the Logos

Today's reading from the Chronological Reading Plan: Psalms 131, 138-139, 143-145  Many have heard about the devastating tornado that hit Moore, OK .  When natural disasters like this happen, you always get the questions about "where is God?".  When God does not immediately intervene in a way that we recognize, people begin to doubt His faithfulness and goodness. Remember, the Jews were in 400 years of slavery in Egypt. That meant many Hebrews were born, lived, and died as a slave without an apparent action or word from God.  I wonder how many of them asked the the same question about where was God?  But God did hear their cries . He sent a savior and mediator in the person of Moses.  And whenever Israel was oppressed by their enemies, God would send saviors in the form of judges, like Sampson. But these "mini-saviors" were just shadows of a greater Savior .  After 400 years of silence between the Old and New Testaments, God sent Jesus .  ...

Today's reading from the Chronological Reading Plan: 2 Samuel 19-21 This afternoon, the Missions Ministry, along with Zone 2 members, will be ministering at Cary Health & Rehab Center (Tryon Road) on at 2:00pm. All are invited to attend. VBS is scheduled for 6/10-14 and registration is currently underway. VBS is a great time of fun and learning for the whole family. You can register by the registration table, use the connection card, or sign-up online . For this quarter, we're asking our members to give at least 5% or more above your normal giving to help us meet our budget as we close on refinancing our bank loan.

Last Sunday, we talked about how we should have single-minded focus and devotion to living for Christ. The soldier, athlete, and farmer do not get distracted by outside things. Watch this video featuring Pastor Paul Washer.                     (Click here if you can't see the video) Today's reading from the Chronological Reading Plan: Psalms 65-67,69-70 Thanks to all who attended this quarter's Theological Seminar on yesterday. We have extra handouts from the seminar at the Welcome Center. VBS is 6/10-14 and registration is underway. VBS is for the whole family, not just the children. You can register by the registration table, use the connection card, or sign-up online . Happy Mother's Day.  Paul commends Timothy's faith which mirrors the faith of his mother and grandmother . We must not underestimate the importance of mothers.  But I want to encourage all you ladies that no matter what's your situation, your i...

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Today's reading from the Chronological Reading Plan: Psalms 1,2 , 15 , 22-24 , 47 , 68 Don't forget to register for our next Theological Seminar on May 11th at 9am. Dr. Pettegrew from Shepherds Theological Seminary will be back to teach on the Doctrine of the Trinity.  Come find out why this is an essential doctrine. So to teach falsely about the nature of God like TD Jakes has is to teach heresy. Sign up online TODAY. The 2013 J.A. Lewis Scholarship applications are now available from the church office. All application information should be submitted to church office by May 26th. If you attended the church family meeting, you know that God answered our prayers for refinancing our loan but you also know that we did not meet our budget for last quarter.  So I'm asking our members to sacrificially give at least 5% or more above your normal giving for this quarter to help us meet our budget while we move towards closing our refinance.

Today's reading from the Chronological Reading Plan: Psalms 81 , 88 , 92 , 93 Reminder: All members are asked to attend our Church Family Meeting on tomorrow at 7:00pm. We have a great praise request to share of God's answered prayer. We start a new Bible Study series on Wednesday at 7pm called "If You Want to Walk on Water". Join us for this exciting new series on exercising our faith. We just finished up our Bible Study series on the Godhead. Our next Theological Seminar will examine this topic some more as we look at the Doctrine of the Trinity. The seminar will be on May 11th at 9am. Sign up online today. Our youth is preparing to have a lock-in event the upcoming weekend followed by a community outreach event. We are asking everyone to give to help us purchase supplies for the outreach event. Give to special events and write "Youth Lock-in". You can give by donating online , dropping it at the church office, or giving directly to our youth...

Pray for the people affected by the Boston bombing and the plant explosion in Texas . People often wonder how people can do such a thing as bombing at a marathon. The prosperity gospel and other false doctrines have no answer for this. But the Bible is clear that we are all sinners. Evil comes from the heart . So the answer is not just stricter laws and legislation (those are needed) but the Gospel of Jesus Christ! It is faith in Christ that changes hearts.  Christ takes evil people, forgives their sins, gives them new hearts, and transforms their lives.  This Scripture from today's Sunday School lesson made me think of the bombing. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 (ESV) : For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. I see the bombing at the Boston marathon ...

Today's reading from the Chronological Reading Plan: 1 Samuel 21-24 On Saturday, 4/20, we are having our second Mt. Zion Spring Spruce Up starting at 8:00am. There will be something for everyone to do. Pancakes will be served. Come help clean our church and enjoy great fellowship. After all that cleaning, I know you'll be hungry and will want a hot fish plate. Our very own, Latrell Perry is raising funds for his Ecuador mission trip so buy a fish plate and help him raise funds. You can get your food after the Spring Clean Up at our old location at 8500 Chapel Hill Rd in Cary . You can also pre-order but today is the last day to sign up for pre-orders. So check with Doug or Janice Long for more information or to pre-order. I would like to thank Bro. Kaleem from Pakistan who came to share his testimony with our youth at their youth service.  Here's the report from Deaconess Ersula Jerkins, one of our youth directors... Good afternoon parents, youth service was aw...

Good Friday & Easter are over but every Sunday, we should celebrate Christ's death on the Cross and resurrection from the dead.  We should live in light of the Cross. Only when we understand and trust what Christ did for us can we find lasting joy and stop chasing after circumstantial happiness. Lasting Joy vs. Circumstantial Happiness from Albert Martin on Vimeo . Happiness makes us smile; joy fills up our souls  Happiness is laying on the beach; joy is knowing who made the waves  Happiness is recognition of all you do; joy is being loved for who you are  Happiness is drowning your sorrows for a moment; joy is letting it all go forever  Happiness is in the moment; joy is a truth that lasts forever  Happiness is fleeting; joy is eternal  May we all rest in the joy that is only found in Jesus Christ! Today's reading from the Chronological Reading Plan: Ruth 1-4 We are having our Church Spring Clean-up on 4/20 from 8am to noon. ...

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.

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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...