Freedom is not the right to do as you please, but the liberty to do as you ought!

If my people, which are called by My name shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.   II Chronicles 7:14

Missions News

PATRICK NUGENT TO SPEAK

AT BANGOR LIBERTY

            Patrick Nugent will be speaking at Bangor Liberty Church on Monday evening; July 26, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. Patrick and his wife, Mary Kay Rehard, are the principals at the Friends Theological College in Kenya since January 2003. They are both originally from Indiana. Patrick has served as a professor and administrator at Earlham College in Richmond, IN. Mary Kay has been active in community organizations, home schooling and teaching at the local community college. They have two daughters, Emma 12, and Eliza 9 years old.

            The Friends Theological College is located on the Kaimosi Mission in Kenya.  Their mission is to prepare and equip leaders for Christian ministry. The Friends Theological College seeks to integrate faith, scripture, and knowledge in training the leaders of the churches in East Africa.  Adults of all ages study from one to three years, and after three years the student receives a diploma. They usually graduate 20-25 students each year. Patrick and Mary Kay are getting a clear picture of the student's academic preparation and their ability, and this is also deepening their appreciation of the students’ gifts and dedication to their vocations.

Invite a friend and plan to come on Monday night, July 26th to hear Patrick tell of their lives while living in Kenya and their experiences as administrators/teachers at the Friends Theological College.  There will be a fellowship time following Patrick's message.

My Ten Commandments

            Thou shalt not worry, for worry is the most unproductive of all human activities.

            Thou shalt not be fearful, for most of the things we fear never come to pass.

            Thou shalt not cross bridges before you get to them, for no one yet has succeeded in accomplishing this.

            Thou shalt face each problem as it comes. You can handle only one at a time anyway.

            Thou shalt not take problems to bed with you for they make very poor bedfellows.

            Thou shalt not borrow other people’s problems. They can take better care of them than you can.

            Thou shalt not try to relive yesterday for good or ill -- it is gone. Concentrate on what is happening in your life today.

            Thou shalt count thy blessings, never overlooking the small ones, for a lot of small blessings add up to a big one.

            Thou shalt be a good listener, for only when you listen do you hear ideas different from your own. It’s very hard to learn something new when you’re talking.

            Thou shalt not become bogged down by frustration, for 90 percent of it is rooted in self-pity and it will only interfere with positive action.        -Elodie Armstrong

Chicago Fellowship of Friends

            Copies of video tapes from the Chicago Fellowship of Friends are available to check out from the church office.

Forrest Gump

            Forrest Gump walks up to the Pearly Gates and is met by St. Peter himself. The good saint says: “Well, Forrest, we’re glad to see you. We have heard a lot about you. I must let you know however, that the place is filling up fast, so we have been giving an entrance examination to everyone. The test is short but you have to pass before you can get into heaven.”

            “You need to answer these three questions:

1.What days of the week begin with the letter T?

2. How many seconds are there in a year?

3. What is God’s first name?”

Forrest says, “Well, the first one -- that’s an easy one. There are two of them - Today and Tomorrow.”

            The saint’s eyes open wide in surprise: “Forrest, that’s not what I was thinking, but….I’ll give you credit for that answer.” “How about the second question?”

            “Now that one’s harder,” says Forrest, “but I’ll guess the answer to be twelve.”

            Astounded, St. Peter says, “Twelve?

Twelve? Forrest, how in Heaven’s name could you come up with twelve seconds in a year?”

            “Shucks, there’s gotta be twelve,” Forrest answers, “January 2^nd, February 2^nd, March 2^nd, etc.”

            “Hold it,” interrupts St. Peter. “I see where you’re going with this, and I’ll have to give you credit for that one, too. Let’s go on to the next and final question.

            “Can you tell me God’s first name?”

            “Sure,” Forrest replies, “it’s Andy.”

            “Andy?” exclaims the exasperated and frustrated saint. “OK, I can understand how you came up with your answers to my first two questions, but just how in the world did you come up with the name of ‘Andy’ as the first name of God?”       

            “Shucks,” Forrest replies, “that was the easiest one of all….ANDY WALKS WITH ME, ANDY TALKS WITH ME, ANDY TELLS ME I AM HIS OWN.”

            St. Peter opens the Pearly Gates and says, “Run, Forrest, run!”

                                                -Contributed

Trash to Treasures

Recycling unwanted items into supplies for creative teachers and students who turn them into treasures.

Following is a list of items that the Marshalltown School District can utilize:

Greatest Need Items:

-Shoe boxes

-Peanut butter jars with lids and

  label removed

-Plastic frosting containers with lids

-Egg cartons

-Yarn-bright colors especially

-Margarine tubs - any size

-Cool Whip containers

-Clean baby food jars with lids.

You may deliver these items to the

Central Administration Office at 317 Columbus Drive in Marshalltown.

            This announcement came to us from House of Compassion. They support the school district in Marshalltown by saving any of these items they receive and share with the school district.

Lava Lava Island Report

            During our VBS week we

saw 48 children come through our doors.  Average nightly attendance was 37. There were 14 families with children who participated from outside our church. For missions: 69 baby items were collected for the Stork's Nest and $94 was given at the program. $105 was given by the VBS children for a new school in the Kibera Slums of Africa; adults brought the total to $274. Thanks to all who were involved in this outreach ministry. Keep praying as we continue to follow-up with the children who came from the community. Also mark your calendars and pray for the August 29 VBS Reunion to be held at 3:30 followed by a family supper.

Four Certain Things

            Ronald Wilson, in Stretching the Soul, lists near the end of his book four things of which he is certain:

1.Trouble will come. Life is difficult. I must mourn as well as dance.

2. In this long journey of life, I’m not in control. God has reminded us of this…

3. Many times I will fail.

4. I will find forgiveness and get up and go on. God will wipe up the mess I’ve made of things, take my by the hand, and set me back on the right path.                                                                           -Copied

-Jesus is the only one who ever wrote a P.S. to his obituary, “Because I live, you shall live also.”    John 14:19

Children’s Books & New Videos

            Parents feel free to check out the children’s library in the fellowship hall for great reading materials for your kids to enjoy. If you wish to take home a book or video, just sign the child’s name and put the date on the card. Leave it in the box and when you return it replace the card in the book. There are also several new videos and books on tape for your family’s enjoyment.

School Supplies for Needy Children

            The House of Compassion is planning their Back To School program. Last year HOC assisted 750 students.  Every year there is an increase in those who need help.  They anticipate 100 more will ask for supplies this year.  Our congregation has been asked to collect the following:

-Large boxes of Kleenex Tissue -Pocket Folders

-Erasers (both pencil tip &     

   regular

-Pencils

-3 Ring Binders

-Black & Blue Erasable Pens; --Colored Pencils 

-Wide line Loose-leaf Notebook

     Paper

A box has been placed in the entryway for these supplies. Deadline (Jennifer Grafke) for collections is Sunday, August 1. Thanks in advance for your support of this program! 

The Library Ledge

Summer Audios

            Books-on-tape are great for the busy month of July. Enjoy them while traveling in your car, or at home while doing projects. You’ll find books-on-tape a handy source of encouragement and humor. The audios are located all together on one shelf with the videos. Some will be displayed on the window ledge during July. Following are just a few samples: Surprised by God, Introduction to Family Nights, Traveling Light, Love Adds a Little Chocolate, Living in a Step Family, Making Life Work and many more. A complete listing of audio tapes and videos will be in the church bulletin. Check out the library … you’ll find growth there.

            Iowa Yearly Meeting

        Ministry Conference 2004

          “A Future and A Hope”                         

               Jeremiah 29:11

                August 4-7, 2004

          William Penn University

               Oskaloosa, Iowa

Conference Highlights

-Keynote Speaker - David Brock

-Worship Leaders - Alan & Sheryl Mullikin

-Informative Ministry Forums

-Heartfelt World Ministry Reports

-Transforming Worship      -Spirit Led Business

-Lively Children’s Program

-Meaningful Youth Events

-Eye-Opening Missions Banquet and More!

**Families should have received registration forms in the mail from IAYM. If you need a form there are some available at the church. Please Note: Registration fees are less if the registration form is received at IAYM office by July 16.

June HOC Report

On June 3^rd we served 31 guests generous helpings of pork sandwiches, green beans & bacon, bananas, potato salad, pasta salad, Jell-O, angel food cake with strawberries and iced tea or milk. Many returned for 2^nd helpings and complimented the cooks.

Our volunteers included Sharon KJ, Vi, Veronica, Tom, Bess, Mary S, Betty & Fern who provided the food; Diane, Fern & Betty who prepared; Wayne T, Royal, Keith, Leo, & Ann who served; Vi, Joe, Kay, Kelsey & Daniel who cleaned.

            Levi & Ramona reported only one guest spent the night.  Jim was from New York and recently found work in Marshalltown. Jean told him he could stay until he had 2 paychecks. He said he came from an abusive home and left at 15 to travel the country supporting himself. While you never know how much to believe, he enjoyed talking and they enjoyed listening to his stories.

                                    -Margaret Good

Dear Church Family, Thank you for the money for church camp. It was very fun! The things I liked best were carpet ball,

paddleboating and my counselor, Ann Nichols. I made a new friend. I can’t wait to go back again next year! Jennifer Davis

Thank you for giving money for me to go to Camp. I really liked it.    Clarke Macy

Dear BLFC, Thank you for letting me go to Camp. I really had fun and learned a lot. I met a lot of new people. Thank you again!

                                    Andi Albright

Dear Bangor Liberty Friends Church, Thank you for the money for camp. I really appreciate it. I had a lot of fun. Kelsey Feltz

Mark & Darlene Bradley

and

Jody and Laura Wanken

 invite you to share in the joy

of the marriage uniting their children

Kimberly Renee Thomas

and

Aron Edwin Wanken

on Saturday, the fourteenth of August

Two thousand and four

at four-thirty in the afternoon

Bangor Liberty Friends Church

Reception, Dinner & Dance following the ceremony at the Liscomb Community Center.

-When we get tangled up in our problems, be still; God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.

-Laugh every day; it’s like inner jogging.

-The good Lord didn’t create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close!