The Ensign Zarahemla Branch Members of The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints March 2005 Newsletter Pastor s Corner Elder Bob Moore Mingled among life s breathtaking beauties and marvelous miracles are devastating disappointments and cataclysmic catastrophes. The latter erupt with such magnitude and force that they can utterly overwhelm and crush us. Every hope and triumph that motivates and rewards our most meritorious efforts seem to also carry the seeds of an approaching adversity and final defeat. The most basic and unavoidable fact of our existence is that life ends in death. Our dreams evaporate. Our products decay. Our monuments erode. Our hearts fail. Our breath stops. The disorder that always detracts from our achieved successes and eventually ends our mortal life is intricately woven into our universe s fabric. Astrophysicists tell us that without it creation would be a homogeneous fog of energy, void of form or substance, and in which no life could exist. It is the delicate balance of order and disorder that concentrates globs of energy and matter into atoms and planets, and then molecules and solar systems, all of which end up composing and housing the bodies that give us autonomy and individuality. Many of these same scientists maintain that the skillful arrangement of disorder throughout our environment confirms the presence and creative supervision of an unseen, but intelligent designer. Despite their affirmation, the underlying question remains: why would such an intelligent Creator produce a world that afflicts every person with death? The Bible tells us that the cause of death is sin. It is the penalty for disobedience. All of us are sinners. Any brief or superficial examination of our individual lives quickly discloses sundry and sorted wrongs, some unintentional and others willful. The motive for our errors rises from within our own selves. They seem to be irrevocably sown into our beings, as if attached to our genes, making us inheritably defective. There is good news about our condition. It is manifest every year when spring again bathes the barren fields with warming light and leaves sprout on deadened twigs. The repeated transformation of lifelessness to fruitfulness that starts anew every March firmly whispers that life can spring from death. This message is the good news of the gospel. Despite the constant weight of debilitating disorders that gradually sap our vigor and age our bodies, life can rise again. That testimony is exemplified in the death and resurrection of the Savior, our Lord, Jesus Christ. He endured every painful and limiting condition attached to our mortal existence and suffered the contempt of the most wicked opponents, yet he rose above those disasters. Crucified on Calvary s cruel cross and buried in a silent, cold tomb, he rose three days later, quickened by his heavenly Father and filled with eternal life. He promises to gives eternal life to all who cling to him. The gospel message springs from every aspect of our Savior. It is even contained in his name. Jesus Christ, in its Greek wording, literally means Jehovah saves the anointed. After Jesus rose from the dead, he breathed the Holy Ghost on his disciples. The Holy Ghost is an earnest, or token payment, of the promise that our Redeemer makes to raise his disciples to eternal life. No one is worthy of such a exquisite gift. We possess no attribute or produce no achievement that endears us to our Creator. We can bring no prize with which to barter for its bestowal. It is simply a gift, more precious than the air we breathe, and freely given to anointed disciples. (Pastor s Corner continued on next page)
(Pastor s Corner Continued) Jesus is called the Christ because the heavenly Father anointed the Son with the Holy Ghost (Acts 10:38). The Spirit of God descended on the Son of God immediately after his baptism. Similarly, those who obey his gospel by being baptized like he was are likewise anointed by the Holy Ghost. It abides with them, remaking them into images of the Son of God. Its presence within them makes their bodies temples of God. Since Jehovah saves the anointed, those who abide under the anointing of the Holy Ghost will be raised up at the last day and given the gift of eternal life. Easter marks the time of year when Jesus rose from the grave. His resurrection is echoed in nature s returning fertility. The decay of last autumn breaks forth with new shoots that initially bud into delicate flowers and finally develop into delicious fruits and herbs of every hue and flavor. Similarly, Jesus broke the bands of death and leapt from the gloomy grave. He stands beyond death in his resurrected glory and extends his saving hand toward us. Those who grasp his hand are carefully carried through the midst of death to blossom anew in eternal glory. Oh, what marvelous blessings and surpassing joys are available to the Lord s disciples! What praise and adoration should ascend to those redeemed from their awful plight! May the resurrection of our Savior, celebrated at the end of this month, inspire all to follow in his footsteps, for he is the path to endless life and celestial glory. If you have anything to submit for the newsletter, please call Marilyn (215-2299 or work 300-0689) OR e-mail it to Marilyn (mholey1@comcast.net),or (marilyn.counts@gmail. com) put it in the NEWSLETTER BOX OR give it to me at church. Deadline for the April Newsletter will be March 20th, 2005. This Newsletter will be distributed on Sunday, March 27th, 2005 Thank you for supporting the congregational newsletter. Marilyn James.MUSIC NOTES The hymn for March is Fairest Lord Jesus, #195 in The Hymnal. The words to this beautiful hymn of praise and adoration were written in 1677 by an unknown German author and translated into English by Storrs Willis. Professor Willis set the words to a Silesian folk-song which he arranged and had the hymn published in America in 1850. The last two verses do not appear in our Hymnal. All fairest beauty, Heavenly and earthly, Wondrously, Jesus, is found in thee: None can be nearer, Fairer, or dearer Than Thou, my Savior, art to me. Beautiful Savior: Lord of all nations; Son of God and Son of Man. Glory and honor, Praise, adoration, Now and evermore be thine. In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son, and the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made which was made. John 1:1-3 Through this column consideration will be given to the various aspects of music for worship, congregational singing and the ministry of music. The reference for our thoughts this month is the book, The Hymn and Congregational Singing, by James Rawlings Sydnor, page 5. It is the author s conviction that the greatest single musical contribution which church leaders could make to their individual congregations would be in the development of superior congregational singing...its aim is to enable as many Christians as possible to reproduce in their lives the same measure of devotion and spiritual insight enjoyed by the writers of the great hymns There is room for further growth even in churches which are noted for excellent singing. At the other extreme are congregations which stand mainly mute during the playing of hymns, almost completely unawakened to the joys and inner satisfactions of the corporate praise of God. To enhance awareness of our corporate devotion we could ask ourselves a few simple questions. When singing hymns do I pay attention to the words and discipline my mind to focus upon them? Am I making a contribution to the worship by participating in the singing? Is my singing weak and barely audible, or am I singing with energy and conviction? What is my posture saying about my willingness to sing? Do I feel more comfortable cheering for my favorite team then I do singing hymns? If so, what can I do about it? The waiting congregation has a responsibility to each and every worship service; to pray for the priesthood participating and to participate themselves in the corporate worship. Part of that participation involves singing. Even though Zarahemla Branch is blessed with good singing let us determine to experience growth. Thank you to the brave souls who sing out and add much to our corporate worship. For those of us more timid, be encouraged and desire to honor our Heavenly Father through song. sylvia thomas
Musical Schedule March 6th Jill Moore Debbie Bellville Ruth Hinderks March 13th Ashley Gault Jeri Gault Jill Moore March 20th Jeri Gault Jill Moore ore Ashley Gault March 27th Linda Drown Linda Drown Linda Drown ********************************************************************** Special Music Schedule March 13th Paula Rowland THIS MONTH IN CHURCH HISTORY March 1829 A revelation (D&C 5) was given to Joseph Smith and Martin Harris in Harmony, Pennsylvania. It was called forth by Martin's insistent desire to know whether Joseph had the records of the Nephites in his possession. March 8, 1831 Revelation (D&C 47) was given through Joseph Smith, Jr., at Kirtland, Ohio, and addressed to John Whitmer. Oliver Cowdery's departure upon the mission to the West had left Joseph without a scribe who could keep an official record of the church's history. John Whitmer, who was now called to this responsibility, wrote only eighty-five pages. These included many of the revelations given prior to 1838. March 18, 1833 Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams were ordained under the hands of Joseph Smith, Jr. to be counselors in the First Presidency and in the Presidency of the High Priesthood March 3, 1850 Oliver Cowdery died in Richmond, Missouri. David Whitmer was present at the deathbed, and Oliver s last words to him were, Brother David, be true to your testimony to the Book of Mormon. March 20th March 27th Kathy Stayton Duet Question: SCRIPTURE TRIVIA What did the Lord have the Jaredites take with them to the Promised Land? Devotion Schedule for March 03/06/05 Bob Moore Family 03/13/05 Rolland James Family 03/20/05 Jim McKay Family 03/27/05 Brad GaultFamily SCRIPTURE WORD SCRAMBLE Unscramble the following words found in the book of Ether: geglnuaa rsbgae enlsdwsire rtseede onarmruecim language barges wildernes sdeseret Moriancumer Answers to last month s word scramble 1) DEUTERONOMY 2) NEHEMIAH 3) PROVERBS 4) JEREMIAH 5)LAMENTATIONS ANSWERS TO LAST MONTHS TRIVIA Answer: Genesis 17:11 Inspired Version, received in late 1830. This preceded the mention of the age of accountability in D&C 68.
RETREAT March 4th and 5th, Friday night and Saturday, has been set aside for a retreat to examine the formation of a joint conference for independent branches of the Reorganized Church. All interested saints and branches are invited. It will be held at CPRS and may lead to a joint conference. MEMORY VERSE FOR MARCH March Theme: The Gospel Declared In him was the gospel, and the gospel was the life, and the life was the light of men John 1:4 **************************************** NEW MEMBERS March 19th A Variety and Talent Night is the fun fare for the evening. This is always great fun as well as seeing superb talent from the attendees. We will be inviting South Branch to attend and share with us. So get your talent rounded up and join in the evening fun. Bring your favorite snack to share. Beverages will be provided. The fun will begin at 6:00 pm Jeremiah Trahern was baptized by his father, Priest Doug Trahern and confirmed by his grandfather, Seventy Neil Simmons and his uncle, Elder Kenny Simmons. TIDBITS CONGRATULATIONS TO: Scott and Emily Latman on the birth of their daughter, Anna Dorothy Latman. She was born on January 19, 2005 weighing in at 7 pounds 12 ounces. She has already been spotted at church. Bradley Woll was baptized by his uncle, Elder Rex Curtis, and confirmed by Elder Rex Curtis and High Priest Dean Falconer. OUR love, support and prayers go out to Ursala Beil on the loss of her husband, Walter. We will continue to remember you in our prayers. Don t forget to mark your calendars for the Summer Reunion that will be held in New Mexico during the week of July 31, 2005 through August 5, 2005.
ACTIVITY CALENDAR March 2005 S M T W Th F S 1 2 Patrick McKay I Th 1:5 3 4 RETREAT At CPRS 5 RETREAT at CPRS 6 Isaiah 52:7 9:15 Morning 10:30 : Brad Gault Preaching: Dohn Ford 6:00 : Jim McKay Reports 7 Priesthood Meeting at the church 8 9 Dean Falconer Mark 10:28-29 10 11 12 13 Genesis 5:44 9:15 Morning 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 : Vern Drown Preaching: Gary Lair 6:00 : Chuck Perry Fellowship 20 3rd Nephi 10:4 9:15 Morning 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 : Bill Anderson Preaching: Brad Gault Potluck after service 6:00 : Vern Drown Religio 27 2nd Timothy 1:10 9:15 Morning 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 : Ren Thomas Preaching: Kent Pederson 6:00 No 14 15 16 21 22 23 28 29 30 Chuck Perry Romans 1:16 Ren Thomas Mark 16:14 Jim McKay 3rd Nephi 12:22 17 18 19 6:00 pm at the church Variety and Talent Night 24 25 26 31
Zarahemla Branch Members of The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 502 Southwest 17th Street Blue Springs, MO 64015