Memorial Service for Fengs

Today over 60 people attended the memorial service for Paul and Celia Feng in the Kentlands Chapel service, with folks listening over 30 Zoom windows.  President Charles Huang conducted the meeting, with Patrick Shen translating, Li-Fang Tsai playing the organ, and Adam Fugal directing the music.  After the opening hymn, "God Is Love," Benjamin Tsai offered the invocation.  Sara Huang read Psalms 23, followed by talks from Fengdi Chen and Charlotte Shen, who shared memories of and experiences with the Feng's.  Then a friend of the family read the eulogy for Paul and Celia.  President Huang opened the floor to anyone in the congregation or online who wanted to express their thoughts.  President Huang first shared his feelings for the Feng's.  Those who spoke included a colleague from the antique business, Jason who is a friend of Sarah and Marcus, and Fern Taylor.  The attendees enjoyed viewing a slideshow about Paul and Celia.  After the closing hymn, "God Be with You Till We Meet Again." Meili Shen offered the benediction.  After the memorial service, people congregated in the cultural hall to give wishes to the family.

It was clear that Paul and Celia were well beloved by their family, colleagues in the antique industry, and by members of the Branch.  Their love for each other was evident.  In life, they were inseparable.  They were able to cross the bridge to the spirit world together.  We will miss them dearly but thank our Heavenly Father for the time we had to learn from them.

Read More

Washington DC Temple Rededication Memories 圣殿重新奉献

圣殿重新奉献

我特别珍惜这次机会参加华盛顿圣殿的重新奉献。虽然都不是在一个地方，但，跟几万个兄弟姐妹一起庆祝并表示我们的感恩真的很有意义。我参加的是上午10点那一场。我最感动的三个时刻：

1. 艾美·賴特姐妹的演讲。她说我们的圣殿服务就是为他人做自己一个人做不到的事情。在福音的大家庭里，团结和服务实在是太关键的！会给我们带来喜悦。
2. 唱诗班唱的第三首歌：「 我們對你的祈禱」我是后来才知道这首的歌词是納爾遜會長写的。唱诗班唱的时候，我真的感觉是我们所有人一起求主的慈悲，诚恳地祈求祂救我们。
3. 奉献祈祷之后，主持的长老简单的说了一句：提醒各位，圣殿现在已经是奉献的。在那一时刻，我真的感觉气氛跟几分钟前不一样了。

我见证，神活着。

张浩哲

Temple Rededication

I especially cherished this opportunity to participate in the rededication of the Washington DC Temple. Although it did not occur all in one place, but it was really meaningful to celebrate with tens of thousands of brothers and sisters and to show our gratitude. I attended the 10 am session. Here are my three most moving moments:

1. The talk by Sister Amy Wright. She said that our temple service is doing for others what they could not do alone. Unity and service are so critical in the gospel family! They will bring us joy.
2. The third song sung by the choir, "Our Prayer to Thee." Later I learned that the lyrics were written by President Nelson. When the choir sang, I really felt like we were all asking the Lord for mercy, earnestly asking Him to save us.
3. After the dedication prayer, the elder who was conducting simply said: We remind everyone that the temple is now dedicated. At that moment, I really felt the atmosphere was different than a few minutes earlier.

I testify that God lives.

Bradley Johnson

*******************************************************************************

8/14/2022

华盛顿特区圣殿重新奉献

8/14早上十点我参加了圣殿奉献。经历到天父的爱再一次包裹了我，如同雅列的哥哥熔出十六颗小石子，被主的手脂触摸后，可以在船里发光。在圣殿里，主的手触摸了我这颗小石子，使我的心可以为主发光。天父的爱使我在圣殿里泪流满面，非常感谢天父救赎的大爱！如同大卫所说的，「我一生一世必有恩惠慈爱随着我；我且要住在耶和华的殿中，直到永远。」〈詩篇23:6〉阿们。

封昌平

8/14/2022

Washington, D.C. Temple Rededication

8/14 I attended the temple rededication at ten in the morning. I experienced Heavenly Father's love which enveloped me once again. This was just like the brother of Jared melting sixteen small pebbles. After the stones were touched by the hand of the Lord, they could shine in their boats. In the temple, the hand of the Lord touched my little pebble so that my heart could shine for the Lord. Heavenly Father's love brought tears to my eyes in the temple, and I am very grateful for Heavenly Father's great love and redemption! As David said, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." (Psalm 23:6) Amen.

Chang Ping Feng

*******************************************************************************

圣殿奉献日感怀

八月十四日这天，微风拂煦、阳光普照。我和封姐妹相约一起，来到华盛顿DC，参加圣殿重新奉献典礼。上午九点我们顺利抵达访客中心，泊车之后径直走到大殿前。

Temple Rededication Day Feelings

On August 14th, the wind was blowing, and the sun was shining. Sister Feng and I made an appointment to come to Washington, DC, for the temple rededication ceremony. We arrived at the visitor center at 9:00am, parked the car, and walked straight to the front of the temple.

封姐妹此时的表情真的是：喜形于色，激动在心。广场前一片安静、有序、祥和的气氛！我更是心潮澎湃，此时充满着喜悦与感恩之情。并期待着能与先知面对面的场景…我们俩缓缓地随着人流进入圣殿。重新装修的圣殿庄严神圣、富丽堂皇。不禁让我想起了圣约中有关嘉德兰圣殿奉献时的话语，「您已命令您的仆人们在这地方（嘉德兰）为您的名建造一所家宅”…「把你们自己组织起来，准备好一切必须的事物，建立一所家宅，即祈祷之家、禁食之家、信心之家、学习之家、荣耀之家、秩序之家、神之家」〈圣约109:2,8〉这里就是与神最接近的地方！

Sister Feng's expression at this time is really: happy and excited. There is a quiet, orderly, and peaceful atmosphere in front of the temple square! I was even more excited, full of joy and gratitude at this time. And I was looking forward to seeing the prophet face to face... The two of us slowly followed the crowd into the temple. The renovated temple is solemn and magnificent. I cannot help but be reminded of the words in the covenant from the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. "Thou who hast commanded thy servants to build a house to thy name in this place [Kirtland]." ... "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;" (D&C 109:2, 8) This is the closest place to God!

进入前厅后我们扶梯而上，一路爬到六楼。此时工作人员示意会议厅已满，随即我们便返回四楼的其中一厅坐下。此时大屏幕上正滚动播放着DC以及其它各地圣殿的完美视频。十点钟，大屏幕上终于出现了，先知罗素-纳尔逊会长的身影。全场起立，共同迎接神的仆人，已是奔百岁的老人。「神啊，我们在你的殿中想念你的慈爱。神啊，你受的赞美正与你的名相称，直到地级！你的右手满了公义。」〈诗篇48:9-10〉整个典礼仪式，让圣灵完全充满。

After entering the lobby, we went up the elevator and ascended all the way to the sixth floor. At this time, the temple worker informed us that the assembly room was full, so we returned to one of the rooms on the fourth floor and sat down. At this time, a beautiful video of DC and other temples was scrolling on the big screen. At 10am, the big screen finally appeared with video of the prophet, President Russell Nelson. The audience stood up and greeted the servant of God, who was already a centenarian. "We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple. According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness." (Psalm 48:9-10) The entire ceremony was filled with the Holy Spirit.

直达高潮 ——【和散那歡呼】

「本福音期第一次作這神聖的歡呼，是在1836年3月27日嘉德蘭聖殿的奉獻典禮上。現在也用在每座聖殿的奉獻典禮上。這歡呼，是對父與子的神聖獻禮，象徵群眾在救主勝利進入耶路撒冷時的反應，並再度肯定年輕的約瑟在聖林那天的經驗，也就是我們崇拜和讚美的父與子，是兩位榮耀的人物。...

參與的每個人，拿一條乾淨的白手帕，抓住手帕的一角，一邊揮動，一邊齊聲高呼：『和散那，和散那，和散那歸於神與羊羔』，如此重複三次，然後接著說：『阿們，阿們，又阿們』。沒有白手帕的人，揮動你的手就可以了。...

在指揮的示意下，請大家一起唱『神靈如火』。

和散那，和散那，和散那歸於神與羊羔。

和散那，和散那，和散那歸於神與羊羔。

和散那，和散那，和散那歸於神與羊羔。

阿們，阿們，又阿們。」

〈羅素·納爾遜會長「和散那歡呼」2020年4月總會大會〉

Straight to the climax——【Hosanna Shout】

"This sacred shout was first given in this dispensation at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple on March 27, 1836. It is now given at the dedication of each temple. It is a sacred tribute to the Father and the Son, symbolizing the reaction of the multitude when the Savior made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It also reaffirms what young Joseph experienced that day in the Sacred Grove—namely, that the Father and the Son are two glorified Beings, whom we worship and praise. ...

Each one participating takes a clean white handkerchief, holding it by one corner, and waves it while saying in unison, 'Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to God and the Lamb,' repeated three times, followed by 'Amen, Amen, and Amen.' If you do not have a white handkerchief, you may simply wave your hand. ...

Upon a signal from the conductor, please join in singing 'The Spirit of God.'

Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to God and the Lamb.

Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to God and the Lamb.

Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to God and the Lamb.

Amen, Amen, and Amen."

(President Russell M. Nelson, "Hosanna Shout," April 2020 General Conference)

此生最大的幸事莫过于，手舞白手帕，高呼和散那！我还会经常去圣殿，余生定会！

以上见证是奉耶稣基督的圣名，阿门！

崇新秋写于2022.8.20个人恩道门周年日

The greatest blessing in this life is waving white handkerchiefs while shouting Hosanna! I will still go to the temple often, for the rest of my life!

The above testimony is in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

Ella Chong wrote this testimony on the first anniversary of her personal endowment on August 20, 2022.

*******************************************************************************

聖殿重新奉獻大會對所有渴望享受聖靈的盛宴並複興聖殿重要性的見證的人來說是一次令人耳目一新的款待。聚會的詞本身並沒有給我留下深刻的印象，但我感覺到在我身體裡跳動的聖靈的事情是最難忘的。這次歷史性會議的目的是重新奉獻聖殿作為神的建築，以在下一個時代持續完成神的工作。然而，更重要的是，對於我們每個人來說，重要的信息是我們將如何重新自己於對神和建立祂的國度的承諾。聖殿見證了復活的真實性和重要性，並以耶穌基督和他的贖罪為中心。我了解到祂的贖罪支持了聖殿的所有活動。通過遵守我們所訂立的聖約，我們可以從聖殿教儀中汲取力量。通過參與聖殿教儀，我們可以實施鞏固家庭和婚姻的方法。通過聖殿崇拜，我們學會遠離世界，走向神。雖然當我們進入聖殿時我們離開了世界，但我們會帶著同樣的試煉回到世界。不同之處在於，我們找到了承受考驗並克服挑戰的力量和方法。聖殿對我來說最重要，因為它提供教儀和聖約，使我的家人和整個地球的家人有機會團聚。我在家庭團聚時與家人一起感受到的快樂、和平和愛可以在今生和今生永遠持續下去。這讓我感到興奮和感激。

蔡格文

The temple rededication meeting was a refreshing treat to all those who attended with a great desire to feast upon the Spirit and to rejuvenate a testimony of the importance of temples.  The words themselves were not impressive to me, but the things of the Spirit which I felt pulsating through my body were most memorable.  The purpose of this historic meeting was to rededicate the temple as an edifice of God to last throughout the next eon of time in accomplishing God’s work.  However, more important, the underlying takeaway message for each of us as individuals is how we are going to rededicate our commitment to God and to building His kingdom.  The temple testifies of the reality and importance of the resurrection and is centered on Jesus Christ and His atonement.  I learned that His atonement supports all of the temple activities.  We can draw power from the temple ordinances by living and keeping the covenants we have made.  Through participating in the temple ordinances, we can implement ways to strengthen our families and marriages.  Through temple worship, we learn to move away from the world and towards God.  Although we leave the world behind when we enter the temple, we return back to the world with all of our same trials.  The difference is that we find the strength and way to endure through our trials and overcome our challenges.  The temple is most important to me because it provides the ordinances and covenants to make it possible to reunite my family and the family of the whole earth.  The joy and peace and love I feel with my family at family reunions can endure forever through this life and beyond this life.  That makes me excited and grateful.

Benjamin Tsai

*******************************************************************************

Read More

Washington DC Temple Rededication

Latter-day Saints arrive for the rededication of the Washington D.C. Temple on Sunday, August 14, 2022. From https://churchofjesuschrist.org/.

On this historic day, August 14, 2022, the Washington DC Temple was rededicated in 3 sessions. In the Seneca Stake, Chinese translation was provided at the 10am session in the Montgomery Village Chapel, while the 3 English sessions were broadcast at the Germantown Seneca Stake Center. President Nelson presided, spoke, and pronounced the dedicatory prayer at the 10am session. President Oaks did the same at the 1:30pm session and read the same rededication prayer pronounced by President Nelson. President Eyring did the same for the 5pm session.

The temple rededication meeting was a refreshing treat to all those who attended with a great desire to feast upon the Spirit and to rejuvenate a testimony of the importance of temples.  The purpose of this historic meeting was to rededicate the temple as an edifice of God to last throughout the next eon of time in accomplishing God’s work.  However, more important, the underlying takeaway message for each of us as individuals is how we are going to rededicate our commitment to God and to building His kingdom.  I am so grateful for the rededication of the Washington DC Temple in our own backyard and for the opportunity to rededicate myself to God.

Benjamin Tsai

**********************************************************************************

Thanks to Jason Liu, the stake presidency message about the temple rededication (at the end of this page) is available in Chinese here.

**********************************************************************************

2022年8月14日，華盛頓特區聖殿就會再次被奉獻。在8月14日當天我們不會舉行平常的教會聖餐聚會。下面的信息會提供關於聖殿奉獻這個特別活動的的細節和組織情況：

 

作為一個支聯會會長團，我們想鼓勵個人的聖殿奉獻日準備。首先，要保持配稱：學習聖殿推薦書的面談問題，你可以在2019年10月羅素納爾遜會長在總會大會的閉會演講中找到這些面試的問題。設定目標和承諾來更加完全的依照聖殿推薦書持有者的方式生活。第二，學習金博爾會長（President Kimball）作的1974年華盛頓特區聖殿的奉獻期待文。這個祈禱中的應許會啟示和提升你和你的家庭。第三，積極參與家譜事工，準備聖殿教儀的家人名字，在聖殿8月30日重新開放之後去做聖殿的教儀。第四，為在主的殿見證聖殿的神聖和聖殿的事工而祈禱。

 

聖殿奉獻的安排和時間計劃： 

• 依總會指示，每位參加者都必須配戴口罩。
• 聖殿奉獻儀式會在2022年8月14日星期日舉行，同一時間也會在Seneca支聯會中心（18900 Kingsview Rd, Germantown, MD 20874) 和Montgomery Village教堂進行直播。 **請大家注意：中文的直播只有早上10點一場，如您需要聽中文請在早上9點30分以前到Montgomery Village教堂參加。(20020 Montgomery Village Avenue, Montgomery Village, MD 20886)。
• 奉獻儀式一共會有三場，分別是早上10am，下午1:30pm和下午5pm。都是東部標準時間。所有的場次都會有不同的演講者還有合唱團。
• 一部分的支聯會成員會有機會去聖殿現場參加奉獻儀式。比如，有一些成員會是合唱團的成員，還有我們支聯會慈助會會長Eme Martin姐妹會在下午1:30pm的場次演講。
• 我們的支聯會中心和Montgomery Village教堂會在奉獻儀式當天成為聖殿延展的一部分，在聖殿奉獻當天，這兩個教堂只會向持有有效聖殿推薦書的成員開放。
• 教堂只會開放兩個入口，並在入口處檢查聖殿推薦書。
• 請注意教堂的門會在每個聖殿奉獻場次開始前60分鐘開放，並且在奉獻儀式開始前15分鐘關閉。請不要遲到，否則您可能會被要求參加另外一場的儀式。
• 成員們應穿著聖餐聚會的正式著裝，並且在每場儀式開始前30分鐘入座。您可以在等待時閱讀經文。請不要在教堂走廊中久留或者在教堂中隨意走動。
• 進入教堂後，請您將手機靜音，並不要使用其他電子產品。請大家保持像在聖殿中一樣的虔敬。

男女青年（年齡在8到15歲之間）需有成年成員陪同參加儀式。具體指示如下： 

• 未接受洗禮以及未獲得聖殿推薦書的兒童將不被允許參加儀式，包括嬰兒。家長們需要提前安排照顧孩子的事情，有需要可以聯繫您的施助弟兄或者姐妹。
• 歡迎大家自己攜帶白色手絹來參加和散那歡呼。支聯會已經購置了一些繡有聖殿和奉獻日期的白色手絹提供給來Seneca支聯會中心參加奉獻儀式的成員。
• 在每一場儀式結束後，教堂會清場。如果您計劃參加多場的儀式，您需要在下一場儀式開始前60分鐘重新進入教堂。

誰可以參加奉獻儀式，還有我需要準備什麼？ 

• 已經接受洗禮的教會成員必須在教堂（支聯會中心或者Montgomery Village教堂）出示聖殿推薦書方可進入教堂。
• 已經接受洗禮的8到11歲的成員需與主教面談並獲得特殊奉獻儀式的聖殿推薦書方可參加。
• 已經接受洗禮但是還未接受恩道門的12到18歲成員必須獲得一個由主教團成員簽發的臨時聖殿推薦書方可參加
• 18歲以上已經接受洗禮和恩道門的成員必須持有有效的聖殿推薦書方可參加。該推薦書需先通過主教團和支聯會長團的面談。
• 請根據情況聯繫主教團成員來預約獲得或者更新您的聖殿推薦書。

聖殿奉獻儀式會發生什麼？ 

• 在聖經中有關於古代以色列人如何奉獻他們的會堂和聖殿來將這些地方祝聖的記錄（見列王紀上8:22-54）。後期聖徒也曾經以相似的方式來奉獻聖殿和其他神聖的地方用以完成主的事工，這樣的奉獻最早是從嘉德蘭聖殿開始的。 （見教義和聖約109章）
• 嘉德蘭聖殿的奉獻為今日的聖殿奉獻設立了規程，也就一般有以下的一些內容：

1. 奠定基石的儀式，該儀式表示著主的殿的工程建設的完成和象徵著耶穌基督是我們的信仰基石。 （見以弗所書2:19-21）。華盛頓特區聖殿的奠基儀式在1970年聖殿完工時就已進行了，所以在這次再次奉獻是將不會再次進行。
2. 教會領袖的演講和音樂節目
3. 奉獻祈禱文傳達，由第一會長團成員之一來進行並且被記錄在教會的正式記錄中。教會已經宣布第一會長團和羅素納爾遜會長本人都會出席儀式，納爾遜會長會親自奉獻聖殿。
4. 參加儀式的成員參與和散那歡呼。這歡呼是用以懷念當耶穌基督進入耶路撒冷時，他的跟隨者為救主發出的讚美。進行時，全體成員需起立，揮舞白手帕，然後齊聲高呼三次：“和散那，和散那，和散那歸於神與羊羔。”歡呼以“阿門，阿門，阿門”結束。
5. 唱聖詩：“神靈如火”。這是從嘉德蘭聖殿奉獻以來是有聖殿奉獻時都會唱的聖詩。

作為支聯會會長團，我們表達我們對你們每一個人的愛。我們很期待8月14日的聖殿重新奉獻儀式，也希望我們可以藉此機會，用最高和最神聖的方式來重新奉獻我們的生活給我們的救贖主耶穌基督。

 

Arnold會長

Ure會長

Butler會長

**********************************************************************************

Seneca Maryland Stake

On Sunday, August 14th, the Washington DC Temple will be rededicated. There will be no regular sacrament or second hour ward meetings that day. This message is to provide details and logistics to prepare for this unique event. 

As a stake presidency, we would like to encourage your personal preparation for the temple rededication. First, be worthy – study the temple recommend questions, which are available in President Nelson’s closing remarks at the October 2019 General Conference. Make goals and commitments to more fully live the standards expected of temple recommend holders. Second, study the original Washington DC Temple dedicatory prayer delivered by President Kimball in 1974. The promises in this prayer can inspire and uplift you and your family. Third, actively participate in family history work and prepare family names to take to the Washington DC Temple for ordinance work after it opens on August 30th. Fourth, pray to have a witness from the Lord of the holiness of the temple and the work that happens there. 

Logistics and schedule for the temple dedication:

• All attendees are required to wear mask.
• The temple dedication will be held on Sunday, August 14, 2022, and broadcast live to the Seneca Stake Center for English and at the Montgomery Village Building for Spanish (Mandarin will also be available in the Montgomery Village Building for the 10 am session only).
• Dedication sessions will be held at 10:00 am, 1:30 pm, and 5:00 pm Eastern. Each session is expected to last around 90 minutes. All sessions will have different speakers and choirs.
• A handful of our stake members will be able to attend the dedication in the temple. For example, some will be singing in the 10 am session choir and our Stake Relief Society President, Eme Martin, will be speaking in the 1:30 pm session.
• For the rest of us, our stake center and the Montgomery Village chapel will become an extension of the temple during the dedication and access will be limited to those who have active temple recommends.
• Entrance to each building will be restricted to two doors where temple recommends will be checked.
• Please note that doors will open 60 minutes before each session and be closed 15 minutes before each session begins. Do not be late or you will have to wait until the next session!
• Members should come dressed in Sabbath day attire and be in their seats 30 minutes before each session begins. Feel free to bring scriptures to read while you wait for the session to begin. Please do not linger in the hallway or wander the building.
• When entering the chapel, we invite you to silence cell phones, put away any other electronic devices, and act with reverence as if you were physically in the temple.
• Recommended youth ages 8-15 must be accompanied by an adult (see below).
• Children who have not been baptized or do not have a recommend will not be admitted, including infants. Parents should make arrangements for child care as needed and may contact their ministering brother and sister for assistance.
• Feel free to bring your own white handkerchief for the Hosanna shout. The stake has purchased white handkerchiefs with the temple and the dedication date embossed on them that will be handed out to those who attend this sacred event at a Seneca Stake building.
• Following each session, each building will be cleared. Thus, if you desire to attend multiple sessions, you will need to reenter the building starting 60 minutes before each session.

Who can attend and what must I do to prepare?

• Baptized members of the church must show a recommend at the door of the stake center or MV building to gain admission.
• Baptized members 8-11 years old must be interviewed by the bishop and will receive a special temple rededication recommend.
• Baptized members 12-18 years old who have not yet received their own temple endowment must obtain a limited use recommend from a member of the bishopric.
• Baptized members 18+ years old who have been endowed must have an active temple recommend including interviews with a member of the bishopric and stake presidency.
• Please promptly contact a member of the bishopric to schedule an interview to obtain or renew your temple recommend.

What happens at a temple dedication?

• The Bible contains detailed accounts of how ancient Israelites dedicated their tabernacles and temples to set them apart as sacred places (1 Kings 8:22-54). Latter-day Saints have likewise dedicated temples and other sacred spaces for use in the Lord’s work, beginning with the Kirtland Temple (see D&C 109).
• The dedication of the Kirtland Temple set a pattern for modern temple dedications, which typically include the following elements:
• A cornerstone ceremony which signifies completion of construction of the House of the Lord and symbolizes Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone (see Ephesians 2:19-21). A ground-breaking and cornerstone ceremony were held when the temple was constructed in the 1970’s and is not repeated as part of this re-dedication.
• Speeches by church leaders and musical performances
• Delivery of the dedicatory prayer, delivered by a member of the First Presidency or Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and recorded in the official records of the church. It has been announced that the entire First Presidency will attend and that President Nelson will dedicate the temple.
• Audience participation in the Hosanna Shout. This shout is reminiscent of the praise offered by followers of Jesus Christ at His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The congregation stands, waves white handkerchiefs, and unites in shouting three times the words, “Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to God and the Lamb.” The shout concludes with “Amen, Amen, and Amen.”
• Singing of the hymn “The Spirit of God” which has been sung at all temple dedications since Kirtland, Ohio.

As a stake presidency, we express our love for each of you. We look forward to our temple rededication on August 14th and hope that we can each rededicate our lives to following our Savior Jesus Christ in higher and holier ways.

President Arnold

President Ure

President Butler

Read More

2022-08-13 Farewell for Elder Munk

時間回到2020年的九月，蒙哥中文分會來了一位外表斯文儒雅內心燃著熊熊熱情樂於分享 神的福音的年輕傳教士—孟長老。

他不畏新冠病毒肆虐奉身傳道事工兩年，在新冠病毒疫苗尚未全面開放注射時，所有離鄉的傳教士們都奉行疾病控制與預防中心的指導方針侷居在宿舍裏學習並尋求 神的指引如何在瘟疫蔓延世代成就祂的事工。這種景況對一般人已經是個艱難的挑戰，更何況是對一個血氣方剛的十八歲男孩。

孟長老在這兩年傳教歲月中，用音樂讚美神，埋首苦讀中文，努力透過每一個機會認識成員，他總是帶著陽光燦爛般的笑容問侯每一位成員，令人驚嘆不已的是，孟長老的中文聽說讀寫樣樣棒！

天下沒有不散的宴席，雖然不捨孟長老的返鄉，但我們知道 神對他還有其他更重要的計劃，獻上我們最誠摯的祝福：孟長老前程似錦！

黃李亭慧

Back in September 2020, in the Montgomery Chinese Branch, there came a young missionary, Elder Munk, who was savvy and elegant in appearance and who was enthusiastic and willing to share the gospel of God.

He was not afraid of the ravages of the new Corona virus and served for two years. When the new Corona virus vaccine was not fully available, all the missionaries who left their hometowns followed the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They lived in the dormitory to study and seek God and guidance on how to accomplish His ministry during the pandemic. This situation is already a difficult challenge for ordinary people, let alone an 18-year-old boy who is full of vigor and vitality.

During the two years of missionary work, Elder Munk used music to praise God, devoted himself to studying Chinese, and tried to get to know the members through every opportunity. He always greeted each member with a bright smile, which was amazing. What’s more, Elder Munk’s Chinese listening, speaking, reading and writing are excellent!

All good things come to an end. Although we are reluctant to let Elder Munk return home, we know that God has other more important plans for him. We offer our most sincere blessings: Elder Munk, have a bright future!

Sara Huang

It was a wonderful little social, and a great opportunity to spend some time with some now old friends. We took some pictures, ate some refreshments, and got to talk for a while. From my perspective, it was really cool to be able to see how wonderful an activity it was for those present; the light in everyone’s smiling eyes was very meaningful to me.

Noah Munk

Read More

Elders Quorum Hike

On the coolest summer day this year, August 13, seven men undertook the hike to see the Great Falls in Potomac, Maryland. The weather was ideal with cooler temperatures and low humidity. At 8am, after meeting at the home of Brian Johnson, the carpool minivan arrived at the entrance of the National Park. It was so early that the guard was not there, but the parking lot was almost full. After walking past the C&O Canal Locks 19 & 18, the tour continued through the Great Falls Overlook Trailhead to Olmsted Island. The final destination was the Overlook overlooking the Potomac River at the Great Falls. The scene was breathtaking and satisfying. After group photos, the nice walk back to the parking lot was refreshing. Donuts and bottled were distributed to interested parties. The tour ended by 10am. It was nice to enjoy the hike on this very nice day.

Read More