The Ensign Zarahemla Branch The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints December 2008 Pastor s Corner Elder Bob Moore At this time of year, we rehearse for ourselves and pass on to our children the story of Jesus birth. In so doing, we unintentionally convey some purposes of our Savior s incarnation. The story begins with Mary and Joseph s arrival at Bethlehem. Joseph had lived there before he became engaged to Mary and moved to Nazareth. He probably still owned property in Bethlehem one reason why he and his wife had to return there for the census. Bethlehem s original Hebrew name was Ephrath (Gen 13:19). The name is derived from the Hebrew word for fruitfulness. The town s name was changed by Hur shortly after the Israelites entered Canaan. History remembers him as the father of Bethlehem (1 Ch 4:4). He was one of the spies who searched out the Promised Land for Moses and along with Aaron held up Moses hands during the battle that defeated the Amalekites (Ex 17:12). The Amalekites descended from Amalek, a grandson of Esau (Gen 36:12). The Amalekites were first of the nations (Nu 24:20) and the foremost opponent to Israel s journey toward the Promised Land. They were defeated only as long as Moses stood with outstretched arms above the battle. Those arms were extended on each side of Moses in the form of a cross during the day-long struggle. Aaron and Hur had to hold them up as Moses grew weary in the conquest. Thus, the toilsome mission of Jesus, to conquer the faithful s enemies, who resist those on their way to celestial glory s Promised Land, by stretching his arms on the cross, partly rests on Hur. More precisely, it begins at Hur s hometown, Bethlehem, the place of Jesus birth. During Abraham, Isaac and Jacob s time, Ephrath was a fruitful place to grow wheat thus, its name, fruitfulness. By the time of Hur, Ephrath had become a place of bread making, a breadbasket of Judea. Hur changed the town s name to reflect this development. Bethlehem means house of bread. Jesus is the bread of heaven (Jn 6:41). Just as manna, the bread of heaven, sustained the Israelites during their sojourn in the arid wilderness enroute to the Promised Land, Jesus sustains the faithful during their sojourn in the desert of this life enroute to celestial glory. That is another reason Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The Bread of Heaven was born in the house of bread. Just as the Hebrews struggled in the wilderness -- vagabonds in a barren desert and without hearth or home -- we all struggle in the wilderness of this life. Its joys are shallow and its comforts temporary. Each person learns early in life what Wesley told the Princess Bride: Life is pain. Whoever tells you otherwise is trying to sell you something. We cannot escape life s limitations without undergoing a transformation a rebirth that lifts us above our carnal setting and places us in the divine world. That transformation requires something that we do not naturally have. That transforming substance is the word of God. As we ingest it, it gradually replaces our human nature. Thus, the word of God as recorded in scripture transforms our thoughts. Likewise,
the word of God in the flesh transforms our deeds. Just as the order in the bread we eat gives our bodies life, the order in the Bread of Heaven gives life to our souls. The labor each person must undertake to bring to birth the word of God out from his natural inclinations is a bitter struggle that often lasts a lifetime. It begins in baptism and is perfected through endurance. Mary, the name of Jesus mother, is the Greek form of Miriam and means bitterness. Her labor brought forth Jesus, the Word of God in the flesh. It symbolizes the required struggle each person must undergo if the word of God is to emanate from within them, whether in the form of righteous deeds or inspired revelations. Once Mary gave birth, she placed baby Jesus in a manger. A manger is the eating trough for domesticated livestock. All people are corrupted by animalistic tendencies that require domestication to wean us from such carnality. Domestic livestock live in stalls and are kept in pastures -- much easier than foraging through the wilds for food and water. Not only do domestic livestock survive, but they flourish because of the tender care and constant provision their herdsman or shepherd provide. The faithful must depend on their heavenly shepherd for constant provision and care during this life s journey. The source of their provision is Jesus. That fact was highlighted when Mary placed baby Jesus in the eating trough or manger. The world may not have known about Jesus birth and the ramifications that it has of rebirth and salvation for all people had not angels flown through the midst of heaven shouting the glad tidings. Those angels appeared only to some shepherds who were tending their flocks at the time. Once they heard the good news, they came to the stable to worship the babe. The shepherds are the ones who spread the news of the Savior s birth (Lu 2:17). While the Lord is our heavenly shepherd, he authorizes men to care for his sheep. The word pastor comes from the Greek word for pasture and signifies the priesthood responsibility to care for the sheep of God. Just as the shepherds heard the angel message and came to the stable where the word of God had just assumed flesh and just as the shepherds announced that event to the world as they invited all to worship the Savior, divinely appointed shepherds must hear the angel message, come to the Savior, announce his advent, not only in the past, but in the present as the faithful are transformed by the word of God as manifest in priesthood and ordinance, and feed the sheep with the Bread of Heaven to foster that transformation. Angels have flown through the midst of heaven since Jesus birth. Moroni trumpeted the warning voice that began the angelic announcement of the Savior s impending return. His reappearance marks the earth s rebirth, not only its physical transformation in which our globe is returned to its antediluvian condition, but its social transformation in which the kingdoms of this world become the city of Zion. Shepherds who hear the angel message must announce the Savior s coming to the world, invite all to come and worship, and care for the sheep by giving them good pasture by day and a secure sheepfold by night. A big thank you to Brother Bob for all the enlightening articles written for the Pastor s Corner for the past four and a half years. These articles have been a backbone for our newsletters and we appreciate all the time and effort provided by Bob.
Byron Smarr was baptized by Seventy Randy Vick and confirmed by Seventies George Thomas and Randy Vick on *ovember 13, 2008. April *icole Stevenson was baptized by Seventy Rex Curtis on *ovember 13, 2008. MOR*I*G DEVOTIO*S FOR DECEMBER 2008 DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS December 7th Ron Buckles Family 1 9 17 17 17 19 19 20 20 December 14th Stew Williams December 21st Dean Falconer Family December 28th Phil O Camb Family Robert Woll Rebecca Moore Rebecca Peabody Stephanie Davis Sue Ann Davis Ashley Fogarty Shirley Andrews Scott McMilian Danielle McKay PLEASE OTE: If your family is unable to fulfill this responsibility, please switch with someone else. If you have anything to submit for the newsletter, please call Marilyn 215-2299 OR e-mail it to Marilyn (mholey1@comcast.net)(marilyn.counts@gmail.com) put it in the *EWSLETTER BOX OR give it to me at church. BUT PLEASE JUST SHARE WITH US I* THE *EWSLETTER. Deadline for the January, 2009 newsletter will be Sunday, December 21, 2008. I will be out of town from December 19th until the 29th so this newsletter will be distributed on Sunday January 4, 2009. Thank you for supporting the congregational newsletter. Marilyn James
Musical Schedule December 7th Devotion - Jeri Gault Worship - Jeri Fault Evening - Sharon Francis December 14th Devotions - Jill Moore DECEMBER Activities December 6 The ZIO BUILDERS will meet at the church from 10am 11:30 am to decorate cookies. December 21st Worship - Jill Moore Evening - Jeri Gault Devotion - Kevin McMilian Worship - Ashley Gault Evening - Jeri Gault December 8 The WOME S DEPARTME T will meet at the church at 7:00pm for their annual Christmas Ornament Exchange. Bring an ornament to exchange A D your favorite holiday snack to share. December 28th Devotions - Jill Moore Worship - Sharon Francis Evening - Sharon Francis ************************* Special Music December 14th Heather Gault December 14 The Branch CHRISTMAS PROGRAM will begin at 6:00pm. The evening will offer the true meaning of Christmas to each of us as we share in the warmth and spirit of the birth of Jesus. Following the program, there will be snacks to share and fellowship to enjoy. Please bring a Holiday snack to share. Beverages will be provided. December 21st December 28th Sharon Francis Youth Choir December 18 The Zion s League Home Class will be held at 7:pm. Location will be announced soon. The thanksgiving dinner held at Zarahemla last month was a HUGE success. The food was delicious, the fellowship outstanding and it was standing room only. Truly was a wonderful evening to spend with our church family. As always a big thank you to Kelly and all the women who helped her for such a wonderful meal. Dean Falconer had a very entertaining program for all to remember. December 20 The branch CHRISTMAS PARTY will be held at the church starting with Let s Go Caroling at 5:45pm. After caroling, there will be snacks and beverages for everyone to enjoy. We will then have games, prizes, and our usual gift exchange. Plan now on attending and having a fun-filled evening. Don t forget to bring a gift for the exchange, your favorite Holiday snack to share, and get ready for a great evening of fun and fellowship. December 21 The district CHRISTMAS VESPERS service will be held at Zarahemla at 6:00 pm and is centered on Christmas music. If you are interested in performing worshipful music, please contact Bob Moore. Thanks to all who helped in this endeavor.
ACTIVITY CALE DAR Zarahemla Branch December 2008 S M T W Th F S 1 7:00 pm Priesthood Meeting 2 3 7:00 pm Prayer Service Presiding: Ron Buckles Assisting: Fred Pement Luke 2:13-14 4 5 6 10 am Zion Builders at the church 7 Isaiah 40:9-11 9:15 Morning Worship 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service Presiding: Chuck Perry Preaching: Lloyd Stilwell 8 Women s Department 7 p.m. 9 10 7:00 pm Prayer Service Presiding: Chuck Perry Assisting: Andrew Perry 11 12 13 6:00pm Evening Service Bob Moore Business Meeting I ephi 3:58-62 14 Luke 1:30-33 9:15 Morning Worship 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service Presiding: Doug Trahern Preaching: Bonner Davis 6:00 pm Evening Service Brad Gault Christmas Program 15 16 17 7:00 pm Prayer Service Presiding: Tim Canfield Assisting: Jerry Gerber Luke 2:8-12 18 Zion s League Home Class 7 p.m. 19 20 5:30pm Christmas Party 21 Isaiah 7:13-14 9:15 Morning Worship 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service Presiding: Ron Buckles Preaching: Patrick McKay 22 23 24 o Service 25 Christmas Day 26 27 6:00 pm Christmas Vespers District Service Christmas Eve 28 III ephi 1:12-14 9:15 Morning Worship 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service Presiding: Bob Moore Preaching: Gary Whiting 29 30 31 7:00 pm Prayer Service Presiding: Bob Moore Assisting: Josh Trahern 6:00pm Religio Presiding: Patrick McKay Matthew 3:9-11
Zarahemla Branch The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 502 Southwest 17th Street Blue Springs, MO 64015