The Pastor’s Blog
Home Study for September 3rd through 8th, 2012
Monday – Read Psalm 34:1-10
What is David praising God for in this Psalm?
What does he challenge others to do?
What hope does he share?
What is God doing in your life? How can you share it?
Tuesday – Read Psalm 24:11-22
What does David call the people of God to do in these verses?
How can we live in this God honoring way?
What promises of God does David record here?
How is God working in you? How might you share that work with others?
Wednesday – Read Hebrews 10:19-25
Why should we be sure to keep meeting together?
How does God use other believers to encourage end challenge us in our own faith?
How has God challenged you in these days?
How will you respond?
Thursday – Read Galatians 6:1-5
What are we called to do here? Why?
What are we warned against? Why?
How can this happen in the context of Christian relationship?
What is God saying to you? How will you respond?
Friday – Read Colossians 4:2-6
Why should we be careful in how we talk to one another and to other people outside of the family of God?
How should we talk?
Think of a time when a conversation “full of grace and seasoned with salt” made a difference in your life. Why did it?
How can you relate to other people in this way?
Saturday – Read Ephesians 5:20
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Hands and Feet of Jesus – Clothing Give Away
There are many in our valley making hard choices right now. After rent, utilities and food there isn’t much left for school and work clothes. On Saturday, September 15th, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., we will be the hands and feet of Jesus by giving away clean, gently used clothing and coats. If you just love to shop, there is always a need for new socks and underwear (either gender, any size).
We will need friends to assist shoppers on Saturday and to sort clothes on Friday, at 10 a.m. Call Earlene Schlosser and let her know you will be available to assist either day or if you have questions 541-890-6218.
Wednesday Night Activities will Resume September 12th
If you haven’t been here on Wednesday evenings in the past, come and join us this year! 6 p.m. Simple Meal with Wed. Night Kids, Youth Group, and Adult Study at 7 p.m. The adult study will begin with a Francis Chan series on the Holy Spirit.
Youth Group Leaders Meeting For those interested in serving with Jr. & Sr. high students let’s get together September 4th, at 6 p.m. at Bobbio’s Pizza, 312 Oak St. Suite 102 in C.P. Please RSVP w/ Dave Gomez@ dave@medfordfriendschurch.org
All Church Potluck Sunday, September 16th Mark your calendars now and plan to join us in the fellowship hall following the Sunday School & Bible Study hour. Please bring your favorite potluck main dish, and a salad, vegetable or dessert, enough to feed eight people.
MFC Ladies Meetings Resume in September FWMF (Friends Women Missionary Fellowship)
Our new program year begins this month with an exciting theme from Ezekiel 48:35 “Jehovah-Shammah – The Lord is There.”
We will meet Thursday, September 13th, at MFC, from 10 a.m. to noon with lunch provided following the meeting. All women are welcome. Please note that this one week earlier than our usual 3rd Thursday meeting time in order to avoid conflict with the combined Oregon – Idaho Friends Women Fall Retreat at Quaker Hill September 20-23.
Looking Beyond September: Annual Bazaar 2012 The date is November 17th. It’s not too early to be thinking what you can bake or make or help in some other way to keep this missions fund-raising event the success it has been. The Lord has blessed even in these hard times. We thank Him. FWMF contact persons: Nadine Brood or Donnalee Archibald.
Ladies Fellowship Meeting All ladies are invited and welcome to join us for sharing & caring fellowship. Our first meeting will be Tuesday, September 18th, at 7 p.m. at Glenda Workman’s.
Thank You for the School Supplies! Dave Gomez and Carla Tappero delivered the supplies to Howard Elementary and they filled a huge table in the office. You can see the pictures of it all at the church Facebook page, www.facebook.com/mfcchurch. The school staff was very excited and said that the teachers will be blessed that they can meet the needs of so many students.
Volunteers Needed The Christian Education committee is seeking volunteers to work in the nursery during the 9:30 a.m. service and the 11:00 a.m. Sunday School hour, as well as working with the kids during Sunday School. Please be praying about what God would have you do. If you feel that God is calling you into one of these ministries please contact Lena Anderson or Pastor Mark.
Memorial Service Betty Wolk-Laniewski, a longtime member of Medford Friends, was called home to be with Jesus on August 29, 2012. A memorial service to celebrate Betty’s life is scheduled for Saturday, September 15th at 3 p.m. at the church. Please be praying for God’s comfort and peace to be upon Betty’s family.
JR. & SR. HIGH STUDENT YOUTH EVENTS: FOR A RIDE TO ANY OF THESE EVENTS PLEASE CALL DAVE GOMEZ
Thursday, September 6th @ 6:30 p.m. FREE Concert with Ryan Stevenson and Harmony Hi-See @ First Church of the Nazarene,1974 E. McAndrews Rd.
Saturday,September 8 7:30 p.m. So. Oregon Spartans Hockey team game @ The Rrrink 1349 Central Dr. Medford
Monday Night Football at Angelo's Pizza September 24th 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Football, Food & Fellowship
2161 West Main St. Cost: $8 Buffet
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A couple of weeks ago Patsy and I had the opportunity to watch Brett and Curtis Garrett in the Randall Theater production of “Fractured Fairy Tales.” It was great fun to see how the authors had taken the seed of well-known fairy tales, in this case “Cinderella” and “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” and then ran with them in a totally different direction. The trial of Goldilocks was definitely unlike any courtroom I have ever been in.
In Matthew 4 we read about Satan’s attempt to get Jesus to sin after 40 days of fasting in the wilderness. In that attempt we see that Satan fractured or misapplied three Old Testament passages or themes. As Satan used these themes, each had a grain of truth, but then he twisted them to suit his own plan and purpose.
I would like to say that fracturing and twisting God’s word doesn’t happen very much, but the truth is it is done all too often, misapplying or taking God’s word out of context to promote a position that scripture doesn’t support. And the problem is that those who do the twisting can make it sound so good that those who do not really know or understand God’s word can be deceived.
That’s why, as Paul addressed false teachings in the church in II Timothy 2:15, he charged Timothy to, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
In John 8:31 and 32 we read, “To the Jews who had believed in him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teachings, you are my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”
Correctly handling God’s word of truth takes time, it takes study, and it takes seeking God’s understanding and leading through prayer until we receive it. However, it is all worth it when we experience the power and the freedom, freedom within the boundaries God has set and freedom from others twisting his word, which comes from knowing and understanding God’s truth.
Seeking to Know and Live God’s Truth,
Mark
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Home Study for August 27 through September 1, 2012
Monday – Read I John 4:7-21
God is love. How should this impact how we should live?
Why is there no fear in love?
How can we show our love to God?
How does this passage challenge you? How will you respond?
Tuesday – Read I Corinthians 1:23-31
Why is God’s wisdom so much greater than human wisdom?
Why does God choose to work through us?
How should we respond?
Wednesday – Read I Corinthians 13:1-13
From these verses how would you describe the importance of love?
As you read the acts of love, is this something we can do on our own?
Why not?
What do we need to love like this?
How is God challenging you? How will you respond?
Thursday – Read Romans 12:17-21
What are some practical ways to live in love listed here?
What if people don’t accept our love, how should we respond?
How can good overcome evil?
How does this passage challenge you? What will you do?
Friday – Read Ephesians 3:14-21
How great is God’s love?
How great is God’s love for you?
What can you do to experience more of God’s love?
What can you do to show more of God’s love?
Saturday – Read Ephesians 5:19-21
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