the Logos

Today's reading from the Chronological Reading Plan: Joshua 5-8  The Easter Celebration weekend is almost here! Good Friday service, 3-29 at 6 to 7pm  Egg Hunt and fellowship, 3-30 at 1pm  Sunrise Easter Service at 6am with Communion. We will have breakfast afterwards. You need to register to get tickets for the Breakfast. Those with tickets get priority to eat. Register online, registration table, or use connection card.  Deacon Matt Darby shared his testimony about getting baptized today.  Although he was baptized when he was young, he recognized that he was not saved at that time. After Christ saved him later as a young adult, he had never gotten baptized again and so recently (while reading Chosen By God ) came to feel that it would be appropriate to be baptized again after his conversion.

Today's reading from the Chronological Reading Plan: Deuteronomy 17-20 It seems like The Bible mini-series is getting worst with its historical and theological inaccuracies. The biggest problem I see is that the grand redemptive story is missing. It seems like a bunch of disconnected stories instead of each story pointing to God's plan to redeem His people through Jesus Christ. There has been little Gospel presented so far even though the Gospel is greatly present in the OT as prophecy, type, and shadow. Easter Celebration Weekend is almost here! We are having Good Friday service, 3-29 from 6 to 7pm  Egg Hunt and fellowship with hot dogs, 3-30 at 1pm  Sunrise Easter Service at 6am with Communion. We will have breakfast afterwards. You need to register to get tickets for the Breakfast. Those with tickets get priority to eat. Register online , registration table, or use connection card.  The next Ecuador Mission Trip meeting is tomorrow at 6:30pm at Cary C...

Today's reading from the Chronological Reading Plan: Numbers 35-36 Did you see the first episode of The Bible mini-series?  I really liked that Jackie Chan angel!  Deaconess LaDonna Bethea said her sons were fact-checking it. I like that. We should always do that! There are some historical and theological inaccuracies with this series.  The best depiction of the Bible is the Bible itself.  Always compare what books, movies, and people (including myself) are saying about the Word of God with the Word of God! At 4pm, we had our first Adult Ministry's Men's Life Study Group Resolution Ceremony. Jason Smith, Matt Darby, George Nelson, Eddie Stimpson, and Barry Singleton (absent due to surgery) publicly made a commitment to be leaders in their home, church, and community.  Bro. Jason Smith delivered a powerfully encouraging Word exhorting them to be men of prayer. We will have a Good Friday service, egg hunt on that Saturday, and sunrise service for Easter...

Today's reading from the Chronological Reading Plan: Numbers 18-20 We've completed our Bible Study series on Disciples Making Disciples. Now the work begins. My charge is that we pray about disciples, look at our associations, and invite one or two people to enter into a discipling relationship with. The next Bible Study series, "The Godhead," will begin on Wednesday at 7:00pm. The doctrine of the Trinity is an essential doctrine of Christianity. We will study the question: "How can God, who is one God, be Three Distinct Personalities?" Join us and bring a friend as we explore this topic. I'm excited that our youth ministry is catching the mission of the church to make disciples to all nations. The Youth Ministry will be holding a mission trip interest meeting next Sunday, March 10th, after the church service in Classroom 4. Parents, bring your teens out to this meeting. Everyone is invited to join the Adult Ministry's 2012 Men's Life...

Today's reading from the Chronological Reading Plan: Numbers 3-4  Several of our members have had death in their families.  Please pray for the Hunter family (passing of Sis. Juanita Hunter's granddaughter), pray for Sis. Cynthia Aldridge (passing of her sister), and pray for Deacon Credle (passing of two aunts). Starting next Sunday, I will be starting a new series called 5 Solas. Check out this video.  (click here if you can't see the video) On Tuesday, I will be speaking at St. Mary A.M.E. Church (Apex) at 7pm on the second night of their Revival.  Please come out and worship with us.  Due to this speaking engagement, there will be no elder-led prayer that evening. Don't forget to submit your idea for an Adult Ministry event by 2/28. Stop by the Welcome Center to submit your idea. If you missed the informational meeting but you are interested in going on the July Ecuador Mission Trip, please get an information packet from Minister Lydia Am...

Today's reading from the Chronological Reading Plan: Leviticus 14-15  Lent came early this year. We are fasting and praying as a church family for Lent.  Now if you have not started, don't worry...here's the Good News: the Lent party is a Gospel party! The Gospel does not discriminate against when you got here but only beckons you to come as you are.  So you can start fasting now for Lent.  Now I want to warn everyone that there are some wrong ways to participate in Lent. Fasting because it's Lent and everyone is doing it. Just giving up something does not mean you will draw closer to God.  Fasting to appear devout to others by always talking about what you gave up.  Fasting to manipulate God to do something. Fasting but not praying. Lent is not only about giving up things but about adding things, God-things.   Thanks to everybody who attended our Theological Seminar on yesterday.  I hope that your understanding of Justification has ...

The Lent season begins on this Wednesday which is Ash Wednesday.  We will anoint with ashes after Bible Study.  Anointing with ashes is a sign of mourning over sin and repentance to God. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent.  I encourage everyone to fast and pray during the 40 days of Lent. Fasting is the voluntary act of abstaining from something for the purpose of growing in self-discipline.  As Christians, we find our security and satisfaction in Christ.  Therefore, we can give up something because Christ means more to us than whatever we are giving up.  We ask everyone to join us for a partial fast for Lent. A partial fast is where you choose to abstain from certain foods and drinks instead of complete abstinence. Others may choose to fast from television, computer, newspaper, hobbies, etc. This will help you free up some time to spend in prayer and reflection.

Today's reading from the Chronological Reading Plan: Exodus 33-35 If you missed the first informational meeting for the July Ecuador Mission Trip but you are seriously interested in going, then see Minister Lydia Amekuedi to get an info packet.  If you are concerned about the accommodations in Ecuador, check out this video I made on my first trip. Everybody is invited to attend our FREE Theological Seminar this Saturday, 2/16 from 9 to 11am. Dr. Larry Pettegrew from Shepherds Theological Seminary will be speaking on the 'Doctrine of Justification'. This is an essential doctrine for Christians to understand. Light refreshments will be served. Register TODAY online . Mt. Zion's Adult Ministry needs your input.  Do you have an idea for a ministry event? If so, stop by the Welcome Center to submit your idea.  All submissions must be submitted by February 28th.

Register HERE

Today's reading from the Chronological Reading Plan: Exodus 13-15 I want to remind everyone that the first informational meeting for the July Ecuador Mission Trip is tomorrow, 2/4 at 6:30pm at Cary Church of God . I highly recommend that you attend this meeting if you have any interest in going.   Our second Theological Seminar is Saturday, 2/16 from 9 to 11am.  Dr. Larry Pettegrew from Shepherds Theological Seminary will be speaking on the 'Doctrine of Justification'.  This is an essential doctrine for Christians to understand.  Light refreshments will be served.  Come out and bring a friend.  Register for the seminar online . Our scheduled visit to Clarebridge Assisted Living on next Sunday is going to be rescheduled. Stay tuned for updated information.

Today's reading from the Chronological Reading Plan: Genesis 43-45 Tomorrow at 7pm is our Church Family Meeting. All members are asked to attend. We'll give an update on our finances, talk about our ministry priorities for the year, and review some core values for our church. Ladies: The Deaconess' Ministry will be serving the ladies at the Helen Wright Center on Thursday, January 31st. Attendees, meal assistance, and monetary donations are welcome. We praise God and thank those who served as missionaries on the Mt. Zion Haiti Missions Trip Team.  Deacon Rufus Credle, Sis. Nicole Sawyer, and Bro. LeAndre Jackson shared testimonies about God's grace on their missions trip. The Ecuador Mission Trip is July 13-21. The first informational meeting is 2/4 at 6:30pm at Cary Church of God . I highly recommend that you attend this meeting if you have any interest in going. As we go on mission trips to take the Gospel to the nations, let's pray for our brothe...

Today's reading from the Chronological Reading Plan: Genesis 25-26 The Missions Ministry, along with Zone 2, rendered service at Cary Health & Rehab Center today at 2:00pm. Deacon David Bowser spoke from Psalm 27 about how the Lord will take us in even when others forsake us. The J.Allen Lewis Choir also sang. Thanks to all who came out. We are continuing our Bible Study series, "Disciples Making Disciples". Since disciples makers are instructed to teach then its imperative that we know how to properly handle God's Word. This Wednesday we'll look at how to study the Bible. Everyone is invited to join us and bring a friend. This Tuesday, we'll have our elder-led prayer from 6 to 7pm. Bring your prayer requests and join us for 1 hour of prayer. Please pray for our Haiti Missionary Team that's returning home today. They had a great trip and we look forward to hearing their testimonies of God's grace. Our first Church Family Meeting for ...

We had Deltas in the house! The Western Wake Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority joined us at church today.  The sorority is celebrating 100 years.  Today, they donated money to our mission trip to Haiti.  Many thanks to the Deltas for their generosity. Today's reading from the Chronological Reading Plan is Job 35-37 Last week, we started a new Bible Study series on Wednesday looking at "Disciples Making Disciples". There's a great lack of true disciple making in the church today.  Everyone is invited to join us and bring a friend. For the past year or so, leadership has been gathering once a month to pray for this church, our communities, and the nations. Now, we're going to open this prayer meeting to the rest of the church.  Every 4th Tuesday of the month, we will have an elder-led prayer meeting from 6 to 7pm.  Our first one will be 1/22.  Join us for 1 hour of prayer. Our Haiti Missionary Team is going to Haiti this w...

Happy New Year!  By God's grace, we are able to celebrate the first Lord's day in 2013. Our church theme for this year will be "Multiply: Making Disciples who make Disciples".  Making disciples is the mission of the church.  But what does true discipleship look like? Check out this video.                 (Click here if you can't see the video) If we are going to call ourselves disciples of Christ, we should be making disciples. Don't be deceived; every Christian is called to make disciples. I'm starting a new Bible Study series this Wednesday at 7pm on "Disciples Making Disciples". Join us as dig into how to make disciples. Just a reminder that our Haiti Missionary Team is collecting items to take with them to Haiti this month. A list of the items needed is available at the Welcome Center. This is the last week to bring your donations.  You can drop them off at the church until 1...

Our Haiti Missionary Team is collecting items to take with them to Haiti next month and you can help. Pick up a flyer at the Welcome Center for a list of the items needed. They will be accepting donations until 1/13. Just a reminder that there is no Prayer & Testimony Service or Bible Study (Wednesday evening or Thursday morning) this week. Everything resumes the week of January 7th. Everyone is invited to attend our New Year's Eve Service at 10:00pm on Monday, December 31st. We will have brief remembrance of our members who passed away this year. Our church theme for 2013 will be "Multiply: Making Disciples who make Disciples". A disciple means being a student or learner. So if we are going to be disciples who make other disciples we must know God’s Word. So as a church we will be reading through the Bible again next year. This time we will follow the chronological Bible reading plan . We will read the Bible in the order in which the recorded events took plac...

Merry Christmas!  Let us celebrate the birth and incarnation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Jesus came as the perfect God-man (God in flesh). But Jesus did not stay an infant. He grew, lived a perfect life, and with joy made His way to the cross. The perfect God-man endured the cross for wretched sinners like us. The great Savior died for great sinners! He paid our great debt of sin by His agonizing death. Three days later, Christ gloriously rises from the dead. His resurrection defeats sin, death, and Satan. His resurrection is proof that those who trust in Christ will rise from the dead to live eternally.  So may your joy this season not be in a Christmas tree but in the One who hung on the tree for your sins ! I want to praise God and thank everyone for their generosity for the Zone 3 sponsored coat drive. We were able to donate 24 adult coats and 14 children’s coats to the Salvation Army Homeless Shelter in downtown Raleigh. Soli Deo Gloria (all glor...

My heart is saddened as many of you by the recent shooting at an elementary school that claimed the lives of 27 people, many of them children .  A person has to be evil and depraved to premeditatedly shoot defenseless children.  This should make our mission as a church clear.  Humanity is reaping the effects of our rebellion against God. The wages of sin is death. So the solution is not gun control, medication, or legislation but the Gospel that changes hearts and prepares the way for Jesus to return and set up His Kingdom where there will be no more senseless killing of children, no more death, and no more sorrow.  In the meantime, we must give the Gospel to our children. Parents, in particular fathers, are responsible to share the Gospel with their children and train them in the admonition of the Lord.  We must spread the Gospel to our communities and the nations.  And we must also serve communities in particular the one in Connecticut by mourning with t...

Every Christian should understand the doctrine of justification. Believers stand justified or right before God because Christ’s righteousness has been imputed (given) to us. Check out this video of hip hop artist, Shai Linne as he breaks down justification and imputed righteousness in 1 minute. (Click here if you can't see the video) On Saturday, 12/15, Mt. Zion is having a Christmas Program and Buffet Dinner Social. Please come out and enjoy the Worship Ministry Christmas Presentation "Born to Die". A buffet dinner will be served following the presentation. Mt. Zion members are asked to bring their favorite home cooked dessert to share. We will also be wrapping Christmas presents that evening. You can bring your presents as early as 3:30pm to be wrapped. We are happy to announce that we will be ordaining a couple of deacons, Deacons Matt Darby and Corey Jerkins. Everyone is invited to join us for our Ordination Service on next Sunday at 4pm. Pastor Charle...

Our mission is to worship Christ, spread the Gospel, and serve the community.  As we enter the Christmas holiday season, we have a few great opportunities for us to serve our community: Zone 3 is now sponsoring a Coat Drive until 12/9. We are asking members (all zones) to donate any coats that would help warm another this winter season. Please bring all CLEAN coats to the church and put in collection box that is marked. Thank you for your support! Our Missions Ministry is collecting toiletry items for the area nursing homes residents for Christmas gifts. Please bring all items to the church and place them in the marked collection boxes. All items will be collected until 12/7. Items needed: toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, socks, mouthwash, depends, all sizes hand sanitizer, tissue (Kleenex). Then on 12/8 at 4pm, we will be Christmas Caroling at the local area nursing homes. All participants are asked to arrive at the church no later than 3:15 for depa...

I know that the map that I showed on Sunday was hard to see so here it is. Amos announces that the Lord roars judgment from Zion.  He starts by pronouncing judgment on the pagan nations surrounding Israel and Judah.  You can see the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah (highlighted with yellow) and the red stars are the nations addressed in Amos 1:3-2:3