The Bangor Liberty Bell

Sharing the News and Views of

Bangor Liberty Friends Church

April 2004   Volume 25, No. 4

Keith Haisch, Pastor

You’re Invited to Join Us for

Spring Meetings at Bangor Liberty Friends Church

      Steve and Marlene Pedigo, ministers at Chicago Fellowship of Friends, will be our guest speakers. Make note of the following Spring Meeting times:

-Friday, April 16, 7:00 p.m., Fellowship & Refreshments after the service.

-Saturday, April 17, Potluck at 6:00 p.m. Evening Meeting to follow at 7:00 with fellowship & refreshments afterwards.

-Sunday, April 18, 9:15 a.m. Praise Singing

9:30 - Morning Worship

10:30 - Sunday School

The Family Camp Committee will be serving Brunch after Worship and also after Sunday School.

Come join us as Steve and Marlene share how God is working in the lives of the residents of Cabrini-Green with whom they work.

The Cross and the Star Thrower

           Loren Eiseley, a naturalist, tells a story about a star thrower. He was in the seaside town of Costabel, and, plagued by insomnia, spent the early morning hours walking the beach. Each day at sunrise, he found townspeople combing the sand for starfish, which had washed ashore during the night, to kill them for commercial purposes. Eiseley thought this was a sign, however small, of all the ways the world says NO to life.

           One morning, however, Eiseley got up unusually early, and discovered a solitary figure on the beach. This man, too, was gathering starfish, but each time he found one alive he would pick it up and throw it as far as he could out beyond the breaking surf, back to the nurturing ocean from which it came. As the days went by, Eiseley found this man embarked on his mission of mercy each morning, seven days a week, no matter the weather.

           Eiseley called this man “The Star Thrower.” On the beach in Costabel, everything that Eiseley had been taught about evolution and the survival of the fittest was contradicted by one man. For this man, strong as he was, reached down to save the weak. Eiseley wondered if there is a star-thrower at work in the universe, a God who contradicts death, a God whose nature is mercy itself.

           During this Easter season, our focus in on the Cross. This cross is one of the ways that human beings said NO to life. And yet, through the cross of Jesus, God says a resounding YES to life. Through this cross of Jesus, God reaches down to save us from ourselves. Through this cross of Jesus, God rescues us from certain death - He hurls us back into the fullness of life. And He invites us to take up our crosses and follow Him - to become star throwers ourselves, cherishing life for all people. Through the Cross of Jesus, God invites us to join our voices with His in a resounding YES to life.

                   -Susan Miller

                    The NEWSLETTER Newsletter

-Earth’s saddest day and gladdest day were just three days apart!     -Susan Coolidge

-Easter is the demonstration of God that life is essentially spiritual and timeless.                 -Charles M. Crowe

-Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength and beauty and happiness.     -Floyd W. Tomkins

-God loves everyone, but probably prefers “fruits of the spirit’ over “religious nuts!”

-The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

-Lord, Please put your arms around me and your hand over my mouth.

House of Compassion

April Report

We served 43 guests generous helpings of biscuit pizza casserole, green beans and bacon, asparagus, potato salad, mixed fruit cups, dirt pudding with worms, cookies and milk. One man came back five times! Many came back with compliments.  Several were familiar faces, but there were some new ones also. One family had a newborn. She didn’t require much food :-).

Our volunteers included Diane R, Chuck and Ann, Tom and Pat, Kenny and Bess and Betty who provided the food; Diane T, Fern and Betty who prepared; Keith and Leondra, Shelley, McKinze and Jake who served and Wayne T, Ann, Tom plus Shelley and kids who stayed for clean up. Tom was our monitor who stayed the night with 7 men. For a full report check out the bulletin board in the entryway.  Thanks to everyone for their support and prayers for this ministry! Our next night of service will be May 6.

HOC Supply Closet Report

          Your generosity to the House of Compassion supply closet overflowed the box!  You gave 30 bottles of shampoo, 19 packages of toilet paper, 16 medicines, 13 bottles of dish soap, 11 containers laundry detergent, 8 bars of soap, and 10 miscellaneous Isaac Good items. Thanks for your contributions. They will be much appreciated!

Come see and hear

Joe White

Saturday, May 15

Marshalltown High School Roundhouse

Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Adults $5.00 - Students $2.00

Joe White came to Marshalltown in November 2000 to perform his famous “Cross Builder” presentation. White has now created a new presentation that involves three crosses. Don’t miss this exciting event that brings everyone who sees it to a deeper understanding of the importance of their faith. Tickets will be available at Hy-Vee, Sports Page (at the mall) and at participating area churches.

Library Ledge:

The Library Ledge is Blooming with Biographies!

          During the month of April you will find several biographies on the library ledge.  Following are a sample: Rebel With A Cause – 2 audio tapes by Franklin Graham provide a very provocative account of how a young man develops and matures in his faith as the son of a spiritual leader.

Cyclone in Calico – a vital, courageous, woman who worked tirelessly for the common soldier during the Civil War.  Born Again – Chuck Colson writes about his Watergate days and prison life.  You’ll find many others awaiting you on the library’s ledge.  Check them out!

Missions

Bangor Liberty Friends have completed another year of sending monthly pledge offerings to the Lugulu Hospital in Kenya, in the amount of $1930.00. This was to help pay for hospital stays for the Kenyan people who could not pay. We thank God that we could help meet the needs of the people and the hospital. We thank everyone who helped in this offering.

The Missions Committee has decided to support the work of Steve and Marlene Pedigo at the Chicago Fellowship of Friends monthly for a year starting the third Sunday in April. Pledge cards will be available starting April 11.         

Another prayer concern we had received from FUM recently was dated:

Nairobi, March 28^th--A survey by World Vision in the Turkana District, northwestern Kenya, has found high levels of malnutrition among the local people. The worst was found in the fishing community of Natole. About 30% of the children were found to be mal-nourished and showing signs of marasmus. The situation has been made worse by commercial fishing. Although the people of Natole live along Lake Turkana , they do not have access to the fish that come from the lake. The fish are being taken by traders to other areas where they can get higher prices. The community was relying on hard palm tree fruits for food, which is crushed into a powder to make it into a meal known as "makoma", which if eaten in large quantities could cause diarrhea. They are asking us to be in prayer for these people of Turkana as they struggle thru this difficult time. And that World Vision will be able to help in this serious matter.

BL Missions Committee

Attention Children

Children’s Church will be held for children age 5 through grade 5 on April 7 and 25. Our service projects will be thanking public school teachers and sending Easter greetings to adopted grandparents.

Liberty USFW

Ladies of Liberty USFW will meet at Sharon K Johnson’s home on Wednesday, April 14^th at 7:00 p.m.

Attention Ladies

On Tuesday, April 20, at 1:30pm Bangor USFW will meet at the home of Ann Nichols. Donna Williams will bring the lesson and Miriam the refreshments. Final plans will be made for the April 27^th Quilting Party.

Ladies Night Out!

            Mark your calendars! All ladies of the church are invited to attend a Quilting Party at the church on Tuesday, April 27, 7:00 p.m. Peggy Martin will give us instructions on strip quilting while we enjoy refreshments and each other’s fellowship.  Invite a friend!

Lava Lava Island VBS

Where Jesus' Love Flows!

Imagine… a child hearing about God's love for the first time; kids worshipping in song; children serving each other; kids sharing Christ with children around the world. All this (and more) will happen during Vacation Bible School, June 6-10, as we transform our church into an exotic volcanic island! It's our goal to reach 60 kids with this program! That's 60 kids who will grow in their relationship with God.

In just a few short months, we will be overflowing with kids seeking fun and adventure! They'll be making crafts, playing games, singing and discovering Bible truths in fun and memorable ways. 

To have the best adventure possible, we need lots of volunteers who can give time, energy, and love to the kids who will attend. Let me share a few ways you might be able to make this program a success. Please check out the following list, then pray about where God might use you: crew leader, stage decorations, craft helper, Bible adventure leader, Bible set designer, game leader, closing leader, transportation, registration table, snack helper, devotion leader or floater. See Margaret to volunteer soon!

Whoever Gossips

to you will be a gossip of you.

           In 1752, a group of Methodist men, including John Wesley, signed a covenant which every man agreed to hang on his study wall. The six articles of this solemn agreement were as follows:

1.    That we will not listen or willingly inquire after ill concerning one another;

2.    That, if we do hear any ill of each other, we will not be forward to believe it;

3.    That as soon as possible we will communicate what we hear by speaking or writing to the person concerned;

4.    That until we have done this, we will not write or speak a syllable of it to any other person;

5.    That neither will we mention it, after we have done this, to any other person;

6.    That we will not make any exception to any of these rules unless we think ourselves absolutely obliged.

Talk about an Anti-Gossip Pact! Those

seven men knew the truth about gossip. Gossip destroys relationships,organiza-tions, churches, and ultimately lives. There is nothing beneficial about gossip; it must be avoided.

           Be careful whom you confide in. Always remember: the person who tells you “don’t tell this to a soul” has probably told all the souls you know.

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

Proverbs 11:13

-Contributed by the BLFC

Quaker Men, from God’s

Little Devotional Book

Tar Heel Parade

            Ministry and Counsel is planning the church’s participation in Union’s Tar Heel Parade on Saturday, August 14, 2004. Ideas for our parade entry are welcomed. Please visit with Vi Gray or Bill Patten and share your ideas with them. Thank you.