The Pastor’s Blog
Looking Forward
I love this time of year! This is the time we have chosen to celebrate the birth of our savior. We have just had time set aside to look back on the year and be grateful for the blessings of God. Now we get too look forward to what the birth of Jesus means for us! As we look forward to Christ’s coming into the world we get to experience a sacred expectancy. We get to consider what life is like because of how God has chosen to enter into our lives. He chose to come make a way for us Himself. He was born in humble circumstance and lived a simple life. He invited normal men and women to follow Him and join in His ministry. He changed the world through His presence.
During this time of anticipation for the coming celebration can we take some time to think about the people that have invited us to join them in the journey and ways that their presence has changed our world? Maybe we can also take some time to consider inviting someone new.
Read more...
Think Thank
November is the month we have set aside to consider our lives over the past year and give thanks. Some of us have a lot of things to be thankful for: new lives joining our families, new opportunities at work, new friends, and new homes. We like the new. These things stick out to us and they haven’t lost the novelty of being a recent addition to our lives. Take away the “new” and what do you have? Family, opportunity, friendship, and houses; something doesn’t have to be new for us to be thankful for it. One of the biggest dangers in our society is that we jump from one new thing to the next and all of the things we used to be so grateful for seem to lose their luster.
What we have doesn’t lose value because something new comes along. Our relationships don’t suddenly become less important when a new one is added. Our economy works on the idea of scarcity and planned obsolescence; there are only so many of the thing you want and what you have will be out of date in a year. Somehow that has transferred to other areas of our lives. We put limits on love and our relationships are only good until a “new model” comes along offering new features. Instead of buying into the “new” culture let’s think thankfully about what we have and consider ways to continue investing in the relationships that have shaped our lives.
Take some time to make a list of the things/relationships you have that you are thankful for. Keep that list somewhere you can see it often and be reminded about who and what you are thankful for!
Read more...
Operation Christmas Child
Each Shoebox is a Missionary! Children in 118 countries receive shoebox gifts. We filled 26 boxes last season. Let’s be a blessing and meet or beat that number of boxes!
Printed Operation Christmas Child boxes are available on the table in the main hallway (or any standard size shoebox will work as well). There are instruction pamphlets with gift suggestions for filling the boxes, be sure to take note! Please remember to include $7 or more with each shoebox to help with shipping and other expenses.
Filled boxes should be returned to MFC no later than November 18th, so they can be taken to the drop off center.
You are invited: Saturday, November 14, 2015 You are invited to join Drew and Ashley Krupp in the celebration of their marriage! A reception will be held at Medford Friends Church from 1 to 5 p.m. In lieu of gifts a money tree will be available. Please RSVP to drewkrupp@live.com.
All Church Potluck Sunday November 15th
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting. 1 Chronicles 16: 34
This potluck will have a Thanksgiving theme! Join together with your church family, as we count our blessings! We will meet in the fellowship hall following the Sunday School & Bible Study hour. Please bring generous side dishes and desserts that compliment a festive holiday dinner! Turkey and ham will be provided.
FWMF (Friends Women Missionary Fellowship)
All ladies are welcome to join us Thursday, November 19th at 10 a.m. We will meet at the home of Charlotte Grigsby (directions will be provided.) FWMF is open to all ladies of the church. If you are interested in attending but need a ride, contact Lena Anderson.
FWMF Harvest Baked Goods Event – Sunday, November 22nd
Need help with your Thanksgiving baking? Take advantage of this full-line bake event offering the usual plus both quick and yeast breads/rolls, and desserts, pies and candy. Proceeds help provide special needs of our Friends Serving/Teaching Abroad as well as support our own local church and community.
NWYM 2015 Thanksgiving Offering will focus on our ministry in the Middle East in Ramallah. Our FSA and FTS folks have been invited to help make the Friends English Cafe a center of Friends’ deepening involvement and a forum for ongoing learning, service, and growth for young adults. More information to come in a bulletin insert soon. We will take this offering on Sunday, November 22nd.
Jim and Joan Redford to renew their wedding vows on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at MFC during the worship service. At the fellowship time there will be cake served in honor of the couple’s commitment of 50 years together and many more to come! Please join us in celebration.
MFC Activity Survey
The Activities Committee wants to gauge interest in an idea we've had for dinner gatherings in 2016. Simply put, the idea is to match up dinner hosts with dinner guests. Read on for details.
Hosting – Make a main dish for up to 8 people (including your family) and serve it at your house. Choose a day and a time which works best for you.
Guesting – Make a side dish or dessert for up to 8 people to complement the main dish.
The survey will be in the bulletin on 11/1, 11/8 and 11/15. Pick one up, fill it out and drop it in the offering or the box in the foyer by November 29th.
The Activities Committee has a Family Movie Night Planned for Sunday, November 8th, at 6 p.m.
Watch for more information!
Annual Ladies Ornament Exchange – Friday, December 4th @ 6:30 p.m. All ladies are welcome to join at us at MFC for this festive event! Bring a wrapped ornament and a favorite holiday goodie to share.
Read more...
October is Pastor Appreciation Month.
All Church Progressive Soup Potluck, Saturday, October 10th
Carpooling is a must because of limited parking! Meet at the church at 3: 45 p.m. Please circle “P’’’ on the back of the Information sheet in Sunday’s bulletin if you plan to attend. Missed the ride? Soup will be served around 5:45 p.m. at the church.
Continental Breakfast & Workday at MFC Saturday, October 17, at 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
There will be a continental breakfast to start off the workday at 8 a.m. Mark your calendar now and join us, many hands will make the work load lighter!
Friends Women Missionary Fellowship will meet Thursday, October 15th, at 10 a.m. we’ll meet in the fireside room. All ladies are invited to join in our meetings when you can or just come for lunch fellowship at noon.
Operation Christmas Child
Each Shoebox is a Missionary! Children in 118 countries receive shoebox gifts. Last year we filled 26 boxes, let’s meet or beat that amount this year!
Printed Operation Christmas Child boxes will soon be available or any standard size shoebox will work as well. A table will be set up with all the information you need! Please remember to include $7 or more with each shoebox to help with shipping and other expenses.
MFC 1st ANNUAL SCAVENGER HUNT
Theme: The Total Armor of God
Remember, there will be a 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize!
Find the passage that contains all the pieces of the Full Armor of God.
All items can come from anywhere but cannot be bought, ever purchased, or machine made, manufactured or the “real” thing. In other words can only be something scavenged from nature, litter, “God” made etc. You can use discarded premade items i.e. bottle caps, foil, etc. (get the idea?) The “TOTAL ARMOR OF GOD” must be in the entry. (no missing parts) for it to be entered.
Your entry of the “Total Armor of God” must be turned in to the church office no later than October 8th. Entries will be voted on and the winners announced at our 73rd Anniversary All Church Potluck Celebration, Sunday, October 18, 2015.
Contact Terry DuLong if you have questions.
MFC Celebrating 73 Years – All Church Potluck Sunday, October 18th
Please join us for a time of celebration, fellowship and good food! We will meet in the fellowship hall following the Sunday School & Bible Study hour. Please bring your favorite potluck main dish, and a salad, vegetable, enough to feed eight people. Cake will be provided for dessert.
MFC’s Food Pantry
We have helped many needy people with bags of groceries during the summer months. We would appreciate your help in replenishing the shelves of our food pantry with canned meats, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, canned fruits, juice boxes for kids, soups, chili, noodles, boxed noodle or rice meals, & cereals. We have plenty of canned vegetables. Items that can’t be purchased with food stamps are also helpful. Place your donations in the designated food barrel in the main hallway. Thank you.
Just A Reminder
Sunday, November 1st Daylight Savings Time Ends.
Be sure to set your clocks back 1 hour Saturday night, October 31st.
Read more...