June Edition

Stake Presidency Message

The Savior said,"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." Luke 9:24

We "lose our lives" when we give the Lord our best effort in loving and serving His children . We are saved because His grace is sufficient for us as we have done His will.

I would say to all of the saints of this stake ...THANK YOU for all you have done and will do ! We love you! We want to continue seeing all of us serve all of His children through simple kind acts of service. Even kind words , prayers on another's behalf, and forgiveness, are also ways we can serve one another.

May we all work together with one purpose , to see our neighbor and ourselves , return to our Heavenly Father's presence.

Pres. Wagley

We want to hear from you!!!

(all replies are confidential)

Let the Stake Presidency know how your life/testimony has changed by doing the following:

Keeping the Sabbath Day holy

Studying the Book of Mormon Working on your Family History Listening to the Conference CD’s  email the Stake Presidency with your confidential replies: President Connor: sidconnor@gmail.com President Wagley: craigoms@aol.com President Harju: dwharju@hotmail.com Relief Society Presidency Message I was reading this morning section 25 of the Doctrine and Covenants which is associated with Emma Smith and known as the 'hymn' section. I came across something a hundred times meatier than hymns in verses 7 and 8.  The Lord is telling Emma that she is set apart to expound the scriptures and exhort the Church according as it is given her by the Spirit.  She is to give her time to much writing and learning. Wow. As you think about that consider that it was in the 1800's when no one expected a woman to teach and to preach. This is a call to everyone to really study the scriptures and make a contribution wherever you reside, that if we make scripture study a life-long habit we would become wells of living water not only for ourselves but for others that we are associated with. Reading the scriptures every day--I mean studying, not nibbling-- seems to make us ready to give an answer to those who ask. See  I Peter 3:15. One of my CES Coordinators would tell us, God can't help us reap what hasn't been sown. Our scriptures are love letters from home. God has never written a bad book. These great books have been in the making for 1000's of years. That's a lot of time, of some of the best people's lives to get the Lord's words to us, and if we don't  even pick them up and find out what is in them, we are showing a lack of love for and appreciation to our Heavenly Father. I know if we take 10-15 minutes in the morning to sing a hymn or a Primary song, say a prayer and then read for 10 minutes our lives will be for the better. I have a testimony of this for it has made a difference in my life! ~ Sister Bowden, Stake RS 1st counselor Celebrating at the Temple Irene Shirley McMurray, a member of the Youngstown Ward, celebrated her 102nd birthday by attending the Columbus Ohio Temple with four of her children on April 14. Her son, George Shirley, also received his endowment and then was sealed to Sister McMurray and her late husband, George W. Shirley. Cora Shirley, Linda Brinkley and William R. Shirley, who were previously sealed to their parents, were in attendance for their brother’s endowment and sealing. George Shirley said the temple workers were excited when they found out it was Sister McMurray’s birthday. William Shirley said their mother looked so happy. “She was smiling, just glowing,” he said. “It was a great day for her.”  “It was one of the best days of my life. Peaceful. I can’t describe it really. It was so wonderful,” said George. The Shirley family also had many ward members attend with them. George’s former home teacher and former stake president, James Kirk, was his escort. Sister McMurray was baptized in 1958 in Pennsylvania. She and her husband were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. STAKE PRIMARY DAY CAMP JUNE 11, 2016 Cub Scouts Ages 8—11, Scout & Primary Leaders Youngstown Stake Center 2205 Tibbitts-Wick Rd Girard OH 44420 10 AM – 1 PM Lunch Provided GET READY FOR THE WORLDWIDE INDEXING EVENT JULY 15-17! Each year, FamilySearch sponsors an event of global proportions to raise awareness and introduce new people to the joy and blessings that come from indexing genealogical and historical records. This year’s worldwide indexing event will be held on July 15–17. The goal this year is for 72,000 people worldwide to come together and index at least one batch during those 72 hours. As you know, indexing makes new family discoveries possible for millions of people searching for their ancestors. Since FamilySearch indexing began in 2006, this unprecedented crowdsourcing effort has produced more than one billion searchable records. Your ward and stake has been involved in indexing over the years. We invite you to encourage others to index during the event. They can index in their own homes during the 72 hours, or you may decide to hold an event during which people can index together. Your efforts will bless the lives of those you serve and will fuel family discoveries for generations to come. YOUNGSTOWN STAKE YEAR-TO-DATE INDEXING STATISTICS 26,226 Records indexed 13,401 Records Arbitrated     312 Stake Members Registered TOP INDEXER and ARBITRATOR IN THE YOUNGSTOWN STAKE:  WENDY ADKINS FROM THE LISBON WARD With Sister Adkins efforts, the Lisbon Ward leads the stake in indexing for the year!!!  Thank you, Sister Adkins! JUST SERVE!!! JustServe general guidelines: The best service opportunities are collaborative – working side-by-side with others in the community. Humanitarian service opportunities should assist the poor and those in need of a helping hand. Community service opportunities should enhance the quality of life in the community. JustServe projects should not directly involve volunteers in fundraising, have a political focus, or be for-profit oriented.

April Newsletter 2016

Stake Presidency Message

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Brothers and Sisters, 

What a wonderful time of the year, the renewal of many things happen in spring. The daffodils, tulips and other spring flowers are up and blooming, garden plots are being prepared and of the lawns are starting to grow! Spring is also the Easter season, where we remember the Savior and his love for each one of us as he took upon himself all the sins of the world, past, present and future. He knew we would need Him to be able someday to return to Heavenly Father, for without His sacrifice we would not be able to do so. He was crucified, died and was resurrected on the third day as a sign that we too will be someday be able to partake in the resurrection. I can testify that He lives and because He lives, we too will be able to return to live with Father and our eternal families.                          

April General Conference is soon upon us, I hope you will all be able to listen and attend as many of the sessions as possible, each of the Prophets, Seers, and Revelators have something you and I need to hear. Many times in the almost 80 General Conferences I have listened to, or read about, I have received personal pertinent revelation meant for me. The guidance given has been helpful in building my testimony through the years.                                             

Thank you for all you do in your homes and Church for in making the Savior a part of your lives.                                                                                                                                                                         

With Love and in His Service,                                                                

Dana W. Harju 2^nd Counselor                                                     

Youngstown Ohio Stake

Relief Society Presidency Message

In 1980, President Boyd K. Packer of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles later recalled his visit to a Relief Society in Czechoslovakia. He recalled, "This most memorable meeting was held in an upper room of a building. The blinds were drawn for the safety and wellbeing of our members, who had to struggle to keep their faith alive under conditions of oppression.

There were 12  sisters in attendance. They prayed and sang hymns together. A lesson was reverently given from a handmade manual...

Before we left, I told the sisters they belonged to the largest and by all measure, the greatest women's organization on earth. I told them that on my return to my country I was assigned to speak at a Relief Society conference. Could I deliver a message from them?

One sister wrote, "A small circle of sisters send their own hearts and thoughts to all sisters and begs that the Lord help us go forward ." 

Recalling that meeting, Pres Packer said, "I stood for a moment , in that circle, and felt the impulses of faith, courage and love coming and going on either side." Such faith and courage and love combine to form the heritage of Relief Society sisters everywhere.

"Those words, "circle of sisters" inspired me," he said. I could see them standing in a circle that reached around the room and beyond.." I told them this great "circle of sisters" will be a protection for each of you and your families. 

In 1998, he shared this story again, in General Conference to the entire church. He finished with this thought.....Relief Society is more than a "circle of sisters" now....it is more like a fabric of lace spread across the continents."  From...Daughters in My Kingdom 2011

The "circle of sisters" mean so much to me. As a new member, in 1978, I was welcomed in to this circle and loved by so many sisters ....as I look back now I can close my eyes and see sisters who loved me, taught me to have faith and the courage to deal with things In my life. I am so grateful for the Prophet we have to guide us, for the love he shows us in his words and the courage he gives me to study and learn all that Heavenly Father has for me.

Our "Circle of Sisters" in the Youngstown Stake are striving to reach our goal this year. "Exaltation is our goal, Discipleship is our Journey...Pres. Uchdorf 2015  

Love,

Sis Tarantino

      JUST SERVE!!!

“What is JustServe?

JustServe matches faith, nonprofit, community and governmental organizations that need volunteers with volunteers willing to help. JustServe.org links you to service opportunities in your community so you can make a difference wherever you are and however you want to serve.

Once we know what the needs are, we tell you about them here on JustServe then you can go and help get the job done. We make it easy to sign-up and show-up, on your time and in your way.

JustServe.org is provided as a service by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Following the Biblical admonition to "love thy neighbor as thyself," JustServe provides opportunities to relieve suffering, care for the poor and needy, and enhance the quality of life in the community. JustServe is not for proselytizing or publicity–simply a service to help link community volunteer needs with volunteers.

Why should I volunteer?

We may not solve world hunger here at JustServe, but we're convinced that by serving with each other in our local communities, we're paving the way for much broader changes. Our individual efforts don't need to be huge – a little bit of change here, a few hours there – but even small efforts quickly add up to make a real difference.

As we work side-by-side and learn from each other, mutual understanding increases, misconceptions can be corrected, and new friendships are built.” – From the Just Serve website

At https://justserve.org there are a couple of introductory videos to watch that help explain and get you motivated to serve.

But I also added a couple here that I found on Youtube.

Cub Scout- Primary Training

Saturday April 16th 9-12

Youngstown Stake Center

FAITH IN GOD ACTIVITY DAY

May 14, 2016 10 AM—12 PM

Boys and Girls Ages 8-11

Youngstown Stake Building

2205 Tibbitts Wick Rd

Girard, OH 44420

WHO IS INVITED:

At least one Parent in attendance

 Primary Leaders

Bring a Friend!

Please bring 1 canned good for a service project

Lunch Provided

Please RSVP to Primary Leaders by May 1

STAKE PRIMARY DAY CAMP

JUNE 11, 2016

Cub Scouts Ages 8—11, Scout & Primary Leaders

Youngstown Stake Center

2205 Tibbitts-Wick Rd

Girard, OH 44420

10 AM – 1 PM

Lunch Provided

Princess Ball 2016

   The Princess ball was a royal smash for all who attended.

Pinewood derby 2016

1st place Jensen Kramer-Alliance Ward  2nd place  Matthew Taylor - Youngstown ward, and 3rd place Luke Kramer - Alliance Ward

Stake Indexing Numbers

Youngstown Stake has 304 individuals who have indexed 17812 names for the first quarter of the year and arbitrated 11207 names.

Lisbon is leading the way with 10796 names indexed and 11187 names arbitrated. The rest of the wards have A LOT of catching up to do!!!

February Newsletter

Focus on the One

The Youngstown Ohio Stake experienced a beautiful weekend being taught by our visiting authority Elder Alain Allard,our Stake President,President Connor and many others. Many recent converts shared their sweet and powerful witness of the Savior.
Great unity and love was felt. 

We shared with the stake our vision and goals for the stake. They are as follows;

Focus on the One.

1. Read the Book of Mormon once this year and share it with one non-member or less active friend. 

2. Increase our faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ by consistent weekly Sabbath Day Observance and bring one less active member or non-member to Church with us. 

3. Find at least one family name to take to the temple ... and teach one other person to do the same. 

We ask that everyone prayerfully act to bring these divinely inspired goals to pass.

We will be blessed individually and collectively with added strength against temptation and evil and have the divine reassurance we are pleasing our Heavenly Father.

We pray for you and love you. This is the Lord's work. It is His stake.  May we continue to work together with one heart and one mind.

Pres. Craig Wagley 

Discipleship Is Our Journey

In October’s General Conference President Uchtdorf shared that “Exaltation is our Goal.  Discipleship is our journey.”  This is a profound statement!  I love this statement.  We have been told before that we are on a journey, traveling through mortality.    However, some of us forget that our eternal journey has already begun.  It does not begin when we die.  We lived before we came to the earth so our eternity is already in progress.  On this journey, we continue to work towards our final destination which is the Celestial Kingdom (Exaltation).    

          President Uchtdorf shared that in order to achieve our goal, we must be the Lord’s disciples on our journey.  The Webster’s dictionary defines a disciple as, “one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines…”  It is important for us to remember that we are on our eternal journey, daughters of a loving Father.  He continually is cheering us on, providing us with the things we need to finish our journey back to Him.  It is important for us, as we journey here to remember our divine heritage with our eyes continually fixed on the goal, exaltation.  Sister Wixom stated, “I promise that as you seek to discover the depth of the divine nature that lies within you, you will begin to further magnify your precious gift.  Let it guide you to become His daughter, walking the path back to Him…”

As we progress on our journey as disciples, divine daughters of our Father, may we always be mindful of the unconditional love of Him who sent us here to be successful in our journey.   President Uchtdorf stated, “As you exercise a little faith and begin our walk as a peaceable follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, your heart will change.  Your whole being will be filled with light.  God will help you become something greater than you ever thought possible.”  It is our prayer that as this new year begins that we as sisters remember how precious we are to our Heavenly Father and will continue on the path of Discipleship with greater love for Him who sent us and for all those around us!

President Barbara Federkeil

Stake Relief Society President

The Primary presidency wants parents to be aware of the following activities and dates that will be happening in the next few months.

The Royal Princess Ball

(for Girls 18 months to 18 years and their Escort)

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

Saturday, February 27 4:00 PM—7:30 PM

Youngstown Stake Center

2205 Tibbetts Wick Road

Girard, Ohio 44420

Contact your YW, Primary leaders or the Bishop for more information.

Pinewood Derby

Saturday March 19th 10-1

(boys ages 6-11)

Youngstown Stake Center

Cub Scout- Primary Training

Saturday April 17th 9-12

Youngstown Stake Center

Activity Day Event

Saturday May 14th 10-12

Boy & Girls ages 8-11. Their Parents & Leaders

Youngstown Stake Center

Scout troop 4086 of the Warren ward received the National OA (Order of the Arrow) Unit of Excellence Award - Silver Level on 9 January 2016.

But our member and non member boys have been very active in Order of the Arrow in serving all area scouts. The welcomed addition to our troop of active non member scouts has strengthened our troop and helped all of the boys to grow I am very pleased with their efforts.

“The Order of the Arrow (OA) is most commonly known as the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). A more clear definition would be that the society was created to honor scouts that best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law. It uses American Indian-styled traditions and ceremonies to bestow recognition on Scouts selected by their peers as best exemplifying the ideals of Scouting. The society was created by E. Urner Goodman, with the assistance of Carroll A. Edson, in 1915 as a means of reinforcing the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. The goal was to establish these as lifelong guidelines, and to encourage continued participation in Scouting and camping. Influenced in part by camp traditions, and Indian folklore, the OA uses "safeguarded" symbols, handshakes, and ceremonies to impart a sense of community.

Inducted members, known as Arrowmen or Brothers, are organized into local youth-led lodges that harbor fellowship, promote camping, and render service to Boy Scout councils and their communities. Members wear identifying insignia on their uniforms, most notably the OA pocket flap (representing their individual lodge) and the OA sash (worn at official OA functions) and are eligible for special OA awards. The OA program sponsors several events, awards, and training functions.” ~Wikipedia

Raul Kemp, YM President

Printing temple cards from home

1. Sign in at https://familysearch.org and click Temple.
1. Click Not Printed if you have not yet printed a Family Ordinance Request or temple ordinance cards. 
2. Click Printed to reprint temple ordinance cards. 
3. Note:  Use only white paper to print Family Ordinance Request or temple ordinance cards. 
2. Click to check the box next to ancestors for whom you want to perform ordinances and print cards.  Select only the number of ordinances that you can complete in a reasonable amount of time.

3. Click the blue Print or Reprint button that appears at the top of your list.  

4. Click Print Family Ordinance Cards.  Note:  If you don't specifically select Print Family Ordinance Cards, the system will default to Print an FOR.

5. Click the box to check each ordinance that you want to include on the temple ordinance card. Click Continue. If you have not printed the ordinances before, you see a screen with "Print Request" instructions.

6. Read the instructions, and then click Continue.  If the ordinances were printed previously and you want to reprint the temple ordinance cards, you see a screen with Print Request instructions with an additional warning to destroy the cards printed earlier. Read the instructions, and then click Continue. 

7. The system creates your temple ordinance cards and displays them in another window in your browser. Note: If the request does not appear, make sure that Adobe Reader is installed on the computer and your pop-up blocker is set correctly.  Instructions for temple ordinance cards are printed on the top of the sheet. 

8. Click Print. Print the temple ordinance cards using the print feature of your browser. On most browsers, click File, and then click Print. You can also open the print menu with these steps:

1. Press Ctrl+P on the computer keyboard.
2. Right-click, and then click Print.
3. Click Menu, and then click Print.
4. Hover in a corner of the page.​
5. ​​Make sure the cards printed correctly. Get the temple ordinance cards from the printer. If they did not print, check for the issues below:

·         Is the printer on?

·         Does the printer have paper?

·         Check cable connections.

·         Do you have a paper jam or other printer malfunction? 

9. The "Was a Temple Ordinance Card Created?" screen opens. Indicate if your cards printed correctly. 
   

• If they printed correctly, click Yes.
• If they did not print and you want to try again, click Retry.
• If they did not print correctly and you do not want to try again, click No.

If you cannot get your temple ordinance cards to print from your computer, you can sign out and try again later. If your printer is not working, you can sign in on another computer with another printer and try again. Family history centers have computers and printers you can use.