Fall Kick Off

for Our Sunday School &

DEEPER Programs

Saturday, September 6th

6:15 pm, BLFC

Hot Dog Roast & S’mores

Outdoor Movie -“Mercy Rule”

Bring a lawn chair & join us

for the food, fellowship & movie!

~

New Sunday School Year! 

This year we are encouraging everyone to continue with the intergenerational theme that we created this summer.  Everyone is welcome in every adult class no matter your age. 

*“5 Things God Uses to Grow Your Faith” by

  Andy Stanley, led by Loren Peters.

*A study of James led by Joe Feltz.

*A study of 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles,

  1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, & 1,2,3 J

  John led by Rick Bachman.

*The Children and Youth, HS age and under,

  will have age specific classes.

*A nursery is available for children 3 & under.

Join us for an afternoon & evening

of worshipping God through music!

Saturday, September 13th

A Concert Under the Sun

Praise Bands, 3:00-5:00 pm

Supper & Band Networking, 5 - 6 pm

Drinks, walking tacos, brats, hot dogs,

etc. and ice cream will be available.

Profits will support mission projects.

A Concert Under the Stars

6:00-7:30 pm

Various musical guests &   performances.

Don't forget your lawn chairs!

Finding Rhythm

By Pastor Manny

          What’s the difference between a bunch of random noise and a beautiful song?  I’ll give you a hint; it’s the same concept that helps our lives move away from a chaotic series of random events and toward something more manageable and purposeful.  The word is rhythm.  Rhythm has been defined as a movement or procedure with uniform or patterned recurrence of a beat, accent, or the like.  In life, rhythm is the idea that even though many events are unpredictable there can be those anchoring elements in our schedules that bring us back to center and remind us that this life is not our own.  Creating and maintaining a rhythm of life can be the difference between a stagnant and declining spiritual life and a vibrant and growing walk with God.

          When you really think about it, it’s quite silly that we schedule work, hobbies, dates, and sporting events (I’ve even been known to work my day around a particular TV show that I’d like to watch and I know I’m not alone in that!), but when it comes to things that will impact our eternal relationship, the only one that will survive our earthly existence, we are okay with cutting corners and making excuses.  We are creatures of habit.  Don’t believe me?  Think about a typical morning in your house, I can almost guarantee that you can name every step of your morning routine nearly down to the minute.  If we are to make genuine strides in our spiritual growth, if we really want to know Christ at the level we say we do, if we are dedicated to be His disciples, then our routines need a makeover.  We have got to find a way to create some “holy habits” in our schedules.

          Jesus was our ultimate example of how to live and Jesus had a rhythm of life.  Jesus often retreated to prepare for specific parts of his ministry and once he was prepared, he went out to and served in a manner only someone who had spent time with God could do.  The example Jesus left for us looks something like this:

You can see that each portion of the circle leads into the next.  Living in and owning each part of your journey feeds and nourishes the next part.  It’s what Eugene Peterson calls the “unforced rhythms of grace” in his paraphrase of Matthew 11:28-30, “Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.  I’ll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

          The truth is, there are things we all know will help us in our faith walk; reading scripture, prayer, worship, etc.  But, there is so much more to the life God wants us to have.  The world wants to defeat us, it wants us to be tired and burdened all the time, and in those moments we need to find a new rhythm, a rhythm of grace.  The lesser-used disciplines can benefit us greatly in these times; silence, solitude, fasting, and simplicity are just a few of the special notes that we can add to the song of life to create a beautiful rhythm.  Not only will adding these practices to your schedule benefit your rhythm, they will add a whole new element of melody and harmony to your life that is sure to energize your faith and strengthen your connection with the Living God.

          There is so much more to be said about this concept, but my space is limited.  With that said, if you feel that your life could benefit from creating some rhythm then I would love to sit down with you and prayerfully take a look at what that might look like for you.  Don’t treat your spiritual growth like it’s just a random series of unpredictable events, take charge, create rhythm, and be intentional about seeking His face, His will, and His path for you.

“Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we’ve thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We’re banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.”

1 Timothy 4:7-10 (MSG)

HOC Meal Report

On August 28, 11 provided a meal for 100 guests! The count had been 100 or more 2 other nights this week. Our menu: goulash, green beans & bacon, tostado chips & salsa, mixed fruit, applesauce, cucumber/onion/tomato salad, angel food cake with cherries, cookie bars or frosted graham crackers, milk, & coffee. Several people thanked us for the good, filling meal.

          Join us next month on Sept. 25.  I promise you’ll be blessed for the time you give.  -Margaret Good

Thank You!

The House of Compassion Supply Closet Team wants to thank you for contributing school supplies at your church.  It helped make the School Supply Project successful again this year.  With your help we were able to collect supplies and give out 881 backpacks/bags at St. Paul’s and upwards of 100-150 additional Ziploc bags filled with supplies at HOC the following few weeks (no backpacks).  Thanks so much for helping to make the beginning of school so much more enjoyable for many students!

Some Statistics from the HOC

It’s been a busy seven months at the House of Compassion and we are so thankful for our community partners who donate their time, goods, and financial support.

Statistics (averages per month) for the first seven months of 2014:  *581 families/1961 people per month use the Supply Closet.  *1762 meals a month are served by 223 volunteers each month.  *An average of 38 different people spend a total of 256 nights per month in the overnight shelter. *199 different people have used the shelter this year. *Client services (medical prescriptions, dental vouchers, and other one-time expenses) average $3930 per month.  This is what we do at the House and why we are so grateful for your support!  Karen Frohwein, Director, HOC, Marshalltown, IA

USFW Fall Retreat

Deneen Ahumada is looking forward to having the Fall Retreat at Mesquakie Friends Church, near Tama, on Saturday, October 11. Mark your calendars and watch for more information about Native American dancers and traditional food such as fry bread.

Since Iowa will be hosting the 2016 USFW Triennial, we need to begin raising funds.  Individuals and/or USFW groups are asked to bring Blessing Baskets to Fall Retreat to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.  (Bring your checkbooks!) Baskets will make nice gifts, so you might think ahead to Christmas.  The funds raised will help defray some of our Triennial costs...and create a fun activity for all involved.

Remember in Prayer

~Agape Ames & direction for that ministry

~Sam & Becky Barber as their stint ends in

  Belize; finalization of the adoption of their

  foster children; and the need for financial

  support and a job for Sam in the US on

  their return.

~All students beginning a new semester

~Sunday School classes & DEEPER Program

  which begin in the next week.

~The Van Orman Home in Marshalltown, our

  mission emphasis for September.

Other Opportunities for Spiritual Growth

On September 8th Bangor Liberty Friends will begin hosting the Barclay College Leadership Institute.  At 7 pm on the first Monday of each month gifted teachers from around the world will share insights and challenge us to continue to seek first the Kingdom of God in all that we do.

Manny will be leading a new Spiritual Formation group each Wednesday this fall following DEEPER (8:15-9:30 pm). This group will focus on in-depth study of Jesus and his rhythm of life while learning to create a rhythm of spiritual growth in our own lives.  We will begin with the reading and discussion of the book Invitation to a Journey by Robert Mulholland.  If you wish to take part in this group please contact Manny.

A Bible study called Molded meets the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month.  The focus of this group is to walk slowly through the Gospels, paying special attention to the life of Jesus, his disciples, and those he came in contact with.

Bangor USFW

Bangor USFW ladies will meet September 9, 1:30 pm at Jeanette Roe’s home in Clemons.  The program is yet to be determined.  All ladies are welcome.

DEEPER Program

Our Wednesday night DEEPER program will return on September 10th with a 6:15 meal and 7:00 classes for all ages. There will be two groups for adults to choose between, nursery care for preschool and babies, a class for K-4th children and separate times for middle and high school youth.  .  Classes for adults-The Purpose Driven Life led by Joe Feltz & a DVD Series, Radical, led by Loren Peters.

This year we will have a fellowship meal every week.  A free-will offering will be collected.  Come join us on Wednesday nights for fellowship, fun and spiritual growth.  It all begins Sept. 10th!

Discovering God’s truth

Enduring with one another

Encouraging & lifting each other up

Praying for one another

Exemplifying Christ to others

Recruiting other to Christ

Liberty USFW

Liberty USFW ladies will meet on Thursday, September 18th at Rosalee Patten's home at 7 pm.  All ladies are welcome to attend.

Mission Emphasis for September

          Our mission emphasis for September is the Quakerdale Van Orman House in Marshalltown.  Check out the pictures and information on the Missions bulletin board in the church foyer and plan to give funds for this ministry during the missions offering that will be taken on Sunday, Sept. 21st.

IAYM Family Camp - Sept. 26-28

            Registrations are available in the church foyer for IAYM’s Fall Family Camp at Quaker Heights.  The early bird registration date has passed; all registrations are due by Sept. 15th.  Bangor Liberty will be worshipping at Camp on Sunday, Sept. 28th with no services at BLFC that morning.

2014 BBQ Showdown & Kickball Tournament - October 4th at BLFC

          Anyone interested in participating in the first ever BBQ Showdown may sign up in the church foyer.  The Kickball Tournament will start at 2 pm with meat ready to serve at 5 pm.  Donations made to your favorite meat entry will benefit those youth who are attending the Friends Summit 2014.  Contact Chris Evertsen for more details.

Library Ledge by Kristy Albright

Books New to Our Library this Month--Did you like The Road Less Traveled from our library?  You may also like Further Along the Road Less Traveled or The Road Less Traveled and Beyond also by M. Scott Peck, MD.  Maybe The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis, Believing God by Beth Moore,

Joshua, The Homecoming by Joseph F. Girzone, A Biblical Standard For Evangelists by Billy Graham, or try the Being with God series by Graham Cooke: When the Lights Go Out, God Revealed & Drawing Close. Also Light for my Path Prayers & Promises.

Or try from our library books by Billy Graham, Ann Graham Lotz or Franklin Graham.  If a book from our library, encourages you, or affects you in any way that you would like to share, you may write a brief description on the colored index cards and pin them to the board.  It is reminiscent of a mini book report we used to write for grade school, assisting others when they try to decide what books they may want to read.

Bumps in the Road

A couple weeks ago, I mentioned that I had a bad cold and had been in bed for almost 3 days.  Well, I still have some serious drainage, and I’ve gone through about 10 boxes of Kleenex.  I may start to resemble Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer.  The week before, I mentioned that we received some news that we did not want to hear.  After I said it, and after talking with a few other people, I realized that I should have clarified.  The prayers were needed for my parents.  They are going though some difficulties in their marriage and really need prayer.

Also, last Friday evening, we were driving east of Union, heading toward Conrad, and at one of the big curves in the road, there was a man in a car looking frantic and a motorcycle on its side and a man lying in the ditch.  It had just started raining and I’m guessing he just lost control, ending up in the ditch. I don’t know the outcome of the situation, but he and his family could probably use our prayers too.

Those are just things that are “bumps in the road.”  Those are things that get in our way and seem to put a stop to things.  As I was lying in bed, almost dying (or so it felt), thinking, “Why did this decide to hit me now?  Things are going great, and there is so much more I could be doing.”  Maybe that’s what I needed, to realize the speed at which life was going for me.  Maybe I needed to slow down.  Maybe I needed 3 days to push “pause” on my life and just be available.  I think we all have moments in our lives where we just need to push “pause.”  Sometimes the things in our lives are heavy.  Sometimes we just need to give it up.  I was reminded of this scripture this week:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

So the next time a “bump” in the road appears it might be a blessing in disguise.  God has a plan for it.  “Our ways are not His ways.”  We might not understand why God uses something like sickness or a marriage of 38 years needing help or a motorcycle accident for good, but He has a plan.  When I understand and know that God has a plan, it gives me great encouragement to know that something I see as a negative can be used for His glory.

              -Kris Smitherman, Youth Pastor