The Pastor’s Blog
Home Study for December 9-14, 2013
Monday – Read Luke 8:40-48
What did this experience tell the disciples about Jesus?
Why was this important for them to know?
How does this help to increase your faith?
How does it encourage you?
What will you do?
Tuesday – Read Luke 8:49-56
What did this experience tell the disciples about Jesus?
Why was this important for them to know?
How does this help to increase your faith?
What does it mean to your life?
Wednesday – Read Ephesians 1:18-23
What did Paul for the believers in Ephesus?
Why did he want them to see the power of God in their lives?
Why is it important for you to understand the power that God brings into your life?
Take time to pray this prayer for yourself, your family and our church.
Thursday – Read Colossians 1:9-14
What did Paul pray for the believers in Colosse?
Why was this important?
Why is it important for us to fill us with the knowledge of His will?
Take time to pray this prayer for yourself, your family and our church.
Friday – Read Acts 12:1-17
What do you suppose the believers at the house of Mary were praying for?
How did they respond when the answer to their prayer showed up?
Why did they almost miss this miracle of God?
What did they learn about God through this difficulty?
What has God been teaching you through the difficulties you are facing in these days?
Ask Him to reveal Himself to you.
Saturday – Read Luke 1:26-38
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“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5
I am so thankful that my recent eye surgery corrected the double vision that I had been experiencing for over a year. And I am thankful for all of the phone calls, cards, cookies and prayers during that time. I know that your prayers allowed my surgery to be more successful than my doctor expected. One of the surprising aspects of having my vision corrected was realizing how much the double vision had been affecting my life. The prisms put in my glasses helped me to cope and manage most of the time, but it was so freeing to have my vision healed at the source.
In many ways that is what Christmas is all about, Jesus coming to us so that we may be healed at the source, that our hearts might be changed by Him. Through the centuries God’s people had tried to live in relationship with Him through the Old Testament law and all of the other laws, interpretations and rules their religious leaders had developed, but the reality was that even if a person lived up to all of it, Hebrews 9:13 says they were only outwardly clean.
But Hebrews 9:14 goes on to say, “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from act that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”
As we celebrate all that Christmas means to us, may we always remember that Jesus came to save, cleanse and heal us. And may we live in the victory He came to give us as He sets us free and gives us the gift of life.
May Your Christmas be Filled with Jesus,
Mark
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Giving Tree 2013
Our tree giving tree is set up in the foyer! This year we are doing our giving tree a little different than in the past. Instead of specific gift suggestions, we have envelopes on the tree with suggested types of gift cards to purchase, such as for a department store, grocery store, a store where toys may be purchased or a Visa type gift card that can be used anywhere. Be sure to return your gift card by December 15th. Your gift will be much appreciated by those who receive them.
Annual Ladies Ornament Exchange – Friday, December 6th @ 6:30 p.m. (Date changed to Dec. 13th due to weather conditions.)
All ladies are welcome to join at us at MFC for this festive event! Bring a wrapped ornament and a favorite holiday goodie to share. Hope to see you there.
Christmas Program – Sunday, December 15th at 11 a.m. (Date changed to Dec. 22nd due to weather conditions.)
The theme for our program is “The Light of Jesus” and we hope that over the next two weeks everyone will fill out one of the green sheets in the Sunday Bulletin that asks the question “What memorable ways have you seen the light of Jesus shared at Christmas?”
We also have room left for anyone who would like to share a reading or special vocal or instrumental number during the program. If you would like to share in this way please contact Pastor Mark or Lena Anderson.
Christmas Eve Service
Please join us in the sanctuary Tuesday, December 24th at 5 p.m. for our traditional “Come As You Are Family Celebration.”
Youth Winter Retreat – December 13th &14th
Jr. & Sr. High Students are invited!
This is a time of getting into the Word & Having Fun. We will be sledding, tubing, ice skating and other activities around Klamath Falls area. Cost $30. Please sign up in Ross Chapel. Contact Dave Gomez with any questions.
Jr. High & High School Youth – Tis the Season! Monday, December 16th at 7 p.m.
Free Christmas Concert at MTN Church, 1 E. Main St. Invite a friend to share in merriment & good cheer! See Dave Gomez for more information.
From the Christian Ed Committee:
Clothing Cupboard for Kids We would like to have a small cupboard of used clothing available for pre-school and elementary ages in the event of emergency or accidents that require a change of clothing during Sunday School or Wednesday nights, etc. If you have one or two items of gently used clothing that your children have outgrown and would like to donate them, please bring them to the church nursery.
Recycle Those Toys, Games, Puzzles
At Christmas, our children get new toys and games and frequently have old ones that they no longer are using. If your child has a quality toy or game they would like to donate to our preschool department, we would love to recycle and enjoy what they no longer use. Please think of us when you are trying to make room for the new! We would love the donation. Please see Lena Anderson.
Change in Touchstone Delivery
Due to postal requirements and our changing mailing list, beginning in January we will no longer be mailing the Touchstone newsletter as we have been doing for years.
The Touchstone is currently posted in its entirety, including an updated calendar, on our church website, www.medfordfriendschurch.org. If you would be content reading the Touchstone on line please let our secretary Terry Wilson know by emailing her at terry@medfordfriendschurch.org and in the subject line write Touchstone.
We will also make available on the table in the foyer a number of copies of the Touchstone in printed form for people to pick up after the first of each month. And for those people for whom those methods do not work we can mail it to you. If you need us to mail you a copy please let Terry know by sending an email, a note in the mail, a note on Sunday morning or by calling her at the church office, 541-772-6926. Thank you for your help and patience while we make this change.
White Elephant Gift Exchange – Tuesday, December 31th
Join us at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall for a fun time! Bring finger foods to share and a wrapped white elephant gift for the exchange game!
Youth Groups Getting Together for a Great Time
New Year’s Eve Party at 7 p.m. – At Central Point Community Bible
There will be Inflatables, Laser Tag, Games, Live Bands and Food! Invite a friend! Cost is $5. Contact Dave Gomez for more information.
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Home Study for November 25 through 30, 2013
Monday – Read Psalm 96:1-13
For what does the Psalmist praise the Lord in this psalm?
How should we respond to this call to praise?
Tuesday – Read Psalm 100:1-4
What reasons for joy does the psalmist mention here?
What are some ways of expressing our joy does he mention here?
Take time to express your thanks to God.
Wednesday – Read Psalm 98:1-9
For what reasons does the psalmist praise the Lord in this psalm?
What are some ways that the psalmist calls people to praise the Lord?
What are some ways that you can praise the Lord today?
Take time to praise Him.
Thursday – Read Psalm 103:1-22
What are some things for which the psalmist praised the Lord?
Which apply to our lives today?
Which of these things gives you the greatest hope?
Take time to praise the Lord.
Friday – Read Romans 8:28-39
What hope does this passage give us?
Think of a time when God was able to work a difficult situation for good in your life. How did that build your faith? How did it give you hope?
What does it mean that nothing can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus?
Take time to give God thanks for His love and his work in your life.
Saturday – Read Matthew 8:18-22
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