Kaneohe 1st Ward, Church today -- 1/13/13

Sacrament Meeting 

• Presiding:  Bishop Bert Oshiro
• Conducting: Brother Robert Carlile
• Ward business:  
• Releases--Laola Kau (Relief Society President), Sheri Livingston (RS, 1st Counselor), Lorelei Wai (RS, 2nd counselor), Kim Hanohano (RS secretary), Pat Wong (Primary President), Ashley Tani (Primary, 1st counselor), Jodi Presbitero (Primary, 2nd counselor)
• New Callings--Jan Tani (Relief Society President), Lorelei Wai (Primary President)

• Youth speakers:
• Kamuela Hoopili spoke about tithing
• Airi Sellers spoke about how she builds a relationship with Heavenly Father.
• Adult speakers: 
• Elder Taylor Johnston, from Centerville, Utah, regarding his mission, said although he was expected to serve, he wanted to serve.  "Serving is something I always wanted to do," he said.
• Elder Mitchell Goodman, from Thatcher, Arizona, told us the parable of the long hike through the desert at the completion of which a hiker obtained strawberry lemonade to quench his thirst.  When given the opportunity to share some lemonade with a fellow hiker, he did not.  Likening the lemonade to the gospel of Jesus Christ, Elder Goodman urged us not to keep it to ourselves but should share it far and wide. 
• Sister Ella Arume, recently returned from a mission in Milano, Italy, spoke about the blessings that come from obedience.  "We're in this little trial period of our lives," she said, and we need to make the most of it.

Sunday School

• Gospel doctrine:  Lesson 2 -- Intro to Doctrine and Covenants and Church History
• Family history: Gathering information from public records.
• Gospel Principles: see manual

Elders Quorum

• Brother Kanoa Kanahele was released, with a vote of thanks, as Elders Quorum 1st counselor
• Brother William Sellers was sustained and set apart as Elders Quorum 1st counselor.
• Brother Isimeeli Hikila was welcomed to the quorum.  He and his family moved from Kaneohe 4th ward.
• Announcements:
• Ward Temple night.  1/16 Wednesday.  7 p.m. session, Laie Hawaii Temple
• Chapel clean-up:  Saturday 1/19.  7 a.m. 
• Baptism for the Dead, Friday 1/25, 5 p.m. Laie Hawaii Temple.  Need endowed priesthood holders for ordinance work.
• Ward flood to visit ward members.  Saturday 2/2, 9 a.m. Meet at church.
• Laulau/palasami making activity.  Friday 2/8, 6 p.m. at Bill Sellers' house.
• Trip to Laie Hawaii Visitors Center.  Saturday 2/9.  Time TBA.
• Missionary Fireside.  Sunday 2/10, 7 p.m. Waikalua Chapel. 
• The lesson in the quorum today was about Learning by Faith.  Lesson key points:
• Learning requires faith, exertion, and perseverance.
• The education of the Spirit is worthy of our best attention.
• We benefit from hearing gospel principles over and over again.
• When we gather to learn the gospel, both the teacher and the learner need the guidance of the Spirit.