BLFC Family CampSeptember 16, 17, 18, 2005 Camp Quaker Heights Family Fear Factor
Potluck meal on Friday evening, 6:30 Bring side dishes, meat will be furnished.
Saturday breakfast at 8:00, lunch at noon, dinner at 6:00 p.m. Family Fear Factor events throughout the day - Final event held during the Talent/No Talent Show Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday: Breakfast at 8:00, Morning Worship at 10:45 with Guest Speaker, T.J. Stanfield - Lunch at noon. Come join us for this weekend away, with time for fellowship with the church family, or just time alone reflecting on God and His goodness.
Call the church office or Will and Jo Macy to register after September 11th
Friends Disaster ServiceResponse to KatrinaEarlier the Friends Disaster Service sent out a notice in regard to helping the hurricane victims along the Gulf Coast. Now, another opportunity has arisen for us to reach out to those in need. While most of the attention has focused on those who remained in the city and the shelters in Houston, 80% fled New Orleans prior to the storm and are in shelters all over Northern Louisiana and the Mid South. These people are in desperate need of everyday items.
Items needed are: toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, razors, soap, diapers, baby wipes, plastic baby bottles, pillows, sheets, bath towels, wash cloths, underwear-all sizes adult and children, t-shirts, socks, feminine products, children’s videos, toys, school supplies & mosquito repellant.
If you are willing to donate any of these items, please bring them to Bangor Liberty Friends Church before Thursday, September 15. They will then be taken to one of three drop off points in Iowa. Monetary donations will also be accepted with checks made out to BLFC or IYM - Friends Disaster Service, and will be sent along with the other items.
Staying the CourseAs I’ve been looking back on my life as a Christian and even before that, I can see the evidences of God’s hands of protection, direction, and discipline much more clearly then I did at the time of their influence and intervention. We all have probably said at one time or another, “If I only knew then what I know now”, but where then would your faith have been? To answer that we must first define what we mean by “faith”. Faith is, as God’s Word tells us – “The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.” (Hebrews 11 from The Message) Faith isn’t something that just has an impact on how we deal with or view the present or the future, it also has a great deal of bearing on the way we allow ourselves to view the past. For instance, I wasn’t always perfect, all right – just kidding –I know I’m not perfect, but I am forgiven now and in a love relationship with my Heavenly Father because of my faith in the redemptive work and power of His Son, Jesus. Jesus died on the cross for the sins of all humanity – past, present, and future – and was raised again on the third day conquering death and giving us that same victory over sin and death to live lives holy and pleasing before the Lord because of the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit, who aids us in resisting temptation and making right decisions on a daily basis. It is God’s grace that brought all of this to us, but it is in faith that we accept it and continue in it. So now back to our story. Like I was saying, I wasn’t always a Christian. None of us are physically born into the Faith; it’s a spiritual birth, as Jesus said, “You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again’” (John 3:7 NIV). By faith we accept Jesus and all that we receive is by faith and the life we live in Him is a life of faith. What about our lives before meeting Jesus? What about all the things that happened in my life before I met Jesus? How does faith play a part in all of that? What about how some things since I’ve become a Christian haven’t always been so great? Were all those things a part of God’s divine purpose? Were all those things a part of God’s will for me? Let me start by saying I can’t answer all of the questions you have about specifics of your life, but I know someone who can. And He is always willing to talk with you, so why not ask Him, and I sure will help out in any way I can too. But as for myself, I’ve had some time to reflect on some of the things in my life that have happened prior to my becoming a Christian, and I now know God either actively used or allowed them to come into my life so that I would be drawn closer to Him. Also, I can see specifically how certain things in my sinful past have been turned around by God into ways or areas that I am able to reach out and minister the Gospel to some people more easily than someone who hasn’t had to go down the same road to repentance that I’ve had to travel. It’s the difference between sympathy and empathy. Sympathy is the ability to understand the feelings of others, whereas empathy is the ability to put yourself into another person’s place and it helps to have been there yourself at one time. The pieces of the puzzles of our lives we haven’t been able to see as clearly yet are the ones we need to just have faith in God’s divine plan and purpose for us as individuals and as a church. That is why staying the course is so important. Life in general and Satan are constantly trying to distract our focus from God’s will for our lives to anything that will grab our attention. Our faith is what keeps our eyes fixed on the goal ahead of us, the hope of Heaven in Christ Jesus. If it hadn’t been for the faithful prayers of my mother, I wouldn’t be where God has brought me today. It is because of her faithful prayers, along with others, that I eventually came around and realized my need for Jesus. If it hadn’t been for the faithful prayers and support of my wife Amy and her mom and dad, I never would have realized my true potential in Christ nor would I have realized the call of God on mine and Amy’s lives to the ministry. There are many more people who have influenced my life and walk with the Lord from Baltimore to Vennard to Milwaukee to Bangor, and I thank you all. Most of all I thank God that none of these people allowed themselves to be distracted in their focus and have stayed the course and I pray will continue to do so in God’s grace and power until they finish the race. I also pray that I can do the same as they have led the way, following the path of Christ, that I will also “stay the course”. -Pastor Dean
Library LedgeChristian Living During the month of September the library ledge will display books to assist you in “walking the walk and talking the talk” in your Christian life. Do you want your life to count for Christ? Would you like to make a real impact for God’s kingdom? In Following Christ, you’ll find Christ’s command to follow Him is the very heartbeat of effective faith. In The Joy of Discipling, Stan Ott shows how friendship is at the heart of discipling. When Life Isn’t Fair provides a wealth of biblical and personal insight into the reasons for pain and suffering as well as practical helps for those who hurt. Check out the library ledge --- you’ll find ways to stretch and grow there.
It’s A Girl!Congratulations to Tim and Meridith Thomas of Union on the birth of Kaylee Elizabeth, born on Monday, August 15th at 9:52 a.m. weighing 7 lbs, 4.5 ozs, and measuring 21” long at birth. Tim and Meridith and grandparents, Mark and Darlene Bradley, are all attenders at BLFC
Ladies Barn Quilt TourFriday, September 23rd BLFC ladies will embark on the Grundy County Barn Quilt Tour. The group will leave from the church at 11:30 a.m. with lunch at Wellsburg at noon. Please let Betty Arterburn know if you are interested in going along on the self-guided 1 ½ hour driving tour of the 13 barns with quilt designs.
Special OfferingOn Sunday, October 2nd, BLFC will take a special offering to go to the Retired Ministers and Missionaries Fund for Iowa Yearly Meeting.
Children’s ChurchOn September 11, we will talk about being faithful as in Psalm 119:90, and show our appreciation to the grandparents in our congregation. Then on the 25th, we'll learn how the Bible is our sword as written in Ephesians 6:17. All children, age 4 through grade 5, are welcome to participate.
Ladies Bible StudyLadies Bible Study will resume meeting on Thursday, September 15th at the church at 10:00 a.m. after taking a summer break. All ladies of the church are welcome to join the group as they begin a new study from a Women of Faith Series, entitled, Receiving God’s Love.
Liberty USFWLiberty United Society of Friends Women will begin the new year meeting at Kay Feltz’s home on Wednesday, September 14, at 7:00 p.m. The evening will include devotions, business matters for the upcoming year and discussion of Christian service projects. All ladies of the church are welcome to attend.
HOC FundraiserThe Friends of House of Compassion are sponsoring a barbecue fundraiser on Sunday, September 18th, 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 201 West High Street, Marshalltown. For a free will offering smoked pork loin sandwiches, cheesy potatoes, green beans, and homemade desserts will be served.
Bangor USFWAll ladies are welcome to attend the first fall meeting of Bangor USFW September 20th, 1:30 at Donna Williams’ home: 1408 S 2nd St, Marshalltown. Margaret will give the program. Bring your pennies collected over the summer to give toward mission work.
Men’s WorkdayThe men of the church will hold a workday on Saturday, September 24th beginning around 8:00 a.m. at the church. Yard work, breaking up some concrete and building forms will be on the work agenda. Bring appropriate tools and come when you are able.
Teacher Appreciation BreakfastAll individuals who were involved in teaching Sunday School last year and those who have committed to teaching this year, along with substitutes, are invited to a Teacher Appreciation Breakfast on Sunday, September 25th beginning at 8:30 a.m. Lloyd McDonald and Denny will be guest speakers for this special time of appreciation for those who have given of their time and talents to further the Christian Education of the children, youth and adults of our church.
August HOC ReportThanks to all who volunteered and gave items for the school supply give-away. Over 655 children showed wide smiles as they were given back packs with many of the supplies needed for their grade level. Since we had extra supplies after the official dates, 60 others received a partial bag of supplies (without a back pack) and boxes of various items were given to local teachers to use at their discretion. On August 25, 21 BLFC members were involved in purchasing food, preparing, serving and clean up for the evening meal for 69 guests. Levi reported a quiet night with 8 men, 2 ladies and 2 children. One man was retired and waiting for social security, two others were looking for work through the unemployment office. Mark your calendars for our next evening, Thursday, September 29.
Friends - We have some basic needs at the House of Compassion: Produce from your bountiful gardens; Men's white socks and sizes 32-36 underwear; Men's white t shirts/undershirts; Women's underwear; Bathroom shower rugs; Shampoo; Toilet paper; and Tooth- brushes. Thank you for all that you do for the House of Compassion. -Jean Bergen, Director
USFW Fall RetreatLadies Fall Retreat will be held Saturday, October 8 at Camp Quaker Heights. Stan and Karen Bauer will speak on African Missions. $7 covers lunch and program expenses. Sharon and Margaret have tickets.
Thank You Dear Friends at BLFC, Thank you all for the many things you have blessed us with in the month of August! God has used you to provide us with many things, including a quarter of beef, vegetables, finding an affordable car, use of a clothes dryer, tickets to Adventureland, a study Bible, meals, fellowship, babysitting and much more. God is so good! May each of you be blessed by your generosity, love and care. Thank you. Pastor Dean, Amy, Emily and Hannah
Dear Bangor Liberty Friends Church,We are so thankful for the support your church gave to our Camp. The money given and the wonderful work of the kids during VBS week collecting all the paper products was a blessing. Thank you, ladies, for bring food and serving it to our kids. All of you are truly wonderful examples of Godly servants for the Lord. Pray for us and our people. In His love, Victor & Brenda White Mesquakie Friends Center, Tama
Dear Friends at Bangor Liberty, Thank you for your generous and faithful support of our ministry at Friends Theological College in Kaimosi, Kenya. It was wonderful to be in your great state for the Triennial in July. Our deputation travels have gone well this summer and now we are all excited about returning to Kenya soon to begin a new school year. The work at the college continues to be satisfying and enjoyable. We appreciate your prayers and care for our family and FTC. With gratitude, Mary Kay Rehard and Patrick Nugent
Missions NewsWe have received a personal note and letter from Mary Kay and Patrick. They will be posted on the bulletin board. School is in session again all over the world. In Ramallah the Friends School started on August 29th. They have two new members on their staff, Tim and Lisa Lowe. Tim will be teaching English and Lisa will be working as the assistant to the school's director, Joyce Ajlouny. They are from Connecticut and have two grown sons. John Hishmeh is the School Counselor for the Friends Boys School. He is from Kentucky but his grandparents came to this country from Palestine. John says, "I go to be an authentic Christian witness in a world that is filled with pain and violence. I go to live before them a life of reconciliation, forgiveness and mercy. I go to respond to the beckoning of Christ already present."
FRIENDS IN HURRICANE KATRINA'S PATH--- Keith Kendall, former executive secretary of the Associated Committee of Friends on Indian Affairs, reports that Mowa Choctaw Friends Academy and Center in Mcintosh, AL lost power during the hurricane but suffered no extensive structural damage. Pam Daigle Arnold, clerk of Baton Rouge LA Friends Meeting, says that structural damage was light in their area. They lost electrical power, but many have already had it restored. Pam has been able to reach about half of the 22 members from the New Orleans Friends Meeting who have e-mail; they are safely out of the city and scattered: Atlanta, Nashville, and Baton Rouge.
New Orleans Friends are the kind of people who would heed evacuation warnings and had the resources to leave. Both meetings rent space, so they don't have buildings to repair. Not everything in New Orleans is destroyed. The meeting there gathers in a Methodist Church in the Garden District, which had about two feet of water. Some people are going to be allowed to go in to assess damage to their homes on Monday. But it will take weeks before anyone can live there. And their jobs are on hold. Several Friends work at Tulane University and the University of New Orleans. Much of UNO is under water. Pam continues to check on the safety and whereabouts of other New Orleans Friends, she is also assessing their needs. Pam writes that she loves being the conduit for this information and is overwhelmed by the offers of hospitality from all over the country. She says that after 22 years as an attender, she became a member of the meeting in December and it’s heartwarming to be an official part of this family.
(from letter dated September 3, 2005)
-Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant. -Robert Louis Stevenson
-A hug is the perfect gift. One size fits all. And no one minds if you exchange it. -Author Unknown
-Some of God’s attributes are too wonderful to understand. But even if they remain darkness to the intellect, let them be sunshine for your soul. -Author Unknown
150th Anniversary LeGrand Friends Church will be celebrating their 150th Anniversary on October 9, 2005, from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Friends are invited to share in this special day, which will include a special history display, morning worship service with sharing by former pastors, potluck dinner, and a historical look at the life and music of LeGrand Friends.
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