Come Join Us! On Sunday evening, December 16th everyone is encouraged to meet at the church at 4:30 PM to go Christmas caroling. A soup supper provided by Ministry and Counsel Members will be shared afterwards. Three groups will go out to carol in the Clemons area, the Union area and in Marshalltown. Do you know of an elderly couple or family who could use some Christmas cheer? Please pass their names on to Rick Bachman or other M & C members.
BLFC Christmas Eve Service 6 PM, December 24th Children and Youth will present a Christmas message, followed by the Candle lighting service. Invite your family and friends to join us early on Christmas Eve to celebrate Christ’s birth!
Missions News The Missions Committee wants to thank everyone who took part in our Thank Offering on November 18. The chosen recipients of the offering were (1) Nurses salaries at the Kaimosi Hospital in Kenya; (2) The Boys and Girls Homes in Jamaica for computer and reading materials and to help with rebuilding after the hurricane in October; (3) Camp scholarships for our local kids to go to summer camp; (4) Quakerdale for Bibles and study materials; (5) $250 each to Victor White and Kevin Mortimer to attend and lead workshops at the Kenya Pastors’ Conference in December. You could also give to the mission field of your choice. The amount received in the Thank Offering was $7,761.80. Thanks for being part of this. During our Christmas Program on Christmas Eve a special “White Gift Offering” will be taken and it will go to Camp Quaker Heights to help with the new addition to the kitchen. In closing the Missions Committee’s prayer for you - May the meaning of Christmas be deeper, your faith stronger, and your hopes brighter as Christmas comes to each one this year. -BLFC Missions
The Christmas List EssentialsIt’s that time of year again; people are buzzing around like crazy trying to get all their shopping done for presents, parties, and dinners. Children are adding to their list of wants as the days go by and the younger they are it seems, the more often that one special item they just must have keeps changing. People are clamoring to get their homes decorated just right and some even have to keep adding to it just to not be out done by the neighbors. Well, of course you realize I’m talking about it being Christmastime. What is it about this time of year that changes the general population from relatively sane on Thanksgiving to basically bonkers on “Black Friday”? Even in our churches we are in a higher state of activity than at any other time of year except for maybe VBS preparation and execution. In our churches we have Advent, Christmas Caroling, Christmas Programs, Candlelight services, etc. not to mention the sermons geared toward Christmas and the songs during worship being Christmas oriented. All of that is wonderful! And I mean that sincerely. The trouble is when we just do it out of habit instead of out of the heart. Just like any tradition, any tradition that has no heart, no love or Spirit behind it, it is empty, it is as Paul put it: “I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Cor. 13:1).
“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” – Hosea 6:6
That verse is a good reminder to us during this time of the year and all the year long for that matter of exactly what God wants from us. He merely wants us to acknowledge Him and give Him His rightful respect and honor out of love and adoration; out of our appreciation for what He has done for us which all started back at the conception of the plan of salvation by the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit; was set into motion on that first Christmas morn by the birth of Jesus, the Son of God to a virgin girl named Mary; and was “finished” that day on Calvary were Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God was sacrificed for all the sins of humanity – past, present, and future – and then through His conquering of death by His resurrection on the third day, that first Easter morn, He too gave us the ability to live a victorious life, free from the bondage of sin through the new birth and the gift of the Father – the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. So all the shopping, the parties, the gifts, the Christmas programs, the caroling, etc. are nice, but not essential; knowing whether the stable was made of wood or was a cave isn’t important; knowing how many wise men there were and knowing what day they came on, doesn’t really matter all that much anyway. The essential thing to remember during this Christmas Season is that God loved you and me so much that He sent His Son Jesus to save us from our sin and self and that is something very worthy of celebration! -Dean
HOC REPORT On Friday, November 23, we provided a warm and filling meal of sausage gravy on biscuits, peas, baby carrots, cranberry salad, pasta salad, pie, cake, milk, juice and coffee for 42 guests. Thanks to: James and Sharon, Royal and Paula, Reg and Melidy, John and Gladys, Mark and Darlene, Mike and Charlene, Bill and Rosalee who provided food or funds; Betty and her granddaughter Jennifer who prepared; Vi, Chuck and Ann who served and John and Isaac who were on clean up. Remember our December meal will be Christmas evening. Let Betty or Margaret know if you are available to help.
Monday Night Bible StudyAs we continue to delve into the fruit of the Spirit, we’ll be looking at the fruit of kindness. In most cases, kindness is not beyond any of us because it usually costs no money. It may take the sacrifice of time and energy. How much is required to cultivate smiling rather than frowning? To pay a visit? To say a word of encouragement or comfort? To show friendliness by warmly and sincerely shaking hands? Everyone is welcome to join the discussion in the fellowship hall each Monday at 7:00.
Children’s Church Children age 4 through 4th grade are welcome to participate in Children’s Church on December 16, when we’ll make goodie plates for the carolers to deliver that evening.
Liberty USFW will meet on Wednesday, December 12th at Robin Willits’ home at 7 PM. Ladies are reminded to bring 2 dozen cookies for the cookie plates, which will be shared with others in the community.
Bangor USFWThe ladies of Bangor USFW will meet on Tuesday, December 11th at Ann Nichols’ home with Betty Arterburn providing refreshments and Margaret Good bringing the lesson. Members are reminded to bring their Christmas offering to be shared between USFWI mission projects in financial need; FUM field staff; and the HOC general fund.
Christmas Adopt-A-FamilyOur church has adopted a family from the House of Compassion to help out this Christmas. They are a young couple (dad works at Swifts) with 4 children under age 6. A poster in the entryway lists what they requested. Note the items they’d accept used: a double stroller and a vacuum cleaner would b especially appreciated. You could donate funds for any needed item or to help purchase their holiday meal.
Experiencing the Heart of Jesus Pastor Dean has just started a Sunday Evening Service/Bible Study using the material Experiencing the Heart of Jesus by Max Lucado. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate on Sunday evenings twice a month at the church at 6 PM. The next meeting will be held on Sunday, December 23rd.
Mid-Winter 20077th - 12th Grade Snow Retreat December 27-29Seven Oaks Recreation Area Drop-off & Pick-up at AmeriHost Inn & Suites, Boone, IA Thursday, 4 PM to Saturday, 10 AM Cost for Youth is $150 which includes choice of skiing or boarding Cost for event with no-snow option is $115 Pre-Registration deadline is December 19 Questions? Contact Pastor Dean
Library Ledge: Reflecting on Christmas During December you’ll find the library ledge lined with books that reflect on the holiday season. Curl up on the sofa and warm your heart and soul with stories of how Christ is working in and around us. They will renew your faith this Christmas season. Children’s Christmas books are also available. Stop by the cart in the fellowship hall and pick up so your whole family can be reminded of the ‘reason for the season.’
-The first Christmas was a myrrhy Christmas!
-The giver makes the gift precious.
Cards/Notes of Encouragement Cards and notes of encouragement can be sent to Dustin Shaver at PO Box 204, Whitten, IA 50269.You can also keep up with news of Dustin or leave him a message at his website -www.caringbridge.org/visit/dustinshaver. Financial contributions for his medical expenses can be mailed to Wells Fargo Bank, 2703 S Center St, Marshalltown IA 50158 or to the Lennox Employees Credit Union, 1004 E Main St, Marshalltown IA 50158.
Congratulations! Lewis and Rita Kendall of BLFC welcomed Gentry Camille into their family on Tuesday, November 13. Gentry was born in Ames weighing 6 lbs, 13 ozs and measured 19-1/2” at birth. Welcoming her home was big sister, Alexis who is 5.
Notes from CQH Kitchen Expansion: The kitchen expansion at Quaker Heights will begin in a few weeks. Funds for this project can be mailed to the Yearly Meeting Office, PO Box 657, Oskaloosa IA 52577, designated for the kitchen expansion.
Linda Garrison, Director of Camp Quaker Heights shares that CQH will be celebrating 60 years of ministry next fall in conjunction with the 125th anniversary of Iowa USFW. The date for that celebration is October 3-5, 2008. Save this date for a weekend of looking back as we look forward to continuing to “Serve in Seasons of Change.” As you do your fall and winter cleaning keep an eye out for old photos and bits of memorabilia from both CQH and USFW. If possible scan your item and email it to her, and the camp staff will be creating a presentation to share that anniversary weekend.
Thank You Dear Friends and Family, We want to thank everyone who sent cards or came to our 50th anniversary open house. It meant so much to visit with each one and to hear your special memories that were recorded that day. The Lord has blessed us with a wonderful family, a loving church family, great friends and many years together and we are so thankful. Don & Shirley Davis
Dear Friends, I wish to express my appreciation for your recent generous gift of $837.00 to the Spiritual Life Fund to purchase Bibles and study materials. We feel the spiritual aspect of our total program is of great importance. Since our only source of funds for this program must come from donations, we are especially grateful for your concern. We will be very careful in the stewardship of this gift. May God bless you for sharing with us in this way. Dave Holm, Director of Spiritual Life, Quakerdale
-How many observe Christ’s birthday! How few, his precepts! O! ‘Tis easier to keep holidays than commandments. -Benjamin Franklin
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