The Bangor Liberty Bell

Sharing the News and Views of

Bangor Liberty Friends Church

 

December 2003   Volume 24, No. 12

Keith Haisch, Pastor

 

 

The Shepherds accepted Him

The Wise Men expected Him

The King rejected Him

The Innkeeper neglected Him

And you - ?

 

-A Christ-less Christmas is like a counterfeit dollar!

 

-Should a total stranger watch us this year, what would be his definition of Christmas?

 

Three C’s of Christmas

           The three C’s of Christmas are not cookies, candy and Claus but…… Cradle, Cross and Crown…..It was only a crude bed of straw in a stable, yet it cradled God’s gift of Love - His only Son, Baby Jesus - God in human form. On a rough wooden cross hung God’s gift - our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ - who took our sins upon Himself that we might be forgiven. God crucified.

           At that time He wore a crown of thorns. But when He shall come as Ruler over His Kingdom, He shall be crowned with glory and honor and “every knee shall bow…” to our King of Kings!

           Without the reflection of these three C’s -- Cradle, Cross and Crown -- in our festivities, Christmas has no deep meaning beyond cookies, candy and Claus.               –Copied

 

Clap Your Hands

Let’s take another look at the Christmas tree. If given a slight shake, the branches bounce and “clap their hands.” So it is with all creation: it sounds forth joy and applause for God’s amazing gift in the Christ Child. Let it be with us as well. Why should the trees have all the fun? As God says, “You will go out with joy and be led forth in peace. Isaiah 55:12. Let’s join all creation in giving thanks to God for our newborn King!                                -Copied

 

Christmas Activities at BLFC

           Make note of the following dates on your calendars and plan to join us as we celebrate our Savior’s birth!

 

Christmas Caroling - Dec. 14

            Everyone is welcome to join us for an early Sunday evening of sharing Christmas music and cheer with the elderly and shut-ins in our area. Make plans now to meet at the church at 4:00 to divide into groups. After caroling everyone is invited back to the church for soup and fellowship.

 

Christmas Eve Service - 6:00 p.m.

           Ministry and Counsel and the Christian Ed. Committee are working together to present the Christmas Eve Children’s Program and Candle lighting Service. Emma Macy and Amy Bachman volunteered to head up the children’s program and we are excited to have the teenagers involved in this event!

           A Missions White Gift offering will be taken for Steve and Marlene Pedigo at Chicago Fellowship of Friends.

 

Missions

           The Missions Committee wishes to thank everyone who contributed to our “Thank Offering” on Sunday, November 23. To date we have contributed $6,579 and these funds will be divided among Camp Scholarships, House of Compassion, Cuba Yearly Meeting, and Mike and Kay Cain in Belize. And also to the designated people and missions that individuals wished to send to. You can still contribute if you wish, by sending your Thank Offering to Scott Davis at BLFC.

           Also at the Christmas Eve program, the White Gifts offering will go to help Steve and Marlene Pedigo with their ministry in Chicago.

                                     BLFC Mission Comm.

 

Children’s Church

Children’s Church will be held for children age 5 through grade 5 on December 7, 14, & 28. Our lessons will center on the Christmas verses in Luke 2.  Service projects will be to send Christmas cards and goodies to Tim Thomas and make cookie plates for the carolers to deliver. Our goal is to encourage children to live their lives to honor Christ. 

 

Liberty USFW

            Ladies of Liberty USFW will meet at Kay Feltz’s home on Wednesday, December 10th at 7:00 p.m. Karen Hammers will be sharing Christmas devotions. Members are reminded to bring their Christmas gifts for the family adopted through Seeds of Hope, and two dozen cookies for the cookie plates and exchange.

 

Bangor USFW

On Tuesday, December 16, at 1:30, Bangor USFW will meet at Miriam McDonald’s home with Peggy Martin bringing refreshments and Margaret Good giving the lesson. We’ll discuss plans for a workday in January.

 

Library Ledge

Rekindle The Warmth Of Christmas

Curl up on the sofa and warm your heart and soul this holiday season with stories of how Christ is working in our world. The uplifting books on the library ledge will renew your faith, hope and love for the Christmas season. 

Also take notice of several new books and books-on-tape that were donated or purchased with funds from the book sale.

Christmas books for children are displayed on the pew in the fellowship hall.

 

Poinsettias

            For this Christmas season we would like poinsettia plants to adorn our sanctuary. They may be given individually or in memory of someone. If they are given as a memorial you may leave those names in the office for publication. If you want your plant returned to you, please place your name somewhere on the plant.

 

Winter Weather Policy

            Worship Services will be held at Bangor Liberty each Sunday regardless of our winter weather. Please do not risk an accident if you feel your roads are unsafe.

 

House of Compassion

November Report

We served 37 guests generous helpings of liver & onions or pork & cheese tortellini, cornbread, green beans, bananas, cookies, pudding and milk Many appreciated the liver. Lots of extra helpings were given. One lady said it was the best liver she’d had since her Mom and Grandma made it 30 years ago! One man said he’d eat a helping of liver for breakfast so we sent one upstairs for him.

Keith stayed overnight at the shelter.  “We had 5 guests stay the night. During the evening they all shared with me a little of their lives. Two were there when the shelter opened and the others arrived at different times during the evening. One was on his way to Cedar Rapids for a job while another had just gotten out of jail and was looking for a drug re-hab center and halfway house in order to help him with his drug problem. Another had just started work at Swift and was looking forward to a steady job that will help so he can to go back to school to become an auto mechanic.  One guest folded towels and sheets that had been delivered earlier in the day and one went to bed and one went to the kitchen area and played solitaire. Everyone has a life story that they are happy to share to anyone who will listen.”

 

Free Magazines!

            Remember there are a variety of magazines available for you to read just inside the entryway door. People bring in their issues after they are done reading and share with everyone else. Currently there are copies of Women’s Day, Taste of Home, Guideposts, Reader’s Digest, Quaker Life, Iowa Friend, Focus on the Family, New Man, Country and Good Housekeeping. Check the stand, Helen Louise Davis, weekly as more magazines are always being added. Feel free to drop off your used issues as well

 

 
Turn Around Strategies

For the Small Church

With Dr. Ron Crandall

 

A Ministry Conference

For the Friends of Iowa Yearly Meeting

At College Avenue Friends Church,

Oskaloosa, Iowa - Feb. 27 & 28, 2004

 

Friday, February 27

 6:30 p.m. - Registration

 7:00 p.m. - Session 1: “Understanding the Small Church”

 

Saturday, February 28

 8:15 a.m. - Welcome & Worship

 8:30 a.m. - Session 2: “Leading the Small Church”

10:00 a.m. - Break

10:30 a.m. - Session 3: “Enhancing the Spirit in the Small Church”

12:00 p.m. - Lunch at the church

 1:00 p.m. - Session 4: “Reaching New People through the Small Church”

 2:30 p.m. - Dismissal

 

About Our Speaker

Ron Crandall is the Associate Dean of E. Stanley Jones School of World Mission & Evangelism at Asbury Theological Seminary. A member of the Asbury faculty since 1983, Dr. Crandall came to the Seminary with significant local church and denominational experience.

 

Dr. Crandall holds degrees from Michigan State University and Fuller Theological Seminary. An ordained elder in the Kentucky Conference of the United Methodist Church, he has pastured churches in California and Arizona. In 1977, he was appointed to The United Mthodist General Board of Discipleship, where he served as director of evangelism for the local church. He is a frequent speaker at seminars, workshops, and conferences.

 

Dr. Crandall is author of several books on the subject of evangelism with a special concern for small churches.

 

From our Yearly Meeting Superintendent:

“This conference speaks to the heart of my vision for Iowa Yearly Meeting Churches. I want every church to be encouraged, have hope and a true sense of purpose. Whether you are a pastor or a leader in the local Meeting, having this type of opportunity available may be an answer to your prayers. It is my strong desire to have every church of Iowa Yearly Meeting participate in this conference, no matter what size or condition.”

                                    -Ron Bryan

 

The Pastors’ Association in conjunction with The Board on Church Extension presents this conference.

 

Registration forms are available from the church office. Fees are as follows: $25 for the first attendee from your church, $20 for additional attendees from the church.

 

Motel accommodations are also available in Oskaloosa. Contact the church office for information.