Chapters of the Book
One of the best analogies for the life of a church is that we are writing chapters of a book. Some previous chapters highlight certain generations; others relate to world events (WWI, WWII, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, Desert Storm, etc) and how the local church responded; a number of chapters would focus on past pastors; or cherished chapters may recount the local church's efforts in standing beside its members during tragedy, crisis or loss. These chapters may contain overlapping information which is stated precisely the same or we might flip back through the pages and ask, “Could that possibly have happened at the same time, in the same church, during that pastorate while the world was in such a mess?”
Early chapters are for reference and remembrances that stir the soul to new heights, seeing the power of God manifested in the lives of common people like you and me. Those chapters should be embraced for the good, which God accomplished with imperfect people, like us. In reading the Bible we read of God using people who were considered below righteousness (Rahab), individuals regarded as kings or saints (David, Peter), and humans that did inhumane things (Paul). We give those people a pass and understand how it all worked for God's Glory in the end. Yet, we find it hard in our chapters to affirm God's working in the lives of people (remember, like us) who have come up short, missed the mark and sinned during our church lives. We find it difficult and sometimes impossible to acknowledge that specific individuals could on one page exhibit only the best in Christ-like living and then in the next paragraph or chapter display character unbecoming of a follower of Christ. We rejoice in God's Grace to reign in the lives of such individuals in the Bible who are now dead, we need to allow His Grace to be just as available to people in our present days who have lived with us.
Bangor-Liberty Friends is not defined by the past sins and shortcomings of prior pastors or members. What people have remembered and will continue to remember are the redemptive acts and expressions of Christian kindness.
The pages of the book are building to the conclusion. One sentence, one paragraph, or one page does not complete a book. We must continue to “write” in order to get to the end, if we continually stop and try to make the past the present we miss opportunities to create fresh and redemptive prose. Arlen Daleske, Interim Pastor
Remember In Prayer~ Kaimosi Hospital and staff ~Sam & Becky Barber & family as Becky & their children are in the US, Sam and 3 foster kids remain in Belize this summer. ~The Kenyan Peace Curriculum & for a good maize crop which will pay for the curriculum when it’s finally approved. ~Those living in areas of the U.S. devastated by tornadoes and flooding, and the nation of Japan as they work to rebuild their lives and homes. ~Foreign affairs and relationships ~House of Compassion - for all who work & volunteer there - and for all the clients they serve.
Concert Under the Stars Bangor Liberty Friends Church Sunday evening, July 17th, 6:30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to join us as we gather on the church lawn to enjoy an evening of music and praise!
Homemade Ice Cream and Cookies will be served after the Concert
Remember to bring lawn chairs or a blanket for seating on the church lawn.
We Thank God for His Goodness!We are glad to report that we have a new pastor coming to minister with us the middle of August. Manny Garcia has been a full time youth pastor for Middle River Friends here in Iowa for the last two years and comes to us very highly recommended. His visit with us on June 19th confirmed these reports and the rapport that was established was further affirmation of God’s leading in bringing him and his family to us. We will tell you more about Manny, his wife Jenalee and their children, Syler (10), Chasely (7), Elena (4) and Ciela (15 months), in the next Bell. Please keep them in your prayers during this time of transition.
Family Camp - Sept. 9-10-11, 2011The Family Camp Committee is asking the church family for any pictures of family members who might have attended Bangor or Liberty churches many years ago. They plan to make copies of the pictures for a display for our Pioneer themed Family Camp, September 9-10-11. Contact Janet Klein, Beth Moore or Jolene Nolta for more details.
Thank You!Brenda White of Mesquakie Friends Center said to tell everyone at Bangor Liberty a big thanks for the yummy cookies and the generous supply of paper goods you gave for the Soaring Eagles Camp recently. They had 30-35 energetic kids, including 11 from Wisconsin. Their Bible activities were in the morning and afternoon was fun time. On Monday they were all going canoeing.
Bangor USFWWe will meet at the home of Ramona Willits on July 19th at 1:30. Our program speaker will be announced in the bulletin. As usual, all women are welcome.
You Are Invited!On Monday, July 25th at 1:00 p.m. the two representatives from Cuba Yearly Meeting to FUM Triennial will be sharing at Chuck and Ann Nichols’ home at 2015 Wardview Rd, Marshalltown. If you plan to attend, please give Ann a call at 641-752-1931 or 641-485-2948.
Come Celebrate!!Ramona’s Pre-80 BashHosts: Her Three Sons, Kim, Brent & Brad Phone: 281-216-4030 When: Sunday, August 7th, 2-5 p.m. Where: English River Church of the Brethren 30700 Highway 22, South English, IA 52335
A Message from the HostsJoin Ramona Willits’ “Three Sons” as they celebrate her birthday. This year is the big 8-0. WoW! Since December 12 can be chilly for the snowbirds, we decided to have some fun in the sun and celebrate it Iowa-style. Join us in creating a special day for Ramona to long remember.
Please Note These Changes in Dates!
-August Monthly Meeting will be held Sunday, July 31st after Worship -September Monthly Meeting will be held Sunday, August 28th after Worship
Reasons to Volunteer for PandaMania (Group Forum) 10. Eucalyptus wouldn’t be the same without Eu! 9. Spending time with kids is FAN-tastic! 8. You can Oh PANDA door to a child’s heart! 7. It’s all BLACK and WHITE – we need your help! 6. You’ll get to help kids on their WOK with God! 5. We can’t be BAMBOO-zled by all those pandas! 4. Our kids give the greatest BEAR hugs! 3. You will get to ex-PANDA your horizons! 2. The FORTUNE you get from working with kids- Never crumbles! And the final reason FUR you to volunteer… 1. We’ve got BAMBOO, we don’t need another stick in the mud!
Join the adventure each evening August 8-12! Invite kids age 3 through grade 6 and see Kris or Margaret to volunteer for a stuPANDAous week!
Missions - The Kenyan Diet Judy Davis writes the following about the diet, which the people at Kaimosi Hospital enjoy. “The Kenyans think about food in 3 groups: Body Building Foods (proteins), Protective Foods (greens, vegetables, fruits), Energy-Giving Food (starch). Sukamawiki is one of the few green leafy vegetables from the kale family. They cut it in thin strips and cook it with onions and tomatoes. It has a bitter taste. Often they eat fried cabbage which is not as nutritious. Sukumawiki grows like brussel sprouts. The best part of Kenyan food is their fruits! They have the best bananas and they eat them raw or cooked. Pineapples and oranges are too costly. They have avocado trees in their yards. Mangoes are a treat for most Kenyans and usually we buy them in Kaimosi. The only fruit locally available are bananas, avocados, and guavas and occasionally papaya. I keep a bowl of cut up pineapple and mangos and add bananas daily. For protein the main stay is eggs, ground nuts, beans and green grams which are little round green beans. I try to eat an egg every day, however recently the price has doubled. Kenya is facing high food prices, which will be very hard on the poor. The energy group is ugali. They will also eat white rice but they don't think it fills them up. They also eat cooked bananas. Another starch is cassava, which has no taste just like ugali. Now you have had your food lesson for the week.” As you pray for Kaimosi Friends Hospital and give financially on the 3rd Sunday monthly, you can now think of them eating the foods Judy has shared.
Library Ledge - “Laugh a Little…or a Lot!” Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” Your cheerful attitude can make a world of difference on the outcome of your circumstances, and make it easier to get through the hard times. Filling your mind and heart with good clean laughter is better than any medicine and a lot easier to swallow. Your cheerful attitudes can also affect the way people feel when they are around you. Have you ever been around someone who is laughing really hard, yet you don't know why they are laughing, and then you start to laugh. Their laughter rubs off onto us, and we become happy. Good clean laughter is the best kind of medicine. It helps bring about inner healing as well as our faith and trust in the Lord. Check out some laughs in our church library this month. A few examples are: Seriously, Life is a Laughing Matter, Holy Humor, Walk Cheerfully the Middle Road, Life on the Lighter Side, She Who Laughs, Lasts…and many more. You’ll also find DVD’s and books-on-tape. Let’s take the medicine of laughter together this summer!
*A Short Note from Jean Bergen, HOC director: The House of Compassion only helps with financial assistance for medical needs. If a person other than Jean Bergen ever approaches you with a request for funds for HOC, remember that she never sends someone to do that. She always contacts churches or individuals personally.
Save this Nation In the days of the Civil War, a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln was a visitor at the White House. “I had been spending three weeks with Mr. Lincoln as his guest. One night I was restless and could not sleep;…from the private room where the president slept, I heard low tones, for the door was partly open. Instinctively I wandered in, and there I saw a sight which I have never forgotten. It was the president, kneeling before an open Bible;…his back was towards me. I shall never forget his prayer: ‘Oh, thou God, that heard Solomon in the night when he prayed and cried for wisdom, hear me. I cannot lead these people, I cannot guide the affairs of this nation without thy help;…O God, hear me and save this nation.” -copied
God’s GraceThe grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn’t have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid, I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us. It’s for you I created the universe. I love you. There’s only one catch. Like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you’ll reach out and take it.
-“Do not feel totally, personally, irrevocably responsible for everything. That’s my job.” -God -The important thing is not to think much but to love much. “Our theology should enable us to see God as one in whom we can trust. If we can laugh in a crisis, that is one way of saying that God is in charge.” -Tom Mullen |