Jan 27th Weekly Connection

2019 Meeting Schedule - See sidebar to the right...

MINISTERING INTERVIEWS - SUNDAY FEBRUARY 10th from 2:15-8:00pm

Thank you to all who have already signed up!  If you have not yet signed up, it is not too late!  This will be our only day for interviews this quarter and ask that you please take a few minutes to come talk with a presidency member as a companionship if at all possible, including Young Women.  Contact Cheryl Carter for available times. Signups will go around one more time during Sunday School this coming Sunday as well.  If you will be out of town on February 10th and cannot attend, please contact a presidency member.  We look forward to visiting with each of you soon! ♥Valerie, Stephanie and Yvonne

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

"Sharing the Restored Gospel" by Dallin H. Oaks - led by Julie Peterson

Julie began the discussion by talking about the many big changes in the church over the years....the sisters remembered:

• When Primary and Relief Society were in the middle of the week
• When there were 3 meetings on Sunday: Priesthood early in the morning, Sunday School later in the morning and Sacrament meeting in the afternoon. The sacrament was taken at Sunday School and Sacrament Meeting

She also asked how everyone was doing with the "Come Follow Me" home family study. People have chosen different times to do their study, some just before church, some after and some during the week.

Julie feels the importance of this program is so that everyone can be with their family, talking and learning of Christ.

"This is a joyful privilege...Sharing the gospel with God's children."

"Gospel 101"

When we talk about sharing the gospel with others, what are some of the suggestions we always hear? The sisters responded with:

1. Always have a Book of Mormon handy
2. Bear your testimony
3. Be a friend
4. Be an example
5. Serve
6. Pray for people specifically
7. Invite and include people
8. Open your mouth
9. Let your face show that you follow Christ and love His church - The world is aware of the smiles (countenances) on the faces of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

When sharing the gospel, we need to keep in mind that the path to the Savior is not the same for everyone...we are all at different levels. The Lord knows where we each are and what we need...

Julie shared the following cartoon to illustrate how we, our skills, and our progress are at different places.

Julie told the story of a less active person she knows who started coming to church and felt that everyone was very interested in her. But when she stopped coming, everyone seemed to lose interest. People notice these things.

We often make people feel our desperation when we want them to join the church or become more active. It would be better to show them our love, and the peace the gospel brings us rather than the desperation. 

We need to be careful not to judge someone because where they are on the path to the Savior.

It's during the hard times in our lives that the gospel can make a difference...that's when the Lord's help and peace can help and enter in.

We should remember that when someone is ready to accept the gospel in their life happens on their time table, not ours.

Our #1 goal should be to want people to come to Christ, and they will do it 1 step at a time, not all at once. We don't know where they are truly at or what's going on in their lives...our job is to LOVE them regardless.

Our efforts should always help someone on their  path to help them take one more step towards the Savior, whatever that step may be.

"When we seek to introduce people to the restored gospel, we should do this in ways that are authentic and in loving concern for the individual."  - Dallin H. Oakes

Upcoming Lessons

February 10th - Women and Gospel Learning in the Home - by Henry B. Eyring
Click this link for the lesson

Feb 24th - Sisiters Participation in the Gathering of Israel - by Russell M. Nelson - led by Julie Peterson (Ward Conerence)
Click this link for the lesson

Birthdays

  

27-Alissa Allen

30-Rachael Tippetts

31-Julia Witham

Upcoming Events - Mark your calendars

Ward Conference:  February 24th

Ministering to our Sisters

"We receive the Holy Spirit best when we are focused on serving others. That is why we have the priesthood responsibility to serve for the Savior."

- President Henry B. Eyring

​Ministering Interviews

MINISTERING INTERVIEWS - SUNDAY FEBRUARY 10th from 2:15-8:00pm

(Note the date change - if you had signed up for a time on the previous date we have left it the same.  If that time does not work for you on the 10th contact Cheryl Carter to reschedule.)  Signups have been going around the past couple of weeks and will continue to until the interviews.  If at all possible please come as a companionship (including daughters with their mothers.)  We look forward to visiting with each of you soon.

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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...she is currently in the ICU getting help with some breathing issues - extra prayers welcomed!

Also, keep Cliff Dunston and Judy in your prayers...Cliff has returned home and is making improvements, they would love to have visitors and welcome your prayers.

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:

"Just Serve"

A great resource to find service opportunities in our community.

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

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?