|
The Bangor Liberty Bell
Sharing the News and Views of
Bangor Liberty Friends
Church
December 2008 Volume
29, No. 12
Nathan McCracken, Pastor
|
Our Greatest Gift
I
can still remember sitting on the fender of our 806 with Dad as he pulled the
tree planter through the field. Mom had the “fun” job of riding on the
planter and dropping a tree in the trench every couple of feet. This
was nothing new to me because every year Dad ordered a batch of trees, rented
the planter, planted the trees, the trees died or were eaten and then we
repeated the whole process again the next year. I didn’t have high
hopes for this year’s reforestation project either but there was a reason to
have at least a little bit of excitement. This year the tree project
consisted of evergreens or as we called them Christmas trees. “Yep, if
these trees make it then in five years we can cut one down for a Christmas
tree,” Dad said. And that year, for some reason, most of them did make
it and in five years my Dad, my siblings, and I were inspecting the field
looking for the perfect tree to grace our living room.
Once
the four of us kids agreed on a tree we each took a turn lying on our bellies
cutting away with the bow saw until the tree toppled. Then we raced
home to show mom our “prize” tree for the year and set up and decorate
it. For the next three weeks we sat and admired the beautiful
decorations that hung on and around our tree. Each night the living
room lights would go off and we would sit in the warm glow of our Christmas
lights. Christmas music played in the background and we just enjoyed
the season. We were warm, our tree was beautiful, and Christmas was
coming.
I’m
sure that we all have our memories and our family traditions. I know
that this one sticks with me because we didn’t just pick out a tree; we
planted the trees, watered the trees, and tended the trees for five years
until they were mature. Then we enjoyed their beauty, the smell of pine, and
the sound of pinecones snapping open in our living room. As we give
this year remember that the best gift is given with love and thoughtfulness.
Just as the gift of Christ was given
with a love that desired for us to be pure and beautiful as was intended when
God planted us in His creation. Yes, we are the trees, God is the
farmer, and Christ is the love and care that we need to be beautiful.
Let us not forget about our greatest gift this season. 2 Timothy
1:9-10.
-Nathan
Christmas
Open House
At
Nathan & Shandra’s
Home
Friday, December 12, 2008
7-10 p.m.
Stop in with the family for a festive time of fun
and fellowship!
Games, for the young at heart, begin at 8 p.m.
Snacks and beverages provided
In Our Thoughts & Prayers
~Those
who are ill or alone at Christmas
~President-elect,
Barack Obama, proposed cabinet members. Pres. Bush and gov. officials dealing with the current financial
situation.
~Pastor
Nathan and Shandra and boys
~Cuban
Friends who have suffered much devastation to their homes, businesses and
churches from the hurricanes this past year.
~Friends Hospital
in Kaimosi,
Kenya
Christmas Eve Service at BLFC
Everyone is invited to gather at Bangor Liberty on Christmas Eve at 6 p.m. to
celebrate Jesus’ birth during the children’s program and candle lighting
service.
The
annual White Gift offering, collected Christmas Eve, will be shared between
two ministries in Marshalltown:
The Quakerdale Promise Home and Birthright International.
The Quakerdale Promise Home encourages youth
through a family environment with live-in house parents. Our funds will
be spent on activities for the youth that are used as rewards and
incentives. These could be trips to the swimming pool, a movie night or
a meal at a restaurant together. It’s fun to
think of our $ being used to help the youth celebrate their progress.
For
25 years Birthright has provided caring, non-judgmental support to girls and
women who are distressed by an unplanned pregnancy. They have given women
friendship and emotional support, free pregnancy testing and maternity
clothes. Birthright has only volunteer staff and does not charge for its
services. Some of our $ will be used to pay for advertising in the high
school and community.
-A 7-year-old was drawing the Nativity scene in
class. Her drawing was complete with Jesus, Mary and Joseph. But in the
corner was a short, fat man who didn’t fit in. When asked to explain,
the child said, “That’s Round John Virgin.”
THE DOVE, 91.9 FM...Iowa's newest radio station, offering your
favorite adult contemporary Christian music, news and information. http://ktdvradio.com/
Monday Night Bible Study
How should Christians manage their money? Are you anxious about
the future? How can we counteract worry? Join the discussions from “The
Sermon on the Mount-Examining Your life” in the fellowship hall each Monday
at 7:00.
Liberty USFW
Robin Willits will host the December meeting for the Liberty USFW ladies on
Wednesday the 10th at 7 p.m. Bring 2 dozen cookies for the cookie
plates/exchange and gifts purchased for the adopted Seeds of Hope family.
Bangor
USFW
At 1:30 on Tuesday, Dec. 16 we’ll gather at Ann’s
house where Peggy will provide our lesson. A workday is being planned
for Jan. 20. It will be held at the church to give us room to make baby
quilts. All ladies are welcome at either activity.
Children’s Church
Children age 4 through grade 4 are welcome to participate in Children’s Church on
Dec. 14th when we’ll prepare Christmas goodies to share while caroling to
friends that evening.
Christmas Caroling
Everyone is invited to share in the
fun of bringing some Christmas joy to friends and neighbors in the area on
Sunday evening, December 14th. We will meet at the church at 4:30, go
caroling and then return to the church for a soup supper. Come join us!
Heart for Cambodia
Nathan and Brianna Martin are currently the
pastors at Salem Friends. They developed a heart for unreached people
groups during seminary and plan to leave for Cambodia in July. They will
work in church planting efforts to encourage and equip Cambodian pastors and
to serve in children’s ministry. The Martins will be sharing with us in
Sunday School and Worship on December 28th. A love offering will be
taken for them, along with our regular offering that Sunday. For more
information you can check out their website: www.heartforcambodia.com
Christmas Program
Practice
Christian Ed. will have program practice for the children and youth,
preschool thru the OK Class, on Sundays, December 14th and 21st right after
Morning Worship for approximately one hour. A light lunch will be
provided before the practice.
Christmas Adopt a Family
With your help our church family
can make Christmas merrier for 3 households this year. Lisa, 31 years
old, attends MCC studying psychology to be a counselor or psychologist.
Her daughter, Samantha, is 5 months old. Doris,
75 years old, is a widow lady living alone. Carin,
49 years old, is single and works in the laundry room at Villa del Sol.
The poster in the entryway lists
the gifts they have requested. Take a sticky note as your reminder and
sign your name on the line so we know the gift is covered. When you
purchase the item, attach the note to the gift and return it to the church by
Dec. 18. Margaret will wrap gifts, if that would be helpful.
If you’d rather not shop, you can
donate funds for their food box and personal items. Thanks in advance
for sharing Christ’s love with those in need.
Monthly Mission Support Update
Judy
Davis reports that support for her trip to Kaimosi
in January is fully funded!! She thanks all who invested in her work
and asks that we remember her in prayer while she is volunteering at the
hospital thru April.
Since
our year of support for her doesn’t end until March, it was approved by
Monthly Meeting that our 3rd Sunday giving in Dec-March now go toward paying
salaries for the nurses and doctor at the Kaimosi
Hospital.
Thank Offering Report
The Missions Committee thanks everyone for their generous giving to
our Thank Offering on November 23. $8,020 was raised for our four
projects and other designated missions: Lending $ to Mukuyu
Village Friends Widows, $1,015.00; Turkana vehicle and pastor salary,
$1,015.00; Cuba Work Team for hurricane repair, $1,015.00; BLFC Kids
Scholarships to Camp, $2,275.00, and $900 to our General Fund, $500 to the
Home Emergency Fund, $200 to Retired Ministers and Missionaries, $100 to Cuba
Yearly Meeting and $1,000 for next summer’s roof repair project at
BLFC. May you feel God’s blessings as you continue to pray for these
ministries in the coming months.
Library Ledge:
Christmas Inspiration
Curl up on the sofa and warm your heart and
soul this holiday with stories of the season found in our church
library. New books of fiction “Christmas Duty” and “A Time for Angels”
are available along with “Christmas Stories for the Heart” by well-known
authors including Max Lucado, Chuck Swindoll, Joni E. Tada, Philip Yancy
and more. Be reminded of Christ’s rustic beginnings by reading “The
Birthplace of the King” and enjoy family time by checking out “Let’s Make a
Memory”. The library can help you focus on the real meaning of
Christmas. Remember children’s Christmas stories and videos can be
found in the fellowship hall.
House of Compassion Report
On Nov. 21, 11 made possible a
generous meal of turkey gravy over mashed potatoes and dressing, green bean
casserole, fresh pears, carrots and celery, fruit salad, pie and drinks for
24 guests. Most was leftover from a local business party. The small count
shows word has not spread that the kitchen is fully open again.
Thanks to Royal & Paula, Johnie & Gladys, and Betty who provided food or
funds. Vi, Nathan, Betty, Ann, Johnie &
Gladys, Fern & Wayne
joined together to search for utensils and understand the new stove and dish
washer while heating and serving the meal. :-) Join the fun at our next meal
Dec. 23.
Mid-Winter Outreach Event
January 9-11
Middle River Friends Church, Carlisle
and Sleepy Hollow Sports
Park
For High School and
College age youth
For more
information:
Anthony Nieuwsma
Grinnell Friends
PO Box 507
Grinnell IA 50112
641-236-6412
newsma213@hotmail.com
Communicating the FUM
Story
In January of 2008 the FUM Web site took on a much larger role within the
organization. As the post-election violence erupted in Kenya,
Friends around the world looked to FUM’s online
presence for updates on the violence and the peace work that followed.
The planning stage of a new Web site was already in the works, but the
importance of the Internet in communicating the FUM story took on new
heights.
The new site is divided into centers: Welcome Center, Giving Center, News
Center, Mission Center and Shopping Center, enabling you to find what you are
looking for without having to scroll through pages of old news. Visit
their Web site and read the latest news and updates about Friends around the
world. www.fum.org
Congratulations!
We send our congratulations and
best wishes to Mark Willits and Sheila Shervey who
were married on November 15th at their home in Woodland Hills, CA.
Congratulations also to Mark on passing the California bar exam for lawyers!
|