A Reason to Celebrate

            Easter has come and gone, but the impact it has is the same today as it was almost two thousand years ago.  The empty tomb was the fulfillment of a promise of life, and a life more abundant.

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10

The cross was the key, but the empty tomb was the opened door to that life.  “He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!” – That statement isn’t true only on Easter Sunday; it’s true each and every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every year and will be for all eternity!

            Jesus gave Himself willingly for our sins and the sin of the world so that we could live in that new life.  As Christians, God doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but just as much as a car runs better when it gets a tune up, or water tastes better when its been run through a filter, our lives should show fruits as we grow more and more in God’s grace.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” – Galatians 5:22-23

The wonderful thing is that God doesn’t expect us to go through life all alone.  He has given us each other; we have our church families and other Christians.  Another wonderful gift He has given us is the Holy Spirit to help us each and every day.  On top of all that, we have Jesus who is alive and seated at the right hand of the Father praying for us.  Now if that isn’t comforting and encouraging, I don’t know what is.

We only celebrate Easter and Christmas officially once a year.  We should be celebrating the impact that Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection has had in our lives and in the world every Sunday we meet, and every day we live.  Without Christmas or Easter – without Jesus, we would have no reason to celebrate at all. 

                                                -Dean

Bangor Liberty Friends

invites children ages 3 thru 6th grade to:

Fiesta! Where Kids

Are Fired up About Jesus!

Vacation Bible School

June 4-8, 2006

6:15 - 8:30 p.m. each evening

Free Family Picnic

Sunday, June 4th, 5:00 p.m.

Bangor Liberty Friends Church

Our Fiesta program will provide fun, memorable Bible-learning activities for kids of all ages. Each evening kids will sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, nibble Maraca Munchies, take on a daily challenge to let Jesus’ love grow into their homes, experience electrifying Bible adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies to remind them of God’s Word, and create Bible Point Crafts to take home.

FIESTA! is an exciting way for kids to learn more about Jesus’ love. Each day concludes at Fiesta Finale - a celebration that gets everyone involved in living what they’ve learned. Family members and friends are encouraged to join us daily for this special time at 8:20 p.m. We hope Fiesta! will lift up Jesus’ love in our community.

Please call the Bangor Liberty Friends Church office during morning hours to register your children and their friends for FIESTA! Or you may call one of the co-directors to register:  Diane Teske at 641-486-5304 or Veronica Daniel at 641-486-2508. Registration deadline is May 15th.

Memorial Day Musings

As Memorial Day will be celebrated later this month, let us give thanks as we remember the men and women who gave their lives in battle for our temporal good; but most of all let us praise God for the Lord Jesus Christ who gave His all for our eternal salvation!

Men have fought to save their homeland

And uphold democracy;

They have prayed and toiled with valor

For the cause of liberty;

But the One who died to save us

On the cross of Calvary

Brought to us the greatest freedom-

For ‘twill last eternally!                   

House of Compassion Report

28 volunteers from BLFC purchased, prepared, served & cleaned up for 54 guests.  Menu: turkey gravy on biscuits or toast & mashed potatoes, creamed asparagus or buttered carrots; mixed fruit; dump cakes, spice cake, cherry angel food cake, milk & coffee.  Our great volunteers included: James & Sharon, Vi, Neil & Peg, Veronica & Bob, Ann & Chuck, Mark & Darlene, Bess & Kenny, Betty, Fern & Wayne, Darla, Bob & Jeanette, John & Gladys, Sherry, Mary S, Vi, Karen, Wes, Leah & friend, Emma & Kelsey. Thanks to all of our great volunteers who provided food or funds, prepared, served or cleaned up after the meal. Jean provided the monitors who were staying with at least 3 men.  Our next responsibility is May 25.

Library Ledge:

            During May we’ll put the Spotlight on Women.  Our church library has a large selection of books for and about women.  Here’s just a sample.

            Do the demands of marriage, motherhood, finances and career seem never ending?  In the face of life’s pressures, women may pull away from God.  Cathy Lechner’s been there and shows you how to walk in peace in her book I’m Trying to Sit at His Feet, but Who’s Going to Cook Dinner?

            From Sometimes I feel Like Running Away from Home:  “A woman’s gift, and often her burden, is the ability to juggle.  It’s easy for many of us to run from one thing to the next, doing a lot of different things semi-well.  Maybe our motto should be: Do fewer things, but do them well.”

            In a day of mobility and good-byes, is it really possible to keep a friend?  Does Scripture offer any models of friendships?  Dee Brestin will make you cry and laugh as she takes a close look at the power in female relationships in The Friendships of Women.

            Check out the library ledge --- you’ll find ways to stretch and grow there.

Tar Heels Parade Float

            Ministry and Counsel is seeking a Sunday School Class or group who would volunteer to be in charge of building a float for Union’s Tar Heel Parade in August. See a M & C member if you’d like to volunteer for this project!

“I’m going out to play catch with God,” my friend’s young son told her. When she asked about the game, he explained, “I toss my ball high in the air and He throws it back to me.”

Children’s Church

            We will meet May 7th and 21st.  Lessons will be from John 8, about truth; and from Genesis about God’s creation.  For service projects we will make tray favors for the hospital and send encouragement to the Quaker Heights Staff.  All children age 4 through grade 5 are welcome to participate.

Liberty USFW

            The May meeting of Liberty USFW will be held at Colleen Welch’s home on Wednesday, May 10th at 7:00 p.m.  Ann Nichols will be sharing about her trip to Israel this past December. All ladies are welcome to attend.

Attention Book Lovers!

            Ethel Watson, Literature secretary on the USFW Iowa board will be at our church on May 16 to present the new reading course books to all book lovers.  We’ll gather at 1:30 to hear her reviews and enjoy refreshments.  This is not just for USFW members; anyone interested in good books is welcome to come!

            Bangor USFW will meet for a short business meeting following the fellowship.

New Bible Study

New Bible Study on 1st Timothy: "The Household of God" begins Monday, May 8, 7:00 at BLFC.  All adults are welcome.

Paul's first letter to Timothy is packed with instructions on how to live a godly life.  It is a letter to a family of believers who had lots to learn about caring for each other and the inner-workings of the church.  As with many family letters, the issues carry through the years.  We too need to find and define our role in the church, to guard the truth and to create appropriate worship.  1st Timothy may not answer all your questions, but it will help provide principles from which you can create answers for yourself. 

Camp Registration Deadline

            Just a reminder - All registrations for summer camps at Quaker Heights are due May 20th along with 50% of the camp registration fee. A late fee of $25 will be required for all registrations postmarked after May 20th. Please contact Scott Davis, church treasurer, by May 10th if you plan to attend camp so scholarship funds can be distributed.

-Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.

Tall Oaks Quilt Workday

            Iowa Yearly Meeting has asked member churches to make quilts for the new beds at Tall Oaks Lodge at Camp Quaker Heights. There will be a workday, Wednesday, May 17th, at the church to make denim quilts coordinated by Sherry Norman and Peggy Martin. These quilts will need only cutting and sewing -- you don’t have to know how to quilt. Please bring any worn out denim jeans, denim jackets, etc, as well as sharp scissors and/or rotary cutters, sewing machine, blue thread and a brown bag lunch. See Peggy or Sherry if you have questions.

Donations of denim clothing and funds for backing are needed.

BCLUW Community Pentecost Service

As part of the BCLUW Ministerial Association, Bangor Liberty Friends will join in the Community Pentecost Service, which will be held at the High School Gym in Conrad on Sunday, June 4th at 10:00 a.m. There will be no services - Praise Service, Sunday School or Morning Worship - held at Bangor Liberty on that Sunday. Everyone is encouraged to attend this community-wide service. Food will be available at the Commons at the High School following the service.

            If anyone would like to participate in the community choir for this special service, please contact Pastor Dean for a schedule of the practices.

Blessed Is the Mother…..

Who can hold onto her children while letting them go

Who really believes that prayer changes things

Whose faith in the future sweetens the present

Whose Bible never needs dusting

Whose sense of humor is alive and well