True Community

Have you ever wondered what Heaven is like? If you’re picturing streets of gold and pearly gates you’re thinking right along the lines of what most people’s minds wander to when we think about Heaven. But have you ever really stopped and thought about what it will really be like and who will be there?

We all have our own churches where we worship, but did you ever stop to think about the Body of Christ that meets all around the community and all around the world? We each have our own churches we worship at for our own reasons and that is fine, but does that mean other churches that gather together in the name of Jesus aren’t a part of the larger Body of Christ?

Whatever separates us physically on Sunday mornings doesn’t need to separate us spiritually. We live side by side in our community every day of the week and as believers saved by grace we will all live side by side in Heaven for all eternity one day. What makes a community a community? There needs to be a common unity. The same is true for Christianity. Everything else aside only one thing truly matters: Jesus and His saving grace. That is the crimson thread that binds all of us together as Christians no matter what denomination we may be a part of or what church we may go to.

In John 17:21, Jesus prayed to God the Father that we would be “one, just as You and I are one” so that the world would believe that Jesus was sent by the Father to show us His love and grace. When you think about that prayer, doesn’t it make sense that Jesus would want His brothers and sisters to get along? If we begin to learn how to get along better with our brothers and sisters in Christ now, we can begin to experience a little Heaven right here on earth. You’ll see, as we do, God’s blessings will be poured out on our community and in our individual churches.

            -Dean

Wild At Heart - Join the Adventure!

           All men of the church are invited to join in a new Bible Study video series, Wild At Heart, by John Eldredge. Pastor Dean will lead the series beginning on Sunday, March 12th immediately following the Family Camp Meal after Worship.

           Contact Pastor Dean if you would like more information, or to be a part of this life-changing, multi-media experience. John Eldredge and his band of brothers will show you how God can help you fulfill the vision He has for your life, and how to be the man He wants you to be.

Tall Oaks Lodge Update

            Work continues on finishing the interior of the new Tall Oaks Lodge at CQH. Another workday will be held Sat, March 4, 9:00 a.m. for anyone who can help. Time will be spent working on drywall, washing windows, etc. All volunteers would be welcome.

            Below is a list of new appliances that have been installed in the Lodge. We are sharing this information for any Sunday School Class, Men’s or Women’s group, youth group, etc. who would like to go together to purchase an appliance. A new washing machine and dryer have already been purchased.

       Commercial Dishwasher $699

       Side-by-Side Refrigerator $1299

       Refrigerator for meeting area $599

       Gas Range $1099

       Above the Range Microwave $299

If a larger group would like to furnish one of the bedrooms, that cost will be approximately $1,500.

            Contact Ric Garrison at the Camp if you would like to purchase any of the above items.

Library Ledge

Building Men of God

During March the church library will display items especially geared toward men.  Victory is the life story of AC Green, including 52 principles for living like a champion.  Fire Up Your Life is a road map to life at its best.  This audio tape, read by author Ken Davis, shares his humor and story-telling abilities.  Raising a Modern Day Knight (audio) and Becoming a Man of Honor will encourage fathers to help sons become strong in their Christian walk. The Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper audio tapes are for men in any stage of life.  Check out these and other books of challenge and growth on the library ledge.

World Population

            If the population of the earth were reduced to that of a small town with 100 people, it would look something like this:

57 Asians                  21 Europeans

14 Americans            8 Africans

52 Women                 48 Men

70 Colored-skins     30 Caucasians

89 Heterosexuals       11 Homosexuals

6 People would own 59% of the whole world wealth and all of them would be from the USA

80 would have bad living conditions

70 would be uneducated

50 would be underfed

1 would die

2 would be born

1 would have a computer

1 will have higher education

When you look at the world from this point of view, you can see there is a real need for solidarity, understanding, patience and education. (And community!)

-This morning, if you woke up healthy, then you are happier than the 1 million people who will not survive next week.

-If you never suffered a war, the loneliness of a jail cell, the agony of torture, or hunger, you are happier than 500 million people in the world.

-If you have a bank account, money in your wallet and some coins in the money-box, you belong to the 8% of the people in the world who are well-to-do.

Children’s Church

We will meet on March 12 & 26 to discuss how God pictures us and learn about some Quaker Missions. Our service projects will be reminders for HOC Supply Closet donations and sending appreciation to our Iowa Yearly Meeting Staff. All children age 4 through grade 5 are welcome to participate.                        

Shamrock Smorgasbord

            Liberty USFW invites all adults to a Shamrock Smorgasbord at the church on Wednesday, March 8th beginning at 6:30 p.m. Bring a dish for the “potlucky” and wear green whether you are Irish or not! Ladies are reminded to bring their Thank Offering and donations of packages of disposable diapers for The Stork’s Nest Diaper Drive.

Bangor USFW

Fern Tuttle will host our meeting at her home on March 21 beginning at 1:30. Ann Nichols will give the program. The Thank Offering will be collected at this meeting. All ladies are welcome to join this time of fellowship.

Joshua Bible Study

All are welcome to come to the church Mondays at 7:00 to study together the book of Joshua. We’ll be starting the 13th chapter “How Present Choices affect Future Destiny” this week   Be strong!  Be courageous!  Come join the discussion.

Family Camp Meal

            The Family Camp Committee will be preparing and serving the next Family Camp meal on Sunday, March 12th. Ham, hash brown casserole, salad and rolls will be served. Funds raised through these meals are used to offset the cost for anyone attending our fall Family Camp at Quaker Heights.

HELP Fill the Box for the HOC Supply Closet.

During March the box normally used to collect food for the Union Food Pantry will be used to collect non-food items for the House of Compassion where people can come to choose 3 things each month. Those most needed at this time include: Laundry Detergent, Toilet Paper, Over the Counter Medicines, and Dish Soap. Bring items anytime during the month and they will be delivered after the 26th.

Missions News

            The Missions Committee met recently and made plans for our new yearly mission project starting in April 2006 (3rd Sunday). After some prayerful thought, we have decided to have our monthly Mission pledges go to the Iowa Friends Disaster Service for their work. The Iowa Friends Disaster Service helps many hundreds of people rebuild their homes after losses from natural disasters in Iowa and other states. Friends Disaster Service has been responding to disasters since 1974. The Iowa chapter was begun in the past couple of years and sent truckloads of supplies and helped with the cleanup in Gulfport, Mississippi. Later on crews will be sent to help people rebuild and repair. This will be an on-going concern for many more months.

Dan Ritchie is the Coordinator for Iowa Friends Disaster Service. We will be getting more information to you as time goes on. Robert Roe and Brent Rogers are already working with Iowa Friends Disaster Service as BLFC coordinators. We will be looking to them for additional information, and maybe send a crew from BLFC to help somewhere in the future!! In April we will put pledge cards in your mailboxes and you can prayerfully decide if you want to be a part of this mission need right here at home.

-BLFC Missions Comm.

HOC Report - February 23

On Thursday, February 23rd we served 47 guests generous helpings of vegetable soup, braunschweiger and summer sausage sandwiches with cheese slices, chips, mixed fruit, HyVee pies and cakes, cookies apple juice, milk and coffee. Our great volunteers included: Janet and Dennis, Sherry, Reg and Melidy, Chuck and Ann, Gladys and John, and Mary S who donated food or funds; Betty, John and Gladys who prepared; Darla S, James, Michael, Gladys and John who served; Michael, James, Royal, Amy K, and Tricia who helped with cleanup. Ask James about his unusual uniform. Dean spent the night overseeing the shelter with 4 men. Thanks to all!  Our next responsibility is Thursday, March 23. 

Please Note!

Spring Body of Representatives Meeting

Saturday, March 25th

Ackworth Friends Church,

Indianola, Iowa

Youth Opportunity

            Grinnell First Friends Church Youth Ministries Group invites the youth of BLFC to join them in a Barclay College Break In on Sunday, March 19 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. They will be bringing the Kansas Bible College experience to Iowa thru ice breakers, Barclay College 101, activities and food. Contact BLFC youth sponsors, Jo and Will, Mary and Scott if you are interested or want more information.

Benefit Concert

First Friends Church of Marshalltown presents

Mitch McVicker

In a Benefit Concert for Kim Lampman

(a member of First Friends)

Sunday, March 12th at 3:00 p.m.

Marshalltown High School Auditorium  Tickets are $5 in advance from First Friends or at the door.

-If it’s true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the OTHERS here for?

-Why don’t you ever see the headline “Psychic Wins Lottery”?

-After eating, do amphibians need to wait an hour before getting OUT of the water?