The Pastor’s Blog
Home Study for December 17 through 22, 2012
Monday – Read John 8:23-29
Although Jesus was in human flesh, why could He say that He was “from above?”
According to verse 26, whose thoughts and words did Jesus share?
According to verse 29, who did Jesus live to please?
What example does this set for us?
Tuesday – Read I Samuel 16:1-13
By what standard had Samuel begun looking for the next king?
Why does God not judge on outward appearances but by the heart?
How will this truth change the way you think and act?
Take time to invite the Holy Spirit to transform you from the inside out.
Wednesday – Read Psalm 145:1-7
Why does David praise the Lord?
Why is it critical for one generation to commend the works of God to another?
How can you do that in these days?
Pray and ask God to give you opportunity to commend Him to the next generation.
Thursday – Read Psalm 145:8-16
How is God described here?
How does this fit with what we know about Jesus?
What does God’s faithfulness mean to you?
How will you respond?
Friday – Read Psalm 145:17-21
How is God described here?
How does this fit with what we know about Jesus?
What does God’s righteousness and justice mean to you?
How will you respond?
Saturday – Read Revelation 19:11-16
This is a New Testament prophetic description of Jesus. How do the qualities ascribed to Jesus here compare with those you saw in the Old Testament earlier this week?
What does this tell you about Jesus to come and who He should be in your life?
How will you respond?
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Youth Group Winter Retreat – December 15 – 17, 2012 for Jr. and Sr. High Students
A time for Getting into the Word and Fun! We will be Sledding/Tubing and Ice Skating and other Activities. Please sign up in Ross Chapel.
New Year’s Eve Bash at Community Bible Church in C.P.
December 31st, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. For Jr. High and High School
Cost is $5. Meet at MFC at 7 p.m. for a ride. Sign up in Ross Chapel. If you have any questions, contact Dave Gomez.
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Home Study for December 3 through 10, 2012
Monday – Read John 15:18-27
Why should we not be surprised when we face persecution or attack?
How does knowing this help us to respond to the attacks we face?
How does this knowledge encourage you in whatever you’re facing?
Tuesday – Read Matthew 5:43-48
How does Jesus call us to respond to our enemies?
How did He demonstrate this for us? See Luke 23:34.
What does loving and praying for our enemies say about our relationship with Jesus?
Who do you need to love and pray for?
Wednesday – Read Ephesians 6:10-18
What do we learn here about the opposition we face?
Why is it important to understand this?
How do we overcome this opposition?
A good practice is to pray through these verses each morning to prayerfully put on God’s armor for the day.
Thursday – Read I Peter 5:5-11
Satan is the one enemy we are not to love nor pray for because it won’t do any good. His rejection of God was complete and he sealed his eternal fate by his own choice and actions.
How is Satan described here? How does this help us to understand his actics and how to resist him through
Jesus?
What does God promise to do after we’ve suffered?
How does this passage encourage you?
Friday – Read Hebrews 12:1-3
What advice do these verses give us about standing against opposition?
What encouragement do you find in knowing that others before you have overcome the same discouragement?
How does keeping our eyes on Jesus help us to overcome?
What do you need to do to overcome discouragement today?
Saturday – Read Nehemiah 4:7-23
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Christmas Program – December 16th at 11 a.m.
The theme of our program this year is favorite Christmas traditions. The Sunday bulletins on December 2 and 9 will have an insert so that you can share with us your favorite Christmas tradition. Just write it out on the insert and then place it in the offering or the box in the foyer and we will include your response in our program. Also, we still have room for anyone who would like to share a musical or instrumental number or special reading. If you would like share in this way please contact Pastor Mark or Lena Anderson.
There will be a fellowship time after the program so please bring your favorite finger food to share.
Christmas Eve Service
Please join us in the sanctuary Monday, December 24th at 5 p.m. for our traditional “Come As You Are Family Celebration.”
Breakfast and Decorating for Christmas at MFC – Saturday, December 1st, at 8 a.m. Join us for a great time of fellowship as we decorate for the Christmas season.
Annual Ladies Ornament Exchange
All ladies are invited to a time of fellowship and celebration of Christmas on Friday, December 7th at 6:30 p.m. Bring one wrapped ornament each and finger foods to share. We will sing Christmas carols, hear the Christmas story, and have fun as we exchange our ornaments!
Sharing the Love of Jesus at Christmas
The Gift Tree is decorated with tags that will provide a little help for families in need this holiday season! Simply claim a tag and check it out on the information sheet hanging near the tree. Gifts need to be returned by December 19th. Tags will have information about gender, age and size. Suggested price range is $25. The gifts should be wrapped and identified with the tree tag when returned. If you would like to help a child, but can’t (or don’t like to) shop – we have Friends willing to brave the crowds for you. See Earlene Schlosser or call her at 541-890-6218 if you have questions.
Friends Women Missionary Fellowship will not meet for business in December. The next meeting will be January 17th at the home of Donnalee Archibald weather permitting. If you would like to attend but need a ride contact Phebe McManama.
FWMF says Thank You so very much for all the ways you partnered with us in our annual bazaar efforts, Nov. 17th, to raise funds for global outreach ministries. You were faithful in helping behind the scenes, providing encouragement, items to sell, preparing coffee & lunch & cleanup. The Lord blessed the day in fellowship and financially to date, when all proceeds are accounted for we anticipate clearing $1,200. YOU ARE APPRECIATED, thank you for demonstrating the body of Christ at work.
Christmas Program – December 16th at 11 a.m.
The theme of our program this year is favorite Christmas traditions. The Sunday bulletins on December 2 and 9 will have an insert so that you can share with us your favorite Christmas tradition. Just write it out on the insert and then place it in the offering or the box in the foyer and we will include your response in our program. Also, we still have room for anyone who would like to share a musical or instrumental number or special reading. If you would like share in this way please contact Pastor Mark or Lena Anderson.
Youth Group Winter Retreat – December 15 – 17, 2012 for Jr. and Sr. High Students
A time for Getting into the Word and Fun! We will be Sledding/Tubing and Ice Skating and other Activities. Please sign up in Ross Chapel.
New Year’s Eve Bash at Community Bible Church in C.P. – December 31st, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. For Jr. High and High School
Cost is $5. Meet at MFC at 7 p.m. for a ride. Sign up in Ross Chapel. If you have any questions, contact Dave Gomez.
White Elephant Gift Exchange – The date has been changed to: Monday, December 31st, at 6 p.m.
Join us in the fellowship hall for a fun time! Bring finger foods to share and a wrapped white elephant gift for the exchange game!
Coming in January 2013 – Blanket and Sleeping Bag Drive
Beginning January 1, 2013, we will begin collecting gently used or new blankets and sleeping bags to be given to a number of ministries in the valley. Be looking now for what you might give.
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