Bishopric message
Merry Christmas Parley’s 3rd Ward,
Since March, we have come to expect the Saturday night “church link” emails from the Bishopric. But this week they are shaking things up and have asked me to share a few thoughts.
Christmas is a season of joy; a season of gratitude and peace. But as a mother, I have often been overwhelmed by the long lists of things to accomplish in December. The shopping, wrapping and baking and the maintenance of Christmas traditions that are so important to my family. I find myself constantly in an emotional flux between an abundance of the Christmas spirit and the enormity of the role I play in it all. One evening I went to bed particularly flustered and found myself dreaming all night about the horrors of messing up Christmas. But the next morning when it was dark and still quiet, I woke up with a thought that touched my heart deeply and has made my Christmas preparations delightful. The thought was this… It’s ok to hurry. It’s ok to be busy. You are “nesting” for the birth of the King. Make haste.
The birth of that tiny King has changed everything about my life. He is indeed, the reason for the season. But more than that, He is the light of the world. He allows us to err, seek his understanding and forgiveness and become new creatures. There is no worthwhile progression in this life without him. He is the giver of all good gifts. I love him dearly.
Our bishopric has provided a way for us to create some additional unity in our neighborhood this year, as we literally and symbolically share our Savior’s light. Today, every house in our ward boundary received a luminary package on their porch. Sunday night, we will put them out in front of our houses at 5:00. This year, since we can’t gather for our usual parties, it is hard to feel the unity of belonging to a ward and neighborhood family. But, I think as we light and display our luminaries, we will be able to observe a feeling of peace and unity that can bind us together as friends, neighbors and children of God. Let us strive to see each other… in all the different ways we worship and celebrate the holidays, as brothers and sisters most of all.
Dear friends, the Bishop and I consider you all to be among our greatest blessings. Thank you for your contributions to our ward, to our neighborhood, and to the world. We feel as though our tiny offerings are ever amplified by the magnificence of your collective light. It is a wonderful, warm and bright place to live. May the light of Christ permeate your hearts as you find yourself “nesting” for the birth of the King, our beloved Savior.
Love and Blessings,
Kristen Okland
Information:
If for some reason you or a neighbor did not receive the luminary package and message, please reach out to Matt Jepsen and he can assist.
For this week’s virtual sacrament meeting, click here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGq9j85Gc5g&feature=youtu.be
We are blessed to hear from Meg Boren, Emma Conde, Sarah Jane Romney and Connor Nielsen.
On January 3rd, our Sacrament meeting schedule will change to a NEW start time of 9:00am. Also, we’ll stay in the same groups; A-K and L-Z. But we’re changing the weeks, so each group has the opportunity to attend Fast and Testimony meeting in person.
· 1st and 3rd Sundays: L-Z last names (Incl. 5th Sunday Jan. 31)
· 2nd and 4th Sundays: A-L last names (Incl. 5th Sunday May 30)
In 2021 as part of our “come follow me” study, we will have the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the learning of Doctrine & Covenants. If you have not yet received a paper copy of the manual for “individuals and families” and would like one, please reach out to a member of the bishopric or our Sunday School President Andrew Sipherd, and we can help you obtain a manual.
