Bangor Liberty Friends Church

Be Transformed…

Stories and Principles that Change Our Lives

Part 8

            This devotional is from one of only two ladies in our MATL cohort.  Kathi offers a wonderful perspective as a newer member of the Body of Christ, her fervor and passion for the Lord is strong and uncurbed.  She offers a wonderful reminder to us “experienced” believers that taking time to develop and maintain “holy habits” is beneficial and essential to our relationship with God.  Leading into the Christmas season, this reminder is vital as we strive to focus on Christ, the true reason we celebrate!

Happy Holidays (Holy-Days),

Pastor Manny

Holy Habits

By Kathi Berry

“Such was the manner of their life, so great the height of their philosophy, and so holy their conduct day and night, as to make verbal description inadequate. For just as souls freed from the body by death are saved from the cares of this life, so was their life far removed from all earthly follies and ordered with a view of imitating the angelic life. For no anger nor jealousy, no hatred nor pride, was observed in their midst, nor anything else of this nature, since they had cast away all vain desires for honour and glory, all vanity, arrogance and the like. Continence was their luxury, and obscurity their glory.”

- St. Gregory of Nyssa, The Life of St. Macrina

I heard a story from a missionary once about an old Chinese man who had a daily ritual for 47 years of getting up and walking with his dog to the market to get food for the day. The missionary said that even after the man’s death, the dog showed up at the market on its own. The owner of the market gave the dog a piece of meat, and the dog returned to the man’s grave and lay down beside it. The dog continued to do this up until the day it died, every day making a trip to the market and back to its former owner’s gravesite.

The dog had gotten into such a routine that this became its existence. The dog could not stop the habit, it was comfortable, and it was all the dog knew.

How many times do we sink back into a rut, an old habit that we know must be put off, in order to live Christ like? What happens when we slip into sin, when we fall back into our old habits? How do you feel when that happens? What does that feeling show you about what you believe about God?

Like the dog, we can fall into daily rituals or habits that can hinder our ability to love others and to live a holy and spotless life. Clothing ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience and learning to live a life that reflects Christ in us, can be difficult at times.

But we must treat each day anew, and cast away vain desires to be slaves to our flesh. We must put on love and develop Holy Habits that will strengthen not only our walk with Christ, but bring honor and glory to God.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” - Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)

Suggested soul-training exercise: “A Daily Prayer”

Each day go to the Lord...

Heavenly Father, You are my provider, Lord, and you are with me always. Help me, Lord, to remove my old habits and develop Holy Habits that glorify you, Father. Travel with me hourly and transform me from the inside out.

(Take a few moments to speak with the Lord about your individual needs.)

10 Minutes of Silence (Spend this time being still and experiencing God)

Join Us - Christmas Caroling!

          All ages are invited and encouraged to join in Christmas caroling to elderly and shut in neighbors and friends in the Bangor, Union, Clemons, State Center and Marshalltown areas on Sunday, December 9th, at 4:30 p.m.  If you know of someone we could carol to, please contact John Good before the 9th to have their names placed on the list.  There will be a soup supper at the church afterwards for all who go caroling!

Winter Suggestions to “Live Love”

“God’s love must spill over from the walls of our churches and out into the community if we are going to make any lasting impact.  People don’t always remember what they are told of God’s love, but they never forget what they have experienced of God’s love.” ~ Conspiracy of Kindness by Steve Sjogren

Ideas: Run an errand or cook a meal for someone who is extra stressed.  Ask everyone you meet "How are you, today?" or just say, "Hi, have a nice day!"  Have a family baking day, then take the cookies to people you haven't seen in a while. Invite a senior citizen who doesn’t have family living near to join you for holiday activities like decorating the house or baking Christmas goodies.  Take a pizza to a hospital waiting room for anxious family members.  Look for opportunities to open the door or give up your seat for someone.

"We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love." - Mother Theresa

Congratulations!

          Bill & Rosalee Patten have a new grandson, Henry Norman Patten, born to Lee and Marit Patten on November 14th in Des Moines.  Henry weighed 7 lbs, 14.9 oz and is 21” long.  After being hospitalized Henry is now home and doing great! Congratulations to the Patten Family!

            Kelsey Feltz Box graduates from Iowa State University on Friday, December 14th with a Bachelor’s degree in Family Consumer Sciences! 

Library Ledge:

Christmas Inspiration

Curl up on the sofa and warm your heart and soul this holiday season with stories found on our church library ledge. The true meaning of Christmas comes out in the fiction “Christmas Duty”, a story about military life.  “I’m Dreaming of Some White Chocolate” will give you a bite of humor.

The devotional “Sharing Christmas Every Day” features poetry by Helen Steiner Rice.  And don’t forget we have children’s Christmas books & movies available in the fellowship hall. Make some time to read in your busy holiday schedule. You won’t regret it!

November HOC Report

22 from BLFC were involved in providing a meal for 75 guests.  They were served baked potato soup w/sausage or hot dogs with beef and beans, grilled cheese sandwiches, corn bread, green beans and bacon, mixed fruit, raw carrots, mozzarella slices, Hy-Vee pies or German chocolate cake, milk, fruit juice and coffee. Many complimented the soup and shared their thanks for the meal. Our next time will be December 27th.  Maybe some who are not usually available will be free to help around the holiday.  It may be tiring, yet is always a great time of fellowship and service.

Christmas Eve Service

Everyone is invited to gather at Bangor Liberty on Christmas Eve at

6:00 p.m. to celebrate Jesus’ birth during the annual children’s program and candle lighting service.

The White Gift offering collected on Christmas Eve will be shared between the Amari Play Center in Ramallah and the Barclay College Re:New Tour.

The Amari Play Center was started in 1976 in the refugee camp to provide a safe and nurturing environment for preschool children.  The Center can accommodate 42 five year olds, and is always full. 

          Joyce Ajlouny, director of Ramallah Friends Schools, acts as manager of the Play Center with supervisor, Muna Khleifi.  A typical school day begins at 7:30 a.m. with singing, followed the children sharing. Children learn both English and Arabic. Mid-morning they have sandwiches and/or milk and play in the outdoor play area. Class reconvenes with singing. Late morning instruction focuses on numbers. The final hour of the day is spent doing arts & crafts and storytelling. School ends at 1 p.m.

This project is an example of a ray of hope for children in the Amari Camp in a very dark time for the people of Palestine. Our funds will help cover teacher salary, student lunch and basic classroom needs.

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The Re:New Tour will be leading worship at Bangor Liberty January 27th. “This year is the beginning of a new ministry at Barclay College, called Re:New. This is a band of passionate young adults, who have one purpose and passion in mind: Worship.  The goal is to use our passion, God-given talents, and education to inspire our generation to be free to worship God and to show the importance of living this out.  God created us to worship and this is our purpose on earth. Our lives must be a living example of Christ and what true worship looks like.

The team is a collaboration of future pastors, worship pastors, youth pastors, and people who are willing to serve for God's kingdom. Lots of work will be done planning, practicing and writing music for God's ministry, giving a voice to a generation yearning for God.

Re:New will be touring sharing God's inspiration with the world. The mission is to reach out to youth and young adults within the surrounding regions of Barclay College in Haviland, KS. and a larger surrounding area. This is not only about connecting, but about sharing our passion and desire to worship.” 

Donations for Re:New will go toward travel expenses and the basic needs of this ministry group.  Be sure to invite friends to join us January 25, 26 & 27.  Both ministries will appreciate your prayerful and financial support.

In Sympathy

          We extend our sympathy to Pat Gilmore’s Family following her death on November 29th at the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown.  Pat maintained a caring spirit for others throughout her 3 rounds of chemo these past 9 months. She will be missed by her husband Tom and children, Robin, Todd, Brent (Kelly deceased at birth), their spouses, six grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and two sisters, as well as her church family.  Visitation was held at Bangor Liberty Friends on Sunday, December 2nd with a family graveside service at the Illinois Grove Cemetery on December 3rd.  Memorials may be sent to the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown, Iowa.

           We received word that Rex Blanchard passed away in Unionville, Missouri on December 1st.  A funeral service will be held in Unionville on Thursday morning, December 6th, with a graveside service at the Bangor Friends Cemetery at 3:30 p.m. that afternoon followed by a fellowship time at Bangor Liberty Friends Church.  We extend our sympathy to Rex’s wife, Kay, his daughter Vicki and her husband Rick and their 2 sons, and his son Wes and his wife Lynn and their 3 children.  Rex and Kay remained members of BLFC after they moved to Powersville, Missouri a number of years ago.

Remember In Prayer

~Pat Gilmore’s family

~Rex Blanchard’s family

~Our college students during finals

~Our Sr. High & Jr. Youth Programs

~Lora Bachman’s mother, Kathy Mills, under Hospice care.

~Irma Roe under Hospice care also

~Jon Wagner, Rosalee Patten’s nephew,

   recovering from a virus and waiting for

   a bone marrow transplant.

~Those who have lost loved ones and

   are facing “different” holidays

~Our church families for a Christ-centered

   Christmas and a blessed New Year as we

   seek God’s vision for ourselves, our

   families and our church

~Friends missions & missionaries and their needs

~House of Compassion, clients, and staff

   as they transition to a new director in January.

~Our Secret Prayer Partners

Annual Thank Offering

The Missions Committee thanks everyone for their generous giving to our Thank Offering on November 18.  $9330.00 was raised for our four projects and other designated ministries.  May you feel God’s blessings as you continue to pray and support these ministries in the coming months.  Thank you to Social Committee #3 for hosting our Thanksgiving potluck meal with special thanks to the Jr. Youth and Charlene Martin who contributed time and talents to clean up the kitchen after the potluck! 

Children’s Church

Children age 4 through grade 5 are encouraged to participate on December 2 and 16.  Projects will include providing a snack for those who attend Monthly Meeting for Business and making cards and goodies for carolers to deliver.  On December 16th we will have a Birthday Party for Jesus.  Children are asked to bring a boxed or canned food item to share with the Union Pantry.

Bangor USFW    

Ladies will gather at the Embers on December 11.  Make note this is a week earlier than usual.  Barbara Jo will be our hostess for lunch.  Reserve your seat at the table by calling her by Dec. 6.  We will meet in the entryway at 11:45.  Peggy will provide our program. 

Liberty USFW

          Ladies of Liberty USFW will meet on Thursday, December 13th at 6:30 p.m. at Robin Willits’ home.  Please bring 2 dozen cookies for the cookie plates and also the gifts for the families adopted for Christmas. 

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 December the men will meet on the 10th and 17th.  They are studying Chasing God with 3 Flat Tires.

Christmas Adopt-A-Family

          A grandmother, dad and mom with sons ages 11 and 4 have been chosen for our church to adopt.  Thanks to those who have taken notes to buy gifts already.  Please bring them by the 16th.  Some items are still needed as well as money for their holiday meal. They would appreciate used family DVDs and used books for the boys. Thanks for living the love of Christ to this family at Christmas.

Christmas Gift Idea

          Having trouble finding that special gift?  Honor your friends and loved ones by making a donation to Right Sharing of World Resources in their name. RSWR is a Quaker 40 year micro-credit organization that supports income-generating projects led by women, many of whom are making less than a dollar a day. Loans are given that return back to the community and benefit others.  Helping RSWR is really a gift that keeps on giving.  Beautiful cards and envelopes are available on the table in the entryway.

*Our DEEPER Program will not meet on Wednesday, December 26th.