Bangor Liberty Friends Church

Listen to That

Shhh!  Did you hear that?  Hear what, you ask; do you hear the quiet?  It’s all around you if you just listen for it.  But how can you listen for quiet you ask?  It’s simple; stop, be still, and listen.  There, did you hear it that time?  Ok, maybe you’re trying too hard.  But by the end of this article maybe, just maybe we will be able to hear the silence together.

Silence is a wonderful thing.  It is so peaceful and serene that it calms the heart and soul.  God not only speaks out of the silence, He speaks through the silence.  What I mean through that is He actually speaks to our hearts and souls through peacefulness and serenity of silence.  Sometimes, as we are troubled by life and the world around us, God realizes we need to unplug and relax.  That’s when He sends His peace through silence.

Remember the story of Elijah as he was on the run from Jezebel (I Kings 19).  He was running for his life and thought it was all over and was ready to throw in the towel, that’s when God stepped in and encouraged him.  He showed Elijah that God doesn’t only work through mighty, spectacular, glorious events; He showed Elijah that God is even working in the stillness of a quiet breeze (I Kings 19:12).  How many of us refuse to see God at work unless there is some spectacular event attached to the event?  He is still at work, even in the quiet.

Peace is a wonderful thing to have in our heart and it comes as we allow God to quiet our hearts.  In Zephaniah 3:17, God promises to “quiet you with His love.”  Just like Elijah though, we must allow God to love us.  He loves us, but do we receive that love to its fullest?  If we do, then let’s start today by trusting Him with the little things as well as the big things in life; let’s not just turn to Him in the stormy times, but let’s tune into Him in the quiet times too.

Shhh!  Did you hear that?  I thought you might.       

                                                -Dean

Thank Offering Service

            Bangor Liberty Friends will hold our annual Thank Offering Service on Sunday, November 19th at 10:30 a.m.  Everyone is invited to attend and take part in this special time of thanksgiving and in the fellowship time afterwards during the potluck meal in the fellowship hall.

            The Missions Committee has selected four different missions to support with our offerings this year.  $200 will be given to the South Hardin Food Bank in Union and the remainder of the offering will be divided and given to:  the FUM project of building a classroom at the Lokoyo Primary School in Turkana, Kenya; the “Friends Bringing Hope” project which Karen Bauer started in Kenya that helps women and children with housing, food, starting businesses and other projects to improve their lives. And the last mission area the Thank Offering provides funds for is scholarships for youth to attend Camp Quaker Heights next summer.

            As in the past you may designate your thank offering to other mission fields or projects of your choice. Please note these on your checks.

            Mark the 19th of November on your calendars and plan to join us as we rejoice and give thanks for all the blessings we enjoy.  Social Committee #2 will be hosting the potluck after morning worship.

“He Keeps Me Singing”…

            Area musicians are rehearsing for the upcoming musical production of “He Keeps Me Singing.  The story is about the singing Hatfield family who has been asked to give a benefit revival meeting in their hometown of Hooker, Oklahoma.

            Everyone is invited to attend.  The musical will be performed Saturday, November 11 and Sunday, November 12. Both performances will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Conrad.  Tickets are $10.00 with the proceeds from both performances being donated to the Foods Resource Bank to alleviate world hunger.  Limited seating, so call 641-366-2402 to reserve a ticket.

House of Compassion Report

On Oct. 26, 19 from BLFC were involved in purchasing, preparing, serving and clean up for 55 guests.  Our menu was lasagna casserole, carrots, green beans, lettuce salad, Parmesan bread sticks, fruit, brownies, and drinks.  Thanks to James & Sharon, Royal & Paula, Karen B, Ann & Chuck who donated food or funds; (also an anonymous someone) Diane, John L, Gladys, & Wayne T who prepared; Betty, Fern, & Michael who served; Mike, Charlene, Dan, & James who were on clean up.  You can ask Gladys and Fern how to make the bread sticks and ask Dan how good they were!  Our next meal is November 30. 

October was our month to help fill the HOC Supply Closet.  A trunk load of various items was given by BLFC and appreciated by all who need this extra help each month.

Answers for Do You Know...?

1. Jacob

2. Moses

3. Dorcas

4. Gabriel is not an angel who blows the trumpet. The Trumpeting Angels in Revelation are not named.

5. Arizona

Harvest of Hope

Winter Farmer’s Market

Friday, November 17

2 pm - 6 pm

St. Henry’s Catholic Church

221 W Olive St, Marshalltown

Featuring products such as: grass-fed beef, pork, lamb, chicken, eggs, honey, sorghum, maple syrup, root vegetables, herbs and spices, dried and frozen fruit, farmstead milk soaps, leather goods and woolen items from Iowa farms.

Vendors will donate 10% of sales to emergency fun for farmers.

Your purchase of food and gifts grown and produced here in the Midwest can help farm families make ends meet through the winter. This one-day sale has been organized by Churches’ Center for Land and People.

More information about CCLP may be found online at http://www.cclpmidwest.org

Children’s Church

Lessons about the 10 Commandments continue on November 12th and November 26th.  Our service projects will be to send Thanks to Mission Workers and show appreciation to our BLFC Sunday School Teachers.  Children who are age 4 though 5th grade are welcome to participate. 

All Church Pool Party

            Christian Ed is sponsoring an All Church Pool Party on Sunday, November 19th from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the West Marshall High School swimming pool. All church members are encouraged to attend the event and to bring friends and/or extended family members.  The Pool Party is free to all who attend.  Certified lifeguards will be on duty.  Guests should bring towels and their own beverages, plus snacks to share with others.  Those who do not wish to swim can bring lawn chairs to set by the pool side or plan to fellowship in the school cafeteria where the snacks will be located.

Liberty USFW

Liberty USFW ladies will be holding a Work Night on November 8th at Sharon Johnson’s home at 7:00 p.m. Please bring scissors, soup labels, box tops for education and cancelled stamps.

Bangor USFW

The ladies of Bangor USFW will meet at 1:30 on November 21 at the home of Bess Holveck in Marshalltown.  Bess will also provide the refreshments and lesson.  Come prepared to discuss projects ideas for our December 19th workday.

HOC Adopt-A-Family for Christmas

Many Marshall County families will not have gifts for Christmas without the help of people like you.  If you would like to adopt an individual or family, just tell Betty or Margaret the number of people you wish to help.  After you are given the name of your person, you call and let them know they have been adopted.  Then you purchase gifts from their suggestions, provide a food basket for their holiday meal (Jean recommends we use the SHARE program) and deliver these by Dec. 18.  If you are unable or prefer not to do the shopping you may give funds to Margaret to adopt a family together with others in the church.  Please let us know by November 15 how you wish to help.  I’m sure God will bless you and your gift.

Retired Ministers & Missionaries of IAYM

            Friends may give an offering at any time for the retired ministers and missionaries of Iowa Yearly Meetintg.  Please designate any gifts and give to our treasurer, Scott Davis.  Those who have served deserve and appreciate our support.

Monthly Business Meeting

            At our November Meeting for Worship for Business those in attendance discussed moving the meeting to another day and time to increase attendance.  The church family is asked to consider this possibility and give their thoughts to John Good, Monthly Meeting Clerk.

Newsletter Deadline

            All articles, announcements and other material for the monthly Bell Newsletter will need to be turned in by 8:00 a.m. on the last Thursday of each month. This change is due to postal deadlines.

Annual “Messiah” Production

            The Central Iowa Choral Society will present its 54th performance of Handel’s “Messiah” at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 3rd at First United Methodist Church , 202 W Main St, Marshalltown. Child care will be available.  Rehearsals will be held on November 5th, 12th & 19th. All Central Iowa singers are invited to participate.  See the announcement on the bulletin board at the church for more information on rehearsals.

Do You Know…?

1. Who walked with a limp after an angel threw his hip out of joint?

2. Who saw the “back” of God, since he could not bear to see him face-to-face?

3. What woman did Peter raise from the dead?

4. What happens in the book of Revelation when the angel Gabriel blows his trumpet?

5. Which state has a city named Solomon?

Library Ledge:   

Mission Memories and Challenges

            “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 13:15.  The following will challenge you to reach out to your world to tell others the Good News about Jesus and His love through deeds and prayers.

            101 Ways Your Church can Change the World gives simple, practical and effective ideas to help Christians reach out to a hurting world, the way Jesus did. 

Short biographies of Christian heroes such as Eric Lindell, Jim Elliot and Amy Carmichael, are included in The Smoke of a Thousand Villages.  These people prove that if you give your life fully to Jesus you will never lack for adventure!

            These are just a few of many books about mission work available on the library ledge.  Check them out!

Thank You

To all our friends and family at BLFC--

            We just love you all! Every year we get to know each other more and every year our families grow closer.

            Thanks to everyone who worked so hard on the Family Camp Committee and thanks for letting us come share your weekend with you!  God bless you all!

 Love, Mari, T.J. & the Stanfield kids J

Special Thanks to Don Davis and his crew of Michelle, Diane, Kelly, Donald and James for shampooing the carpets in the fellowship hall, entryway, and classrooms on a recent Saturday.  The gals also worked cleaning other areas of the church while the men finished the carpets.  We are truly grateful for their time and energy!

Thanksgiving Is

Time for family and friends.

Helping those in need.

Answering prayers,

Not just today, but everyday.

Kindness & compassion.

Sharing & caring.

Giving of yourself.

Inspiring others.

Valuing those around you.

Inviting people in.

Nurturing spiritual growth.

Giving God the glory.

 Thanksgiving means more than “being thankful.” In fact “giving” is half of thanksgiving.  Are you “giving” thanks? Thanks to God for all He has given you. Thanks to others for all they have done for you. Never let us leave our gratitude unspoken, our thanks unoffered.