Medford First Church of the Nazarene

First Sunday Surprise
My first Sunday in Emmett was July 12th. We had family and friends here from all over and I was excited and nervous at the same time! I woke up Sunday morning feeling a bit anxious and kind of overwhelmed. My parents were here from Medford and rode with me in the car to go to church. I told my dad in the car on the way over... "I'm not sure if I can do this... it seems like such a huge responsibility!" My message that morning was about God's timing and that He is never late and never early, but always right on time. The text for the message was based on 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 which says, "As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says, 'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.'"

Indeed, the "right time" is now. Today is the day of salvation.

As I pulled into the church parking lot, I took a deep breath and got out of the car to head into the building. As I was walking from the car... 3 church vans pulled up with trailers carrying rafts and camping stuff... it was Medford First Naz! Forrest, Lucas, Pastor Shawn, Jonalyn and a host of teens and workers jumped out and there were hugs and smiles all around. I was floored. I couldn't believe my eyes. Wow... words escape me on how to describe how I felt. It was as if with each hug from each person, God was saying... "I've got you covered... I know what you need and when you need it". They quickly gathered in a circle around me and my family and laid hands on us and prayed for us and asked God's blessing on our new ministry and on me as I step out of youth ministry into the senior pastorate. My home church family was blessing me as I began to lead a new church family. The message that day was the Lord's and he needed one more illustration about how perfect His timing is... Medford First was there at just the right time.

Thank you so much Forrest and Pastor Shawn for stopping... I will remember that moment for the rest of my life. Thank you for following God's leading to stop in Emmett. Our God is so faithful and we are so blessed because you listened to Him.

Our family loves you all at Medford First and will look forward to coming "home" to visit on our next vacation.

In Christ,
Pastor Jeff Doud - Lead Pastor Emmett Nazarene Church

Successful Block Party
Last night we had our block party. Nineteen neighbors showed up. This was our third block party and it was encouraging to hear the comments afterwards how they now know each other. We started by letting them know this was encouraged by the Nazarene Church to get to know our neighbors better. We opened in prayer and then the fun began. We ate and then played "Smarter than a fifth grader." Our groups consisted of two Jewish families, an Eastern Indian couple, and many other faiths. They want to get together again, so we are planning another one in September or November.

Bob & Lynn Stafford

P.S. The rest of the story - a follow-up on our block party. While getting our mail, Gary, a retired lawyer, was at the mailbox. Since we had mentioned our church was encouraging block parties to get to know your neighbors, he asked what church we attended. When I told him the Nazarene Church, he told me his doctor attended our church. He said he and his wife were religious. What an opportunity to share - the door was open. Our prayer is that this won't be the last neighbor who is curious. Thanks Amanda and Starlene for coming to our house before and praying with us. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much".

Neighborhood Picnic
We hosted a Neighborhood Picnic on Wednesday, July 29 at our home. We had 14 adult guests and 5 children attend. We felt God's spirit had come over the group as we shared a meal together and casually got to know each other better. We met five new neighbors that we had not met since we moved to this new neighborhood 2 1/2 years ago. One woman told me her son had been born prematurely at 3 lbs. and God had been watching over him to protect him through his early struggles at Doernbecher Children's Hospital. He is now 7 years old and is an excellerated reader, actually reading at a fifth grade level. I think this gathering has allowed us to build some new friendships and I'm sure this will not be our last get-together! God is good.

Tyson & Leanne Wood