A Beautiful Musical Sacrament Meeting for Christmas

   The chapel and cultural-hall-overflow were filled for Sacrament Meeting the Sunday before Christmas with members and guests who came to celebrate the birth of Christ.  The program was music oriented, with spiritual readings by Joseph Stringer, second counselor in the bishopric.
  The primary children sang "Picture a Christmas" and "Can I Hold the Baby?" The ward adult and youth choir sang two numbers with a special duet in between--"A Christmas Medley" piano/organ duet by Rocky Shore and JP Tingey.
     Sister Liz Kirkley directed the choir in their beautiful renditions. The congregation joined the choir singing "Silent Night," followed by a testimony of Jesus Christ and the significance of his birth elegantly given by Bishop Eric Holden. The closing song was a vocal solo "O Holy Night" by Caden Webb, accompanied by Ann Broughten.
      The pictures below are the adult/youth choir practicing in the Relief Society room the Sunday before the performance.

    The entire program was planned and orchestrated by Ward Music Chairperson Jackie Perry.  Jackie is a musician herself and had this to say about music in our lives, and especially at Christmas.
    "Music is a part of heaven and has been from the beginning.  I'm sure that at this moment angels surround God's throne singing and praising Him.  David O. McKay said that music was the fourth greatest need of man.  First is food to sustain life; second is shelter to protect us from the elements; third is clothing to protect our bodies; and fourth is music to sustain our souls and protect our spirits.
   "Music is of great importance here on earth as we express happiness, joy, love, celebration and worship and continue to praise God and His son.  I can't imagine Christmas without music, as it touches a special place within us and makes the birth in Bethlehem come alive.
   "God delights in the song of the heart and a song of the righteous is a prayer unto Him."

Sharing the Love of Christmas

      Achievement Day Girls brought the spirit of Christmas to Ashley Place Assisted Living.  The girls sang their hearts out with beautiful Christmas songs.  In addition, they mingled with the audience and handed out Christmas cards they had made.  Achievement Day Leaders are Ginny Shull, Sara Farlee, and Suzanne Fairbanks.  Primary teacher Katie Brown also joined the group, and Teresa Sroufe served as their pianist.    

Primary Children Go Caroling Sunday Morning

   
     Primary Music Leader Hillary Sroufe had a bright idea one day: THE PRIMARY CHILDREN NEED TO GO CAROLING!
     She was thinking that children didn't have many opportunities to sing Christmas songs, and they loved to sing them.  Why not sing for the adults in Priesthood and Relief Society?  She ran it by members of Ward Council so leaders would know.  The children who would be singing were the Senior Primary ages 8 to 11.
    Caroling began with a tap on the classroom door, then children marching in a line to the front, and singing began.  They started with "Christmas Bells" while ringing bells in their hands. (See picture.)  That was followed by "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night."
     Sister Sroufe had been looking for a "service oriented" activity for the children, and this turned out to be perfect.  They brought much love and Christmas joy to the adults who heard their precious voices.

Julie Evans Welcomed As Newest Member of the Church

    Julie Evans (center) was taught the gospel by our Sister Missionaries.  Sister White on the left, and Sister Schokker on the right received Julie's name from the Visitor's Center at the Oakland Temple.  She had been invited there by a co-worker and enjoyed it so much.
   "I have always had God in my life," Julie explained.  " When the chips are down, He is supporting me.  My decision to be baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints did NOT come about by mistake."

       Vickie Anderson was one of several people Julie met in a work relationship. She observed and appreciated the way these people conducted themselves. Julie expressed thanks to her new friends for giving her the wisdom to see the truths of the Gospel.  On her decision to be baptized, one of them asked her, "How do you feel?"  She replied, "I feel so much joy. I just want to cry!"
    Julie asked President Joseph Anderson to baptize her. He said that other than temple baptisms, this is the first time he had baptized anyone since his daughter over 30 years ago. President Anderson also confirmed Julie a member of the Church the next day in Sacrament Meeting.
    A special guest at Julie's baptism was President Scott Hymas, president of the California Sacramento mission.

A Gift of Love Around the World

    Relief Society and Young Women celebrated Christmas by honoring the love Christ has for all of us, not just here, but around the world. Laurie Shore gave each sister a wooden box articulately  constructed by her husband Rocky. It didn't look like there was anything in the box, but the story under the green ribbon explained that it was filled with love. In it a young orphan boy explained that "You can't see what's in it.  And you can't touch it, but mother always said that it makes you feel good all the time, warm on a cold night and safe when you're alone."  Then he whispered softly, "And Mother always said it's best when you give it away."  Thanks to Rocky and Laurie for this special gift.

     Sisters young and old enjoyed a pot luck dinner featuring delicious food from around the world.  A lot of love was shared that night.

Ward Christmas Breakfast EXTRAORDINAIRE

                                By Cliff Kerr, Ward Historian

     As I began taking pictures of the early morning preparation for the Ward Christmas Breakfast, I was amazed at the smoothness with which the pancakes were being cooked,  the sausages and potatoes grilled, the eggs scrambled,  (all on outside grills) and then in the kitchen: bacon and sausage cut up, chocolate drink being mixed, all the while early cleaning was going on.

    It looked like a well-oiled machine organized by the Elders Quorum Presidency.  Men and boys were all doing their respective jobs.  Even before this, busy activity had commenced at 7 a.m. 100 potatoes, 25 dozen eggs, 150 lbs. of pancake mix, 200 sausages, over 200 packs of chocolate, tortilla shells, buttermilk pancake syrup, frozen strawberries, whipped cream, etc. were all purchased, prepared and served to hungry ward members and their friends.

   The brotherhood and sisterhood was palatable.  The Christmas story of Christ's birth was simply and beautifully presented in word and music. While everyone enjoyed hot chocolate, Santa made an appearance and visited with the children.  Overall, it was a great event.  Enjoy the pictures below.

(Remember to click on each collage to see it in a larger size.)

Top pictures:  George Tingey and Bruce Jonson are busy cooking pancakes.  Lower Left: David Banks, Shawna Banks, Joseph Stringer and Tyler Burton prepare scrambled eggs and bacon.  Center right: J.P. Tingey, Neil Anderson and Loren Perry fry sausages; Lower Right: Chene Mogler stirs hash browns made from baked potatoes.

It's all about the children.  They were everywhere.  They made it a point to always be first in line.

They had a wonderful time.

The Christmas story told through song and acting was appropriate and touching. The cute little sheep touched our hearts. The program was organized by Cori Daley.

Ann Kerr and Martha Farr pose before enjoying their breakfast burritos.  The man in the upper right is Peter Wang, a non-member friend who lives in the neighborhood of Don Daley, Tim Shull and Adam Sroufe. He works as a doctor of sports medicine at UOP. We were thrilled to have him come to the breakfast and observed him cooking, passing out music, and any other thing that needed attention. Lower right picture gives you an idea of the large attendance at the breakfast.

Oh, Come All Ye Faithful by Caden Webb

    Caden sang a beautiful rendition of this familiar Christmas hymn. You can watch part of it here:

Relief Society Sisters Commended for Excellence in Ministering

Judy Wilcox, Relief Society President

      Relief Society President Judy Wilcox wrote this note of appreciation to the Mokelumne River Ward Sisters:

     "We so appreciate how you are caring for each other as ministering sisters.  We are grateful for the love and care you express, and for how you are helping each other with struggles as well as joys.

    "You are the Savior's hands to  help His covenant children find their way back to Him in spite of the challenges of mortality.

      "Ministering interviews are held EACH QUARTER so that the presidency can know about the sisters to whom you minister What are their joys, their needs, their challenges, their faith?" 

  Sister Wilcox also expressed her thanks for all the sisters do to help one another. 

     

Eight-year-old Olivia McGhie Chooses to be Baptized

    Olivia McGhie, daughter of Julie and Evan (Skip) McGhie was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by her father on November 17, 2018.
     Olivia was excited to turn eight and be baptized. The Gospel is important to her.  Her mother said she also loves ballet, computer games and reading.
    We welcome Olivia as an "official" member of the Mokelumne River Ward.

Olivia McGhie, center, with her mom and dad, Julie and Skip McGhie, on her baptism day.