The Bangor Liberty Bell

Sharing the News and Views of

Bangor Liberty Friends Church

 

January 2008   Volume 29, No. 1

Dean Lambdin, Pastor

      

   The Pastor’s Corner

One Voice

            Since living in Iowa one thing has truly become more apparent to me than it was while living in Maryland or in Wisconsin, one voice can make a difference.  With the Iowa Caucuses just finishing up and the national spotlight on Iowa now beginning to fade, I’m sure all you Iowans will all agree, your one voice truly can make an impact especially every 4 years when the Iowa Caucuses are the first national gauge as to who our next President might be.  One voice out here in the middle of all these corn fields and hog confinements gets more attention than E. F. Hutton for one cold day in January.  But after that, Iowa fades back into relative obscurity until the next Caucus.

 

It’s nice to be paid attention to; we all like to be noticed.  God is no different than us when it comes to liking being noticed and being paid attention to.  The main difference is He deserves our attention and He demands to be noticed just because He is who He is.  That’s where the other “one voice” that always will make a difference when not just heard, but listened to comes into the picture.  The Holy Spirit is the gift of the Father given to all believers as promised by Jesus and is the inner voice we have to guide and direct us into God’s will for our lives.

 

“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” – (Acts 1:4-5, NKJV)

 

As we grow more and more in tune to the Holy Spirit’s leading and guiding, our life’s choices begin more and more to mirror those of a Christ-like nature.  It is only as we develop our relationship with Jesus through daily Bible reading and study as well as through a healthy two-way prayer life that our ears and minds will become less clouded by the things of this world and more in tune to the voice and leading of the Holy Spirit.  This voice is not only a voice of reason and a voice of the wisest Counselor; it is also the voice of hope –

 

“And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” – (Romans 5:2b-5, NIV)

 

So as we enter this New Year 2008, why don’t we make a promise to ourselves that we are going to make every effort to listen to and live in the will of God by tuning into that voice of hope, that wise Counselor, that “One Voice”.  I promise, if we do, this year will most definitely be much more fulfilling than last year, not to mention you might want to hold on because it will also most definitely be an exciting adventure!  Enjoy the ride!

- Dean   

 

Blizzard Blast 2008

YMCA Lock-in

Who:  5th-8th grade

When:  February 15-16

Marshalltown YMCA

7 PM - 7 AM

Cost:  $25/person

Pizza, Games, breakfast.

 

Questions?  contact

Jadon Ross:  roscol_24/at/hotmail.com

 

GriefShare

            The New Hope Christian Church in Marshalltown will be hosting GriefShare, a weekly seminar/support group for people grieving the death of someone close. Valuable information will be shared that will help you through this difficult time in your life.  GriefShare groups will meet on Mondays, January 14 - April 7, at 7 PM.  Contact the New Hope Christian Church office at 641-752-1612. Childcare available.

 

Pastoral Search Begins

            On November 21st Pastor Dean submitted his resignation as our pastor.  He will continue to serve at BLFC until June 30, 2007 unless future employment requires him to leave earlier.

            With his resignation a Pastoral Search Committee has been formed with Ministry and Counsel members, Monthly Meeting Clerk, John Good, and Bill Patten and Lewis Kendall as two at-large members.

            Let’s be faithful to remember Dean, Amy, Emily and Hannah in our prayers as they consider where God will lead them, and also pray for our Pastoral Search Committee. 

 

December HOC Report

On Christmas night, 22 from BLFC provided a meal of homemade pizza, (turkey sandwiches were offered when the pizza was gone), carrots and celery, banana and apples, various desserts, and drinks to 44 guests.  Ask Fern & Wayne, Ray & Robin, Vi, Scott, Mary, Katie & Jennifer about their experiences.  Our next meal responsibility will be Thursday, Jan. 31. 

 

IAYM Youth Ministries

@ Camp Quaker heights

Young Friends 2008 Camp Dates

 

Little Fry Camp          May 30-June 1

Fry Camp                    June 5-8

Fox Camp                   June 15-19

Jr. High Camp June 8-13

Sr. High Weekend      June 13-15

Sr. High Camp            June 22-27

Jr. High Weekend       June 27-29

 

Monday Night Bible Study

As we continue to delve into the fruit of the Spirit, we’ll be looking at the fruit of kindness.  Join the discus-sion in the fellowship hall each Monday at 7:00.

 

Children’s Church

Children age 4 through 4th grade are welcome to participate in Children’s Church on January 6th and 20th.  We’ll be learning about the Union Food Box and showing appreciation to the volunteers in our church family.

 

Liberty USFW

            There is no scheduled meeting in January for Liberty USFW.  Ladies are reminded, as they are able, to purchase new winter gloves/mittens and hats for the local elementary schools and items to send to Chris Lund who is serving in Iraq.  Please bring the items to the February meeting.

 

Bangor USFW

            Since our December gathering was canceled because of the weather, we will try again to meet at Naomi Holveck’s home on January 15th with Betty providing refreshments and Margaret bringing the lesson. 

 

Contagious Joy

            The ladies Bible study group which meets on Thursday mornings at the church at 10:00 just started a new study by the Women of Faith entitled Contagious Joy.  Anyone interested is welcome to join the group for a time of study and prayer each week.

 

Dear Church Members,

        We would like to invite you to the House of Compassion for a time of sharing information and taking suggestions. This is a time for you to offer up any changes or ideas regarding the operation of the HOC. We are also looking for potential new workers so come with names and ideas, January 20th at 1:30 PM.                     

HOC Board Members

 

Renewal Time Again!

            It’s that time of year again when we renew our group subscriptions to the Iowa Friend newsletter and the Quaker Life magazine.  If you are not familiar with either publication, check out the issues on the round table in the church entryway.  The yearly cost for the Iowa Friend is $9.50 and for Quaker Life it is $15.00.  Contact Diane Teske to renew or subscribe to either of these publications by January 27th. 

 

Missions News

We received a Christmas card (posted on the Missions board) from the Ramallah Friends School:  “Ramallah Friends School is the only school in Palestine to offer an inclusive special needs program and an ethics curriculum that teaches tolerance and non-violence.  95% of the students will go on to university.  The attendance this school year is 1148.  The student population consists of Muslims and Christians who represent the future political, economic and cultural leadership of Palestine.  Of these, 171 would not be here without financial assistance from Friends.  To everyone who supported us last year:  Thank you!  Your generosity means so much to the school.”

       Dan and Tracy Whitehead, from the New Providence area, have been serving Mission Aviation Fellowship in Latin America for the past 15 years where they have shown great faithfulness in sharing Jesus Christ.  Dan is involved in managing the operations in both Shell and Quito, as well as caring for the many families assigned there.  Tracey continues to be engaged in program activity, as well as being involved in the community, all in a part of the world where electricity, water, phone and internet service provide additional challenges.  They will be on furlough to the States sometime in January.  They ask for our prayers and support as they continue this ministry. 

Karen Bauer, Friends Bringing Hope Ministry, plans to lead a work team in Kenya in January 2008.  She reports that because of the political unrest in Kenya, she has changed her plans and will leave on Friday, January 11th instead of Tuesday, Jan 8th.  She will meet up with the work team at the airport in Nairobi and travel to Kaimosi.  They are still looking forward to a successful work team trip and ask us to continue to pray for them and the work there.  Karen will send an update later in January.        -BL Mission Committee    

 

Library Ledge: 

The books on the library ledge will focus on prayer this month.  A Passion for Prayer seeks to help Christians develop a prayer habit and a more effective prayer life by sharing the principles of prayer and challenging you to pray a matter through to its conclusion.  The book will strengthen you in your boldness and desire as you daily come to Jesus in prayer.

            The Power of a Praying Parent instructs us to turn to God and place every detail of our child’s life in His loving and capable hands: safety, character, career choices, peer pressures, etc.  Whatever your child’s age it is not too late to discover the joy of being a part of God’s work in your child’s life through prayer.

            Visit our library this month for more books and books on tape to encourage your prayer life.      

 

 

2007 Christmas Adopt-A-Family

Seventeen families and individuals provided gifts, funds or food for our shared adopted family.  A mom and dad with four children under age 5 were given several gifts, used clothing, games and blankets and a generous food basket.  They were very appreciative of our gifts to them and hugged us while expressing their thanks.

Our Youth Group and their families adopted a senior lady, a 25-year-old man and an 18-year-old youth.  Three other families in our church adopted 3 adults and 5 children.  168 family units were adopted at the HOC this year (153 last year). They represent 625 individuals. Thanks to everyone who helped to make it a happier Christmas for these people in need.