February 27, 2013
UNPLUGGING
There’s a song I referenced in the past by Jars of Clay. It talks about technology and youth culture. Working with teens I try to stay on the edge of the technology that drives them. While MUCH of it is amazing, there are many negatives, too. I’ve said it before – these young generations are becoming more and more disconnected from personal connections. With I-pods, Facebook, texting and more, it is getting harder to get people to connect. Instead, we just plug in our technology and drown out the creation of God all around us. Rather than dealing with life and problems, we numb ourselves with electronics.
Regarding the song, listen to some of the lyrics:
“I don’t have to hear it, if I don’t want to. I can drown this out, pull the curtains down on you; it’s a heavy world, it’s too much for me to care. If I close my eyes, it’s not there. With my headphones on, with my headphones on.
“I don’t wanna be the one who tries to figure it out. I don’t need another reason I should care about you. You don’t want to know my story, I don’t want to own your pain living in a heavy, heavy world; but there’s a pop song in my head. I don’t want to have to hear it. With our headphones on, with our headphones on.”
Very powerful! We all live together, but often all alone. Our instinct is to try and maintain our own space within our communities to protect and isolate ourselves. We are always “trying to keep the music on and up loud enough that we don’t have to embrace the harder truths about our lives and the world we live in.” But the hope in the song is that we don’t enter into that journey alone. We all share that sense of isolation and the profound desire to connect. This is the beauty of Jesus Christ. In HIM NO ONE is alone! No one need be isolated! No one need be separated.
As children of God, I urge each of us to “unplug” every now and then. I am coming up on a month long fast from social media. It was hard, but I can also say that it was very nice and pleasant to disconnect from the machine! God created such beauty in all the folks around us. Rediscover them! Have a conversation! Share a story! Listen to someone! Cry with someone! Connect with your brothers and sisters .... it is truly good for the soul!
– Pannell
IN MEMORY OF BETH JOHNSON
We are saddened to announce the passing of Beth Johnson (former member) last Thursday morning. Russ and Beth moved to Medford after her retirement from nursing in 1986. Beth had served in the United States Army as a registered nurse in World War II. She was discharged as a Second Lieutenant. Upon her discharge, she worked as a registered nurse at St. Joseph Hospital in Stockton, California.
Upon their move to Medford, Russ and Beth immediately became involved in our West Main family. Russ and Beth enjoyed fishing at the coast and they would share their bounty at our annual fish fries. Beth was a gracious hostess and enjoyed cooking for others. She also enjoyed canning. She enjoyed helping others, especially with her nursing skills as she continued to keep her nursing license active. Beth became well-known to even our youngest members when she volunteered to be our camp nurse. She took care of our campers for many years as our camp nurse. Beth also enjoyed helping with Vacation Bible School, Women for Cascade College, hospital visitation, home Bible studies, or just volunteering for any needed church work.
When Russ and Beth married thirty-three years ago, she became “Grandma Beth” to three grandchildren, eventually welcoming seven more grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren into her heart. She enjoyed hosting many Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners for the large family. In 2006, she and Russ moved to Coweta, Oklahoma. Along with Russ, she is survived by four children - Denise Otis, Mike Johnson, Stan Johnson, Ella Blair and their spouses and families.
Our love and sympathy and prayers go to all of the Johnson family at this time. Services for Beth were held on Tuesday in Oklahoma. If you would like to send a card to Russ, call the church office for his address.
Mexico Dinner and Auction -- Our dinner will be this Saturday, March 2, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Come enjoy a Mexican style dinner and have fun while you support this year’s Mexico Mission project. Donations to be auctioned off at the fundraiser will be greatly appreciated. If you are going to invite merchants and others to contribute to the auction, please pick up an invitation/thank you letter with receipt form from the church office.
Anyone interested in helping to set up and / or serve at the dinner may leave a message for Valda Newton at her home number or email.
Also, if you would like to go on the Mission Trip scheduled for March 30-April 7, please get your registration form from the office or from Valda. (Note the change of date for the mission trip.)
College Treat Boxes -- If you would like to help fill special treat boxes for our eleven students away at college, please see Denise Beeks. Treats need to brought to church by this Sunday, March 3. We would like to send a box to each of them by March 4. What a great way for all of us to stay connected and brighten their day!
Meet and Rekindle Open House -- Come join us to greet Ally and Matt Condra, along with their eight month old daughter, Penelope Jean, who will be visiting here from Kentucky. Ally’s parents, Tony and Kim Testerman, along with Great-Grandma “Gigi” Rennels will host a Meet and Rekindle Open House on Sunday, March 24, from 3-5:00 p.m. at their home. Please come by and meet Miss Penelope and visit with her parents, Matt and Ally, and give them a real “Oregon” welcome.
Annual Daddy/Daughter Dinner Dance -- Save the dates of April 19 and 20 for our Annual Daddy/Daughter Dinner Dance. We will be having a Dessert/Dance for our young ladies ages 4th grade through high school on April 19th beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room. We will have pictures, partner games and prizes. On Saturday night, April 20, we will have a Dinner/Dance in the Fireside Room beginning at 5:00 p.m. for our girls ages five years old through 3rd grade. Tickets will be priced under $15.00 per couple and will go on sale beginning in March. Please see Marcie Dixon if you need more information.
Our Widows Luncheon that was scheduled for March 1 has been postponed until a later date.
We’re Still the Same Group...but..... We are still the same group, but we are changing our name from The Hilltoppers to West Main Primetimers. This group is for our members who are 60+ years of age. Thank you for your service here. We look forward to working with you and building a fun, active group. Bob & Joan Tisdel
Prayer Requests . . . The Parkers request your prayers for Dennis and Helen Schmader on the loss of their son, Scott, this past week...For Jude Pannell who recently had some teeth pulled - that he will heal quickly...For Russ Johnson, Stan and Jessica Johnson, and the rest of the Johnson family on the passing of Beth this past week...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.
New Baby -- Congratulations to Nathan and Nikki Walker on the birth of their son, Harrison Wade, on Friday, February 22. Harrison weighed in at eight pounds and five ounces and was 21" long. Mom and baby are doing fine. Proud grandparents are Janelle Meinhardt and Don and Zana Walker.
Servers for March
Coffee Servers: Jessie and Merrick Pannell
Greeters: Don and Zana Walker
John and Charlotte Winters
Nursery Attendants:
March 3: Becky Anderson, Tabitha Walker
March 10 & 17: Chaley Johnson & Hunter Thomas
March 24: Debi Robbins & Mishael Liles
March 31: Codi Spodnik & Dalton Moreno
Children’s Worship: Brian & Jessie Pannell
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March 1: Widows Luncheon postponed. Be watching for the new date.
March 2: Mexico Dinner and Auction; FSR; 6:00 p.m.
March 24: Meet and Rekindle Open House at the Testerman’s; 3:00-5:00 p.m.
March 30-April 7: Mexico Mission Trip
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 17, FOR OUR
Elders Open House at the homes of the Denn’s, Flock’s and
Scott’s from 1:30-4:30 p.m.
