Bangor Liberty Friends Church

Be Transformed…

Stories and Principles that Change Our Lives

Part 9

This month’s devotional in our series on being transformed comes from one of my very best friends.  At the time he wrote this he and his wife were in a time of transition and were unsure exactly where God was calling them next.  I think we can all relate to a time in our lives that we’ve felt this way.  Even the start of a new year can bring feelings of uncertainty to us as we strive to make this year more meaningful and impactful than the last.  May we all take Jared’s advice this month, and throughout the year, and simply rest in where God has us today.

May Your 2013 Be Blessed!

Pastor Manny

(To catch up on this series download back copies of the Bell at www.blfchurch.org and click on “newsletter”)

My Call

By Jared Haley

“He will come in His own time, and when you least expect it.  Hope in Him more than ever; thank Him with me for the favors He does for you, particularly for the fortitude and patience, which He gives you in your afflictions. It is a plain mark of the care He takes for you. Comfort yourself, then, with Him, and give thanks for all.” - Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

Discerning God’s will rarely seems easy.  We desire nothing more than to do the will of the Father, but struggle to understand where exactly He wants us to be.  We long to hear the Holy Spirit speak to us, and yet it can feel like we are listening to nothing.

This has been true for my wife and I lately.  Our lives are currently in a state of transition, and we are uncertain where exactly God wants us to be.  We have prayed for the Spirit to direct us, but are still feeling very confused as to what the future looks like.

So what can we do?  Here are my conclusions.  God is faithful.  His timing is perfect.  And I can live up to what He has already called me to do.  I can be obedient to my call regardless of my location.  Is the time coming when my wife and I will need to make a final decision about our future?  Of course it is.  However, we can rest securely in the truth that God will always come through, and be faithful in serving Christ right where we are today.

Brother Lawrence instructs that we can be thankful for the way God is taking care of us.  We can be thankful for the patience God gives, while we wait upon His answer.  We can take comfort in the fact that God cares for us, and loves us deeply.  We may not have the big decision answer yet, but we can live today with gratitude for our King.  We can remain faithful to Him who will always be faithful to us.

“All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things.  And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.  Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” - Philippians 3:15-16 (NIV)

Suggested soul-training exercise:

Find a quiet place and be silent before the Lord.  Pray that the Holy Spirit would grant you direction for your life today.  How can you be obedient to Christ today?  Ask the Spirit to bring to your attention those who may need encouragement or prayer.  Be faithful to where God calls you today.  Ask that you would be aware of God’s voice throughout the day, and be obedient to what you hear.

Remember In Prayer

~Those who have lost loved ones the past

   month - Tom Gilmore & Kay Blanchard.

~Lora Bachman’s mother, Kathy Mills,

   passed away December 16th. Services

   and burial were in Marshalltown on

   December 22nd.

~Our college students beginning a new

   semester.

~Our church family as we seek God’s

   vision for ourselves, our families and

   our church as we enter into 42 Days

   of Prayer.

~Morgan Martinez and her work at   

   InterVarsity in Atlanta, Georgia.

~Friends serving around the world.

~Friends Church Peace Team in Kenya 

   ask for prayers and support to insure

   a peaceful election unlike the terrible

   post-election violence in 2008.

~House of Compassion, clients, and staff

   as they transition to a new director in

   January.

May you all have a blessed 2013!

Thank you!

-Dear Friends, What a great church family I have.  Not only have you prayed for us, but your actions show your True Love.  May “God” bless you all!   Tom Gilmore

-Love came down.  This past year I have spent a lot of time studying, learning and spending time with Jesus. “As I contemplate what Jesus’ birth meant, “Love came down” seems a fitting way to describe it.  I just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU for being a part o being the hands and feet of Jesus in college students’ lives and my own to see God’s love shown and experienced this holiday season. 

          Please CONTINUE TO PRAY for God’s provision of prayer and financial support as I step into my new role with InterVarsity.  I still need to raise just over $35,000 to hit my budgetary goals for this year.  May God bless and keep you and make His face shine upon you this holiday season.    Morgan Martinez, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA

-Dear Bangor-Liberty Friends Church,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!  Providential Homes has been humbled and thankful for your generous and continued giving throughout the year.  Whether it be through prayer, money or questions of interest, you remain faithful to Providential Homes.  We are pleased and full of praise for people like you, especially as your recent gifts put us in position to buy a much-needed furnace at 1718 12th St.   Thank you, we are humbled and grateful.  Blessings to you all!  

Arlen Daleske for Providential Homes

Winter Suggestions to

“Live Love” in January

• Write a note of appreciation to someone at least once a week.
• Buy a calendar with funny photos to

share laughs with a friend all year long.

• Send flowers to a teacher who has

          dedicated their life to educating children.

• Distribute hand warmers, socks, or

          home emergency care kits to the homeless.

“Live Love” Ideas Especially for Kids

*Set up a board game to play with your family.

*Ask a student you have never played with to

   join you at recess.

*Take out the garbage or clean your room

   without being asked.

*List 3 things you like about your brothers and

   sisters and tell them!

*Write a ‘thanks’ note to the kitchen workers at

   school or your Sunday School teacher.

*Send an ecard to someone who is sick or in the hospital.

*Give someone who is struggling with a skill or

   school subject a helping hand.

Iowa River Hospice News

Iowa River Hospice hosts a Grief Healers Support Group at their office at 502 Plaza Heights Road the first Thursday of each month and is open to all individuals who have experienced the loss of a loved one.  Grief is challenging to process but a normal part of healing.  Come join us in our journey.  Questions?  Call us 753-7704 or visit us on the web at www.IowaRiverHospice.org

Children’s Church

Children age 4 through grade 5 are encouraged to participate on January 6th and 20th.  Projects will include providing a snack for those who attend Monthly Meeting for Business; giving appreciation to those who provide music at church and encouraging the congregation to give canned soup to the Union Food Box on January 27. 

Bangor USFW    

          Ladies will gather at Peggy Martin’s home in Marshalltown, 9:30 on January 15th for a workday to make baby quilts.  Neil will provide our lunch.  Everyone is to come prepared to share a Christmas memory.

New Video Series

          A new video series will be offered on Wednesday evenings during our DEEPER Program at 7 p.m.  Joe Feltz will lead an adult study on Balancing Life’s Demands-Biblical Priorities for a Busy Life.  All adults are welcome to join in this study.

Liberty USFW

          There will not be a meeting during January.  The next meeting will be to serve the Union Kiwanis Sweetheart Supper on February 21st at BLFC fellowship hall.

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 January the men will only meet on the 21st.

It’s Souper Bowl Sunday

Combine the fun of the NFL Super Bowl with the Union Food Box by bringing canned soup the Sunday before the Super Bowl making it Souper Bowl Sunday.  Or consider one of the following options.  1. Tithe 10% of the amount you will spend on Super Bowl festivities to the Food Box.  2. Give in dollars the amount of your favorite NFL player’s number. Let’s fill the box with cans of soup and $$ on January 27th!

Christmas Adopt-A-Family

            Sixteen families provided gifts, funds and food for our shared family in St. Anthony.  The mother, father, two sons and grandmother were given several gifts each, some homemade goodies, a nice food basket and several used items they requested.  Hy-Vee rolls were also given from the House of Compassion.  The boys and a couple of extra visiting friends got right into the donuts with big smiles.  All said ‘thank you’ and it was clear that our gifts provided a happier Christmas for this family.  A photo will be posted on the bulletin board shortly.  Four other church families adopted on their own this year.  Thanks for living out the love of Christ this Christmas.

January Mission Emphasis:

Morgan Martinez, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

Atlanta InterUrban Journey

            Our 3rd Sunday mission offering will help support one who grew up in our own church.  Morgan is excited about her new position where students work with a nonprofit in their field of study and participate in programming at night and on weekends where she talks with them about what God has to say about their lives and careers. 

Morgan asks that we join her in prayer for God’s provisions financially, physically and spiritually.  If you would like to send encouragement to Morgan you can write her at 1902 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta GA 30317.  She will appreciate hearing from you and receiving your offering given on January 20th.

White Gift Offering

The Missions Committee thanks everyone for their generous giving to our Christmas Eve White Gift Offering.  The $831 collected will be shared between the Amari Play Center in Ramallah and a new ministry at Barclay College, called RE:NEW Tour who will be visiting BLFC January 26.  If you were not able to attend the Christmas Eve service and wish to give, your gift will still be passed along.

Library Ledge: Devotionals

          Quaker Query: “Do you endeavor to advance your spiritual growth by prayerful study of the Bible and other devotional literature?”  During January the library will display books that will encourage you in your devotional life.  Some will give you a laugh, others will make you think and all will challenge you to grow closer to our Lord. 

A few examples include: The Imitation of Christ, Daily Guideposts, and the audio Too Busy Not to Pray.  Meet me in the Meadow is a collection of short yet powerful reflections on 36 common wildflowers.  In each chapter you’ll read about the flower’s unique design, be drawn into reflection on its worth, and learn of its many practical uses from potpourri and tea to drawer sachets and recipes.  These botanical drawings and inspiring meditations will help you discover new ways to experience God.

HOC Meal Report   

On December 27, 21 from BLFC provided a meal for 54 guests.  They were given liver & onions or vegetables beef soup, mixed vegetables, celery with peanut butter, fruit cups, rolls & butter, cupcakes or brownies, coffee, milk or pop.  Many complimented the meal…especially the liver!  Mark your calendar for January 24th and join the fun next month.

Thanks to Bob & Veronica D, Bill & Rosalee P, Diane R, James & Sharon J, Dustin H, Reg & Melidy, Joe & Kay who provided funds or food; Darla S, Vi G, & Deb Gould who prepared; Mike & Charlene M, Vi and Darla who served and Alicia M, Neil M, Mike & Charlene with Dan M who did the cleanup.  Deb also stayed through and swept the dining room doing some of her regular Friday janitorial duties.

Mark Your Calendars!

          Christian Ed will be sponsoring a “Derby Day” on February 24th after Worship for our 2nd Annual Pinewood Derby.  We will have a potluck meal hosted by a social committee before the actual Derby.  Participants will have time to test their cars before the Derby begins.  Make plans to join us for a fun afternoon even if you don’t wish to enter a derby car!  Watch the weekly bulletin for an announcement about getting your derby car kit.