RS Newsletter April 2014

Dearest Sisters,

              These are indeed the last days and the work of salvation is urgent. Why else would Heavenly Father ask for our sons (and daughters) from as young as 18 years of age to join His army?

              These Missionaries are our stripling warriors and they have been prepared for the battle these passed 18 years. They too will be valiant because of the teachings of their mothers.

              Through your example and teachings Sisters, you have prepared brave and valiant young men and women to join the mission field. Help and encourage them to serve. At home we can also fight the battle against the adversary. The battle is real and it is rampant all around us. There is much to do and we are enlisting ALL of your help, including your young children. Raise the banner (standard) sisters and answer the call from the Bishops, the Stake Presidents, the Area Presidents, the Prophet, and the Lord when you are called to serve.

In Jesus Christ’s Name, Amen.

Sister Dawn Hirama

Relief Society President

The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ:

Savior and Redeemer

Among the most significant of Jesus Christ’s descriptive titles is Redeemer,” said Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “Redeem means to pay off an obligation or a debt. Redeemcan also mean to rescue or set free as by paying a ransom. … Each of these meanings suggests different facets of the great Redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ through His Atonement, which includes, in the words of the dictionary, ‘to deliver from sin and its penalties, as by a sacrifice made for the sinner.’”

Linda K. Burton, Relief Society general president, said: “Heavenly Father … sent His Only Begotten and perfect Son to suffer for our sins, our heartaches, and all that seems unfair in our own individual lives.

“…One woman who had been through years of trial and sorrow said through her tears, ‘I have come to realize that I am like an old 20-dollar bill—crumpled, torn, dirty, abused, and scarred. But … I am still worth the full 20 dollars.’ This woman knows that she … was worth enough to [God] to send His Son to atone for her, individually. Every sister in the Church should know what this woman knows.”

The New Testament includes accounts of women who exercised faith in Jesus Christ, learned and lived His teachings, and testified of His ministry, miracles, and majesty.

1. How can we show gratitude to the Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ?

2. How can we partake of the blessings of our Savior’s atoning sacrifice in our lives?

• Tues 8 April, 10am @ chapel—Parents workshop by Tiffany Stokes
• 12-13 April—General Conference broadcast
• Sat 10am-12pm Morning Session
• Sat 2-4pm Afternoon session
• Sat 5-7pm
• Priesthood session (men only)
• Sun 10am-12pm Morning Session
• Sun 2-4pm Afternoon Session


• 16-20 April Stake Temple Week
• Thursday 17 April, 7:00pm @ Chapel—Family History Workshop
• Fri 18 April, 10am –Ward Activity @ Fantasy Park on Rand Ave
• Sun 20 April 7-9pm Missionary Fireside
• Thursday 24 April - Relief Society Temple Trip.  Meet at the Chapel before 10am to carpool to the temple for the 11:30am session.
• Sat 26 April - General Women’s Broadcast combined with Baldivis Ward

6 April—Presidency Inspired Topic

13 April— General Conference

20 April— Ch 6: The Significance of the Sacrament

27 April—Teaching for our Times: TBA

Hot Cross Buns

Wet ingredients:

2 1/2 tsp dried yeast

1 1/2 cup warm water

1 egg

2 Tbsp margarine

Dry ingredients:

3 1/2 c plain flour

1/4 c brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cinnamon

3/4 cup sultanas

Crosses

1/2 c plain flour

1/3 c water

2 tsp sugar

Glaze

2 Tbsp Water

2 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp gelatine

Method:

Blend wet ingredients, let sit a few minutes.

Blend dry ingredients.

Add wet to dry, mix until a dough forms.  Knead until smooth (about 15 minutes by hand)

Divide dough into 12 pieces, roll into balls, set on baking tray. Allow to rise for 30 mins, or until double.

Mix Crosses paste. Pipe over risen rolls.

Bake at 180C for 30 minutes. Allow to cool.

Mix glaze and microwave 1 minute until melted. Glaze buns.

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 Highlights from the General Women's Meeting.

Announcements & Activities

Upcoming announcements and activities for Relief Society for January/February  (accurate as of 26 Jan 2014--subject to change.)

Monday 27 Jan - Bread Run (adjusted times).  Due to the public holiday, the bread run will be between 3-4pm from 5 Tangaroa Close, Cooloongup.

Thursday 30 Jan - Working Bee.  We'll be making more quilts and stenciling tablecloths for the chapel.  An excellent chance to come try something new.  We had lots of fun last time. If you were unable to attend, come along and join us at Sis Kneale's home between 9am-5pm (PM for address).  Come for an hour, or come all day.  Bring some nibblies to share.

February - Visiting Teaching Interviews.  The Presidency will be contacting every Visiting Teacher (in person or over the phone) for Visiting Teaching Interviews.

Thursday 20 Feb - RS Temple Trip and Picnic.  All Sisters invited to attend. Endowed members welcome to attend the 9:30 temple session.  Non-endowed members encouraged to come along, visit the temple for an outside tour.  Join us after for a picnic across the road at the park.

Bishopric Message: “Ye Shall be the Means of Bringing Salvation unto Them”

Bishopric's message for October. Please share with the sisters you Visit Teach.

We are sons and daughters of God. He is the Father of our spirits (Hebrews 12:9). We are created in the image of God, male and female (Genesis 1:26-27). Because we are the spirit children of God, we have inherited a divine heritage and potential to develop His divine qualities. Through the atonement of Christ we can become like our Heavenly Father, receive a fullness of joy and inherit, as heirs, all that our Heavenly Father has (Romans 8:17).

When our Savior Jesus Christ ministered to the Jews during His mortal ministry, the Jewish scribes and Pharisees often criticized him for receiving sinners and eating with them. On one such occasion He spoke this parable unto them saying…”What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” (Luke 14:4-7).

Again when the resurrected savior, Jesus Christ, visited the Nephites on the American Continent, He continued His teaching regarding sinners, saying: “ye shall not cast him out from among you, but ye shall minister unto him and shall pray from him unto the Father, in my name…for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for you know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them, and ye shall be the means of brining salvation unto them” (3 Nephi 18:30, 32).

In our day, our beloved prophet and president of the church, Thomas S. Monson, on behalf of our savior, Jesus Christ, has continued this message by inviting each of us to “go to the rescue”, that “we are the Lord’s hands” by which Jesus Christ brings salvation unto God’s children.

There are many that have gone astray that still believe in the gospel but they may be experiencing difficult trials that make them feel uncomfortable attending church. They also tend to have fewer friendships in the church, so they are less likely to feel they are among friends, when they come to ward meetings. Those who return to activity often do so when they see that something is missing in their lives. As a result, they realize that they need to make changes in the way they live. At such times, they need the love and friendship of caring, active church members who accept them as they are and show genuine personal interest in them.

Through the Lord’s inspired programs of home teaching, visiting teaching, organized rescue visits and splits with the ward and full-time missionaries, we can be actively engaged in regularly rescuing the Lord’s lost sheep. We will come to rejoice as the good shepherd did in bringing them back to the fold of ward meetings, strengthening and renewing friendships and participating in all the Lord’s saving ordinance, especially those found in the temple of our God.

May God bless you as you become the means of bringing salvation unto them is my prayer, in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Relief Society Breakfast - "Sister Act"

It's time for our annual Relief Society breakfast.  Come join your fellow sisters for a morning of good food, delightful company, a fun craft and a song or two.

When: 14 September 8:00am - 10:00am
Where: Chapel
Bring: your good self, a sunny disposition and maybe a friend.

Food by assignment: See Sister Hirama for more info.

Meanwhile, here's a fun song for you:

Relief Society Newsletter

January 2013

Presidency Message

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we are special and beloved daughters of God, cherished beyond our wildest dreams by a Father who gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins, and give us a way that we can always be forgiven our transgressions or sins if we have a broken heart and a contrite spirit, the key to repentance and forgiveness.

I thank Heavenly Father for sending the missionaries to my home. What a blessing it is to have been chosen to become a member of this Church and to have the fullness of the gospel, restored in these latter days, in our lives. To have a living prophet on the earth today who leads us and guides us, who loves us and prays for us. We are surely blessed!

I am grateful for the trials and tribulations in my life, which help me to witness my heavenly Father’s mercy and love. Trials are certainly sent to test us and help us grow. Lessons learned from making righteous choices help us to know and understand His will. How comforting it is to feel that all will be well because we listen to the ‘still small voice’ that guides us and we obey.

Dear Sisters, be of good cheer, be courageous and make those difficult decisions which you know to be right, for the Lord is on your side. Always be prayerful, always remember to thank your Father in heaven for the blessings you receive. Call on him as often as you need. Ask for His grace to be with you as the battle is long, endure it well and you will triumph. Along the way, enjoy your family and your friends – remember to tell them often that you love them because they need to hear it. “Find joy in the journey” (Pres. Thomas S, Monson).
Dawn Hirama, Second Counselor

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RS Lessons
6th Find Joy in the Journey
13th ch 1 - Learning by Faith
20th ch 2 - Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost
27th Ensign: “Be Anxiously Engaged” - Russell M Ballard

Visiting Teaching Message for January: Missionary Work

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Recipe Corner
“Strawberry Lemonade”

Use Fresh Summer fruits that are in season

Ingredients

• Strawberries
  
• Lemonade

Method

Blend strawberries
Pour your favorite lemonade into blended strawberries.
Serve with blended ice

Quick , Easy, Simple

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Message Board

Our blog is found at rockinghamrs.blogspot.com with all calendar events please take a look as this is one of our new features.

Pick up Free Brumby Bread every Monday’s at Dawn Hirama's after 6:30.

Relief Society Table at front entrance has all RS newsletters, sign up sheets and hand outs.

Upcoming Events2013

Our first activity for the New Year Hawaiian Luau.. come have fun …Hula lessons and more!
Time...6:30
Date Thursday 21st Feb