Blood Drive

We're hosting a blood drive for the American Red Cross this Wednesday, June 3rd from 2pm-7pm. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are encouraged. Please contact Penney Blankenship or Lisa Best to schedule an appointment.

Please support our community and give blood! Each donar will recieve a gift from the Red Cross and be entered to win a cruise for 2! Invite your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to join us!

Relief Society Presidency Message

Adversity & Service

Sisters we are blessed to live in the fullness of times when the gospel is being taught to all people and we are privileged to have latter-day prophets and temples that dot the earth. But with these great blessings come even greater attacks from Satan. We are constantly being tempted and swayed from the things we know to be right to do things that aren't right or even just things that would occupy our time and keep us from doing all that the Lord would have us to do. Many of us are experiencing financially difficult times in combination with spiritual struggles. We are so fortunate to know that through all of these challenges our Father in Heaven is truly mindful of us and will bless us. We know that we will be tested and we have to remain valiant and strong even when the storm clouds gather around us. One way that we can cope with the challenges that we have in our lives is to reach out to those around us. As we lose ourselves in service to others we will find that we will be able to better cope with our own challenges.

Quoting a talk from by Elder Merrill J. Bateman, "following baptism, a commandment-keeping member seeks to “bear one another’s burdens, … mourn with those that mourn, … and comfort those that stand in need of comfort” (Mosiah 18:8–9). As we keep the commandments and render that kind of service, the Lord can “pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon [us]” (Mosiah 18:10; see D&C 20:77). The reward for obedience and service is not only the gift of the Holy Ghost but also special gifts of the Spirit. Paul defines the fruits of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control (see Gal. 5:22–23). The Holy Spirit blesses us with Christlike attributes as we serve each other."

I bear witness that I know that as we serve one another through trials and adversities we will not only bless those that we serve, but we will also receive even greater blessings in our lives. The Lord loves each of us and is mindful of the challenges that we face. We encourage you to reach out to the sisters and families around you and to become a shoulder for them to cry on and a loving support to them. As you give of your time for others you can be certain that the Lord keeps his promises and you will be blessed with the things that you and your family need. Sisters, we love you and constantly pray for your welfare.

All our love,
RS Presidency

Visiting Teaching Message

Visiting Teaching Message

Participate in Sincere Prayer
Ensign, June 2009
Prayerfully teach these scriptures and quotations or, if needed, another principle that will bless the sisters you visit. Bear testimony of the doctrine. Invite those you visit to share what they have felt and learned.


Sincere Prayer Has Strengthening Power

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president: "Think of our combined strength if every sister had sincere prayer every morning and night or, better yet, prayed unceasingly as the Lord has commanded. If every family had family prayer daily . . . , we would be stronger" ("What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immovable," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 110).

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "Prayer changes our lives. Through it we draw near to the Lord, and he reaches out his finger and touches us, so we never again are the same.

"Prayer is a great tower of strength, a pillar of unending righteousness, a mighty force that moves mountains and saves souls" ("Patterns of Prayer," Ensign, May 1984, 32).

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "Every honest and sincere prayer adds another piece to chain-mail armor. . . . One of the most important ways to clothe yourselves in the armor of God is to make sure that prayer—earnest, sincere, consistent prayer—is part of your daily lives" ("Be Strong in the Lord," Ensign, July 2004, 10).

D&C 112:10: "Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers."


Sincere Prayer Is Holy Communication

President James E. Faust (1920–2007), Second Counselor in the First Presidency: "First, prayer is a humble acknowledgment that God is our Father and that the Lord Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. Second, it is a sincere confession of sin and transgression and a request for forgiveness. Third, it is recognition that we need help beyond our own ability. Fourth, it is an opportunity to express thanksgiving and gratitude to our Creator. It is important that we frequently say: 'We thank Thee . . . ,' 'We acknowledge before Thee . . . ,' 'We are grateful unto Thee . . . ' Fifth, it is a privilege to ask Deity for specific blessings.

" . . . Sincere prayers come from the heart. Indeed, sincerity requires that we draw from the earnest feelings of our hearts" ("The Lifeline of Prayer," Liahona, July 2002, 62; Ensign, May 2002, 59–60).

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "Meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work. Blessings require some effort on our part before we can obtain them, and prayer, as 'a form of work, . . . is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings' (Bible Dictionary, 'Prayer,' 753). We press forward and persevere in the consecrated work of prayer, after we say 'amen,' by acting upon the things we have expressed to Heavenly Father" ("Ask in Faith," Liahona and Ensign, May 2008, 95).

President Thomas S. Monson: "As we offer unto the Lord our family and our personal prayers, let us do so with faith and trust in Him. Let us remember the injunction of the Apostle Paul to the Hebrews: 'For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.' If any of us has been slow to hearken to the counsel to pray always, there is no finer hour to begin than now" ("A Royal Priesthood," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 61).

Luau!

You and your family are cordially invited to
a Traditional Hawaiian Luau, including Polynesian dancers, music, food and fun.
Date: Friday, June 19, 2009
Time: 7:00pm
Location: The Carlson's Meadow, 5005 Jett Road, Atlanta, GA 30327 (directions on the invitations handed out in Church)
RSVP (very important): GLENRIDGELUAU@GMAIL.COM
Please bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on.

Donations Please...

A sister in the ward is moving and is in need of the following items. If anyone has any items that they would otherwise be donating, she'd be happy to have them.

kitchen table
pots/pans
bakeware
silverware/dishes
glasses
lamps
end tables
curtains
bedding - king size
towels
bookcases
washer/dryer

She is also looking for a roommate to share cost of rent & utilities.
Anyone having any items for donation, please contact a member of the RS Presidency.

Newsletter

Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?
Please read through the lyrics of this popular church hymn. At the end of each question mark what is your answer?
Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?
Chorus:
Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
DOING GOOD IS A PLEASURE, A JOY BEYOND MEASURE,
A BLESSING OF DUTY AND LOVE!
There are opportunities for service all around us. Every day we are able to help someone in need. We can go out of our way make meals or provide childcare, send cards to the lonely or sick, call someone and find out how they are doing let them know we are thinking of them and love them. If you are doing these things please keep it up! The Lord loves and blesses those that love His children, and we are all God’s children. If you can do more please do so. For example, can you increase your fast offering or donations by 5, 10, or 25% and still be just fine?
If your answers didn’t fair to well to the questions above please ask yourself why? If you aren’t doing any service and don’t feel comfortable doing it then we ask that you pray for strength. Pray for opportunities that you will recognize and feel good about seizing. The Lord will bless you. He wants to bless you. But, most importantly you will be blessing others. I pray that you will keep up the good work, or try a little harder. Lengthen your stride and your journey towards Eternal Life will pass more quickly.
Just like the song says “So WAKE UP and do something more…”Is there any better feeling than helping another and bringing a smile to their face as we help lighten their burdens?
“A blessing of duty and love!!” Mosiah 2:17 “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.”
You are AMAZING! We see the needs, and we see your potential and the potential far outweighs the needs. I love you. We as a Presidency love you. The Lord loves you. “Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure, a blessing of duty and love.”
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
Bonnie Higley