SacrificeBy Kris Smitherman, BLFC Youth Pastor
Sacrifice is an act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy. How is your sacrifice?!
We’ve talked about sacrifice in our Sunday school lessons, at youth group events, and Pastor Manny has preached on it as we’ve been going through the final statements of Jesus. We can all agree that the price Christ paid for us and our sins was “the greatest” price a person can pay, but how can we show that kind of sacrifice in our everyday lives?
I can’t remember who told me, but they said, “A sacrifice isn’t a true sacrifice unless it hurts a little.” That means we need to be willing to sacrifice something that is really important in our lives. It’s not a true sacrifice for you to say, “I’m just not going to watch this show right now, but I’ll DVR it and watch it later.” That’s not real sacrifice. It’s not a true sacrifice to say, “I’m going to skip this meal, but I’m going to snack all day so I won’t be hungry.” That’s not real sacrifice. It has to hurt a little. It has to sting. Do you think that when God sent Jesus to the cross to die for our sins, it didn’t hurt? The Father loved his Son. In the same way, we need to be willing to give up those things that we love to be close to the Father and to others!
At the end of this month, we are going to put sacrifice to the test. Our youth will be involved in the “30 Hour Famine.” They will be going hungry for 30 hours starting around Noon on April 25th. We will break our fast on the 26th. This is a great sacrifice of food and time for our kids. We are doing this to help raise support for those who are less fortunate and go hungry everyday. For some of our kids, 30 hours is going to hurt!!
If you are unfamiliar with the famine, go to www.30hourfamine.org to watch videos and read a little more about it. Our youth will be collecting funds to send to places that are unable feed children in their area. Hunger is a thing that shouldn’t be overlooked, but often is. In 2011, nearly 9,500 children under the age of 5 died because of a shortage of food (starvation or malnutrition). Worldwide, about 1 out of 8 people, not just children, are hungry. After reading some of the facts on the website, it was shocking. It’s hard for us to see that when we have plenty. When God has blessed us, how can we play a part?
We are partnering with the youth group from Honey Creek-New Providence and have set a group goal of $3000 to send to North Korea where hunger is hitting children hard. We have a couple different fund-raisers set up for the kids to raise funds. So how can you play a part? Donate. Learn. See how hunger is affecting millions of people around the world!
A sacrifice is an act of giving up something valued (time, money that God has blessed you with) for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy! How is your sacrifice?
Remember In Prayer~All events scheduled for our Easter season ~Joyce Aljouny, Director of Ramallah Friends School, our mission offering recipient in April ~Safe travel for our snowbirds back to Iowa ~Our new Men’s Bible Study beginning soon ~IAYM Superintendent Search Committee & Ron Bryan who will retire at the end 2015
Join us for Easter ServicesEveryone is welcome to join us as we observe Jesus’ death and celebrate His resurrection. We have been focusing with other Friends Churches on the “The 7 Final Statements of Jesus” in our devotional times, group study time, and each Sunday during Worship leading up to Easter. The following events are taking place the week of Easter.
-BLFC joins with Bethel Grove Christian Church near Liscomb for a Prayer Vigil beginning at 6 pm on Wednesday, April 16 at 6 pm thru 6 pm on Thursday, April 17. Contact Pastor Manny to sign up for open 30-minute time slots to pray at Bethel Grove.
-Maundy Thursday Service at Bethel Grove Church, 7 pm, everyone welcome.
-Good Friday Service at Bangor Liberty, 7 pm, everyone welcome.
-Easter Sunrise Service at Royal Ranch, at 6:15 am on Easter Sunday, April 20th, weather permitting. The site of the service is approx. 2 miles southeast of the church on Ingram Ave.
-Breakfast after the Sunrise Service at BLFC, followed by Prayer group at 8:45, Sunday School at 9:30 and Worship at 10:30 am.
Thank you to Greg Young and Steve Marble who kept our church parking lot and driveway clear of snow and ice during our long winter. We appreciate very much your time and use of your equipment to keep everyone safe.
New AddressDaniel Feltz has moved to Marshalltown. His address is 212 Thomas Drive, Marshalltown IA 50158. Daniel recently received a service dog, Keegan, who is a wonderful helper for Daniel.
Volunteer Opportunities @ CQHApril 12th-Challenge Course Construction May 3rd-General Work DayBoth of these workdays will begin at 9 am - Snacks and lunch provided May 24th-Cookie Day, a gathering for mixing up cookie dough to stock their freezers for the summer season. All ingredients and equipment provided, just bring your favorite cookie scoop and join in the fellowship.
Ideas to “Live Love” this Spring “A day without laughter is a day wasted.” Charlie Chaplain
April is Humor Month! The 14th is National Laughter Day! Share some laughs! Laughing lowers stress hormones, relaxes muscles, and decreases pain. Chances are if you laugh often, you will attract people. Laughter builds community. Encourage other people to laugh. -Forward funny emails on to friends or print and mail to those without email. -Invite friends over to watch your favorite comedy DVD. -Find a funny clip on Youtube, bookmark it to review whenever you feel “blue.” A favorite of many is this laughing baby: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyo127dqgZU -Don't take yourself too seriously – life is too short.
Easter Egg Surprise: Easter is April 20th this year, but you can offer this surprise anytime. Put small gifts inside a plastic egg and ‘hide’ it where it will be easily seen. Tie a note around it saying, “You are receiving this random gift from an anonymous friend who wishes to brighten your day and share the love of Jesus.” Gift ideas: ponytail holders, seed package, stickers, felt moustache, baby doll, whistle, small coins, mini car, Legos or candy. Write down where you leave each one and then go back in a few days to check it they are gone.
GROW Outreach MinistryWe are starting a new ministry called GROW effective April 1, 2014 at BLFC. The objective of this ministry is to establish a visitation and outreach program that will lead people to a new and deeper walk in faith, through genuine love and concern. We will be meeting on Wednesdays 1-2 times a month at 6:30 pm prior to the DEEPER Program. Come join us…..
Contact Loren Peters or Charlene Martin for more information.
Mesquakie Friends Church“Sponsor a Chair” Recently Mesquakie Friends replaced 50 of their old steel folding chairs with NEW padded stackable chairs! A donation of $40 will “sponsor a chair” to help with the cost. They also ask that you pray weekly for the person that is sitting in the chair or chairs that you sponsor. Send donations to: Mesquakie Friends Church, PO Box 36, Toledo IA 52342. Mark checks with “chair’ in memo line.
April Mission Emphasis: The 3rd Sunday Mission offering for April will help pay the salary of Joyce Ajlouny, Director of the Friends School in Ramallah. Joyce has served as director for 10 years. Joyce was born into a Quaker family and was brought up in Ramallah. Her grandmother, parents, siblings and husband attended or graduated from the Ramallah Friends School, and Joyce herself attended from the 1st grade through graduation. Our funds will encourage Joyce to continue her important work at the Friends School in Ramallah. Please be generous in your giving to this project on April 20th.
HOC Meal ReportOn Friday, March 28, 60 guests were served generous helping of vegetable beef soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, baby carrots, mixed fruit cups and drinks. They had a choice of pumpkin bars, angel food cake with cherries or cereal bars for dessert. Thanks to our 13 volunteers who provided food or funds, prepared, served or handled cleanup for the meal.
Also thanks to all who brought items or provided funds for the supply closet in October. The trunk load of dish soap, detergent, over the counter medicine, diapers, etc. will be used and appreciated by those in need of this assistance.
Bangor USFWOur next meeting will be held on April 15th at 1:30 in the Marshalltown home of Donna Williams. Peggy will help with refreshments and Betty will provide our lesson.
You Are Invited Ron Bryan, IAYM Superintendent, will be at BLFC on Wednesday evening, April 16th at 6:00 pm to conduct a World Café style meeting for all attenders of BLFC to discuss the results of the recent Church Health Evaluation. DEEPER will not meet that evening. More details will be announced Sunday, April 13.
Happy, Happy Day Kids’ Easter Celebration Saturday, April 19th 10 am - Noon Bangor Liberty Friends All children 12 and under are welcome to join us for a fun filled morning with crafts, games, songs, the Easter story, and an Easter egg hunt. A lunch will also be provided. Parents are welcome to stay with their children.
Liberty USFW Ladies will gather at Gladys Lane’s home on Thursday, April 24th at 7 p.m. Please note this change in meeting date. Remember to bring your thank offering which will be collected at the meeting.
Ladies! Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 26th, 9:30-2 pm, for the Iowa USFW Spring Fling to be held at College Avenue Friends Church in Oskaloosa. The theme for the Fling is “Take Courage.” Brianna Martin will share about mission work in Snoul, Cambodia. Make plans to come for the message, music, good food and fellowship. Registration of $10 covers lunch. (Pay at the door) Childcare is available, but please bring a sack lunch for each child.
Garrison Memorial Golf Scramble -Saturday, April 26th beginning at 9 am at Oakland Acres Golf Club in Grinnell. $200 per team of 4 includes 18 holes of golf, cart, lunch & prizes. Mail $50 to the IAYM Office by April 12th to reserve your spot. Registration forms are on the round table in the church entry. This scramble raises funds for scholarships in Rick Garrison’s memory.
FUM Triennial, June 11-15, 2014 at Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN. “A Great People to Be Gathered”. On-Line registration is now open. See fum.org to start your registration process.
Summer Camps - Quaker Heights~Little Fry, grades K-2, June 6-8,Cost is $175 before May 1, $200 after for 1 adult & 1 child ~Elementary, grades 3-6, June 15-19 Cost is $235 before May 1, $260 after ~Jr High/High School, grades 7-12, June 22-27 Cost is $290 before May 1, $315 after ~S.I.T., (Servants in Training) grades 11-college sophomores, June 22-27, $290 before May 1, $315 after *Choosing which camp to attend is now determined by the last grade completed. (exceptions may apply.)
See Youth Pastor Kris for camp registration/information forms. Preferred method of registration & payment is online at www.iaym.org/youthministries. *BLFC youth need to let Pastor Kris or Scott Davis know if they are planning to attend a Camp by Sunday, April 27th.
Young Adult Weekender at CQH - May 30-June 1. Nathan & Brianna Martin, missionaries serving in Cambodia, will share what God has laid on their heart and how they see God working at home and abroad. Come for a great message, worship, fellowship, games and Jesus. Registration information is posted on the bulletin board in the church foyer.
*Bangor Cemetery Association Annual Meeting - Sunday, April 27, 2:00 p.m., Bangor Liberty Friends Church.
Weird Animals VBSWhere God’s love is one-of-a-kind No matter what the weather is like today, it’s time to start thinking about VBS! At Weird Animals, kids experience incredible Bible learning experiences, team building games, and fun Bible songs that help their faith flow into real life. Learn more about the program and listen to the theme song at the website: http://www.group.com/vbs/weird-animals Mark your calendars for the evenings of July 20-24 and get ready for a wild adventure! Be in prayer as to how you can help with this important ministry to our church and community. Pray for the 50-70 kids (63 came throughout the week last year) we hope will come to learn how to stand strong for God. Consider the these needs: registration, crew leaders, staff devotions, Bible leaders, games leader, set designers, transportation, mission presenters, nursery, snacks, and floaters. See Jenalee or Margaret to volunteer or to learn more.
Library Ledge – Easter - Our Risen Christ is forever Alive! This is a great time for reflection on our lives and what Christ means to us. Thanks to generous friends, we have many new books donated to our library -Devotions, Spirituality, Christian Living and a lot of fiction. Peruse our library and see what you want to read this week. |