What are you Harvesting?
Fall is my favorite time of the year. There are times after the long winter that I really, really appreciate the warmth and new life of spring but when fall begins so many things bring back my fondest memories as a child. As a child growing up on a grain farm I always loved when the time came to harvest. We would get out our wagons and set up our augers. We would service the combine and pray that it would last the whole season this time without a serious breakdown. And I still love the smell of the fall as the leaves change color on the trees and the fields turn golden yellow and brown in anticipation of being harvested. I have so many memories that are brought back to life each fall and I love each smell and sound that awakens them in my heart. It still makes me smile to walk out in the morning and hear a dryer fan running in the distance. When I feel and hear crunchy leaves underfoot it takes me back to those three gigantic soft maple trees that in the summer could shade the whole front yard and in the fall cover it with beautiful orange and yellow leaves. I still get excited as I sit with my boys on the front deck and watch the big equipment pass slowly by the house, making its way to the next field that is waiting to bless the owner with a bountiful harvest. Then God pricks my heart and asks, “Nathan, what about your harvest?” Hmmmm, as I sit and look at my harvest I see a much different one this year than in years past and I thank the Lord! My harvest is my marriage that is healthier than it has ever been before and it is because I have been sowing a new love from my heart into my wife's. Love that is unselfish and humble and comes from a heart devoted to God. My harvest is found in my two little boys because we are planting seeds of love and discipline in their lives and they are producing a beautiful crop of love and laughter. My harvest is in the spiritual health of my family because in our hearts Jesus tells us we need Him and with His help I lead them. And my harvest is all the blessings that God has given my family this year because we allow Him to guide our hearts in how and where we give. The reason that my harvest is much more bountiful than in the past is because God is teaching me the right seeds to sow and the heart that I should be sowing them with. So many of the seeds I was planting in my life didn't come from the Lord. I was planting selfishness in my relationships instead of having a servant’s heart. I was focusing on my paycheck that comes every two weeks until God reminded me that if I am sowing to harvest just money I will have nothing stored up that moths and rust can't destroy. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” One more thing that I learned from my childhood: When it came time to harvest there was never anything to reap where we did not sow. If you want a bountiful harvest, in whatever area of your life, you have to sow good seeds and those seeds only come from God. Seek Him in your planting season and He will bless you greatly as you harvest.
So, what are you harvesting this year? Pastor Nathan
Remember In Prayer~Our farming community for a safe and bountiful harvest, and for good weather. ~Our college youth ~Our Prayer Partners ~Sam & Becky Barber & family in Belize, their financial funding is low at this time. ~Morgan Martin reaching out to students on the Coe College campus through InterVarsity. ~Nathan & Brianna Martin in Cambodia ~Victor & Brenda White, Mesquakie Friends Center ~Other FUM Missions
4th Annual Homeless Awareness Sleep Out!
Saturday, November 6th at the Iowa Veteran’s Home, Marshalltown, Iowa
The Iowa Veterans Home is sponsoring its 4th Annual Sleep Out to raise awareness of homelessness in our community. We would like to invite all the members of the Marshalltown Area Christian Community to join them on Saturday, November 6th, to spend an evening of fellowship at the Iowa Veteran’s Home, 1301 Summit Street. Bring a tent, tarp, or lawn chair and join us. One of the main goals of this event is to encourage donations to the House of Compassion in Marshalltown.
Event Schedule for November 6th. 5:00-6:00 p.m. - Registration and set up (under 18 must be with an adult) 6:00 -7:00 p.m. - Meal 7:00-7:30 p.m. - Short presentation on Homelessness 7:30 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. - Sleep Out
Did You Know? -23,808 people are homeless daily in Iowa -14,068 are families with children -18% are employed but do not make enough to make ends meet
The Marshalltown House of Compassion needs cash donations and personal care items for its Supply Closet. Bangor Liberty has a special emphasis during two months of the year when we help fill the shelves of the Supply Closet - October and March.
HOC Meal Report On September 23, 14 provided a generous meal for 45 guests. Our menu was turkey gravy on mashed potatoes, rolls, green beans & bacon, peaches or pears, pumpkin pie, apple pie, chocolate pudding pie or vanilla pudding pie w/bananas, milk and coffee. One lady stopped by the window before leaving and said “I know when Bangor Liberty serves it will be a good meal. You never disappoint.” A man was especially thankful for the hot meal after spending part of his day working in the wind and rain. Thanks to all who make it possible for us to help with this ministry. Our next meal will be October 28.
Signs & Wonders -Actual sign seen at a gas pump in a BP service station in Florida: “WARNING: Do Not Leave Pumps Unattended. You are responsible for Spills.” -copied
Children’s Church We’ll meet in the fellowship hall after the children’s message on October 3rd and 24th. Service projects will be to honor our Pastor and his wife and encourage our college kids with care kits. Children, age 4 - grade 4, are welcome to participate. Your help will be needed to bring items for the college student boxes. Sign up in the entryway at church or see Margaret.
Fill the Closet – Easy as A, B, C Each month over 500 (640 in August) needy individuals or families can choose 3 items from the Supply Closet that cannot be purchased with food stamps. While needs are growing, donations are shrinking. In Oct. BLFC joins other churches to fill the shelves. To help you remember the needed items just think of your ABC’s: A-aspirin; B-baby shampoo & baby diapers; C-cold medicine - kids & adults; D-dish soap, detergent & dollars. Take home a grocery bag from the entryway and bring it back with any of these items by Sunday, October 31. Thanks in advance for your generosity.
Specials & Blessings Contact John Good in October or Kay Feltz for November if you would like to volunteer a special/blessing for Morning Worship or if you would have a suggestion.
Art & Compassion Soup Luncheon Sunday, Oct. 10, 11:30–1:30 p.m. Fisher Community Center (709 S. Center St) Marshalltown, Iowa
For $10 you choose a beautiful, handcrafted bowl to keep, and enjoy a soup lunch of smoky chicken chowder or Tex-Mex chili, corn bread, dessert bar and beverage. There will also be a silent auction of original ceramic pieces. This is a benefit for House of Compassion and Marshall County Arts. Get tickets at HOC or at the door.
Bangor USFWOur October meeting will be Tuesday, the 19th, 1:30 at the home of Jeanette Roe in Clemons. Ann will provide the program and Margaret will bring refreshments.
Liberty USFWLadies of Liberty USFW will meet at Sharon Johnson’s home on Thursday, October 21st at 7 p.m.
Operation Christmas Child Bangor Liberty’s Youth Group is collecting items for Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Toys, school supplies, hygiene items, candy, gum, and many other small items can be brought to the church by November 7th. Shoeboxes are also needed. A complete list of items that can and cannot be sent is available at the church, or you may contact Robin Willits at 849-0790. Financial help will also be needed to send the boxes.
From Ministry & CounselAfter prayerful consideration and further discussion concerning the length of our Sunday morning worship services, the Ministry and Counsel has affirmed its previous recommendation made to the Monthly Meeting for business on September 5th. Even so, we would like for those who have shared their concerns about the growing length of our worship service know that we have heard your voices. We have also tried to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, which we believe has led us in this decision of not placing a time constraint on our time of worship. Every aspect of our worship is important to someone and we want to affirm those different areas. We have songs that bring glory to our God by pointing us towards Him and what He has and can do for us and other songs that worship Him directly. We have a time for those who are hurting and have concerns to share those burdens with people that they trust to lift them up in prayer and give them encouragement. We want to encourage people to share praises about what God has done in their lives so that we can remember that He cares for us and recognize how He has blessed us as well. We also want to thank the Lord for blessing us financially and show our thanks by giving back a portion to Him through our offering, all the while being further inspired by music that keeps us focused on Him. Our children are important to us and to God and we help make them feel important by devoting a special time “just for them” with the children’s message. We also feel it is very important, if not critical, that we take time to listen to the Holy Spirit, whether that communication be internalized personally or shared with the body for everyone’s benefit. This includes whatever the Holy Spirit has laid on our pastor’s heart to share. All of this can and should take time and we believe it is not our place to tell God that we are putting a time limit on how long His Spirit may choose to lead us in worship. Although starting our morning schedule thirty minutes earlier to help accommodate for this might be appealing to some it does not necessarily work well for others and therefore we do not recommend such a change. We do recognize that people will at times need to leave the worship service before it is completed and that they should be made comfortable to feel free to do so. We would also love to encourage them to listen to the sermon on the church website or ask Isaac for a recording of it if they do need to leave before the sermon is completed. We hope that every individual of our church family can experience the true freedom of worshiping God in His Spirit. We pray that we can open our hearts to Him, draw closer to Him and allow God to more fully work in our midst. In Christ’s name, John Good, Ministry and Counsel Clerk
VBS Mission Project Report from Friends United Meeting: As of Sept. 14, $23,719.57 has been received for the Water of Life bio-sand water filters in Kenya! FUM thanks all for giving generously.
Missions Please ask God for guidance and encouragement as Kaimosi Hospital goes through the process of finding an administrator and a resident doctor. God has blessed Friends at Kaimosi this year through the gift of the new ambulance, receipt of the medical shipment and the bequest of funds to improve facilities. We know God has a plan! Hear first hand from nurses at Kaimosi at the following websites – www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNVwdx9U7Ns And www.flickr.com/photos/44802888@N04/sets/72157623243891696/detail/
Judy Davis will return to Kaimosi in January and would love to take any of the following: reading glasses, thimbles, hot wheel cars, diaper pins and plastic pants. Large or XL T-shirts are also needed to make into diapers for layettes.
In August, Quakerdale's Promise Academy welcomed the Eagles Basketball Team. The team consists of 11 young men from across the country determined to succeed in the classroom and on the court under the leadership of Coach Stan Hughes. A native of Washington D.C., Hughes has spent over 15 years playing and coaching basketball. Find their schedule and more information at: www.quakerdale.org or www.iowanewspapersonline.com/story.asp?sty_ID=3846&lstNewsPaper=159
Library Ledge: The Christian Walk During October the library ledge will display books to assist you in ‘walking the walk and talking the talk’ in your Christian life. In The Joy of Discipling, Stan Ott shows how friendship is at the heart of Christian living. When Life Isn’t Fair provides a wealth of biblical and personal insight into the reasons for pain and suffering, as well as practical help for those who hurt. In God has Never Failed me, But He’s Sure Scared Me to Death a Few Times, Stan Toler writes with humor about how God is faithful no matter how difficult your problem or overwhelming your obstacles. These and more can be found on the library ledge…you’ll find growth there.
The House of Compassion is currently looking for monitors to stay every month on certain days. If you are interested (or know someone that may be) in taking any one of these days let me know.
1st Sunday- Male & Female 1st Friday- Male 2nd Friday- Male 2nd Monday- Male & Female 3rd Friday- Male & Female 3rd Saturday- Male & Female 3rd Sunday- Female 4th Tuesday- Female 4th Friday- Male & Female 5th Friday- Male
God Bless you on your faith journey, Jean Bergen 641-752-5999 |