The Bangor Liberty Bell
Sharing the News
and Views of
Bangor Liberty Friends Church
May
2012 Volume 33, No. 5
Manny Garcia,
Pastor
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Be Transformed…
Stories and Principles that Change
Our Lives
By MATL-SF Cohort 1
As many of
you know I have been pursuing my MA in Transformational Leadership (with an
emphasis on Spiritual Formation) since August of last year. My latest
assignment was to take part in creating a collaborative devotional with the
other members of my cohort. The end result is a unique look at the many
personalities that God has chosen to bring together in a season of
transformation. My desire over the next 12 months is to share this
devotional with you. Every month I will share a new piece of the devotional
along with the suggested “soul training exercise”. It is up to you how
involved to be in this process but I can say with great confidence that if
you actively engage God you WILL experience a transformation in your
life. You have all heard me say that I feel God moving in our midst in
powerful ways and it is my firm belief that He has wonderful, new, and
exciting things for Bangor Liberty Friends Church. Perhaps this is the
next step in that process. Please join me over the next 12 months on a
journey of transformation, growth, and renewal. It’s sure to be an
exciting ride!
-Pastor Manny
Imitate Who?
By Rich Kopp
“The principle
runs through all life from top to bottom. Give up yourself, and you will find
your real self. Lose your life and you will save it.”
- C.S. Lewis,
Mere Christianity
We all tend
to grow up wanting to be like somebody else. If you go to the mall and watch
the young people, you’ll notice how they all tend to dress alike and you can
almost spot what movie star or musician they idolize and imitate by the way
they dress. It might be the stocking cap being worn in 90-degree weather like
Zac Brown, or the skinny jeans and tennis shoes like Kanye West. In fact, a
lot of us adults still want to be like somebody else, we just might not be as
obvious about it.
When I was
growing up I wanted to be like my big brother. My brother was, for the
most part, my dad as well. We lost our dad when we were young and since my
brother was seven years older than me, I looked up to him. My brother was a
track star and he was smart and brave so I tried to be just like him. But no
matter how fast I ran I could never match his time. My brother was a
whiz at math and I struggled just to make a passing grade. People never really
talked about me the way they talked about him. He is an elected politician
and everyone seems to want his opinion. Even today when we have family
gatherings, my brother is often the center of the conversation and his
exploits legendary. It was pretty disappointing trying to be like my brother.
Trying to be like someone else is always a
hollow sort of thing, as the clothing and the hairdos and the like never get
us what we really want - recognition and to be somebody we think is important
to others. C.S. Lewis points out that to really be somebody requires giving
ourselves up to Christ. It’s when we surrender ourselves to Jesus that we
begin to truly discover our value. As Lewis points out in his book, Mere
Christianity, “It is when I turn to Christ, when I give myself up to His
Personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own ....
sameness is to be found among the most ‘natural’ men, not among those who
surrender to Christ. How monotonously alike all the great tyrants and conquerors
have been: how gloriously different are the saints.”
The Apostle Paul, when writing to the
church at Thessalonica wrote, “You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in
spite of the severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by
the Holy Spirit” (I Thess. 1:6). Like C.S. Lewis who would come thousands of
years later, the Apostle Paul found his real personality on the road to
Damascus. It was that moment he fell to the earth, blinded by the wonderful
power of the Holy Spirit, that Saul the Pharisee became Paul the Apostle and
the man God had designed him to be all along. The Apostle Paul, fisher of
men, evangelist and missionary, would forever encourage others to imitate
Christ, just as he had. I have learned that while I would never be as fast or
my exploits as legendary as my brother’s, in imitating Christ I have this
unique and wonderful life and I am exactly who God intended me to be.
“Therefore if any
man be in Christ, he is a new creature, behold old things have passed away,
all things have become new.”
- 2 Corinthians
5:17
Suggested
soul-training exercise:
One of the things I did a number of years
ago that really helped me continually appreciate my uniqueness and value as a
child of God, was to type up on a small sheet of paper, about a 5x7, these
kinds of statements:
- I
am a uniquely created person.
- I
am loved by God for who I am.
- I
have been given all the talents and gifts I need.
- I
have this awesome power of the Holy Spirit residing within me.
- I
will take all my burdens and share them with Him.
- I
will spend time every day reading His Word.
- I
believe God has a plan that is wonderful and challenging.
- I
believe no matter what happens today He will see me through.
Once
you have these (or similar) statements typed up on the sheet of paper, tape
the paper to your mirror, and leave it there for a month or so. Periodically
revise it.
Bangor
Park Clean Up
On a very nice March evening
45 people from the Bangor community and BLFC gathered to clean up the Bangor
Park. Lots of work - raking and hauling, painting, removing overgrown
bushes - was accomplished during the evening and everyone enjoyed the fun of
working together, sharing fellowship and a picnic. Pictures are posted on the
church’s website and on Facebook.
HOC
Meal Report
On April 26 (thanks to our 17 volunteers)
59 guests were served generous helpings of meat and cheesy pasta casserole or
leftover chicken and rice, a large variety of donated salads, green beans
& bacon, radishes, rolls or biscuits, Hy-Vee pies and cake, iced tea,
milk and coffee. Join in the fun and fellowship at our next meal on May
31st. You’ll likely be blessed for your service.
“Do
you want to hear the Lord laugh? Just tell Him your plans for
tomorrow.”
– Fr.
Mychal Judge
“A
happy woman is one who has no cares at all; a cheerful woman is one who has
cares but doesn’t let them get her down.”
–
Beverly Sills
Laughter
is one of the most inexpensive, non-fattening, contagious, pleasant ways to
relieve stress.
“If
you have no joy, there is a leak somewhere in your Christianity.”
–
Billy Sunday
“Joy
is the echo of God’s life with us.”
–Joseph
Marmion
Congratulations
to….
Wayne
Tuttle on his trip to Washington DC on April 24th with other area WWII
veterans on the Central Iowa Honor Flight to the Capital from Cedar
Rapids. It was a very long day but a great time and Wayne would be
happy to visit with you about his experiences.
Nathan
Davis was inducted into Iowa State University’s Kappa Omicron Nu Honor
Society on April 22nd.
Bangor Liberty
Friends Concert Under The Stars
(sky, sun, Son,)
For anyone who would like to see what an excited
John Good looks like just ask him about the vision that is developing
concerning the expansion of the traditional Concert Under the Stars in July.
The simple idea of inviting a couple of area praise bands to perform in the
afternoon, before the official evening concert, has exploded into the
possibility of having six or more Friends Church and/or local praise bands
performing most of the afternoon in the beautiful outdoor setting east of the
church.
Another possibility is to have a workshop
late in the afternoon so that band members can share ideas amongst themselves
and/or learn from an expert in this area of worship. We will also have food
available for those who come for the afternoon and evening (besides our usual
ice cream social after the evening concert is over.) What else would
you want for the makings of a great afternoon of fellowship and worship; free
admission, free water, inexpensive concessions (or bring your own,) good
praise music, plenty of shade and a playground and room to run for the kids.
The only thing to spoil it completely
would be a rainy day!! We would have to cancel, with no rain date, if it were
to rain, as this can only be planned as an outside event. (The inside of the
church will already have to be set up for our VBS which is to start the next
evening.) I have been informed that a couple of large tents might take care
of this potential problem, we’ll see.
If you know of a band that wishes to
participate, have any further ideas, or have a desire to help in any aspect
of the event, John would love to hear from you. Most importantly right now,
put the afternoon and/or evening of July 15th on your calendar. We could
start as early as 2:00 PM if we have enough bands participating. We’ll let you know the rest of the details as they come
together.
Congratulations,
Graduates!
Congratulations to
all of our graduates on all of your accomplishments! We wish you
continued success as you further your education. May you continue to
grow in your life of faith as you pursue your dreams and passions in
life.
Children’s
Church
Children,
aged 4 through 5th grade are encouraged to meet in the fellowship hall after
the Children’s Message on May 6th & 20th. Lessons will teach Bible
stories and encourage Godly living. Our service projects will be to
provide a snack for Monthly Meeting attenders, thank our church volunteers
and give appreciation to our Quaker Heights Staff.
Farewell
Gathering
Victor
and Brenda White will be retiring a little later this summer from Mesquakie
Friends Center. There will be a farewell gathering on Sat, May 12 at
6:30 p.m. at Mesquakie Center. A potluck meal with pulled pork
sandwiches will be served. Please bring a side dish and table
service. Everyone is invited to assist in a love gift for the White’s
celebration service. Please send checks to the Yearly Meeting Office in
Oskaloosa (PO Box 657, Oskaloosa IA 52577) and a check will be presented to
them on the 12th.
Membership Class
A
6-week church membership class will begin on Sunday, May 13th at
9:30
a.m. Another membership class may be held in the summer if you are
unable to attend the class beginning on the 13th. See Pastor Manny If
you wish to attend a membership class.
Bangor
USFW
On
May 15, at 2:00 pm we will gather at the Quakerdale Ranch outside
Marshalltown for a tour and program by Jennifer Daniels. We are
encouraged to bring an offering to help support the Ranch. Anyone interested
in this local ministry is welcome to join us for the afternoon. A short
business meeting will be held after with refreshments (on your own) at
Culvers.
Liberty
USFW
Ladies of Liberty USFW will meet at Colleen Welch’s home on Thursday, May 17th
at 7:00 p.m. Cathie Zeliadt, IA USFW Reading Course Chairman, will
share the new fall reading course books.
Quaker
Heights Registrations
Summer
Camp registrations are now available. Pick them up from the round table
in the entry, complete and return to Scott Davis by Sunday, May 20th.
He will mail them all in together with funds before the deadline to avoid
late fees.
Fun
& Fellowship
Christian
Ed Sponsored Barbecue
Wednesday,
May 30th, BLFC
6:00
p.m.
Everyone
Welcome!
Bring
friends!
Also
bring your own meat to grill
and
a side dish to share.
CE
will provide dessert and drink.
Outdoor
games are being planned.
Bring
two empty 2 liter pop bottles
(round
ones) for a special event!
Missions News
Cuba
Friends
Our
mission emphasis for May is the Cuban Friends Churches. Early in the
1900’s, a Quaker effort began in Cuba. Gibara, a flourishing seaport, was
selected as the place to begin the new work. Zenas Martin of Hardin County
was involved as Superintendent of IAYM, and the first missionaries were Penn
College students.
Cuba
Yearly Meeting now consists of 13 monthly meetings. Cuban Friends are
actively serving Christ. Evidence is seen in their enthusiastic
singing, heartfelt testimonies and generosity. Friends United Meeting
supports them by visiting, sending representatives to their yearly sessions,
organizing work teams and providing occasional finances.
FUM
invites individuals to join work teams to Cuba. Much of the work
involves painting and repairs. Church services are allowed only in
established buildings, so it is important to keep repairing
meetinghouses. Team members also visit meetings to worship and share
their faith.
Please
be generous in your 3rd Sunday giving to encourage the Cuban Friends churches.
Remember In
Prayer
~The
possible hiring of a part-time youth
pastor for BLFC
~Those
who are caretakers for family
members with health issues
~College
& high school graduates & their
families
~Cuba
Friends Churches
~From
Sam & Becky Barber - pray that all
paperwork needed for visas is done for
the Belizean kids & that they can travel
to the US as a whole family this summer
~Morgan Martinez
& her InterVarsity work
~The Mesquakie
Friends Center-for new
leadership
~The Kaimosi
Hospital and staff in Kenya
~Mowa Choctaw
Friends Center in Alabama
~House
of Compassion, clients, staff
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
May 9 - Meal at 6:15 pm, studies at 7 pm
May 16 - Studies at 7 pm
May 23 - Meal at 6:15 pm, studies at 7 pm
May 30 - BBQ Cookout for all, 6 pm
High Flyin’ Summer Fun
At SKY VBS kids will discover that everything
is possible with God! Sky is filled with incredible
Bible-learning experiences kids see, hear, touch and even taste! You
can join the journey!
Our goal is to reach 50 kids and we
need your help. Look for toy airplanes, hot air balloons, colorful kits
– or anything that might be in the sky, like birds to help us decorate.
Prayerfully consider
your involvement during the evenings of July 16-20. We need crew
leaders, helpers for games, crafts, devotion leaders, and more. Jenalee
and Margaret will be talking with you soon so be thinking about how you want
to join the fun!
Library
Ledge
Laugh
a Little…or a Lot!
Proverbs 17:22
says, “A merry heart is like good medicine.” A good laugh
relaxes muscles, lowers blood pressure, and enhances the immune system. Your
cheerful attitude can affect the way people feel when they are around
you. Laughter rubs off onto others. Good clean laughter brings
about inner healing along with our faith in the Lord. Pastors declare
the most effective Christians find something to laugh about no matter what
comes their way. A sour meeting can be sweetened with just a sprinkle of
humor. Check out the library ledge for some laughs this month.
You’ll find many books, DVD’s and books-on-tape all waiting to help improve
your health.
Helping Hands
This committee coordinates church
volunteers to meet needs within our church and in our community. The
desire is to serve God while serving others. If you have a need or know
of another who could use a ‘helping hand’, please call the church or one of
the committee: Ann N., Shirley D., Levi and Ramona W. or Mission members Vi
G., Gladys L. and Margaret G.
We have volunteers who are willing to
drive someone to a doctor appointment or pick up groceries, help with at home
care during illness, do general home repair or upkeep, provide food and visit
while shut-in, provide emergency childcare, help with financial issues after
the death of a loved one or to assist with correspondence.
Thanks to 9 folks who spent a part of
their evening on April 26 mowing, raking, trimming, visiting with, cleaning
gutters and more for a ‘neighbor in need’ in Union. She was very
appreciative and we hope felt the love of Jesus through these small acts of
kindness.
Thanks to all who helped with the recent
workday at the church. Much was accomplished! There are a few
jobs left to complete. If you have some spare time and wish to help
check out the list in the church office.
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