Bangor Liberty Friends Church

More Than Words

            A few weeks ago I was reflecting with some friends about my days as an intern for Camp Quaker Heights.  It was my second year of interning, around the middle of May, and I had a pretty big task to be completed in the next few days before our first campers arrived.  The previous year we had purchased our first big above ground pool for the camp and of course along with the pool came a bunch of new insurance regulations.  The top one on the list was that there had to be a gated fence around the whole pool area to keep kids out when there was no lifeguard on duty.  My task was to build the fence.  So I measured out the area, figured out the supplies I needed and started my project with much determination that it would be the best fence that the camp had ever seen!

There was another boy, about my age, who started helping me with the project about half way through digging my postholes.  We had about 25 holes to dig, each one needing a bag of concrete dumped in it and a post to be set.  As we began working, which was our first experience working with each other, my helper exclaimed, “I may not know a lot but one thing I do know is how to work!”  I must say that these were very good words to hear him speak and I was encouraged that with the two of us working hard together we would be done in record time. 

            The two days that followed turned out to be two of the most frustrating days I have ever experienced working with someone.  It seemed that every time I was in need of an extra hand my helper was not paying attention, leaning against the pool with a hand dipped in the water, or wandering off somewhere.  There was almost always a tool in his hand, but he almost never used it!  And every time I would call him back from his day dreaming or wandering around he would almost always say, “Yeah, there are a lot of things I don't know but one thing I do know is how to work.”  Those words came out of his mouth at least once every hour and after my day and a half project stretched into 4 or 5, I was way past my limits of patience with the young man and his empty words.  As I look back I really don't know how I kept from telling him what I really thought of his ability to “work.”

            The frustrating part of that whole process was working with someone who claimed something over and over but never once gave any evidence that it was true.  So what about us Christians?  It is so easy to proclaim with words things about our faith, but an entirely different thing to actually live them out.  James 3:13 says, “Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let him show it by his good life.”  This is one of my favorite verses because it helps keep me grounded.  It is so easy for me to become frustrated with others and their words that don't match their lives.  This verse makes me compare my words with my life to see where I do and don't live up to what I claim.  Take time to examine yourself, or ask someone you trust to help you and see how well the faith you claim matches the life you live.

                                    Pastor Nathan

Remember In Prayer     

~Lucas Messelli, our summer Youth Intern

~Sam & Becky Barber & family in the U.S. for the summer

~Nathan & Brianna Martin in Cambodia ~Victor & Brenda White at Mesquakie Friends

~Our Concert Under the Stars, July 18th

~Youth Group fundraising for Washington trip in July

~Our VBS - for the kids & volunteers

~Our Prayer Partners

A Voyage of a Life Time

At High Seas Expedition (August 8-12) kids explore the mighty love of God on a journey that will change them forever!  It will be filled with swashbuckling Bible adventures; incredible music; wild games; amazing crafts; lip-smacking snacks and movie time with Chadder Chipmunk. 

Plus we’ll help kids discover evidence of God in everyday life with ‘God Sightings’. The fun starts at 6:15 and ends at 8:35 p.m.  Sunday-Thursday, with a final program on Friday.  Invite kids age 3 through grade 6 to join us.  There’ll be a separate group for teens as well. 

Remember to pray for the volunteers and children.  All are welcome on this awesome adventure through God’s Word!

*Mission note: We will be collecting school supplies for the House of Compassion School Supply Giveaway during Bible School.  Our church has been asked to help supply the following:  wide line notebook paper, colored pocket folders, erasers, 3 ring notebooks, wide line washable markers, scissors, colored pencils, facial tissue, spiral notebooks, black & blue erasable pens.  Watch for sales to help fill the school bus at church.

HOC Meal Report

On June 24th 19 from BLFC provided a meal for 76 hungry guests.  Our menu was cheesy egg casserole and sausage links, seasoned potatoes, green beans and bacon, peas, mixed fruit, pudding, cookies, milk, iced tea and coffee.  Many thanked us for the good food. 

Volunteers were Bob and Veronica, Neil and Peg, Don and Joyce, Bill and Rosalee, Nathan and Shandra who provided food or funds; John G, Diane, Johnie and Gladys, Ann N, Rebecka K, Levi and Ramona who were in the kitchen.  It was busy, but our good crew made it a fun evening.  Join in the fellowship next month – July 29.  You’ll likely be blessed for your service.

Capsule Sermons

-The first step to getting the things you want out of life is to decide what you want.

-In life as in golf, it’s the follow-through that makes the difference.

-Never expect good news in an envelope with a window.

-Our attitude toward life determines life’s attitude toward us.

-Life isn’t so much about where you’ve been, but where you’re going.

-To teach your children the value of today’s dollar, you’d better hurry.

-Bad habits are like a soft chair - easy to get into, but hard to get out of.

-You can never be hurt by what you have not said.

-The two hardest things to handle in life are success and failure.

-Never trust a forecaster who keeps looking out the window.

-Don’t exercise by jumping to conclusions.  Do it by digging for the facts.

Everyone is Invited!

Bangor Liberty’s

Concert Under The Stars

Sunday, July 18

6:30 p.m.

  Enjoy an evening of relaxation as you listen to music from the church family and local talent.

Homemade cookies & ice cream will be served after the Concert

Bring lawn chairs for seating.

Mission News   

Tim and Ann Kendall have been appointed as Directors of the MOWA Choctaw Friends Center in Alabama.  It was God's perfect timing when they learned that Tim and Ann were concluding their mission ministry in Haiti where they had served with Global Outreach International since 2002.

Originally from IN, the Kendall’s have worked in ministry most of their lives.  Tim's parents, Keith and Judy Kendall of Indiana Yearly Meeting, served as Executive Secretary of ACFIA.  Ann's parents, Phil and Lee Herr, were the founding Directors of the Choctaw Friends work under the Associated Committee of Friends on Indian Affairs.  They come to Mowa Choctaw with their family of six children.

Interns are helping with a weekly summer reading program and checking out the inventory of learning software and the conditions of the computers.  Prayers for the adjustment of these new directors would be appreciated.

The Barbers are thanking God that their teacher at the Boys School in Belize had a healthy baby boy on June 20.  Sam and Becky will be sharing in worship at BLFC on August 8th.

90th Birthday Celebration

for Evelyn Sparks

July 18, 2010

Methodist Church Fellowship

Hall, 1036 7th Street, Nevada, IA

2:00-4:00 p.m.

No gifts please!

Kid Funnies

Four-year-old Tucker attended the Vacation Bible School at our church.  The theme was “Discipleship and Saving Mother Earth.”  His mother asked Tucker what he had learned.  He immediately told her all about “Jesus and the 12 recycles.”

Bouncing out of her first day in the church nursery school a three-year-old girl gleefully informed her mother:  “We had juice and Billy Graham crackers!”

Bangor USFW

            The July meeting will be Tuesday the 20th at 1:30 at the home of Donna Williams in Marshalltown.  Jeanette will provide refreshments and Margaret will bring the lesson.

Specials & Blessings

Contact Don Davis during the months of July and August if you would like to volunteer a special/blessing for Morning Worship or if you would have a suggestion.

Friends Disaster Service News

Just a reminder that in only two weeks it will be time to gather at Eldora to shingle the Providential home(s), July 13-17 (Tuesday - Saturday).   Come for one day or five to be a part of this exciting project.  No reservations are needed (just show up) but the cooks would appreciate knowing how many they will be cooking for.  If you want to bring your RV, full hookup campsites are available at Quaker Heights @ $15 per night.

One house is at the corner of 12th street and 18th avenue (#1718).  The other is at 906 - 14th street. Contact Arlen Daleske or Dennis White (563-379-2744) with information about what day or days you will be working and how many will come with you, or for more information.

“Bringing the Good News”

Isaiah 52:7-8

Iowa Yearly Meeting’s

Annual Sessions

Thursday, July 29th through

Sunday, August 1st

at William Penn University

Schedules and registrations are available at the church.  Patrick Nugent will be

the speaker for the evening and Sunday morning services.

IAYM News - Sabbatical Leave

            Our general superintendent of Iowa Yearly Meeting, Ron Bryan, has been given approval for a sabbatical leave of approximately 10 weeks this fall.  It is his intention to make a four-week visit to Africa the main focus of his sabbatical.  Ron has written a letter, posted on the bulletin board in the foyer, which outlines his travel plans, with a request for our monthly meeting or individuals to consider praying and financially supporting this extended visit to Africa.

            While in Africa Ron will visit Friends Theological College, visiting and traveling with students to their mission projects and home churches; visiting southern Tanzania with John Muhanji to speak with churches that were once an organized Yearly Meeting; traveling with John Muhanji to Turkana and the Friends work there; and being one of the keynote speakers at the Pastor’s Conference in Tororo, Uganda in December.  Lots of traveling and many ministry opportunities!

            Financial gifts for Ron’s travel and living accommodations in Africa may be sent to the Yearly Meeting office earmarked for the Ron Bryan Sabbatical Fund so they may be recorded for full accounting purposes.  Address: Iowa Yearly Meeting, PO Box 657, Oskaloosa, IA 52577.  

Library Ledge:  ‘Laugh A Little’

            Doctors say laughter works wonders for their patient’s health and well-being.  When I person laughs, endorphins are released.  Laughter is one of the most inexpensive, non-fattening, contagious ways to relieve stress!  Pastors declare the most effective Christians find something to laugh about no matter what comes their way.

            Erma Bombeck knew the importance of laughter. She said, “If I could live my life over, I would have laughed more.”  Amidst the drudgery and toil of life, if we can learn to laugh, we can learn to live, to press on.  Laughter is hope!  Check out some laughs this summer.

            Also look for new library donations to be available in the entryway during July.

Thank You!

As we begin a new church year it seems like a good time to say thank you to all who help this church function and carry out what we feel God has called us to do and be about here in this rural community.

 Whether you serve on or off a committee, are part of our Praise and Worship Team, are a Song Leader or Pianist, or if you teach Sunday School or a Wednesday Night class, are a Youth Leader, or if you provide nursery care or food for meals or our House of Compassion outreach, are an usher, or provide computer technology skills, or run the sound system, we thank each and every one of you.  Without each of you we do not function as well, and we thank you for your faithfulness, dedication and hard work. 

Mesquakie Friends Center

            Thanks to several BLFC bakers, more than 24 dozen cookies were taken to the Mesquakie Friends Center camp held at Pilgrim Heights Campground June 21-25.  Also several bags of paper plates, napkins, cups and paper towels were delivered for their use.  Your donations were enjoyed and appreciated by both children and staff.

            Victor and Brenda write:  “Thanks for stepping up and giving us a boost in the way of much needed cookies and paper products.  All went well and we had just the right amount of everything.  There were 30 in attendance and enough counselors to cover areas where we thought we might be needing help.”