Stake Choir Songs

We are steadily getting ready for the upcoming choir.  Each child (or family) will receive an information sheet and a CD.  The songs we have chosen are  I feel my Saviors Love vs 1&4 and If the Savior Stood Beside Me 1, 5&6.  The kids will be given the words to the songs but I thought I'd include them here as well.

I feel My Savior’s Love
1.I feel my Savior’s Love in all the world around me.
His Spirit warms my soul through everything I see.
He know I will follow Him, Give all my life to him. 
I feel my Savior’s love, the love He freely gives me.

4. I’ll share my Savior love by serving others freely. 
In serving I am blessed.  In giving I receive.

He know I will follow Him, Give all my life to him. 
I feel my Savior’s love, the love He freely gives me.

If the Savior Stood Beside Me

1. If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do?
Would I think of His commandments, and try harder to be true? Would I follow His example? Would I live more righteously
if I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

5. If the Savior stood beside me, would I comfort those in need? Would I try to show the Savior’s love in every word and deed?
Would I give to those who hunger? Would I serve more willingly
if I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

6. He is always near me, though I do not see Him there,
And because He loves me dearly, I am in His watchful care.
So I’ll be the kind of person that I know I’d like to be
if I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me.

Last Minute Substitutes

Are you lucky enough to have a person on your Primary board whose calling is to be a substitute teacher?  Especially for that last minute we-don’t-have-a-teacher-for that-class-today panic moments?  Or, if you don’t have that luxury, do you find yourself hurrying down to the gospel doctrine class to plead for some last minute help when you need to be setting up for sharing time?  Either way, when the no-teacher-today emergency hits, a little preparation ahead of time can help the substitute teacher be more effective.  Here are a few ideas, which any Primary presidency could do.

§  Along with the lesson manual and lesson number, a list of the children’s names is beneficial.  Perhaps a few lists of each class could be prepared ahead and kept in the Primary closet near the extra manuals.

§  The classroom number is also good information for a sub to have.  It could be on the same list as the children’s names.

§  The time schedule is needed.  A few instructions, such as “class time is from 9:20 – 10:00, then the class goes to sharing time in the Primary Meeting Room” could also be on the information page for the substitute teacher.  Trying to teach without the time schedule is an unnecessary challenge to the person who is helping you out in this situation.

§  A couple of simple activity props and ideas for using them would be nice as well.  As an example, pompoms made from yarn can be passed around the circle of children to get them to respond to a question, or to tell what they have learned, or to share a lesson related experience. 

§  Having chalk, eraser, paper, colored pencils, crayons, scissors, etc. readily available may help the substitute teacher keep the children occupied while he/she glances over the lesson material.

It’s never ideal to have to scramble at the last minute to teach a lesson, and I sincerely hope you NEVER have the need for these emergency preparations.  But just in case, these suggestions could make the situation better, certainly for the impromptu teacher.  May the Lord bless you for your many efforts to teach the children.

Friend to Friend- Elder Chi Hong Wong of the 70

Wilford's Fast Offering
One day I saw my oldest son, Wilford, preparing a tithing envelope. He was probably 5 years old at the time. He didn't earn much money so I wondered why he was paying tithing.  When I asked him he told me he was paying a fast offering.  He didn't have much money of his own but he was still excited to pay a fast offering.
When I asked him why he had decided to do this he said, "I don't need anything, but I know others do."  He knew his money would help others and he was happy about that.
This simple experience taught me a good lesson; children are in tune with the Spirit and have a Christlike love. Wilford had something he didn't need and knew it would be helpful to other people.  He was willing to make the sacrifice.
Saving money is good.  But my young son taught me another lesson through his example.  By listening to the Spirit, we can bless the lives of others when we share what we have.
What is a fast offering? A "fast offering" is money we give to help others when we fast.  We are asked to give as much money as we would have spent on the meals we skip while fasting.
How to give a fast offering?
1- Decide how much money you would like to give.
2- Put your fast offering in a tithing envelope, and fill out the form.
3- Give your fast offering to your bishop.
Who could your fast offering help? Someone who lost a job, someone who is too sick to work, families who lost their homes in a bad storm or earthquake, many others close to your home and around the world who need help.

Stake conference children's choir

Senior Primary children from our Stake have been invited to participate in a children's choir for Stake Conference March 13th.

We are asking each Ward to provide a "choir correspondent" who will help deliver the CD to children participating, coordinate the children learning the songs, make reminder calls for combined practices and sit with the children on the stand during stake conference.

We are in the process of gathering a list of participants. Each Ward can invite up to 10 children. Please make the names available from your Ward by Jan 8th.

This will be a neat experience and we appreciate your help in caring it out.
Michele