I Love to Tell The Story, Do You?
As we live our lives we notice so much as the scenery goes by and there have most likely been many instances of “If I’d only known then what I know now”, or “What a difference knowing that would have made”. Your life, no matter what you may think, has not been lived for your benefit alone. God has intended for us to pass down the wisdom of our life’s knowledge to our family, not just our biological, but our spiritual family too. Our brothers and sisters in Christ also are meant to benefit from our life’s experiences so they too can avoid the “If I’d only know then what I know now”, or “What a difference knowing that would have made” moments. This is a responsibility we all share as Christians – to share our testimony of what God has, is, and will continue to do in and through us with others, Christian and pre-Christian alike.
When we consider all that we are responsible for as Christians – for instance, keeping our own relationship with God fresh and strong, exercising our love for God and others through our service to God and others, our need to help one another stay on guard against the attacks of the enemy, edifying each other as to warn them against and help pull some back into the fold away from the temptations to become passive or stagnant in our/their relationships with Christ. These are just a few of the many examples of what it means and what it is to be a Christian and the many ways in which we are called by God to keep our faith growing and strong as well as an excellent example of what it truly means to be and hold one another accountable in Christian love.
With all these considered, there is no greater privilege than sharing the story of what God has, is, and will continue to do in and through us. In doing this, all the things that were listed above are actually addressed and confronted through the Holy Spirit using our story to help the people we share with to reflect upon their own lives and recall exactly how much God has, is, and wants to do in and through their lives. A wise man once said that the best Gospel message to share with others is your own. How true that is, it makes the Gospel (The Good News) practical and real to people instead of a bunch of stories about people written in some Book, it now becomes a real story about a real God who sent a real Savior to help and save a real friend of theirs, YOU!
Have you ever shared YOUR story about how YOU came to Christ with SOMEONE? If not, Why not do it today? If so, Why not do it again today?
-Dean
“I Love Camp Quaker Heights”Sunday March 18, 2007
The Camp Staff will be sharing a presentation during the Sunday School hour for all ages highlighting upcoming projects, offering opportunities for service, and detailing some of the changes that have come about over the previous six months. They will participate in the Worship hour by bringing special music and the morning message.
A special offering for the general budget of Camp Quaker Heights will be taken during Morning Worship. A potluck meal will follow the service with Social Committee #3 hosting.
2007 Blizzard Blast has been rescheduled for March 23 & 24 Worship and registration will be at Marshalltown First Friends, 2409 South Sixth St, at 9 p.m. Friday evening. From there youth will go to the Marshalltown YMCA for a lock-in and activities. Breakfast will be served at Marshalltown First Friends Church Saturday morning. No pre-registration - just show up with $20 and the completed medical release/parental permission form.
Thank You -Special thanks to all the men who have cleared the church drive, parking lot and sidewalks of snow and ice during our recent winter storms. You are very much appreciated! -Thank you also to the men and teens who have helped provide valet parking on Sundays when the parking lot has been very slick with ice recently.
House of Compassion Report20 BLFC members were involved in purchasing, preparing, serving and clean up for 56 guests. Our menu was sausage, pasta vegetable soup; mixed fruit; parmesan, garlic biscuits; Jello cake with whipped topping; milk, juice and coffee. Our great volunteers included: James and Sharon, Dean and Amy, Bob and Veronica, Randy and Jodi, Mark and Darlene, John and Gladys, Neil and Peg (and anonymous) who donated food or funds; Diane, John and Gladys who prepared; Ray and Robin and Ann who served; Vi, Neil and Peg who helped with cleanup. The supply closet is currently out of toilet paper, paper towels and dish soap. March is our month to help fill the closet, so keep that in mind. Our next meal responsibility will be Thurs., March 29. Come join the fun and experience the blessing.
Library Ledge: Christian LivingDuring the month of March the library ledge will display books to assist you in your Christian life. Since the beginning, followers of Christ have been asking: “Why do I often feel I don’t measure up to God’s standards? How can I love people I don’t even like? How does a Christian stay pure in such a dirty world?” These and other questions are dealt with in How to be a Christian without Being Perfect, a study of 1 John. In the book God has Never Failed me, But He’s Sure Scared Me to Death a Few Times, Stan Toler writes from personal experience how God is faithful no matter how difficult your circumstance. Audiotapes such as When God Doesn’t Make Sense, Happiness Is…, and Fire Up Your Life will be helpful to all struggling with their walk with Christ. There are many more available in our church library. Check them out!
Children’s ChurchWe will continue to study the 10 Commandments on March 11th. Our service project will be to encourage donations to the HOC Supply Closet. We will review the Easter story on the 25th. Children who are age 4 though 5th grade are welcome to participate.
Liberty USFW Liberty USFW will hold a Potlucky Shamrock Smorgasbord on Wednesday, March 14th at 6:30 pm at the church. All adults are invited to attend this evening of fun and fellowship. Contact Darlene Bradley, Kay Feltz or Rosalee Patten if you would like to attend.
Bangor USFW Bangor USFW will meet for a workday at 9:30 a.m. on March 20th with the location to be announced. Ladies are asked to bring a sack lunch for their noon meal. Dessert will be provided by Bess. The program will be given by Margaret. We will be collecting funds for the Thank Offering.
BLFC Missions Committee Bangor Liberty Missions Committee has selected the mission project of helping replace the roof on the Friends Hospital in Kaimosi, Kenya. This was approved at Monthly Meeting on March 7, 2007. Pledge cards will be available for church members to fill out and return in April indicating your level of participation over the next year.
Balance in Ministry and the Disciplines of a Spiritual Life Conference for Ministers and Christian Workers March 19-21, 2007 Vennard College Featuring Guest Speaker, Dr. Jim Lo Registration forms are available from the church office. To register by telephone using a credit card, call 641-673-8391, ext. 113. Registration costs All Seminar Sessions $25.00 All meals $30.00 (Individual meals are also available.) Lodging in the dorm $10 a night
Dr. Jim Lo is currently Dean of Campus Ministries at Bethel University at St. Paul, MN. He has worked in foreign ministries and written extensively.
USFW Spring Fling Saturday, April 14, 9:30 a.m. Bangor Liberty Friends Church The theme is “A Child Like Faith” with guest speaker, Mary Porter and her puppet Suzi-Q. Cost is $10. Registrations are due April 4th. Contact Margaret Good or Sharon K Johnson if you would like to attend - you don’t have to be a USFW member to attend.
Special Services Special Services will be held at Bangor Liberty Friends Church April 28th and 29th with Wes Davis as guest speaker. The dates for these meetings have been moved back one week due to a conflict. The theme for the services to be held Saturday evening and Sunday morning will be “Continuing to Work on Making the Church a Praying Church.” Mark the dates on your calendars and plan to join us to hear what Wes has to share with us. Wes lives in Kansas and has been a guest speaker at Iowa Yearly Meeting sessions.
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4-8 year-olds, “What does love mean?” “Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.” Bobby, age 7 “If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.” Nikka, age 6 “Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.” Tommy, age 6 “Love is what you makes you smile when you’re tired.” Terri, age 4
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