This past Saturday we had a Pound Party/House Warming at my new place. The idea of getting Pounded was new to me and I was a little nervous. As people started coming though, I realized how silly I had been to be afraid of this event! We had a great time and I found out that Friends have no unit of measurement other than abundance. Thank You!

POUND PARTY/OPEN HOUSE FEBRUARY 7^TH, 1-4 P.M.

Terry and Dawn DuLong would like to invite you to participate with them in welcoming Jesse to our church and neighborhood. You are welcome to drop off your “POUND” items between 1 and 4 p.m., at his town house, 411 Berrydale Avenue #4, Medford. If that day doesn’t work for you and you would like to “POUND” him, you can drop items off at MFC up until Thursday, February 5^th. Items can include household as well as food.

The Monday Night Home Study led by Marilyn Johnston at the home of Phebe McManama is taking a break until after tax season.  They will resume meeting in May.

Wednesday Night Bible Study continues in the study by Max Lucado dealing with finding help and hope in difficult times. It’s based on the life of Joseph in the book of Genesis.  You are welcome to join us, we meet at 7 p.m. at MFC.

“MARDI GRAS NIGHT”  Friday, February 13, 2015 – at 6 p.m.

Join us for an evening of family fun!  You can pick your mask at the door or feel free to bring your own creation. We will begin with a Pancake Supper, there will be gluten free, dairy free, whole grain pancakes available – BYO favorite syrup or other toppings, homemade are acceptable!  At 7 p.m. Mardi Gras Games Begin!  If you have any questions contact Terry & Dawn DuLong.

All Church Potluck Sunday, February 15^th Please join us for a time of fellowship and good food! We’ll meet in the fellowship hall at noon, Please bring a main dish and salad, vegetable or dessert to share.

FWMF MEETING All ladies are welcome to join us, we will meet at MFC in the fireside room Thursday, February 19^th.  Lunch will follow at Wendy’s.

Dates established for upcoming Friends Women’s events:

Spring Rally – April 25 at Talent Friends

Yearly Meeting Banquet – July 19^th at GFU

Fall Retreat at Twin Rocks – October 2-4

Your help in lifting up in prayer these events is appreciated.

• Just A Reminder that the FWMF ladies are still collecting box tops for education and Campbell’s soup labels.  We forward the box tops to the Sam’s Valley Elementary school and the soup labels help the Southwestern Indian School in Arizona. Thank you!

Thank you for your generous patronage of Holy Grounds. We collected $250 to donate to Child Evangelism Fellowship. From January through March profit from your coffee purchases will be donated to Hearts With A Mission. Please see the flyer in the coffee window for more information about HWAM.

Seniors You Are Invited to Join Strong Friends!   

Flexibility, strength and balance become more challenging as we age.  If you've enjoyed watching children learn to walk you know it is a complicated set of skills.  Falling many times is part of the process.

Wanting to pass on that part, we follow a program devised by Tuft's University and as STRONG FRIENDS meet M-W-F from 9 to 10.  We exercise at the church and you are welcome to join us any time.  I lead the class as a volunteer and there is no fee for doing the exercises that have kept us more flexible, stronger and less likely to fall.  The group has been meeting since 2006.  Curious if this would work for you or with questions, call 541-770-3711–Teddie Hight.

Candles-in-a-can for the Homeless – Let Your Light Shine…Matthew 5:16 

We are taking donations of wax and 14.5 oz. cans for this project, if you have donations please leave them in the tub located in the main hall coat rack area. Contact Judy Fields if you have any questions.

Thank You from Mark and Patsy

Thank you for all of the cards, prayers, gifts and words of love and encouragement as Mark embarks on his retirement. It has been an honor, privilege and joy to serve Jesus with you for over 24 years as pastors of Medford Friends Church. Through the years we have experienced great joy, trusted God through great challenges and grown through all we have faced. We have been incredibly blessed by being part of this church family and as we are gone for a time, please know that our love and prayers will always be with you.

We take joy in knowing that as we step down everyone will be praying for Jesse Davis as he assumes the role of pastor and that he will be shown the same love, grace and acceptance that was so generously shared with us and our family.

Sunday, January 4, 2015 – Farewell for Mark and Patsy Burton.

There will be a time of fellowship following worship. Please bring finger foods to share. No Sunday School that day.

Sunday, January 11, 2015 – Welcome Pastor Jesse Davis

Jesse will be installed and deliver his first sermon as our new pastor.  There will be a time of fellowship after worship. No Sunday School. Please bring finger foods to share.

Sunday, January 18, 2015 

Stan & Earlene Schlosser will share about their recent Medical Mission Trip to Malawi. 

There will be a presentation with pictures, lots of fun stories and souvenirs!  All adult Sunday School classes will gather together for this time.

All Church Potluck Sunday, January 18^th

Please join us for a time of fellowship and good food! We’ll meet in the fellowship hall at noon, following Stan & Earlene’s time of sharing. Please bring a main dish and salad, vegetable or dessert to share.

Women Fellowship Group All ladies are invited and welcome to join us for sharing & caring fellowship on January 6^th at 7 p.m. at the home of Denise Fleming, Cindi Garrett will be co-hostess.

Friends Women Missionary Fellowship Group The next meeting will be January15, 2015, 10 a.m., in the fireside room with a buffet lunch at the close of the meeting. All ladies are welcome.

Wednesday Night Bible Study will resume January 14th,  the study by Max Lucado dealing with finding help and hope in difficult times is based on the life of Joseph in the book of Genesis. There are two remaining subjects, “Now, About Those Family Scandals and Scoundrels” and “God Can Use This for Good.”  The Study begins at 7 p.m. and everyone is welcome.

In honor of Mark’s 24 years of ministry at MFC, the church has made a donation to the Friendly Water for the World Ministry. If you would like more information, or would like to make a personal donation in Mark’s honor you can do so at friendlywaterfortheworld.com. or to Friendly Water for the World, mailing address: David H. Albert, 1717 18th Court NE,Olympia WA 98506

Financial Report

                    December 2014          Year-to-date

Income            $20,892.99              $198,898.36

Expenses          12,798.22                190,234.35

Difference           7,954.77                    8,664.01

We are thankful for God’s generous provision to us and for of the ways that everyone contributes to the ministries of Medford Friends.

Thank You from the Staff  Thank you from the Burton, Wilson and Garrett families for all of the cards, gifts and the cash gifts shared with us throughout the Christmas season. It is a joy to worship and serve Jesus with all of you, our church family.

Thank you from Glenn Archibald, Sr.  Thank you so much for the outpouring of caring concerns, prayers, and cards of encouragement during this time of Donnalee’s illness. God has blessed us with a wonderful church family.

New Sunday School Class Begins December 7^th   This will be a multi-generational class that will look at current events through the eyes of scripture. The class will be led by Bruce Workman and Janelle Ralph. All junior high and high school youth are welcome. The class will meet in the conference room, room #6.

At our business meeting on November 23, 2014 it was approved to extend to Jesse Davis an initial 3 year call to serve as pastor at Medford Friends. Jesse has humbly accepted that call and the Elders will meet on December 4^th to discuss the timing of this transition. More details will be shared as decisions are made. Please be praying for Jesse and our church family as we look forward to all that God is doing.

Annual Ladies Ornament Exchange – Friday, December 5th @ 6:30 p.m. All ladies are welcome to join at us at MFC for this festive event!  There will be a reading of the Christmas Story. Bring a wrapped ornament and a favorite holiday goodie to share.

FWMF: A reminder that we will not meet in December. The next meeting will be January 20, 2015, 10 a.m., in the fireside room with a buffet lunch at the close of the meeting. All ladies are welcome.

Fellowship Hall and Main Hall Improvements

We are thankful for the generous gifts that are allowing us to paint and install new carpet and new windows in the fellowship hall and kitchen. 

The windows will be installed beginning December 3^rd and the carpet will be installed beginning December 8^th.

We will remove the old carpet on Saturday December 6th, beginning at 8:30 am. Many hands will make the removal go quicker so if you can help please plan to be there.

Giving Tree – This year we will be doing our giving tree a little different than in the past. We will be collecting a variety of gift cards that can be given to people and families in need this Christmas season and throughout the year as needs arise. You can use the envelopes on the tree or just bring in your gift cards on a Sunday Morning. Cards from stores like Target, Walmart and Fred Meyer will provide the greatest options to meet a variety of needs. Thank you!

Christmas Program  – Sunday, December 21^st at 11 a.m.

Once again we will be having our Christmas program in the morning and we have room for those who would like to share a Christmas themed musical number, sketch or reading. If you are interested in sharing in this Christmas celebration please circle “C” on the back of your friendship, found in the Sunday bulletin and write what you would like to do or contact Mark Burton.

There will be a time of fellowship following the program, please bring finger foods to share.

Christmas Eve Service  Please join us in the sanctuary Wednesday, December 24^th at 5 p.m. for our traditional “Come As You Are Family Celebration.”

Financial Report

                    November 2014          Year-to-date

Income            $20,729.00               $177,973.05

Expenses          18,094.25               $177,296.13

Difference            2,634.55                       676.92

We are thankful for all of the ways that God provides for the needs of Medford Friends Church and for all of the ways that everyone contributes through your giving, your time, your work and your prayers.

Year-end gifts must be received at the church by Wednesday, December 31, 2014 to be reflected in your 2014 giving report. Thank you.