POWER LAB VBS Discovering Jesus’ Miraculous Power Imagine…a child hearing about God's power for the first time; worshipping with music; serving each other; sharing Christ with others around the world. All this (and more) will happen during Vacation Bible School this summer, June 1-5, as we transform our church into an awesome science lab! It's our goal to reach at least 50 kids with this program! That's 50 kids who will grow in their relationship with God. In just a few short months, our church will be overflowing with kids making crafts, playing games, and discovering Bible truths in fun and memorable ways. To have the best experience possible, we need lots of volunteers who can give time, energy, and love to the kids who will attend. Let me share a few ideas about ways you can make this program a success. Check out the following, then pray about where God might use you: crew leaders, staff devotions, Bible leaders, set designers, transportation, registration, missions, nursery, snacks, and lots of floaters. Also be praying about the children you can invite! See Margaret to volunteer or to learn more about this outreach opportunity.
The Pastor’s CornerChapters Our lives are marked by times of change – growth – learning – seasons. Each of us has our own individual story and chapters and pages mark it. Some have gone ahead of us and their story has been left for us to glean from, but for us, our story still has pages to be written – still has chapters to be discovered – still has a conclusion to be penned. Who determines what is written down on these pages? Are we mere puppets in a play that has been penned long ago? Are we at the whim of some cosmic force that has predestined our every move in such a way that we are truly only observers in “our own life”? I propose there is much more meaning to life and that God in His infinite love and wisdom chose long ago to have us, His creation, participate in His cosmic play as participants of choice and in doing so allowed for the possibility of sin – disobedience, self-centeredness, whatever you want to call it – to also enter into the equation. It was a choice of His will so that as humanity entered into a relationship with Him we would not be coerced or forced, but instead would be founded in love, the very reason He created humanity? In doing so He gave us (humanity) the greatest gift possible, free will because in doing so it also caused Him to provide a plan of salvation due to His perfect loving nature, which cost His Son’s life on the Cross. But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8 (NKJV) Therefore, we go through each day with the God-given ability to determine what each day will be marked or marred by according to our past, our perspective, and our personal relationship with Jesus. There’s only one thing that we can never change, and that’s our past. Too many times either we, others, or Satan will try to use our past to knock us off track and distract us from what we need to currently focus on. If we have entered into a relationship with Jesus through repentance, then our past no longer has bearing on our present; it has been removed as far as the east is from the west. Now that’s far! Each day is a chance to grow in our relationship with Jesus, and as we know from Biology, if something’s not growing, it’s dying. It’s also a chance for us to embrace this new life we have in Christ Jesus and live to the fullest knowing that each day is an adventure and each page we add to our book is another lesson for others to glean from. Embracing the changes that God calls us to knowing that He always has our best interest at heart. For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) Realizing all the while that it is just another chapter to add to the wonderful story of life! -Dean
HOC March Report On March 27, 20 from BLFC made possible a meal of vegetable beef soup, biscuits, mixed fruit cups, dessert pizza, milk and coffee. Thanks to Reg & Mel, Chuck & Ann, James & Sharon, Royal & Paula, Joe & Kay, and Robin Wendt for providing food or funds; Betty & Fern who prepared; Chuck, Vi, Chris, Nathan & Megan who served; and Johnie, Gladys, Deb & Neil who were on cleanup. Many of the 48 guests returned for second helpings and shared their appreciation of the warm meal on a snowy night. The jail chaplain came into the kitchen to thank us and gave a mini sermon before leaving. Our next responsibility is April 24. Let Betty or Margaret know how you’d like to be involved.
Joy of the Lord How can the joy of the Lord be our strength? It gives us gumption to function. It keeps us going. It lends us wings. It supports our steps. It strengthens our resolve. It steadies our nerves. It galvanizes our determination. It lightens our load. It brightens our outlook. It lifts our hearts. -From Contagious Joy Women of Faith Study Book
- Don’t let the past hold you back, you’re missing the good stuff. - Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave and impossible to forget.
Library Ledge: It’s Time to Laugh Finally the experts tell us there’s something we like to do that’s good for us! It’s laughter! Doctors agree laughter is one of the most inexpensive, non-fattening, contagious ways to relieve stress. The human smile is one of the most wonderful things in all of God’s creation, and we Christians have more to smile about than anyone else! You will find lots of laughs on the library ledge during April but be assured these will also give you food for thought. You’ll see Humor for the Heart, Quaker Chuckles, Out to Pasture, and Veggie Tales videos to name a few. A good laugh is like manure to a farmer – it does the most good when you spread it around! Smile, it’s spring – time to spread some laughs!
Thanks! Your generous donations to the House of Compassion Supply Closet are appreciated by the over 400 families and individuals who visited the closet during March. 7 packages of 9-roll toilet paper, 18 bottles of dish soap, 24 over the counter meds, 13 rolls paper towels, 12 boxes Kleenex, 9 bottles laundry detergent, 7 bottles baby shampoo, and over $100 was donated and spent on various supplies. These will be used and appreciated by the approximately 400 families and individuals who visit the closet each month.
Missions News March 16th was the last Mission offering for the roof of the Kaimosi Hospital in Kenya. Construction on the roof was started last November. Thanks to all who have supported this project. Looking to this coming year’s pledges, the Missions Committee has selected Judy Tatum Davis, a member of the Honey Creek/New Providence Friends Church. She is a nurse and is planning to be at the Kaimosi Hospital in Kenya for this year. As a church we would like to help with her support. Following are the projected expenses for her to serve at the Kaimosi Hospital: living expenses for 9 months - $18,000, COBRA insurance -$3150, laptop computer - $1500 (will donate to Kaimosi Hospital), International Flight -$2000 (to Nairobi & to Kamosi). Total Expenses, $24,650. Judy is asking the churches of IAYM to help her meet this call. The hospital board has assigned her to assist with the development of a strategic plan for the hospital. Her administrative skills are in great demand there. Judy spent 3 months in Kenya last year and she made the pivotal difference in the ability to turn around the administration and set them on a more positive course. An update - The Kaimosi Hospital now has 5 new, well-qualified nurses for about $1000 per month. (That would be just $200 for each nurse.) The hospital has received a record number of patients due to the violence in Kenya. Another doctor and more nurses are needed to handle the patient load. Food and supplies are limited and extremely expensive. Please pray for Judy and the Kaimosi Hospital and seriously consider being a part of this calling for Judy, and that she is where God wants her to be. We can help her through our pledges for the coming year. Feel free to pledge any amount, $5.00 or more a month (if 50 of us would give $5.00 that would be $250 a month. - $10.00 would be $500.) Thanks for your prayerful support. -BL Missions Committee
“Our Quaker Heritage” Chorale in Concert Marshalltown First Friends Church Friday, April 11, 7 PM The Friends University Concert Choir will perform music that depicts lifestyle traits of the Friends. All of the music is either written by a Quaker composer, or represents something of the Friends lifestyle. A love offering will be taken.
Monday Night Bible StudyAs we continue to delve into the Fruit of the Spirit, we’ll be looking at goodness and faithfulness. 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 April 6 and 20. Our service project will be to give encouragement to our Quakerdale youth and the House of Compassion.
Liberty USFW Gladys Lane will host the next meeting of Liberty USFW on Wednesday, April 9th at 7 PM. Jean Bergen, House of Compassion Director, will be guest speaker for the evening. Ladies are reminded to bring their thank offering for the year.
Bangor USFWWe will meet at 1:30 on April 15 at Ann Nichols’ home. Fern will provide refreshments and Barbara Jo will bring the lesson.
Garrison Memorial Scramble 4 person Best Position Tournament 8:00 AM Shotgun Start - April 19, 2008 Westwood Municipal Golf Course, Newton $200 / team includes 18 holes of golf, cart, lunch & prizes. Registration forms are available at the church.
2008 Spring Breakaway Vennard College, April 17th - 19th Grades 9-12 - $40 at the door Price includes accommodations, meals, t-shirt Check out the flyer on the bulletin board for further information.
Bangor Cemetery Association Annual Meeting will be held at BLFC on Sunday, April 27th at 2:30 PM.
Michael Card in Concert On Sunday evening, April 27th at 7 PM Christian singer Michael Card will present a concert at the high school gym in Conrad. The event is a benefit for three BCLUW Middle School students who face life-threatening illnesses. Tickets are $15 each. There will also be a freewill offering supper at 5 PM.
Community Worship ServiceOn Sunday, June 1, 2008 the BCLUW Church Council will be holding a Community Worship Service for everyone in the area. The service will be held at 10:00 AM at the BCLUW Middle School in Union. Bangor Liberty will take part in this service and there will be no services at our church that morning. Everyone is encouraged to attend the Community Service.
Remembering Lewis Savage, 93, of Mt. Pleasant, a former pastor in Iowa Yearly Meeting - at Bangor, LeGrand and Fairfield Churches to name a few, passed away on March 10, 2008. Funeral services were held on March 15th at Salem Friends Church in Salem, Iowa with his son Pastor Stephen Savage officiating. Memorials have been named for the Salem Friends Church and the historical Lewelling House Lewis had dedicated so much time to maintain and support.
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