The Bangor Liberty Bell

Sharing the News and Views of

Bangor Liberty Friends Church

April 2017   Volume 38, No. 4

  

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

                                                                                       Matthew 16:13-18

 

“Jesus Declares War”

The above passage from Matthew’s Gospel is one that remains in dispute between Catholics and Protestants to this day.  The Roman Catholic Church uses this passage as justification for their Pope and his supposed succession of leadership from the Apostle Peter.  The Protestants look at this passage and see the rock that Jesus says He will build His church upon as Faith.  As with all matters of translation and understanding scripture, context is something that is often ignored.  Especially, when it gets in the way of man constructing his doctrines for the church. 

The setting for the events in Matthew 16 is the district of Caesarea Philippi, approximately 110 miles north of Jerusalem.  Mount Hermon is in this district in an area referred to in the Old Testament as Bashan.  Bashan is first mentioned in Genesis 14:5 and in Deuteronomy 1:4.  According to Jewish tradition Mount Hermon was the location where the “sons of God” had descended from Heaven and mingled with the “daughters of man” in Genesis 6:1-4.  With the division of the kingdom after the death of Solomon, subsequent kings built temples to Baal in the area.  The Israelites worshipped Baal instead of Yahweh at these sites.

To make things even worse, Caesarea Philippi had been built and dedicated to Zeus.  The Jews and the people who had lived in the area before them all believed that the gates of hell, Sheol for the Jews and Hades for the Greeks, were located in the area of Mount Hermon

When Jesus referred to a rock in Matthew 16, he wasn’t talking about Peter or faith.  He was talking about the rock that they were standing on at the time, the foot of Mount Hermon.  The very location of the entryway to Sheol of the Old Testament and Hades for the Greek world. 

In this moment Jesus is declaring war against evil and death.  In other words he was saying he would build His Church on top of the gates of Hell, stating at the same time that “the gates of hell will not be able to stand against the church. 

 

 

 

GOD WILL DIRECT YOUR FOOTSTEPS, BUT YOU MUST BE WILLING TO PICK UP YOUR FEET.     

 

 

 

LIBRARY LEDGE – Easter

For Easter the following books are in our library: Life is to be CelebratedRumors of the Resurrection & Suddenly One Morning.  Two of these are older books.  We have several Easter books in the kid’s section, but as important a time as Easter is, I feel we need more in our adult library.  I would appreciate any suggestions.  Thank you.

 

 

 

Plan Ahead

VBS: Sunday July 16-July20 with program on July 21, 2017

VBS Directors - Dani Junker, Alicia Daleska, & Mindy Hadley are willing to direct.

 

Mission Trip: July 23-July 30

 

IYM: July 26-July 29, 2017

 

IYM Church Camp

          June 2-4   Young Adult camp

          June 9-11  Little Fry (K-2)

          June 11-16 Middle/High school

          June 18-22 Elementary Camp

AWAKEN is the theme for the year.  More to come later

 

Christmas Children Program- Looking for a Director now.

 

Dates for serving in the House of Compassion Soup Kitchen in 2017. 

April: 27

May: 25

June: 29

July: none

August: 31

September: 28

October: 26

November: 30

December: 28

 

 

 

HOC MEAL REPORT: :

40 guests were served generous helpings of chicken nuggets, country gravy & biscuits, French fries, green beans & bacon, mixed fruit cups, coleslaw, tapioca pudding, frosted cupcakes, milk and coffee. Thanks to our volunteers who made the meal possible. (Jim, Sharon, John, Margaret, Vi, Betty, Neil, Darla, Charlene, Mike, Kim and Aiden)  Also a big ‘thank you’ to those who brought supplies for the closet during March. All was appreciated, especially the baby items.

Our next meal responsibility will be April 27.  Mark your calendar so you can be available to join in the fun of serving together.

 

HOC Meal:  Our menu for Thursday ( 27th) will be: ravioli with meat sauce, green beans & bacon, biscuits & butter, mixed fruit, frosted cupcakes & cookies.  Sign on the sheet in the entry way if you can cook, serve, clean up or donate food or funds.  See Margaret with any questions.

 

Betty Arterburn is Having a Birthday:

Open house at Glenwood Place Gathering Room Saturday, April 29: 2-4pm.

If you are unable to attend, please send cards to---

Glenwood Place Retirement Home

2907 S 6th St #110

Marshalltown, IA 50158

 

 

Bangor Cemetery Annual Meeting:

Held at BLFC April 30 at 3:00p-Thank You, Ray W

 

 

Just a Reminder about Monday night Bible study at 6:00p.

 

Let us continue to collectively pray for revival in our midst.

 

 

April 22: Camp work day at 9:00am.  General Clean up and summer preparation is on the schedule for the day.  Lunch and snack are provided and you are welcome to leave after lunch or continue if tasks are unfinished.  When the date is closer we will send more specifics via email and Facebook.

 

 

 

Nominating Committee reports openings on the committee.  Please pray for these positions to be filled with people who have the right gifts, motives, and heart.

 

 

Dates to remember!!

         

          April 27-29: Friends United Meeting (FUM)       Board meets in Richmond, Indiana

          April 29:  USFW Spring Fling.  At  Lynnville    Friends.  Cost $10

          May 21: Tentative Grand Reopening Celebration           for Davenport Friends: New Beginnings

·        Camp Dates

o    June 2-4: Young Adult Camp

o    June 9-11: Little Fry Camp(k-2)

o    June 11-16: Middle/High School Camp(7-12)

o    June 18-22: Elementary Camp(3-6

·        June 25-July 1: Kaleo Academy!  High School students attend with a mentor. Website  Early registration by March 1st.

·        July 12-16, 2017: Friends United Meeting Triennial in Wichita, Kansas:  https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1877598

·        July 26-29, 2017: Our annual Yearly Meeting Sessions will take place  in Oskaloosa.  In the early planning stages, we are considering "Thrive" as the 2017 theme.  It would be great to see participation from all of our meetings, leadership, and pastors.  If at all possible, keep these dates open on your calendars and encourage others you associate with to do so.

 

 

        WHEN YOU’RE NOT FEELING STRONG, LET GOD CARRY THE HEAVY LOAD.

 

 

 

        May 7, 2017 will monthly meeting  Everyone welcome!

 

 

 

Dear Bangor Liberty Friends,

        Thank you so much for your recent donation to the HOC supply closet.  It is caring people, like yourselves, who help

keep this place  operating .  There are so many people in need, and your donation helps keep our shelves stocked to meet those needs.  The 3 items they receive each month are appreciated.

 

Sincerely,

Rita S (HOC supply closet team)