LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD DECEMBER 11, 2025

 LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD DECEMBER 11, 2025

 

Greetings from the Doctrine and Covenants 6:9b and 10

Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love. 10a Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 10b I am the same that came unto my own, and my own received me not. 10c I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.

 

This is one of so many scriptures that remind us of God’s love, sacrifice, and expectations for us.

At this time of year, as well as every day of our lives, we should always remember The Greatest Gift of all. God, our Creator gave the gift of His Only Begotten Son. May we also, always hold dear in our memories and daily life, how willing Jesus was to be “The Gift.”

 

While there are and will be many things that attempt to draw us away from God and to accept gifts of much less value and worth and with no power to save our souls, our Great Gift is the way, the truth, the light, the life, the Savior, Redeemer, Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace, even the Great I AM. Why would we ever want to turn away from such a gift? To live as if we are really in the Kingdom of God, we are called to exemplify Jesus Christ. That is a 24/7 privilege. I don’t think Jesus ever took time off.

 

A point from the Daily Bread, 1988: A school principal told me one day, “You are the happiest person I know. You live life to the fullest. I credit this to my relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus said if we believe in Him, we will have a well of living water springing up into everlasting life. The opportunity to draw on that living water and live faithfully in the Kingdom of God is a testimony to everyone we meet and especially those we live with in the Kingdom. Our commitment to Jesus is not evidenced by having a baptismal number, but by living, as best we can, a life reflective of our Lord and Savior. As Jesus is God’s gift to us, may we, then, share that marvelous gift with the world.”

 

In the hymnal we have only a few hymns written by Restorationists. One of those is “The Wise Men” by Shirley Mason. The third verse is, “And when they came into the house, the Christ-child they did see; O’ercome with joy, they fell before Him, worshipped reverently; Then offered they their gifts most rare, befitting priest and King; Gold, frankincense and myrrh to Christ, the King of Kings did bring.”

 

Though the gifts of the Wise Men, are not needed today, God is looking for the gifts we bring to Him which will be as useful as the gifts they brought. No gold, frankincense, or myrrh? Then find out what gifts you can present to the King of Kings.

 

Another Restoration Christmas hymn is “Silvery Star, Precious Star,” by Elbert A. Smith. The last verse reads: “Lo, we hear the song o’er head! Lo, we see the star arise! Like the Wise Men we are led, In the still night UNTO CHRIST.” May we be among the wise Saints, even the wise virgins and have oil in our lamps and extra as needed as we live for Jesus Christ in the Kingdom.

 

God bless

Paul Gage

 

The Restoration Christmas Choir and Orchestra - 2025

 The Restoration Christmas Choir and Orchestra

Ping Pong Anyone??

 Ping Pong Anyone??🏓

Attn All Ping Pong Players:  

Beginning January 8th, 2026  through February 5th, SCRB will be hosting its  first ever Doubles Table Tennis Tournament, every Thursday night, 6:00-8:00 PM at the church. 

Whether you're a novice or an accomplished competitor, we hope you'll join us for 5 weeks of indoor, winter fun, as we gather for some good competition and fellowship!❄️ This will be just like Pickle Ball, a Round Robin tournament with teams of two.🥒No weather issues to worry about...it's all indoors!⛄️

There will be a sign-up sheet in the foyer this Sunday at SCRB. If you attend another congregation, please pass the word and respond to this text with names and phone numbers, if you're interested. We will also be putting this out on Restoration News over the next couple of weeks. Any questions, contact either Jack or Pam Maybee, (816) 729-4732 or (816)228-1928. 👍

So get out of the house....and throw off those "winter blahs" for some indoor FUN!🏓 

Jack & Pam😉

Healing Heart December 2025 Meeting

 Healing Heart December 2025 Meeting 

Healing Hearts is a Christ centered group open to all who are currently widowed (widows and widowers).  We offer fellowship, friendship, fun, and worship.  We support each other emotionally through our presence and our common grief.  This group is open to all who are widowed, regardless of church affiliation.

We will meet at Colbern Road Restoration Branch on:
Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 2:30 - 4:00 PM

The Church of Jesus Christ

Colbern Road Restoration Branch

9525 Lake Lotawana Rd., Gate 2

Lee's Summit, MO 64086

Contact:  Jeanie Marsh 816-678-7212 

Restoration Bookstore Sale - 12/05/2025

 Restoration Bookstore Sale

Restoration Bookstore is having their annual 25%-off sale on the books, eBooks, CDs, and Church History prints that are published by Price Publishing Company.  Excluded from this sale are the Scriptures (the Inspired Version, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants).

Included in this sale are many favorites:

Story of the Church, by Inez Smith Davis; Volumes 1-3 of Joseph Smith Fought Polygamy

Memoirs of Joseph Smith III, Into the Latter Day Light, Autobiography of Elder Charles Derry, and most of the other biographies and autobiographies

Many missionary books--The Old Jerusalem Gospel, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, The Angel Message, Fundamental Differences between the LDS and RLDS Churches, and Apostasy, Reformation, and Restoration.  (Note: Tracts and Charts are excluded from this sale.)

Favorite Classics: Call at Evening, In the Shelter of the Little Brown Cottage, The Vineyard Story, Joseph Smith the Prophet and His Progenitors, and others

Historical reprints:  Times and Seasons, Messenger and Advocate, The Saints' Advocate

New Books:  Who Can fin a Virtuous Woman, Quotations on Mormonism, The History of Polygamy

Most of the books in the Curriculum Section.

All eBooks, and many others. 

Feel free to come in and browse these books, and others, during our regular business hours:  9:00 - 5:00 Monday through Thursday and 9:00 - Noon on Saturday.  (We are closed on Friday.)   We hope to see you soon!

The Staff

Price Publishing Company

Esther Hoover Obituary

 

Esther Hoover Obituary Esther Hoover, 86, passed away November 29, 2025, at her home in Independence.  She was born November 16, 1939, at Butler, Missouri, and was the tenth and last child of Ted and Eleanore Elefson. Esther grew up on the family farm a few miles south of Butler.  She graduated from Butler High School in 1956 and then began her college work at Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa.  After two years at Graceland she taught in a one-room school near Hays, Kansas. In 1958 she married Gary Hoover, her high school sweetheart.  They lived in Butler for fifteen years while Esther taught in the Butler school system and completed her college degree at Central Missouri State University at Warrensburg. It was in Butler during this time that their three children were born.   In 1973 the family moved to Raymore Missouri for Gary’s work, and Esther taught in the Raymore-Peculiar school system, and later worked for the Social Security Administration as a Claims Adjuster.  After her retirement from her federal government position she again returned to teaching at Hope Day School.   Esther’s solid faith and intelligent friendship will be deeply missed by her church family at South Crysler Restoration Branch.  For many years, she and Gary gave their valuable support to the work of Christ’s gospel there.  In 2006 she and Gary went to Australia and served as missionaries for six months to further the work of the church. Being the youngest in the large Elefson family, Esther was always a good and delightful aunt for many nieces and nephews and was the holder of a rich family inheritance.   Esther is survived by her husband, Gary Hoover, their son Bret (Nancy) Hoover, and their two daughters, Lisa Hoover and Dana (Harold) Edwards.   She is also survived by a sister, Kathryn (Gayle) Sacry, of Whitehall, Montana, nine grandchildren, Bradley (Nicole) Hoover, Andrew (Alana) Hoover, Scott (Mikayla) Hoover, Forrest (Amy) Hagen, Hannah (Garrett) Shelton, Stephen, David and Elizabeth Gulick and eight great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at Royer Funeral Home, 1823 N. Blue Mills Road, Independence, Missouri, on December 8th, 2025.  Visitation is at 1:00 followed by a service at 2:00.   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Center Place Restoration School, 819 W. Waldo Avenue, Independence, Missouri 64050.   Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home ~ Independence, MO (816) 796-8600

LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD DECEMBER 4, 2025

LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD DECEMBER 4, 2025

 

Beloved Saints of the Most High God,

 

Greetings and “MERRY CHRISTMAS” all month long.

 

As many will say, “This the best time of the year!” But then, as long as we walk with Jesus, as my yard sign says, “JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!” Of course, we all know that Jesus is the reason for every season, because without Him, there is no need for any season.

 

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone accepted Jesus as their Savior instead of continual debates about when He was born? What a fantastic world we would live in if everyone would love as Jesus loved, even being willing to give our life for the cause of the Kingdom! Let each of us live such a life every day so as to reflect that love that Jesus shared with everyone. That is the only kind of love that will find place in Zion/Celestial Glory, so it must find place in our lives now.

 

As we all know, Christmas is different in various parts of the world, even in some parts of the same country. But the significance of Christmas is, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John3 :16.

 

I’m sure everyone has their favorite Christmas scripture, hymn, poem, story etc. I will share some of my favorites today, especially as they apply to living in the Kingdom of God.

 

Scripture: Third Nephi 1:1-15, particularly verse 13, “And on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.” You can read and know what was happening, but WOW! Jesus spoke to Nephi the night before he was born. A true miracle indeed. Jesus wants to speak to us every day. Perhaps I, we, need to learn to cry mightily to our God all day and night.

 

Hymn: I especially like “O Little Town of Bethlehem” verse four. “O Holy Child of Bethlehem,

descend to us we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in, Be born in us today. We hear the

Christmas angels, The great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, OUR LORD, IMMANUEL! All through our daily living in the Kingdom, if Jesus is not working within us, can we truthfully say we are living in the Kingdom? Keep in mind that this coming Sunday is The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.

 

Story: Many years ago I found a story called, “Trouble at the Inn.” A church was doing the Christmas story and a young man about ten years old, who was a little shy, but good size was chosen to be the Innkeeper. You know, the one who had to tell Joseph there was NO room in the inn. When it came to that point in the play, after he had softy told Joseph there was no room and Joseph started to leave, he called out, in a strong voice, “Come back, Joseph, YOU CAN HAVE MY ROOM!” Needless to say, the church and the community were changed forever. So, in our daily walk, are we willing to share everything we have with Jesus? He doesn’t want our room, but does ask us to give Him our hearts.

The Inspired Version in Luke 2:7 uses the words “inns.” All others say, “inn.” Does it matter?

 

Poem: As you know, most, if not all, hymns are poems. Hymn 105 in “Hymns of the Restoration,” “When Jesus, Our Great Master Came,” was used as we prepared for prayer service last night at Waldo Avenue RB. I think it is appropriate for our living in the Kingdom.

When Jesus, our great Master, came to teach us in his Father’s name,

In every act, in every thought, He lived the precepts which he taught.

So let our lips and lives express The Holy Gospel we profess;

So let our works and virtues shine To prove the doctrine all divine.

 

 

A virtue is a very high level of morality. Doctrine and Covenants 38:5c and 46:9b instruct us to practice virtue and holiness before Him and continually.

 

God bless

Paul Gage