The Bangor Liberty Bell
Sharing the News
and Views of
Bangor Liberty Friends Church
February
2012 Volume 33, No. 2
Manny Garcia,
Pastor
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Investing In God’s
Plan
By Pastor Manny
On Sunday during our monthly
meeting I felt led by the Holy Spirit to start a conversation that, no matter
the outcome, will change the way we do youth ministry at Bangor Liberty
Friends Church. It has been evident for some time that our youth
program is leaving much to be desired by our youth. That’s not to say
that our volunteers aren’t doing a great job, because they are. This is
just evidence of the great amount of time and effort needed to build the
proper relationships for discipleship and spiritual growth to take place.
It’s easier to explain in
terms of my time here at Bangor Liberty. For the last 6 months my
primary goal has been getting to know as many of you as I can in deep,
meaningful ways. In 6 months I feel like I’m 25% of the way
there. It takes incredible amounts of time to get to know someone, earn their trust, and
then offer adequate spiritual leadership. Ministry has
morphed from what was once a “take him on his word” acceptance of a pastoral
leader to a very deep relational experience. We want to truly know the
people that are called to lead us in any situation. We want to know
they care for us, they know what they are doing, and that they are willing to
make us a priority in the big picture. This truth is even more evident
in youth and young adults. This is ministry 2012.
I met with Christian Ed
several weeks ago and we picked up the conversation about the future of youth
ministry at Bangor Liberty Friends Church. As a former youth pastor it
is more evident to me than most that youth ministry is the lifeline to
longevity in ministry for any area, but even more so in a rural setting such
as at Bangor Liberty. I have had strong leadings on where this
conversation needed to go but have been waiting on affirmation before sharing
these leadings, mostly because, like I said, it means changing the way we do
things and sometimes that’s scary. I feel as though the last several
weeks have offered that affirmation, through conversations with several
people and most of all through the incredible peace that I feel from God on
the topic.
Right now our youth are in
decline, not only in numbers but also in interest and desire and from what I
can tell, in spiritual growth. There are many reasons for this but none more
evident than the lack of someone able to invest fully into their
lives. Right now our youth meet with 3 or 4 different people each
week, none of which are available to do much more than they already are which
leaves a gap in the relational ministry that young people need, a ministry of
presence.
So what’s the answer?
Where does this conversation need to go? I feel as though God is
prompting us to enter into a serious conversation about hiring a part-time
youth pastor. At the end of January’s monthly meeting a letter was read
stating that Bangor Liberty Friends would be receiving funds from a portion
of an estate left to us. Sunday those funds were received and it would
be fair to say that there is enough there to create a part-time youth pastor
position for 3 to 4 years without any burden to the general budget.
This would give us time to evaluate if this is an ideal fit for our
church and to make the financial commitments necessary to see it continue at
the end of the 3 to 4 year time period. I am certain that in this time
not only will we see spiritual fruit in our youth but also fruit as a result
of new youth coming into our midst and new families following their youth.
I have said from day one that I feel God calling us to be a beacon of
light for the surrounding communities and there is no doubt in my mind that
this could be a huge bulb in that light!
It was shared several weeks ago, before we knew the details of
this financial gift that "something special" should be done with
this blessing. What could be more special than investing in our children
and youth? We need to show the youth of this church, and the youth in
the communities we serve that they are important. Please pray for God’s
leading and share your thoughts and feelings with me or someone on M &
C. It is a big commitment but we owe it to our current youth and to the
20+ children we see up front nearly every Sunday to at least pray about
it. God bless!
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not
hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’"
Matthew 19:14
Remember In Prayer
~Those
with ongoing health issues-
~Those
who are caretakers for family
members with health issues
~Our
secret prayer partners
~The
presidential primaries & caucuses
~Brianna
Martin, serving in Cambodia,
having thyroid health issues.
~All who
are ill with flu or other “bugs”
~Sam
& Becky Barber & Family in Belize
~Morgan Martinez
& her InterVarsity work
in Atlanta
~Nathan, Brianna
& Jacob Martin, Cambodia
~The Mesquakie
Friends Center-The Whites
~The Kaimosi
Hospital and staff in Kenya
~Mowa Choctaw
Friends Center in Alabama
~House
of Compassion, clients, staff
Children’s
Church
Children ages 4
through 5th grade are encouraged to meet in the fellowship hall after the
Children’s Message on February 5 & 12. Lessons will encourage the
children to build Godly character. Our service projects will be to make
valentines of encouragement for our mission workers and remind the
congregation to support the food box.
Forward
Movement
All
youth, 7th-12th grade, are invited!
Forward
Movement
Youth Group,
Sunday,
February 19th
6:30-8:00
p.m.
Pastor
Manny and Jenalee’s home,
Youth,
invite your friends to join you for
fun
& fellowship at the Garcia’s!
Liberty
USFW
Ladies of Liberty USFW will
be serving the South Hardin Kiwanis Sweetheart Supper on Thursday, Feb. 16th
at 6:00 p.m. at the church. Ladies are asked to be at the church by
5:30.
Bangor
USFW
Ladies will gather at
Ann Nichols’ home on February 21 at 1:30, when Betty Arterburn will bring the
lesson. All women are welcome for the fellowship.
Quaker
Men Family Banquet
Quaker
Men of Iowa will hold their annual Family Banquet on Saturday, February 25th
at noon at the William Penn Student Union dining hall. Randy Bixby will
be guest speaker. He is an international conference speaker, co-founder
and director of the Convergence Center and the Chaplain for the State
Legislature of Iowa. Music will be brought by Anthony Nieuswma and the
Grinnell Friends Praise Band. At the end of the day there will be pie
auction of 25 pies!
Reservations
are needed by Feb. 15th. The price is $10 per member for families, $11
for singles and $12 at the door. Order your tickets from Chuck Nichols.
BLFC Family Night
Wednesday, Feb 29th
Pinewood Derby Races
BLF Church
Bring
appetizers & snacks to share at 6:00 p.m.
Races involving cars made from kits
begin at 6:30 p.m.
Come cheer for your favorite car!
Prizes will be awarded for
different categories.
Please Note: All derby cars
MUST be weighed in on Tuesday
evening, Feb 28th,
6:30-7:30 p.m. in the church
fellowship hall
Friends have opportunities to join
others in prayer for concerns
for
our families, our church, communities, nation and world at BLFC -
every
Sunday morning at 8:45, meeting in the high school Sunday School room
or
on Monday Evenings at 7 p.m. at the church.
Go “DEEPER” with us on
Wednesday evenings!
Discovering God’s
Truth
Enduring with one
another
Encouraging &
lifting each other up
Praying for one
another
Exemplifying Christ
to others
Recruiting others
to Christ
There’s something for all ages - Nursery
thru
Adult! Come join as we grow in the
Lord together. Meals are held on the 2nd & 4th Wednesday night of
each month. We will take a quick break in February, not meeting on
Wednesday night, Feb. 15th, and will resume on Wednesday, Feb 22nd. On
Wednesday, February 29th a Pinewood Derby Night-Family Night will be
held. Everyone is invited to this evening of food and fun beginning at
6 pm in the fellowship hall.
A Reminder
Our 3rd Sunday mission offering supports
the Kaimosi Friends Hospital through March. The need is still great. The main
medical problems are obstetric complications, caesarian sections and
fractures. Some unusual problems include a lady with typhoid and one with
cerebral palsy.
Your donations provide for medicines,
utilities, and help with salaries for nurses and other staff. Salaries
are miniscule in comparison to what we expect, yet these go a long way to
feed and care for families of staff at Kaimosi. $225 covers a nurse’s
salary for one month; $100 covers patient fees for five days; $30 provides
health insurance for a family for one year.
A comment from FUM: “Your gifts nourish the work in Kenya just like the
life-giving rains. Your support helps us to encourage signs of new
growth and give hope to Kaimosi Friends Hospital. We thank you for the
consistency of your contributions and prayers.”
SKY
VBS: Kids
discover that everything is possible with God!
No matter what the weather is like today,
it’s time to start thinking about Vacation Bible School! Mark your calendars
for the evenings of July 16-20. Be in prayer as to how you can help
with this important ministry to our church and community.
Consider the following needs: crew
leaders, staff devotions, Bible leaders, set designers, games leader,
transportation, missions, registration, nursery, snacks, and lots of
floaters. Also be praying about the children you can invite! See
Margaret to volunteer or to learn more about this outreach opportunity.
Library
Ledge:
Marriage
Support
Wondering what to get your
loved one for Valentine’s Day? How about the gift of time? You
could enjoy reading and discussing a book together! A Very Good
Marriage, by Tom Mullen would be a good start. Or pick up Dating
Your Mate or 60 One-Minute Marriage Builders for other creative
ideas. You and Your Husband’s Midlife Crisis; 5 Love Languages; 60
One-Minute Marriage Builders; The H.I.M. Book can all be found on the
Library Ledge.
A good marriage doesn’t stand still. Like our relationship with God, it
needs to grow or it will become stale. Take a growth spurt in your
marriage; check out a book or book-on-tape found on the library ledge.
HOC
Meal Report
On January 26, 18 from BLFC provided a
meal for 60 guests. The menu was sloppy joe sandwiches, French fries,
mixed vegetables, fruit salad, cabbage salad, apple dump cake, frosted
vanilla wafers, angel food cake, milk, juice and coffee. One lady said it was
the best meal she’d ever had at HOC!
It couldn’t have been possible without our
faithful volunteers: James & Sharon, Tom & Pat, Mark & Darlene,
Craig & Marlys, John & Gladys who provided food or funds; Betty,
Wayne T, John & Gladys who prepared; Craig & Marlys, Jenalee &
Syler who served, and Joe, Kay & Daniel handled clean up. Come join
the fun February 23. You’re sure to receive a blessing.
Upcoming
Flying Eagles Basketball Games
The Flying Eagles of Quakerdale will have basketball games at the South
Hardin High School in Eldora at 7:00 p.m. each of these evenings - February 9,
13, 14, 25.
Admission
is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Let’s cheer them on! A fun
and easy way to give support to a local mission work!
Take Note:
Young Friends 2012
Camps at QH
Little Fry (K-2)
June 8-10
Fry Camp (2-4)
June 3-6
Fox Camp (5-6)
June 24-28
Jr. High Camp
(7-8) June 10-15
Sr. High Camp
(9-12) June 15-20
College Weekender
June 1-3
*Choosing which
camp to attend is now determined by the last grade completed.
(exceptions may apply)
*Students who have
completed 2nd grade can choose to attend Little Fry with a parent OR
independently at Fry Camp.
Prayer
is a practice that blesses. Worship is a habit that refreshes.
Love is a gift that expresses. -copied
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