September 30th Weekly Connection

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

5th Sunday Bishopric...

Brother Graham spoke on our spiritual survival and or spiritual armor. What do we do to protect ourselves? He said that we live in the best of times and the most dangerous of times. He asked will you still trust God? We are at war! There is no other time on the earth when Satan has been so destructive with distraction, deception, and deviousness.

We can protect ourselves by daily scripture reading, attending church each week and partaking of the sacrament. This is where we are forgiven of our sins and can start new each week and remember that we have taken our Saviors name upon us. Avoid the appearance of evil, stand in Holy places, create in our homes a refuge from the evil in the world. It takes knowledge and testimony of our Lord and Savior, and direction from the Holy Ghost to help lead our lives. We need to spend more time in those things that give us spiritual direction in living and seeking revelation for our lives.

Brother Miller said about President Nelson’s conference talk, “You will find in his talk each time you read or listen to it over some little golden nugget that you didn’t hear the times before.” How can we find answers to questions we have about the gospel principals? Ask first, then receive answers through the spirit. President Nelson said in his conference talk that the first presidency and quorum of the 12 apostles meet in “Rooms of revelation” to receive direction form Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as they listen to one another bear testimony. How does that compare to us or relate to us? We need to gain our own testimony of the callings we receive in the church and in our wards. Seek to receive, to know why you have been given the calling you are asked to serve in. Gain your own testimony of revelation. That revelation that the Lord will open our eyes as to why. You will receive a testimony of your calling whatever it may be.

Bishop said, “We feel connected to our leaders of our church.” They give us revelation for our lives. All our prophets show so much love for each of us and for the God and Savior that they serve. Coasting only happens downhill. We need the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. Self-worth is not earned it is revealed. Try to move closer to him to know that you are his son or daughter.  As President Nelson stated in April 2018 general conference, “Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, and regular time committed to temple and family history work.

To be sure, there may be times when you feel as though the heavens are closed. But I promise that as you continue to be obedient, expressing gratitude for every blessing the Lord gives you, and as you patiently honor the Lord’s timetable, you will be given the knowledge and understanding you seek. Every blessing the Lord has for you—even miracles—will follow. That is what personal revelation will do for you. My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. Let this Easter Sunday be a defining moment in your life. Choose to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly.”

Council Action:

Choose something you feel powerless over and give it to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

In addition to this find one way to come to know Christ better.

Carole Spencer Funeral Info
Thursday Viewing @ Centennial Building 6:00-8:00pm
Friday Viewing 9:00-10:45am, Funeral 11:00am

Upcoming Council or Discussion

October 6th and 7th - General Conference - Women's session Sat. Oct 6th @ 6pm @ Stake Center or watch online

October 14th - Ministering with the Power and Authority of God by Pres. Nelson

October 21st - Its All About People by Gerald Causse led by Julie Peterson

October 28th - The Lord wants us to accept ministering from others.

4th - Vickie Conner

6th - Tori Isom

Upcoming Events - Mark your calendars

Friday, October 26th - Harvest Social

6:30pm at the Centennial Building

Signups for food will be going around starting October 14th.

Ministering to the Sisters  
October ministering interviews will be on October 14th between 4:30-6:30.  They will last only 15 minutes. Cheryl Carter will be contacting you if you are scheduled for October so please respond back to her in a timely manner.  We would like you to attend ministering interviews with your companion if at all possible. 

October Ministering Principles: Getting Help to Help Others

"When multiple sclerosis confined Kathy to a wheelchair, she found she needed assistance each night getting from her chair to her bed. The job was too big for any one member. So the elders quorum counseled about her situation and decided to make a schedule to help her each evening.

As we come to know the needs and strengths of those we serve, we may find that we need help to help meet their needs. Ministering interviews and first-Sunday council meetings are two opportunities to discuss how to appropriately involve others.

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....

Nelson Spencer and the Van Orden family need prayers of comfort and peace as Carole passed away early Tuesday morning.  We were so blessed to get to know Carole in the short time she was in our ward.  Heaven just gained a spiritual giant!

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

Service Opportunities 
Help will be needed with food, set up and clean up on Friday for the funeral luncheon.  Watch for a sign up to be sent out soon.

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

Sister Ellie Ross
Santa Rosa CA Mission
5301 Badger Rd
Santa Rosa, CA 95409
ellie.ross@myldsmail.net

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

Saturday October 20th – Stake Halloween Dance, Trunk R Treat, and Costume Contest 

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?