The Pastor’s Blog
Give it up for Jesus
As we head into the Lent season and look forward to Easter I want to share about the gift of Jesus’ death. Lent is a season where we acknowledge what Christ has given up for us by giving up something for Him. Typically, it is something costly. Many people change their diets for lent, or give up fast food, or some activity that is precious to them. Christ gave up the security of heaven for us. He came to live as a Human and suffer all the things that we do because of the curse of sin. He came to conquer sin by living a perfect life and dying a perfect death for us so that we can now be under His covering and have restored relationship with God. Lent is a reflection on this gift from Jesus. Those things that people give up are symbols and reminders of the selfless giving that Christ offer to us. He gave up everything for US: People broken by sin, opposed to His ways, and distant from Him in every way. He made a way for restored relationship by building a bridge to God through the Cross and the Empty Tomb. What a powerful gift.
As we head into this season, what might God be calling you to give up for this season? What powerful gift can you give to God? Is it devotion? Is it prayer? Is it worship? Is it a relationship that needs to be submitted to His will? Ask God what would be a good thing to give up and I am sure that He will answer you.
Read more...
February 05, 2020 Update
Friends Women Fellowship
It’s almost here! February 9th is the next opportunity presented by Friends Women Fellowship to enjoy fresh home baked goodies and sweet treats. Funds received (priced by donation) help support those who represent us through the joined work of NWYM Board of Global Outreach and EFM (evangelical friends Mission-North America), in taking the Good News around the world and at home.
Webinar Wednesdays from Everence
Everence will hold webinars on financial planning for your future, Each Wednesday at 11 a.m. these webinars will be made available to you at MFC, if you are interested please contact Charlie Swingle. There will be flyers in your Sunday bulletins with further information on each topic.
Mark Your Calendar! The annual So. Oregon Area Spring Missions Rally, sponsored by Friends Women is projected for Saturday April 25th, to be held at MFC. Volunteers to help with various program elements are encouraged, please contact Nadine Brood. Keep watch for further details.
FWF February meeting for business: Thursday, February 25th, 10:30 a.m., we will meet in the classroom behind the kitchen. Lunch fellowship at Wendy’s following the meeting. All ladies are welcome from the start or just for lunch.
All Church Potluck
Please join us Sunday, February 16th, 2020 for our all church potluck! We always have a great time of fellowship and good food. We’ll meet in the fellowship hall at noon. Bring a main dish and salad, vegetable or dessert to share.
Read more...
Forward Progress
There is a concept in American football called forward progress. When a ball carrier is stopped and forced back by their opponent the ball is marked at the furthest forward point. This is to make sure that people do not simply pick up and carry the ball carrier backwards. It is a nice idea that keeps the game from devolving into a mad sort of brawl with both teams trying to carry their opponents around the field. As I think about the way our world works and the rules we come up with to help keep it from devolving I find that there is no rule of forward progress. Your bank account does not maintain the highest balance it has ever had. Your cars gas tank does not obey this rule either. Nor does the human stomach stay full. In the game of football, it is easy to see how this rule is useful but in our daily lives there is no comparable rule. We have to keep adding money to the bank, gas to the car, and food to the stomach.
Here is something that may seem controversial but, following Jesus does not have a rule of forward progress either. God’s grace is a wonderful thing don’t get me wrong. That being said we can choose to walk away from Him and He does not have to honor our onetime relationship with Him. The Christian life is one of continuing relationship with Jesus. We get to keep going with Him every day. Forward progress for us is continuing that connection with Him day by day. Being close to Jesus is our goal line.
Read more...
December 30, 2019 Update
Please mark your January Calendars:
Saturday, January 11th at 10 a.m. there will be a memorial service for Dick & Anne Krupp at Medford Friends. Anne went to be with the Lord December 6th and Dick December 9th This is a celebration of their lives as we remember their faithfulness to our Lord and Savior and the many years they were a part of our church family here at MFC.
Saturday, January 18th, at 1 p.m. there will be a celebration of life for Jack Hamilton at Medford Friends. Jack went to be with the Lord, December 1st. Following the service, we will gather for a time of fellowship and potluck dessert. Please bring a favorite dessert to share.
There will be an all church business meeting Sunday, January 12th, to consider the 2020 proposed budget. We will meet in the sanctuary after the worship service with Sunday School to follow.
Friends Women Fellowship Meeting
Ladies we will meet at the church Thursday, January 16th at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will follow the meeting.
All Church Potluck
Please join us Sunday, January 19, 2020 for our all church potluck! We always have a great time of fellowship and good food. We’ll meet in the fellowship hall at noon. Bring a main dish and salad, vegetable or dessert to share.
It’s time to update our birthday file and directory information. If you are new to MFC within the last year we would like to have the birth dates of those in your family. Please list the month & day on the back of your Information Sheet. (Adults are not required to list the year however, it is helpful for children!)
It’s also time to update our MFC directory, if you have moved or have new phone numbers or a new email address, please fill out the top of the Information Sheet and place it in the box on the table in the foyer. If there was a mistake in last year’s copy please let Terry Wilson know. Thank you.
Read more...