The Good Shepherd

            Have you ever been holding a baby when they hear one of their parents talking?  I can remember when both of my boys were just a few weeks old and I would come home after being gone all day at work.  Shandra would be somewhere in the apartment, not in a place where she and the baby could see me, and as soon as I would start talking Tyler or Jaron, would become very alert and start looking around because they recognized my voice.  They wouldn't do it with just any person, it had to be Shandra or me because we spent the most time with them and they knew our voices.  The same voice recognition happens with our pets as well.  When it is dark outside and I come walking up the drive from the church our dog, Bentley, immediately starts to bark and doesn't stop until I speak to him and he can recognize my voice.  When he understands that he knows me he is all tail wags and excitement. 

            As I read through the 23rd Psalm this week I was thinking about David and the way he compared our Lord to being a Good Shepherd.  What hit me was when he wrote of the ways that God was leading him, beside still waters and to make him lay in green pastures.  What I don't always realize is the nature of the relationship between the sheep and their shepherd.  David, of course, after spending countless hours with his flock knew first hand how sheep respond to their shepherd.  When they are at the command of their shepherd who watches over them day and night and whose voice they know and understand to be a comfort and protection, they fear not.  However when danger appears in the form of a lion or bear, there is an instant panic and there is no question as to whom will be their protector.  It is the same shepherd who can make them lie down and calm them. 

            So the question I was asking myself this week is how well do I know my shepherd?  Am I spending the time I need with Him so that I can recognize His voice?  How is God supposed to be able to lead me and guide me, and most importantly restore my soul if I am wandering around the pasture not recognizing my Shepherd's voice from the other voices calling to my attention.  God has so many wonderful things for us, to help us live better, to give us rest, and to restore us when we need it most. But how is He supposed to be our Good Shepherd if we can't recognize His voice from the many voices that the world is bidding for our attention with?  Ah yes, and the answer is clear, spend more time with our Good Shepherd and when He calls His voice will unmistakably ring in our hearts and we will know, here is my comfort, come restore my soul.

                                    Pastor Nathan

In Our thoughts & Prayers

~ A safe harvest for farmers

~Camp Quaker Heights and the work(ers)

    to get the Camp reopened by late Nov.

~Our Wednesday Night Program

~Our Sunday School program & teachers

~Safety for Sam & Becky Barber and

    family in Belize and for their students.

~Morgan Martin with her work with

    InterVarsity on the Coe College

    campus in Cedar Rapids.

~Our prayer partners

~Friends & Friends Churches in the

    Philippines devastated by flooding.

~Tsunami & earthquake victims who

    have lost loved ones, homes & jobs.

Come Join Us!

New Wednesday Night Program

at Bangor Liberty

for the whole family!

If you haven’t had an opportunity to

join us on Wednesday nights yet you and

your family are always welcome!

 There are exciting opportunities for learning

and fellowshipping for ALL ages!

In October the adult Wednesday Night Bible Study “The Spiritual Life – Experiencing Jesus Christ as Lord” will be looking deeper into the mind and studying our desires and our nature.  We’ll also look at how submitting our speech to God improves the quality of our life.  You’d be welcome to join in the discussion.

~

The mixed gender Adult Study using the book, Abba’s Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging, and the Women’s study using the book, What Happens When You Say Yes to God. have both just finished the first chapter in their respective books.  Copies of each book are still available.  Contact Pastor Nathan or Shandra if you would be interested in joining either group or with any questions you may have.

~

During October, children, teens and adults will continue weekly studies and have the opportunity to share in meals on October 7th and 21st.  The youth will meet at Nathan and Shandra’s on the 21st, and all will participate in a service project on October 28th.  In September the group worked at Quaker Heights for the service project, doing various tasks to help with on-going work there.

House of Compassion Report

On September 24, we prepared and served vegetable beef soup, cornbread, mixed fruit, Rice Krispie treats, pumpkin bars, milk, juice and coffee for 62 guests.  Many thanks to our volunteers!  One man said the Rice Krispie bars made him think of his mother who made them for him every Easter.  All we prepared was eaten plus some reheated leftovers used for the last few guests.  Several told us, “Thanks for the good food.”  Our next meal will be Thurs. Oct. 29.  Come be a part of the fun!

HOC Year-End Review

            66 people from BLFC helped to provide the monthly meal, or participated in the School Give-Away or the Adopt-a-Family Christmas project from Sept. 2008 through Aug. 2009.

            We served an average of 43 people at each meal.  (The count is low because two months we served only shelter guests due to kitchen remodeling.)  An average of 15 people helped to provide the meal each month.  At least $40 was given monthly in cash or food donations.  Excess funds were used to purchase items for the Supply Closet.  Over 500 individuals and families use the Closet each month.

            Many individuals donated to the Stuff the Bus School Drive.  Approximately 900 children were given school bags with supplies.  Thanks to all for supporting this worthwhile ministry.

What is a Church?

A fellowship against loneliness.

A hospital for healing souls.

A school instructing those who would learn of God.

An encouragement to walkers in the Way of Christ.

A practice field for patience and compassion.

A classroom of truth.

A laboratory of life.

An internship for minister-members.

A hospitable door.

A herald of Good News, joyful news, hopeful news, helpful news.

A time-out corner.

A resting place.

A bath for washing guilt away.                

A reflecting pool.

A kneeling bench.

A cafeteria - God feeds us there.

A garden where God comes looking for us.

A rescue mission where God finds us.

May it be so with us.

Living In Peace

            There is only one way to live in peace - it is by leaving tomorrow in the hands of God, and faithfully serving Him today.  Faithfulness is the best preparation for tomorrow.  Protect tomorrow by faithful living today.  We may not boast of tomorrow, but we may boast of God who will take care of tomorrow.  Faith never boasts about the coming days, but faith rests in God who governs them.

The Fast that Feeds the Soul

Fast from criticism, and feast on praise.

Fast from self-pity, and feast on joy.

Fast from ill-temper, and feast on peace.

Fast from resentment, and feast on contentment.

Fast from jealousy, and feast on love.

Fast from pride, and feast on humility.

Fast from selfishness, and feast on service.

Fast from fear, and feast on faith. 

                        -Source unknown

Children’s Church

We’ll meet in the fellowship hall after the children’s message on October 4th & 25th.  Service projects will be to honor our Pastor and encourage our college kids with care kits.  Kids, age 4 through grade 4 are welcome to participate. 

            Your help will be needed to bring items for the college student boxes.  We’ll need pens, sticky notes, peanuts, candy bars, mini cereal boxes, hot cocoa mix, microwave popcorn and money to help with postage.  Sign up in the entryway at church or see Margaret.

Prayer Partner Reveal Lunch

            Our Prayer Partner Reveal Lunch will be held on Sunday, October 11th after Worship in the fellowship hall.  Everyone who has participated along with their families are invited to bring a covered dish to share as we gather to find out who has been supporting us in prayer and encouraging us the past six months!

Liberty USFW

            Ladies of Liberty USFW will meet at Darlene Bradley’s at 7:00 p.m. for a work night on Wednesday, October 14th.  Please bring a pair of fabric scissors or a cutting mat and rotary cutter for fabric.

Bangor USFW

A lunch and tour of the New Providence Quakerdale facilities has been planned for October 20.  Any ladies interested in this ministry are welcome to meet at Quakerdale at 12:00. We suggest you bring a $5 donation to be given to Quakerdale for the meal.

LADIES USFW FALL RETREAT

“Our Cup Runneth Over”. 

Saturday, October 10, 10:00

            All ladies of the church and community are encouraged to attend Fall Retreat being held at Bangor Liberty.  We’ll have fun through music and get acquainted games.  Kim Newlin will share updates of our FUM mission workers.  Program cost (includes lunch) is just $10 and can be paid at the registration table Oct. 10.  Babysitting available.  Reserve with Ann Nichols by Oct. 5.  You don’t need to be a USFW member to attend.  All women are welcome.

Intercessor’s Prayer

            A group of concerned people from our church has begun to meet in the sanctuary on Sunday evenings for a time of reflection and prayer for our church, our families, our community, and our country.  Anyone is welcome to join this time of intercessory prayer each Sunday evening at 5:00 p.m.

Donations for Supply Closet

October is one of our months to contribute to the House of Compassion Supply Closet.  To help you remember the items needed, just think of the letter “D”.  It will remind you of Detergent, Dish soap, Diapers (size 4 always needed), Drugs – over the counter meds, and Dollars.  The closet usage continues to grow so please be generous in helping those who are struggling.

Art & Compassion Soup Luncheon

Sunday, October 11, 2009

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Fisher Community Center

Marshalltown, Iowa

Cost:  $10 per person

Everyone is welcome to attend this luncheon where participants will choose a ceramic bowl of their liking, which will then be filled with delicious soup.  Sit and enjoy the soup and fellowship with others and when you leave you get to take your bowl with you.

Proceeds from the lunch will be split between the House of Compassion and the Marshall County Arts & Culture Alliance to support the services they provide to the community.

Why Missions?

            "The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become."  - Henry Martyn, missionary to India and Persia

"We are debtors to every man to give him the gospel in the same measure in which we have received it"  - P.F. Bresee, founder of the Church of the Nazarene

"The Church must send or the church will end."  - Mendell Taylor

"Lost people matter to God, and so they must matter to us."

- Keith Wright

*Want to stay in touch with what Morgan Martin is doing with InterVarsity at Coe College?  Check out her blog at http://coeintervarsity.weebly.com/index.html

Library Ledge - Christian Living

            During the month of October the library ledge will display books to assist you in your Christian life.  Since the beginning, followers of Christ have been asking: Why do I feel I don’t measure up to God’s standards?  How can I love people I don’t even like? How does a Christian stay pure?  These and other questions are dealt with in How to Be a Christian Without Being Perfect.

            Living on the Growing Edge, Confident Living, Celebration of Discipline and Freedom of Simplicity will give challenge and encouragement.  Audio tapes such as Living on the Lighter Side and the DVD Be Afraid, Very Afraid give insight with a humorous touch.  Check out these and other materials on the library ledge.

Celebrating Stewardship

Celebrating stewardship sounds like a strange concept, because mostly we think of it as parting with something, namely our money.  But stewardship is so much more than that.  Certainly it means financial offering, because let's face it, without money, our church cannot operate.  But stewardship also means using our resources wisely, giving of our time, performing a special act of service, volunteering to do a practical task, and so many other things.   Stewardship refers to God giving us something to take care of, and expecting us to do something with it and protect it.  What has God given you?  Money...that you might provide for your house, but also for His house.  Talent...that you might use your skill to promote His Kingdom.  Time...that you might spend some of your time in service or worship of Him.

            -Copied & contributed

October Monthly Meeting Highlights

-Rick Bachman will fill the pulpit on Sunday, November 1st - our Pastor Appreciation Sunday.  Let’s continue to support and pray for Pastor Nathan and Shandra!

-Thank Offering recipients will be Friends Theological College, Bugamangi Friends Women’s Group in Africa, Domestic Violence Center in Marshalltown, Camp Quaker Heights Projects/BL Camp Scholarships.

-The Never Alone-Willing to Help outreach ministry program signup sheets are now available for the church family to fill out and return.  This program will offer help to those who have a need in our church family and community.

-Christian Ed will sponsor a Trunk-or-Treats night in the church parking lot on Saturday, October 31st - Details will be announced.

-Free for the hauling - Mita DC-1860 copier.  The machine works but will need maintenance/repair.