Nov 25th Weekly Connection

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

Personal Scripture Study

"My Soul Delighteth in the Scriptures" - Julie Beck

More Diligent and Concerned at Home - David A. Bednar

discussion led by McKenzie Nelson

The sisters were divided into 6 groups and each group was given a scritpure to discuss together and then share what they learned about studying the scriptures:

2nd Nephi: 32:3 We should feast upo the words of Christ, they will tell us all things we should do. The scriptures can help us solve problems.

D&C 11: 22-23 Study the Word, Obtain the Word. Oftentimes when new church policies or changes are announced, it feels a little scary, if we turn to the scriptures, they will help us accept the change.

D&C 33: 16-18 The scriptures will help us prepare for the 2nd Coming, by teaching us to be prepared by having our lamps trimmed, burning and ready. The Spirit will help the scriptures come alive for us.

Joshua 1:8 Be of courage - meditate on the scriptures, which invites the Holy Spirit to abide with you.

Timothy 3: 15-17 Blessings, wisdom, salvation, inspiration and instruction all come from the scriptures.

1st Nephi 15: 23-25 The scriptures are the Rod of Iron, the Word of God, and they will help us avoid temptations. We must hold fast to the Word of God or we will lose it.

Sisters shared their testimonies of scripture study:

Heather C.- Reading the Book of Mormon brings her peace and happiness, especially during this very busy time of year.

Vivian - The scriptures give her bearing on life.

Cynthia Vaillencourt's mother - The scriptures create the desire for her to have the constant companionship of the Spirit and of following the prophet.

Consistency in reading the Scriptures

Being consistent in our homes with our children is so important, because they may never remember a scripture or a lesson, but they will remember that you were diligent and consistent in your efforts.

Each time as you read as a family it is like you are leaving brushstrokes that create the picture of your life. Remember, if you struggle with reading the scriptures, you are not alone, the important thing is that you keep trying.

Sisters shared their testimonies of consistent scripture study:

Guest - She studied the Book of Mormon using the Institute Manual in an institute class. A less active sister began coming and loving it. It wasn't long before she began to come to church. Then she started studying the D&C and became very active which led her to return to the temple.

Kim B. - Testified scripture study and home evening are the most important things you can do with your children.

Sherry S. - As a child, Home Evening was not pretty. But she remembers the efforts of her parents...they consistently kept trying. It made a difference and has given their family the foundation for a good life.

Upcoming Lessons

Dec 2nd - Council Discussion led by Stephanie Howell - "A Christ Centered Christmans"

Birthdays

  

25-Rebecca Sterrett

Upcoming Events - Mark your calendars

Save the Date:
Dec 6th - "Come Follow Me Meeting" for all auxialliary leaders.
Dec 8th - Relief Society Christmas Breakfast 9 AM - 10:30 AM at the home of Julia Witham
Dec 9th - Qrtrly Minstering Interviews, if you still need an interview, please call Cheryl to set one up.
Dec 15th - Ward Christmas program - 6:00 PM - more information coming soon.
Jan 26th - A holiday Message From Your Stake Relief Society Staket Presidency


Ministering to the Sisters

Brothers and sisters, we have a heaven-sent opportunity as an entire Church to demonstrate “pure religion … undefiled before God”—“to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light” and to “comfort those that stand in need of comfort,”9 to minister to the widows and the fatherless, the married and the single, the strong and the distraught, the downtrodden and the robust, the happy and the sad—in short, all of us, every one of us. - Jeffrey R. Holland

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 meal for the Isoms, or 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
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

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?