The Zarahemla Ensign Branch April 2015 By High Priest When I was growing up on the farm we had an old 720 John Deere tractor. We didn t use it much. In fact, the only thing I can remember using it for was the monthly chore of mixing whole corn and supplement together in the feed grinder for the sows in the farrowing house. We used the PTO drive on the tractor to run the grinder. The tractor would sit so long, that we would always have to jump start it with the pickup. The battery would be deader than a door nail. On one occasion, I was on the tractor as dad was hooking jumper cables to it and the pickup. We weren t getting enough juice from the battery, so dad wiggled the cables to make sure we had a good connection. As he did this, the battery blew up in his face, spewing battery acid into his eyes. Knowing he needed to flush his eyes immediately with water, dad took off running for the house which was about 75 yards from the barn where we were grinding. In hind sight, he should have sent me for water because he couldn t see very well. I had never seen my dad run so fast! As he was running in this blinded state, he lost track of where he was. For those of you who are football fans, you have heard of the term clotheslining. This is a term used for an illegal tackle where the defender catches the runner with a stiff arm across the runner s neck. I can tell you from experience that this term originates from the next thing that happened to my dad. Running full tilt and disoriented, dad ran under the clothesline and it caught him right across the bridge of his nose. His feet went out from under him so fast, that he landed hard on his back. What started out as an emergency situation was now a traumatic situation. After we finally got dad to his feet and in the house, we were able to flush his eyes with water soon enough that there was no lasting damage to his eyes. His nose however, had been split open clear to the bone. I m glad to tell you that my dad is a very tough individual and he healed up fine and was able to go on to have many other life threatening accidents later in life. Luckily, he will celebrate his 80th birthday this month. From time to time we find ourselves in situations that seem overwhelming. Whether it is physical, financial, emotional or spiritual, we recognize that we are in need of relief. How many of us, like my dad, try to handle the situation on our own? I know I have been guilty of this and I can tell you that in almost every case I have worsened the situation. We trust that we know what is best for us and are either too ashamed or proud to ask for help. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths. In every case the Lord will know what the best course of action is. He might show this to you or direct the help from someone else. I can t tell you how many times I have been helped both physically and spiritually by the love and care of the saints. Sin can have the same effect on our lives that the battery acid had on my dad. It can blind us from what the best course of action might be for our lives. If dealt with on our own, we find that we often fall short of true repentance and have a difficult time finding our way back to God. If we will call upon the Lord and wait on the leadings of the Holy Spirit (like my dad should have waited for help) we will not only be given strength to overcome the sin that burdens us, but we will be filled with the hope for renewal that only comes from the grace and mercy we find in Jesus Christ. Doug Trahern This time of year our thoughts are directed toward the cross and what was accomplished at Calvary. He did all of this for you and me. One of my favorite songs says it better than I can. And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in. That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin! Then sings my soul, my Savior, God to Thee: How great Thou art! HOW GREAT THOU ART!
i Some photos from a very historic weekend. The book shone in these pictures is a first edition Book of Mormon. This book belongs to Keith Wilson, a BYU professor. His great great grandfather received this book from Joseph Smith Jr. The top left picture is Joseph F. Smith, great grandson of Joseph Smith, Jr holding the Book of Mormon. Sunday morning at Zarahemla was the conclusion of the Book of Mormon uniting many Book of Mormon believers. Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Perry (Aubree and Nathan) If you have anything to submit for the newsletter, please call Marilyn 215-2299 OR e-mail it to me (marilyn.counts@gmail.com) OR (give it to me at church). PLEASE JUST SHARE WITH US IN THE MAY 2015 NEWSLETTER. Deadline for the May 2015 newsletter will be Sunday, April 26th, 2015 and will be emailed before Friday, May 1st, 2015. (I hope). Thank you for supporting the congregational newsletter. Marilyn James, Editor
APRIL BIRTHDAYS 6 Joy McKay 7 Kase Patterson 8 Ursula Beil 8 Jane Curtis 9 Hailey Scott 10 Marilyn James 10 Mary Stilwell 14 Mika Elle Chinnery 16 BayLee Yazell 17 Dylan Bronson 24 Joy Moore 24 Joshua Heyl 25 Jeremiah Trahern 26 Sarah Durant 29 Steve Rideout Deacon Schedule April 2015 April 5th Morning Jerry Gerber April 12th Morning Kyle Norman April 19th Morning April 26th Morning Lloyd Stilwell DEVOTIONS April 2015 April 5th Shirley Andrews Family April 12th Roger Gault Family April 19th Noah Michael Neely was born at 7:30 a.m. in Astoria Oregon to Michelle Thien and Brian Neely. He was 6 lbs and 13 oz at birth. He was 19 inches long. He is completely healthy in every way and a joy to all his family. God is GOOD~ April 26th Bob Giertz Family If you are not able to keep your assignment, please find someone to fill your spot. Hailey Norman: Soccer games: April 1st, 7th, 21st, 23rd, and the 28th Most games are at 4:30 PM. See Hailey for exact times and locations. Kevin McMilian: Band Concerts at Lee's Summit West: April 2nd - Precontest concert (about 30 minutes long) - 7:00 PM April 10th - Contest performance (about 15 minutes long) - 3:30 PM POTLUCK Our April potluck will be after the worship service on the 19th. All April birthdays will be honored at this potluck. Please join us for some great food and fellowship. Let s make some good spring recipes!!! Lindsay McMilian: April 17th - Jazz in the Courtyard - at Lee's Summit West - 6:00 PM (double check the time with Lindsay if you are going to attend)
Musical Schedule April 5th 5th APRIL ACTIVITIES 7:00 am Easter Sunrise Service at the home of Bob and Jill Moore. There Devotional Service - Ashley Gault will be a light breakfast after the 10:30 Service - Ashley Gault service. There will be ample time to 6:00 pm Service - No Services make it to church for the 9:15 morning April 12th Devotional Service - Conferfence devotions. This is an outdoor service so plan to bring coats or blankets to keep warm. 10:30 Service - 6:00 pm Service - April 19th 6th 7:00 pm Priesthood meeting at the church. Devotional Service - Jill Moore 11th 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Registration for General will begin at the 10:30 Service - Jill Moore Gathering Center. 6:00 pm Service - Ashley Gault 12th Center opens at 8:30 am April 26th with the song service beginning at 9:15 am. will continue Devotional Service - Jeri Gault daily through Saturday the 18th 10:30 Service - Jeri Gault at 1:30 pm. For daily schedule and 6:00 pm Service - Lindsay McMilian more information go online to: www.conferenceofbranches.org. MINISTRY OF MUSIC will be held at the Remnant Center on April 5th Easter and Communion Highway 291. April 12th 19th POTLUCK after the morning worship April 19th Johanna Peabody service. We will be celebrating the April 26th Joe and Laura Van Biber April birthdays. Come, enjoy good fellowship and super food CONCERT 19th 6:00 pm Restitution class with Bob Moore teaching. There will be a concert on the 16th (Thursday) during conference at the center. This should be a great family activity. Plan on attending. 22nd 25th 26th 28th 5:30-6:30 Lamp Lighters at the church. Working on weaving badge. 10:00 am. Zion Builders will meet at The church and carpool to the Zoo. Bring a sack lunch. 6:00 pm Religeo with Ron Buckles presiding. 7:00 pm Zion s League Youth Class will be held at the Patrick McKay home. Roger Gault will teach.
ACTIVITY CALENDAR Zarahemla Branch APRIL 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Mosiah 8:53 2 3 4 7:00 pm Prayer Service Presiding: Ron Buckles Assisting: Rolland James 5 EASTER MORNING 6 7 8 D & C 3:16-17 9 10 11 7:00 Sunrise Service at Moore s 9:15 Morning Worship 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service Presiding: Brad Gault Preaching: Patrick McKay 7:00 Priesthood Meeting 7:00 pm Prayer Service Presiding: Bob Moore Assisting: Rudy Leutzinger 2:00 4:00 pm Registration begins at the Remnant Center No Evening Services 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 begins ends 19 9:15 Morning Worship 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service Presiding: Chuck Perry Preaching: Andy Gross POTLUCK 6:00 pm Restitution Presiding:: Bob Moore 20 21 22 D & C 83:1b Lamplighters 5:30-6:30 pm They will work on their Weaving Badge 7:00 pm Prayer Service Presiding: Dean Falconer Assisting: Duane Newman 23 24 25 Zion Builders go to the zoo. Meet at 10:00 26 27 28 29 D & C 16:1c-d 30 9:15 Morning Worship 9:30 Sunday School Zion s League 7:00 pm Prayer Service 10:30 Worship Service Youth Class at Presiding: Patrick McKay Presiding: Doug Trahern Patrick McKay home Assisting: Phil O Camb Preaching: Richard Hensley 6:00 pm Religeo Presiding: Ron Buckles
Zarahemla Branch 502 Southwest 17th Street Blue Springs, MO 64015
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