The Bangor Liberty Bell
Sharing the News
and Views of
Bangor Liberty Friends Church
September
2011 Volume 32, No. 9
Manny Garcia Pastor
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New Beginnings
By Manny Garcia,
Pastor
Adventure is the first of many words that comes to
mind when I think of the last few months. I have gone from a seemingly
secure youth pastorate to a state of limbo, unaware of what the future might
hold, to being the pastor of this church, and all the while I have been
preparing to enter into my first semester of master’s studies. Throw in a
move to a new community, kids starting at a new school, yearly meeting
sessions, a trip to Kansas, painting, unpacking, meeting new people, and so
many more new experiences and you can begin to understand why I chose the
word adventure.
In
the midst of this somewhat chaotic time in our family’s life, we have been
using another phrase quite a bit; that phrase is “new beginnings”. As I have
considered this thought for the last two weeks, and even toyed with the idea of
having it be my sermon subject for my first sermon here (ultimately deciding
it was just too predictable), God has given me insight as to just how new
this beginning can be just the invitation we need to go deeper with Him and
with one another.
This
is a time that God is starting new works in our midst. He is opening us up
to experience life together with Him as the center. This blend of
personalities and desires and gifts and flaws and needs and callings is a
brand new formula. Perhaps we aren’t far off from where you were before my arrival
but simply adding one new person or family to the mix creates a whole new
paradigm and God knew that when he called us here and when he called you to
enter into this new beginning with us. My prayer is that our foundation as a
church family is laid in the most rigid of forms so that as we begin to build
on top of it we are firmly bonded to Christ and to one another. This can
only happen if we are open to experience life with one another, more than on
Sunday morning, more than on Wednesday night, God is calling us to be the
body of Christ in this area and in order to accomplish that call we must be
deeply invested into each other’s lives.
In
this time we can also enter into new beginnings in our personal spiritual
journeys. It’s possible that your faith has been tested and tried in the
past few months. It’s probable that you are weary and somewhat broken at
this point in your spiritual life. Even if the events of the past several
months haven’t caused strain on your walk with God, the mere slow pace of
summer and the temptation to “take it easy” could be intruding into your
spiritual growth. This time can be a new beginning in your dedication to
your spiritual health and in your desire to grow closer to God. I have
chosen to abandon the things I was attempting to do at my last church because
the turmoil I was experiencing caused me to fall away from the purpose of my
actions and I found myself simply going through the motions or at times not
even trying.
This
is a new beginning in my life, my ministry, and my spiritual formation. I
have found such blessing in starting anew with God in the past few weeks.
Giving Him all the confusion, chaos, and disorder of the recent months and
receiving His peace “which transcends all understanding” (Phil 4:7) has
strengthened my faith and my resolve in Christ. Is God calling you to a new
beginning? If so, I ask that you join me on this journey. Together we can
begin to experience deeper intimacy with God, deeper relationships with one
another, and as a result be salt and light to middle Iowa, the surrounding
areas, the Judea(s), Samaria(s), and to the ends of the earth.
Remember In Prayer
~Manny, Jenalee,
Syler, Chasley, Elena, and
Ciela as they
continue to settle in their
new home here
and make new friends.
~Local school
districts’ teachers, staff & kids
as they’ve
begun a new school year.
~College students
back on campus
~The Mesquakie
Friends Center near Tama,
Victor &
Brenda White, Directors
~The Kaimosi
Hospital and staff in Kenya
~Sam & Becky
Barber & family at the
Friends School
in Belize as they have
begun a new
school year.
~Mowa Choctaw
Friends Center in Alabama
and their after
school program
~House
of Compassion, clients, staff, &
volunteers
Fall
Kickoff for Sunday School
You
are welcome to join us for Sunday School at Bangor Liberty on Sunday mornings
at 9:30! Whatever your age or wherever you are at in your Christian walk we
have a class for you! New studies for the children and youth begin on Sunday,
September 18th.
Let’s
grow in the Lord together, and encourage one another!
Thank you to all who have
contributed to our parsonage roof project. The new steel roof was installed
the middle of August.
BLFC
Family Camp 2011
“Pioneer Camp,
Living the Past Today”
at Camp Quaker
Heights, September 9, 10, 11th.
Friday Night Meal, 6:30
p.m.
Meat, drinks and
chips provided by the Committee.
Bring salads,
sides or desserts.
Walk of Faith with
flashlights & more
Saturday - lots of activities- devotions,
crafts, petting zoo, 1800’s dress up with props & photographer, pie
judging contest, pie eating contest, lots of games, races, a chuck wagon
evening meal, movie and bonfire.
Sunday - Worship will be
held at 10:30 a.m. At 11:30 a congregational picture will be taken. Lunch
will follow at noon.
Registration has
closed for cabins and meals, but everyone is welcome to join us for daily
events. Come and enjoy time at camp and with our church family. This would
be a great time to get to know Pastor Manny, Jenalee and kids!
Attention
Parents
The
Children’s Church program, which meets in the fellowship hall twice a month
after the children’s message, has been expanded to include those who are age
4 through grade 5. Nursery care is available for children under
age 4. We’ll meet on the 4th & 18th during September.
On
the weeks when Children’s Church is not held, you will find activity sheets
and coloring pages for various grade levels on the table or choose some books
in the fellowship hall. -Margaret Good
Bangor USFW
Our
fellowship will begin at 1:30 on September 20th in the home of Donna Williams
in Marshalltown. Shirley Landt will bring our lesson and Barbara Jo Morgan
will provide refreshments. All women are welcome.
Join us on September 14th
to Kick Off our BLFC
Wednesday Night Program
at 6:00 p.m.
Hot Dog Roast, chips,
dessert and drink provided.
Hayrides after meal.
All ages welcome to join us
for this time of food, fun
and fellowship!
*New studies begin on
Wednesday, September 21st
at 7:00 p.m.
Liberty USFW
Sharon
Johnson will host the first meeting of the new year for Liberty USFW in her
home on Thursday, September 22 at 7:00 p.m. Helen Settle will provide
devotions.
Missions
Mesquakie Friends Center,
Tama, IA
The following from a recent newsletter
sent by directors, Victor and Brenda White: “We continue our regular programs
year round. It makes for weary bodies since we don’t take a summer break,
but we don’t lose connection. Our Wed. Kids Club remains strong while Sunday
Worship drops. There is a constant battle going on for the lives of our
people.
Vincent Baptiste from OK came as an intern
in April and stayed through July. With a rebellious group of 5th-6th
grade boys, he first tried being stern but found expressing a gentle love
brought better response and calm.
The annual camp brought almost 50 kids
from IA, WI and OK together. The presence of the Holy Spirit was constant
and spoke to our young people. Six came to be new believers! Those
returning to WI read their Bibles and asked questions during the trip.
Each month approx. $8000 is needed to meet
our budget. This includes upkeep, salary, medical insurance, retirement,
etc. We know our time at the Center is drawing short due to health reasons,
but we know God is preparing someone to pick up and He will be faithful to them
as He is to us. Please pray about this with us. We praise God for you who
support God’s work!”
Mission
Trip to Belize Friends School, Thanksgiving 2011
The IAYM Missions Board is sponsoring a
short-term mission trip to Belize to accomplish several work projects at the
Friends School, which was started 30 years ago. They also want to encourage
Sam and Becky Barber, directors of the school as well as staff members and
students. The mission trip scheduled for November 21-28, 2011 is open to
anyone interested in doing a short one-week mission. Probable work projects
are a lot of painting, repairing and painting a classroom ceiling, and
sanding and refinishing a floor.
Approximate
cost for the one-week stay is $675, plus an airline ticket running around
$900, for a total approximate cost of $1,575, with a $200 deposit to be sent
to IAYM Missions Board by September 15th. A passport is required. A short
biography is needed along with your leading about going to Belize. One and
one-half days will be spent on excursions to the largest living coral reef in
the world, and a visit to Mayan ruins.
Questions? Contact Dr. Tanya English at
319-325-4325 or by email at drenglish@blest4today.com. Let’s remember the Barber Family, staff and
students at the Friends School in our prayers, and for all who will be
involved with the mission trip.
PandaMania VBS Finale
It was a lively, energy-filled week with a
total of 41 children coming for at least one night with a nightly average of
31 and 25 terrific staff. We learned that God made us; listens to us;
watches over us; and loves us no matter what! (Thank you, God!).
Two Bibles were given to kids
who didn’t have one. Many school supplies were collected for the HOC
give-away. During the week $75.00 was donated for the Kids for Kids goat
project. At the program $244 was collected and shared between HOC and the
Kids for Kids. Thanks for the time, prayers, and financial gifts given! Free
CDs of photos are still available at the church. You’ll want to see all the
fun we had!
Volunteers:
Please complete your evaluation sheet. Your input will be helpful for next
year when we’ll likely be looking up to the ‘Sky’ and learning that with God
everything is possible!
Friends
Disaster Work Project
Friends
Disaster Service has been asked by the Board on Mesquakie Friends Mission to
partner with them to maintain and repair the Mission near Tama. Can you
commit some of your time on September 16 and 17? The tasks are to paint,
stain, and weather-seal two decks, give two roofs a new coat of paint, repair
and re-install a wind-damaged barn door and fix a wooden fence.
It
is not necessary to bring tools, but it would be helpful to have weed
whackers and paint rollers with extension handles. Meals will be provided
Friday noon-Saturday noon. This is your chance to not only visit the Mission
but to be involved and encourage directors, Victor and Brenda White.
HOC
School Give Away Review
On
August 13 and 15, 865 backpacks with supplies (390 in the first hour) were
given out to families in need in Marshall County. Supplies (without
backpacks) continue to be given out at the HOC supply closet. Currently the
total is 983 with the expectation of going over 1000. The children loved
getting new things and the parents wrote heartfelt notes of appreciation for
these donations. Thanks for your part in making this program possible.
Library
Ledge: Prayer
Power!
God cares deeply about each and every one
of our problems and is just waiting for us to come to him with those
problems. The Bible tells us to constantly bring our problems to our Heavenly
Father. Prayer is not to inform God of something that He may not be aware of
or to try to convince Him to love us more. He already knows our needs and He
has certainly shown his love. Prayer's purpose is to assist us in building
our relationship with God.
During
September the library ledge will remind you of the Power of Prayer. The
Power of a Praying Parent instructs us to turn to God and place every
detail of our child’s life in His hands. If you would like to work with God
in raising your children, this is a great guide. No matter your child’s age
it’s never too late to pray.
A
Passion for Prayer seeks to help us develop a prayer habit and a more
effective prayer life. This book will challenge you to move from where you
are with your prayer life to a deeper more intimate experience with God.
Visit our church library this month for more to encourage your prayer life.
HOC Report
On August 25, 12 from BLFC provided a
generous meal for 65 guests. Menu was creamed chicken on biscuits with
smashed potatoes, peas or corn, mixed fruit or applesauce, various cookies,
and drinks. We received lots of compliments and appreciation. 10 people were
staying in the shelter. Thanks to all of our volunteers for food or time.
Come join the fun on September 29 at our next meal. You’re sure to receive a
blessing.
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