Sunday Lesson: Dec 28th

Our last Relief Society lesson of the year was given by Sis. Jacquelyn Brady. Her lesson came from the Oct. 2014 Conference talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland,Are We Not All Beggars? 

Christ made it clear that His first and foremost messianic duty would be to bless the poor, including the poor in spirit. We are reminded that Jesus himself was born into the home of a poor family and grew up among many more of them. "Down through history, poverty has been one of humankind's greatest and most widespread challengesl. Its obvious toll is usually physical, but the piritual and emotional damage it can bring may be even mopre debilitating. In any case, the great Redeemer has issued no more persistent call than for us to join Him in lifting this burden from the people."

Luke 4:18 teaches us, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised." By investigating the footnotes to this scripture we learn that not only does Christ save those who are alive, but those who are dead and in spiritual bondage. 

We are all trying to become like our Savior. Elder Holland asks us, "What can one man or woman do?" He gives the example of Mary who anointed Jesus's head with expensive burial ointment before his Crucifixion. Judas Iscariot protested against and murmured against her. Jesus said, "Why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work...She hath done what she could." Mother Teresa once said, "What we do is nothing but a drop in the ocean, but if we didn't do it, the ocean would be one drop less than it is." Christianity is obviously not a statistical endeavor. Christ was always concerned about the individual. 

So how might we "do what we can"? asks Elder Holland. He suggests that we learn from King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon. He taught us to cease withholding our means because we see the poor as having brough their misery upon themselves. "Perhaps some have created their own difficulties, but don't the rest of us do exactly the same thing? Isn't that why this compassionate ruler asks, "Are we not all beggars?" Don't we all cry out for help and hope and answers to prayers? Don't we all beg for forgiveness for mistakes we have made and troubles we have caused? Don't we all implore that grace will compensate for our weaknesses, that mercy will triumph over justice at least in our case?"

Let us not forget that oftentimes there are two conditions that go hand in hand: "poor as to things of the world; and also...poor in heart." It is wise to be aware of spiritual, mental and social needs when helping those with temporal needs. Depression is a common challenge that can be easily overlooked. Elder Holland advises that we should pray for those in need, and also observe the law of the fast. There are miracles that will come, both spiritual and temporal, to those who live the law of the fast.

Elder Holland also reminds us that, "We are always expected to help ourselves before we seek help from others. Furthermore, I don't know exactly how each of you shoud fulfill your obligation to those who do not or cannot always help themselves. But I know that God knows, and He will help you in compassionate acts of discipleship if you are conscientiously wanting and praying and looking for ways to keep a commandment He has given us again and again."

Sunday Lesson: Dec 21st

Sis. Kay Bashford taught a beautiful lesson filled with the Spirit in Relief Society today. The lesson was on Chapter 25, The Birth of Jesus Christ: "Good Tidings of Great Joy".  It was a perfect lesson to help us have a Christ centered Christmas.

Each Christmas season we are privilaged to hear from the First Presidency in the Christmas Devotional. Years before the Prophet often sent a letter to members of the Church during Christmas time. In December, 1970 President Joseph Fielding Smith published a letter which said, "I greet you at this Christmas Season, in love and fellowship, and with a prayer that our Eternal Father will look down upon you in mercy and pour out His bounteous blessings upon you. In these times when iniquity abounds, when there are great tribulations on the earth, when there are wars and rumors of wars, we are all in need, as never before, of the guiding and preserving care of the Lord. We need to know that in spite of all the troubles and ills which befall us, still the Lord is governing in the affairs of the earth and that if we keep His commandments and are true and faithful to His laws, He will bless us here and now and reward us with eternal life in His kingdom in due course . . . I know pray that at this Christmas Season, and at all times, we may center our faith in the Son of God and gain for ourselves that peace which passeth understanding."

Peace is something that we all long for. Perhaps over two thousand years ago we all peered over the veil and wondered at the birth of our Savior. What an amazing moment that must have been! We probably all celebrated because it was the moment we had all been waiting for. It was the climax of our Heavenly Father's plan and perhaps we all burst into song and we celebrated that moment. As a Relief Society we were invited to sing the Christmas HymnJoy to The World. What a glorious anthem to celebrate the birth of our Savior. 

Sis. Bashford asked us why, in the pre-mortal existence, we were so excited to see that day arrive? 

1) We knew that Jesus Christ was God's son and was to redeem us from our mistakes.

2) We knew He was that Jehovah who was with Adam, and Abraham, and Moses.

3) We knew He was to be our Savior and Redeemer - we had stood with Him in that great pre-mortal conflict that gave us agency and opportunity.

It is interesting to ponder that Christ had to come to earth just like all of us, as a babe. In Luke 2:52 it reminds us that Christ had to learn line upon line, precept upon precept. Christ "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."  John records that "he received not of the fulness at the first," but had to progress "from grace to grace, until he received a fulness." (D&C 93:13).

Making our Christmas holidays and traditions about the Savior is a challenge. Sis. Bashford asked us what kinds of things we can do to remember our Savior during Christmas time. Some of the answers included doing service for others, reading in the scriptures about the Savior's life, and focusing on giving, not receiving, during Christmas. We also taked in depth about the symbols of Christmas and how they relate back to our Savior. Some of them include:

Christmas tree - They point heavenward and are always evergreen which symbolizes eternal life.

Wreath - Eternal life, they are round to symbolize that God has no beginning or end.

Star - Represents the star the wisemen followed to find the Christ child.

Angels - There were angels that announced Jesus' birth.

Bells - These also announced that Jesus had been born.

Christmas Ball ornament - They are traditionally round reminding us of the earth and that there is no beginning or end with God.

Lights - They remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World.

Colors of Christmas - Red and Green represent the blood that was shed for us and eternal life.

Nativity set - Helps us to remember the real and first Christmas and that Christ came for us personally.

Candy Canes - They are red and white; red for the blood Christ shed and white for the purity of the Savior.

We each need to read and ponder the story of the birth of our Savior, His life, and His teachings. We need to let it humble us and help us keep His commandments, honor Him, and Love Him. At Christmastime we need to ponder about how we can make the holiday more about our Savior and our friends and family. We can ask ourselves, "What can I do to place the emphasis of Christ in Christmas?"

Sunday Lesson: Dec 14th

Tiffanie Huntley was so generous to fill in and teach our lesson this past Sunday. The lesson was on the last Chapter in our Joseph Fielding Smith manual,Preparing for the Coming of Our Lord.

After reading President Smith's comment that he was, "praying for the end of the world," it helps put things into perspective for us and help us realize that we need to get to a point in our lives that we look forward to the 2nd coming. President Smith said, "When Christ comes there will be an end to the world...There will not be any war, any turmoil, envying, lying; there will be no wickedness. Men will learn then to love the Lord and keep His commandments, and if they don't they will not stay here....That's what I am praying for. The Lord was praying for the end of the world, and so am I."

There is no need for fear. All of the negative and nonsense will be done away with. There are so many signs that tell us the 2nd coming is near. "Among the signs of the last days was an increase of learning. Daniel was commanded to '...shut up the words, and seal the book (of his prophesy), even to the time of the end: (and in that day) many shall run to and fro,'said he 'and knowledge shall be increased.' (Dan. 12:4) Are not the people "running to and fro" today as they never did before in the history of the world?...Is not knowledge increased? Was there ever a time in the history of the world when so much knowledge was poured out upon the people? But sad to say, the words of Paul are true - the people are "ever learning and never able to come to the knowlege of the truth." (2 Tim. 3:7)

President Smith goes on to say, "Have we not had numerous rumors of wars? [D&C 45:26] Have we not had wars, such wars as the world never saw before? Is there not today commotion among the nations, and are not their rulers troubled? Have not kingdoms been overturned and great changes been made among nations? The whole earth is in commotion. Earthquakes in divers places are reported every day [see D&C 45:33]...Yet the old world goes on about its business paying very little heed to all the Lord has said and to all the signs and indications that have been given. Men harden their hearts and say "...that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth." (D&C 45:26).

President Smith was asked if he knew when the Lord would come. He answered "He will come tomorrow." In D&C 64:23-24 it tells us why. "Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming....For after today cometh the burning - this is speaking after the manner of the Lord - for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, for I am the Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon." Pres. Smith said, "So the Lord is coming, I say, tomorrow. Then let us be prepared."

The parable of the wheat and the tares has reference to the last days.The wheat and the tares grow up in the same field; they (we) have been for many years. There will come a time for a separation, seperating the righteous from the wicked. Pres. Smith asks us to, "keep the commandments of the Lord, repent of our sins and turn to righteousness. . .There shall be a judgment when Christ comes. . . We shall see ourselves just as we are, and we are to understand with a righteous understanding that the judgments which are meted out to us are just and true, whether we come into the Kingdom of God, to receive these glorious blessings or whether we are banished. . . I plead with the Latter-day Saints to stand firm and faithful in the discharge of every duty, keeping the commandments of the Lord, honoring the priesthood, that we may stand when the Lord comes - whether we be living or dead, it matters not, - to be partakers of this glory."

President Smith warns us to prepare ourselves. "There are many events in the world today which indicate that the great day of the Lord is drawing near when the Redeemer will again appear to set up his kingdom in righteousness preparatory to the millennial reign. In the meantime it is the duty of members of the Church to seek for knowledge and to prepare themselves by study and by faith for the ushering in of that great and glorious day."

Sis. Huntley helped us focus on three things during her lesson:

1. The coming of The Lord is near

2. There will be a judgment

3. We have to prepare

If we give heed to the words of President Smith we will not be fearful of the coming of the Lord, we will look forward to it and prepare ourselves and our families for it.

THANK YOU!!

We are so appreciative to the Relief Society Activities Committee for all of their planning and execution of our RS Christmas Dinner "We Are Not Homeless" held this month. A lot of time and thought goes into these activities by the committee. The dinner was fantastic and the servers were the best I've had. The music and message shared brought the Spirit of Christ to our evening and helped complete the evening. On the same note these activities are only as successful and fun as those that come and participate. Thank you for those that make the time to join with us on these special RS evenings.  Thank you for contributing cookies, and Frito's, talents, presence. So many of you helped the evening be a success. We have such wonderful sisters! We love each of you!!

Relief Society Meeting: Christmas Dinner

RS MEETING: CHRISTMAS DINNER

“WE ARE NOT HOMELESS...

FOR IN HIS LOVE THERE IS A HOME." 

THURSDAY, DEC 11^TH AT 6:30 PM

We invite all RS sisters to join us. This will be a special night to mingle, enjoy a wonderful meal, and be uplifted through work and song. Come and enjoy the spirit of the season.  

A nursery will be provided. Friends and neighbors are welcome to join. Please RSVP through the Evite to help us in our food and nursery preparations.

In the spirit of giving, please bring two dozen cookies (and recipe if you choose) in which we will eat and exchange at the end of the night. If you can, please also bring a small bag of Frito chips to donate. We will be sending these to Brother Koyle's unit in Afghanistan

First Presidency's Christmas Devotional

In case you missed the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional this last Sunday you can watch it here.

Sunday Lesson: Dec 7th

Sis. Lisa Lara taught the lesson today on the topic of Ward Families. She started by asking the question: What are the characteristics of a Family? Some of the them are listed.

Stay together

 Friendship

 Support each other

 Love

 Have fun together

 Learn how to live together, get along

 Loyal

 Stick together through good and bad

 Serve each other

United

What is a Ward Family? – It is the basic ecclesiastical unit to which we all belong as members of the Church of Jesus Christ.

What are the characteristics of a Ward Family? – The characteristics should be the same as a family. It’s not very different than a regular family unit, just bigger.

Romans 12:4-5 says, “For as we have many member in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members of another.” What does this mean? Even though we are individual people, we are all part of the same unit, or group, the body of Christ, or the kingdom of God.

Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley said. “This Church…is far more than a social organization where we gather together to enjoy one another’s company. …It is the kingdom of God in the earth. It behooves us to act in a manner befitting membership in that kingdom.”

Some of us may feel that because they don’t have a traditional family or if they don’t have the same things in common to others that they won’t fit into a ward family very well. Elder Hales said, “All of us can take heart in understanding the great blessings of baptism. When we were baptized, we moved from the world into the kingdom of God. In the kingdom of God, salvation is for everyone in whatever circumstances we may find ourselves; male, female, married, single, with children, childless, rich, poor, young, or old – the possibilities are endless. There are almost as many categories as there are individuals. But we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father who wants us to succeed and return to his presence. In that respect, we are all the same. We are not alone. We are all loved.”

In an Ensign article in 2005 Bro. David Brown also said, “No matter what our circumstances might be, we all have an inherent duty to reach out to fellow members and include them in our circle, making each ward and branch a family. That is why we call each other brothers and sisters.”
Last week Bro. Welling, Bro. Phillips, and Bishop Larson all talked about ways we become closer to our Savior during this Christmas Season. We can have more meaningful prayers and fasting, share our testimony, serve others, and focus on the important things. I would like us to talk about the service part of that equation today, specifically regarding our ward families.

Why is it that so many members say that when they visit wards that aren't their own, they still feel at home?

Bro. David Brown said, “A strong ward family is easy to recognize. The members are warm and friendly, testimonies are borne with conviction, charity abound, activities are well attended, and dedicated home teachers rarely miss a visit. The chapel is not just a place of worship, it is a safe harbor from worldly cares, a place of belonging, of friendship and compassion. It’s a place where people who are different can come together to be as one.”

Three sisters shared of times in their lives when they have felt part of a ward family. It was so wonderful to hear of their experiences and think of our own that we have had.
What are things we can do – individually, to have a strong ward family. To contribute to the body of Christ?

Virginia H. Pearce, former counselor in the YW General Presidency gave 6 purposes to have a strong ward family:

1. Ward Families provide a sense of belonging.
2. A Ward Family can provide the reassurance of listening ears. A perfect time for this to happen is while we Visit Teach each other.
3. Ward Families provide encouragement.
4. Ward Families are a refuge.
5. Ward families provide ways for us to contribute, to serve each other.
6. A Ward Family provides a laboratory to learn and practice the gospel.

Pres. Ezra Taft Benson said, “Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace.”

As we strengthen ourselves and really become a part of our ward family, the love of Christ will enter into our lives more abundantly and we will become more like our Savior.

December Newsletter

Presidency Message by Jan Welling
With our baby due any day now I have been ‘nesting’ as they say. I’ve been trying to get my to do list done before this little bundle of joy comes. On that list has been Christmas. It is such an exciting time of year for so many reasons. As I have been getting ready for Christmas I have been thinking how I can help my family be sure to remember why we celebrate Christmas. It is so easy to feel overwhelmed with all of the shopping and the overscheduled calendar that we can forget who we should be focusing on and emulating – Jesus Christ.

On the way home from church this week I had to smile when my eight year old asked if I ever heard of the following scripture as he read, Mosiah 2:17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. I thought, what a wonderful scripture year round, but especially for Christmastime. What is the perfect gift we can give? It isn’t always a material gift. “The greatest gift we can give is the gift of doing to others as He would do for them.” – Pres. Henry B. Eyring

As Christmas approaches my hope for my family and yours is that we can find ways to give service to others. Let us make time each day to talk about Jesus Christ, both his humble birth and life. As we learn more of him and how he lived may we do as he did, love and serve those around us. He is a gift to us and has given us the greatest gift. Let us give him a gift in return. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. “Each act of kindness to anyone becomes a kindness to the Savior because He loves all of Heavenly Father’s children.” – Pres. Henry B. Eyring

"It is well to remember that he who gives money gives much, he who gives time gives more, but he who gives of himself gives all. Let this be the description of our Christmas gifts."   – President Thomas S. Monson

Love, Marty, Lisa, Jan, Debbie, & Jenny

Birthdays
1 Tammy Rose
9 Deanna Sumner
10 Mackenzie Rabideau
11 Jennifer Fulton
14 Mindy Cornelsen
14 Terry Maupin
16 Mary Khliu
16 Loretta Wagner
17 Sue Schilling
18 Makayla Denton
19 Jessica Humrich
23 Lacee (Gibbs) Schenck
31 Mary Ann Bashford
31 Terisa Eshbaugh

Lesson Schedule
Dec 7 Lesson by Lisa Lara
Dec 14 #26 “Preparing for the Coming of Our Lord” taught by Kristen Tanner
Dec 21 #25 “The Birth of Jesus Christ…” taught by Kay Bashford
Dec 28 “Are we not all Beggars” by Elder Holland taught by Jacquelyn Brady

Upcoming Events
Dec 11 RS Meeting Christmas Party 6:30 pm “We are Not Homeless” at the Quail building

Other Opportunities
Dec 4 Book Club at 7pm at Kyle Koyle's "I am Malala: The girl who stood up for education…"
Dec 7 First Presidency Christmas Devotional
Dec 9 Lunch Bunch at 11 am at Jackie Milonas’ home
Dec 13 Ward Christmas Party at the Alkire building 5:30 Santa 6:00 Dinner/Program
Dec 14 Stake Musical Fireside
Thursdays 9:30 am playgroup
Saturdays 8 am pickup basketball
Mon & Wed 9 am Aerobics