The Ensign Pastor s Corner Elder Brad Gault Zarahemla Branch The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints January 2009 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father s hand. I and my Father are one. John 10:27-30 No one can argue that we live in a difficult day. Decadence is on display just about everywhere. Moral decline is not just evident; it is wanted and sought after. Conservative Supreme Court nominee Judge Robert H. Bork chronicles our plight in his book Slouching Towards Gomorrah. In it he states So unrelenting is the assault on our sensibilities that many of us grow numb Individualism that is unconfined by religion, morality and law will end up in hedonism. Our world is approaching the day when the Machiavellian pursuit of pleasure will be all that matters. The word of God bears record; as it was in the days of Noah, so it shall be also at the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24:44) And as it was in the days of Noah, judgment will certainly be poured out. Perhaps it has already begun on His house. Jesus knew. He was well aware that the frailties of our flesh, the nature that we inherit at birth, and the uncertainty of our situations would collide with a force of devastating strength and determination. He knew we would see the sights that dazzle and the tempting sounds that we would hear. He knew that selfconfidence, that affluence, that pride, that self-pity, that power would provide the green grass that attracts wandering sheep. He knew that the enemy crafty, deceptive, evil, polluted, hateful and attractive would do anything and everything to draw us away. The metaphor is correct like sheep, we are prone to wander and prone to leave the God we love and I m sure that Jesus knew that there would be times in all of our lives when we would stray, when we would doubt, when events of pain and catastrophe would wedge a crowbar against our resolve. That is why He holds us so tight. There is something wonderful about the mental picture of our Savior wrapping his omnipotent hand around each of us, and of the Father wrapping his own almighty hand around his. We become encircled about with the matchless bounty of His love (Alma 14:95) and our life is hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3) The story of Noah and his family s preservation provides an example. When the ark was finished, God shut Noah inside. The storms of judgment fell in all their fury. The fountains of the great deep [were] broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened, (Genesis 8:36) but Noah was safe. He was in the ark. The waters of judgment fell on the ark, not on him. Pastor s Corner continued on next page
Pastor s Corner continued Our salvation, security and protection are sure if we listen to his voice. His limitless grip will encircle us and hold us tight. His love will never let us go. He will never relinquish control. O my people, saith the Spirit, Hear the word of God today; Be not slothful but obedient; Tis the worlds momentous day! Unto honor I have called you Honor great as angels know; Heed ye, then, a Father s counsel, And by deeds your purpose show. Time is ripe! My work must hasten! Whoso will may bide the hour. Naught can harm whom God protecteth Elements confess his power. Up ye, then, to the high places I have bid you occupy! Peril waits upon the heedless, Grace upon the souls who try! Despite the difficulties that we see and even experience, his promises are sure and the glory of His coming waits to break upon our day. Olivia Ann Simmons, daughter of Wayne Allen and Jennifer Simmons, granddaughter of Genie Simmons and great-granddaughter of Verneil Simmons was blessed by Elders Ken Simmons and Doug Trahern.
It's that time of year when we all can make a fresh start. In that spirit, it might be well to keep these little known facts in mind. Early morning worship starts at 9:15 and should last until about 9:30. Beginning and ending promptly helps allow the children adequate time in their classes. A song and prayer roughly take 5 minutes. Your opportunities to serve the Branch at the early morning worship are randomly assigned. If you cannot serve at that time, please trade with someone else or let me (Raylene Buckles) know. Andrew Perry was ordained to the office of Deacon by Elders Chuck Perry Brad Gault and Patrick McKay. MOR I G DEVOTIO S FOR JA UARY 2009 Joel Herman was ordained to the office of Priest by Elders Dennis Marshall and Rex Curtis. January 4th Genie Simmons January 11th Mike Hefner January 18th Bob Moore Family January 25th Rolland James Family
January 4th Musical Schedule Devotion - Ashley Gault JA UARY Activities Worship - Ashley Fault Evening - Sharon Francis January 11th Devotions - Jeri Gault Worship - Jeri Gault January 18th Devotion - Kevin McMilian Worship - Jill Moore January 25th Devotions - Sharon Francis Worship - Sharon Francis Evening - Jill Moore ************************* Special Music December 14th Rachel McKay December 21st Lloyd Stilwell December 28th Bonner Davis Youth Icebreaker for grades 7-12 will be held at Zarahemla Branch Jan 9 from 7-9. Please bring your favorite snack and wear comfortable clothes. In case of bad weather, your branch youth leaders will be notified. A meeting for all branch youth leaders of 7-12 graders will be held at 5 pm on Jan.11 prior to the district worship service. Please bring your calendars and ideas. Thanks for all of your hard work! Raylene Buckles JA UARY BIRTHDAYS 7 Tim Canfield 8 Jessi Herman 9 Bob Moore 10 Judy Simmons 10 Laura O Camb 10 Joan Sharkey 10 Josh Palmer 14 Kim Palmer 16 Laura Clute 26 Charles Peabody 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 February, 2009 newsletter will be Sunday, January 18, 2009 and will be distributed on Sunday January 25, 2009. Thank you for supporting the congregational newsletter. Marilyn James
ACTIVITY CALE DAR Zarahemla Branch JANUARY 2009 S M T W Th F S 1 2 3 4 Isaiah 29:25 9:15 Morning Worship 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service Presiding: Dean Falconer Preaching: athan Perry 6:00pm Evening Service Brad Gault Business Meeting 5 7:00 pm Priesthood Meeting at the church 6 7 7:00 pm Prayer Service Presiding: Brad Gault Assisting: Max Hawley Luke 17:5-6 8 9 Youth Icebreaker 7-9 pm 10 11 Hebrews 11:1 9:15 Morning Worship 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service Presiding: Ken Simmons Preaching: Doug Trahern 6:00 pm Evening Service @ Indep. Br. Setting Apart 12 13 14 7:00 pm Prayer Service Presiding: Dean Falconer Assisting: athan Perry Alma 16:143 15 16 17 18 Alma 16:151-155 9:15 Morning Worship 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service Presiding: Patrick McKay Preaching: George Thomas 6:00 pm @ Indep. Br. 19 20 21 7:00 pm Prayer Service Presiding: Doug Trahern Assisting: Fred Pement D&C 8:3d-e 22 23 24 25 Alma 16:217 9:15 Morning Worship 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service Presiding: Rex Curtis Preaching: Ken simmmons 6:00pm Religio Presiding: Chuck Perry 26 27 28 7:00 pm Prayer Service Presiding: Patrick McKay Assisting: Andrew Perry D&C 34:3c-d 29 30 31
Zarahemla Branch The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 502 Southwest 17th Street Blue Springs, MO 64015