The Bangor Liberty Bell

Sharing the News and Views of

Bangor Liberty Friends Church

 

November 2012   Volume 33, No. 11

 Manny Garcia, Pastor

 

 

Be Transformed…

Stories and Principles that Change Our Lives

Part 7

 

            It’s that time of the month (and year)!  We are headlong into the holiday season and this seems to be the time when we get “busy”, as if we weren’t already right?  This month’s devotional comes from my friend Jadon Ross, the associate pastor at Meridian Friends Church in Idaho.  This seems to be the perfect time of the year to be reminded that community is important and while we like to “go it alone” we can all benefit from slowing down and letting God interrupt our plans.  Enjoy!

 

God bless,

Pastor Manny

(All back copies of the bell can be found on our website: go to www.blfchurch.org and click on “newsletter”)

 

Countercultural Transformation

By Jadon Ross

"It is easily forgotten that the fellowship of Christian brethren is a gift of grace, a gift of the Kingdom of God that any day may be taken from us, that the time that still separates us from utter loneliness may be brief indeed." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

Our culture tells us that we need to be independent, only looking out for ourselves. We are supposed to be strong enough not to need anyone else. Have you fallen into this trap? There are even quite a number of Christians who think that their walk with Christ is a solitary one. My friends, this is not the case.

I have had to learn this lesson the hard way through my own peril. I tried to not rely on anyone else, thinking that I might burden them. I tried to be the one who did everything even though it was wearing me out completely. I tried to grow deeper in my walk with Christ by myself.

Notice the beginning of each of those sentences. They all start out with, "I tried." I didn't succeed, and what my "independence" left me with was confusion, loneliness, and a profound sense of needing community.

When we make that life changing decision to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are immediately inducted into the family of God. Who is in your fellowship of Christian brethren? This community needs to be esteemed and treasured because it can so easily be taken for granted and lost.

You see, God made us to be together, not apart. He uses our brothers and sisters in Christ to speak to us, to encourage us, to challenge us, to help us "work out our salvation." Being in fellowship with other Christians is active. Vigilance and a conscious effort to be vulnerable and open is extremely important. Satan does not want Christians to join together and be open with their struggles, their victories, and their lives.

If you think you are in fellowship with Christian brothers and sisters, but you are sitting complacently on the sidelines, you are not in true fellowship at all. You are missing out on the opportunity to be transformed by opening yourself up, and you are missing out on the opportunity to transform someone else.

Entering into true community is not cheap. We must be willing to go into the bad with people. Don't condemn, walk along with them. You have a role to play in this community. It's give and take. It's strong when others are weak. It's weak when others are strong. God doesn't leave gaps in community. If something is missing, someone is not doing what God has called them to do.

Transformation will occur when we lower our masks, put down our shields, and come to the realization that this way of life together is a gift from God. When we enter into the Body of Christ, fulfill our role, and put down our defenses we engage in countercultural transformation. Will you be the one to initiate this way of living that Christ calls us to?

"Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone— especially to those in the family of faith" - Galatians 6:2, 4, 8, 10 (NLT)

Suggested soul-training exercise:

In his book Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer says, "We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God." This is the basis for this soul training exercise. When we enter into Christian community we are going to have things arise that are not in our plans; someone will call with an emergency, another person might stop by unannounced, or maybe we have something that we need help with.

 

Congratulations!     

Tyler Patten and Trisha Scott were married on Saturday, September 22nd in Zearing.  They are making their home in Rhodes.  Tyler works for R.S. Stover Company in Marshalltown and Trisha is employed as a hospice nurse for Iowa Hospice.  Tyler is the son of Bill and Rosalee Patten of BLFC.

 

 

Join us on Wednesdays for our Weekly DEEPER Program!

Discovering God’s truth

Enduring with one another

Encouraging & lifting each other up

Praying for one another

Exemplifying Christ to others

Recruiting other to Christ

 

 

Library Ledge: Biography Buddies

          Make a new friend or learn more about an old one by checking out the library ledge in November. When you read a biography you can learn about history, experience adventures from the safety of your armchair, learn something about life by one who has lived it, or be inspired to a closer walk with God.  Accept the challenge… read a biography this month.

          Bethany Hamilton lost her arm in a shark attack, but never lost her faith.  Soul Surfer is a moving story of her triumphant return to competitive surfing – a tale of personal empowerment that shows the body is no more essential to surfing than the soul.

          The Game of My Life is a story about basketball and Jason McElwain.  It tells how he become nationally known, but also talks about autism, life and how much can be accomplished by having a great attitude and staying focused.

 

 

October HOC Report

On October 25th, 21 from BLFC were involved in the meal served to 82 guests.  They were given generous helpings of sausage gravy on mashed potatoes and biscuits, green beans and bacon, mixed fruit cup, cottage cheese, pumpkin bars, frosted brownie cookies or Hy-Vee pies, milk, fruit juice and coffee.  A good ‘stick to your ribs’ type meal was appreciated on a cold, windy night.  Many shared their appreciation.  Thanks to all who made the evening possible.  If you want to be involved next month, mark November 29th on your calendar. 

          Also thanks to all who brought items for the supply closet in October.  The trunk load of dish soap, over the counter meds, diapers, etc. will be used and appreciated by those in need.

 

 

Dear Friends,

          We want to know how very much we appreciate your recent gift of $250 to the Prep Basketball Program at Quakerdale.  Gifts like yours are a great source of encouragement to our staff as they help youth take control of their lives, make good decisions, develop positive relationships and become productive citizens.  Your gift means so much to our children and their families.  Thank you for caring and sharing in this way!

Gratefully yours,

Robert C. Talbot, Executive Director

Generally, these might be seen as distractions, but God shows up in unexpected places. It is in these times and places that transformation can take place because we can be out of our comfort zone.

So, here is the exercise: Be mindful of your surroundings; the people, places, ordinary things, and the interruptions that make up your life. Ask God to show up in each of these areas, to speak to you in them.

Keep a running log throughout the exercise of "God Interruptions", and what happened in each circumstance. Were you transformed? Did you help someone else? Did you ignore the community encounter? Did you open yourself and be vulnerable or did you retreat to independence? Was God's presence especially close? What did God teach you through the encounter?

Share your log with someone else after you have completed the exercise. Sharing opens the door to vulnerability and true community that we discussed in the devotional portion.

 

Remember In Prayer

~Our college students

~Our Sr. High youth program combined

   with HCNP Friends

~Those who have lost loved ones and are

   facing “different” holidays this year.

~Morgan Martinez in her new position with

   InterVarsity in Atlanta, and her funding

~Mesquakie Friends Center seeking a new

   director after the unexpected resignation

   of Mark Aviso.

~Sam & Becky Barber at the Belize

   Friends School with the many challenges

   they face with their students

~House of Compassion, clients, staff

~Our Secret Prayer Partners

 

 

Garrison Memorial Scholarship

          The Garrison Memorial Scholarship is open to applicants around Iowa Yearly Meeting this year.  Its purpose is to encourage individuals from Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends to pursue a degree in Christian Ministries.  If you or someone you know would be interested in applying for a scholarship have them contact the church office for an application, a list of eligibility requirements and awards available.

 

 

Children’s Church

Children, age 4 through grade 5, are encouraged to participate on November 4th  and 26th.  The lessons will encourage students to be good stewards of our earth and relationships.  Projects include providing a snack for those who attend Monthly Meeting for Business.

 

 

Bangor USFW    

Betty Arterburn will host the Bangor USFW on November 13 at 1:30.   Ann Nichols will provide the lesson.  Ladies are reminded to bring their Christmas offering which will be shared between the Mesquakie Friends Center and the Providential Homes Ministry of Arlen Daleske.

 

 

Liberty USFW

          Ladies of Liberty USFW will meet on Thursday, November 15th at 7 p.m. at Diane Teske’s home in Union.

 

 

All the King’s Men

          Men are welcome to join this group which meets on Monday evenings twice a month at Pastor Manny’s home from 8:00-9:00 p.m.  In November the men will meet on November 5th and 19th.  They are studying Chasing God with 3 Flat Tires.

 

 

Celebrating a 90th Birthday!

Al Johnson, who formerly attended BLFC along with his family, will be celebrating his 90th birthday on November 16th!  His family asks friends to shower him with cards for his special day!  Al’s address is: 3020 Hillside Ave, Durango CO 81301.

 

 

Helping Cuba Friends

          Friends are encouraged to bring donations of children’s vitamins, prenatal vitamins, and “happy meal” type toys to the church as we collect them for Linda Garrison to take with her when she leads a work team to Cuba in January.  Vitamins are most needed as we have received quite a number of small toys.  Donations are needed by Sunday, December 16th.

 

 

Helping Hands

Two years ago BLFC began a ministry of Helping Hands.  This program has been used successfully numerous times but could be used more.  We have many able volunteers who are ready to assist.  Whether your need is changing a flat tire, a ride to the doctor, emergency child care, help with financial issues or correspondence after the death of a loved one; there is someone waiting to help.  Contact Shirley Davis, Ann Nichols or Manny for assistance or more information.

 

 

-A good listener is a silent flatterer.

                -Proverb  (contributed)

 

 

Annual Thank Offering Service

Bangor Liberty’s annual Thank Offering Service will be held Sunday, November 18th at 10:30 a.m. with a potluck meal afterwards. The Missions Committee welcomes all to participate in the service by giving gratitude to God with their words and funds.

They have chosen the following projects and ask us to prayerfully consider how blessed we are and how we can share with these areas or with other work that we may feel called to support.  All undesignated offering collected will be divided equally between:

 

  • Salary for Joyce Ajlouny, Director of Friends Schools, Ramallah
  • William Penn Campus Ministry, Spencer Thury, Chaplain
  • A Future Bangor Liberty

Mission/Work Trip for Youth and Adults

  • Bangor Liberty Scholarships for Quaker Heights Camp, Eldora

 

More details about these projects will be in upcoming bulletins.  Social Committee #3 will be in charge of setup and cleanup for the potluck meal.

 

 

“You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving.”

~ Amy Carmichael, missionary to India

 

 

Christmas Adopt-A-Family

Many in Marshall County will not have Christmas gifts this year without our help. You do not have to be wealthy to assist a family in need. Together our $ add up and make a big difference in the lives of others.

The House of Compassion recommends 2-3 gifts be given to each person. $20 could buy toys for a child or a gift for a senior citizen; $30 could provide clothing for a child; $40 could provide a family meal; $50 could buy gifts for a teen; $75 could provide gifts and a meal for a senior and $250 could provide Christmas for a family of 4-5.

If you would like to adopt an individual or family, tell Margaret the number of people you wish to help by Nov. 18.  After you are given your family information, you call and let them know they have been adopted. Then purchase their suggested gifts and food for their holiday meal and deliver these by Dec. 21.

There will be a family chosen for our church to share.  Let us know if you would like to help by buying 1 or 2 gifts or providing food for that family. If you are unable, or prefer not to do the shopping, you may give funds and others will shop for you.  Thanks in advance for bringing smiles to families in need.

 

 

White Gift Offering

            Our annual White Gift offering collected at the Christmas Eve service will be shared between the Amari Play Center in Ramallah and the Barclay College Renew Tour. Both ministries will appreciate your prayerful and financial support. Look for more details in the December Bell.