The Ensign Zarahemla Branch The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints MARCH 2009 Newsletter Pastor s Corner Elder Brad Gault THE HOUSE OF THE LORD Roger C. Gault Today we are a people coming out of captivity, a people whom God is encouraging to build as they did in the days of Nehemiah, Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah. We have drifted away from the promises of God, but we are returning. It is time to establish and build up the body of Christ. Paul instructed the church to "Cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" (2 Corinthians 10:5) In an attempt to hinder the movement of God, an array of faultfinders came forth. The faultfinders assignment is to assault relationships on all levels and to bring irreparable schisms among the brethren masquerading as discernment. This is done by causing one to take their eyes from Jesus and focus only upon "issues and personal opinion." Trusted friends seem distant, established relationships are shaken, and the vision of the kingdom is quagmired in strife and inaction. When the obedience of those who proclaim to be the Church of Jesus Christ and to teach His Word and Will becomes complete there will be an unleashing display of spiritual power equal to the needs of this day. Do we feel "our branch" is relatively safe, that the oppression upon our land does not concern us? If so, our optimism is a delusion. Unless there is a coming together of His Church, it will only be a matter of time before it is invaded by the advancing flood of evil and wrong doctrine. The Lord is yet preparing His people for the distinct purpose of bringing them into His glory. Out of His desire to present a pure bride, the Church is yet being purged of its sin. - "That He might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:27) "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;" (Philippians 2:15) Are we waiting for God to do "something" mighty to cleanse and unite us? Perhaps we are waiting for a great outpouring of His Spirit. It is often said, "wait upon the Lord," but the sequence shall be that an endowment follows obedience, not obedience after endowment. Our dilemma is not, will the Lord bless His Church, but will the called out obey their Lord and join together in charity? Endowment and greater revelatory spiritual power are coming, but let us be forewarned--where the Church remains divided, darkness will continue. In most cases the obstacle hindering the outpouring of the Spirit will be the strongholds of religious pride and selfcontentment. If we want our works to have permanence they must be the eternal works of God and not just more of man's ideas and opinions. Christ will not be manifested in the Church until we as a body become one. "Now I beseech you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye speak the same thing, and that their be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. --- Is Christ divided?" (1 Corinthians 1:10,13) Paul is speaking of destroying the unity of the body. The unwillingness to trust that the Holy Spirit will unite us if we come together is a lack of faith. The living God is a God of Order, He will not dwell in dividedness, sanction an "independent" condition, nor lend credibility to disorder. There is terrible darkness in the earth and a gross darkness upon the peoples; severe judgments are here, and they will get worse. However, the promise of God to His people, to those who will unite under His covenants, in the midst of the greatest darkness, the Lord proclaims "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. " (Isaiah 60:1-2) And thus it shall be for us. If we do not rise to this hour, troubled consequences are inevitable far more than our worst fears will be realized. We cannot imagine what life would be like when plagues come and bands of lawless individuals rampage through cities, destroying whatever remains of stability. I am not an alarmist, but multitudes are experiencing the beginnings of these things even now. The breakdown of law and order is already at hand. There is only one answer, and that is the Mind and Will of God as expressed through His covenants and commandments. We are at war, and to win this war we must be a united. The call to sanctify the house of the Lord is not an option, it is a command.
Musical Schedule March 1st Devotion Becky Pement Jill Moore Jill Moore March 8th Devotions Jeri Gault Jeri Gault Israel s Gathering March 15th Devotions Sharon Francis Sharon Francis Israel s Gathering March 22nd Devotions Kevin McMilian MARCH ACTIVITIES 7TH JCRB Women s Retreat at Independence Branch. 9th Women s Meeting at the church at 14th Zion Builders at the church 10:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 15th Potluck after church with Irish Dream Theme. 19th Youth Class to be announced later. 28th Branch activity Game ight at the church 7:00 p.m. Bring favorite snacks and games. Jenna Canfield Becky Pement SCHEDULE FOR DEACO S I CHARGE March 29th Devotions Jeri Gault March 8th March 15th March 22nd March 29th If you have anything to submit for the newsletter, please call Marilyn 215-2299, e-mail it to Marilyn (marilyncounts@gmail.com) put it in the EWSLET- TER BOX OR give it to me at church. BUT PLEASE JUST SHARE WITH US I THE EWSLETTER. Deadline for the April 2009 ewsletter will be Sunday, March 22, 2009. This ewsletter will be distributed on Sunday, March 29, 2009. Thank you for supporting the congregational newsletter. Marilyn James Jeri Gault Jill Moore ************************* Special Music Rolland James Jerry Gerber Baptismal Candidates Priesthood Men 03/01 Service Lloyd Stilwell 03/01 Service Joshua Trahern 03/04 Prayer Service Bob Woll 03/08 Service Joshua Trahern 03/11 Prayer Service Jerry Gerber 03/15 Service Lloyd Stilwell 03/18 Prayer Service Joshua Trahern 03/22 Service Jerry Gerber 03/22 Service Andrew Perry 03/25 Prayer Service Bob Woll 03/29 Service Andrew Perry 03/29 Service Joshua Trahern MOR I G DEVOTIO S FOR MARCH 2009 March 1st March 8th March 15th March 22nd March 29th MARCH BIRTHDAYS 1 Harold Sharkey 5 Raylene Buckles 12 Patrick McKay 19 Corissa Hawley 21 Susan Downs 22 Dean Falconer 22 Kelly Canfield 23 Savannah Hawley 24 Shannon McMilian 25 John Olivarez Dwayne Marten Ken Simmons Family Scott McMilian Family John Olivarez Family Craig Moore Family
ACTIVITY CALE DAR Zarahemla Branch March 2009 S M T W Th F S 1 II Corinthians 7:9-11 9:15 Morning Presiding: Brad Gault Preaching: Tim Canfield Presiding: Patrick McKay Bible Marking 2 at the church Priesthood Meeting 3 4 Prayer Service Dean Falconer Presiding athan Perry Assist III ephi 5:66 5 6 7 JCRB Women s Retreat at Independence Branch 8 Mosiah 2:16 9:15 Morning Presiding: Dean Falconer Preaching: Ron Buckles Presiding: Chuck Perry Israel s Gatherring 9 at the church Women s Meeting 10 11 Prayer Service Patrick McKay Presiding Fred Pement Assist Matthew 3:35 12 13 14 Zion Builders at the church 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 15 Moroni 8:29 9:15 Morning Presiding: Rex Curtis Preaching: Jim McKay Potluck after service Israel s Gathering 16 17 18 Prayer Service Brad Gault Presiding Andrew Perry Assist Hebrews 6:1-6 19 Youth Class TBA 20 21 22 Luke 15:7-10 9:15 Morning Presiding: Ken Simmons Preaching: David Frye Religio Bob Moore Presiding 29 D & C 16:3b-4a 9:15 Morning Presiding: Bonner Davis Preaching: Max Hawley Presiding: Brad Gault Business Meeting 23 24 25 Prayer Service 30 31 Rex Curtis Presiding Rolland James Assist D & C 1:5f-g 26 27 28 Branch Game ight 6:00 p.m.
Zarahemla Branch The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 502 Southwest 17th Street Blue Springs, MO 64015