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?