pauljg_64055@yahoo.com
Dear Saints,
Find attached the February Monthly Tidings of Zion.
Feel free to copy, forward, and share.
It would be much appreciated if branch pastors would copy for distribution in your branch.
Thanks
God bless
Paul Gage
Chair, Publication Council
Conference of Restoration Elders
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Conference of Restoration Elders (CRE)
Monthly Tidings of Zion: February, 2018
Greetings to all the lovely Saints around the world. We trust that God, Almighty, has been and will continue to bless you in your daily walk with Him. February is usually considered to be a month to express our love and affection for loved ones, family, friends, and so forth because of Valentine Day. We will not use this space to praise or condemn "Valentine Day," but rather focus on GOD'S LOVE FOR US AND OUR LOVE FOR HIM. Hopefully, all or most of those who claim a heritage in the Restoration Faith as restored in 1830 and reorganized in 1860, understand that when man sinned in the Garden of Eden that he did not immediately die in the flesh, but died in the spirit with no way to ever come back into God's presence, except through what God had planned from the foundation of the world. God Himself would come to earth and in the flesh be known as Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, to make the ultimate sacrifice for each of us. As John 3:16-17 state, "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. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world THROUGH HIM might be saved."
Many, in the world, are of the opinion that because Jesus died for our sins, that our salvation is automatic. That is not true! God always has a duel explanation of what He asks of us, as we find in Doctrine and Covenants 81:3. There must be a response of belief, faith, and obedience to God's commandments to receive the blessings. We talk of love, God's love, charity being the pure love of Christ, of Zion; we pray, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven." If God is love, then the kingdom of heaven must be based and built on God's love. So then, must conditions on earth, be as they are in heaven in order to fulfill this part of the "Lord's Prayer." It is said of Enoch's city that they were of one heart and one mind and no poor among them and they dwelt in righteousness. How did they accomplish that? Obedience to Enoch's instructions as he received them from God, a willingness to love God first with all and love each other as God loves us. It is all about relationships.
Millions of dollars will be spent on Valentine Day for things that will be gone in a week or so, as the flowers fade, the candy is eaten, get-away trips are completed and it is back to the usual routine of life. Many will try to "buy" the affection of one or many people in their lives, but it doesn't work that way, as a rule. Affection and true love are based on a relationship, first with God, and then with a spouse, children, etc.
In 2007, the CRE sponsored a weekend event, in November, called "A Fall Gathering." The classes for the weekend were based on relationships: In the home; In the priesthood; With Our Neighbors; In the Church, and With Christ. Possible, if those in attendance had truly taken to heart those things that were taught that weekend, Zion could have become a reality. The Fall Gatherings were eventually discontinued due to lack of interest and attendance. Zion will be, with us or without us.............................THE CHOICE IS OURS!
2018 January Priesthood and Men’s Retreat by Elder Vim Horn, Sibley, Missouri
On Thursday evening January 18thand Saturday the 20th, priesthood members and men gathered at the Oak Grove Restoration Branch to worship, learn, and fellowship together. The retreat was jointly sponsored by the Central Missouri Restoration Branches (CMRB), the Pastors of Zion (POZ) and the Conference of Restoration Elders (CRE). Over seventy attended each day respectively. Represented were twenty-nine restoration branches from Central Missouri and the Center Place, and one from outside these areas.
Thursday evening began with a worship service led by Brother John Eichorn. This worship set a wonderful tone for the class taught by Brother Bob Bobbitt that followed. He expressed that, where there is truth, there is power, and we are sitting on top of a goldmine. He shared with the brethren why he is excited about the restored gospel and provided them with examples that would equip them to share reasons why our people and others should embrace the restored gospel.
Saturday morning began with Brother Jason Howard presiding over a Spirit filled prayer service. The first class, taught by Brother Michael Brown, focused on the importance of spiritual revival and development in our lives. He used thoughts from High Priest Earl Curry that focused on his observations of the spiritual condition within the restoration and our need to go beyond just revival to an ever-expanding spiritual development. Brother Brown emphasized that, if we are to have the ability to convey spirituality, then we have to have the Spirit within us. Many insights were shared in the class on what challenges our spiritual development, and what we need to do in order to grow spiritually.
Brother Karl Anderson taught a class on the foundational nature of home ministry in the church. He stated that, the family is a microcosm of the church and that Zion will never be established until we achieve it first in the homes. If we can’t achieve Zionic living in the homes first, we will never achieve it as a church. Home ministry is absolutely essential to the work of the church today. Brother Anderson shared understandings and testimonies emphasizing the essential nature of home ministry. Many attending gained a real appreciation of the importance of family and home ministry to achieving the work of the gospel.
After lunch, Brother Richard Neill presented some thoughts, and led a discussion on the importance of the Center Place in accomplishing the latter day work of the church. He shared a handout with a number of questions challenging the brethren to consider and evaluate how those living in and around the center place are doing at embracing their unique opportunity to provide ministry. In the discussion, it was acknowledged that a deeper understanding and fuller response will be required for this opportunity to be realized. The retreat ended with the completion of this discussion period.
To access class materials and recordings, go to www.eldersconference.org
Central Missouri Junior High Retreat Fall of 2017 by Phillip and Suzanne Freeze
What a joy it was to spend the weekend with young brothers and sisters in Christ. We had a wonderful time directing this year. The staff was a big help and the campers were great!
We started off the retreat with mixers lead by Susan Freeze. It was fun watching the campers run around the dining hall making animal sounds, trying to pop each other’s balloon and trying to get each other to laugh. Then we had a snack which was followed by a campfire led by Sheri Nunn. What a wonderful spiritual time singing around a fire! We started Saturday with morning worship and then a scavenger hunt. Wow! The campers loved running all over the campgrounds looking for clues. Next, Cara Smith shared a class about "Hearing God’s Voice."
After lunch we did a service project. Jim Mulheron had the campers make 10 bird houses, which the campers then put up around the campgrounds. What an enjoyable time I had watching these young campers make something with their hands. Then Pat Chadwick shared a class with us about the "Power of Prayer."
Jeff Ohmer directed kickball during recreation and some of the campers watched , just enjoying the outdoors. The kids worked up an appetite for supper after all the running around. After supper, we did not think the campers were tired enough so, we did relay races led by Mark Nunn. Cabin two of the girls won and cabin seven of the boys won. To start calming down we had campfire followed by a movie.
Sunday morning, we had a wonderful prayer and testimony service where most of the campers prayed. It was such a blessing to all of us to share the weekend with the campers. Thank you for sharing your children with us! God Bless!
MISSIONARIES ON THE MOVE! All the missionary groups that function under the CRE are active and have mission trips planned beginning in March and continuing through the year.
African Restoration Ministries, (ARM): Elder Lyle Smith and others were in Kenya in East Africa in December of 2017 and other trips are scheduled for 2018.
Greater European Ministries (GEM): Elders Joe Hale and Brian Mundy were in England in January, 2018, and ordained Robert Willoughby to the office of Priest. Brother Willoughby is most likely the only Restoration priesthood member in all of Europe. After a week of "rest," Brother Mundy , traveled to Germany for two weeks, where he is learning the German language in order to be better equipped to share with the people of Germany.
Latin American Missions Board,( LAMB) continues to support the work of the Church in Honduras and Mexico.
South East Asia and Australian Ministries, (SEAAM) The team of Elders Tom Rindels and Kevin Humphrey are going to Australia, March 6-May 6, 2018.
Currently, Mission trips are also planned Nepal, and the Philippines in March and April. Elder Murray Broughton and wife, Delma were in Luzon, the Philippines in December, 2017.
Please continue to support the missionary efforts in your prayers and also with financial donations. Donations can be made to the CRE with specific indications as to where you want your donation to go.
Branch Activities:
Council Bluffs, Iowa Restoration Branch
Winter Revival 2018 Saturday February 17th
Contact Priest Mark McCormick Phone: 402-639-2952
Email: mrmrldsmember@yahoo.com
Atherton, Missouri Restoration Branch: 4910 E. Main Street Atherton, Missouri
Evening Preaching Series: February 26, 27 and March 1,2 at 7:00 pm
Elder Steve Kropp will preach Feb. 26, 27 and Elder Vaughn Cornish on March 1 and 2.
The theme is: "Like Christ"
PASTORS OF ZION: SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER
SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018: WALDO AVENUE RESTORATION BRANCH
8:00 AM PRAYER SERVICE
9:40 AM SONG SERVICE
10:00 AM SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER
Editor's Note: This is an annual event usually held on the first Sunday of April. However, April 1, 2018 is also Resurrection Sunday, known to some as Easter. Wouldn't it be marvelous if the Branches that are a part of the Pastors of Zion would close their branches that morning and encourage the Saints to some together. Dear Saints, let us fill the house with members and pray the Lord, God, Almighty will fill it with His Holy Spirit.
The following artwork is by Jean Mahoney of Hamilton, Ontario Canada
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