Relief Society Lesson Schedule September - December 2013

Sept - Dec 2013

We encourage you to read through the lessons before each Sunday to enrich your Sabbath experience. Links to lessons available here. Alternatively download the magazines and manuals to your smartphone or data tablet device through the Gospel Library app. Subscriptions to hardcopies of the Ensign and copies of the Lorenzo Snow manual are available as well.

1st Sundays - Inspired Topics from the RS Presidency
2nd & 3rd Sundays - Teachings of the Presidents of the Church - Lorenzo Snow
4th Sundays - Teachings for Our Time - Taken from Conference Talks April 2013 General Conference and October 2013 General Conference.
5th Sundays - Bishopric's Messages

Accurate as of 15 Oct 2013. This information is subject to change.

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1 Sept - Relief Society Inspired Message

8 Sept - Chapter 16: "That We May Become One"

15 Sept - Chapter 17: "Priesthood--'for the Salvation of the Human Family'"

22 Sept - TFOT: "Obedience to Law is Liberty" - Elder L. Tom Perry (Sunday AM session) -and- "Obedience Brings Blessings" Pres Thomas S. Monson (Sunday AM session)

29 Sept - Bishopric's Message

6 Oct - Relief Society Inspired Message

13 Oct - General Conference Videos

20 Oct - Chapter 19: "Missionary Work: 'To Reach Every Human Heart'"

27 Oct - TFOT: "Lord, I Believe" - Elder Jeffrey R Holland (Sunday PM session)

3 Nov - Relief Society Inspired Message

10 Nov - Chapter 21: "Loving God More Than We Love the World"

17 Nov - Chapter 22: "Doing Good to Others"

24 Nov - TFOT: "The Windows of Heaven" - Elder David A Bednar (Saturday AM session)

1 Dec - Relief Society Inspired Message

8 Dec - Chapter 23: "The Prophet Joseph Smith"

15 Dec - Chapter 24: "Reflections on the Mission of Jesus Christ"

22 Dec - TFOT: "Put Your Trust in the Lord" - Elder M Russell Ballard  (Saturday PM session)

29 Dec - Bishopric's Message

"Secret Sister" - Combined RS/YW activity

Young Women:  can you guess who is your Secret Sister?  

Relief Society:  did they guess right?

Come along to our Secret Sister night to test your skills, play a Guess Who game and join us for Sundaes.

When:  Wednesday 11 September, 7:00pm

Where: Chapel

Who:  Relief Society Sisters and Young Women

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:

Secret Sisters, Start Your Engenues!

Dear Secret Sister,
See below.
Love, Me.

Dear Everyone Else,

May I have a picture of your beautiful self?  You can PM it to me on FB or email it to me (my address is available on https://ward.lds.org).  I'd prefer pictures that are full of personality.  I'd also like a clue or three about you for our upcoming "Guess Who" game for the Young Women.  Feel free to contribute clues about other sisters (and how unique and wonderful they are).

If you don't send me a picture, I am not above taking a snap of you papparazzi-style. I cannot guarantee this will be flattering.

Thanks,

Heidi
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Dear Secret Sisters,

Now's the time to start surprising your assigned Young Woman with a surprise this week.  Do something nice for her this week, as often as you feel comfortable.  We want to give the Young Women of our ward a better feeling towards Relief Society.

You know how wonderful our sisterhood is. Share that love.  Express to her "You are a beloved daughter of God" (our theme).

Don't let them guess who you are; that time will come.

Wednesday 11 September is our combined RS/YW activity, 7:00pm at the Chapel.  We will be playing "Guess Who".  (That's what the pictures and descriptions are for.)  Not only will our Young Women be guessing who their Secret Sister is, we're going to see if they can guess our many Relief Society sisters from the given clues.

If you are in need of further clues (like an address) regarding your assigned Young Woman, PM or email (or even use the old-fashioned telephone) to contact me. I'm happy to give you as many clues as I have.

Love,

Me

Learn a New Hymn: 279 Thy Holy Word

Here are the hymns for next Sunday (30 June). Some are familiar, one, Thy Holy Word, is new. Click on the links to go to the Interactive Music Player to listen to these hymns.

216 We Are Sowing

A lot of people think this a missionary hymn (sowing seeds of the gospel), but rather, it's a hymn about the consequenses of our own actions. Give a read through the lyrics and ponder their meaning.

182 We'll Sing All Hail to Jesus' Name

When you read the lyrics of this hymn, you get the sense not only of Christ's sacrifice and atonement, but its importance to us.

279 Thy Holy Word NEW!

It's a shame we don't sing this beautiful hymn more often. The music and the lyrics are thoughtful and motivating. It is not enought to just hear the gospel, but we must take it into ourselves and receive its rewards.

If you're not familiar with this hymn, go listen to it.

251 Behold! A Royal Army

This stirring hymn is very different in mood from the intermediate hymn. This is a call to action! Go forth and do. It's also very much about courage, going up against something that might normally cause you to reconsider, or think twice. Reflect upon yourself; how bold are you?

Learn a Hymn: 82 For All The Saints

We have a wonderful and uplifting hymn on Sunday that many of you may not be familiar with: 82 "For All the Saints". Due to copyright restrictions, the sheet music for this hymn is not available on the LDS web site. However, here is a YouTube recording of the good old Mo-Tab singing it.

This is one of the "Allelujah" hymns, with an Allelujah chorus at the end. YAY!

When reading this hymn in the hymnbook, note that the first two verses (on the first page) are sung in unison. The third and fourth verses are sung in harmony. These are over on the second page. Then you skip back to the first page for verse five in unison.

Don't get caught out with that fifth verse. Don't worry if you do. We won't be the first congregation to make that mistake, and we won't be the last.

If you're interested in knowing more about music, feel free to join us just after Relief Society when we host and informal choir in the chapel. Come learn some new hymns and learn more about how music works.

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Meanwhile, here's a funny video of cats.

Read Your Patriarchal Blessing

Every member is entitled to a patriarchal blessing. These beautiful and unique blessings provide inspired direction from the Lord specifically for you.

Study your patriarchal blessing regularly. Turn to it for guidance, for inspiration, for surety.

If you have not read your blessing recently, go dig it out and take a quiet ten minutes to read it. Read it prayerfully, humbly, frequently. This blessing from the Lord is deeply personal. He knows you, your strengths and weaknesses and your potential.

What does the Lord say to you? Is your life currently on the track the Lord suggests? Is there anything you're doing right? Is there anything you need to improve? What gifts do you possess? Are you magnifying your gifts? What blessings could you receive?

Treasure your patriarchal blessing. It is sacred and personal.

If you have not yet received your patriarchal blessing, ask the Bishop for more information.