The Pastor’s Blog
We are thankful for God’s provision for all that we do in the ministry of His church. In 2011 we were able to partner with both a Hispanic fellowship and the Polynation Fellowship who meet at Medford Friends. We were able to reach out to the children and families in our neighborhood with a Vacation Bible School teaching kids how to respond to bullying. We helped many families in our church and the community with sufferings offerings and financial gifts. We provided over 45 gifts to children in our neighborhood and throughout the world. We supported our Mexico team as they once again built a house for a family, send kids to camp, and much more.
Thank you for all that you do to support our many ministries through your prayers, service and gifts. We look forward to all that Jesus plans to do through us as we minister in and share His love in the year(s) to come!
Financial Report
December 2011 Year End 2011
Income $30,241.47 $223,273.74
Expenses 20,661.38 216,365.33
Difference 9,580.09 6,908.41
January 2012
Income $17,229.82
Expenses 18,320.60
Difference -1,090.78
Ladies Meetings in February:
Friends Women – All ladies are invited and welcome to join us for sharing & caring fellowship. We will meet Tuesday, February 21st, at the home of Ann Loar. Dawn DuLong is co-hostess.
FWMF (Friends Women Missionary Fellowship)
is open to all women of our church. Our time together is spent in fellowship and learning about the work of our missionaries, their needs and those people to whom they minister. All ladies are welcome to join us at the home of Phebe McManama, Thursday, February 16th, at 10 a.m. A buffet luncheon will follow the meeting.
All Church Potluck – Sunday, February 12th
Everyone is Welcome!
Bring a main dish & a salad, vegetable or dessert and join in the fellowship following the 11 a.m. Sunday School hour.
Pre-School Teaching Opportunity
We have a great group of 2-3 year-olds at 11 a.m. on Sunday mornings and would like to start a new class for them. If you would be interested in teaching this class or being part of a teaching team please contact Lena Anderson.
Mexico Trip Fundraiser
Sunday, February 19th, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Terry DuLong will be manning a booth at the Giant Flea Market at the Medford Armory with all of the proceeds going toward our 2012 Mexico trip. Feel free to stop by before 4 p.m. to see if there are some deals you just can’t miss. Admission to the flea market is $1.
If you have any items you would like to donate to the fundraiser please contact Terry DuLong.
Watch for Information on the Mexico Mission 2012 Trip Coming Soon! Don’t forget a valid passport is required.
All Church Business Meeting Scheduled for Sunday, February 26th
We will meet in the sanctuary after worship that day to consider the proposed budget for 2012.
Youth Events
Sunday, February 5th – Youth Group
Impact Athletics Invites you to a Superbowl Party
Meet at the Aftershock Youth Center, 547 E. Pine Street, in Central Point. Doors open at 3 p.m. with kickoff at 3:30 p.m. Admission is free. Join us for fun, games and prizes along with a special halftime presentation. For more information contact Dave Gomez.
Girl’s Nite In The Word – February 12th – 6 to 8:30 p.m.
At Community Bible Church in Central Point
This month’s topic is body image. All Jr. Hi and High School girls are invited to participate. You can get more information at girlsniteintheword.com – empowering teen girls to make wise choices – hosted by Jimmelynn Rice.
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Do Everything in Love
“Do everything in love.” I Corinthians 16:14
Becoming a grandparent is one of the coolest things in the world. Although our grandson Jack is only 2 1/2 months old it seems like every time we see him he has grown and changed more than we could imagine. With our own children, their growth happened gradually over each day so it was easy to miss, but not seeing Jack every day makes his growth much more obvious to us.
As we live in relationship with Jesus one of the things that should always be growing in us is love. In John 15:13 Jesus set the definition for love when He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” He then proceeded to demonstrate what He meant when he laid down His life on the cross for His disciples, and for us. And Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners. Christ died for us.” Even when we might be what we would consider “unlovable,” God showed His love to us.
As we think about how to grow into this kind of love Romans 13:8-10 give us some great direction:
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not covet,’ and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, who is the ultimate example of love, may we continue to grow in love and in the ways that we demonstrate the love of God to the people around us.
In the days to come, invite Jesus to open the door for you to show His love to the people in your life and be looking for the ways that He leads you.
In God’s Love,
Mark
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Song of the Week
Alrighty, I am going to be posting a song each week for you guys to listen to. A lot of the music that is popular isn’t very good at keeping us close to God so here are some good songs that will do that. Also if you have been wanting to add some new music to your ipod, here is some songs to add. So the song this week is Whispers in the Dark by Skillet. The song is about darkness. There are a lot of times when life can feel dark and we feel like we have no hope. But that’s not true. God is there to shine the light for you and give you hope. If you like rock music you will love this song. It’s one of my favorites. Here you go!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITiQgF1375c&feature=related
Whispers In The Dark- Skillet- Comatose
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Home Study January 30 through February 4, 2012
Monday – Read Psalm 30:6-12
How did the Psalmist feel in verse 6?
How did he feel in verse 7? Why?
How did he respond to his feelings of dismay?
How did he feel in verse 11 and 12 after knowing that God had heard his prayer?
What hope does that give us?
Tuesday – Read Philippians 4:4-7
Why can we rejoice and not be anxious about things in our lives?
What can we do instead of worrying?
How does that set us free from anxiety?
If we will pray, what does God give us?
Pray about the things that are causing you worry and concern.
Wednesday – Read II Chronicles 7:11-16
Who needs to be pray for any land to be healed?
Why are humility and seeking God’s way key to His people praying effectively?
Using this passage as the framework, take time to pray for our nation.
Thursday – 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?
Take time to give God thanks for who He is and for all that He has done in your life.
Friday – Read Romans 8:28-39
What hope does this passage give us?
Think of a time that 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 to you 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 I Thessalonians 5:20-21
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