The Pastor’s Blog
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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Home Study for November 18 through 23, 2013
Monday – Read John 8:31-36
When it comes to Jesus, what is one of the key ways we are set free?
How does the truth set us free?
What is the difference between the freedom that we might receive from humans and the freedom that Jesus gives us?
How do you need Jesus to set you free in these days? Ask Him to do it.
Tuesday – Read Ephesians 2:8-10
Why is it important to recognize that we have been saved by grace through faith?
What does verse 10 mean to you?
What difference should this make in our daily lives?
What is Jesus saying to you? How will you respond?
Wednesday – Read James 2:14-26
According to this passage, what is the relationship between faith and works?
What do the things you do say about your faith?
What is Jesus saying to you? What will you do?
Thursday – Read Hebrews 9:11-14
How does the blood of Jesus cleanse our consciences?
According to verse 14, how should we respond to the cleansing of our consciences by the blood of Jesus?
What does this passage say to you? How will you respond?
Friday – Read Joshua 24:14-15
This was Joshua’s farewell speech to his people before his death. How important is that context to understanding what he is saying?
This is really the same choice we face each day. How can we go about choosing to serve Jesus each day?
How does this passage challenge you? What will you do?
Saturday – Read I Thessalonians 5:16-18
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“My Hope with Billy Graham”
Broadcast Information
The Dove will be airing multiple days/times: Thursday, Nov. 7 @ 8:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8 @ 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 10 @ 7 p.m. at Charter Cable Ch18, Ashland Home Net Ch 97, UHF Ch 44, or streaming on the web @ www.thedove.us. The program will also be aired during the Focus Today program on the Dove, at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7 with a follow-up discussion. Pastors Mark and Dave also have DVD copies which you can borrow to show/view on your schedule.
Thursday Night Home Study to Begin November 7th, Stan & Earlene Schlosser invite you to join them at 6 p.m. each Thursday evening, for a soup & bread meal and discussion group reading through Richard Foster’s Devotional Classics.
All Church Workday – 9 a.m. Saturday, November 9th
Everyone is invited to join us as we tackle some projects that need to be taken care of at MFC. There are a variety of indoor and outdoor jobs to be completed.
Operation Christmas Child “Good News. Great Joy.”
Share God’s love and the Joy of Christmas by packing a gift-filled shoe box for a child overseas. Your simple gift can make an eternal difference. There are still a few preprinted decorative shoe boxes available on the table display in the hallway, any standard size shoebox or 6-Quart plastic shoebox will do. Information and suggested gifts for the boxes are available on the table in the hallway. Please remember filled Shoe boxes and $7.00 per shoe box to help with shipping & other expenses need to be dropped off at the church by Wednesday November 13th so we can get them to the drop off point on time.
All Church Thanksgiving Dinner – Sunday, November 17th at 12 noon
Join us Sunday, November 17th, following the Sunday School & Bible study hour for our all church potluck with a Thanksgiving theme! Turkey & ham will be provided. Please bring generous side dishes & desserts that compliment a festive holiday dinner.
Change in Touchstone Delivery
Due to changing postal requirements and our mailing list, after the first of the year 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.
A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who helped with the Harvest Carnival at Howard School. We were able to shine the love of Jesus for hundreds of people to see. Please be praying for God to touch the hearts of everyone we were able to minister to.
Ladies Fellowship Meeting The ladies are meeting at MFC on Saturday, November 23rd from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to bake cookies for Hearts With a Mission, followed with a soup lunch.
Friends Women Missionary Fellowship Group All ladies are welcome to join us at MFC, Thursday, November 21th at 10 a.m. A buffet luncheon will follow the meeting.
FWMF ladies will have baked goods for sale for your holiday enjoyment after church on Sunday, Nov. 24th. If you would like a home baked pie prepared for you let Nadine Brood know by Nov. 17th (pumpkin, apple or cherry $5 each).
The Talent Friends Women will hold their Annual Christmas Bazaar & Soup Lunch ($5) on Saturday, November 9th, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Angelo’s Pizza – Jr. & Sr. High School Youth
FOOD – FUN – FELLOWSHIP
Monday, November 4th @ 5:30 p.m.
Watch Monday Night Football – Play Video Games, Eat Pizza
BRING A FRIEND – COST $5
Financial Report
October 2013 Year-to-date
Income $20,117.09 $169,146.98
Expenses 17,519.79 177,045.63
Difference 2,597.30 -7,898.65
We are thankful for all of the financial gifts that have helped us to make up ground on our earlier deficit. We are also thankful for everyone who gives to, works in and prays for the ministries of Medford Friends. God is able to use us to touch others with His love and truth as we live, work and pray together.
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Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 4:16-18
Joy, prayer and giving thanks are three key hallmarks of a life that has been changed by the life transforming work of Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This month we will set aside a day to remember and give thanks for all that God has done for us, and every year we set aside the first Thursday of the month as the National Day of Prayer, but what about joy; have you ever wondered why we don’t have Joygiving Day to go along with Thanksgiving and the National Day of Prayer?
It’s good to set aside a day for joy, prayer and giving thanks, but how much better is it to make every day a day of joy, as we live in the joy of God’s salvation; a day of prayer, as we live in communion with Jesus, speaking to Him and listening to Him; and a day of giving thanks to God for all that he has done in and through our lives.
Joy, prayer and giving thanks go together like chocolate, caramel and peanuts; each adds something that makes the whole greater than the sum of its parts. So this Thanksgiving, while we take time to remember what God has done and to give thanks, may we also spend time in prayer and live in the joy that is ours as forgiven and cleansed children of God.
With Gratitude and Thanks,
Mark
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