Zion s Outpost Newsletter Church of Jesus Christ

Transcription

1 May, 2018 Zion s Outpost Newsletter Church of Jesus Christ ZO 2018 Theme: The Light that is through Jesus Christ, the Son May Theme: The Light of the World is Jesus 2018 Study Scripture & Worship Calendar themes & scripture readings prepared by Elder Gary Whiting WEEKLY READINGS: Week One: D&C 85:12e-f Week Two: 3 Nephi 8:54-55 Week Three: Alma 12: Week Four: 3 Nephi 4: 48; 5:12 Week Five: John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46 Inside this Issue: F.Y.I. continued 2 Introduction qipte continued; Resurrection Day Pictures; JCRB Conference Report Women s Dept.; Zion s Busy Bees JCRB Conference Report continued ZO Activity Calendars for May & June Dates to Remember 8 Below is the continuation of the writings of Elder Gary Whiting as published in the ZO Scripture Calendar of 2018 as an Introduction to the calendar themes. Introduction continued: It is interesting that Jesus declared himself to be the light of the world (John 8:12, John 9:5). We should not be surprised to find such similarities between Jesus Christ and light. God said he created everything through Jesus Christ who is called the word of my power (Genesis 1:8). The Inspired Version of Genesis also states everything in creation bear record of the Lord F.Y.I. Resurrection Day: On Sunday, April 1, marked this year's Resurrection Day services for the branch. Beginning at 9:00 a.m., the Saints shared together in a Sunrise Service by reading scripture and singing hymns which focused on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Slides of the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord were shown throughout the service to highlight the scriptures and hymns. Special music was contributed by Jill Whiting, Naomi Burford, and Claire Loyd. Elder Dwight Burford presided. Following the service, a breakfast was served by the Social Department under God our Creator (Genesis 6:66). The two natures of the properties of physical light bear witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Light is a marvelous way to understand our Lord. He is the origin of life and the continuing presence of life among us. Just as physical light is involved in the innermost workings of mortal life, Jesus touches every aspect of our lives with understanding and power. This is summed up in the words of Section 85 which says: he that ascended up on high, as also he descended [Continued on page 3] the direction of Sandy Whiting. Shortened Sunday School classes were held prior to the sacrament service. Priest Joshua Loyd of Independence, MO provided the ministry of the word at the 11am worship service. Various pictures of the morning can be viewed on page 3. Burford News: On Saturday, April 21, Anna Burford competed in the 34th Annual Award for Excellence in Flute Performance, sponsored by the Tack Flute Foundation, held at Friends University. The competition is for high school flutists. Anna placed first with her solo, "Grand Fantasy on Themes from 'Mignon'" by Taffanel. The Foundation awarded her a cash prize. Anna is a senior and has studied under Sara Jane Cherry [FYI continued on page 2] Vol. 33 No. 5 The Zion s Outpost Branch Newsletter is published monthly through the Publications Department of Zion s Outpost; editor Presiding Elder David Newman, editorial staff Debbie Newman. The newsletter is used to inform members, friends and seekers of the events taking place in the Branch and to promote the work of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is available at no charge to those asking for subscriptions. Contributions to publications are appreciated. If you wish to submit pictures or articles, please send by: to debnewman@joutlook.com or snail-mail to 382 S. Hillsdale Dr., Wichita, KS Please submit by 10th of each month. Branch Contact Info: 6300 N. Tarrytown Park City, Kansas ZO Schedule SUNDAY 9:00am Prayer Service on First and Third Sundays 9:30am Family Worship all other Sundays 9 : 4 5 a m S u n d a y School 11:00am Worship Service 5:00pm Study Class Third Sunday: Potluck Lunch following 11am service Sacrament Services: 11:00am First Sunday and 5:00pm Third Sunday each month WEDNESDAY 7:15 pm Prayer and Testimony Service

2 Vol.33 No.5 Page 2 [FYI continued from page 1] since Well done, Anna! Another exciting Burford event: May 19 Anna will graduate from high school. The celebration will begin at 4pm at Atherton Restoration Branch. Everyone is invited to attend. See Pam or Dwight for details. Congratulations Anna!! National Day of Prayer: May 3 is designated as our country s day of prayer. Please join the nation in fervent prayer. The following information on the NDP can be found at: Prayer brings people together. Prayer builds bridges between opposing persons and even political parties. Prayer reminds us that we are created in God's image and He desires for us to represent Him everywhere we go. Prayer brings UNITY. In 2018, our theme will be Pray for America - UNITY, based upon Ephesians 4:3 which challenges us to mobilize unified public prayer for America, "Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Our hope is that individuals, churches, and spiritual leaders in America, will humble ourselves and unify in prevailing prayer for the next great move of God in America. We can come together in clear agreement that this is our greatest need. We can become a visible union, standing together in prayer. We can pray more than ever before, and practice extraordinary prayer for the next great move of God in America that will catapult the message of the gospel nationally and internationally. First Call of Prayer in 1775: Because of the faith of many of our founding fathers, public prayer and national days of prayer have a longstanding and significant history in American tradition. The Supreme Court affirmed the right of state legislatures to open their sessions with prayer in Marsh vs. Chambers (1983). The National Day of Prayer is a vital part of our heritage. Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued through our history, including President Lincoln s proclamation of a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer in In 1952, a joint resolution by Congress, signed by President Truman, declared an annual national day of prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May. Each year, the president signs a proclamation, ZO 2018 Theme: The Light that is through Jesus Christ, the Son encouraging all Americans to pray on this day. Last year, all 50 state governors plus the governors of several U.S. territories signed similar proclamations. Historical Summary: 1775 The first Continental Congress called for a National Day of Prayer 1863 Abraham Lincoln called for such a day Congress established NDP as an annual event by a joint resolution, signed into law by President Truman (82-324) 1988 The law was amended and signed by President Reagan, designating the NDP as the first Thursday in May ( ). Fun Facts: 1. There have been 146 national calls to prayer, humiliation, fasting and thanksgiving by the President of the United States ( ). 2. There have been 69 Presidential Proclamations for a National Day of Prayer ( ). Gerald R. Ford (1976), George H. Bush ( ), Barack H. Obama (2012), and Donald Trump (2017) are the only U.S. Presidents to sign multiple National Day of Prayer Proclamations in the same year. 3. Every President since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation of the 44 U.S. Presidents have signed proclamations for National Prayer. Three of the Presidents who did not sign a proclamation died while serving in office. Two Presidents, not included in the count William Howard Taft and Warren Gamaliel Harding, signed proclamations for Thanksgiving and Prayer. 5. Records indicate there have been 1,526 state and federal calls for national prayer since 1775 and counting. JCRB International Conference Report 2018 Reported by David R. Newman The Conference began April 2, 2018 and ran through April 7 th. There were 15 Countries represented. Not all countries where we have members and branches were able to be represented. There were 10 delegates representing their own country and 9 proxy delegates representing other countries. The USA was represented by 38 delegates and 2 alternate delegates. There were 126 non-delegate voting members. Total registrations were 203. Business included approval to set apart Seventy Dan Norman as the Senior President of Seventy and Seventy Chris Pedersen to the Counsel [Continued on page 5]

3 ZO 2018 Theme: The Light that is through Jesus Christ, the Son below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth, which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ (D&C 85:2b). The word comprehend in this passage is a vital concept to understand. Comprehend is usually used to indicate that someone understands something, e.g., She comprehends the math lesson well. In scripture, the term is much richer and deeper in its meaning. In Isaiah 40:12, the Lord asks who, besides himself, is able comprehend the dust of the earth in a measure? Here is the full quote: Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the [Introduction quote continued from page 1] earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance (Isaiah 40:12)? Various English translations have used the terms, calculated, enclosed, gathered and grasped to convey the meaning of the word from the KJV, comprehend. The Hebrew word used is related to the following concepts or meanings: Sustain Support Nourish Contain Sustain a cause (as in court) Endure Hold in Resurrection Day Vol.33 No.5 Page 3 It is interesting that Jesus declared himself to be the light of the world (John 8:12, John 9:5). We should not be surprised to find such similarities between Jesus Christ and light. God said he created everything through Jesus Christ who is called the word of my power (Genesis 1:8). OUR YOUNGEST LAMBS Sophia & Isaac Loyd BREAKFAST About 15 people enjoyed the Feast

4 Vol.33 No.5 Page 4 Women s Department Dear Sisters-in-Christ, April 2-7 was the week of the General Conference of the JCRB. The women gathered on Wednesday and Thursday during the quorum sessions. During these times, many of the women shared their prayer concerns, their hopes and joys of the power of God working. The sharing was good and the attending women were uplifted and encouraged. For the Thursday dinner time during conference, the RWM sponsored a Women s Banquet. There were about 75 women that attended and it was a nice time of fellowship and good food. As you recall, we did not have a WD meeting in April due to many other activities happening that month. Our next WD meeting will be May 14 at sister Pam Burford s home at 6:30pm. Elder Dwight will present his thoughts on the May theme Learning to Trust Preparing the Soil: Part 1 & Part 2 Please read the Lessons 4 & WD Theme: Sowers of the Word before the meeting and come prepared to share. As you prepare, meditate upon the theme scripture printed below. As we seek to understand the lessons contained in the written word of God that of planting His seed, the word into our life may our desire be to become His... Sowers of the Word Your servant and sister-in- Christ, Debbie Newman Women s Dept. Leader 2018 May Lessons 4 & 5 Theme Scriptures Psalms 28:7 & 95:6-7 [7] The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. [6-7] Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if ye will hear his voice, Zion s Busy Bees: A reminder that the Busy Bees are still meeting once a month, 7pm at the church to sew together. For their latest projects and for general information, contact Sandy Whiting. The next four meeting dates are as follows: May 22, June 12, July 24 & August 21

5 ZO 2018 Theme: The Light that is through Jesus Christ, the Son Vol.33 No.5 Page 5 [Conference Report continued from page 2] of Presidents of Seventy. The setting apart by the laying on of hands took place as a part of the evening service on Monday April 2 nd. Two Resolutions below were passed (only the resolves are shown): JCR# 138 Church Registration and Houses of Worship Fund Resolved that a line item be added to the General Conference budget for church registration and houses of worship, and be it further; Resolved that this fund may be used to assist branches to obtain houses of worship, and be it further; Resolved that these requests shall be made to the Apostle in charge of the region under consideration. The Quorum of Apostles will develop the criteria for approval of requests. The approved request will be forwarded to the Bishop and the Conference Treasurer for consent and approval of the request during the conference year and be it further; Resolved that the funds in the current account be transferred to this new fund and that a maximum of $15, be added yearly to achieve and maintain a maximum of $50, JCR#139 Fiduciary Responsibility Be it resolved, that Bishop Carl D. Cederstrom be requested to appoint, within three months, a committee of no more than three (3) persons to name an agent for the JCRB to act as a fiduciary agent when events require. And be it further resolved that this matter be sent to the High Priest quorum to develop a more permanent solution with a report to be made back to the next general conference in April The conference is funded by donations from those in attendance at the conference. The 2018 conference budget was $31,340. The budget for the General conference of the JCRB for 2018/2019 came to $656,656. This budget includes missionary ministry for the Seventy and Apostle, Evangelist/Patriarch, facilities, Beacon, Information Technology, Women s Ministries, Missionary funding committee and other expenses. The fiscal year is from June 1, through May 31 of each year. The conference is on track to have an increase in assets for the 2017/2018 fiscal year. The conference has never contracted to spend money that they don t have. There were excellent prayer services, classes, preaching and fellowship among the saints throughout the week. Friday evening there was a Restoration Hymn Sing at the Stone Church. The back ground of each hymn was read before we sang them. We had nearly a full house and the singing was grand. Some of the groups in attendance were Mormons (LDS), Community of Christ, Church of Jesus Christ (Temple Lot), Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite), JCRB affiliated branches and other restoration branches. All groups had ties to the Restored Gospel. Other conference activities: Youth Pizza Party with fun activities, Women s Banquet (Speaker HP Joel Loving). Lunches were provided each day for all conference attendees prepared by Kelly Canfield and crew. They were a hit. The officers elected for 2018/2019 are Sherman Phipps, President; David Whiting, Vice-President; Nathan Sherer, Treasurer; Alan Smith, Secretary; Doug Patterson, Recorder. Many other committees were filled. The Gospel is going forth with new fields opening up. Surly the field is white all ready to harvest.

6 Vol.33 No.5 Page 6 ZO 2018 Theme: The Light that is through Jesus Christ, the Son Anna Burford Dwight Burford

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8 Zion s Outpost Branch 6300 N. Tarrytown Park City, KS Phone: May 2018 Newsletter Dates to Remember [see FYI & calendars for more dates & details] May: 3 National Day of Prayer 13 Mother s Day 14 Women s Dept. Meeting 6:30pm 19 Armed Forces Day 19 Anna Burford High School Graduation 4pm Older Youth Camp 22 Zion s Busy Bees 7pm 28 Memorial Day June: 12 Zion s Busy Bees 7pm 14 Flag Day 17 Father s Day Sr. High Youth Camp Missionary Family Reunion