Weekly Update May 30

 Leadership Message

Brothers and Sisters,

 

I am so excited that the various COVID restrictions that are in place are starting to be removed. As was announced yesterday by the Stake, we will be able to return to normal activities at church. The temples are beginning to open even further. We are seeing people feel more comfortable in public. The Lord is good to us and is making it even easier to find opportunities to help us gather Israel.

 

We have had an opportunity to prepare ourselves for the greatest work in the world - the gathering of Israel. What have you done? What can you do to prepare yourself even more? How can you prepare your friends, family, and neighbors?

 

Alma preached to the people of Gideon and said, "prepare ye the way  of the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the earth" (Alma 7:9). This message still applies to us today, as it did so many years ago. We are asked to prepare for the Taylorsville Temple, and also for the second coming of Jesus Christ. What do you need to do to prepare? How can you help those around you prepare?

 

I encourage you to seek personal revelation through prayer and personal study. Ponder the words of the prophets and listen carefully to the still small voice. I know the Lord will direct your path to prepare the way of the Lord.

 

I love you and am grateful we have the opportunity to accomplish this work together!

 

Love,

 

Bishop Cox

Meeting Program

Opening Hymn: #104 Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me

Closing Hymn: #73 Praise the Lord with Heart and Voice

Announcements

Fifth Sunday Schedule

Tomorrow (5/30) is a 5th Sunday. All adults will meet in the cultural hall following sacrament meeting. The youth will all meet in the young women's room. 

Adjusted Stake COVID Guidelines

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

We are excited to announce that COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted in the Taylorsville Utah South Stake, effective June 6th. With health conditions continuing to improve, we feel the time has come to return to normal meetings.

 

Please feel free to wear a mask if it would make you feel more comfortable. But facial coverings will no longer be required for church meetings.

 

For a time, we will continue to administer the sacrament at the end of sacrament meeting for broadcast purposes. We will also continue to leave a row open between pews to allow Priesthood holders to administer the sacrament directly to each member.

 

But all church meetings will return to normal otherwise, including Nursery, which may resume in June.

 

We are so grateful for the many efforts that have been made to mitigate health risks during the pandemic. We recognize the sacrifices that have been made to sanitize chapels, teach virtual classes and fulfill callings in creative ways. You have been amazing.

 

Please direct questions about local circumstances to your bishopric. We love you. We pray for the blessings of Heaven to be upon you and your families.

 

With All Our Love,

 

Randy L. Foote, Stake President

Kayle D. Loertscher, 1st Counselor

Jeremiah D. Stettler, 2nd Counselor

Temple Recommend Interviews

If you need to renew your temple recommend, please contact Bro. Ken Stevens. The Stake Presidency will be holding their interviews at the Stake Center at 4pm this Sunday (and on the 2,3,and 4th Sundays going forward).

Relief Society Announcements

Please notify Brother Tanner Haderlie or Teresa Hughes if you know of any homes for sale/new move ins so that the missionaries can welcome the new families into the neighborhood and ward.  We are encouraging everyone to do this on a continual basis to help the ward missionaries and full time missionaries be apprized of new families moving in to our area.

Thank you to all those who attended Relief Society.  There is a wonderful spirit when we gather and I am sure there are blessings for your sacrifice

Just a reminder as you go out to celebrate Memorial Day;  

1. As you visit cemeteries, take pictures to post on family search!  

1. Check the information to make sure it's correct.  

1. Look in family search for cemeteries that are close by that maybe you have ancestors  that you haven't visited for a while.

New Callings

Sister Tessie Edgar was called to be a Youth Sunday School Teacher

Weekly Update May 23

 

Leadership Message

Brothers and Sisters of the Taylorsville 23rd Ward, we have been invited by our Prophet, Russell M. Nelson to enjoy the Sabbath Day and to make it a delight. Our Heavenly Father made the Sabbath Day for us, His children. I would encourage each of us to look at what we do and can do to make the Sabbath Day the special day of the week that our Heavenly Father intended it to be. There are many things we can do on Sunday to make it a delightful day. It is the Lord's day and we are counseled to go to the Lord's House and offer up our sacraments to Him and to serve one another and to put aside the things of this world. We are told that it is a day of rest. We make the Sabbath a special day by focusing on the callings that we have been set apart for and serving each other as ministering brothers and sisters. We can take more time to read and ponder the scriptures and the messages from General Conference. We can visit friends and loved ones and receive and give encouragement to each other. We can spend time together as families to teach and learn the gospel of Jesus Christ together and deepen our love for our family members.

In his book, Daily Joy, President Nelson says the following about "Joy In The Sabbath" on page 153.

How can you ensure that your behavior on the Sabbath will lead to joy and rejoicing? In addition to your going to church, partaking of the sacrament, and being diligent in your specific call to serve, what other activities would help to make the Sabbath a delight for you? What sign will you give to the Lord to show your love for Him?

Make the Sabbath a delight by rendering service to others, especially those who are not feeling well or those who are lonely or in need. Lifting their spirits will lift yours as well.

I pray that each of us will be blessed in our efforts to make the Sabbath a delight.

Brother Feil

Meeting Program

Opening Hymn: #73 Praise the Lord with Heart and Voice

Closing Hymn: #112 Savior, Redeemer of My Soul

Speakers:

Announcements

Seminary Graduation

Seminary Graduation will be tomorrow night at 6 pm at the Stake Center.

Youth Camps

Youth Conference: July 15-17

YM Camp: June 24-26 Deacons will be going June 23

YW Camp: June 30-July 2

Relief Society 

* Thanks to all those who participated in the Relief Society "Baby Picture" Activity.  We had a lot of fun and learn so much about each other.

*Please notify Brother Tanner Haderlie or Teresa Hughes if you know of any homes for sale/new move ins so that the missionaries can welcome the new families into the neighborhood and ward.  We are encouraging everyone to do this on a continual basis to help the ward missionaries and full time missionaries be apprized of new families moving in to our area.

*We are excited for this Sunday's Relief Society lesson which will be taught by Carole Jensen. "Ye Shall Be Free" by Thierry K. Mutombo.  Don't forget...10:00am.

Ward Weekly Update May 16

Leadership Message

Brothers and Sisters, 

I am grateful that we are finally seeing some warmer weather. As we get closer to summer the warm weather is very nice, however we also are seeing more light during the day. I love this time of the year because I tend to spend more time outside with my family in the light of day. It seems to uplift my family and me.

 

I am grateful for the Lord's message to us this week in the Come Follow Me lesson: "And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness.

"That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light, and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

"And again, verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you" (D&C 50: 23-25).

 

As I read these scriptures, I think of King Lamoni, who was taught the gospel by Ammon. The account of Alma says, "the dark veil of unbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the light which did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness - yea, this light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul" (Alma 19:6).

 

Having light in our life and casting out the darkness is vital for us to find peace, joy, and love in the world of contention. How can you bring more light into your life? How can you receive light, continue in God, and receive more light?

 

I testify as you seek to bring more light - even the light of Jesus Christ, into your life and the lives of those around you, you will feel the joy that our Heavenly Father wants to offer each of His children.

 

With love,

 

Bishop Cox

Announcements

Youth Camps

Youth Conference: July 15-17

YM Camp: June 24-26 Deacons will be going June 23

YW Camp: June 30-July 2

Relief Society Activity

The Society Activity this month is "Guess Who?" on Tuesday, May 18th at 7:00pm on Zoom.  We need your baby picture/toddler picture to Julie Unsworth by May 14th.  JUJIJU6@GMAIL.COM   801-664-8441. 

Weekly Update May 9

Leadership Message

Brothers and Sisters,

 

I am grateful that we have been able to go back to more normal things, including meeting together last week. I not only felt the spirit because of the lesson, but also because we were able to meet in person with one another and learn the gospel together. We were able to "meet together… to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of [our] souls… after the manner of the working of the Spirit, and by the power of the Holy Ghost" (Moroni 6:5, 9). Truly, this was a blessing and miracle provided to us by the Lord.

 

I personally want to wish all of the sisters in the ward a Happy Mother's Day. I hope you know how important our sisters are to our ward. You uplift, serve, love, and provide true examples of righteousness that we all can learn from. President Nelson has taught, "It would be impossible to measure the influence that… women have, not only on families but also on the Lord's Church, as wives, mothers, and grandmothers; as sisters and aunts; as teachers and leaders; and especially as exemplars and devout defenders of the faith."

 

Each of you Sisters play an important role in the gathering of Israel and preparing the way for the Second Coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. Continue pressing forward and continue to make a difference (even if you don't think you do - you do make a difference).

 

Brethren, I encourage you to honor your mothers, sisters and other women in your life. Bless them, pray for them, serve them, and follow their examples.

 

I love each of you. Thank you for your faithfulness.

 

Bishop Cox

Meeting Program

Opening Hymn: #98 I Need Thee Every Hour

Closing Hymn: #85 How Firm a Foundation

Speakers:

Tristan Unsworth, Joseph Wamsley, Mark Broadhead

Announcements

Stake Conference

Stake Conference is next week on May 16th at 10 am. There is a Leadership Meeting that morning at 7 am.

Temple and Family History Activity

The Temple and Family History Activity is Tuesday, May 11th at 7 pm on Zoom. Please join us, it is a relaxed meeting where questions can be asked and much learning takes place.

Relief Society 

Happy Mother's Day to all!.  We all have mothers and we can celebrate their sacrifice and contribution to our lives.

Please send your baby or toddler picture to Juli Unsworth to prepare for May 18th Relief Society Activity, "Guess Who!".  Pictures must be to Juli by May 14th.  juliju6@gmail.com or text 801-661-8444.

This Sundays Relief Society lesson will be given by a special speaker.  Come join us in person at 10 am in the Relief society Room.