On Sunday evening, December 17, the chil-dren of the Oak Grove Restoration Branch pre-sented a Christmas program. Elder Mike Lidberg presided and his wife Valerie organized and directed the children. The piano accompaniment was by Carianne Lidberg.

The prelude was provided by eight of the chil-dren, and in-cluded piano so-los and a duet, a clarinet solo, a s a x o p h o n e solo, and a piano/violin duet.

The children also performed a drama enti-tled: “Christmas: The Real Meaning,” which dramatized how important it is to focus on God’s gift of His Son Jesus Christ and not be distracted by worldly temptations.

A Word from the Pastor 2

Christmas Program 4

More Christmas Program 5

Women’s Dept. News 6

More Women’s Dept News

7

Ordinations Upcoming Events

3

IN THIS ISSUE

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Volume 14, Issue 1 - January/February 2018

“… and He will teach us of His ways, and

we will walk in His paths …” Isaiah 2:3

Since 2005, a publication of the

Church of Jesus Christ

Oak Grove Restoration Branch

(See enclosed insert for more pictures)

Page 2 Zion’s Path

God Has Set Up an Ensign --- by Elder Ed Story, Pastor

When I was being brought up as a young boy on a farm, I learned to plow a field for the very first time. My father showed me how to lay out the field in sections and to find land-marks to go by to make my first straight furrow. It would be some landmark at the farther side of the field, usually a pole or staff bearing some sort of a flag. Dad told me to keep my eyes steadily upon this landmark and drive directly toward it and secure a straight furrow. But if I began to look back over my shoulder every few seconds then the furrow started to become crooked. And if the first furrow is crooked, all succeeding ones will be crooked. These crooked furrows sometimes may be seen after the grain is sown and has grown up. Sometimes they can be discerned even after the harvest. The only way to get rid of it is to do the work all over and do it right. Thus it is with the crooked furrows that we make in life—unless they are corrected, and our “first works” are done over again—they will be done over again, and will be seen all our lives. They may even appear after the harvest, on the other side of the resurrection, as a monument to our folly in attempting to follow Jesus while looking back at the world. In passing, we might note that in order to strike a true furrow the farmer must select a stable and reliable landmark. We have heard of one who tried to strike his furrow by an old horse that was feeding on the farther side of the field. But the horse did not stand still. He kept moving, and the result may be imagined.

The world is full of crooked furrows made by those who are following changeable and uncer-tain guides, those who follow the world with its fickle and passing fashions that change with every changing, or follow human guides with their whims and notions. We have but to scan the history of the church during the “dark and cloudy day” to see the results of following the erratic wanderings of irresponsible or corrupt leaders. But our God has set up an ensign—fixed and unchangeable—by which we can shape our course. Let us take fresh courage and press on with our eyes upon the standard, and then our fur-rows will be straight and our work acceptable. May the Lord bless us in our work, that it is guided by His hand upon the plow, that our fur-rows will run straight and deep, and that we never take our eyes off of the marker at the end of the field until our day is done. May God continue to abide with us in our labors.

OGRB Pastorate

Presiding Elder: Ed Story

Counselors: Elder Don Cutshall Elder Mike Lidberg Elder Mark Griffin Elder Bill Jones Elder Karl Anderson Elder Hal Chadwick

Restoration Scriptures Three-In-One Contains the Inspired Version of the Bible, the 1908 Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine & Covenants through Section 144. Includes pages for presentation and family history, all-new concordances for each book, lists of important doctrines, and many other great features.

Contact Cumorah Books for more information.

816-210-8450 or RestorationScriptures@gmail.com

Volume 14, Issue 1 Page 3

Ordinations

Jan 7 Elders Class 7:00am

Jan 10 Spiritual Stewardship Groups meet

Jan 16 Women’s Commission Meeting 6:30pm

Jan 18 Elders Class 7:00pm

Jan 18 & 20 Priesthood & Men’s Retreat at OGRB

Jan 21 Spiritual Stewardship Group #6 at Butler

Jan 21 Priesthood Meeting after Evening Service

Jan 27 Women’s New Year’s Brunch (RWC) at Outreach Restoration Branch

Feb 18 Spiritual Stewardship Group $1 at Butler

Mar 9-11 Sr. High Retreat at Odessa Hills

Mar 16-18 Jr. High Retreat at Odessa Hills

Mar 18 Spiritual Stewardship Group #2/3 at Butler

Mar 23-25 Older Youth Retreat at Odessa Hills

April 7-8 Junior Retreat at Odessa Hills

June 9-16 CMRB Reunion at Odessa Hills

Sep. 22-23 Women’s Fall Retreat at Odessa Hills

Upcoming Events

Brian Perry was ordained to the office of Deacon by his father-in-law, Elder Phillip Freeze and Elder Don Cutshall.

Andrew Smith was ordained to the office of Priest by Patriarch Mike Ballantyne, Elder Lyle Smith (his grand-father), and Elder Aaron Smith (his fa-ther).

On Sunday evening, November 12, two young men were ordained to the Priesthood at OGRB.

“Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.

He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not

approved, shall not be counted worthy to stand. Even so, Amen.” (D&C 104:44)

Page 4 Zion’s Path

Christmas Program

On Sunday morning, December 17, the OGRB Choir and Bell Choir presented the morning worship. The Bell Choir, under the direction of Sarah Norman, presented the prelude music, as well as accompanying the Choir, directed by Debbie Mulheron. Piano accompaniment was provided by Ra-chel Horn. In addition, Audrey Horn and Val Lidberg played flute parts, and Emily Seaver played the French horn. Vocal soloists included Noelle Postethwait, Mike Lidberg, Charlie Booth, and Sue Hight. Bell Choir members: Tom DeBarthe, Susan Freeze, Nancy Green, Sue Hight, Debbie Mul-heron, Don Norman, Sherri Nunn, Lisa Pos-tlethwait, Noelle Postlethwait, Karen Story and Janet Williams. The Choir included Charlie and Susan Booth, Ray Buckwalter, Hal Chadwick, Delores Champ, Tom DeBarthe, Jennifer Edwards, Becky Ely, Cindy Green, Mark and Tammy Griffin, Sue Hight, Bill Jones, Rich Jones, Mike and Val Lidberg, Jared and Katie Mulheron, Mindy Mul-heron, Don Norman, Noelle Postlethwait, Emily Seaver and Tara Silver. Narration was provided by Charlie Booth, Ray Buckwalter, Cindy Green and Mindy Mulheron.

Volume 14, Issue 1 Page 5

Page 6 Zion’s Path

On Friday, December 1st, the women enjoyed a lovely evening at the home of Monica Rush. Her home was decorated beautifully for Christmas. We watched three videos selected by Pat Chadwick depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. A game was played as we exchanged gifts with Lisa Postlethwait in charge. Everyone shared in partak-ing of wonderful snacks and fellowship. We had special prayers for both Connie Smith and Christine Hedrick, led by Susan Booth and Susan Freeze. There were also Christmas cards to be signed by everyone for Connie and Christine. Those 26 in attendance were Pat Chadwick, Connie Spivey, Susan Booth, Susan Freeze, Becky Ely, Marylyn Halsall, Karen Chapman, Monica Rush, Lisa Postlethwait, Silvi Postlethwait and her daughter Etta, Karen Story, Edie Cutshall and her sister Judy Larson, Gena Martin, Sherrie Smith, Julie Anderson, Charlotte Anderson, Sheri Nunn, Lori Smith, Heather Smith, Chris Allen, Pat Allen, Tammy Griffin, Jane Jones, and Delores Champ.

Women’s Department News -- by Susan Booth

UPCOMING EVENTS

Jan. 16—Women’s Commission Meeting 6:30pm Jan. 27—New Year’s Brunch (RWC) at Outreach Restoration Branch Feb. 17—Senior Adult Winter Lunch 11:00am Mar. 17—Oak Grove Women’s One Day Retreat Apr. 14—Spring Retreat (RWC) at Atherton Restoration Branch Apr. 28—Women’s Prayer Breakfast Sep. 22-23—Fall Retreat (RWC) at Odessa Hills

Be watching for the new 2018

Women’s Calendars!

Page 7 Volume 14, Issue 1

On Saturday, November 11, the OGRB women met at the church for “Women’s Home-maker Classes.” Activities included preparing a cheese ball plate and a glass jar craft.

. . . More Women’s Department News

Zion’s Path website: www.ogrb.org

Sacrament Service

(1st Sunday)

Sunday Early Worship

9:00 am Priesthood

Prayer Service

Sunday Church School 9:15 am 9:00 am

Sacrament Sunday Prayer Service

and Sacrament Service 10:00 am

Sunday eve Worship 6:30 pm 6:30 pm

Wednesday eve Prayer and Testimony

7:00 pm

Worship Times

Church Phone: (816) 690-6996

CD’s available for many Worship Services.

Watch most Sunday morning services live by going to our church website! (Click on “Video”)

THIS NEWSLETTER IS AVAILABLE ON OUR CHURCH WEBSITE.

Tell your friends and family!

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

(Psalm 122:1)

Church of Jesus Christ - Oak Grove Restoration Branch