Come into His Presence
If you were to ask me whether I valued my time with God, of course I would say, “yes.” I would hope that most Christians would have the same answer because God is our Father and Creator. As Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 3, “The Lord is faithful, He strengthens us and guards us from the evil one.” So of course I value my time with God, I need his faithfulness and strength and guard in my life. My answer to this question was quick and easy but I was challenged this past week to examine and re-evaluate my answer. Talk is cheap and at the end of the day when all is said and done usually more has been said than done!
We need to look at our faith daily and check whether what we say is in line with what we do. Ephesians 3:12 says, “Because of Christ and our faith in He, we now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.”
This is such a powerful verse because Christ gives us the ability to finally be in the presence of our God! Remember that God was in the garden along with Adam in the beginning? We were created to be in His presence, and He wants us to be in His presence! When it all comes down we find that how much we value our ability to be in God’s presence is measured by the time we set aside for prayer with Him. I don’t want to just be a “talker” in my faith; I want to be a “doer.” The amount of time that we set aside to be with God each day is the true measure of how much we value Him. Don’t let things of lesser importance come between you and your Heavenly Father this month but come into His presence boldly with confidence through Christ.
Blessings, Pastor Nathan McCracken
Upcoming Special Events
Spring ServicesRon Bryan, Iowa Yearly Meeting Superintendent, will be guest speaker at our Spring Services on Saturday evening and Sunday morning, March 21st and 22nd. The Saturday evening service will begin at 7 p.m. with fellowship and a refreshment time afterwards. Childcare will be provided for the evening, and a special offering will be taken. On Sunday, March 22nd our Quaker Men will host a breakfast at 8 a.m. that is open to everyone. Ron Bryan and Bill McCracken will share about their trip to Lugari Farm in Kenya. During the Sunday School hour Ron will share a power point presentation by Dr. Tom Clegg, guest speaker at Pastor’s Short Course. Ron will speak again in Morning Worship and a potluck meal will follow. A special highlight for Saturday and Sunday will be special music by Spencer Thury and a group of students from William Penn University. Invite your family and friends to join us!
Guest SpeakersOn Sunday, March 29th Sam and Becky Barber will at BLFC to share about their upcoming move and work in Belize. They are from Oskaloosa and have been employed at Vennard College until the college closed at the end of 2008. Because of that closing they are on an accelerated plan to serve in Belize where they will be the new Directors of the Friends Boys School. Sam and Becky both have education and Bible college degrees. They have four children, ages 6 to 16. They are excited about this new direction God has given their family and look forward to serving in Belize. A special offering will be taken for their support. The Family Camp Committee will be serving a meal afterwards for a free will donation.
All-Church Bowling PartyOur Christian Ed. Committee is sponsoring an all-church Bowling Party at Totem Bowl in Marshalltown on Sunday evening, March 15th from 5-7 p.m. Everyone is invited and encouraged to bring a friend. Christian Ed. will cover bowling costs.
Crocodile Dock VBS Where Fearless Kids Shine God’s Light No matter what the weather is like today, it’s time to start thinking about Vacation Bible School! Mark your calendars for the evenings of May 31-June 4. The Christian Education Committee desires that each of our church families be involved in some way to achieve the goal of ministering to at least 50 children! Be in prayer as to how you can help with this important ministry to our church and community. A signup sheet will be coming around. See Margaret Good with your questions.
Thank You! Special thanks to our Family Camp Committee for all their work serving delicious fundraising meals each month for our Fall Family Camp at Quaker Heights.
Thank You “You helped me when I really needed help. The microwave is awesome, the plant is doing great and I love starting my crock-pot before work and coming home to a meal at midnight. When someone compliments my new earrings, I’m quick to tell them about my new friends at Bangor Liberty. Thank you all! -Carin, adopted at Christmas through HOC
Dear Bangor Liberty Friends, Thank you for connecting with the wider body of Friends through the 2009 Chain of Prayer. Your participation in the Chain of Prayer has helped make this one of the best we’ve had with nearly 90 meetings participating across the United States. With this many people praying we expect great things to happen in our projects around the world and in your local meeting. Our staff have felt your support and been encouraged by your participation and we are glad to count you as a partner in the work of Friends United Meeting. Sincerely, FUM Office Staff
Dear Bangor Liberty Friends, We just wanted to write and thank you again for your prayers, the encouraging visit we had, and your generous offering towards our support! Thank you also for the beautiful Valentine! What an encouragement to know even your children are thinking and praying for us! You have been such a blessing to us. Nathan and Brianna Martin
Thank you for your practical gifts of love to our neighbors. In these hard times people need the Supply Closet more than ever. We are seeing increased numbers. Thank you for your generosity! HOC Supply Closet Team
News from FUMGeneral Fund Campaign 2009 Goal: $210,00 Nearly 25% of FUM’s income comes from individual donors like you - Friends with a vested interest in learning, caring, loving and serving. Individual contributions to the General Fund are essential to the continuation of daily operation in the Richmond and Kisumu offices, without which the work we do would not be possible. Be assured that each and every gift received by Friends United Meeting is cherished and used wisely in the fulfillment of our mission. If you have never made a donation to FUM, please prayerfully consider supporting the General Fund. If you are an occasional donor, why not become a regular monthly supporter? If you already give monthly, thank you! Each of you is important to the health and well being of Friends United Meeting. Your continual prayers and consistent financial support make all our efforts possible.
HOC Supply ClosetMarch is our month to contribute to the HOC Supply Closet. To help you remember the items needed, just think of the letter “D”. It will remind you of Detergent, Dish soap, Drugs – over the counter medicines, and Dollars to be spent on other needed items. Children’s ChurchChildren age 4 through grade 4 are welcome to participate on March 8th and 22nd. Our service projects will be to show thanks to our Sunday school teachers and youth group leaders and create care packages for HOC shelter guests.
Minor Prophets Bible StudyWhy study "The Minor Prophets"? Because in them we learn about… a.) the nature of God, His holiness, justice, righteousness and mercy… b.) the workings of God, as He dealt with nations, bringing judgment upon the guilty...which can help us in our relationship with God today, giving us comfort and hope to face the future, knowing that God is in ultimate control! Join us on Monday nights @ 7:00.
Liberty USFW Ladies of Liberty USFW invite adults of the congregation to a Shamrock Pot“lucky” to be held at the church on Wednesday evening, March 11th beginning at 6 p.m. Please let Kay Feltz know if you plan to attend. The BCLUW Chamber Choir will share special music at 6 p.m., with the meal and fellowship to follow.
Bangor USFWLadies of Bangor USFW will gather at Fern Tuttle’s on March 17 at 1:30. Barbara Jo Morgan will bring the program and Margaret Good the refreshments. The Thank Offering will be collected for support of the Advocate magazine and the mission work in Belize.
Blizzard Blast 2009 MIDDLE SCHOOL 5th-8th Grade LOCK-IN 7 pm - 7 am March 13-14 $25 per person Marshalltown YMCA & 1st Friends Church Pick up and Drop off at 1st Friends
Easter Week Services - April 9, 10 & 12 -Maundy Thursday Service, 7 p.m. -Good Friday Service, 7 p.m. -Easter Sunday Sunrise Service, 7 a.m. at Royal Ranch, weather permitting -Easter Breakfast, 8 a.m. at the church -Sunday School, 9:30 a.m. Worship, 10:30
Secret Prayer PartnersCan you guess who is praying for you? Let’s come together as we hold each other up in prayer. This activity will be for a six-month period. You will not know who is praying for you except that women will pray for women and men will pray for men. Participation includes daily prayer, a note of encouragement once a month, and recognition of special occasions. We will have a celebration at the end of the 6-month period where secret prayer partners will be revealed. Sign up sheets are in your mailboxes. Sign up continues through March. Give your sign up sheets to Pastor Nathan.
Queries for Monthly Meeting continued…. 2. Are all meetings for worship and for business duly held, and are you regular and punctual in attending them? Do you come with heart and mind prepared for communion with God and fellowship with one another? Do you individually assume your rightful share in the responsibility of the work and worship of the meeting?
Library Ledge: During the month of March you’ll find biographies displayed. Following are just a few of the varied personal stories available for you to enjoy, receive inspiration and challenge. Bad Girls of the Bible and 10 Girls who Became Famous are based on the lives of biblical women. Though None Go With Me follows Elisabeth Grace Bishop through her life, which stands as an "experiment in obedience" to God's will. Carver’s George tells how this orphaned slave boy became a man with a self-effacing personality and an artistic sense that brought goodness from everything he touched and made him truly a master of things. Rebel With a Cause - In this book on tape, Franklin Graham tells his story of how God has taken his life and turned it into His Glory. Also check out these newly donated library materials in the entry way: “5 Minute Devotionals for the Fast Lane” and “Pray with Me” are both CD’s for easy use in your car; “Seven from Heaven” by Kenny & Bobbi McCaughey; “The Beloved Land” by Janette Oke; a novel “The Stain”; and “Sunday in America” a beautiful picture book.
Iowa Ladies Spring FlingSaturday, April 4, 10:00 a.m. Lynnville Friends Church Theme: Listening Prayer Speaker: Gayle Mortimer of Middle River Friends Cost: $10, which includes lunch Registration deadline is March 23rd
Save the Date!Concert Under the Stars at BLFC Sunday, July 19, 2009
Inner Circle Promise presents: An evening of Christian music - True Emotion and Broken Point of View BCLUW High School Gym Conrad Saturday, April 4th at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the door For tickets call 515-229-8064 or online at A free will offering will be taken.
Why Have Bible Study Together? Small Group Bible Study? Why do I need that? I can study the Bible on my own! And yes, you can study the Bible on your own. In fact, you should! A small group Bible study offers a place to connect with other believers, making you part of a family. And when you're in a family you learn to love others, for better or worse. It also offers a safe place to get your questions answered. As a group, you can determine to research and find answers to questions that cannot be answered in your regular meeting times. And aren't two or three or more heads better than one? Each week, as people share answers to prayer, you'll be built up in your own personal ability to trust God to meet your needs. “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25 NIV)
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