March 2010 Newsletters

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• .28th March 2010 - click on image to view

• .21st March 2010 - click on image to view

• .14th March 2010 - click on image to view

• .7th March 2010 - click on image to view

Bishop’s Youth Discussion - February 2010

Love the Lord First!

In our BYD this month, we talked about the recent Winter Olympics and the success of Torah Bright, who won gold in her half pipe event. We discussed how Olympic athletes receive lots of training to help them focus and block out any distractions during their Olympic event. We highlighted how this is similar for us – as we face the events of life. We too must learn to “be in the world and not of the world” – to blow out those things that will keep us from doing the things “of most worth” (D&C 15:6). During the month of March, we committed to assess where we are at – to ask ourselves what we need to do differently to “Love the Lord… First” (Matt 22:37-39). We then committed to “do them!” (Mosiah 4:10).

Bishopric Message March 2010

“LAY HOLD ON THE WORD OF GOD”
Helaman 3:29

Brothers and Sisters,

The Stake Presidency have recently extended a challenge to each of us. In a letter dated 3 February 2010, they say:

“We challenge every man, woman, youth and child, every family, to read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover before the end of 2010. Read it together, discuss its words, messages and testimony of Jesus Christ and we encourage you to mark or underline each and every reference to the Saviour as you read. Study the promises and consider the concerns and experiences of the saints of the time. Ponder on how you would feel and what you would do, put yourselves in that time and in that place as you liken the scriptures unto yourself.”
(GCAS Stake Presidency)

This letter will be distributed to each family this month via home teachers. We invite all home teachers to approach Quorum Presidencies for copies of this letter before visits are made. For members of our High Priests Group, please see Brother Hank Kruizinga, Brother David Noda or Brother Peter Elliott. For members of our Elders Quorum, feel free to approach President Wilson Strother, Brother Bill Nathan or Brother Jabin Skipps.

Many of us will remember the challenge extended by President Hinckley in August of 2005 to read the Book of Mormon by the end of that year. At that time, he promised us:

“Without reservation I promise you that if each of you will observe this simple program, regardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.”
(Ensign, August 2005).

What a promise! We hope that each of us will follow the direction of our Stake Presidency and purchase copies of scriptures, if needed, and better still, daily read and ponder their teachings. As we embark on this challenge, we’d invite everyone to start early. After completing President Hinckley’s challenge to read the Book of Mormon in 2005, President Henry B. Eyring testified:

“If we delay the start of our obedience to [this] inspired invitation, the number of pages we [have] to read each day [grows] larger. If we then miss reading for even a few days, the chance of failure [grows]. That’s why I chose to read ahead of my daily plan to be sure I will qualify for the promised blessings of the spirit of resolution and testimony of Jesus Christ. When December ends, I will have learned about starting at the moment a command from God comes and being steady in obedience.”
(Ensign, November 2005).

We testify that as we individually and collectively “lay hold on the word of God,” (Hel 3:29), we will be blessed with a Spirit of peace and happiness, stemming from our steady obedience to those the Lord has called to lead us. Brothers and Sisters, we are grateful for all you do and are thankful for this opportunity to serve alongside you.

Love and Best Wishes,

Daniel Shine............. Bob Howden............... Rei Singsam
Bishop..................... 1st Counsellor............ 2nd Counsellor
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February 2010 Newsletters

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• .28th February 2010 - click on image to view

• 21st February 2010 - click on image to view

• 14th February 2010 - click on image to view
  

• 7th February 2010 - click on image to view

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Stake Swimming Carnival - Febuary 2010

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The Annual Stake Swimming Carnival was held on Saturday 13 February 2010 at the Southport Pools. It was a great day enjoyed by all who attended and participated. It was good to see all of those who were sun smart and being careful during the hottest time of the day.
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I.o.C. Ward Australia Day Breakfast

Isle of Capri Ward Australia Day Breakfast – 26 January 2010

A great time was had by all at our ward breakfast at Evandale Parklands – we enjoyed the beautiful weather, warm water and company of ward members!


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Bishopric Message February 2010

“Love the Lord... First”

(Matt 22:37-39)

Brothers and Sisters,

We are grateful for your participation in our Combined Priesthood / Relief Society Meeting last week. In that meeting, we discussed one of the four ‘Areas of Focus’ of the Area Presidency for 2010: Sharing the Gospel. As part of our discussion, we presented our Ward Mission Plan for 2010. This plan continues with our theme to “Love the Lord... First,” from Matthew 22:37-39.

During the meeting, we discussed three ways we can share the gospel more effectively:

1. Opening Our Mouths: Brother Singsam taught of the need to exercise faith, to trust in the Lord’s promise that as we “open [our] mouth[s], [they] shall be filled” (Moses 6:32).
2. Opening Our Homes: Brother Bogaert taught of ways that we can create gospel sharing homes. One specific way is through a ‘Come On Over Evening’ (COOE). For those who would like to hold a COOE, feel free to approach a member of the Ward Mission Team.
3. Opening Our Hearts: Bishop Shine concluded with a discussion about the need for each one of us to open our hearts to the promptings of the Spirit. As we open our hearts and yield our wills to God, we can become “instruments in the hands of God to bring... [our] brethren [and sisters]....to the knowledge of the truth” (Alma 17:9).

For those who were unable to get a copy of this plan, copies will be available at the door as you enter today. Given that today is Fast Sunday, we invite all members of our ward family to fast for:
1. Our full time missionaries, Elder Tokaduadua and Elder Fox; AND
2. For individual missionary experiences.

Brothers and Sisters, we testify that as we each open our hearts to the promptings of the Spirit, everything else will follow – we will open our mouths and our homes and missionary experiences will follow. Twenty five convert baptisms for 2010 is just the tip of the iceberg! As Elder David A. Bednar has taught:

“We properly pray for the safety and success of the full-time missionaries throughout the world. And a common element in many of our prayers is a request that the missionaries will be led to individuals and families who are prepared to receive the message of the Restoration. But ultimately it is my responsibility and your responsibility to find people for the missionaries to teach. Missionaries are full-time teachers; you and I are full-time finders. And you and I as lifelong missionaries should not be praying for the full-time missionaries to do our work!” (Ensign, May 2008).

Brothers and Sisters, thank you for all you do. Let’s get about the work of the Lord. We testify that as we do, blessings will follow for us individually, as families and as a ward family.

Love and Best Wishes,

Daniel Shine............. Bob Howden............... Rei Singsam
Bishop..................... 1st Counsellor............ 2nd Counsellor
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