The Bangor Liberty Bell
Sharing the News
and Views of
Bangor Liberty Friends Church
November
2011 Volume 32, No. 11
Manny Garcia
Pastor
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What is Spiritual
Formation Anyway?
By Pastor Manny
I was thinking the other day that while I have really put a lot of emphasis
on our being spiritually formed in the image of Christ I have not taken time
to explain in detail what spiritual formation is. Dallas Willard,
in his explanation of this topic begins by saying, “everyone is in the
process of spiritual formation.” To be sure, we are all being formed
spiritually by what we allow to enter our lives, the choices we make, the
people we encounter, the reactions we have to certain happenings, and so many
other things. Just as a child develops physically and learns to speak
and interact with others we, as Christians, also learn to live, speak, and
love in a more Christ-like way or else in a way that is farther from the
image of Christ each day.
The
actual process of spiritual formation is not a formula or paradigm that we
can choose to say, “today I will start the process of spiritual
formation.” It is, rather, a process we are already involved in.
Taking a more intentional role in this process by realizing that our everyday
lives are taking us closer or further from Christ is the key to what Robert
Mulholland shares in his book, Invitation to a Journey, “we are being
shaped into either the wholeness of the image of Christ or a horribly destructive
caricature of that image.”
Spiritual formation, the term might be a newer concept but I assure you that,
while the term itself is newer to the scene, the theory and practice of
spiritual formation is very scriptural. God has been imploring us to be
Christ-like since Old Testament times; “I am the LORD your God; consecrate
yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by
any creature that moves along the ground. I am the LORD, who brought
you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy (Lev
11:44-45).” And on this side of the cross He still calls us to this
lifestyle; “for it is written: "Be holy,
because I am holy (1 Peter 1:16).”
The
disciplines that foster spiritual formation are as numerous as the
personalities of the people on earth. Prayer, Scripture reading,
fasting, solitude, silence, worship, and the like are among the anchors we
can practice to enter into His presence and allow His light to reveal those
areas that are farthest from the image in which we were created but there are
also other ways in which we can allow God to form us and thus become more
deeply in tune with His will for our lives and the good works that He has
prepared for us to do (Galatians 2:10). Be creative and be true to the
personality God gave you. If you are a lover of the great outdoors then
perhaps a hike in the woods or a silent retreat to a stream or lake might
place you at His feet. If you are a writer or art lover then maybe a
more hands on approach to the Holy of Holies would speak to you best.
The fact is there really isn’t a wrong way to allow God to shine His light of
love on you. The proper method isn’t as much about the place or action
as it is the heart.
The
vision God has given me for the ministry He has called me to here at Bangor
Liberty is to help ignite a deep desire to be conformed into the image of God
among our entire fellowship and then to see that passion and desire spill out
onto the surrounding areas. I dream of Bangor Liberty becoming a beacon
of hope and love for Iowa and a center for spiritual formation that brings
His Kingdom closer to us each day. God is still in the business of
reconciliation, renewal, and awakening. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and
sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not
conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His
good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1,2).
Go “DEEPER” with us
on
Wednesday evenings!
Discovering God’s
Truth
Enduring with one
another
Encouraging &
lifting each other up
Praying for one
another
Exemplifying
Christ to others
Recruiting others
to Christ
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Dear
Friends, I just wanted to take a minute to write and thank you for your
continued support in so many ways. Your prayers are felt and your
partnership a tremendous blessing as I continue to build the partnership team
I need to work full time on campus here in Atlanta. Please continue to
pray, as I know He listens to your prayers and is a faithful God! My
Dad and the monthly Bell keep me informed of how to be praying for you, and
please feel free to send prayer requests as I would love to be praying
specifically for you and to hear from you. I long to see you all and
hope it will be soon.
For His Kingdom and by His grace,
--Morgan (& Mario) Martinez
Winter
Weather Reminder
Because we do not wish to have anyone involved in any kind of accident during
inclement weather, we would encourage people in our congregation to use their
own judgment on whether or not to drive to church for Sunday Services or Wednesday
evening studies. Services will be held on Sunday morning for those who
wish to or are able to come, unless there are extreme blizzard conditions or
power outages. Wednesday evening services, on the other hand, will more
than likely be cancelled in case of bad weather.
HOC Meal
Report
On
Oct. 27, 22 from BLFC provided a generous meal for 64 guests. Our menu
was vegetable beef soup, crackers, rolls and butter, shredded cheese, fruit
cup, cottage cheese, celery, carrots, Halloween cupcakes, walnut cookies,
pumpkin bars, milk and coffee. The hot soup was appreciated on the cool
night.
Volunteers were Diane R, Bill and Rosalee,
James and Sharon, Ray and Robin, Chris, Johnie and Gladys, Scott and Mary who
provided food or funds; Bob, Jeanette, John, Gladys and Betty who helped
prepare, Vi, Wayne, Scott, Mary and Jennifer who served, and Joe, Kay, Daniel
and Vi who stayed for clean-up. Come join the fun on November 30th.
You’re sure to receive a blessing.
Check Us Out on--
Facebook & Twitter!
www.facebook.com/blfchurch
www.twitter.com/blfchurch
O Give thanks unto the
Lord,
for He is good. -
Psalm 136:1
Annual Thank Offering Service
Bangor Liberty’s annual Thank Offering
Service will be held Sunday, November 20th at 10:30 a.m. with a potluck meal
afterwards. The Missions Committee has chosen the following projects
and asks us to prayerfully consider how blessed we are and how we can share
with these mission areas or with other work that we may feel called to
support.
· $500 to the House of Compassion Adopt-A-Family
Christmas program
· $300 to the Union Food Box
· $200 to the Mesquakie Friends Center for Christmas
gifts to the children
After
the above $1000.00 is set aside the remaining undesignated offering
will be divided equally between:
· Salaries for Sam & Becky Barber, directors of
the Belize Friends Boys School
· Scholarships for our kids to attend Quaker Heights
summer camps
· An income-generating loan project for a Friends
woman’s group in Africa through Right Sharing of World Resources (more details in the
bulletin
“Each one must do just as he has
purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a
cheerful giver.” (2 Cor. 9:7) “You can give
without loving. But you cannot love without giving.” -- Amy Carmichael,
missionary to India
Remember
In Prayer
~Safety
for farmers & families as the harvest
winds down - Praises for an abundant harvest.
~Our college
students
~Morgan Martinez
and her work with
InterVarsity in Atlanta
~The Mesquakie
Friends Center at Tama &
Victor & Brenda White
~The Kaimosi
Hospital and staff in Kenya
~Sam & Becky
Barber & family in Belize
~Mowa Choctaw
Friends Center in Alabama
~House
of Compassion, clients, staff, & volunteers
Children’s
Church
Children,
ages 4 through 5th grade are encouraged to meet in the fellowship hall after
the Children’s Message on November 6th and 27th for a lesson geared to their
age range and a group project. One project will be to create Christmas
cards to encourage our mission workers in the states and around the world.
Bangor
USFW
Our fellowship and meeting will begin at 1:30 on November 15 at the home of
Betty Arterburn in Marshalltown. All women are welcome.
Liberty USFW
Ladies of Liberty USFW will meet at the church for a work night on Thursday,
November 17th at 6:30 p.m. Soup will be provided for the meal, with
ladies bringing a favorite salad, and also a pair of scissors.
Forward
Movement
All
youth, 7th-12th grade, are invited!
Forward
Movement
Youth Group,
Sunday,
November 20th
6:30-8:00
p.m.
Pastor
Manny and Jenalee’s home,
Youth,
invite your friends to join you for
fun &
fellowship at the Garcia’s!
BLFC Family Night
Wednesday, November 30th
beginning with a potluck meal
at 6:15 p.m. at BLFC
CE will provide loose meat
sandwiches-
Bring side dishes such as chips,
beans,
vegetables, salads or desserts.
Bring your favorite games or
activities
to share for a fun Family Night!
Need
a Gift Idea?
During November orders are being taken for shirts or a jacket with the
church’s logo silk-screened on them. Items available are short sleeved
and long sleeved T-shirts, short sleeved and long sleeved polo shirts,
sweatshirts, hooded sweatshirts, and a Dri Duck cotton canvas jacket with
sherpa lining.
You
may also bring in items to have them silk-screened with the church’s
logo. Order forms with pricing and colors are located in the church
fellowship hall. To have our order completed before Christmas, all
orders need to be placed by Nov. 27th.
Library
Ledge:
“Go
into all the world and preach the gospel…” Mark 13:15. The books on
the library ledge this month will challenge you to reach out to tell others
the Good News about Jesus and His love.
101 Ways Your Church can Change the World gives simple, practical and
effective ideas to help Christians reach out to a hurting world, as Jesus
did.
No matter who your neighbors, co-workers or relatives are, Lifestyle
Evangelism can help you establish common ground and build relationships
that can be powerfully used by God.
Conspiracy of Kindness tells us that God is passionately in love with
unbelievers and can win them most effectively through small acts of
kindness. These and more can be found on the library ledge.
Christmas Adopt-A-Family
Many will not have Christmas gifts this
year without our help. You do not have to be wealthy to assist a family
in need. Together our $ add up and make a big difference in the lives
of others.
The House of Compassion recommends 2-3
gifts be given to each person. $20 could buy toys for a child or a gift for a
senior citizen; $30 could provide clothing for a child; $40 could provide a
meal for a family; $50 could buy gifts for a teen; $75 could provide gifts
and a meal for a senior and $250 could provide Christmas for a family of 4-5.
If you would like to adopt an individual
or family, tell Margaret the number of people you wish to help by Nov.
15. After you are given your family, you call and let them know they
have been adopted. Then purchase their suggested gifts and a food
basket for their holiday meal and deliver these by Dec. 21.
There
will be a family chosen for our church to share. Let us know if you
would like to help by buying
just
1 or 2 gifts or providing
food for that family.
If you are unable, or prefer not to do
the shopping, you may give funds to Margaret who will shop for you. Remember
the deadline is Nov. 15. Thanks in advance for bringing smiles to
families in need.
White Gift Offering
Our annual
White Gift offering (collected at the Christmas Eve service) will be shared
between Morgan Martinez’s ministry with InterVarsity and Nathan and Brianna
Martin’s ministry in Cambodia. Look for more details in the December
Bell. Both ministries will appreciate your prayerful and financial
support.
From
the Iowa Friend
Iowa
Pastor’s Association President, Ruthie Tippen writes, “What do Mary Thury,
Victor and Brenda White, Linda Garrison, Ron Bryan, Spencer Thury and Chip
Daleske all have in common? They all love and serve God, and minister
faithfully through the work of Iowa Yearly Meeting. On campus at
William Penn, at Camp Quaker Heights, at Mesquakie Friends Center, and
through the Main Office, these Friends serve to meet the needs of individuals
and churches throughout Iowa Yearly Meeting. This Christmas, consider
sending a gift of joy and appreciation to our staff. Checks can be
mailed to Wes Blanchard, Iowa Pastor’s Association Treasurer, 12172 150th
Ave, Indianola, IA 50125. All gifts will be divided equally, as per our
testimony of equality. Thank you!
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