March 5, 2014
YESTERDAY . . . TODAY . . . and TOMORROW
There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.
One of these days is YESTERDAY with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. YESTERDAY has passed forever beyond our control.
All the money in the world cannot bring back YESTERDAY. We cannot undo a single act we performed; we cannot erase a single word we said. YESTERDAY is gone.
The other day we should not worry about is TOMORROW with its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and poor performance. TOMORROW is also beyond our immediate control.
TOMORROW’S sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds – but it will rise. Until it does, we have no stake in TOMORROW, for it is yet unborn.
This leaves only one day – TODAY. Any man can fight the battles of just one day; it is only when you or I add the burdens of those two awful eternities – YESTERDAY and TOMORROW – that we break down.
It is not the experience of TODAY that drives men mad – it is remorse or bitterness for something which happened YESTERDAY and the dread of what TOMORROW may bring.
LET US, THEREFORE, LIVE BUT ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
– Anonymous
UNITY SERVICE
On Sunday, March 16th starting at 6:30 p.m. at the South Medford High School theater we will be conducting a Unity Service for the Medford community. The purpose of this Unity Service is to help bring some healing and encouragement to all those feeling the effects of the recent contract negotiations between the Medford Education Association and the Medford School Board.
Along with the support of Rogue Valley Christian Church, Rogue Valley Fellowship, and Westminster Presbyterian Church we are calling our community to a time of forgiveness, healing, and hope for the future. Various individuals representing administrators, teachers, students, and parents will be offering up brief words of encouragement.
Many in our community lack the beneficial relationship of knowing Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Therefore, many of our fellow citizens are unsure and uncertain about how to move forward after such a societal conflict as a teachers’ strike. Our own Codi Spodnik brought up the suggestion that we reach out to the area-wide churches in an effort of solidarity to bring a divided city together. Our elders graciously agreed that such a Unity Service would be beneficial.
We are encouraging all our members to attend this service as an expression of support. Regardless of your convictions and opinions concerning the strike, we all agree and know that humanity is made in the image of God, and therefore all are deserving of respect, dignity, and honor. In a fallen world with fallen institutions run by fallen individuals there are no absolute rights and wrongs binding on all individuals in situations like the teachers’ strike. We are all tainted by sin in one way or another. Let us not be unaware of Satan’s schemes to divide the church or the community on these grey and complicated societal issues (2 Cor 2:11). We may not all agree on what was or was not the best course of action concerning teachers’ contracts, but we all agree and know that Jesus is the Prince of Peace!
Therefore, let us all bow together and let the healing blood of Jesus heal ourselves and be a witness to the Medford community on how unity is what Christians know and do best in Jesus Christ.
– Terry
Blurred Lines: God, Sexuality and Marriage Part II
March 14-16
Friday Night 6:00-9:00 (childcare and refreshments provided)
Saturday Night 5:30-9:00 (dinner and childcare provided)
Sunday AM- morning class
Last year we started this discussion. We had a powerful weekend looking at sexuality and how the church should address it. In the conclusion to this study we will look at the institution of marriage. We will look at the question of how the church can address the homosexuality issue in our culture. We will look at God designed gender distinctions. We will look at the way society sees it versus how God sees it. We will discuss ways to re-frame the debate for a non religious world. We will discuss the sanctity of marriage and what God intends it to be.
It is our hope that you can all be part of this event. We look forward to seeing you there.
Bible Busters Art Show -- Announcing the Bible Busters Art Show hosted by the 4th-6th grade class! Please mark your calendars and plan to attend Sunday, April 6th at 6:00 p.m. All Bible Busters classes will have featured art from their classes.
We would be honored to invite the Youth Group and all adults to submit art for the show as well. More details to come. Please contact April Olson or Jessie Pannell for information. See you there!
Sunday Evening Ladies Bible Study -- Ladies and No Gentlemen: You are welcome to join us at a Bible Study meeting at the building from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Sunday nights beginning April 13th. We will be studying God’s Word through Exodus using Priscilla Shirer’s study, One in a Million. “The Egyptians in Exodus 1 were intent on enslaving the Israelites, wearing them down so that God's chosen people would become disillusioned and not live up to their destiny. Priscilla Shirer goes beyond talk to show how students can apply what they hear in church every week to how we live every day.”
The study continues for 8 weeks and has 7 DVD sessions. Member books are available for $12. Invite your friends and plan to come! Contact Jessie Pannell for more info or to order a book.
The Daddy-Daughter-Dinner-Dance is scheduled for April 26 for all girls ages 5-18 years old. Tickets will be on sale soon.
VBS will be scheduled for the week of July 21 or the week of July 28. Let Denise Beeks know which week is better for you. Thanks!
Prayer Requests and Praises . . . For Shirley Barlow and Fay Coghlin as they recover from surgery...For Severta Shipley as she recovers from a fall...For Evelyn Bates who is in RRMC for congestive heart failure...For Connie Kennedy’s brother-in-law, Charles Gorman, who was recently diagnosed with lung cancer - prayers for him and his family...For a young boy in our neighborhood who was accidentally shot by his sister - prayers for his healing and comfort for his family...For the niece of Toni Parker, Nikole Algea, who was recently baptized and lives in Alaska - she is 30 years old, bedridden and cannot speak - please pray for a good support system for her there...Congratulations to EvaLoy Knight, on the birth of her new great-grandson, Asher. This also makes Evelyn Bates a great-great-grandma!...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.
*Sharon Englert will be having knee replacement surgery this next Tuesday, March 11. She will need transportation to the rehab facility when she is discharged from the hospital and then to therapy appointments after she has returned home. Please contact her if you are able to help her. Thanks!
Engagement Announcement -- Doug and Toni Parker are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Shawna, to Kyle Robich. Please pray for God’s blessings on this growing family with Kyle’s two boys, Kayleb and Kaidyn.
Calendar of Events
Mar 7-8: Yamhill Men’s Retreat
Mar 14-16: Blurred Lines Seminar
Mar 22-30: Mexico Mission Trip
April 6: Bible Buster Art Show
April 26: Daddy-Daughter Dinner
Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night!
