The Bangor Liberty Bell

Sharing the News and Views of

Bangor Liberty Friends Church

 

May 2008   Volume 29, No. 5

Dean Lambdin, Pastor

       

The Pastor’s Corner

Reflections

            May is here and it would seem that spring is finally here in full force allowing the farmers to start planting finally and encouraging the timid trees and flowers to begin blossoming.  We are surrounded by so many changes – some welcomed without reservation, others feared for various reasons be they personal or otherwise.  Nevertheless, in the midst of the calm, sometimes even misleading stillness of life, or be it within a cloud of turmoil and callousness, we must never leave hold of the enduring truth that God was, is, and always shall be Sovereign over all of the vastness of His creation as well as over the daily cares of life for His children.

They say, “Hindsight is 20/20”, and I believe that so obvious truth to be a very useful tool for ministry.  “If we do not learn from our past, we are doomed to repeat them” (author unknown).  In our journey called life, as children of the one and only Sovereign God of everything, we have a great advantage over those who have chosen not to be called His children – The Word!

Every day is filled with choices whose affects and effects will impact not only the individual, but also and sometimes even more so, the fallout of those choices has a greater impact on others.  This is why we must strive to discern God’s leading in every aspect of life, but most crucially in matters of our spiritual growth and maturing.  God wants nothing more than to give His children the best this life and beyond has to offer.  Being so, that is why His Word, the Bible is a great source of insight into His heart and a wealth of knowledge on the topic of right living in His sight.

Our journeys in life and in our growth in the Spirit are as varied and unique as our fingerprints.  We all start out on our spiritual journey of growth in Christ at the same point no matter who we are, just as much as each of us starts out life physically being conceived of our mother and father and thus born into the world – in our spiritual journey, the plan for our salvation was conceived of the Trinity and thus, all who choose to accept it are then spiritual born into newness of life (John 3:1-21).  As we grow in Christ we also have the benefit of learning from those who went on before us either through their successes or their mistakes.  We even gain a greater insight as to how uniquely God created us in the physical sense and also has gifted us spiritually to minister for and with Him.

Occasionally, God calls us to times of reflection – some very deep and aimed at reevaluating where we are in reference where God has and is calling us to be physically, spiritually, or both.  Other times of reflection are more like quick stops to refill and confirm our current position in Christ.  Consider 1 Corinthians chapter 13, specifically verses 11&12:

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (NIV)

These verses point to the necessity to realize that our spiritual life in Christ is a growth process and to not lose sight of that fact and the hope that is a part of that fact – full knowledge, full communion with the Trinity one day unhindered by the cares and pitfalls of the fallen world we live in only temporarily.  Each day the view in our mirror should be a little clearer than the day before; seeing more of Jesus reflected in our lives and less of us.  After all, isn’t that what being a Christian is all about, “Christ-likeness”?  As we minister to others it should be Him working through us and not ourselves trying to or seeing the need to do what He calls us to in our own power.

As Paul so beautifully put it, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20, NIV).  That verse should reflect all of our heart’s intentions for personal spiritual growth as well as the vision, mission, and goals of our ministry as the Body.  Let us reflect on that proposal and look forward with great anticipation to the next facet of life God is calling us to!

 

Blessings in His Love and Grace,

– Dean

 

 

You’re Blessed to be a Christian Mom When…

…You hold the miracle of a new life in your arms for the first time.

…You hear your toddler’s voice singing songs of praise with a cheerful heart.

…Your fears turn into prayers.

…Your child turns the other cheek.

…When your child’s tears turn into your child’s prayers.

…Your child enjoys helping others.

…Your teen resists peer pressure because of faith.

…You let go and trust your children to follow their chosen paths.

…Your children follow your footprints, the footprints that you followed, the footprints of our Lord.

 

Happy Mother’s Day!

 

 

POWER LAB VBS

Discovering Jesus' Miraculous Power

         Get ready for an exciting week following Jesus as he heals, helps, and gives power to people who need him.  Power Lab is fizzing with fun.  Everyone involved will explore God's Word and never be the same again!  Be sure you highlight the dates of June 1-6 on your calendar as we transform our church into an awesome science lab! 

           We'll begin with a free picnic for the whole family at 5:00 on Sunday, June 1st followed by our first night of Power Lab, 6:00-8:35.  Monday-Thursday kids gather, 6:15-8:35 and have a closing review for family and friends at 7:00 on Friday.  It's our goal to reach at least 50 kids and encourage them to grow in their relationship with God.  If you haven't already signed up to volunteer or if you know of community children who might want to participate, visit with Margaret.  We need everyone's prayers and involvement for this outreach to bubble over with God's powerful love!

 

VBS Jokes

Q. What would a barefooted man get if he steps on an electric wire?

A. A pair of shocks.

 

Student: Did you hear that scientists have found life on another planet?"

Teacher: "What are you talking about?"

Student: "They found fleas on Pluto!"

 

 

Please Note These Change of Dates:

June Monthly Meeting - May 28, 2008

July Monthly Meeting - June 25, 2008

August Monthly Meeting - July 30, 2008

 

 

HOC April Report

On April 24, 19 from BLFC made possible a meal of biscuit pizza casserole, various donated salads, pudding with whipped topping, cake, and drink for 56 guests.  Many returned for second helpings and saw a new salad to try as there was an amazing variety left from a church luncheon.  Genuine words of appreciation were voiced by several guests.  Thanks to all of our volunteers!  Our next meal is Thurs, May 29. 

 

 

Library Ledge:     

   Spotlight on Women

            During May our library will put the spotlight on books for women.  We have a large selection of books and audios by and about women.  Here’s just a sample:

            I’m trying to Sit at His Feet, but Who’s Going to Cook Dinner? will help you with the daily pressures of life that pull us away from God.

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

            Mothers of Feminism explores how Quaker women influenced society. “The experience Quaker women accumulated in public speaking, holding meetings, taking minutes, and writing epistles prepared them for leadership roles when the time was ripe for a women’s right movement to emerge.” Let’s honor and celebrate the female spirit by checking out the library ledge in May.

 

 

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 Weekender   June 13-15

Sr. High Camp            June 22-27

Jr. High Weekender    June 27-29

 

 

Monday Night Bible Study

            As we conclude our study of the Fruit of the Spirit, we’ll be discussing meekness and self-control.  Come learn together with us 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 May 4th when we’ll make treat bags with candy and toys for the Stork’s Nest child abuse program.  Due to holidays, VBS and vacation schedules we will not meet during the summer.

 

Liberty USFW

            Colleen Welch will host the next meeting of Liberty USFW on Wednesday, May 14th at 7 PM.  New USFW books will be shared during the program.

 

Bangor USFW

            The ladies of Bangor USFW will meet at 1:30 on May 20 at Jeanette Roe’s home in Clemons.  Barbara Jo Morgan will provide refreshments and Donna Williams will bring the lesson.  

 

A Special Celebration

The church family is invited to a celebration of Robert and Jeanette Roe’s 50th Wedding Anniversary and Irma Roe’s 90th Birthday on Saturday, May 10, from noon to 3 PM at Camp Quaker Heights.  Congratulations, Bob and Jeanette and Irma on reaching these wonderful milestones in your lives!

 

Community Worship Service

            On Sunday, June 1, 2008 the BCLUW Church Council will be holding a Community Worship Service for everyone in the area.  The service will be held at 10:00 AM at the BCLUW Middle School in Union.  Everyone is encouraged to attend the Community Service as there will be no services at BLFC that Sunday.  VBS begins that evening.

 

Coordinator Needed!

Because of conflicting dates for Iowa Yearly Meeting Ministry Conference and the Tar Heel Days Parade in Union, a Coordinator is needed to organize our participation in the parade on Saturday, August 9th.  If you would like to volunteer please contact a M & C member before June Monthly Meeting on May 28th.  Those who have planned or built the float in years past will be involved in IAYM in Oskaloosa.

 

Missions News

We are now in the second month for the church mission pledges supporting Judy Tatum Davis, a nurse who is serving part of this year at the Kaimosi Hospital in Kenya.  If you would like to be a part of this pledge, please state this on your check or turn in your pledge sheet to Scott Davis.  In March we had our last Mission Pledge toward the roof of the Kaimosi Hospital, and during   the time from April 2007 to March 2008 we gave $1,850.00 toward this project.  (Don’t you think that a little part of the roof should say Bangor Liberty!!) 

News from Mike and Kay Cain, who are directors at the Friends Boys School in Belize:  They have hoped to retire this summer, but no replacement has been found, so they will continue there until the end of this year.  Pat Shrock, who has been teaching at the Friends Theological College in Kenya, is now helping the Cains in Belize.  Pat does tutoring mostly for English and reading.  She also has resources for Spanish, math and social   studies for the teachers.  The boys there range from 12-15 years and come from difficult and varied backgrounds. 

Each day she learns a little more about them and their stories and sees the importance of continuing the work here at the Friends Boys School.  This school is a second chance for many.  Pat can see the passion that Mike and Kay have for these boys to succeed; she also sees the opportunity for growth in this ministry; and also the possibility for planning a Friends Church here.  As one pastor said “ It is better to build boys than to repair men,” which is the ministry of the Friends Boys School, to build these boys into men of character.  We can all be a part of this ministry by our prayers and financial support, or we could go to Belize as a volunteer.  

BLFC Missions Committee