The Bangor Liberty Bell

Sharing the News and Views of

Bangor Liberty Friends Church

 

August 2009   Volume 30, No. 8

Nathan McCracken, Pastor

 

 

As Unto the Lord

 

I used to be a trim carpenter.  When it comes around in the conversation as to what I did before I was a pastor I would tell people, “I used to trim houses.”  And the response is usually, “Oh, so you put casing around doors and baseboard around floors.”  And my response is usually,” sure I can do that.”  But if I told them what I really did in my past career it is that I didn’t just put trim in houses, I trimmed million dollar homes.  Gated communities, country clubs and lakeside properties were where we worked.  The floor plans called for 5000 to 10,000 square feet of livable house on some plans, which was nothing out of the ordinary.  Everything I built was a custom work of art from double fireplace mantels to curved stairs with elegant iron spindles catching your eye as you enter the front door.  It was a carpenter’s dream to get to build and work in such places of high regard, but it wasn’t my dream.  In fact I really disliked most things about the job.  The first thing was that I had to get up at 4:30 each morning and if you know me you know I am not a morning person!  The second is that woodworking is a very dusty and sometimes dirty job and most of the time I had some sort of sickness because of it.  The third is that most of the homeowners and sales men treated you less like an artist and with much disrespect.  And the fourth major problem I had with the job is that it wasn’t where my heart was.  I used to mope about the job, thinking to myself that I should be doing a full time ministry somewhere and was upset that God had me working there.  Doesn’t He remember that calling He put on my life to follow Him and to serve people using the gift of music and speaking that I love so much?  So why am I here? 

Now, if you ever catch yourself asking that question an answer will probably soon follow and a lesson I needed to learn is found in Colossians, chapter 3.  Verses 23 and 24 say, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”  This lesson hit me right at home and it hit me hard.  How in the world is Christ supposed to lead in my life and this calling if I am not willing to work for him and do my very best for Him at all things.  God doesn’t always take us where we think we should be going or at least He doesn’t take us there straight away.  Have you found yourself in one of these places?  No matter how many miles along the journey you’ve traveled, or where you are in your calling, remember that in all things do them as if you were doing them for the Lord.

-Pastor Nathan

 

 

In Our Prayers

~Those traveling for vacation before

    school begins

~Planning for our new Wednesday

    Night Program which kicks off Sept. 9

~New Youth Leadership at BLFC

~Our Sunday School program & teachers

~Sam & Becky Barber and Family,

    Directors of the Friends Boys School

    in Belize

~Our prayer partners

~Teachers & school administrators as

    school begins later this month for all

    area schools

~First time college students and those

    returning to campus

 

 

NEW Wednesday Night Program

at Bangor Liberty!

 

Fall Party Kick-Off

Wednesday, September 9

6:00 p.m.

Everyone is Welcome!

 

This new Wednesday Night Program will include meals twice a month, studies and local service projects.  The following classes will be offered:  Nursery, Pre-School thru First Grade, Second thru 6th grade, Jr. High/Youth Group, Mixed Gender Bible Study, Mixed Gender Book Study, and Woman’s Book Study. 

 

Sign up sheets will be available on Sunday, August 9th and schedules will be placed in mailboxes and on the church website.  Volunteers will prepare meals and the cost covered by a donation basket with a suggested amount noted.  Please be in prayer for this new program and our Christian Ed. Committee and Pastor as they continue planning.  Information will continue to be provided.  Please contact Pastor Nathan or Shandra McCracken if you have questions or would like to volunteer!

 

* * *

 

First Day of School

BCLUW - August 24

ENP -South Hardin - August 26

Marshalltown - August 20

West Marshall - August 20

Nevada - August 24

Mesquakie - August 19

 

 

Minor Prophets Bible Study

What can we learn from the Minor Prophets?  In spite of what we say, our actions are the clues to our priorities.  Haggai had some things to say about lining up words and actions. The message of the book of Haggai is put God first.  Join the discussion at 7:00 each Monday in the fellowship hall.

 

 

Bangor USFW

On August 18th Bangor USFW ladies will meet at 1:30 in the church fellowship hall where Peggy and Ann will provide the program and refreshments.  All ladies are welcome to attend and enjoy the fellowship.

 

 

Attention, Parents, Kids!

            Remember to check out the Children’s Library in the fellowship hall this summer.  Not only will you find lots of great books for preschool through high school age, but you’ll also see many family videos, DVD’s and audiotapes.  The audios could provide great entertainment during summer travels. 

 

 

IAYM Golf Retreat 2009

August 14 - 15, Pine Lake Country Club and Camp Quaker Heights, Eldora, Iowa

 

Schedule:

Friday:  6 p.m. - Registration

             6:30 p.m. - Meal

             7:30 p.m. - Guest Speaker

     Saturday:  7:30 a.m. - Breakfast

                 8:30 a.m. - Golf

                              Lunch

Pre-registration forms are available at the church.  Cost is $65 for the weekend or $12.50 only for Friday, $47 for Saturday only

Bring your own cart and save $20.  Send your registrations to Camp Quaker Heights, 22605 V Ave, Eldora IA 50627

 

 

Workday at BLFC

            A workday will be held at the church on Saturday morning, August 15th, 9-noon.  Work will be done outdoors, with additional work listed for those who would rather work inside.  Contact Joe Feltz, Chairman of Trustees, for tools needed.

 

 

Family Camp 2009

The Amazing Race

September 18-19-20, 2009

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Registration and fees are due by September 6th!

 

 

News from Kaimosi Hospital

By Judy Davis

“Ugali is the staple food in Kaimosi.  It is a finely ground corn that is mixed with boiling water and ends up as a mound of white food.  People of Kaimosi do not think they have eaten a meal unless they have ugali.  The price of ugali has almost doubled and is in short supply.  The rains have not come and many have replanted their maize, doubling their investments in growing their food. 

What does ugali have to do with Friends Hospital Kaimosi?  The connection is simple: the people that the hospital serves are poorer.  Where do people turn when they are ill and do not have money?  Mission hospitals.  Friends Hospital struggles financially due to the large amount of charity care it provides.  Our financial investment through Adopt-a-Nurse, the funds for shipment of used medical equipment and a new hospital roof is critical to the continued viability of our hospital.  We Friends have a strong testimony in our work at Friends Hospital Kaimosi.”

 

 

House of Compassion Report

            Sixteen from BLFC made possible a meal for 83 guests at the HOC on July 29.  Sloppy Joes, seasoned potatoes, corn, fruit cups and cake were served.  With the larger number of guests, volunteers scrambled to assemble additional food after running out of the Sloppy Joes and potatoes.  Come join us as we serve our next meal on August 27th - there’s never a dull moment when we serve at the HOC. :-)

 

 

Definition of Stewardship

The dictionary defines "stewardship" as "the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care." That means truly appreciating and taking care of what we do have.  It also means letting go of those things in our lives which we no longer need, and not having a need to accumulate more "things" in order to be happy.

Are you giving? Are you giving the way you love to give, or the way that God desires for you to give?  Are you living for God or yourself?

What typically motivates your giving? Guilt, duty, expectation of God's blessing or thankfulness?

"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."   Proverbs 11:25-28

Please remember your tithe and church giving during your busy summer.  You will be blessed and refreshed for your generosity to God’s work.

 

 

Library Ledge

Summertime Audios & Videos

            While you travel take along a book-on-tape from our church library.  Or while taking a break from the heat, borrow a video for the family to enjoy.  Some examples: “Quiet Strength” by football coach Tony Dungy on CD; “Bibleman – Conquering the Wrath of Rage” DVD; and Traveling Light by Max Lucado audiotape.  You’ll find both fun and encouragement on the library shelf.

 

 

Job Opportunity at Quakerdale

Many of you may be aware of the Quakerdale Promise Home.  It is for children who are not in our welfare or probation systems, but need a home and a family.  Quakerdale is in need of a mature, strong Christian couple (or family) to lead this family program in Marshalltown and to model a healthy marriage and structured home!  There is more info about Quakerdale at www.quakerdale.org.  Please remember this need in prayer and be on the lookout for the right family to participate in making a difference in the lives of children in a major way.

 

 

Highlights from Monthly Meeting

-The Concert Under the Stars was a wonderful worship evening of music, fellowship and refreshments.  Thanks to all who participated, planned, and provided!

 

-Iowa Yearly Meeting in Oskaloosa was great with good attendance and participation.  The majority of committee reports were positive and show God working in the Yearly Meeting.  The financial need for Nathan and Brianna Martin to go to Cambodia as missionaries was met.

 

-BL Christian Education is adding a class for college age thru 30 year old adults to our Sunday morning CE program.  This class will begin on Sunday, Sept. 27, 9:30 a.m.

 

-CE will host a Teacher Appreciation Breakfast on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 9 a.m.

 

-The new Wednesday Evening Program at BLFC begins on September 9th.  Ministry and Counsel will meet the third Sunday of each month, beginning on September 20th at 4 p.m.  Monthly Meeting will be changed to the first Sunday of the month at 11:30 a.m.immediately after Morning Worship, beginning October 4.

 

                                                      

Memorial Gifts

In Memory of:

Lynn Elsberry

            Wayne McDonald

Mark & Marjorie Norman

            Judith Svengalis

Phyllis Shaffar

            Bill & Rosalee Patten

            James & Sharon Johnson

Sybil Hoskins

            Bill & Rosalee Patten

            Scott & Mary Davis

            Paul & Karen Hammers

            James & Sharon Johnson