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2025 Church Theme, Testimony, NYE Service (Pastoral Emphasis for 12/29)

2025 Church Theme: "On Mission"   As we prepare to step into a new year, our church family is excited to embrace the 2025 theme: “On Mission.” This powerful theme calls us to align every aspect of our lives with God's purposes, particularly the call to share the gospel and demonstrate His love to others. Being "on mission" is more than a phrase—it's a way of life. It challenges us to see the everyday moments of our lives—our work, relationships, community involvement, and daily activities—as divine opportunities to reflect Christ and advance His Kingdom. This year, we’ll journey together to deepen our understanding of what it means to live "on mission" and, most importantly, to put it into practice.  As we go through 2025, expect opportunities to grow spiritually, engage in outreach, and see God move in transformative ways. Let’s commit together to live with intentionality, seeing every interaction as an opportunity to demonstrate Christ’s love...

Merry Christmas, NYE Service, '25 Church Theme (Pastoral Emphasis for 12/22)

Merry Christmas to All!     Today, we had a wonderful Christmas Worship Service with singing, dance, signing, and a brief sermon to help us Worship the King . As we celebrate this Christmas season, I pray that you experience the true joy of Christmas: Knowing that our Savior was born to save His people from their sins. Regardless of what you find under the tree this year, remember that the greatest gift of all was hung on the tree for our salvation. That gift, Jesus Christ, is available to all who place their faith in Him. Let this be a time to reflect on the immeasurable love God has for us.  ---  A Special Announcement We rejoice as Bro. Daquon Johnson has rededicated his life to Christ ! This decision is a beautiful reminder of God’s ongoing work in our lives and His faithfulness in calling us back to Him. Please keep Daquon in your prayers as he grows in faith and walks closely with the Lord.  ---  New Year’s Eve Service: A Night of Gratitude and Worshi...

Welcome to the Family, Verse by Verse, Christmas Service (Pastoral Emphasis for 12/15)

Welcome to the Family A warm Mt. Zion welcome to Yvonne Campbell , who recently trusted Christ as her personal Savior and joined our church family! We also extend our joy to Sis. Regine Reed , who has completed the New Member Orientation and Membership Interview process. Welcome to the family, Yvonne and Regine! We are excited to see how God will work in and through your lives as part of this community.  ---  Verse by Verse Challenge – Final Day! Today marks the conclusion of our Verse by Verse Challenge , a mission to translate the Gospel of Mark into the language of the Oma people, an unreached group in Southeast Asia. For $35 per verse , you can contribute to bringing the Word of God to those who have never heard it in their native tongue. If you haven’t given yet, it’s not too late! Simply include the note “Verse by Verse” when making your Love or Special Events Offering . Together, let’s ensure the Gospel reaches every corner of the world. Thank you for your gene...

Recently Joined, Verse by Verse Challenge, Worship the King (Pastoral Emphasis for 12/8)

Recently Joined We rejoice as Curtis Martin has recently joined and rededicated his life to Christ. Curtis is the son of Sister Francine Thorne, and God saved his life when he had a horrific car accident.   ---  Explore the Bible Display  Take a moment to visit our Bible Display from Pioneer Bible Translators. It’s a visual reminder of both the abundance of God’s Word available to us and the need for translation in many parts of the world. The display is divided into three sections:  Translated Bibles : Representing languages where God’s Word is now accessible.  In Progress : Showcasing ongoing translation efforts.  Empty Section : A solemn symbol for the people who still lack access to the Bible in their native language.  Let this display inspire us to pray, give, and support the mission of Bible translation worldwide.  ---  Join the Verse by Verse Challenge We are partnering with Pioneer Bible Translators to bring the Gospel of Mark t...

December Birthdays & Anniversaries, Bible Display, Verse by Verse Challenge (Pastoral Emphasis for 12/1)

As we step into December, it's a time for reflection, celebration, and coming together as a community. Here’s what’s happening this month in our church family:  ---  🎉 Birthdays and Anniversaries December is a special month for many in our congregation. Let’s take time to celebrate these milestones:  Birthdays : Join us in wishing a heartfelt “Happy Birthday” to all who are celebrating this month.  Anniversaries : We wish “Happy Anniversary” to these couples and ask God to bless their commitment to one another.   ðŸŒŸ December Senior Birthday Surprise We are also excited to celebrate Deaconess Peggy Credle with a special birthday surprise. Let’s make her feel loved and appreciated for all she does in our church community.  ---  📖 Theological Seminar: The Forge Mark your calendar for Thursday, December 7, at 9:00 AM. We will gather for a special Theological Seminar featuring The Forge . This event will include a viewing of the seminar followed by a...

Verse by Verse Challenge, Happy Thanksgiving, The Forge (Pastoral Emphasis for 11/24)

As we move through this season of gratitude and giving, we are reminded of the many ways we can come together as a community to make a difference. Here are the latest updates and opportunities for you to participate and grow in faith this month.   ---  Angel Tree Reminder The Angel Tree is a wonderful opportunity to bless children from families in need this holiday season. If you’ve taken an angel, please remember to bring your gifts to AC2 on or before Wednesday, 11/29 . Together, we can share Christ’s love and make this season a little brighter for those in need.   ---  Verse by Verse Challenge Did you know that over 2,000 languages around the world still do not have a Bible translation? This month, we are supporting Pioneer Bible Translators through our Verse by Verse Challenge . Our mission: Translate the Gospel of Mark into the language of the Oma people , an unreached group in Southeast Asia. While a small, growing community of Oma Christians exis...

The Forge, Church-Wide Prayer Rally, Verse by Verse Challenge (Pastoral Emphasis for 11/17)

As the year comes to a close, our church community is gearing up for a season of giving, reflection, and spiritual growth. We have several exciting opportunities to come together, deepen our faith, and bless others. Here’s how you can get involved: ---  Angel Tree: Be a Blessing This Christmas Our Seasoned Sisters are leading a heartfelt initiative to bless children from families in need through the Angel Tree program. Here’s how you can participate:  Select Your Angel : Choose a child from the Angel Tree.  Register Your Angel : Stop by the table to officially register your Angel.  Bring Your Gifts : Deliver your gifts to AC2 no later than 11/29 .   Let’s come together to ensure every child experiences the joy and love of the Christmas season!  ---  The Forge: A Special Theological Seminar Series For the final Theological Seminar of the year, we’re doing something extraordinary. We’ll be screening The Forge —a powerful film exploring faith, str...

Hurricane Relief, Angel Tree, Happy Veterans Day (Pastoral Emphasis for 11/10)

Please be in prayer for the Carrington family, as Bro. Warren Carrington, who was a new member, passed away recently. Keep his widow in prayer. Due to your generosity, we raised $10K for the hurricane relief . We'll be donating to the NC Baptist on Mission to help those in western Carolina.    Our Seasoned Sisters invite you to be a blessing to children of families in need by participating in the Angel Tree . So today, 11/17, and 11/24, select your Angel(s) and then stop by the table to register your Angel. Bring your gifts to AC2 on or before 11/29.    Tomorrow is Veterans Day where we honor the military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Happy Veterans Day to all of our veterans!   Here are some of my thoughts on the election results . As believers, let's NOT demonize those who voted differently than us or have different political views. People vote the way they vote based on a variety of reasons. And it doesn't mean that they are far-right racists ...

November Birthdays & Anniversaries, Corral Riding Opportunity, Car Show (Pastoral Emphasis for 11/3)

Happy Birthday to our November babies... Happy Anniversary to our November couples... Our November Senior Birthday Surprise goes to Sis. Waunnell Smith!   Ladies: We are looking for 15 MZ Women volunteers (who must be over the age of 18) during our upcoming Saturday Nov, 16th on site visit to the Corral Riding Mission at their Cary location from 12 to 2pm. We only have two ladies so far but we want to make sure each of the 15 young ladies of Corral have a "one to one" fellowship experience during this lunch visit. The only requirement for you to assist us is to bring a positive Mt. Zion attitude!!! Please sign up / register by Thursday, Nov 14th using the registration method attached within our REALM system , so we can make this program successful like our other prior visits!!!    We're having a Father/Son/Mentee/Discipleship Automobile Show on 11/9 at 8am called Clean 'Em Up & Bring 'Em Out . If you would like to showcase your vehicle, bring it out and le...

Clean 'Em Up & Bring 'Em Out, Not a Competition, Vote with Biblical Wisdom (Pastoral Emphasis for 10/27)

We welcome our newest members who has completed NMO & their Membership Interview): Zach & Nicole Williams  We're having a special event for our next Men's Image Bearers Meeting on 11/9 at 8am called Clean 'Em Up & Bring 'Em Out . It will be a Father/Son/Mentee/Discipleship Automobile Show. If you would like to showcase your vehicle, bring it out and let's have a fun time of fellowship and getting to know one another.  You are invited to attend the Missions:Together Conference on 11/2 to reignite your passion for missions and gain practical tools to make a difference. Our emphasis will be on our competition with the Kingdom of Darkness — not with each other! Learn from four exciting speakers and four breakout sessions. Meet exhibitors representing the spectrum of missions work.  Missions:Together Conference, " Not a Competition " will be hosted at The Summit Church in Apex. Come out to be equipped with practical tools and teaching to reignite y...

Recently Joined, M:T Prayer & Conference, Join the Prayer Team (Pastoral Emphasis)

We welcome the following couple who recently joined on Christian experience:  Quan & Jacqueline Rawls As we anticipate the Missions:Together Conference, join with others at Trinity Community Church on 10/21 at 7 PM for a M:T Prayer Gathering . We will be praying for gospel unity, a passion for missions, and meaningful ministry connections.    (RSS Subscribers: Click here to see video) Register today for Missions:Together Conference , "Not a Competition", on Saturday, 11/2, hosted at The Summit Church in Apex. Come out to be equipped with practical tools and teaching to reignite your passion for the Great Commission. The event is free with lunch provided.  Since prayer is the strategy and fuel for missions, there will be a dedicated prayer team at the conference that will be praying during the conference and for people as needed. The conference prayer team is looking for prayer warriors and intercessors to join them in prayer. So if you're interested, please le...

My Hope Sunday, M:T Not a Competition, Prayer Gathering (Pastoral Emphasis for 10/13)

Today was My Hope Sunday ! We had several invited guests, and my message was from 1 Samuel 8:4-9 on "Looking for a Savior".  Israel wanted a king like the other nations who would “save” them. This is the very definition of a functional savior. A functional savior is anything or anyone a person looks to for ultimate hope, security, identity, or fulfillment in place of God. Whatever you look to to “save” you from your problems, fears, or insecurities is your functional savior. But all of our functional saviors cannot save us. Jesus is the Savior we really need!  Our greatest need in this life and the life to come is to have our sins forgiven by trusting in Jesus as our Lord and Savior! Today, my wife shared her My Hope Testimony .   (RSS Subscribers: click here to watch the video) Missions:Together’s "Not a Competition" is a powerful missions gathering designed to re-ignite your passion for missions on Saturday, November 2, hosted at The Summit Church in Apex. Wheth...

Mortgage Burning Ceremony (10.6.24)

Today is a day of celebration and gratitude as we come together to witness the burning of our church’s mortgage! This moment represents years of faith, commitment, and sacrificial giving from this congregation. It’s a testament to God’s faithfulness and the dedication of His people. What we are celebrating today is not just the end of a financial obligation, but the beginning of new possibilities for missions, outreach, and service in our community.   ---     Psalm 127:1 says, ‘Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.’   This building has been more than just bricks and mortar; it has been a spiritual home where so many lives have been touched by the gospel. We recognize that while we’ve paid off the mortgage, it is the Lord who has truly built this house, sustaining us through every season.   --- History of the Vision         Though this chapter is closing, the mission God has ...

Hurricane Relief, October Birthdays & Anniversaries, My Hope (Pastoral Emphasis for 10/6)

We welcome the following people who recently joined : Ailene Green - Joined, Rededicated Her Life to Christ, and Candidate for Baptism  Lester Thomas – Joined on Christian Experience & wife, Karyn, joined on Watchcare.    We all know that Hurricane Helene devastated western NC and areas in Georgia and Florida. The last I heard was that the death toll had reached 228. Hurricanes and natural disasters are a reminder that we live in a fallen, sin-cursed world. Suffering and pain is supposed to awaken people to their need for God. It is also an opportunity for the church to respond with aid and the gospel. Mt. Zion is going to support the Baptists on Mission . They are responding in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in the mountains of western North Carolina. They've set up large feeding units in Boone, Marion and in Arden. In addition, they are setting up recovery sites in Boone, Spruce Pine, Hendersonville, Marion and a number of other areas. Not only do the Baptists o...

Singles Gathering, Community Life Fair, My Hope Sunday (Pastoral Emphasis for 9/29)

We welcome our newest member who completed her NMO and membership interview: Davin Edwards  The Singles Ministry is having a Singles Fellowship Gathering on Saturday, October 5th, 4:00pm at Gab's Place (the address is in the Realm event). All singles (never married, divorced, widowed) of all ages are welcome but please RSVP if you plan to attend.      Please come out and support our Community Life Fair on 10/5. The event will be indoors. There will be something for everyone! We've added a Career Development Sessions so bring your resume and/or questions and meet with our expert for 15 minutes and freshen up your resume or ask any interviewing questions you may have. We're also having Senior Saints Day Part 2 . Any senior saints who need transportation to the church, please contact sister Aretha Cooper or any member of the Care Ministry or the church office by Wednesday, 10/2 to coordinate the pick-up.  Don't forget that next Sunday, 10/6, we will have our Mor...

Missions: Together, Mortgage Burning Ceremony, My Hope Sunday (Pastoral Emphasis for 9/22)

We welcome the following family that came forward last week to join on Christian Experience: Zach & LeAnn Williams (with their son, Trey) One of our church initiatives is partnering with Missions: Together which is a collective that desire to ignite the passion of missions in churches. We're putting on a conference in NYC next weekend which I will be participating (but I'll be back for Sunday). Mark your calendar for our next M:T conference in our area on 11/2 in Apex. You can register here . Just a reminder that on 10/6, we will have our Mortgage Burning Ceremony immediately after the service. It will be a short ceremony as we celebrate God's faithfulness to Mt. Zion.    Our next My Hope Sunday will be October 13. All of our members are asked to commit to inviting at least one unbeliever or unchurched person to join us at church on My Hope Sunday. During that service, we will share the hope we have in Jesus Christ. At the Welcome Center, we have commitment cards wh...

Church-Wide Prayer Rally, ASIST Training, New Sermon Series (Pastoral Emphasis for 9/15)

We welcome our newest member (completed NMO & Membership Interview). who grew up at Mt. Zion and is now returning for adult membership: Briana Martin  Our next church-wide prayer gathering is Tuesday, 9/17, from 7- 8pm. The children's ministry is hosting but all are invited to participate. You can submit prayer requests online or in the prayer box at the back of the sanctuary.  September is Suicide Prevention Month. Mt. Zion is sponsoring Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training , a Living Works program. LivingWorks ASIST is a two-day in-person workshop featuring powerful audiovisuals, discussions, and simulations. Trainers are Deaconess Tasha Smith and Minister Rasheeda Oliver. We had a second interest meeting about the Mt. Zion Biblical Counseling Certification program after the service today in Adult Classroom 3. If you missed the meeting but would like to get the info, please contact me. Next Sunday, we're starting a new sermon series in the book of 1 Corinthia...

Biblical Counseling Certification, Fall Spruce Up, Men's Bowling (Pastoral Emphasis for 9/8)

Mt. Zion is starting a Biblical Counseling Certification program. If you want to learn more about it, there will be another interest meeting next Sunday, 9/15, right after the service in Adult Classroom 3. For those who have already signed up for the program, please attend (if you can) as more details about next steps will be shared.  It's time again for us to clean God's house. Join us on this Saturday, 9/14 for our Fall SPRUCE UP . We will begin at 9 am and end at 12 pm. All are invited to volunteer as much time as you're able.    Men, our Image Bearers Men's Ministry is hosting a time of fellowship and fun at Kings Bowling at North Hills in Raleigh on Saturday, 9/14 from 11am to 1pm. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Bowling shoes are include or bring you rown. We ask that each man attending would donate $20 towards the event. Men, let's come out to participate in the Spruce Up from 9 to 10:30 am, and then we'll go bowling. Please RSVP wit...

September Birthdays & Anniversaries, The Rhythm of Joy, Happy Labor Day (Pastoral Emphasis for 9/1)

We recognize those who recently came forward to rededicate her life to Christ: Sis. Danielle Mtika Happy Birthday to our September babies...   Happy Anniversary to our September couples... Our September Senior Birthday Surprise is Sis. Daureen Richards  The Rhythm of Joy: A Gospel Experience is happening on Sept 7th at 6pm at the Cary Arts Center. This is an opportunity to minister the word through music. Invite a friend or neighbor to join you to hear some good music. e will be sponsoring a coat & winter accessory collection for the students of Northwoods elementary school starting at 5pm. Donations should fit children from the ages of 4-11years old, sized accordingly in children/youth. Please see Sis. Kim Roberts for any questions.  Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. If you have the day off tomorrow, rest and give thanks to God for it is He who gives us the strength and ability to work and make wealth...

Back to School Prayer, The Rhythm of Joy, Corral Riding (Pastoral Emphasis for 8/25)

  Today, we did our Back to School Prayer for our children, parents, and school staff as they start a new school year.   Please pray for the following members who are experiencing bereavements : Ch'ressa Johnson – passing of father Deaconess Shirley Smith – passing of nephew in Georgia Jason Fenner – passing of father Aretha Cooper – passing of her uncle who was 88 years old   Mt Zion will participate in The Rhythm of Joy: A Gospel Experience on Sept 7th at 6pm at the Cary Arts Center. This is an opportunity to minister the word through music. It is also an opportunity to showcase North Carolina Gospel Artists & Choirs in an effort to support the regional talent. Please pick up a postcard in the lobby and invite a friend or neighbor to join you to hear some good music. Our worship ministry has been asked to sing in the Community Unity Choir. If you would like to sing in this choir, the first rehearsal will be held at Cary First Christian (1100 Evan Rd) on Aug 28th...