The Pastor’s Blog

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

It never ceases to amaze me how much God loves us and all of the ways, both big and small, that He reveals His love to us. Let me share one such experience I had recently.

Our daughter and her family had been on vacation and she accidently left her rings in their last motel room. She called the motel and they secured the rings and shipped them overnight to our house. The problem was someone had to sign for the package which meant that someone had to be home.

Not knowing when UPS would come, that morning I went into the church office but after a time decided it was time to take some work home and wait for the package. As I was turning into our neighborhood a UPS truck turned in right after me. Of course I began to wonder, is that truck headed to our house? That truck followed me all of the way to our driveway and I was barely out of my vehicle before receiving the package. The driver thought it was amazing timing; I told him it was definitely a “God thing.”

When I called our daughter to tell the package had arrived she was very relieved to know that her rings were now safely at our house. After talking to her I got to thinking about how amazing God’s timing was. If I had tarried while leaving the church I would have missed the delivery. If I had hit one more red light on the way home I would have missed the delivery.

God knew how much it meant to our daughter to have her rings back and He perfectly orchestrated the timing of my decision to head home and the arrival of the UPS truck to set our daughter’s mind at ease.

What a great reminder that there is nothing too big for God to handle and there is nothing too small for Him to care about. What is weighing on your heart today? Give it to Jesus and wait and watch to see how He acts to meet your need.

                         

God’s Grace and Peace,

                    Mark


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Friends Twin Rocks Camp  Raegan Kiley and Ariel Taylor are attending Girls Camp June 30th – July 5th.  Nate and Jaden Krupp will attend Boys Camp July 14th – July 19th.  Please be remembering them in prayer as they experience camp for the first time.

You can go to www.twinrocks.org for photos posted during the week of camp.

 August 4-10, 2013   Surfside Camp pre-registered by July 19, cost is $288.For youth completing 8th-12th grades this spring.

 

Medford Friends T-Shirts for Sale

Matching t-shirts can help foster a sense of team, connectedness and family, and recognizing that all three of those are worthy goals for us, the Elders have designed a Medford Friends t-shirt. The shirts are available in a variety of sizes and are just $8 each for youth small through adult XL and just $9 each for sizes above XL. To order see the display in the main hallway at MFC or contact Carla Tappero.

 

 

FWMF (Friends Women Missionary Fellowship) thanks everyone who contributed to the Father’s day brownie bake sale, $140 was donated for mission’s projects.

All ladies are welcome to join us at the home of Phebe McManama, Thursday, July 18th, at 10 a.m. for the next meeting. Following the meeting there will be a potluck picnic. We will not meet in the month of August, but resume again on the 19th of Sept.

 

What's Up For the Youth!

Emigrant Lake Day

When:  July 8th, Meet at MFC at 11 a.m. for rides

Where:  Emigrant Lake Water Slides

Cost:  $10 for 3hrs.

You Will Need:  Sunblock & Swim gear

All junior and senior high youth are invited. If you have any other questions please contact Dave Gomez.

 

Bring a Friend and Join in the Fun!

When:  Wednesday, July 31st  

             8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Where:  Bobbio's Pizza in Central Point

Cost:  $5

All junior and senior high youth are invited. If you need a ride please contact Dave Gomez.

 

Youth Impact Airsoft Extravaganza Saturday, July 20th    8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  Cost is $10

For more information and rides contact Dave Gomez.

 

THIRD DAY Concert – Wednesday, July 17th   At Lithia Amphitheater 6 p.m.

Reserved: $40    General Admission: $22.50

It is recommended to order tickets in advance since prices will be higher on the day of the show. You can buy tickets online at www.Lmgconcerts.com or by calling 855-443-8499.

Note: Show tickets include admission to the Jackson County Fair on July 17th.   Present your concert ticket at the Fair Gate for admission.

 

 

Northwest Yearly Meeting 2013 July 21-25  “The Risen Christ: Our Identity and Hope”

Online registration is open for Northwest Yearly Meeting 2013 annual sessions. The Sunday evening keynote address will be from Superintendent Becky Ankeny and the following evenings Richard Foster will be the guest speaker. To register please visit the Yearly Meeting web page at nwfriends.org.


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Home Study for July 1 to 6, 2013

Monday – Read Proverbs 17:24
Why does a wandering eye most always get us in trouble?
How do we keep wisdom in view?
How does that help to shape our thoughts and actions?
How does this verse challenge you? What will you do?

Tuesday – Read II Peter 2:14
What does it mean to have “eyes full of adultery?”
How does that impact our thoughts and behavior?
How do the actions of those with “eyes full of adultery” impact other people?
What is this verse saying to you? How will you respond?

Wednesday – Read Proverbs 4:20-27
How do we keep the words of God’s wisdom in our sight and heart?
How does God’s word give us life and health?
How does it keep us looking ahead and on the right path?
How does this passage challenge you? How will you respond?

Thursday – Read Hebrews 12:1-3
What sin seems to easily entangle you? How can you throw it off?
Why are we to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus? How can we do that?
What does Jesus show/teach us about staying faith in the face of difficulty and pain?
How does that encourage you?

Friday – Read II Timothy 2:20-22
How can we make ourselves more usable for God’s noble purposes?
Why is this important?
As we flee evil desires what are we to pursue?
Why is it important to understand this?
How does this passage challenge you? What will you do?

Saturday – Read Matthew 5:31-32


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Home Study for June 24 through 29, 2013

Home Study

Monday – Read I Samuel 16:7
Why does God have a different standard than men?
How can we have more of the attitude of God as we look at people and situations?
Why is this important?
What is Jesus saying to you? What will you do?

Tuesday – Read Ephesians 4:26-27
How can we keep from sinning in our anger?
Why is this important?
How does this passage challenge you?
What will you do?

Wednesday – Read James 1:19-21
How do you feel about the direction given in verse 19?
Have you found it to be true in your life?
How can we put this truth into practice?
What will you do?

Thursday – Read Romans 12:18
Can we ever be at peace with all people?
Why or why not?
What is our role in trying to maintain peace?
How does this verse challenge you? How will you respond?

Friday – Read Romans 12:1-2
What does it mean to be a “living sacrifice?”
Why are we to not conform to the pattern of this world?
How can our minds be transformed?
How does living as a living sacrificed with a transformed mind help us to better know God’s will?
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you? How will you respond?

Saturday – Read Matthew 5:27-30


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