John 6:35
What does Jesus mean that He is the “bread of life?”
What can we do to be more fully filled with Him?
How does this verse challenge you?
How will you respond?

Thursday – Read John 13:34-35
Who is our example of how to love one another?
What did Jesus do out of love for us?
How can we love others in the same way?
Why is love such an important testimony?
How does this passage challenge you? How will you respond?

Friday – Read Galatians 5:1-6
Paul is talking about trying to be justified by the Old Testament law rather than by faith – trying to be justified by outward actions rather than a heart changed by Jesus.
At the end of verse 6, what does Paul say in the only thing that counts?
Why must our faith be expressed in acts of love?
How does this encourage you? Challenge you?
How will you respond?

Saturday – Read Luke 24:1-12


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Home Study for April 7 through 12, 2014

Monday – Read John 16:33
Why did Jesus give His disciples this warning and promise before His oming arrest and crucifixion?
How did Jesus overcome the world?
What does that mean to us?
How does this verse encourage you?

Tuesday – Read Romans 8:31-39
What promises of God to we find in this passage?
What can separate us from God’s love?
What does that mean to you?
How will you respond to this promise and truth?

Wednesday – Read Romans 12:1-2
What does it mean to be a “living sacrifice?”
Why is this important?
How can we know God’s will?
What is God saying to you? How will you respond?

Thursday – Read Philippians 2:5-11
What do verses 9-11 tell us everyone will do one day?
Why is it important for people to confess Jesus as their Lord on this side of eternity?
How does this passage challenge you? How does it encourage you?
To whom can you give testimony to the truth and love of Jesus?

Friday – Read Acts 4:1-22
Who opposed the truth of Jesus here?
According to verse 8, by what power did Peter speak?
According to verse 13, what was noted about Peter and John?
Do you think people would say that about you?
How does this passage challenge you?
How will you respond?

Saturday – Read Matthew 10:32-42


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All Church Business Meeting  There will be an all church business meeting Sunday, April 13th, to consider the proposed budget for 2014. We will meet in the sanctuary after worship. Sunday School will follow the meeting.  

Easter Sunday Schedule, April 20, 2014

In Celebration of our Risen Savior we will begin Easter Sunday with a Continental Breakfast at 9 a.m. in the fellowship hall followed by worship at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary. There will be no Bible studies or Sunday school classes that day. After the worship service there will be an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids.                                             

2014 Evangelical Friends Mission Easter Offering

Gifts for this year’s Easter offering will be used to support the outreach efforts of EFM featuring the Philippines Evangelical Friends Church. Your contributions will make a difference there and support outreach efforts in Mexico, Ireland, Rwanda, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Muslim refugees in various countries.

                                             

Ladies Meetings:

Ladies Fellowship Group All ladies are invited and welcome to join us for sharing & caring fellowship. We will meet on Tuesday, April 1st, at 7 p.m. at the home of Glenda Workman. Ann Loar will be co-hostess.

 

Friends Women Missionary Fellowship Group All ladies are welcome to join us at in the fireside room at MFC, Thursday, April 17th, at 10 a.m. A buffet lunch will follow the meeting.

 

All Church Workday – Everyone is invited to join us! Saturday April 12th at 8 a.m. to noon

We have a variety of projects to be completed. Plan now to come and share in the fellowship and work time.

List of Projects:

Finish backboard for library bookcase

Men's bathroom – remove and patch edging/plaster by sink

Outside trimming, weeding and clean-up

Roof cleaning and inspection 

Window sill repairs/caulking of fellowship hall windows (roof top)

Window washing

Kitchen – cleaning and organizing.

 

 

Community Garden at MFC  If you are interested in community gardening there is space available. For more information see Nate Swift or email him at nateswift@clearwire.net.

 

Financial Report

                     March 2014          Year-to-date

Income          $20,366.26             $49,884.21

Expenses        17,587.53               53,189.04

Difference         2,778.73                -3,304.83

We are thankful for God’s provision and for the giving, work and prayers of everyone toward the ministries of Medford Friends Church.

 

 

Spring Missions Rally 2014 at Medford Friends Church  Everyone is Invited to Come

Saturday, May 3, 2014, 10:30 a.m. with a lunch at noon Guest speakers: Ed and Marie Cammack

IN GOD’S HANDS

I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.  They are plans for PEACE, and not disaster, plans to give you a FUTURE filled with HOPE.                   JEREMIAH 29:11

Sponsored by S. OR Area Friends Women – Offering:  For updated equipment ­to complete the Bolivian History Project

 

Help our kids go to camp!

Mark your calendars and start planning for Camp Auction 2014!  The auction will be held on Wednesday May 14th.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the Auction Starts at 7 p.m. Sign-Up Sheets & additional information are located in the Fellowship Hall, Hallway, Harmony Hall and Ross Chapel.

 

 


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