Sunday Lesson: Jan 24th

Our Teaching for our Times lesson today was given on the recent conference talk by Pres. Thomas S. Monson, Be an Example and a Light. His talk is based on 2 scriptures: "Let your light so shine before men, that may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16. The second scripture is from the Apostle Paul's epistle to Timothy, "Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

Pres. Monson teaches us that, "Each of us came to earth having been given the Light of Christ. As we follow the example of the Savior and live as He lived and as He taught, that light will burn within us and will light the way for others." 

Our teacher reminded us of a recent Stake Conference where Elder Lawrence talked about light. He suggested that we can learn these things from the word LIGHT:

L = Love

I = Invest

G = Go and Do, or Service

H = Hearken unto the Spirit, or Holy Ghost

T = Temple

From the scripture from the Apostle Paul we learn of six attributes of a believer that will allow our lights to shine to the world. 1) We need to be an example in word and in conversation. "The words we use can lift and inspire, or they can harm and demean....May we follow the example of the Savior, who spoke with tolerance and kindness throughout His ministry." 2) Charity is defined as the pure love of Christ. "The Savior brought hope to the hopeless and strength to the weak...He reached out in charity to any in need. As we emulate His example, we will bless lives, including our own." 3) To be an example in Spirit means we strive to have in our lives kindness, gratitude, forgiveness, and goodwill. 4) "To be an example of faith means that we trust in the Lord and in His word....I reiterate what we have been told repeatedly - that in order to gain and to keep the faith we need, it is essential that we read and study and ponder the scriptures." 6) "Finally we are to be pure, which means that we are clean in body, mind, and spirit....Purity will bring us peace of mind and will qualify us to receive the Savior's promises." "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8.

Pres Monson shares these beautiful words: "Life is perfect for none of us, and at times the challenges and difficulties we face may become overwhelming, causing our light to dim. However, with help from our Heavenly Father, coupled with support from others, we can regain that light which will illuminate our own path once again and provide the light others may need."

Our beloved prophet concludes, "To each of you, I say that you are a son or daughter of our Heavenly Father. You have come from His presence to live on this earth for a season, to reflect the Savior's love and teachings, and to bravely let your light shine for all to see. When that season on earth has ended, if you have done your part, yours will be the glorious blessing of returning to live with Him forever."

"I promise you that when you begin to catch even a glimpse of how your Heavenly Father sees you and what He is counting on you to do for Him, your life will never be the same!

- President Russell M Nelson

New FRIEND Design

Did anyone see the new Flip design in the FRIEND this month? It is specially designed for youngsters as the 'Junior Friend'. Such a great idea to help teach even our youngest kiddos. These children around us are so smart and catch on to things at even their little ages. What a great tool to use each month for teaching. Try it during out tonight during Family Home Evening. Or include it when you read them a bedtime story. Share it with others in case they missed it!

Sister Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary general president, hopes grandparents, parents, and older siblings will take time to experience Friend Junior with the young children in their lives.

Sunday Lesson: Jan 10th

The lesson today was given from Chapter 1 of our new Howard W. Hunter manual, Jesus Christ - Our Only Way to Hope and Joy. The lesson was started by a powerful and bold testimony by Pres. Hunter: "As an ordained Apostle and special witness of Christ, I give to you my solemn witness that Jesus Christ is in fact the Son of God. He is the Messiah prophetically anticipated by Old Testament prophets. He is the Hope of Israel, for whose coming the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had prayed during the long centuries of prescribed worship." Pres. Hunter also taught, "Christ's way is not only the right way, but ultimately the only way."

We sang Hymn # 315 Jesus the Very Thought of Thee to begin our meeting. The first verse of the the hymn goes like this:

Jesus, the very thought of thee

With sweetness fills my breast;

But sweeter far thy face to see

And in thy presence rest....

How often do we think of the Savior? Pres. Hunter counsels us that we must know Christ better than we know Him and remember Him more often than we remember Him. "Surely life would be more peaceful, surely marriages and families would be stronger, certainly neighborhoods and nations would be safer and kinder and more constructive if more of the gospel of Jesus Christ 'with sweetness' could fill our breasts."

The 3rd verse of Hymn #315 is as follows:

O hope of ev'ry contrite heart, 

O joy of all the meek,

To those who fall, how kind thou art!

How good to those who seek!

We are reminded that Jesus is our only true source of hope and lasting joy. Everyone, no matter their walk of life, needs hope and seeks for joy. Pres. Hunter says, "Sooner or later....everyone will acknowledge that Christ's way is not only the right way, but ultimately the only way to hope and joy." He also pleads with us, "May we be more devoted and disciplined followers of Christ. May we cherish him in our thoughts and speak his name with love. May we kneel before him with meekness and mercy. May we bless and serve others that they may do the same."

Joseph Smith, when incarcerated in Liberty Jail, wrote to the struggling Saints and left a promise from our Savior to them. This promise, found in D&C 123:17, is for us as well:

Fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail...

Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.

Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.

Sunday Lesson: Jan 3rd

Sister Rozeski gave the lesson this week.

This year our Relief Society curriculum is, Teachings of Presidents of the Church, Howard W. Hunter. President Hunter was our 14th Latter-Day Prophet. At the beginning of this text, there is a section entitled, “The Life and Ministry of Howard W. Hunter”. Reading this section is a wonderful way to get to know the man whose words we will be studying all year.

As we read about his life in the manual as well as this great article by Richard A. Hunter (Pres. Hunter's youngest son) entitled, “Howard W. Hunter: My Father, the Prophet” we learned of the things valued by President Hunter. Such as:

Church Membership   -   Testimony   -   Prayer   -   Priesthood   -   Perseverance   -   Kindness   -   All life   -   Courage   -   Family   -   Sacrifice   -   Loyalty   -   Love   -   Sorrow   -   Work   -   Persistence   -   Determinations   -   Family   -   Loving   -   Duty   -   Calling   -   Service   -   OTHERS

On May 30,1994, Howard W. Hunter became our Prophet. President Hunter was president of the Church for only 9 months, but his influence was profound.  

Richard Hunter said he was often asked:
“Do you think your father was really a prophet of God?” This question has always been easy for me to answer. I can never remember a time in my father’s personal, family, career, or Church life that would lead me to think that he was not qualified. But that is different than believing he was actually called as God’s representative to all of His children on the earth. I have come to know that he was a prophet of God, but that knowledge didn’t come from knowing him, watching his example, or being touched by what I saw him do and say. Those things help. But that knowledge was given to me as a merciful gift by the same God who called him.”

This year we will have the same chance to gain a witness to the prophetic words, from this loving Prophet. My favorite quote from President Hunter (so far) is this: “If our lives and our faith are centered upon Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right.”

Howard W. Hunter’s story is not over. What he valued lives in his children and in us as we study his words. We all have a story. I hope we remember our stories are important and DO influence others. I pray we all strive to live what we value.

New Year's: Look Not behind Thee

January 2016 Newsletter

Presidency Message by Jan Welling
We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! The beginning of a new year is already here. With the New Year many minds see this as a renewal, a new start, a fresh beginning - and I agree. I also believe that we can have this opportunity often. Each month, week, day, hour, and minute can be a fresh start if we make it one. My favorite is the opportunity and blessing we have to partake of the sacrament each week. When we do this we renew covenants made and recommit ourselves to always remember Jesus Christ. Also, promising to keep his commandments and to be willing to take upon us the name of Christ. When done with a sincere heart we are promised to have his Spirit with us. What an amazing blessing! I look forward to it and need it every single week.

I love the way Sister Cheryl Esplin explains it. It is a “renewal for the soul”. She tells us, “The more we ponder the significance of the sacrament, the more sacred and meaningful it becomes to us.” This was what a 96-year-old father expressed when his son asked, “Dad why do you go to church? You can’t see, you can’t hear, it’s hard for you to get around. Why do you go to church?” The father replied, “It’s the sacrament. I go to partake of the sacrament.” May each of us come to sacrament meeting prepared to have “a truly spiritual experience, a holy communion, a renewal for [our] soul.”

As we try to make changes to improve ourselves, I hope that we will remember the blessing of taking the sacrament. It gives us the strength we need to improve every aspect of our lives each day. I know that when I take the sacrament with the right mind set I feel its strengthening influence throughout my week. When I go about my days remembering who I have promised to follow I have a different attitude about things. I can feel the Spirit with me more constant. I feel more love and peace in my life. Life is good, but it’s even better with our Savior by our side.

January Birthdays
6 Ranya Kelly
9 Janet Bunn
9 Linda Spano
10 Brittany Jackman
23 Ethel Glammeyer
23 Larkin Harman
23 Debbie Orvin
30 Suzi Erekson
31 Susi Maximoff

Lesson Schedule 
Jan 3 Presidency Message by Marty Rozeski
Jan 10 #1 “Jesus Christ – Our Only Way to Hope and Joy”
Jan 17 WARD CONFERENCE
Jan 24 TFOT “Be an Example” and “Keep the Commandments” by President Monson
Jan 31 Bishop Instructions

Upcoming Events
Jan 13 Ward Temple Day
Jan 17-31 Temple closed

Other Opportunities
Jan 12 Lunch Bunch at 11:30 am at Wendy’s (58th & Independence)
Jan 20 Book Group 7 pm at Kyle Koyle’s “Deception Point” by Dan Brown
Jan 28 Project Night 7 pm at Jan Welling’s
Thursdays 9:00 am playgroup (ask Jan)
Saturdays 8 am basketball Stake Center
Mon & Wed 9 am Aerobics