A Night in Bethlehem

A Night in Bethlehem and Christmas Celebration was a wonderful success and brought the joy of Christ's to our hearts. Over 700 people came and enjoyed the celebration, concert and dance. Thank you to everyone who made the event possible and for all the hard work. Please enjoy the pictures from the event by clicking the picture below.

The Reason Behind Christmas

May we always remember our Savior, Jesus Christ as we celebrate this Christmas season.  Don't forget to join us this Friday for A Night in Bethlehem and Christmas Celebration at the stake center at 7pm.  For more information visit our event on Facebook. 

http://youtu.be/kd6d9Qq9Wmk

A Night in Bethlehem and Christmas Celebration

Did you ever wonder what it may have been like when Jesus Christ was born?  Come and join us for A Night in Bethlehem and Christmas Celebration where you will be taken back to when Jesus was born and experience what it was like to live in those times.

As you step out of the 21st century and into the time of Christ you will be given themed clothing and coins to be used to purchase items in the village. Once clothed, you will move through four vignettes depicting the greatly anticipated birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. After which you will enter into a small village of Bethlehem where you can visit various village shops and markets while using the coins to purchase food and other items. Crafts and activities will also be taking place for the youth and children attending.  Following the village experience a Nativity presentation will depict the night Jesus Christ was born followed by a Christmas Concert presented by the Hunter Creek Stake Choir.  A Christmas Celebration including music and dancing is to follow the festivities.

People of all ages, faiths and backgrounds are welcome to come celebrate the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ. It will take place on Friday, December 20, 2013 beginning at 7:00pm at the stake center, the schedule is as follows:

7:00 – Experience Bethlehem
8:00 – Live Nativity
8:30 – Christmas Concert
9:00 – Christmas Celebration

We are so grateful for Jesus Christ the Savior and Redeemer of the world.  As we celebrate His birth this season, may we reach out with kindness and love to all around us.  He truly lives and loves us.
"..there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent." (Mosiah 3:17)  – Orlando Florida Hunters Creek Stake Presidency

We're on Instagram!

Check us out on Instagram! Keep up with current events and past fun in the Hunters Creek Stake.

http://instagram.com/hcstake

Cypress Park Elementary Teach-In Event - November 20th

Cypress Park Elementary

Teach-In Event  

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

The event takes place at Cypress Park Elementary during regular school hours, 9am-3pm. They are asking for representatives from various businesses in the community to come to the school and talk to the students about their careers and other activities that they do. What a great opportunity to get to know and to help the students learn all the possibilities they have in this life and help support the school we have adopted!

No one has to commit to the entire day and a schedule of 30 minute intervals is set-up for any volunteer once a time block has established around the individual's availability.  Volunteers will be stationed in one room and students will rotate to them, so any and all presentation equipment will be easily accessed.

Please contact Michael Jennings, Cypress Park Elementary School, at (407) 858-3100 ext 3202246 or Michael.Jennings@ocps.net with any further questions and to schedule your attendance!

Day of Service 2013 - Project Details

The following is a list of projects that will be completed as part of our day of service at Cypress Park Elementary. Each ward has been assigned to a specific project. Some tools and supplies will be needed, please direct any questions to the project leaders listed below.

All able bodies (4 and up) that can work should to go to the school at 9:00 am to help with the projects listed.  Any older members or mothers with small children can help at the stake center at 9:00 am.  Lunch will be served at 12:00 pm at the school. 

The projects and leaders and ward assignments are as follows:

PAVER PROJECT

St. Cloud: Jarom Fertic/Adam Arrington

Kissimmee: Bryan Melick

SCHOOL FRONT BEAUTIFICATION

Pleasant Hill: Chad Tucker

Poinciana: Clark Leishman

BUTTERFLY GARDEN BEAUTIFICATION

Lake Nona: Spencer Meadows

Hunters Creek: Cameron Kober

PARKING LOT PAINTING

YSA Branch: Nolan Beatty

Volunteer Registration

Volunteers who will be helping at Cypress Park Elementary have until October 25th to register with the Orange County Public Schools volunteer program, ADDitions. Just click the link below and select "Click Here To Proceed To Volunteer Management System" at the bottom of the page. Please read the instructions on the page before you begin to register.

Are you ready to serve?

Our stake Day of Service is only  two weekends away! Come join us at Cypress Park Elementary School and help beautify their campus with general landscaping, replanting flower beds, painting the school exterior, and much more.  Remember to register with Orange County Public Schools volunteer program, ADDitions School Volunteers Management System. Just click the link below and select "Click Here To Proceed To Volunteer Management System" at the bottom of the page. Please read the instructions on the page before you begin to register.

If you are unable to help at the school we invite you to come help sort the donations that have been collected at the stake center, which will be delivered to the school that day.

Lunch will be served at Cypress Park Elementary, those who help at the stake center are invited to join us there.  The school is less than 5 miles from our stake center!


Driving Directions from Stake Center
4.3 mi, 8 mins

1. Head northeast on W Wetherbee Rd toward Bohannon Blvd   
2. Turn left onto Co Rd 527/S Orange Ave   
3. Turn right onto 4th St   
4. Turn right onto 11th Ave, Destination will be on the left


View Larger Map

Opportunities to Do Good

In a talk given by Pres. Henry B. Eyring during the April 2011 General Conference, he encouraged us to find opportunities to do good.

"Our Heavenly Father hears the prayers of His children across the earth pleading for food to eat, for clothes to cover their bodies, and for the dignity that would come from being able to provide for themselves. Those pleas have reached Him since He placed men and women on the earth. . .
 

Because the Lord hears their cries and feels your deep compassion for them, He has from the beginning of time provided ways for His disciples to help. He has invited His children to consecrate their time, their means, and themselves to join with Him in serving others."1

As members we have covenanted to help those in need of our help. He suggested the following when planning a day of service activity.

"Plan to draw on the power of the bonds of families, of quorums, of auxiliary organizations, and of people you know in your communities. The feelings of unity will multiply the good effects of the service you give. And those feelings of unity in families, in the Church, and in communities will grow and become a lasting legacy long after the project ends."1

Let us remember this as we work together as a stake to help serve Cypress Park Elementary for our Day of Service on October 26th.

References

1. Henry B. Eyring, "Opportunities to Do Good," Liahona and Ensign, May 2011, 22,25.

General Conference Dates Announced

Women worldwide are invited to view the broadcast of the general Relief Society meeting on Saturday, September 28. http://t.co/P5z3Jggt6U

— The LDS Church (@LDSchurch) September 17, 2013

American Heart Association Heart Walk at UCF

Saturday, September 7th hundereds of members from different stakes came to show support for the American Heart Association. In the sea of participants bright green shirts saying "Run and not be Weary, Walk and not Faint" could been seen mixed in with the thousands of others walking for the cause. For almost a century the American Heart Association have been advocates of proper cardiovascular care, helping to bring awareness of heart disease, and improving patient care.  What a great opportunity for our members to show that we believe that our bodies are like temples and that as we take care of them we "shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint." Thanks to all those who helped organize our team for the event and to everyone able to be a part of the Heart Walk! (Click the picture below to see more pictures from the event)

Emily Munns, Hunters Creek Stake Director of Public Affairs; Genean McKinnon; Lori Rucker, Hunters Creek Stake Outreach Specialist

Day of Service 2013 - Donation Drives

In conjunction with our Day of Service activity at Cypress Park Elementary on October 26th, our stake is holding donation drives to help the students and faculty at the school.  For those who are unable to help beautify the school, this is another opportunity to serve them and participate in our annual Day of Service.  Below is a list, by auxiliary, of what is being collected. Feel free to donate to any auxiliary.

Young Men and Young Women are collecting new or lightly used books. Books need to be elementary level reading, maybe middle school level for those that are better readers.

Primary is collecting  good condition, used clothing and shoes. Clothing sizes can range from children's 5 to 12, and shoe sizes can range from 3.5 to 6.

Relief Society is collecting 10 items teachers always personally buy for their classrooms before the year is up.

1. Tissues

2. Copy Paper

3. Pencils

4. Lined Student Paper (wide ruled)

5. Dry Erase Markers

6. Hand Soap

7. Clorox Disinfecting Wipes

8. Multi Colored Copy Paper

9. Flash Drives

10. Clear Plastic Sleeve Protectors

If you have any questions feel free to comment on this post or address the auxiliary president in your ward/branch.

If you are interested in helping on October 26th to beautify the school grounds remember to register with Orange County Public Schools as an ADDitions School Volunteer. Please visit the link below and then select "Click Here To Proceed To Volunteer Management System" at the bottom of the page. Please read the instructions on the page before you begin to register.
 

 

For more information about our Day of Service 2013 click here.

What is the purpose of Public Affairs in the Church?

Public Affairs is the connection between our church members and the community. It creates a direct line of opportunities to serve those we live, work, and play with outside of our church family.  Public affairs should be viewed as a tool and resource for members when there is a desire or need to serve others for a planned service project or just to reach out on an individual basis.

 

The following video explains how the Public Affairs Committee of the Hunters Creek Stake in connection with the Partners in Education program for Orange County Public Schools have planned our Day of Service 2013 at Cypress Park Elementary.

 

What's the Purpose of Public Affairs in the Church? from Hunters Creek Stake on Vimeo.

  

For more information about the Day of Service please refer to the following post "Hunters Creek Day of Service 2013." Also sign up to follow us by email (top right column of our blog), follow us on Twitter (@HCStake) or Facebook for more updates.

 

Hundreds of Young Single Adults Gather in Orlando for a 3-day Conference

On August 9^th-11^th, hundreds of young single adults (ages 18-31) gathered for a conference at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Orlando. They came to participate in several enlightening devotionals and workshops to inspire them to improve themselves and the lives of those around them.  The conference covered the southeast region which includes 10 states and 1000 LDS congregations. Simultaneous conferences were held in Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Hattiesburg. The conference is the biggest in the history of the North America Southeast Area of the Church.

The event was organized by George Menden, under the direction of Elder Rulon D. Munns of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  In May, June, and July leading up to the conference, young single adults were asked to participate in a reach and rescue plan, service activities, and to attend LDS Temples.  The reach and rescue plan was to invite less-active and non-member friends to participate in the summer events and conference. They also participated in service activities in their communities which locally included removing invasive plants called air potatoes at Peghorn Nature Park and Trail in St Cloud.  

 

 

 

On Friday night, the conference kicked off with a dance, ping pong tournament, karaoke and more.  Saturday morning the young single adults were addressed by Sheri Dew, president and CEO of Deseret Book Company, and Brad Wilcox, professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Brigham Young University.  A blood drive was held during the conference for OneBlood, the third largest blood bank in the US that services 80% of Florida's population.  OneBlood had two buses which were filled to capacity the entire time volunteers could donate blood. Rick Walsh, the volunteer chairman for OneBlood, came to thank the over 800 young single adults that attended the conference, at the Orlando South Stake Center, for donating blood as part of their humanitarian service opportunities.  After seeing the overwhelming response of the participants to donate, Mr. Walsh regretted that they had only brought two donation buses and noted how they could have filled at least four. 

Participants then attended a variety of workshops with subjects ranged from avoiding the downward spiral of debt to studying the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  The day’s events closed with dinner and entertainment, provided by Wantilan Luau Show, followed by a dance and more games. The following day was Sunday morning worship services which featured concluding speaker, Elder David A. Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Something that stood out to me was during Sheri Dew's talk. She gave a story of how one of her friends was having issues and simply how she helped, just doing simple things that we can do. . . There's so much we can do out there that's very easy for us, but it can have a huge positive impact on somebody else. Whether it is by service or just being a friend, we should work on strengthening each other and in the process we can also become stronger.”  Carlos Guzman, 20, St. Cloud, FL

“My favorite workshops had to do with finances, surprisingly enough! I really enjoy how it helps prepare us for things that we are going to face very soon.” Georgette Gomez, 20, Kissimmee, FL

“I enjoyed a class titled "Avoiding the Downward Spiral of Debt" because especially in this age of independence and freedom we have the responsibility over our wealth. It also helps because we are college students, times are getting tough!” Marizette Munoz, 20, Kissimmee, FL

“This is the first time in history that the Church has sponsored an area wide conference in the Southeast for the Young Single Adults. Never before have thousands of Young Single Adults worked together, served together and rejoiced together as they have in the activities leading up to the conference and the conference itself. The Young Single Adults of the Southeast are vibrant, energetic and committed and it has been a joy working with them to make this conference happen.” says Elder Rulon D.Munns, a member of the Church’s Quorum of the Seventy from Orlando.

George Menden, a member of the Conference Organizing Committee, said this of the young single adults that helped to organize and accomplish the conference. “The Latter-day Saint Young Single Adult community is exceptionally talented – they have made this event happen.  The leadership group of more than 225 Young Single Adults has planned, promoted, and executed all of the events of this conference. The creativity and energy that has shaped this conference has been inspiring.”

For more information about the conference in general, visit http://www.southeastysa.com/.

Eagle Scout Court of Honor - Pleasant Hill Ward & Poinciana Branch

Friday, August 2, 2013 – Boy Scout Troop 394 of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kissimmee honored the advancement of three of its Scouts to the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank of Boy Scouts of America.



From Left to Right: Cory & Cecilia Andersen with son Brandon, Matt & Tyra McCarl with son Landon,
Mike & Meredith Callaghan with son Benjamin

 

These three exemplary young men, Landon McCarl, Benjamin Callaghan, and Brandon Andersen, began their journey as Cub Scouts nearly a decade ago. They each earned the Arrow of Light award as Webelos scouts, the highest award in Cub Scouting. They then graduated into Boy Scouts when they turned eleven, where they each served in various leadership positions, and each one earned his Duty to God award for his church. All three boys completed the requirements to earn the Eagle Scout rank in 2013.

 

To attain the rank of Eagle Scout, a boy must earn 21 merit badges and successfully complete a community or church-related, leadership-focused service project to earn his Eagle. Landon McCarl chose to replace aging and worn out signs at the Central Florida Family and Youth Camp. Benjamin Callaghan collected and assembled comfort kits for the Orlando Red Cross. Brandon Andersen cleaned and beautified the Greenwood Cemetery in Kissimmee.

 

They join other outstanding American citizens who have become Eagle Scouts, among them Florida Governor Rick Scott, astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, cinematographer Steven Spielberg, and comic strip writer Bill Amend. Only 3-4 % of boys that enter Boy Scouts continue on to earn the rank of Eagle.

 

Boy Scout Troop 394 has over the years done community service projects throughout Kissimmee, including Scouting for Food, Eagle Scout projects in several city parks, for churches, and for environmental organizations through the area.

 

Attached is a photo of the boys that have received their Eagle rank this past Friday. Photo by Lori Rucker. Article by Mike Callaghan.

RUN and not be weary, WALK and not faint

Join fellow members of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

at

The American Heart Association Annual 5K Walk

Saturday September 7^th

University of Central Florida

7 am

 

Join our team online

www.greaterorlandoheartwalk.kintera.org/thechurchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints

 Click “Join our Team” on the right hand side

Follow instructions to Register

Donate if you would like. 

There is no fee for the race.

 

Last year more than 18,000 people joined together to support this great community effort. 

This is a wonderful opportunity to be seen and heard as we put the Word of Wisdom into ACTION!

RUN/WALK T-shirts will brand us all (kids and adults)

They will be available mid-August for $5 each

To order a shirt send an email to ldsraceshirt@gmail.com

With name, ward, and size

Help us reach our goal of 200 walkers! 

Questions call Brittany Pratt 407-709-3527

Spread the word … Mormons are on the move for Heart!

 

Service opportunity from home or anywhere

If you are looking for a way to serve from home, indexing historical documents is a simple way to help serve those who are researching their family history.

Your time is a huge gift. Volunteer to make historical records searchable online. http://t.co/YHbVdPJTFO
— The LDS Church (@LDSchurch) August 4, 2013

Share the Gospel Digitally

In a time where most information is shared digitally, isn't it fitting to share the gospel the same way?  The LDS Church has provided a section on their website that gives tips and ideas of how to appropriately share the gospel online.

Discover ways to share the gospel digitally. #HastentheWork http://t.co/0YzVddM8AV
— The LDS Church (@LDSchurch) July 25, 2013

Hunters Creek Day of Service 2013

Hunters Creek Day of Service 2013

Saturday, October 26

Cypress Park Elementary School

Join us for our stake Day of Service at Cypress Park Elementary School. Our stake has adopted this school through the Partners in Education program for Orange County Public Schools. As participants in this program our stake members can serve the community by helping the administrators, teachers, and students in a variety of ways. For our day of service we will be helping to beautify their campus with general landscaping, replanting flower beds, painting the school exterior, and much more.

Orange County Public Schools has requested for the safety of the students, that all volunteers for this activity register on their ADDitions School Volunteers Management System. Please visit the link below and then select "Click Here To Proceed To Volunteer Management System" at the bottom of the page. Please read the instructions on the page before you begin to register.

If members are unable to make it on that day there will be many other opportunities to help serve the school. Supplies, books, and clothing drives are being organized to be sorted and delivered that day. Please check back for more details on how you can donate or help with the sorting of items.

2013 Orlando Area LDS Single Adult Conference

Single Adult Conference in Orlando Florida, September 6-8. Featured guest speaker Sister Linda K. Burton, General Relief Society President. The conference will include exciting activities and events ranging from air-boat rides, a temple session, fire dancers, improv comedy, canoeing, dancing, museum tours, tubing, magic, wildlife interactions, and inspirational speakers.

Who's invited: All Official Singles 31+
Where: Friday/Saturday-Orlando South Stake Center 

            Sunday-Hunters Creek Stake Center

When: Sept 6th at 6pm to Sept 8th at 12:30pm

Cost: $20 Pre-conference, $30 At the door
Lodging: Rosen Inn $50+ taxes per night

Registration is now open for the Orlando area conference, just visit the following link to register and join in on the fun. http://orlandosaconference.eventbrite.com/ 

Frances B. Monson, Wife of President Thomas S. Monson, Passes Away mormonnewsroom.org/article/france… via @mormonnewsroom
— Hunters Creek Stake (@HCStake) May 17, 2013

Celebrating Mothers

This month as we celebrate Mother's Day let us remember, as Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, motherhood is an eternal partnership with God.  Let us cherish our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and the amazing women in our lives who have influenced us for the good and challenged us to do better. 


Read the entire talk here: http://bit.ly/9PidlC

Church Issues Statement on Boy Scouts of America

Church Issues Statement on Boy Scouts of America (cont) tl.gd/llk1uh
— Hunters Creek Stake (@HCStake) April 26, 2013