Thursday, May 15, 2014

Week of May 11th

Purposes of Relief Society:
Increase Faith and Personal Righteousness
Seek Out and Help Those in Need
Strengthen Families and Homes

FAITH
Lesson Review: Combined lesson: Joseph Fielding Smith #11 "Honoring the Priesthood Keys Restored through Joseph Smith" 
and Elder Oaks "The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood".

Doctrine: 
"The united voice of those who hold the keys of the kingdom will always guide us where the Lord wants us to be." President Smith
"Priesthood keys direct women as well as men, and priesthood ordinances, and priesthood authority pertain to women as well as men." Elder Oakes

Invitation to Action:
In what ways can we sustain those who hold priesthood keys?
How can I gain a greater desire to better understand the priesthood?

Promised Blessings:
"I testify that if we shall look to the First Presidency and follow their counsel and direction, no power on earth can stay or change our course as a church, and as individuals we shall gain peace in this life and be inheritors of eternal glory in the world to come" President Smith

I close with some truths about the blessings of the priesthood. Unlike priesthood keys and priesthood ordinations, the blessings of the priesthood are available to women and to men on the same terms. The gift of the Holy Ghost and the blessings of the temple are familiar illustrations of this truth.
-Elder Oaks

Lesson Schedule:

May 25th - Teaching For Our Time - President Uchtdorf - Grateful in Any Circumstances

June 1st - Joseph Fielding Smith # 12 - The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood
June 8th - President's Instruction - Cheri
June 15th - Joseph Fielding Smith #13 - Baptism
June 22nd - Teaching For Our Time
June 29th - 5th Sunday Lesson

RELIEF
Needs:

Belinda Ranova is looking for a home she can rent.  She would love to be able to stay in the Ward if possible.  If you are aware of any possibilities, please let her, or one of the presidency know.


Transitioning:

We have 3 Laurels who will be graduating from High School.  Please be aware of them as they will eventually be making the transition into Relief Society:

Kira Powell (Kira is already attending R.S.)
Sierra Hinckley
Stacey Powell

New Family:

A new family has moved into the Wilson's home!  Don't miss this opportunity to get to know them -  bring by a treat to share, or something, and introduce yourselves! Jared Hall works with Lavelle Spencer.  His girlfriend, Kristi, lives with him and they have one child and are expecting a second child.  They are a very nice family, and have enjoyed getting to know those who have stopped by.

Visiting Teaching:
Please continue to think about Visiting Teaching as a "Watchcare" program.  It is often the small things that make a difference!  Sister Bressler shares a recent experience she had:

"One of my Visiting Teachers unexpectedly brought over an Azalea plant a couple of weeks ago.  When she dropped it off, she said simply that she saw it and felt impressed to get it for me. I have been uplifted everyday for 2 weeks as I have enjoyed it sitting on my table!  It meant a lot to me just to know that someone had been thinking of me."

Announcements/ Calendaring:

Father/Son Campout - 
Friday May 16th - Saturday May 17th

Stake Conference - 
Saturday May 17th @ 6:00 p.m. - Stake Center
Sunday May 18th @ 10:00 a.m. - Broadcast to our Ward Buildings

Youth Conference - 
Wednesday June 25th - Saturday June 28th

Upcoming dates for Relief Society Activities:

June 19th - Temple Activity - We would like to attend a Temple session together @ 6:45 p.m.

September 11th  - To Be Announced

November 6th - To Be Announced


Sunday, May 4, 2014

Week of May 4th

Purposes of Relief Society:
Increase Faith and Personal Righteousness
Seek Out and Help Those in Need
Strengthen Families and Homes
FAITH
LESSON REVIEW: Joseph Fielding Smith #9/ #10 – “Witnesses of the Book of Mormon” and “Our Search for Truth”
Doctrine: 
"It is a requirement that is made of us, as members of this Church, to make ourselves familiar with that which the Lord has revealed, that we may not be led astray."
"We may know gospel truth by study, faith, and obedience and through the guidance of the Holy Ghost."

Invitation to Action:
"How are we going to walk in the truth if we do not know it?"

Promised Blessings:
"And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived." Matthew 1:37
"As we put our lives in harmony with the truth, the Lord increases our light and understanding."
"The promise has been made to all those who will receive the light of truth and through their research and obedience endeavor to acquaint themselves with the Gospel, that they shall receive line upon line, precept by precept, here a little and there a little, until the fulness of truth shall be their portion; even the hidden mysteries of the kingdom shall be made known unto them; "for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."  All these are heirs of salvation and they shall be crowned with glory, immortality, and eternal life, as sons and daughters of God, with an exaltation in His celestial kingdom."

Lesson Schedule:
May 11th – Joseph Fielding Smith #11 – “Honoring the Priesthood Keys Restored through Joseph Smith”
May 18th – Stake Conference            
May 25th – Teachings For Our Time

FAMILY
May Youth curriculum: Prophets and revelation

May Primary curriculum: Families are Blessed When They Follow The Prophet

RELIEF
Announcements:

This year our seminary students need to be registered on-line.  If you haven't had a chance to do this yet, please click on this link to get the process going!


"On May 8th there will be a community sponsored wellness fair at the Madison Jr. High School Gym from 1:00-7:00 pm.  This "total wellness event", will have more than 50 local health and wellness providers providing information regarding health for all ages.  All screenings are free and available that day. For more information call 359-3300 ext. 3440"
*We have two new engagements in the ward!  Brycen Sharp recently got engaged,  as did Morgan Rigby!!

*If you didn't get a chance to see the pictures of the new babies in the ward, click on last week's post and take a peek!

Calendar:
May 17th and 18th -  Stake Conference. We will be having the Saturday meeting at 6:00 pm and all adults and youth 12 years old and older are invited to attend.

 May 25th – Relief Society Musical Number.
We will be singing “Come Thou Fount” in Sacrament Meeting.


Sunday, April 20, 2014

Week of April 21

Purposes of Relief Society:
Increase Faith and Personal Righteousness
Seek Out and Help Those in Need
Strengthen Families and Homes
FAITH
Lesson Review: Joseph Fielding Smith #7 – “Joseph and Hyrum Smith – Witnesses for Jesus Christ.”
Doctrine: The Lord called Joseph Smith to stand at the head of this glorious dispensation.

Invitation to Action: "Do you believe that Joseph Smith restored the gospel to the Earth in our dispensation?  Then what are you going to do because of that knowledge?"

Promised Blessings: All people can receive a testimony of Joseph Smith. "Every soul upon the face of the earth who has a desire to know it has the privilege, for every soul that will humble himself, and in the depths of humility and faith, with a contrite spirit, go before the Lord, will receive that knowledge just as surely as he lives."

Lesson Schedule:
April 27th – Joseph Fielding Smith #8/ #21 – “The Church and Kingdom of God” and “Proclaiming the Gospel to the World”
  May 4th – Joseph Fielding Smith #9/ #10 – “Witnesses of the Book of Mormon” and “Our Search for Truth”
May 11th – Joseph Fielding Smith #11 – “Honoring the Priesthood Keys Restored through Joseph Smith”
May 18th – Stake Conference            
May 25th – Teachings For Our Time

FAMILY
April Youth curriculum:  The Apostasy and Restoration

April Primary curriculum: The Family is Central to God's Plan

RELIEF
A Visiting Teaching experience from Natalie Powell, one of our Visiting Teaching Supervisors:
My sweet grandmother was very self-sufficient, in fact she had a freezer full of prepared meals for “just in case moments.” These meals were often used to help a friend in need, and ut always brought her joy to help someone else. However, there were times when she became ill and those frozen meals were used to feed her own young family. Her visiting teachers would often offer to step in and help out during these times, but my grandmother would always politely refuse their help and tell them she had everything under control. One day it was brought to her attention that the meals the visiting teachers were offering to assist her with were more for their benefit than hers. She has re-told this valuable lesson to me many times and cautioned me to not turn away the visiting teacher's helping hand because if I did I would be held responsible for denying them their blessings. We have wonderful sisters in our ward yearning for the opportunity to show their love to our Heavenly Father. I know that visiting teaching is divinely inspired and that the Lord wants us to give love through service. Please let your visiting teachers serve you, they need your friendship just as much as you need theirs!
Relief Society Announcements:
We have a couple of new babies in the ward!!  Clarissa Draney and Laura Cutler have both had their baby boys.  Since we probably won't see them at church for awhile, I thought it would be nice to share their new, tiny bundles here on the blog!
And so, without further adieu, we will first introduce Jared James Cutler:

 And this is Weston John Draney:

 Our thoughts and prayers are also with those in the ward who have recently lost loved ones.  Jennifer Ball's father and Heather Jonson's father have both recently passed away, as has  Lorraine Ferguson's sister.

April 22nd – “Oh the Places You’ll Go"
Stake Meeting for all Laurels and their mothers.  Held at the Burton East Building @ 6:30 p.m.  Sunday Dress.  Refreshments will be served.
 May 18th – Stake Conference
 May 25th – Relief Society Musical Number.
We will be singing “Come Thou Fount” in Sacrament Meeting.

BYU-Idaho's Education Week is scheduled July 31 - August 2, 2014.  In order to keep costs to a minimum, volunteer hosts are being requested once again to help staff the event.  Volunteer hosts will receive a complimentary pass when committing to serve a part-time shirt for three consecutive days (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday).  Interested individuals will be contacted with more information.
Hosting duties may include:

 *Greeting participants *Checking registration tickets as participants enter classes   *Taking attendance counts   *Assisting the faculty   *Hosting table   *Ability to stand for 30 - 45 minutes, walk moderate distances, and climb stairs.


An orientation meeting will be held on the BYU-Idaho CampusSaturday, July 19 from 10 - 12 noon in the Austin Building (Room 105).

If you are interested in participating, please email me (Wendy) with the following information:

Name        Mailing Address        City            State        Zip            Telephone        E-Mail
Handbell Choir Concert:

Featuring 30 Bell-ringers from across the Mountain West and conducted by nationally renowned conductor and composer Cathy Moklebust.

Saturday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Skyline HighSchool Gym - 1767 Blue Sky Drive, Idaho Falls
Admission is free

For questions, please contact BigSky@gmail.com 
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES:
*Brother Ritchie wanted us to let the Sisters know that they are still looking for volunteers to help do sealings on Wednesday mornings at 7:30 and 8:15. 

 *Julie Coray helps with a "Teddy Bear Clinic" at the hospital, and she says they are looking for about 50 gently used stuffed animals that they can have on hand to give to the kids who don't have a stuffed animal to bring with them.  Please talk to her if you can help out with this!

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Week of April 13

Purposes of Relief Society:
Increase Faith and Personal Righteousness
Seek Out and Help Those in Need
Strengthen Families and Homes

FAITH
We had a fabulous ward conference today, and for the last hour we were trained by the Stake Sunday School Presidency.  Following is a quick review of their lesson.

Key Doctrine:
It is important to learn and teach doctrine and principles rather than applications.

Invitation to action:
Elder Oakes has said, "Teachers who are commanded to teach 'the principles of the gospel' and 'the doctrine of the kingdom' (D&C 88:77) should generally forgo teaching specific rules or applications.  For example, they would not teach any rules for determining what is a full tithing, and they would not provide a list of dos and don'ts for keeping the Sabbath day holy.  Once a teacher has taught the doctrine and the associated principles from the scriptures and the living prophets, such specific applications or rules are generally the responsibility of individuals and families.

Promised Blessings:
"Well-taught doctrines and principles have a more powerful influence on behavior than rules.  When we teach gospel doctrine and principles, we can qualify for the witness and guidance of the Spirit to reinforce our teaching, and we enlist the faith of our students in seeking the guidance of that same Spirit in applying those teachings in their personal lives."   Elder Oakes

 Revised Lesson Schedule:
April 20th – Joseph Fielding Smith #7 – “Joseph and Hyrum Smith – Witnesses for Jesus Christ.”
April 27th – Joseph Fielding Smith #8/ #21 – “The Church and Kingdom of God” and “Proclaiming the Gospel to the World”
  May 4th – Joseph Fielding Smith #9/ #10 – “Witnesses of the Book of Mormon” and “Our Search for Truth”
May 11th – Joseph Fielding Smith #11 – “Honoring the Priesthood Keys Restored through Joseph Smith”
May 18th – Stake Conference            
May 25th – Teachings For Our Time

FAMILY

April Youth curriculum:  The Apostasy and Restoration

April Primary curriculum: The Family is Central to God's Plan

RELIEF

Following is a whole slew of pictures from our Relief Society Birthday celebration. It was a great evening!:


DanaRae and Lynn
Amy, Belinda, Jolana
Cindy and Becca
Gretha, Lorraine, Barbara
Kira and Ranae
Sandy and Susan
Laura and Holly
Abby and Stacy
Shandel
Edna, Shantel, Bambie, ?, LeAnn
Angie, Renae, Morgan
Jennifer and Mindy

Our guest speaker
Lynn and April
l-r: Becca, Cindy, Amy, Melinda, Andrea
around the table starting at front left: Bambie, Diane, Wendy, Shandel, Amber, Sarah, Debbie
Cheri and Wendy
Chree' and Amber
Cheri and Wendy
Visiting Teaching:
A Visiting Teaching experience from our Visiting Teaching Supervisor Barbara Waters:

Barbara relates that years ago, (as in perhaps 20 years ago) she and her husband were asked to visit a woman each month for her visiting teaching.  She said that when they started visiting her, the woman would open her door just wide enough to hurry and take whatever they had brought for her, and then she would close the door as quickly as she could.  Years went by with this same response, but gradually she warmed up and started visiting with them and even began inviting them into her home.  Finally, after many, many years, she comments when it is time for them to leave that she wishes that they could stay longer!  Barbara knows that this result came about because they showed that they really cared about her and were consistent in their visits and showing of friendship.

Relief Society Announcements:
April 22nd – “Oh the Places You’ll Go"
Stake Meeting for all Laurels and their mothers.  Held at the Burton East Building @ 6:30 p.m.  Sunday Dress.  Refreshments will be served.
 May 18th – Stake Conference
 May 25th – Relief Society Musical Number.
We will be singing “Come Thou Fount” in Sacrament Meeting.

BYU-Idaho's Education Week is scheduled July 31 - August 2, 2014.  In order to keep costs to a minimum, volunteer hosts are being requested once again to help staff the event.  Volunteer hosts will receive a complimentary pass when committing to serve a part-time shirt for three consecutive days (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday).  Interested individuals will be contacted with more information.


Hosting duties may include:

  *Greeting participants *Checking registration tickets as participants enter classes   *Taking attendance counts   *Assisting the faculty   *Hosting table   *Ability to stand for 30 - 45 minutes, walk moderate distances, and climb stairs.


An orientation meeting will be held on the BYU-Idaho CampusSaturday, July 19 from 10 - 12 noon in the Austin Building (Room 105).

If you are interested in participating, please email me (Wendy) with the following information:

Name        Mailing Address        City            State        Zip            Telephone        E-Mail
SERVICE OPPORTUNITY AND GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Julie Coray helps with a "Teddy Bear Clinic" at the hospital, and she says they are looking for about 50 gently used stuffed animals that they can have on hand to give to the kids who don't have a stuffed animal to bring with them.  Please talk to her if you can help out with this!

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