The Ensign Pastor s Corner Elder Brad Gault Zarahemla Branch The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints October 2009 GOD'S OPEN ARMS by Dean Falconer Next Sunday, 4 October, is Sacrament Sunday. The first Sunday of each month when we as members of His church reach forth our hand to partake of the emblems representing the broken body of our Lord and Savior through eating the bread, and drinking of the cup of wine, representing His spilled blood. We do this seeking remissions of our sins and in total remembrance of Him, vowing to keep His commandments. If we would keep His commandments, I believe God would use each of us to make an impact and make a change in our world. People found in the scriptures were no different or better than any of us. They were not on a list in "Who's Who in Purity and Sainthood". You may be asking, what people? They were the people that God used to change history. They were a group of never-do-wells and has-beens who found hope, not in their performance, but in God's open arms. Are any of us any different? Look at Abraham. He was eulogized by Paul for his faith, but this Father of a Nation wasn't without his weaknesses. He had a fibbing tongue that would not stop. One time, in order to save his own neck, he let the word get out that Sarah was not his wife but his sister. Then he did it again. Twice he traded in his integrity for security. Can you build a nation on that kind of faith? God can. God took what was good and forgave what was bad and used Abraham to start a nation. What about Moses? He is definitely one of history's greatest. Until he was eighty years old he looked like he wouldn't amount to much more than a once-upon-a-time prince turned outlaw. Would you choose a wanted murderer to lead a nation out of bondage? Would you call a fugitive to carry the Ten Commandments? God did. God called him right out of the sheep pasture. God called his name through a burning bush. Moses, when called, agreed to go back into the fold of God. David's record left little to be desired. He got a woman pregnant, tried to blame it on her husband, had her husband killed, and then went on living as if nothing was wrong and went on living his lusty life. It was David's repentant spirit that was unquestionable, and God's open arms received him. Now comes Jonah. Jonah was God's chosen one for Nineveh. But Jonah had other ideas. He did not desire to go to that heathen city, so he boarded another boat when he thought God was not looking. God caused Jonah to be put in the belly of a whale to get his attention and bring him back to His desire for His purposes. The scriptures go on and on. There was Elijah, the prophet who pouted, and Solomon, the king who knew too much. We find Jacob, the wheeler-dealer, and we even find Sarah, who laughed at God. There is one story after another of how God uses man's best to overcome man's worst. The reassuring lesson is clear. God uses people to change the world. They were not Saints or superhuman beings, or geniuses, but they were simply people. God uses everyone, crooks, creeps, lovers, liars - He uses them all. What they and we may lack in perfection, God makes up for in love.
Pastor s Corner continued from page 1 It is the same open arms that welcomed Abraham, Moses, David and Jonah, that welcomes you and I to come unto Him, giving our total self for His use. There is no wagging fingers, no clenched fists, no - I told you so - slaps or interrogations. He does not give black eyes, fat lips, or cross His arms against us. It is only His sweet, open arms that welcomes us. If you have ever given thought how God can use each of us to make a difference in our world, look at those he has already used and take heed. Look at His forgiveness found in those open arms, and we take courage. Never were those open arms more open as they were on the cross. One of His arms extending back into history, and His other arm reaching into the future. Here we find His embrace of forgiveness offered for anyone who will come. Is it not as a hen gathers her chicks, a father receives his own, a redeemer redeems the world? It is no wonder they called Him - Savior. What do you call Him? BIBLE STUDY Deacon Schedule October 4th Morning Jerry Gerber October 4th Evening Andrew Perry October 7th Evening Bob Woll One way that you can share the gospel is to join a Bible Study group. We need participants and leaders. If you would like to host a Bible study group in your home, or participate in one, please notify Bob Moore. The Bible Study can be organized for non-members or for members that are disheartened or inactive. Just let Bob know when you contact him. October 11th Morning October 14th Evening Jerry Gerber Bob Woll MORNING DEVOTIONS FOR October 2009 October 21st Evening Jerry Gerber October 4th Bob Giertz Family October 25th Morning Lloyd Stilwell October 11th Lloyd Stilwell Family October 25th Evening Bob Woll October 18th Fall National Conference October 28th Evening Andrew Perry October 25th Junior Class
FALL NATIONAL CONFERENCE The Fall National JCRB Conference will be held from October 15th through the October 18th morning worship service at the Remnant Gathering Place located on Highway 291. Delegates from our branch are: Brad Gault Dean Falconer Roger Gault Chuck Perry Bob Giertz Barbara Giertz Ron Buckles Patrick McKay If you have anything to submit for the newsletter, please call Marilyn 215-2299 OR e-mail it to Marilyn at marilyn.counts@gmail.com) put it in the NEWSLETTER BOX OR give it to me at church. BUT PLEASE JUST SHARE WITH US IN THE NEWSLETTER. Deadline for the November 2009 newsletter will be Sunday, October 25th 2009 and will be distributed on Sunday, November 1st 2009. Thank you for supporting the congregational newsletter. Marilyn James SEPTEMBER SOCIAL EVENT The WII bowling tournament and game night was a huge success. The turnout was wonderful and everyone had a super time. An auction for baked goods was held for the benefit of the youth fund yielded $265.00. Thank you to the branch for their participation. Andrew Canfield won the bowling tournament against Bob Giertz in the finals and Andrew also won for the highest score. Congratulations!! Level the Trail by Fred Alberti, Crosswalk.com Director of Social Media "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless Hebrews 12:13-16a My kids and I have been developing a nature path in the back woods of our property. I just love to take them back there and enjoy the sounds and smell of nature. In the back woods trail there is an area that has holes in the ground that are mostly filled with leaves. This can be a rather treacherous area for ankles and we call it the booby trap zone. One of these days I'll have them help me bring back some buckets filled with dirt to fill in these hazardous little traps. Today's passage brought this little area to mind. What does it mean to "make level paths for your feet?" I think the verse is intertwined with the one that follows, "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and be holy." I think as we journey down our trail of faith there are people with whom we will come into contact. Good or bad, lengthy or brief, our journey with them will leave a mark on their lives. Will they experience healing from their interaction with us or will we sow bitterness? Our charge is to, as much as it depends on us, bring peace to them through our holy living and to make sure they are exposed to the opportunity of experiencing God's grace and salvation. How level is your path? Are you leaving pitfalls of bitterness, sexual immorality and activities that promote godlessness? Start making your path level today.
October 4th October 11th October 18th October 25th Musical Schedule Devotion - Barbara Giertz Worship - Jeri Gault Evening - Jeri Gault Devotions - Joy Cain Worship - Joy Cain Evening District Preaching Devotion - Fall Conference Worship - Fall Conferencve Evening No Service Devotions - Kevin McMilian Worship - Ashley Gault Evening - Jill Moore ********************** OCTOBER Activities October 5th 7:00 pm Priesthood meeting at the church. October 10th 2:00-3:30 Zion Builder s will meet at the church and go to Burr Oak Woods. Parents will be encouraged to help transport kids and hike with us. October 10th 2:00-5:00 pm. District Youth will meet at Independence Branch. The theme is I press toward the mark... Using my Good Gifts. Bring your Scriptures. There will be a class on gifts and talents as well as volleyball and basketball. We will also work on the musical presentation for the November district service. October 11th October 18th Special Music - Madelyn Cain - Fall Conference October 25th - Kate Johnson OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS 2 Dawn Ackley 3 Sara Buckles 6 Jill Moore 13 Trent Trahern 14 Lindsey McMilian 16 Ashley Gault 19 Karen Woll 19 Bethany Buckles 20 Sharon Francis 23 Joel Herman 25 Bradley Woll 27 Michael Moore 30 Cora Olivarez October 12th 7:00 pm Women s meeting at the church. The class will be on talents and abilities. October 22nd 7:00 pm Youth class at the home of Patrick and Joy McKay. Shane Prather and Leah Trahern will be leading the class. October 24th 3:00-5:00 pm Softball game will be held at the Buckner field. After the game will be a hot dog roast. Please bring a side dish and/or a dessert. The hayride will occur after the meal. October 25th 6:00 pm Religio at the church. This is our regular monthly service that is always very uplifting. Don t miss it. Please bring a snack to socialize after the service. NOTE FOR NOVEMBER Please mark your calendar NOW for the date of the Thanksgiving Dinner. This will be held on November 7th at 6:00 pm at the church. Please watch for the sign up list of the side dishes to bring to the dinner.
ACTIVITY CALENDAR Zarahemla Branch OCTOBER 2009 S M T W february Th F S 1 2 3 4 Genesis 9;21 9:15 Morning Worship 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service Presiding: Bob Giertz Preaching: Lloyd Stilwell 6:00 pm Evening Service Presiding: Doug Trahern Preaching: Stew Williams and Jerry Gerber 5 7:00 Priesthood meeting at the church 6 7 Luke 21:36 7:00 pm Prayer Service Presiding: Brad Gault Assisting: Rolland James 8 9 10 2:00-3:30 pm Zion Builder s 2:00-5:00 pm District Youth 11 Mosiah 1:55-56 8:30 Business Meeting 9:15 Morning Worship 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service Presiding: Ron Buckles Preaching: Tim Canfield 12 7:00 pm Women s meeting at the church 13 14 D & C 6:2c-3b 7:00 pm Prayer Service Presiding: Rex Curtis Assisting: Jonathon Broadway 15 Fall National Conference at the Remnant Gathering Place 16 17 6:00 pm District Preaching 18 Fall National Conference at the Remnant Gathering Place 19 20 21 D & C 12:3b 7:00 pm Prayer Service 22 7:00 Youth Class 23 24 3:00-5:00 pm Softball Presiding: Bob Giertz Assisting: Dwayne Martin 6:00 pm Hayride 25 John 15:10 9:15 Morning Worship 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service Presiding: Craig Moore Preaching: Bob Giertz 6:00 pm Religio Presiding: Rex Curtis 26 27 28 D & C 97:44 7:00 pm Prayer Service Presiding: Ken Simmons Assisting: Shane Prather 29 30 31
Zarahemla Branch The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 502 Southwest 17th Street Blue Springs, MO 64015