Pleasant Hill “Sacrament Summaries” December 27, 2015

For the Strength of Youth

December 27, 2015

As Hannah Egg prepared for this talk she looked back through the years written in her journal. Young Women’s has played a tremendous role throughout her life. What she has found so far is for her, the “meaning of life”. As she reflected on, “…what it means to be a good youth…", she came to realize that it’s not just one answer. It’s the endless combinations of scripture, prayer, guidance from both her parents and our Bishop, and the pamphlet, “For the Strength of Youth”.  With all these resources, she is firm in her beliefs, firm in her decisions, and she knows that with her Christ like attributes, "…I'm not going anywhere."

Amber Eloumari touched on the topic of Primary standards of the gospel. She explained how close they are related to the commandments. One commandment we all need to be more aware of is coveting. From Doctrine and Covenants Section 88, "…cease to be covetous...”.  It casts a shadow on our soul and makes us unhappy in our current situations. Allow others to have their moment to shine.

The very witty Tyra McCarl and husband Matt McCarl spoke about our For the Strength of Youth Program. Sister McCarl told very simple stories with insightful lessons. She explained to us how through agency and accountability, Satan is committed to our actions and has a, “…play now/pay later program." The Lord's program is be happy now and always with his Gospel. Brother McCarl stressed the importance of honesty and integrity. He taught us the dishonesty isn't just lying. Dishonesty is any form of deceit. He opened our eyes by giving us something upon which to reflect. "Heavenly Father is watching and paying attention always, but he sees us honestly when we are alone and think no one is watching."

Sister Stephani Fini

Pleasant Hill Ward Blogger

A very special “Thanks!” to Sister Fini for her posts this year!

Brother Meade’s Last Donation?

Donations On-Line Are Time-Savers!

A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, wonderful Brother Meade handed me the familiar envelope containing his tithing and said, “This will be the last time, Brother Egg…”

I was startled. “What? Are you moving; are you sick?”  I braced myself for the worst.

“Naw, I’ll be paying all my offerings on-line from now on!”

Interested?  It’s easy, and saves a lot of time for you, and for the ward.  Just go onto lds.org, sign in, and go to “donations”.  Have your bank information ready, fill in the fields and you’re all set.

I signed up a couple of weeks ago.  It took about 5 minutes.  The amazing thing is that the next time I went on to pay tithing, it took less than 10 seconds from the time that I opened the lds.org page to completion.  Loved it!

If you’ve never logged into lds.org before, you’ll need your membership ID.  If you need it, just let us know (emails are below), and someone in the bishopric can send it to you!

Thank you,

Bishop Palomino phbishop8@gmail.com

Brother Egg (Counselor) jayegg.geo@gmail.com

Brother Callaghan (Counselor) mikecallaghan67@gmail.com

Brother Creamer (Ward Clerk) rickmotor15@aol.com

Brother Simpson (Asst Ward Clerk) troysimpson@me.com

Pleasant Hill "Sacrament Summaries" August 23, 2015

August 23, 2015

Giving a very heartfelt talk, Megan Doyle Stockton taught us about "The Comforter".  The Comforter is the Holy Spirit. She explains that everything happens for a reason. The Holy Ghost helps us make the right choices along with comforting us with emotions that suit the situation. She shared her personal family story that touched so many hearts. As the family is witnessing the matriarch getting sicker, the family is finding comfort from the Holy Spirit. She also relates the Holy Spirit as a beacon of light, and that  as children go back to school, they may find guidance, comfort and strength to reach their full potential.

Sister Katie Wach gave a very uplifting message about, “Justice, Love, and Mercy”. She tells us from scriptures that we are to, “…walk humbly with God”, noting how hard it is when we are surrounded with such horrible things in all realms of media. She also spoke of how Heavenly Father commands us to forgive and love our Brothers and Sisters, “ 70×7”. He has so much love for each and every one of us, so much mercy he forgives us of our faults.

Brother Jared Wach spoke about Priesthood and Personal Prayer. He defined having the priesthood as, “…having the right to speak and act in the Lord’s name".  As his wife and he are new members of the Ward, his day has come to speak in Sacrament Meeting. He tells how his Faith is the center of his attention. He explained that Heavenly Father already knows our prayers and that he wants us to humble ourselves to come to him with a sincere heart. He was able to put this into action as he attended the temple to discover if a particular woman should be his wife.  When he received and answer of “No”, he was surprised to find that he met his wife Katie the shortly thereafter while serving in the baptistery. He is grateful for the power of prayer and the ability to give a Father's Blessing to his children.

-Sister Stephanie Fini

-Pleasant Hill Ward Blogger

Pleasant Hill "Sacrament Summaries"

August 16, 2015; High Council Sunday

Returned Missionary, Ben Arrington was in awe of the blessing he received from seeing 4 ordinances in 2 hours. He had just given a talk at the Kissimmee Ward. While coming from that chapel, he had a lot on his mind. The main principle, first learned in his mission was to, "…talk to absolutely every person you see."  He reflected upon why and realized instead of going through the motions of everyday life, there is no such thing as, "just another person." Every single person has issues and problems. "How can we help someone that we don't know find faith, hope and charity?"  -TALK TO THEM! 

"We need to see them for the seeds that they are, and the fruit that they can bare." The quicker we can move on from our own problems and focus on helping others, Heavenly Father will wipe away our own personal worries. "Heavenly Father has plans for all of us."

High Councilman, Brother Carlos Dominguez was given an assignment from the stake: What we need now is the Greatest Generation of Youth!

After a very humorous story about a rich man, a pool with a gator, and being pushed in, he simply defined "young adult missionary"-- Everyone. And he also simply defined "returned missionary"-- Non retired Mormon. 
He asked, "…what to do to better prepare for a mission?" Answer: Ask Heavenly Father and Follow the Spirit. 
And for the returned missionaries, "…prepare always, be active, not retired Mormons."

• Skills are like tools, to be better you have to use them. 
• Also, about marriage, its 80% (give),20% (receive). The success of Marriage is working together to achieve 100%. He added, "A happy wife, a happy life!"
• A little more about the story of the rich man, with the pool and gator:
• The Lord is the rich man, the gator is our problems and don't [wait]  be pushed. Jump freely, swim fast and directly to the Lord and we will be rewarded. "Keep the commandments, and the Lord will do his part” .

-Sister Stephanie Fini,

-Pleasant Hill Ward Blogger

Pleasant Hill "Sacrament Summaries"

AUGUST 9TH, 2015; Seminary Sunday

WITH A HUMBLE HEART and prayers for guidance from the Holy Spirit Sister Whitt explains her "Romeo and Juliette" elopement, and how she was introduced to "a church out west" by an invitation to be joined "for time and all eternity." It took Brother and Sister Whitt 10 years to get to the Temple. When weather threatened to stop their plans their family provided a ride. They had met their ordinances to go to the Temple. She explained that the Lord blesses those who follow the ordinances and we will be judged by the works we do on Earth. "Going to the Temple is very important and we should live life as if you had a temple-recommend." Sister Whitt left us with a question regarding our own feelings concerning the Temple. "Are you focused towards the Temple?" We are not to, ‘kick against the pricks”, but do what we must to follow His guidance.

Sister Egg, another seminary teacher privileged to teach seminary in a public school, honored us with a story of her military grandfather. His generation labeled, ”The Greatest Generation" by Tom Brokaw, lived and survived World War II, The Great Depression, and the horrific attack on Pearl Harbor. She believes he was wrong. As Sister Egg works daily with youth in a public school she explains how visibly lacking in moral character some youth can be. It is clear to see that LDS youth; "they know who they are.". She told of a girl who had to give her prom money to a parent who squandered the hotel rent money. Sister Egg knows we are raising "The Greatest Generation."  Her daughter, Hannah, ready for a prom with a new dress, shoes, and accessories without hesitation gave this girl everything to wear and the family sponsored her so she could live her prom dream. "Our youth stand strong in adversity and set examples." We celebrate with our youth but we are really just learning from them. They are models to others. "We are raising The Greatest Generation that is building the kingdom of God on Earth."

Brother Egg closed our meeting with an emotional show of gratitude for the time the youth and teachers put into seminary. "It is the most remarkable thing to see how it protects the youth each day with a healthy dose of the Gospel."

-Sister Stephanie Fini

Pleasant Hill Ward Blogger

Highland Elementary Recognizes Pleasant Hill Ward as Partner of the Year

Highlands Elementary Recognizes Pleasant Hill Ward's Service

A RARE HONOR was recently bestowed on the Pleasant Hill Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as Highlands Elementary School showed their gratitude by inviting church members to be present at an awards ceremony where Pleasant Hill Ward was showered with gifts of appreciation.

Maria Garcia, OASIS Coordinator for Highlands attended the ceremony with Assistant Principal, Jason Hayes on May 20th, 2015 at 11:00 A.M.  Pleasant Hill Ward members were presented with an original painting, and a plaque showing gratitude for  our efforts.  On the back of the painting was a signed letter:

OASIS School Volunteer  Program

2014/2015 School Business Partner of the Year

Highlands Elementary Nominee:  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

It is our pleasure to have nominated our "faith based school partner: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" as our nominee for the 2014-2015 School Business Partner of the Year.

First of all, our 2014-2015 school year began with a "Day of Service" from members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Mr. Jay Egg and Mr. Sam Haught arranged to have 100 volunteers to come beautify our campus with mulch, picking weeds, power washing our school grounds, and delivered books and materials to over 60 classrooms, reorganize our teacher's lounge, brought donations of clothes and shoes for our families in need, and created a huge welcome sign in our main lobby for all to see throughout the school year. What an awesome way to begin the school year.

Secondly, Jay Egg of the Pleasant Hill Ward provided Highlands Elementary with an abundance of food that was distributed to families before the winter break and to help replenish our food pantry.  Thirdly, members of the church have served as OASIS volunteers for our Bookmark Buddies Reading Program to mentor some of our third grade students in hopes of ensuring academic success and passing this year's FSA test.

Lastly, Mr. Haught who is a member of the church and in conjunction with Wild Florida has made it possible to bring in an alligator to our school during our honor roll celebration to give our students the opportunity to experience an up-close encounter with the wild life of Florida.

In summary, it takes great individuals to help plant seeds of greatness into the young hearts and mind of our future generation, and with that being said we would like to recognize all the members of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints.

Sincerely,
Allison Doe, Principal
Jason Hayes, Assistant Principal
Maria Garcia, Oasis Coordinator

- 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. 

-Mosiah Chapter 2, Verse 17

                            

Pleasant Hill Sacrament Summaries, Mother's Day 2015

Sacrament Meeting
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

10th Day of May 2015

ON THIS GORGEOUS MORNING, we heard from first time speaker Brother Reuben Rangel. As he professed his thanks and love to his mom, he taught us some eye opening facts about Mother's day. A tradition started in 1914 has grown to a $21.2 billion dollar commercialized holiday. He brought us back to its purpose with a quote from Abraham Lincoln "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my Angel Mother." Brother Rangel suggested we celebrate, thank, love and praise mothers every day.

Young Men's first counselor, Brother Harvey Reyes, asked us to be honest with ourselves in answering "How do I keep my family strong in the Gospel?" He questioned the roles each of us play in our own home. "Who is making the effort?" "How much time is devoted to feel the Spirit and make us stronger?"  He urged us to put in the time and effort to counsel each other, pray together, ponder the scriptures, and teach our little ones to talk to Heavenly Father.

He reminded us that the Bishopric is here to help guide our family, and to continue to pray for our family and friends that have strayed; for "the power of prayer works!"

Returned missionary, Sister Erika Herrera, expressed her gratitude for the love of mothers. She proudly and lovingly thanked her aunt, Maria Palomino, who stepped in as mother, and for her guidance and charity in making the hard decision about going on her mission. Sister Herrera told us of a woman who was struggling in all aspects of life except for her belief in the church and her service. She told us that when in need, this woman helped her and her companion giving what little she had away because of her faith that, "Jesus would always provide."

by Sister Stephani Fini
Pleasant Hill Ward
Official Blogger

Pleasant Hill "Sacrament Summaries"

Fast and Testimony Sacrament Meeting
April 26^th, 2015

AS WE SAT in the presence of the Holy Spirit, we were edified and enriched by testimonies from ward members.

Remembering the Purpose of the Fast

• Brother Callaghan urged us to "Come, Act, Share."
• Brother Ronald Moore challenged us to "start at the hard place first."
• Sister Egg shared the service her and Brother Egg were providing until the wee hours of the morning. Serving special needs children and seeing their smiles made her reflect and be grateful for her sealing to her children and loving husband.
• Brother Benjamin, a meat and potato man, asked "Have we lost faith?" President Benson in 1995 said "Seek ye the way of the 72 hour pack!" June is upon us.....Are you ready?
• Brother Howard Brancel, who is leaving the Ward (for the summer), shared his strong testimony for the "Blessings that I received for beyond what I deserve."
• Brother Oviatt, also leaving, moved us all by proclaiming "As long as I have a voice, it will say Jesus is the Christ."
• Brother Todd emotionally testified to the strong women of this Ward and the Temple. He pleaded for more priesthood holders to attend the Temple.

Bishop Palomino closed the meeting with a very moving and emotional testimony of Jesus Christ. "What a wonderful Spirit here today!"

by Sister Stephani Fini

Pleasant Hill Ward

Official Blogger

Pleasant Hill "Sacrament Summaries"

The Sabbath Day is a Delight!

Pleasant Hill Sacrament Meeting Summaries

April 19th, 2015

OUR BLESSED SACRAMENT MEETING was brought to life in the inspirational words of our young women's speaker Sister Kami Allen. Wise beyond her years, she reminded us about the importance of the Sabbath Day. "Attitude is the key." She brilliantly brought a young, yet on point aspect to Russell M. Nelson's quote "The Sabbath is a delight for the Lord has spoken it.

Brother Tommy Smith eloquently explained the importance of "persevering to the end."  He urged us to pray for guidance, and strength to stay on the path of righteousness while always being aware and prepared for the Dark forces that tempt us. As he spoke from the heart and drew words from the Holy Spirit he challenged us to "look into a child's eyes, to see the future, and teach them the Book of Mormon and the Bible."

Fast With Purpose

And lastly, Brother Doc Fullmer, ended our meeting with different aspects on "The Law of the Fast"

• Have a prayer and purpose. As Alma and the Elder had a reason and fasted, we too need to pray and fast for our Heavenly Fathers guidance.
• Weakness can become strengths: he taught us as he learned as a missionary, that as he fasted weekly the task became easier and he became closer to our Father.
• Help the less fortunate: he reminded us to try our best to give as much as possible because its purpose isn't a duty, its a service to help and provide for those with less than ourselves.

by Sister Stephani Fini

Pleasant Hill Ward

Official Blogger

“A Pleasant Hill Ward Reflection on 2014”

A "Snippet" of Some of the Great Times From Pleasant Hill Ward, 2014!

Huge “Kudos” to Abby Rucker for creating a marvelous reflection of the activities of 2014 in the Pleasant Hill Ward, Hunters Creek Stake!  Abby is working toward her Personal Progress Medallion, and this wonderful video entitled, “Pleasant Hill’s 2014” is set to a fun soundtrack that will tug at your heart-strings (log-in is “2014”).