Bangor Liberty Friends Church

Embracing the Peculiar

By Pastor Manny

As Friends we have a rich heritage that often gets overlooked as we struggle to survive in today’s ever changing culture.  We grasp onto as much of yesterday as we can grip in our fingers while the world around us changes at greater speeds every day.  The reality is, however, that our heritage isn’t based so much on the re-creation of history as it is on the willingness to adapt to the new and changing cultures around us.  Not watering down the foundational principles of Quakerism, but rather, innovating new ways of delivering these principles to the next generation.  A few years ago at IAYM Pastor’s Short Course, Brent Bill shared this exact thought saying, “The distinctives remain the same, it’s how we live them out that changes.”

How can we learn to embody the foundational pillars that the Quaker movement was built upon and still

impact the generation of today?  I think our first step is to understand what these pillars are.  Carol Spencer, in her book Holiness: The Soul of Quakerism, shares 8 essential elements to Holiness Quakerism, which are, scripture, eschatology, conversion, charisma, evangelism, mysticism, suffering, and perfection.  I won’t go into great detail on each of these elements, but I will point to the reality that we have lost our grip on many of these elements as we have struggled to hold onto our traditions rather than our foundations.

What does Quakerism, version 2013, look like?  Does it recapture the thirst for scripture by studying God’s word to the point of embodying a worldview centered on His plan?  Does it have an understanding of the real and present Christ that is not distant, but is among us even now?  Does it help lead others into the second birth where the old self is no longer and the new self emerges?  Does it regain the charismatic roots that helped it spread all over the world by following the movement of the Spirit?  Does it regain its knack for spreading the good news to others through word and deed, preaching and teaching at every opportunity?  Does it reacquire the mystical sense of experiencing God first hand?  Does it persevere even to the point of suffering through a depth of knowing God and understanding His will?  Does it climax at the point of unity with God, a complete victory over sin?

These questions are ones that we must answer as we carry the name of Friends to the generations to come.  We have a unique position in that we are a body that, historically, can leave behind meaningless traditions and symbols, for a deeper understanding of what these things represented.  Can we do that again?  Can we escape the need to grasp our traditions and once again tap into our innate desire to follow God wherever He may lead?  I believe that to accomplish this we must first regain our appreciation of spiritual formation.  We must seek a spiritual depth in our Meetings that, for many, has been sacrificed for a more business-like approach. 

In a post-modern world that questions everything and takes nothing at face value, Quakers may have the best chance to relate with a fresh take on the foundational distinctives that, at one time, made us a peculiar people.  While I have more questions than answers, I am convinced that God still has a use for Friends in His plan, and I, for one, am eager to see how we fit.

“You are my friends if you do what

I command.” John 15:14

Remember In Prayer

~The Immadanga Friends Women Group

   associated with Right Sharing of World

   Resources-our July mission offering goes

   to this group

~The Friends School in Belize, Sam & Becky

   Barber, co-directors & their family

~Sammy & Ceress Sanders as they seek

   funding & prayer support for their future

   as missionaries to Mexico

~Our Search Committee seeking a part

   time/bi-vocational Youth Pastor

~Our Jr. High Youth Group’s mission trip to

   Wisconsin, July 21-29

~Kingdom Rock VBS, Aug. 4-9, and for

   the children who will attend

~Andi Albright & Grant Runge who were

   married at BLFC on June 21st

Iowa Yearly Meeting

Celebrating 150 Years

July 31 - August 3

Intimacy with

God brings…

…purity

…unity

    …power

Keynote speakers:

 -Doug Shoemaker, General Superintendent of Indiana Yearly Meeting

 -Dr. Greg Hinshaw, Presiding Clerk of Indiana Yearly Meeting

This year’s sessions include Judith Ngoya, Saturday Mission Banquet Speaker, J.A.M. for youth ages 4-6th grade, Prayer

Labyrinth at College Ave Friends, Final Concert of Prayer on Friday evening.

Registration forms available at BLFC or on-line.

HOC Meal Report:

On June 27th, 21 were involved in preparing, serving and cleanup for 69 guests.  The menu was chipped beef gravy on potatoes, rolls, corn or green beans, raw carrots, mixed fruit, pasta salad, cereal bars, chocolate pudding and drinks.

          Willing volunteers were: Reg & Melidy, Brent & Ann, Diane R, Robin & Ray, James & Sharon who provided food or funds; Vi, Betty, Jeanette & Bob who prepared; Darla, Lora & Ann N who served; Neil, Daniel, Joe & Kay who were on cleanup. 

          I heard 4 people compliment or thank us for the meal.  Joe & Kay said the people outside told them as they were coming in, that it was a great meal.  Nice to hear people enjoy and appreciate the effort put forth.  Daniel’s jokes made the work more pleasant.  It’s always fun time when we work together.  Join us July 25 and find out for yourself.

Many Thanks to….

-Social Committee 4 for hosting the

  congratulatory potluck for Pastor Manny

  receiving his Master’s Degree in May.

-The Seekers Sunday School Class for

  hosting a monthly potluck on June 9th.

-Everyone who helped with our spring clean

  up June 15th!  Much was accomplished

  thanks to many helping hands!

-To all who manned or furnished baked goods

  for our booth at the State Center Farmer’s

  Market on June 22nd.

-Social Committee 2 for hosting the

  fellowship & refreshment time following

  Sam Barber’s presentation on June 23.

-To Margaret Good for faithfully leading

  Children’s Church for a number of years!

  Jo Macy & Mary Davis will direct Children’s 

  Church this fall. 

Bangor Community Garage Sale

Bangor Park

July 20, 2013

8am-3pm

Lunch will be available for

free will donations

(11am-1pm)

Please contact Beth Moore if

you are interested in reserving

a space to sell items

(641) 486-5475

Church Leadership Training

Saturday, July 6 & Sunday, July 7

          Dr. Jim Le Shana who recently led the Church Multiplication Conference at Barclay College in Kansas will be here to share with our church family.  These sessions will be will be valuable to everyone.  Sessions will be held on Saturday, from 9 am to 2:15 pm.  Child care will be available for all ages.  Lunch will be provided for a donation - Papa Murphy’s pizza, salad and ice cream.   Dr. Le Shana will share during Sunday School on Sunday morning, July 7th and will share a message during Morning Worship.  A monthly potluck will follow Worship with the Adult Class (Joe’s class) hosting.

You’re Invited!

80th Birthday Open House

Friends are invited to Ann Nichols’ birthday celebration,

 Saturday, July 6 from 4 - 6 pm

at Bangor Liberty Friends Church.

Your presence will be your

gift to her!

Cards may be sent to her at

2015 Wardview Road, Marshalltown, IA 50158. 

Bangor USFW

            Ladies will gather at Peggy Martin’s home in Marshalltown on July 16 at 9:00 to work on baby quilts.  Lunch will be ordered and brought in. (Each will pay for her own.)  Our business meeting will be held in the afternoon with Donna Williams providing the lesson.  All women are welcome to participate.

Parade Float

Help make a float for the

Union Tar Heel Days parade

July 17, 6:30 pm, Reg Martin’s shed

Spiritual Formation Study Group

          This study group will meet on Monday, July 8th at the church at 6:30 pm. This group is open to all adults for the study of Matthew, prayer and discussion.

God’s Post it Notes

When you get to your wit’s end,

You’ll find God lives there.

It is easier to preach ten sermons

Than it is to live one.

Many folks want to serve God,

But only as advisers.

New Church Directory!

Time is running out to sign up for photo sessions for our new church directory!

Photo sessions are:

Friday, July 19, 2-9 pm &

Saturday, July 20, 9-4 pm

Go on-line to www.blfchurch.org and click

on the LifeTouch link to sign up there or sign up at the church on Sunday.

Additional hosts are needed to work 2-3 hours all through the photo sessions to greet and register families/individuals.  Also we really want someone to help with the computer layout and design of the directory after the photo sessions. Please contact Diane Teske if you would help with one of these needs.  Thank you!

Each family will receive a free 8 x 10 portrait and directory for participating.  Bring a canned food item for the food box to your photo session and you will get $5 off any purchase. Those who have email will receive a coupon when LifeTouch sends out reminder emails before photo sessions.

Back to School Time--

Help ‘Stuff the Bus’                  

         HOC is collecting school supplies to distribute to over 900 needy children in Marshall County. Our church is asked to help provide: wide line notebook paper, 3-ring notebooks, pocket folders, facial tissue, pointed scissors, erasable pens, spiral notebooks, erasers, wide line washable markers and colored pencils. Financial help is welcome. Bring items or funds to “Stuff the Bus” in our entryway by Aug. 4.  Children will be donating during VBS.

KINGDOM ROCK VBS

It’s almost here!  Kids age 3 through age 12 (or 6th grade) get ready for a fun adventure at Kingdom Rock!  We’ll begin on Sunday, August 4 at 6:15 and continue through the week with a closing program & free picnic on Friday.  The more kids the merrier so invite your friends and neighbors to come and as you have fun with the music, crafts and games you’ll learn how to stand strong for God. 

Adults & teens – we need your help to make this ministry possible.  See Margaret or Jenalee to volunteer.  Training dates will be announced.  Most importantly pray for this important week of ministry.  A prayer guide will be available at the church but it is not necessary as God knows our needs.  If the week is covered in prayer, anything is possible!

July Missions Emphasis

Right Sharing of World Resources project

          The Immadanga Friends Women Group is 30 Quaker women in Kenya who need our help with a loan through RSWR for their poultry, firewood and vegetable sales.  They applied for funds in 2011 but were rejected because they did not have the training required to run a successful micro-enterprise.  Since that time they have undergone the training to improve their organizational and management skills and Samson Ababu, the field representative, was impressed with their work.

The group is currently involved in the running of kiosks, selling secondhand clothing, tailoring, keeping of broilers and layers, trading in cereals like maize, sorghum, millet and legumes, selling vegetables and fruits, dry fish and fingerlings etc. These small-scale individual businesses are now funded by each person contributing $1.20 per month, which has not been adequate.

Immadanga is situated next to a county headquarters, a township that is expanding pretty fast. The market is open to the members of this group. With extra capital, we believe the group will be able to expand and enhance the volume of the businesses. With the RSWR funds, the women will undertake 3 group projects with 10 women in each project.

Please be generous in your giving toward this project on July 21st and pray for these women to be successful in their endeavors to support their families.

July “Live Love” Ideas

-Celebrate National Ice Cream Month

by visiting a Dairy Queen (or similar restaurant) and offering to pay for the order of guests behind you.  Or purchase a $10 gift card and hand it to someone as you leave.  Tell them you are sharing God’s love with them in a practical way.

-Cheer Up the Lonely Day is July 11.  Lonely people usually live alone and have few friends.  They may be elderly.  Cheering up lonely people is easy to do.  When you visit, bring happy things to talk about, a child’s drawing or cookies to share.  Keep the conversation upbeat.  Play a game together. When you leave, give a hug.  Cards and calls are okay but what a lonely person needs is face-to-face time with other people.

-Tell a veteran you appreciate what they have done for our country.

-Keep an ice chest filled with bottles of water in your car while you shop this summer.  Pray, then pass them out to whomever you feel is in need:  construction workers, police, fire fighters, sanitation workers, gardeners, joggers or people walking their dog.  Be sure to let them know it is given freely and that you are sharing God’s love with them in a practical way.

-Leave diapers & wipes on a changing table in a public bathroom or deliver to a woman’s shelter.

“Sharing God’s love makes

your heart glow.”

Ways that Kids and Teens Can Live Love this Summer.

-Create cheery cards with encouraging words and drop them by a nursing home, veteran’s home, homeless or domestic abuse shelter, etc.

-Bake cookies and leave with a thank you note for the mail carrier, church pastor or custodian.

-Plant flowers or a tree in a local park, after getting permission of course.

-Clean and organize your church nursery. Clean the toys and fix or replace those that are broken