Weekly announcements 3/28/2011

Dear Sisters,

Here are the announcements for this week:

• There is an Adult and Youth Temple trip planned for April 16th, please contact a member of the Bishopric ASAP if you plan to go so the transportation arrangements can be finalized.  The transportation costs will be $40 per person aged 12 & up.
• If you would like Carol Lee's address in the rehab center, contact Sister Creaser.
• Don't forget General Conference is next week-end.  It will be broadcast at the chapel and over the internet.

Have a great week, hope you enjoy the broadcast.

With Love, Sister Maggie Hodacsek

RS Birthday Dinner Program March 2011

For those who were unable to attend this event, here is the text from the evening's program-  Thank you so much to all those sisters whose hard work made this evening a success.

Reader #1: The Prophet Joseph Smith when he and the Brethren organized the first Relief Society March 17, 1842 said :“I now turn the key in [behalf of all women].”  This society is organized “according to your natures. … You are now placed in a situation in which you can act according to those sympathies [within you]. … “If you live up to [these] privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates. … “If this Society listen[s] to the counsel of the Almighty, through the heads of the Church, they shall have power to command queens in their midst.”

Relief Society. The name evokes as many images as there are women, eras, and countries. But regardless of time or place, Relief Society has meant sisters lifting one another spiritually, loving and taking care of one another, and absorbing insight and inspiration from other women headed in the same direction.

At the first meeting of the Relief Society, President Emma Smith stated, with no small amount of vision: “We are going to do something extraordinary.” 1 What has transpired through the past 170 years has been nothing short of extraordinary. And women have responded magnificently to a multitude of pressing calls
(-Sister Sheri Dew, Something Extrodinary, 1992)

HYMN #219 “As Sister’s in Zion" Sung by All Sisters

Reader #2:  “When Relief Society functions in an inspired way, it lifts women up... into a way of living that prepares them for the blessings of eternal life.” (Sister Julie B Beck)

The Relief Society prepares all of us for these eternal blessing by helping us increase our faith and personal righteousness, strengthen our families and homes, and helping us to seek out and help those in need.

In today’s uncertain world, we may not know what tomorrow will bring, but faith in Jesus Christ can give us spiritual peace, even in the face of calamity and heartbreak. As President Ezra Taft Benson explained, “Faith in [Jesus Christ] means believing that even though we do not understand all things, He does” (“Jesus Christ: Our Savior and Redeemer,” Ensign, Nov. 1983, 8).

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel (see A of F 1:4). By exercising faith we receive strength to face difficulties and overcome temptations. As we put our faith in Him, repent, and are obedient, He will forgive our sins and help us return to Him. “If ye will have faith in me,” He has promised, “ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me” (Moro. 7:33).

“To have faith in Christ,” says Sister Sheri L. Dew, “is to believe in Him, follow Him, and rely on Him. And it is to be blessed with the peace of conscience and mind that the Apostle Paul spoke of when he said, ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me’” (Philip. 4:13)( "Increasing Our Faith in Jesus Christ", Ensign, Apr. 2001, 53)

Hymn #134 “ I Know That My Redeemer Lives” Sung By Michelle D.


READER #3: The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed. (The Family A Proclamation to the World)

READER #4: “Each of us is in a different family situation. Some families have a mother and father with children at home. Some couples no longer have children at home. Many members of the Church are single, and some are single parents. Others are widows or widowers living alone.

“No matter what our family looks like, each of us can work to strengthen our own families or help in strengthening others

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke on motherhood:
“When you have come to the Lord in meekness and lowliness of heart and, as one mother said, “pounded on the doors of heaven to ask for, to plead for, to demand guidance and wisdom and help for this wondrous task,” that door is thrown open to provide you the influence and the help of all eternity. Claim the promises of the Savior of the world. Ask for the healing balm of the Atonement for whatever may be troubling you or your children. Know that in faith things will be made right in spite of you, or more correctly, because of you.

You can’t possibly do this alone, but you do have help. The Master of Heaven and Earth is there to bless you—He who resolutely goes after the lost sheep, sweeps thoroughly to find the lost coin, waits everlastingly for the return of the prodigal son. Yours is the work of salvation, and therefore you will be magnified, compensated, made more than you are and better than you have ever been as you try to make honest effort, however feeble you may sometimes feel that to be.” Jeffrey R. Holland, “‘Because She Is a Mother’,” Ensign, May 1997, 35

SONG: “Love At Home” Piano Solo by Holly K.

READER #5: In the Savior's mortal ministry, He set the example of seeking out and helping those in need. Relief Society has within its commission some of the most remarkable service opportunities on earth, and they are available to all sisters. People will have trying experiences, and the network of help offered through the Relief Society can provide strength and support.

A story is told that during the bombing of a city in World War II, a large statue of Jesus Christ was severely damaged. When the townspeople found the statue among the rubble, they mourned because it had been a beloved symbol of their faith and of God’s presence in their lives.

Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but its hands had been damaged so severely that they could not be restored. Some suggested that they hire a sculptor to make new hands, but others wanted to leave it as it was—a permanent reminder of the tragedy of war. Ultimately, the statue remained without hands. However, the people of the city added on the base of the statue of Jesus Christ a sign with these words: “You are my hands.”

Reader #6: We are the Hands of Christ.

Hands that Embrace: I hope that we welcome and love all of God’s children, including those who might dress, look, speak, or just do things differently….. Let us lift those around us. Let us extend a welcoming hand. Let us bestow upon our brothers and sisters in the Church a special measure of humanity, compassion, and charity so that they feel, at long last, they have finally found home.

Our Hands Can Comfort.  With this in mind, let our hearts and hands be stretched out in compassion toward others, for everyone is walking his or her own difficult path. As disciples of Jesus Christ, our Master, we are called to support and heal rather than condemn. We are commanded “to mourn with those that mourn” and “comfort those that stand in need of comfort.” 5

Our Prophet Howard W Hunter said:
"We need to be kinder with one another, more gentle and forgiving. We need to be slower to anger and more prompt to help. We need to extend the hand of friendship and resist the hand of retribution. In short, we need to love one another with the pure love of Christ, with genuine charity and compassion and, if necessary, shared suffering, for that is the way God loves us....

"We need to walk more resolutely and more charitably the path that Jesus has shown. We need to 'pause to help and lift another' and surely we will find 'strength beyond [our] own.' If we would do more to learn 'the healer's art,' there would be untold chances to use it, to touch the 'wounded and the weary' and show to all 'a gentle[r] heart'" (Ensign, May 1992, 61).

SONG: “Where Can I Turn For Peace” solo Michelle W.

Reader #7: Sister Marjorie Pay Hinckley wife of the prophet Gordon B Hinckley said this:
"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.
I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.
I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.
I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

President Thomas S. Monson said:  " My dear sisters, do not pray for tasks equal to your abilities, but pray for abilities equal to your tasks. Then the performance of your tasks will be no miracle, but you will be the miracle."

Testimony by Phebe
 Hymn #113 “Our Savior’s Love” sung by All Sisters

Dear Sisters,
Here are this week's announcements-

• There seems to be a lot of kitchen stuff missing right now (linens).  Please return these items as soon as you can.
• Sister Hargreaves has been moved to the rehab center in Nanaimo.  They strictly enforce the visiting hours, so check before you go.
• Stake Conference is the 7pm on 12th (Adult Session) and at 11 am on the 13th. (Don't forget to set your clocks ahead for Daylight Savings Time Saturday night!)
• Please contact Sister Lowery with your visiting teaching numbers.
• The Relief Society Birthday Dinner will be on March 16th at 6pm.  Contact Sister Kramer to RSVP if you haven't signed-up.
• The ward talent show will be on March 18th.  The sign up sheets are in the hallway for performance type of talents.  There will be a table for "display" type talents also.
• There will be a Missionary Fireside on March 19th
• The Brittons are making a trip to the Bishop's Storehouse and Dan-D bulk the last week of March.  If you would like them to pick up something for you, let Sister Britton know by the 27th.

I think that's everything!  Have a great week, see you in Nanaimo this week-end.
With love, Sister Maggie Hodacsek

March Friendship-er

The Friendship-er     March 2011

Dear Sisters,


In Mathew 11:28 we read: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
All of us have times in our lives when we experience frustration, disappointment, heart ache, grief, and/or loss. It is my testimony that there is help, hope and healing through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Elder Joseph B Wirthlin in a talk entitled "Sunday Will Come" said this speaking of the Friday on which our Savoir was crucified:

"I think that of all the days since the beginning of this world's history, that Friday was the darkest.

But the doom of that day did not endure. The despair did not linger because on Sunday, the resurrected Lord burst the bonds of death. He ascended from the grave and appeared gloriously triumphant as the Saviour of all mankind.

And in an instant the eyes that had been filled with ever-flowing tears dried. The lips that had whispered prayers of distress and grief now filled the air with wondrous praise, for Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God, stood before them as the firstfruits of the Resurrection, the proof that death is merely the beginning of a new and wondrous existence.

Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays.

But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come.

No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come. In this life or the next, Sunday will come."

I know with surety that our broken hearts can be healed and that peace can come into our lives again. With the help of the Atonement , dear friends and patience with ourselves it is possible for our hearts to be made whole.

Much love,

Sister Robin Kramer

Important Dates:


12    Adult Session Stake Conference
13     Stake Conference- Daylight Savings begins
16    RS Birthday Dinner
17    Saint Patrick's Day
March Lessons:
6    R.S. Presidency
12-13    Stake Conference
20    Gospel Principles Lesson #29 The Lord's Law of Health
27    TFOT- "O That Cunning Plan of the Evil One"
Elder Ballard- pg 108 of Nov Ensign
Service Projects:

• Campbell soup labels for Puntledge Park School;
• Boomer hats for babies;
• Non-perishable food/personal hygiene items for Lilli House
• Postage Stamps for the Order of the Eastern Star (see in the RS room for more information

March Birthdays:
2    Hillary F.
4    Holly B.
5    Calia G.
6    Sharon P., Mary S.
9    Lisa C., Marjorie M.
13    Rosina W.
17     Elizabeth G.
18     Chelsey J.
20     Lynn W.
21     Dawn A.
25    Shahala D.
26    Marion P.
29    Shirley L.
31    Ivy P.
Groceries for our Sister Missionaries:
There is a basket in the kitchen – the sisters appreciate your help. Frozen food or perishables should be left in the frig/freezer.
March Visiting Teaching Message:"Under the Priesthood and after the Pattern of the Priesthood", Ensign, March 2011, page 7
Scripture Study: Wednesday at Sister Tyskerud's from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (call to confirm)
If you require baptismal clothing, please contact Sister B. Britton