Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Today's quote

"My beloved associates, far more of us need to awake and arouse our faculties to an awareness of the great everlasting truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each of us can do a little better than we have been doing. We can be a little more kind. We can be a little more merciful. We can be a little more forgiving. We can put behind us our weaknesses of the past, and go forth with new energy and increased resolution to improve the world about us, in our homes, in our places of employment, in our social activities."
Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, May 1995, 87

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Today's quote

“Let us remember...that greatness is not always a matter of the scale of one’s life, but of the quality of one’s life. True greatness is not always tied to the scope of our tasks, but to the quality of how we carry out our tasks whatever they are. In that attitude, let us give our time, ourselves, and our talents to the things that really matter now, things which will still matter a thousand years from now.”
Spencer W. Kimball, Tambuli, Dec 1977, 1

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Book Club Book Selection

This is the next book we'll be discussing for Book Club (next meeting is still TBA)

"Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time" by Greg Mortenson

Today's quote

“To be in control of your life, to be a success regardless of your situation...I recommend you come to know your Father in Heaven. Come to love Him. Always remember that He loves you and will give you guidance and support if you will but give Him the chance. Include Him in your decision making. Include Him in your heartaches and heartbreaks. Include Him when you take inventory of your personal worth. ‘For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men [and women] to perform their labors.’ (Alma 34:32.)” Marvin J. Ashton, Ensign, Feb 1993, 64

Friday, December 19, 2008

"Giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit. Enemies are forgiven, friends remembered, and God obeyed. The spirit of Christmas illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world's busy life and become more interested in people than things. To catch the real meaning of the 'spirit of Christmas,' we need only to drop the last syllable, and it becomes the 'Spirit of Christ.'" (Ensign, December 2008, p. 5).

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Christmas gifts

"All of us need to follow the example of the Savior in giving these kinds of gifts. . . .

"This Christmas, 'Mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again.' (Adapted from an unknown author.) Christmas is a celebration, and there is no celebration that compares with the realization of its true meaning---with the sudden stirring of the heart that has extended itself unselfishly in the things that matter most"
(The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, p. 270-271).

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Christmas poem

There’s Christmas in the home and church,
There’s Christmas in the mart;
But you’ll not know what Christmas is
Unless it’s in your heart.

The bells may call across the snow,
And carols search the air;
But, oh, the heart will miss the thrill
Unless it’s Christmas there.

Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, Dec 1998, 2

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Last Sunday's RS Lesson

Erin taught a wonderful lesson about the Savior last week in Relief Society. We've posted it here for everyone to enjoy.
(There was also a fabulous powerpoint slideshow but I haven't been able to include it. If you'd like to see it please email or call Patty and we'll email it to you.)

2 Nephi 25:26 reads, "We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ..."

Who is this Christ of whom we revere with such fervor and gratitude? Hints can be found in the numerous titles by which he is known. Jesus asked his disciples, "Whom say ye that I am?" Throughout the life of Jesus Christ, he was constantly defining, expanding, and fulfilling his role as the Son of God. By studying his titles, his names, and responsibilities, we can come to understand our Savior: his role in our lives, and in the Plan of our Heavenly Father. Some of these titles include:

Jesus - his name, given in mortality, but chosen for him by his Father, and revealed to Mary. Literally means, "God is Help"
Christ/ Messiah - means "the annointed one". Jesus was literally annointed by the Father to be his representative in all things pertaining to the salvation of mankind
Jehovah/ I AM - means "to be", or "to exist". When refering to himself as Jehovah or The Great I AM, Jesus was literally proclaiming his reality and existence
Savior/ Redeemer - this role was foretold and anticipated long before his birth into mortality, and ultimately fulfilled via the atonement
Son of God - literally. From his Father, Christ inhereted the potential for eternal life. In the scriptures, God proclaims Jesus's divinity repeatedly, often with a plea to "hear him"
Lamb of God - Jesus offered himself, as a lamb, unspotted and unblemished, as the ultimate sacrifice
Immanuel - means "God is with us". When we use this title we proclaim the good news that God (Christ) was born into mortality!
Creator - translated, it means, "the word" or "the expression". Thus, in creating the world, Christ was serving ast the expression of his Father to the world
Advocate/ Mediator - it is only through Him, as He pleads our case, that we may return to our Heavenly Father

Certainly there are more names for Christ, and from each we can gain enlightenment into our Savior and the relationship we strive to build with him. We must do this! Christmas is a blessed time to review not only his birth, but also his life and purpose.

President Gordon B. Hinckley stated, "And so it is at this Christmas season, we sing His praises and speak our words of faith and gratitude and love. It is His influence in our lives that stirs within us more kindness, more respect, more love, more concern. It is because of Him and his teachings that we reach out to those in trouble, distress, and need wherever they may be...He has done for us what we could not do for ourselves. He has brought meaning to our mortal existence. He has given us the gift of eternal life. He was and is the Son of God who was 'made flesh, and dwelt among us...full of grace and truth'" (Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, December 2002, "A Testimony of the Son of God").

How does His influence stir more kindness, respect, love, and concern within you? Do you reach out to others in trouble, distress, or need, because you know that is what He wants you to do? How has he brought meaning to your existence? This Christmas season, I invite each of us to ponder these questions. Who do you say is Jesus Christ? And how are you better, kinder, and more giving, by knowing Him? It is in answering these questions that the real meaning of Christmas will fill our hearts. It is more than a story about a baby. It is a story about your life, and my life, and the potential for immortality.

I know that Christ lived. I know he lives! It is through Him that we can become better - not just for a moment, but really change for the better. He loves us, and I love Him. He is all the titles we have discussed, and He is more. He is my friend.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Sad news

Joseph B. Wirthlin, Oldest Apostle, Dies, Age 91

SALT LAKE CITY 2 December 2008 Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, the oldest living apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died last night, age 91.
Elder Wirthlin had gone to bed at his Salt Lake City home, and died peacefully at about 11:30 pm of causes incident to age. His oldest daughter, Jane Wirthlin Parker, was present. A member of the family had been staying and caring for Elder Wirthlin, whose wife, Elisa Young Rogers Wirthlin, died in 2006.

He had continued to work at his office right up until the Thanksgiving holiday.
Funeral arrangements will be announced.

December Newsletter

Fairfield Ward Relief Society Newsletter
December 2008



GIVING OF OURSELVES

The gifts money cannot buy are those which bring happiness to us in life. These are the gifts we pass on to others from the attributes we acquire as we go through life. First is the attribute of thoughtfulness to others, and second, its close cousin, consideration for others. Third, we must have courage to do the right thing always. Fourth, those who have a good nature enjoy life. A pleasant smile begets smiles; smiles beget friends; friends are better than fortunes. Fifth is the attribute of tolerance. I think of an old Indian prayer: "Great spirit, help me never to judge another until I have walked two weeks in his moccasins." Sixth, we must have appreciation for those things that come to us or we never find happiness. Seventh, we enjoy life when we have the ability to praise others for their good works. George Matthew Adams said: "He who praises another, enriches himself more than he does the one praised. To praise is an investment in happiness. The poorest human being has something to give that the richest cannot buy." (Howard W. Hunter, The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, 68.)

The true gift is a portion of ourselves. Giving does not always consist of material things. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: "Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts; the only gift is a portion of thyself." In this sense we have unlimited resources. (Howard W. Hunter, The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, 68.)

Never did the Savior give in expectation. I know of no case in his life in which there was an exchange. He was always the giver, seldom the recipient. Never did he give shoes, hose, or a vehicle; never did he give perfume, a shirt, or a fur wrap. His gifts were of such a nature that the recipient could hardly exchange or return the value. His gifts were rare ones: eyes to the blind, ears to the deaf, and legs to the lame; cleanliness to the unclean, wholeness to the infirm, and breath to the lifeless. His gifts were opportunity to the down-trodden, freedom to the oppressed, light in the darkness, forgiveness to the repentant, hope to the despairing. His friends gave him shelter, food, and love. He gave them of himself, his love, his service, his life. The wise men brought him gold and frankincense. He gave them and all their fellow mortals resurrection, salvation, and eternal life. We should strive to give as he gave. To give of oneself is a holy gift. (Spencer W. Kimball, The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 246.)

This holiday season, let’s remember our Savior’s life and teachings and strive to not only give as He gave, but to give what He gave--love, compassion, service, and self.
--a message from Patty R, president


DECEMBER LESSON SCHEDULE
7 – Happiness, Your Heritage (November 2008 Ensign, pg. 117)
14 – How Good & How Pleasant It Is . . . to Dwell Together in Unity (JS 23)
21 – to be announced
28 – to be announced

December Book Club
We’ll discuss the book “These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine” by Nancy E. Turner at Erin's home on Thursday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m.

CALENDAR
December 4 (Thursday) 10:00 a.m.
Play Group at Jennifer A’s home
December 5 (Friday) 6:30 p.m.
Ward Christmas Dinner
December 5-7 (Friday-Sunday)
Nativity Display (see details below)
December 7 (Sunday) 6:00 p.m.
Single Adults Potluck & Fireside, Mont. Bldg.
December 7 (Sunday) 8:00 p.m.
First Presidency Christmas Devotional
December 11 (Thursday) 10:00 a.m.
Play Group at Jamie’s home
December 12 (Friday) 6:00-9:30 p.m.
Youth Babysitting at church
December 12 (Friday) 7:30 p.m.
Single Adults Activity, Liberty Building
December 13 (Saturday)
Single Adults Activity – Festival of Lights at
Cincinnati Zoo (carpool from Fairfield Building)
December 17 (Wednesday) 7:00 p.m.
Stake Temple Recommend Interviews
December 18 (Thursday) 6:30-11:00 p.m.
Craft Night at Karlin’s home
December 26 (Friday) 6:30 p.m.
New Convert Temple Baptisms
December 27 (Saturday)
Tri-Stake Youth Holiday Dance

Nativity Display
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
7118 Dutchland Pkwy
Liberty Township, OH 45044

December 5: 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
December 6: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
December 7: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

There will be a number of live performances featuring local choirs and groups:

Friday, December 5
5:00 p.m. - Lakota West High School Chamber Choir
7:00 p.m. - Christmas Sing-a-Long
Saturday, December 6 Noon - Trinity United Methodist

December Birthdays
1 – Lavina H
3 – Sara D
7 – Michelle D
9 – Delphine J
9 – Lynn M
14 – Jane L
16 – Brenda S
17 - Camelia C
21 – Cassie R
26 – Jonalynn S
27 – Tanisha C
29 – Melisa S
30 – Carolyn T
31 – Thi B

MISSIONARIES
Fairfield West Elders
513-578-2158
Fairfield East Sisters
513-289-3186