Bangor Liberty Friends Church

 Investing In God’s Plan

By Pastor Manny

On Sunday during our monthly meeting I felt led by the Holy Spirit to start a conversation that, no matter the outcome, will change the way we do youth ministry at Bangor Liberty Friends Church.  It has been evident for some time that our youth program is leaving much to be desired by our youth.  That’s not to say that our volunteers aren’t doing a great job, because they are.  This is just evidence of the great amount of time and effort needed to build the proper relationships for discipleship and spiritual growth to take place.

It’s easier to explain in terms of my time here at Bangor Liberty.  For the last 6 months my primary goal has been getting to know as many of you as I can in deep, meaningful ways.  In 6 months I feel like I’m 25% of the way there.  It takes incredible amounts of time to get to know someone, earn their trust, and then offer adequate spiritual leadership.  Ministry has morphed from what was once a “take him on his word” acceptance of a pastoral leader to a very deep relational experience.  We want to truly know the people that are called to lead us in any situation.  We want to know they care for us, they know what they are doing, and that they are willing to make us a priority in the big picture.  This truth is even more evident in youth and young adults.  This is ministry 2012.

I met with Christian Ed several weeks ago and we picked up the conversation about the future of youth ministry at Bangor Liberty Friends Church.   As a former youth pastor it is more evident to me than most that youth ministry is the lifeline to longevity in ministry for any area, but even more so in a rural setting such as at Bangor Liberty.  I have had strong leadings on where this conversation needed to go but have been waiting on affirmation before sharing these leadings, mostly because, like I said, it means changing the way we do things and sometimes that’s scary.  I feel as though the last several weeks have offered that affirmation, through conversations with several people and most of all through the incredible peace that I feel from God on the topic.

Right now our youth are in decline, not only in numbers but also in interest and desire and from what I can tell, in spiritual growth. There are many reasons for this but none more evident than the lack of someone able to invest fully into their lives.   Right now our youth meet with 3 or 4 different people each week, none of which are available to do much more than they already are which leaves a gap in the relational ministry that young people need, a ministry of presence.

So what’s the answer?  Where does this conversation need to go?  I feel as though God is prompting us to enter into a serious conversation about hiring a part-time youth pastor.  At the end of January’s monthly meeting a letter was read stating that Bangor Liberty Friends would be receiving funds from a portion of an estate left to us.  Sunday those funds were received and it would be fair to say that there is enough there to create a part-time youth pastor position for 3 to 4 years without any burden to the general budget.  This would give us time to evaluate if this is an ideal fit for our church and to make the financial commitments necessary to see it continue at the end of the 3 to 4 year time period.  I am certain that in this time not only will we see spiritual fruit in our youth but also fruit as a result of new youth coming into our midst and new families following their youth.  I have said from day one that I feel God calling us to be a beacon of light for the surrounding communities and there is no doubt in my mind that this could be a huge bulb in that light!

It was shared several weeks ago, before we knew the details of this financial gift that "something special" should be done with this blessing.  What could be more special than investing in our children and youth?  We need to show the youth of this church, and the youth in the communities we serve that they are important.  Please pray for God’s leading and share your thoughts and feelings with me or someone on M & C.  It is a big commitment but we owe it to our current youth and to the 20+ children we see up front nearly every Sunday to at least pray about it.  God bless!

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’"  Matthew 19:14

Remember In Prayer

~Those with ongoing health issues-

~Those who are caretakers for family

    members with health issues

~Our secret prayer partners

~The presidential primaries & caucuses

~Brianna Martin, serving in Cambodia,

    having thyroid health issues.

~All who are ill with flu or other “bugs”

~Sam & Becky Barber & Family in Belize

~Morgan Martinez & her InterVarsity work

    in Atlanta

~Nathan, Brianna & Jacob Martin, Cambodia

~The Mesquakie Friends Center-The Whites

~The Kaimosi Hospital and staff in Kenya

~Mowa Choctaw Friends Center in Alabama

~House of Compassion, clients, staff

Children’s Church

          Children ages 4 through 5th grade are encouraged to meet in the fellowship hall after the Children’s Message on February 5 & 12.  Lessons will encourage the children to build Godly character.  Our service projects will be to make valentines of encouragement for our mission workers and remind the congregation to support the food box. 

Forward Movement

All youth, 7th-12th grade, are invited!

Forward Movement Youth Group,

Sunday, February 19th

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!

Liberty USFW

            Ladies of Liberty USFW will be serving the South Hardin Kiwanis Sweetheart Supper on Thursday, Feb. 16th at 6:00 p.m. at the church.  Ladies are asked to be at the church by 5:30.

Bangor USFW

           Ladies will gather at Ann Nichols’ home on February 21 at 1:30, when Betty Arterburn will bring the lesson.  All women are welcome for the fellowship.

Quaker Men Family Banquet

          Quaker Men of Iowa will hold their annual Family Banquet on Saturday, February 25th at noon at the William Penn Student Union dining hall.  Randy Bixby will be guest speaker.  He is an international conference speaker, co-founder and director of the Convergence Center and the Chaplain for the State Legislature of Iowa.  Music will be brought by Anthony Nieuswma and the Grinnell Friends Praise Band.  At the end of the day there will be pie auction of 25 pies!

Reservations are needed by Feb. 15th.  The price is $10 per member for families, $11 for singles and $12 at the door.  Order your tickets from Chuck Nichols.

BLFC Family Night

Wednesday, Feb 29th

Pinewood Derby Races

BLF Church

Bring appetizers & snacks to share at 6:00 p.m.

Races involving cars made from kits begin at 6:30 p.m.

Come cheer for your favorite car!

Prizes will be awarded for different categories.

Please Note:  All derby cars

MUST be weighed in on Tuesday evening, Feb 28th,

6:30-7:30 p.m. in the church fellowship hall

Friends have opportunities to join others in prayer for concerns

for our families, our church, communities, nation and world at BLFC -

every Sunday morning at 8:45, meeting in the high school Sunday School room

or on Monday Evenings at 7 p.m. at the church.

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

There’s something for all ages - Nursery thru

Adult!  Come join as we grow in the Lord together.  Meals are held on the 2nd & 4th Wednesday night of each month.  We will take a quick break in February, not meeting on Wednesday night, Feb. 15th, and will resume on Wednesday, Feb 22nd.  On Wednesday, February 29th a Pinewood Derby Night-Family Night will be held.  Everyone is invited to this evening of food and fun beginning at 6 pm in the fellowship hall.

A Reminder

Our 3rd Sunday mission offering supports the Kaimosi Friends Hospital through March. The need is still great. The main medical problems are obstetric complications, caesarian sections and fractures. Some unusual problems include a lady with typhoid and one with cerebral palsy. 

Your donations provide for medicines, utilities, and help with salaries for nurses and other staff.  Salaries are miniscule in comparison to what we expect, yet these go a long way to feed and care for families of staff at Kaimosi.  $225 covers a nurse’s salary for one month; $100 covers patient fees for five days; $30 provides health insurance for a family for one year.

          A comment from FUM: “Your gifts nourish the work in Kenya just like the life-giving rains.  Your support helps us to encourage signs of new growth and give hope to Kaimosi Friends Hospital.  We thank you for the consistency of your contributions and prayers.”

SKY VBS:  Kids discover that everything is possible with God!

No matter what the weather is like today, it’s time to start thinking about Vacation Bible School!  Mark your calendars for the evenings of July 16-20.  Be in prayer as to how you can help with this important ministry to our church and community. 

Consider the following needs: crew leaders, staff devotions, Bible leaders, set designers, games leader, transportation, missions, registration, nursery, snacks, and lots of floaters.  Also be praying about the children you can invite!  See Margaret to volunteer or to learn more about this outreach opportunity.

Library Ledge:

Marriage Support

            Wondering what to get your loved one for Valentine’s Day?  How about the gift of time?  You could enjoy reading and discussing a book together!  A Very Good Marriage, by Tom Mullen would be a good start.  Or pick up Dating Your Mate or 60 One-Minute Marriage Builders for other creative ideas.  You and Your Husband’s Midlife Crisis; 5 Love Languages; 60 One-Minute Marriage Builders; The H.I.M. Book can all be found on the Library Ledge.

            A good marriage doesn’t stand still.  Like our relationship with God, it needs to grow or it will become stale.  Take a growth spurt in your marriage; check out a book or book-on-tape found on the library ledge.

HOC Meal Report

On January 26, 18 from BLFC provided a meal for 60 guests.  The menu was sloppy joe sandwiches, French fries, mixed vegetables, fruit salad, cabbage salad, apple dump cake, frosted vanilla wafers, angel food cake, milk, juice and coffee. One lady said it was the best meal she’d ever had at HOC! 

It couldn’t have been possible without our faithful volunteers: James & Sharon, Tom & Pat, Mark & Darlene, Craig & Marlys, John & Gladys who provided food or funds; Betty, Wayne T, John & Gladys who prepared; Craig & Marlys, Jenalee & Syler who served, and Joe, Kay & Daniel handled clean up.  Come join the fun February 23.  You’re sure to receive a blessing.

Upcoming Flying Eagles Basketball Games

          The Flying Eagles of Quakerdale will have basketball games at the South Hardin High School in Eldora at 7:00 p.m. each of these evenings - February 9, 13, 14, 25.

Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children.  Let’s cheer them on!  A fun and easy way to give support to a local mission work! 

Take Note:

Young Friends 2012 Camps at QH

Little Fry (K-2) June 8-10

Fry Camp (2-4) June 3-6

Fox Camp (5-6) June 24-28

Jr. High Camp (7-8) June 10-15

Sr. High Camp (9-12) June 15-20

College Weekender June 1-3

*Choosing which camp to attend is now determined by the last grade completed.  (exceptions may apply)

*Students who have completed 2nd grade can choose to attend Little Fry with a parent OR independently at Fry Camp.

Prayer is a practice that blesses.  Worship is a habit that refreshes.  Love is a gift that expresses.    -copied