Dec 30th Weekly Connection

2019 Meeting Schedule

12:00-1:00pm Sacrament Meeting

1:10-2:00pm Sunday School or Priesthood/Relief Society

1st and 3rd weeks - Sunday School

2nd and 4th weeks - Relief Society, Priesthood, YM/YW

5th week - under the direction of the Bishop

(Primary has singing time and class time each week.)

Gospel Home Study - time decided by each individual family

It's a Wrap.... What will you do with it now?

"Come Follow Me"

5th Sunday, Combined Priesthood & Relief Society - led by Bishop Mardesich

Bishop commented that the lessons in the Come Follow Me manual are only 2-3 pages long.

Speaking of the Come Follow Me program, President Russel M. Nelson said this about it...

" A home centered and church supported plan to learn doctrine, strengthen faith, and foster greater personal worship" 

This program will help us prepare personally and as a family for each Sunday.

Bishop Mardesich wonders if by implementing the new 2-hour schedule, if we are losing 1 hour of learning each Sunday, or if we are losing 30%. (This is an interesting question, one which makes us evaluate what we will do with the extra time we've been given.)

"As leaders have sought revelation, the guidance received over the past few years is to strengthen the sacrament meeting, honor the Sabbath day, and encourage and assist parents and individuals to make their homes a source of spiritual strength and increased faith—a place of joy and happiness."  - Elder Quentin L. Cook

How can 1 hour less at church strengthen sacrament meeting?

• Kim Beecher - You can give more of your focus to it.
• Doug Graham agreed with Kim.
• Sherri Shepherd - Because of the ability to focus more on the sacrament and less on other meetings, it can make sacrament meeting more sacred.

Bishop commented on how our young men of the Aaronic Priesthood treat their responsibility of preparing and passing the sacrament as so important and sacred.

The shortened meeting schedule elevates the importance of the sacrament.

The aim of all gospel learning...

"The new home-centered and Church-supported curriculum needs to influence more powerfully family religious observance and behavior and personal religious observance and behavior. We know the spiritual impact and the deep and lasting conversion that can be achieved in the home setting. Years ago, a study established that for young men and women the influence of the Holy Ghost most often accompanies individual scripture study and prayer in the home. Our purpose is to balance the Church and the home experiences in a way that will greatly increase faith and spirituality and deepen conversion to Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." - Elder Quentin L. Cook

Bishop commented: If your home is the classroom of the gospel, what is the classroom like? Is it inviting for the Spirit of the Lord? What have you done to sanctify your home?

• Bishop - Their family has the Proclamation of the Family very visible.
• Nadine Fletcher - We must practice gospel standards in our homes.
• Pres. Beecher - Record your spiritual impressions.
• Tori McVey - It takes effort to have spirituality in our homes.

In order to receive spiritual revelation, you have to do spiritual work for it.

• Nelson Spencer - Pray before scripture study.
• Tara Johnston - Even when it's difficult and it feels like you are failing - keep trying. Keep your family engaged in the effort.

D&C 68: 25-26

  25 And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.
26 For this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized.

You don't need to follow the lesson plan in the manual. You are entitled to revelation for your family, and therefore can customize it as the Spirit directs.

Fast as a Stake this Sunday, January 6th:

Upcoming Lessons

Jauary 13th - Woman and Gospel learning in the Home by Hery B Eyring

January 27th - Laying the Foundation of the Great Work by Steven R Bangeter - Julie Peterson

Schedule of Home Gospel Study for 2019 We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity for personal or family study.

Birthdays

  

3-Jessica Harris

 4-Heather Williamson

 5-Tammy Ballard

Upcoming Events - Mark your calendars

This Thursday, January 3rd at 7pm in our building (Centennial) Brother Luedtke will be talking about life law matters and estate planning ideas. All adults invited and encouraged to attend.

Trek Kickoff Fireside

Sunday, January 13, 2019 (Stake Center) 4:00 pm 

To attend: All youth 12 – 18, Trek and youth leaders, family history consultants, bishoprics, and parents of youth 

Church dress. Refreshments will be served. 

Stake Relief Society Activity (All Mia Maids and Laurels invited too!)

"Becoming New in Christ" Saturday Jan 26th 9:30-11am Tanner Lane Bldg

Come join us for a spiritual renewal as we start a fresh new year.  Three exceptional speakers, music, and light brunch.  Invite your neighbors and ministering sisters!

Laurel Day - Becoming New in Christ

Colleen Scoresby - Feeding your Faith

Kathy Kinghorn - Christ-centered Healing from Trauma

“Therefore if any woman be in Christ, she is a new

creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Ward Conference:  January 27th

Ministering to our Sisters

"Effective ministering efforts are enabled by the innate gifts of the sisters and by the incomparable power of the priesthood. We all need such protection from the cunning wiles of the adversary." 

President Russel M. Nelson

​Ministering Interviews

It's a new quarter and that means ministering interview time again.  It was such a privilege meeting with so many of you last quarter and look forward to meeting with many more of you this quarter (the goal is meeting with every companionship 4 times a year.)  These interviews are not a way to make anyone feel guilty or inadequate - quite the opposite actually and we really hope you felt love and encouragement as we met with you!  It's not an easy task meeting with so many of you as well as time consuming for us so we are going to do it a little differently this time.  We are going to conduct interviews for an extended time for 1 day only - February 3rd from 2:15-8:00pm.  All we ask of you is to coordinate a time with your companion on that day and take 15 minutes to come visit with a presidency member (at least one of you come if the other is out of town.  If both of you are out of town please take a few minutes to contact a presidency member.)  Sign-ups will go around to the different auxiliaries starting January 13th.   After talking to so many of you we conclude you are all doing better than you think! Keep moving forward and celebrate each success big and small! We look forward to visiting with you soon.

The elders quorum president and the Relief Society president communicate important needs directly to the bishop and will receive counsel and direction from him.

"A new name, new flexibility, and fewer reports will not make one ounce of difference in our service unless we see this as an invitation to care for one another in a bold new holier way."  

MINISTERING WEBSITE

Prayers for....

Please keep Charai Layton and her family in your prayers...

Also, keep Cliff Dunston and Judy in your prayers...they would love to have visitors at the Stonehenge Rehab Center in American Fork.

Pray for Mel Williamson and her baby.

Pray for those you minister to...

Do you know of anyone in need of our prayers?  Please contact a presidency member.

Service Opportunities 
Please contact Shauna Keech if you can prepare a batch of soup to be frozen for the Laytons

Take a moment and drop a letter or a card to one of our missionaries:

Elder Ethan Graham
Taipei Taiwan Mission
ethan.graham@myldsmail.net 

Sister Jordan Fitting
California Ventura Mission
3301 W Gonzales Rd
Oxnard, CA 93036
jordan.fitting@myldsmail.net

Sister Sadie Sterrett

Illinois Chicago Mission

Sadie.Sterrett@myldsmail.net

Elder N.K. Novilla 

Paraguay Asuncion North Mission

Avenida Santisaima Trinidad N. 1280

C/Julio Correa

Casilla de Correo 1871

Nathan.Novilla@myldsmail.net

Just Serve 

Saratoga Springs Stake Institute

Open to all men and women

Course of Study: Pearl of Great Price

Tuesdays 10:00-11:15 am

Starts January 8, 2019

Saratoga Springs Stake Center on Tanner Lane

Teachers: Betsy Jones and Sue Spencer

Come join us for an inspirational lift to your week!

Click on this link for the schedule of YSA activities

LDS Tools Info

1.  Are you using LDS Tools on your phone or tablet? 

We encourage you to use LDS Tools to access the ward directory, Your Ministering Assignments, Calendar, Temple Info, Missionary Info and more!

2.  Do you have a current photo of you and/or your family? 

Please take a few minutes and follow these instructions. 

3.  Is your contact info correct?  

If not and you need to change or update your info, go to your name in the directory (on a mobile device) and touch the red circle with a pencil and you can edit from there.  If you are signed on at lds.org, click on your name and then the edit button.

4.  Do you know how to access your ministering assignment?

On your mobile device click on your name.  Directly underneath your name is a blue bar that says:  contact, household, membership information, callings and classes and ministering (you must scroll across to access each of these headings.)  Click on ministering and it will list those that minister to you and who you minister to.

Do you have any other questions about LDS Tools?

Dec 16th Weekly Connection

It's a Wrap.... What will you do with it now?

Believe, Love Do by Dieter F. Uchtdorf - lesson lead by Julie Peterson

Julie shared how much she feels connected to Elder Uchtdor and how happy she is to be teaching from his talk, but today we will only be discussing the Believe portion of his talk.

The Savior said: "I am come that tey might have life, but have it more abudndantly"

We achieve the abundant life by becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ—by following in His ways and engaging in His work. 

Jesus loves us all equally, He walked among the poor, the outcast, the shamed...he not only walked among them, but he taught them, healed them and loved them.

Thoughts about the Savior....

Tammy - Once she had had her 1st child, she could really relate to the Savior's birth. She also commented about the circumstances he was born into...in a manger (in a cave). In a cave it was quiet and His birth could there be sacred, unlike if He had been born inside the Inn, it would probably have been loud and noisy, and unable to be the sacred time it was meant to be.

Nadine was impressed with how carefully Christ chose His words, that he never offended anyone.

Eileen commented on the swaddling clothes that the babe was wrapped in...they are not rags, but were clothes especially prepared for the Son of God's birth.

Jennie A. talked of how many believe in Christ - even before He was born His presence was felt everywhere.

Heather read a book about the Savior, and in it it said that if Christ were coming to church with us today, He would focus on the people, not on "things He needed to do." The gospel is for everyone.

Video: Jesus Heals the Woman of Faith

In this video, Jesus reaches out to an unnoticable woman...

Chelsea spoke of 3rd Nephi where the Savior visits the Nephites after His resurrection, although he has so much that needs to be done, He takes the time to love and teach each child there.

Rebecca was talking with her children about why we don't just line up to receive the sacrament, rather than have the Aaronic Priesthood pass it to us. She suggested that it was so the young men could emulate Christ and how He served.

Video: Woman at the Well

In this video, Christ disussed theology with a woman, something that was never done, but He didn't mind, and He also didn't mind that she was a Samaritan.

Monica commented that the Atonement is the greatest gift from Him...we are here to be happy...and because of the Savior, we can.

Samantha was really struggling with pressures that she lives with, and she knows that the Lord has placed people in her life to help her understand that she is ok, and she doesn't need to bend to the pressures in her life.

Ellie testified of how powerful service is.

Julie testified of how much she loves the Savior and how she is grateful for a special time of year to think of Him and show gratitude for all He does for us.

"His healing hands reach out to all who need Him..."

2018 First Presidency's Christmas Devotional

Upcoming Lessons

Dec 23rd Sacrament Meeting only at 10:30am

Dec 30 5th Sunday - Bishopric

Birthdays

  

17-Amber Christiansen

22-Celeste Jaussi

24-Janae Wahnschaffe

27-Kiara Williamson

New Sunday Meeting Schedule: Beginning Jan 6th 12 PM to 2 PM

Schedule of Home Gospel Study for 2019 We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity for personal or family study.

Upcoming Events - Mark your calendars

Save the Date:

Jan 26th - Save the Date to come be uplifted by Laurel C. Day, Colleen Scoresby and Kathy Kinghorn - put on by the Stake RS  9-11:30am "Becoming New In Christ"

Ministering to our Sisters

Reach out to the Sisters you minister to, and be one of their Gifts from the Savior

Making Ministering Interviews Meaningful 

In supporting President Russell M. Nelson’s statement that the ministering program will be a hinge point on which the course of the Church will swing, Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, “The realization of his vision … might be predicated upon how well ministering brothers and sisters are taught and engaged in the ministering interview.”

Four tips for ministering brothers and sisters:

• Go to the interview seeking counsel. Be ready to learn.
• Be prepared to discuss needs that you may need help meeting.
• Focus on the individual’s strengths and abilities, not just needs.
• Contact the presidency to counsel between quarterly interviews as needed.

Ministering Interviews

These quarterly interviews between ministering sisters and the Relief Society presidency or ministering brothers and the elders quorum presidency are the only formal report we make regarding those we minister to. The interview is an opportunity on at least a quarterly basis to (1) counsel about the strengths, needs, and challenges of assigned families and individuals; (2) determine what needs the quorum, Relief Society, or ward council might assist with; and (3) learn from leaders and be encouraged in ministering efforts.

The elders quorum president and the Relief Society president communicate important needs directly to the bishop and will receive counsel and direction from him.

"A new name, new flexibility, and fewer reports will not make one ounce of difference in our service unless we see this as an invitation to care for one another in a bold new holier way."  

MINISTERING WEBSITE

Prayers for....

Please keep Charai Layton and her family in your prayers...

Also, keep Cliff Dunston and Judy in your prayers...they would love to have visitors at the Stonehenge Rehab Center in American Fork.

Pray for those you minister to...

Do you know of anyone in need of our prayers?  Please contact a presidency member.

Service Opportunities 

Please contact Shauna Keech if you can prepare a batch of soup to be frozen for the Laytons

Take a moment and drop a letter or a card to one of our missionaries:

Elder Ethan Graham
Taipei Taiwan Mission
ethan.graham@myldsmail.net

Sister Jordan Fitting
California Ventura Mission
3301 W Gonzales Rd
Oxnard, CA 93036
jordan.fitting@myldsmail.net

Just Serve 

Stake Institute
Every Tuesday 10:00 - 11:15
Stake Center (Tanner Lane)
Bring your scriptures
No babysitting

Click on this link for the schedule of YSA activities

LDS Tools Info

1.  Are you using LDS Tools on your phone or tablet? 

We encourage you to use LDS Tools to access the ward directory, Your Ministering Assignments, Calendar, Temple Info, Missionary Info and more!

2.  Do you have a current photo of you and/or your family? 

Please take a few minutes and follow these instructions. 

3.  Is your contact info correct?  

If not and you need to change or update your info, go to your name in the directory (on a mobile device) and touch the red circle with a pencil and you can edit from there.  If you are signed on at lds.org, click on your name and then the edit button.

4.  Do you know how to access your ministering assignment?

On your mobile device click on your name.  Directly underneath your name is a blue bar that says:  contact, household, membership information, callings and classes and ministering (you must scroll across to access each of these headings.)  Click on ministering and it will list those that minister to you and who you minister to.

Do you have any other questions about LDS Tools?

Dec 9th Weekly Connection

It's a Wrap.... What will you do with it now?

WOUNDED by Neil L Anderson - lesson lead by Sister Tris Martin

Sister Martin asked, "How do you feel about being wounded?  With all of the hate and negativity how does Heavenly  Father put up with this?"  We need to put our trust in Christ as he is refining us to become more like him.  

There were  three Elders and One Sister who were injured in the Brussels Airport. Elder Norby had the most serious injuries. It could have been said “ Why me, this is not fair”,  but, this is MORTALITY the tragedies, the unanticipated tests and trials, both physical and spiritual, come to each of us.  

Sister Tara Johnston shared her experience of being wounded as a mother as she talked about how her son and daughter have been stared at and snickered at, because of the things that they sometimes do.   Sometimes kids are great and try to help them, and sometimes they are very mean. It is hard for them to make friends, and as a parent it is hard to watch them treated this way.   

No matter the size, or how difficult your wound is, it may feel like people do not seem to notice. Our trials are only a tiny reflection of what Christ went through for us.   

The righteous are not immune. Everyone will have physical and spiritual wounds in their life.   

Sister Anderson stated how she had a chronic illness years ago, she fasted and prayed in preparation of receiving a blessing. In the blessing it said she would not be healed. Through the years she has learned that because she has been going through this herself she is able to understand when people go through difficulties, it has helped her to help others. It was a big trial to go through physically and emotionally.  

The Savior knows what each and everyone of us are going through, look at the blessings you have received, and the comfort you feel. How can your journey of going through trials, challenges, both physically and spiritually help others?   

Elder Anderson encourages those who suffer from physical or spiritual wounds to increase their faith in Jesus Christ and seek His healing power.  

2018 First Presidency's Christmas Devotional

Upcoming Lessons

Dec 16th Believe, Love, Do by Dieter F Uchtdorf taught by Julie Peterson 

Dec 23rd Sacrament Meeting only at 10:30am

Dec 30 5th Sunday - Bishopric

Birthdays

  

15-Eileen Petersen

Upcoming Events - Mark your calendars

Save the Date:

Dec 15th -  Ward Christmas party this Saturday, at 6pm at the Tanner Lane Building (Stake Center).  Please have the food you signed up for there by 5:45pm.  If you want to donate to the giving tree please bring a preloaded gift card with the amount written on it. If you have not had a chance to signup to bring a food item - please contact Susan Burt to see what is still needed.  Invite your neighbors and those you minister to and don't forget to wear an ugly sweater - prizes will be awarded!

Jan 26th - Save the Date to come be uplifted by Laurel C. Day, Colleen Scoresby and Kathy Kinghorn - put on by the Stake RS  9-11:30am "Becoming New In Christ"

Ministering to our Sisters

Reach out to the Sisters you minister to, and be one of their Gifts from the Savior

Making Ministering Interviews Meaningful 

In supporting President Russell M. Nelson’s statement that the ministering program will be a hinge point on which the course of the Church will swing, Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, “The realization of his vision … might be predicated upon how well ministering brothers and sisters are taught and engaged in the ministering interview.”

Four tips for ministering brothers and sisters:

• Go to the interview seeking counsel. Be ready to learn.
• Be prepared to discuss needs that you may need help meeting.
• Focus on the individual’s strengths and abilities, not just needs.
• Contact the presidency to counsel between quarterly interviews as needed.

Ministering Interviews

These quarterly interviews between ministering sisters and the Relief Society presidency or ministering brothers and the elders quorum presidency are the only formal report we make regarding those we minister to. The interview is an opportunity on at least a quarterly basis to (1) counsel about the strengths, needs, and challenges of assigned families and individuals; (2) determine what needs the quorum, Relief Society, or ward council might assist with; and (3) learn from leaders and be encouraged in ministering efforts.

The elders quorum president and the Relief Society president communicate important needs directly to the bishop and will receive counsel and direction from him.

"A new name, new flexibility, and fewer reports will not make one ounce of difference in our service unless we see this as an invitation to care for one another in a bold new holier way."  

MINISTERING WEBSITE

Prayers for....

Please keep Charai Layton and her family in your prayers...

Also, keep Cliff Dunston and Judy in your prayers...

And Stephanie Howell's family, especially her step- mother.

Pray for those you minister to...

Do you know of anyone in need of our prayers?  Please contact a presidency member.

Service Opportunities 

Please contact Shauna Keech if you can prepare a batch of soup to be frozen for the Laytons

Take a moment and drop a letter or a card to one of our missionaries:

Sister Ellie Ross -Returned Home!

Elder Ethan Graham
Taipei Taiwan Mission
ethan.graham@myldsmail.net

Sister Jordan Fitting
California Ventura Mission
3301 W Gonzales Rd
Oxnard, CA 93036
jordan.fitting@myldsmail.net

Just Serve 

Stake Institute
Every Tuesday 10:00 - 11:15
Stake Center (Tanner Lane)
Bring your scriptures
No babysitting

Click on this link for the schedule of YSA activities

LDS Tools Info

1.  Are you using LDS Tools on your phone or tablet? 

We encourage you to use LDS Tools to access the ward directory, Your Ministering Assignments, Calendar, Temple Info, Missionary Info and more!

2.  Do you have a current photo of you and/or your family? 

Please take a few minutes and follow these instructions. 

3.  Is your contact info correct?  

If not and you need to change or update your info, go to your name in the directory (on a mobile device) and touch the red circle with a pencil and you can edit from there.  If you are signed on at lds.org, click on your name and then the edit button.

4.  Do you know how to access your ministering assignment?

On your mobile device click on your name.  Directly underneath your name is a blue bar that says:  contact, household, membership information, callings and classes and ministering (you must scroll across to access each of these headings.)  Click on ministering and it will list those that minister to you and who you minister to.

Do you have any other questions about LDS Tools?