Church of Jesus Christ - Oak Grove Restoration Branch

Transcription

1 Volume 13, Issue 6 - November/December 2017 Since 2005, a publication of the Church of Jesus Christ - Oak Grove Restoration Branch and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths Isaiah 2:3 FALL HARVEST PARTY On Saturday, October 28, the annual OGRB Fall Harvest Party was held at the church. About 80 were in attendance. (more pictures on page 4-5) IN THIS ISSUE A Word from the Pastor 2 Church School Classes New Directories Upcoming Events 3 Harvest Party Pictures 4 More Harvest Party Playground Work 5 Women s Dept. News 6 Freeze Point 7

2 The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand --- by Elder Mike Lidberg, Associate Pastor Restoration Scriptures Three-In-One Contains the Inspired Version of the Bible, the 1908 Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine & Covenants through Section 144. Includes pages for presentation and family history, all-new concordances for each book, lists of important doctrines, and many other great features. Contact Cumorah Books for more information or For behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth. (Alma 5:18) Over the next two months we will be focusing on a common theme, The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand from Alma 5:18. As we enter the seasons of Thanksgiving and Christmas, it s easy to get caught up with the commercialism all around us. The real purpose we celebrate this season is Jesus coming to earth and establishing the pathway for us to return to our Heavenly Father and dwell with Him in His Kingdom. See Alma 5:13-14 and These verses give insight into why Jesus coming to earth is so closely linked to the Kingdom of Heaven being at hand. Jesus coming to earth in human form is the one thing which is of more importance than they all, stated in verse 13. It is the most important thing that has ever happened down through time. If Jesus didn t come, mankind would be forever lost. Without His gift, the door to the Kingdom of Heaven would have remained shut. But He did come, and He has opened the door. Verses 21 and 23 tell that when Jesus came as a baby, He made the Kingdom of Heaven available to each of us. As we all know, just because something is available doesn t guarantee that we will obtain it. There are further instructions given as to what we must do in verses of Alma 5:24 and Because of Jesus gift, we have the opportunity to repent, make a covenant through baptism, and strive to follow Him the remainder of our earthly days. These earthly days are also referred to as a pathway. The pathway of life that He desires us to walk is a straight and narrow path which is referred to in Alma 5: We can be assured that if we choose to walk on this path and press forward, we will continue around this circle of life and finish where we began, in the presence of our Heavenly Father. We will be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, to go no more out, as stated in Alma 5:38 and 42. And now my beloved brethren, I have said these things unto you, that I might awaken you to a sense of your duty to God, that ye may walk blameless before Him; that ye may walk after the holy order of God, after which ye have been received. And may the Lord bless you, and keep your garments spotless, that ye may at last be brought to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the holy prophets who have been ever since the world began, having your garments spotless, even as their garments are spotless in the kingdom of heaven, to go no more out. (Alma 5:38 & 42) This portion of Alma 5 gives very clear reasons why Jesus Christ should be our focus this season and every season of our lives. We need to recognize this gift as the most important thing that ever has and ever will be given to us. I hope it reminds us of the commitments that we have made to Him, the pathway we are walking down, and the hope of His Kingdom that is so close at hand. OGRB Pastorate Presiding Elder: Ed Story Counselors: Elder Don Cutshall Elder Mike Lidberg Elder Mark Griffin Elder Bill Jones Elder Karl Anderson Elder Hal Chadwick Page 2 Zion s Path

3 Church School Classes At the Oak Grove Restoration Branch, we have Sunday school classes for ages 2 years old to adult. Our teachers are passionate about their subjects and prayerfully prepare each week. We love having you in our classes and would encourage you to make the effort to come and join us. Our Sunday school classes begin right after morning worship (which starts at 9:00am on Sunday mornings except Communion Sundays). --- by Lori Smith We love it when the children graduate up into their next classes just like Aubree and Avalee Norman did recently. The students build relationships that last a lifetime by coming and participating in the classes. It not only gives them opportunities to learn more about the Lord and His church, but also gives everyone a chance to socialize a little. We look forward to seeing some new faces in our Sunday school classes and renewing some past relationships. New Branch Directories are now available in the fellowship hall! We ask that you take only one large and one small per family. If you find any errors, please let Gena Martin know. Thank you. Upcoming Events Nov 5 Elders Class 7:00am Nov 22 Special Thanksgiving Prayer Service 7:00pm Nov 7 Women s Dept. Craft and Food Class 7:00pm Nov 26 Nov 8 Spiritual Stewardship Groups meet Zion s League service project: Decorate the Church for Christmas Nov 26 Branch Business Meeting 6:30pm Nov Older Youth Retreat at Odessa Hills Nov 11 Zion s League Hayride/cookout/campfire Dec 1 Women s Christmas Party 6:30pm Nov 16 Elders Class 7:00pm Dec 15 Zion s League Progressive Dinner Nov 18 OGRB Branch Thanksgiving Dinner 5:00pm Dec 17 Nov 19 Spiritual Stewardship Group #5 at Butler Morning Christmas Program Bell Choir and Adult Choir Volume 13, Issue 6 Page 3

4 pictures from Fall Harvest Party Page 4 Zion s Path

5 more pictures from Fall Harvest Party Playground Areas Rejuvenated Recently, the OGRB playground equipment was power washed and new mulch was added to the two play areas on the east side of the church. Workers included Dennis Heater, Mick Ballantyne, Darion McGinnis, Joseph Smith, and Don Cutshall. Volume 13, Issue 6 Page 5

6 Women s Department News In case you have missed it, our new Women s Department theme for the year is Chosen Vessels for the Kingdom. Our scripture is 2 Timothy 2:20-21: But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. The women had a salad supper and kickoff meeting in September to introduce our new theme. Thirty-three women attended the salad supper. The tables were decorated with different kinds of vessels. A program was presented by Connie Smith and Pat Chadwick. There was just a little time left for decorating a new journal, but time was of the essence, so a number of women took their supplies home with them. It was an uplifting evening and the salads were delicious. If you want a journal and do not have the ability or time to make one, there are some on the table in the fellowship hall. Please feel free Page 6 Zion s Path -- by Pat Chadwick to take one while they last. Also the supplies to make one will be in the fellowship hall until November. Lisa Postlethwait has felt impressed to start Home-Maker Classes. She will be leading a team of women who will assist her in this endeavor. The classes will be held the 1st Tuesday of each month. They will alternate; one month will be a serious class, the next month a craft class. Tuesday, November 7, at 7:00 we ll have a craft class. You can learn how to make and decorate a holiday cheese ball or make a Mason jar lantern for your home or as a gift to give. There are samples in the fellowship hall on the table by the bulletin board. Everyone is invited. (We will not have a Home-Makers class in December.) Friday December the 1st is our Women s Christmas party. It will be held at the home of Monica Rush. Watch for a flier in your bulletin with all the information. This is always a fun evening and a good way to get into the Christmas spirit for the holidays. Our Zion Flash Cards will continue through the coming church year as well as a newly designed bulletin insert, to encourage us in our spiritual growth. A 2018 calendar is in the making and will be out by the first of the year. Hope to see you at the Home-Makers class and the Christmas Party!

7 The Freeze Point -- Susan Freeze Something interesting happens when you are part of a church family. It s kind of like when you get married you suddenly have this whole new family. You start to have this history together. Not only can you remember when everyone had their babies, you also get to watch them grow up. It goes even further, because we can affect each other by what we say and what we do. Going to prayer meeting is where you really get to know your brothers and sisters in Christ. Not only do they get to share their prayer requests and concerns, but they also share how the Lord has worked in their lives. Often their testimonies become part of your foundation. I have always loved Donnie Cutshall s testimony about his cows getting out over and over on Wednesday nights until he prayed and said, Lord if they get out I am counting on you to look after them. I am going to church. The cows didn t get out again for a long time. One night when they did get out he was going down the driveway on the way to be in charge. He went on to church and the cows were back in the pen when he got home. I love Valerie Lidberg s testimony about getting a brand-new flute for the price of a used one to replace her flute that had gotten destroyed. Certainly, Christine Hedrick s testimonies and prayers of God s goodness have helped me understand God in a better way. These are just a few of the testimonies that have become a part of who I am. Recently when my husband Flip was having all of his back trouble, I asked for two elders to come by and administer to him after church. My dad and Aaron Smith were the ones that came. Before the administration, I was lamenting about my great concern that the doctor s office hadn t gotten the procedure cleared. I was worried that the insurance wouldn t pay and we would be stuck with the whole bill. I was pretty worked up about it when Aaron said to me, It sounds like you are imaging a future without Jesus by your side. This stopped me cold because he just used a quote I had shared in a testimony. It is from Jesus is Calling and I had testified about how this thought had really helped me cope with fear of the future. We then discussed how Christine has testified over and over about turning over medical bills to the Lord to handle and the blessings He had poured out. Later April Smith told me that she and Aaron had been using the quote about Jesus in their future to encourage each other. Whether we stop to think about it or not, we have impact on each other. Just last month I was debating what to write for this article. I had a couple of things rolling around in my head. I went to Wednesday night service. Nancy Green shared how she needed to hear Danny Hight s testimony that night. She also went on to share how we need each other and we need to hear each other s testimonies. She didn t know that one of the articles I was considering writing was about this same subject. At that moment, sitting in prayer service, I knew I was to write about this same idea. Certainly, there are times when I have to work late or I don t feel well and I miss going to church. But I have found that if I make the effort, even if I am tired, that I leave church uplifted and renewed. There have even been times when I walked in feeling very tired and left feeling energized. I would testify to you that Wednesday night services are worth the effort! Volume 13, Issue 6 Page 7

8 Zion s Path website: Church of Jesus Christ - Oak Grove Restoration Branch Church Phone: (816) CD s available for many Worship Services. Watch most Sunday morning services live by going to our church website! (Click on Video ) Worship Times Sacrament Service (1st Sunday) Sunday Early Worship Sunday Church School Sacrament Sunday Prayer Service and Sacrament Service 9:00 am 9:15 am Priesthood Prayer Service 9:00 am 10:00 am Sunday eve Worship 6:30 pm 6:30 pm Wednesday eve Prayer and Testimony 7:00 pm I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. (Psalm 122:1) THIS NEWSLETTER IS AVAILABLE ON OUR CHURCH WEBSITE. Tell your friends and family!