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We are reading through the Bible as a church family this year. We're following the 52-week reading plan. We are on week 39. Thanks for your generous giving for my pastoral anniversary. Your generosity and prayers are greatly appreciated. Please register ASAP for Prayer 2015, the area-wide prayer rally that will be held at Memorial Auditorium, Raleigh, on Tuesday, October 6th, from 7 to 9pm. The event will be led by a group of area pastors, with many different churches across denominations and ethnicities participating in a time of worship and prayer. Mt. Zion has 25 reserved seats available. You may sign up online  if you would like to participate. Contact Sis. Sandra Broadwater for questions. Please sign up by Wednesday so we can make any seats that we don't fill available to other churches. Next Sunday at 4pm, I will be preaching at Scott's Grove Church for their Pastor's Aide/Pastor's Pre-Anniversary Service and our Gospel Choir will render the music. Ev...

We are reading through the Bible as a church family this year. We're following the 52-week reading plan. We are on week 38. The next Elder-led Prayer will be held on Tuesday, 9/22, from 6-7pm. Everyone is invited to join us as we focus on specific prayer needs. If you are not able to attend but have prayer requests, you can place them in the prayer requests box at the back of the sanctuary or submit them online . Register for this year's Prayer 2015, the area-wide prayer rally that will be held at Memorial Auditorium, Raleigh, on Tuesday, 10/6, from 7 to 9pm. The event will be led by a group of area pastors, with many different churches across denominations and ethnicities participating. Mt. Zion has 25 reserved seats available. You may sign up online  if you would like to participate. Contact Sis. Sandra Broadwater for questions. In honor of our 150th Anniversary, we'll be starting a new sermon series next Sunday on the church called "Ekklesia: the Called-Ou...

With sadness, I announce that our former minister, James Wheeler, passed away and was buried on Saturday. Before moving away, Minister Wheeler played an important part of our ministry at Mt. Zion as a minister, singer in the Male Chorus, and Sunday School teacher. He will be fondly remembered. Please pray for the Wheeler family. Congrats to the newlyweds, Caesar and Nicole Boone who were married on Saturday. We are reading through the Bible as a church family this year. We're following the 52 week reading plan. We are on week 37. Our Anniversary Week is here! Here's what's happening this week... Old Fashioned Revival – 9/16 starting with Hors d'oeuvre at 6pm and the service at 7pm. Pastor Larry Snead will be our speaker. Anniversary Play – 9/18 at 7:00pm. Anniversary Gala – 9/19 at 7pm. Sunday was the last day to purchase a ticket. On Sunday, 9/20, Pastor James White will be our guest speaker to celebrate my 13th pastoral anniversary. Mark your calenda...

We are reading through the Bible as a church family this year. We're following the 52 week reading plan. We are on week 36. Get ready!! Our Anniversary Week is almost here. Zone Community Outreach – 9/12 at 9am. Old Fashioned Family and Friends Day – 9/12 at 2pm.  Old Fashioned Revival – 9/16 at 6pm. Anniversary Play – 9/18 at 7:00pm. Anniversary Gala – 9/19 at 7pm. Also, it is not too late to purchase a ticket. Money will be accepted until September 13th. If you pay online , please mark clearly "Anniversary Gala". We'll have a guest speaker on 9/20 to celebrate my 13th pastoral anniversary. Congrats to Antonio & Nikisha Trotter on their 10th Wedding Anniversary.  They renewed their vows immediately after the service.

We are reading through the Bible as a church family this year. We're following the 52 week reading plan. We are on week 35. Here are yesterday's Fall Spruce UP results: 19 total attendees  Leadership  - 11  Members - 6  Guests - 2  Zone breakdown  Zone 4 - 4 members  Zone 3 - 2 members  Zone 2 - 5 members  Zone 1 - 8 members  We worked a total of 54.5. The shortest being 1.35 hours and the longest being 6.5 hours. We saved the church $817.50 by cleaning the church ourselves. Bro. Louis Eldridge gave our Anniversary Shout Out.  It's almost time for our 150th anniversary events and activities.  Check out t he church calendar so you don't miss anything on 9/12, 16, 18-20. There was a C3 LifeGroup Fair immediately following the service today. People were able to get information about the various LifeGroups available as well as play the LifeGroup Leader questions game. Congrats to Sis. Nadiyah Moore for ...

We are reading through the Bible as a church family this year. We're following the 52 week reading plan. We are on week 34. Thanks to all who came out yesterday to our Theological Seminar on the Doctrine of Election. For those that missed it, we have notes from the seminar at the Welcome Center. Contact me if you would like a soft copy of the notes with answers. You can watch the seminar via the archive at Zion Live or order a DVD . The next Elder-led Prayer will be held on Tuesday, 8/25, from 6 to 7pm. Everyone is invited to join us as we focus on specific prayer needs. If you are not able to attend but have prayer requests, you can submit them online . The Fall Spruce UP is 8/29 from 9am to 12pm. So come out and help clean our church for our upcoming anniversary activities. We'll be having a C3 LifeGroup Fair on next Sunday, 8/30, immediately following church service in the MPR and Youth/Adult hallway. Great opportunities to find out more about a LifeGroup. We ...

We are reading through the Bible as a church family this year. We're following the 52 week reading plan. We are on week 33. Deaconess Angelique Cherry announced that the winner of our second round of "Guess Who" is my wife, Anita!  And I did not give her the answers! Zone 3 did a service at Chatham Commons on Sunday afternoon. Bro. Jae Smith brought a straight Gospel message from the verse, " Jesus wept ", emphasizing Jesus' deity and humanity. The Gospel Choir sang praises to our great God. Please take advantage of these opportunities to spread the Gospel and serve those in our community. What does it mean that God has chosen the elect? Is God unjust not to elect everyone? Dr. Keith Whitfield, SEBTS, is returning to finish teaching on "The Doctrine of Election" for our next free theological seminar on Saturday, 8/22, from 9:00am to 11:15am. Come out and learn more about this important doctrine. Light refreshments will be served. Please re...

Please pray for Evangelist Barry Singleton who is currently in the hospital, Minister Jacquelyn Harrison whose sister-in-law passed recently, and Sis. Mercedes Griffin whose step daughter passed yesterday. We are reading through the Bible as a church family this year. We're following the 52 week reading plan. We are on week 32. The Fall Spruce UP is 8/29 from 9am to 12pm. Come out and help clean our church for our upcoming anniversary activities. I'm happy to announce that Dr. Keith Whitfield from SEBTS is returning to finish teaching on "The Doctrine of Election" for our next FREE Theological Seminar on Saturday, 8/22, from 9:00am to 11:15am. What does it mean that God has chosen the elect? Is God unjust not to elect everyone? Come out and learn more about this important doctrine. Light refreshments will be served. Please register for the seminar online . Minister Matt Darby , Bro. Jae Smith , Sis. Brittany Hardy , and Sis. Esther Nissao  (from Cary COG...

We are reading through the Bible as a church family this year. We're following the 52 week reading plan. We are on week 31. Mark your calendars for the Fall Spruce UP on 8/29 from 9am to 12pm. So come out and help clean our church for our upcoming anniversary activities. Deacon Bowser gave us our first Sunday's 150th Anniversary Shout-Out. Stay up-to-date with the latest Anniversary events and activities with the latest Anniversary Express newsletter. Remember, we are asking all of our members to give at least 10% above their normal giving (tithe/offering) to help us start reducing our mortgage. Thanks to everyone who has been giving faithfully and sacrificially.

Pray for all of the missionaries traveling back home from Ecuador today. Minister Darby is staying until Tuesday and will be preaching at a church in Ecuador today. Please pray for him as he delivers the Word of God. We're following the 52 week Bible reading plan. We are on week 30. The next Elder-led Prayer will be held on Tuesday, July 28th, from 6 to 7pm. Everyone is invited to join us. If you are not able to attend but have prayer requests, you can place them in the prayer request box at the Welcome Center, use the connections card, or submit them online . We have an opportunity to serve the community: Ladies of Zone 3 and all others, the Deaconess Ministry requests your assistance with meal service for our sisters at the Helen Wright Center on Thursday, July 30th, at 7pm. You may also make a monetary donation toward the cost of the meal. See the announcement for contact info if you would like to assist. Don't forget that our Church Family Meeting is right after t...

We are reading through the Bible as a church family this year. We're following the 52 week reading plan. We are on week 29. Please pray for all of the missionaries (including our own Minister Matt Darby, Bro. Jae Smith, and Sis. Britnay Hardy) traveling to Ecuador for a week of ministry. Pray that many souls would be saved, lives transformed, and people delivered...all to the glory of God! As we send people to spread the Gospel to a foreign nation, we also have opportunities to spread the Gospel locally.  Today at 2pm, Zone 4 members will be having a service at Phoenix Assisted Living . The Praise Team will be rendering music and Deacon David Bowser will be speaking. Everyone is invited to attend and worship with the residents and staff. Our next Church Family Meeting is next Sunday, 7/26, right after the church service. All members are asked to be present. We have important information to share about security as well as Board of Directors election. The next Elder-led Pr...

Please pray for a couple of members and their families who are facing bereavements: Sis. Gail Smith (sister passed) and Sis. Barbara Smith, our church secretary (brother passed). We are reading through the Bible as a church family this year. We're following the 52 week reading plan. We are on week 28. I hope everyone enjoyed our Twisted sermon series.  If you missed any of it, you can watch it online or order a copy .  And share this series with others. The series consisted of 6 messages: 5/24, "To Judge or Not to Judge" -Misused verse: "Judge not, that you be not judged" ( Matthew 7:1 ) 5/31, "God Alone Calls things into Existence" -Misused verse: "calling those things which be not as though they were" ( Romans 4:17 )  6/7,  "Not Law Giving but Grace Giving" -Misused verses: "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse.." ( Malachi 3:10-11 )  6/21, "The Transforming Power of the Word" -Misused verse: ...

We are reading through the Bible as a church family this year. We're following the 52 week reading plan. We are on week 27.  Reading the Bible pays off after time.  It takes discipline so don't give up when it gets hard, keep reading, studying, meditating, and praying.  In time, you'll start to see connections and the larger meta-narrative of God's redemptive story. Last Wednesday, we started a new Bible Study series in 1 Corinthians. We don't want to go to the world instead of God's Word for answers. So everyone is invited to join us on Wednesday at 7pm for a study of God's Wisdom applied to worldly problems as we continue to study Paul's first letter to the church of Corinth and its application for the local church today. We had a lot of fun with our June "Guess Who" activity. #1 - Sis. Barbara Smith #2 - Deacon Larry Fortenberry #3 - Bro. Louis Eldridge #4 - Sis. Anita Daniels #5 - Elder Wayne Bullock #6 - Sis. Barbara Gib...

I see on social media that everyone is so impressed with the President singing Amazing Grace at a funeral. But this same man gave his approval to the Supreme Court's ruling to legalize same-sex marriage. He said it was a "victory for the United States." Romans 1:32 : "Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them ." No, Mr. President, God is not mocked. His grace is amazing and it saves wretched sinners (heterosexual & homosexual alike). But one must confess their sins, repent (turn from sin), and trust in Christ. So what should our response be as Christians: 1) Weep and mourn: Our hearts should break over the institutionalization of sin. If this does not grieve you then you need to check your worldview and maybe even your spirituality. Psalm 119:136 : "My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law." 2) Pray:...

Thanks to Elder Sean Cherry for giving the pastoral emphasis in my absence. We are all saddened by the shooting at Emanuel AME Church .  Let us pray for the families of the victims and the shooter (that he would repent & turn to Christ).  In fact, the families forgave him and called for him to repent and be forgiven .  This can only be done by the power of the Holy Spirit! We are reading through the Bible as a church family this year. We're following the 52 week reading plan. We are on week 25.  You can download this reading plan here . All are invited to join us for Wednesday Family Worship. We will be studying 2 John . We'll start at 6pm with a meal. Around 6:45pm, we'll have some praise and worship and then start our study at 7pm. There will be a brief after church meeting on 6/28 for all who are interested in the Prayer & Intercessory team. Happy Father's Day to all the dads!

Congratulations to all of our High School graduates. May God continue to bless you as you move to the next stage of your lives.  Also congrats to those who have earned college degrees. I'm looking for those interested in the ministry of intercessory prayer. There will be a brief meeting after church on 6/28 for all who are interested in the Prayer & Intercessory team. VBS starts tomorrow (June 15 -19). VBS is totally FREE; but any donations are appreciated. Please register online. The Cary PD will be joining us on the last night to talk with the Adult class (part of our effort to build a better community relationship between the police and the African-American community). My family and I will be going on vacation this week so we'll miss VBS and be out next Sunday. The Twisted sermon series will continue (addressing " Where there is no vision, the people perish "). Please pray for us as we travel. Today is the last Sunday for Sis. Jackie Smart as she will...

All are invited to join us again for another Wednesday Family Worship. We will be studying 1 John 2:15-27 . We'll start at 6pm with a meal. Around 6:45pm, we'll have some praise and worship and then start our study at 7pm and end at 8pm. VBS is June 15 -19. The registration fee is waived and VBS is totally FREE; but any donations are appreciated. Although there is no charge for this year's VBS, we still need for you to register so we can prepare appropriately for the meals. Also, the Cary PD will be joining us on the last night to talk with the Adult class (part of our effort to build a better community relationship with the police and the African-American community). Are you a prayer warrior? I'm looking for those interested in the ministry of intercessory prayer. There will be a brief after church meeting on 6/28 for all who are interested in the Prayer & Intercessory team. Next Sunday is Children's Day. Our children and youth will be conducting wors...

All are invited to join us for Wednesday Family Worship starting Wednesday, June 3rd. We will be studying Psalm 107 , "Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So". We'll start at 6pm with a meal. Around 6:45pm, we'll have praise and worship and then start our study at 7pm and end at 8pm. Bring the family and let's worship together. The Youth Ministry is calling for youth, teachers, and interested volunteers to help paint the youth mural. The following days are available to help: Monday 6/1, Tuesday 6/2, Thursday 6/4, and Friday 6/5. Three people per night are needed in order to complete. There's a sign up sheet posted on Youth Room door or contact Minister Rasheeda Oliver . Given that we're asking our members to give at least an additional 10% and the other items relating to the 150th anniversary celebration, the elders, after some discussion, decided to waive the registration fee for this year's VBS but you can give a donation if you would like to he...

Today in Pentecost Sunday. Fifty days after Passover and ten days after the ascension of Christ, the Holy Spirit came like a mighty rushing wind to indwell the believers that were waiting in Jerusalem. That day, the church was born. Under the New Covenant, all who trust in Christ are sealed and indwelled with the Holy Spirit . Praise God for the Holy Spirit.  He gives us the power to accomplish our mission to make disciples of all nations. In preparation for our last week of our Romans Bible Study series, please read Romans 8, 13-16 as we'll be looking at the Doctrine of Glorification. Join us again on Wednesday at 7pm. High School Seniors: Don't forget that the application submission deadline for the J. A. Lewis Scholarship is May 31. The next Elder-led Prayer is Tuesday, May 26th, from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. Everyone is invited to join us for an hour of prayer.  If you are not able to attend but have prayer requests, you can place submit them online . There is still ...

In preparation for week 7 of our Romans Bible Study series, please review Romans 5-6, 11 as we'll be finishing up the Doctrine of Justification. Join us again on Wednesday at 7pm. Next Sunday, we start a new sermon series called "Twisted" where we will look at some of the biggest misused Bible verses. 5/24 - First, we start with Matt. 7:1,"Judge not lest ye be judged" 5/31 - "speaking those things which be not as though they were" 6/07 - Malachi 3:10, "Bringing tithes & opening the windows of heaven" 6/21 – Prov. 29:18, "where there is no vision, the people perish" 6/28 - Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." 7/05 - "God will not put more on us than we can bear" A few weeks ago, we had Global Hope India with us to talk about ministry to India. As believers, we are all called to fulfill t...