The Pastor’s Blog
Home Study for April 14 through 19, 2014
Monday – Read Matthew 5:1-12
Which of these blessings surprises you the most?
From these verses, how vastly different is Jesus’ kingdom from the kingdoms of men?
How does this challenge you? How does it encourage you?
How will you respond?
Tuesday – Read John 10:1-10
What does it mean to “have life, and have it to the full?”
What does Jesus want to give us to “the full?”
Why do we too often miss it?
What does Jesus want to do in you? How will you respond to Him?
Wednesday – Read John 6:35
What does Jesus mean that He is the “bread of life?”
What can we do to be more fully filled with Him?
How does this verse challenge you?
How will you respond?
Thursday – Read John 13:34-35
Who is our example of how to love one another?
What did Jesus do out of love for us?
How can we love others in the same way?
Why is love such an important testimony?
How does this passage challenge you? How will you respond?
Friday – Read Galatians 5:1-6
Paul is talking about trying to be justified by the Old Testament law rather than by faith – trying to be justified by outward actions rather than a heart changed by Jesus.
At the end of verse 6, what does Paul say in the only thing that counts?
Why must our faith be expressed in acts of love?
How does this encourage you? Challenge you?
How will you respond?
Saturday – Read Luke 24:1-12
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Home Study for April 7 through 12, 2014
Monday – Read John 16:33
Why did Jesus give His disciples this warning and promise before His oming arrest and crucifixion?
How did Jesus overcome the world?
What does that mean to us?
How does this verse encourage you?
Tuesday – Read Romans 8:31-39
What promises of God to we find in this passage?
What can separate us from God’s love?
What does that mean to you?
How will you respond to this promise and truth?
Wednesday – Read Romans 12:1-2
What does it mean to be a “living sacrifice?”
Why is this important?
How can we know God’s will?
What is God saying to you? How will you respond?
Thursday – Read Philippians 2:5-11
What do verses 9-11 tell us everyone will do one day?
Why is it important for people to confess Jesus as their Lord on this side of eternity?
How does this passage challenge you? How does it encourage you?
To whom can you give testimony to the truth and love of Jesus?
Friday – Read Acts 4:1-22
Who opposed the truth of Jesus here?
According to verse 8, by what power did Peter speak?
According to verse 13, what was noted about Peter and John?
Do you think people would say that about you?
How does this passage challenge you?
How will you respond?
Saturday – Read Matthew 10:32-42
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All Church Business Meeting There will be an all church business meeting Sunday, April 13th, to consider the proposed budget for 2014. We will meet in the sanctuary after worship. Sunday School will follow the meeting.
Easter Sunday Schedule, April 20, 2014
In Celebration of our Risen Savior we will begin Easter Sunday with a Continental Breakfast at 9 a.m. in the fellowship hall followed by worship at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary. There will be no Bible studies or Sunday school classes that day. After the worship service there will be an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids.
2014 Evangelical Friends Mission Easter Offering
Gifts for this year’s Easter offering will be used to support the outreach efforts of EFM featuring the Philippines Evangelical Friends Church. Your contributions will make a difference there and support outreach efforts in Mexico, Ireland, Rwanda, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Muslim refugees in various countries.
Ladies Meetings:
Ladies Fellowship Group All ladies are invited and welcome to join us for sharing & caring fellowship. We will meet on Tuesday, April 1st, at 7 p.m. at the home of Glenda Workman. Ann Loar will be co-hostess.
Friends Women Missionary Fellowship Group All ladies are welcome to join us at in the fireside room at MFC, Thursday, April 17th, at 10 a.m. A buffet lunch will follow the meeting.
All Church Workday – Everyone is invited to join us! Saturday April 12th at 8 a.m. to noon
We have a variety of projects to be completed. Plan now to come and share in the fellowship and work time.
List of Projects:
Finish backboard for library bookcase
Men's bathroom – remove and patch edging/plaster by sink
Outside trimming, weeding and clean-up
Roof cleaning and inspection
Window sill repairs/caulking of fellowship hall windows (roof top)
Window washing
Kitchen – cleaning and organizing.
Community Garden at MFC If you are interested in community gardening there is space available. For more information see Nate Swift or email him at nateswift@clearwire.net.
Financial Report
March 2014 Year-to-date
Income $20,366.26 $49,884.21
Expenses 17,587.53 53,189.04
Difference 2,778.73 -3,304.83
We are thankful for God’s provision and for the giving, work and prayers of everyone toward the ministries of Medford Friends Church.
Spring Missions Rally 2014 at Medford Friends Church Everyone is Invited to Come
Saturday, May 3, 2014, 10:30 a.m. with a lunch at noon Guest speakers: Ed and Marie Cammack
IN GOD’S HANDS
I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for PEACE, and not disaster, plans to give you a FUTURE filled with HOPE. JEREMIAH 29:11
Sponsored by S. OR Area Friends Women – Offering: For updated equipment to complete the Bolivian History Project
Help our kids go to camp!
Mark your calendars and start planning for Camp Auction 2014! The auction will be held on Wednesday May 14th. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the Auction Starts at 7 p.m. Sign-Up Sheets & additional information are located in the Fellowship Hall, Hallway, Harmony Hall and Ross Chapel.
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Years ago I bought a small chainsaw for removing tree limbs and large bushes. It has worked well but whenever I walked past it in the garage I always felt that it had greater potential, like cutting down a tree. The problem was I never had a tree to cut down, until recently.
Late last year it appeared that our flowering plum tree had died. It was a beautiful tree and I didn’t want to cut it down without going through this spring to see if it would bloom again. It didn’t so I knew what had to be done. It was a bitter sweet situation, I hated to lose the beauty of our tree, but since it was dead, I couldn’t wait to take my chainsaw to it. The job is now done and while I miss our tree, I don’t miss having a dead, barren tree out our kitchen window and how good it was to push my chainsaw to reach its full potential.
In the sports world they often talk about potential; for example, the potential of an athlete to reach a superior level of performance or the potential of a team to make a run for a championship. But the truth of the matter is, that like the potential of my chainsaw, all of the potential in the world makes no difference if steps are never taken to reach it.
As a church we have a long history of serving Jesus in our neighborhood and community, but Jesus isn’t through with us yet, and as His people, through His Spirit working in us, we have the potential to do new and even greater things than we’ve ever done before.
As we move through the pastoral transition process, seeking who God has as the next pastor for Medford Friends Church, please be praying for His clear leading and guidance. God has a plan and our potential as a church body will be fulfilled as we discern His plan and follow it.
God’s Grace and Peace,
Mark
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