The Bangor Liberty Bell

Sharing the News and Views of

Bangor Liberty Friends Church

 

October 2006   Volume 27, No. 10

Dean Lambdin, Pastor

 

Living Life

 

When we live each day, what is our focus?  Just getting through it?  I would have to say that for the most part, that is the goal we all strive for, but just getting through it means so much more to some than it does to others.  As we strive to make it through each day are we focused on ourselves or much more?  Are we striving to honor and glorify God as we get through our day, trusting Him for all the strength, wisdom, and grace we need to deal with all the people and situations in our day?  Sadly, most of us don’t think about God until something goes wrong in our day and then a lot of times we seem to want to blame Him for it.

That is why it is so important that we realize the fact that every day is a gift from God and He wants us to enjoy it to the fullest.  “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” Psalm 118:24 (NIV).  The only way we can truly do that is by making Him a part of our everyday life.  He wants to be intimately involved in our lives not just a call home to Daddy when you need some extra cash, or some 1-800-help line, or the 911 emergency line, He wants to be your companion in life.  When you wake up He wants you to invite Him in and when you go to bed He wants you to thank Him and invite Him to stay close by till morning.  He does not want any harm to come to His children (see Psalm 121).

            Sometimes we are allowed to go through days that are so bad, it seems as if God has left us.  No matter how hard we may try to ask Him for help or deliver us, He continues to allow the situation to continue, but He stays right there by our side through it all.  There are two songs that are out there in the contemporary Christian music world today that emulate this theme; one is “Sometimes He Calms The Storm” by Scott Krippayne and the other is “Praise You In This Storm” by Casting Crowns.  Both songs speak of the fact that despite our feeling distraught and alone, God is right there for us and He is just as close to us if not closer during the storms as He is when things are going well.

            We all have storms in life that must be weathered and sometimes God does choose to by His grace calm them, but other times He chooses to allow them to run their course in our lives and through His grace we can survive and make it through to the other side.  It is in those times that God helps us to grow in our own faith as well as strengthening our trust in Him.  So do we trust Him enough to not only place our short-term future (today) into His hands, but also our long-term future (forever)?  The way we live our life will show Him and others.

                                    Dean

 

 

HOC Supply Closet Needs

October is our month to help fill the HOC Supply Closet. Over 500 families use the closet each month. Items currently needed the most are: over the counter medicines, laundry detergent, toilet paper, baby & toddler diapers, and paper towels.  You can leave these in the box in the entryway anytime during October.  You may take home a shopping bag as a reminder.  A container will be available for cash for those who would rather let someone else do the shopping. 

 

 

Daylight Savings Time

ends on Sunday, October 29th

 

 

 

Special Event

for Mothers & Daughters & Friends

 

SHE

Safe - Healthy - Empowered

EVENT

with

Rebecca St. James

 

Tuesday, October 24th, 7:00 p.m.

MHS Auditorium, Marshalltown

With straight talk on real life issues, from purity and real beauty to security and purpose to finding a God of second chances, SHE is a unique music and mentoring event that celebrates the road to safe, healthy and empowered womanhood in God!

Check out the poster on the bulletin board in the church entry for information and ticket prices.

 

 

Answers for Do You Know…?

1. Mud

2. The church, that is, Christians. (Col 1:24)

3. Benjamin

4. There are twelve Minor Prophets--not ten

5. Utah

 

 

House of Compassion Report

On September 11, 44 guests were served generous portions of vegetable beef soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, fruit, tomatoes, cookies and cakes, milk and coffee, along with leftover cucumbers and potato salad.  Our great volunteers included including Levi and Ramona, Robin, Neil and Peggy, Jim and Sharon, Reg and Melidy, Gladys and John, Royal and Paula, Wayne and Fern, Don and Joyce who donated foods or funds; Betty, John and Gladys who prepared; Fern and Wayne, Ann, who served; Wayne M, and Joyce helped with clean up as did most of the others.  Several people expressed their thanks for the good meal.  All in all it was another good night at HOC.  Our next night is Thursday, October 26.

82 individuals from BLFC have volunteered in some way throughout the past year for HOC meals. Thanks to all for sharing in this ministry!

 

 

In Honor of Teachers

(This was copied from the HCNP Newsletter)

            James Michener, the author of books such as Hawaii was once invited by President Eisenhower to a dinner at the White House.  He answered the president with these words.

            “Dear Mr. President: I received your invitation after I had agreed to speak a few words at a dinner honoring the wonderful teacher who taught me to write.  I know you will not miss me at your dinner, but she might at hers.”

            President Eisenhower answered Michener by saying “In his lifetime a man lives under 15 or 16 presidents, but a really fine teacher comes into his life rarely.”

Sunday School is now in full swing. Teachers sacrifice their time to prepare lessons and teach with loving care.  Let’s show appreciation to our teachers. 

 

           

Children’s Church

On October 15 the children will be preparing and serving lunch for the Silver Belles.  On October 29 we’ll talk about the 2nd Commandment and compile Care Boxes for our college students.  (Our church family will be asked to provide the items.)  Children who are age 4 though 5th grade are welcome to participate. 

 

 

Ladies Bible Study

            All ladies are welcome to join the Bible study which meets each Thursday at the church at 10:00 a.m.  The group is using a Women of Faith study entitled, “Giving God Your All.” 

 

 

Liberty USFW

            Liberty USFW ladies will meet on Wednesday, October 11th at 6:30 p.m. at the old GMI/John Deere Building next to Vaux Welding on Main St. in Union for a tour of the Outreach Africa Program.  The ladies will convene afterwards at Diane Teske’s home for a business meeting and refreshments.

 

 

Advice From Some Farm Folk

- The biggest troublemaker you’ll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin’.

- If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’.

- Life is simpler if you plow around the stump.

 

 

Christian Ed Note

            The Christian Ed Committee is currently planning an All-Church Fall Harvest Party.  Watch for further details in the weekly Sunday bulletin.

 

 

Wolfe Ranch Tour

            Bangor USFW will be touring the Quakerdale Wolfe Ranch on October 17, 10:00. Others from the church are welcome to come along for the tour and lunch at Creek Bottom Coffee House. Let Betty or Margaret know if you are able to attend. 

Quakerdale is a non-profit, Christian agency providing services to youth and their families. Wolfe Ranch is located east of Marshalltown on Highway 30. Their services stress individual choice and responsibility. Quakerdale also addresses spiritual needs, through exposure to Christian teachings and values, and the hope offered through a relationship with God. 

The teens at Wolfe Ranch love fresh homemade cookies for their afternoon snacks.  If you are unable to join us but would like to send cookies, just leave them at the church by the 15th.

 

 

Missions

It is again time to be planning for the Thank Offering, which will be taken on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, November 19th.  Again there are many needs around the world on the mission fields.

The Missions committee has decided on the following fields for our Thank Offering this year:

 

1.  Build a Classroom in Turkana -- This is a project that was a goal for our Vacation Bible School this past summer and $8,315 has been raised of the $10,000 needed.  The children many times have their classrooms under a tree sitting on the sand.  When the wind blows, the dust and sand blow in their faces and on their slates, making it difficult to concentrate on their studies.  So we would like to help complete this project to provide another classroom for the students at Lokoyo Primary School in Turkana, Kenya.

 

2.)  Karen Bauer’s project called “Friends Bringing Hope” partners with a Kenyan Quaker organization called Rural Service Program, for women and children in Kenya.  This is something Karen has started on her own, and she has been in Kenya 3-4 times to promote it.  This past summer her group from Iowa built a water tank on a dairy farm to improve the water supply during the dry season.  A dairy herd was started earlier.  They built a semi- permanent home for a displaced widow, Jacqueline, and her 4 children.  When a woman’s husband dies, she is then homeless and cannot live in the house they had lived in because of cultural tradition.  Jacqueline’s husband died of AIDS and superstitions require that no one be allowed to maintain this home.  The widow is left with nothing so she has no means to build a new home.  This was a very touching experience for Karen and her group. The group has also provided funding for seeds for quality grass for grazing at the dairy farm, and has also started a pilot program so some of the widows could receive small loans to start a business.  They planted 2 acres of land with corn and beans for a feeding program.  These women are joyous and appreciate the work of “Friends Bringing Hope.”  Through all of this experience, it has humbled the group and made them know and appreciate their blessings from God.  The next scheduled trip with Karen will be in January 2007.  

 

3.  Scholarships for our youth to attend summer camp next year at Camp Quaker Heights. 

 

4.  $200.00 to the Food Box in Union.

You may also designate to other Mission fields or people of your choice.  

 

-BLFC Missions Committee

 

 

Do You Know…?

1. What did Jesus put in the eyes of the blind man at the pool of Siloam?

2. According to Paul, what group of people comprises Christ's body?

3. Who was the youngest of Jacobs’s twelve sons?

4. Of the ten Minor Prophets in the Old Testament, which book is the longest?

5. What western state has a Jordan River?

 

 

Thank You

            The words “thank you” don’t seem adequate to express all of our appreciation to our Family Camp Committee (Bob & Veronica Daniel, Shelley Goecke, Will & Jo Macy, Scott & Mary Davis, with assistance from Pastor Dean and Amy, and Joyce Macy) for all the planning and work for our annual retreat at Camp Quaker Heights! The Committee’s work serving meals over the past year made it possible for our church family to attend this year’s weekend inexpensively.

Some highlights were the “Not So Newlywed Game” rounds and final (which was won by Dennis and Janet Klein), learning to make a Quilt Card, and Oscar Night where numerous talents were shared! 

We enjoyed having T.J. Stanfield share with us during devotional times and on Sunday morning, and it’s great to see his wife, Mari, and children, and how they’ve grown from the previous year.

            So whether you were able to attend Family Camp or not, take a moment and tell the committee members “THANKS!”

 

 

Library Ledge:    Family Fitness

            How fit is your family?  Not physically, but emotionally and spiritually?  If you feel the need for improvement, the library has materials to help you tone your parenting muscles.

            In The Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian writes how you can pray through every age and stage of your child’s life.

            Breakthrough Parenting says every child is a powerhouse of underdeveloped potential.  “Tucked in down the hall may lie a president of the US, a world renowned surgeon, or a missionary who will proclaim the name of Jesus in a distant land….Encourage your kids to discover their interests, pursuer their goals and dream big dreams.”

            Creative, Confident Children, shares frank discussions on discipline, sex education, character development and building a spiritual foundation.  Check out these and more on the library ledge.

 

 

GOOD THINGS ABOUT GROWING OLD AND BEING A GRANDPARENT

(From children at Children’s Church)

·         Having fun playing with your grandchild

·         Having more life experiences to share

·         Remembering things from your childhood

·         Retirement – more time for hobbies

·         Heaven comes sooner