the Logos

Town Hall, Ecuador Info Meeting, Restrict Movement (Pastoral Emphasis for 2/5)

2012-02-05T18:48:00.000-05:00

We presented our proposal for realigning our ministries to our Discipleship Model at the Church Family Meeting. We will email what was presented to all members this week. Make sure we have your current email address. Our Town Hall meeting on 2/18 at 9am will be devoted to discussing and getting your feedback on this ministry realignment.

The next Bible Study series, "SERVICE ROOTED IN GRACE," will begin on this Wednesday at 7:00pm. We progress in the Christian life when we see our sin as first and foremost against a Holy God. We are sinners saved by grace. Join us for this exciting new series.

I'm happy to announce that Sis. Angela Cody will deliver her Initial Sermon on Sunday, February 19th, at 4:00pm. Everyone is invited to join us.

Don't forget that the Ecuador trip info meeting is tomorrow at Cary Church of God (on Evans Road) at 6:30pm. Pick up a brochure at the Welcome Center.

As a reminder, we ask everyone to restrict movement during the Call to Discipleship. Some of you have legitimate reasons for leaving right after the sermon (health, job). But don't just receive and leave! Pray that others would come to faith in Christ. Pray for your brother and sisters who are at the altar for prayer. When one part of our body suffers, we all suffer. Let's show our concern for one another by being patient to wait for those who might respond to God's calling and those in need of prayer.

Church Family Meeting, Blood Drive, Ecuador Interest Meeting (Pastoral Emphasis for 1/29)

2012-01-29T16:38:00.000-05:00

Project: Serve Thy Neighbor is happening now. We want to do at least one act of service for a neighbor. Check out the Radical Love website for different ideas on how to serve your neighbor. I'm asking all families to participate and sign-up on the website or use the Connection Card.

Thanks to all parents who attended the "Upgrading Your Parental Software" seminar on yesterday. It was a great success and I want to thank the youth directors, Deacon and Deaconess Jerkins, for their research and hard work with putting on the seminar.

The Church Family Meeting is tomorrow (1/30) at 7:00pm. All members are asked to be present. This is an important meeting to attend as we want to share some ideas we're working on for realigning our ministries to our Discipleship Model.

On Saturday, February 4th, a local chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity is sponsoring a blood drive by the American Red Cross here at Mt. Zion from 9:30am to 2:00pm. Since this is tied to the Cary community, the Mayor of Cary is coming to show his support. Please come out and donate blood.

It's time to start thinking about this year's mission trip to Ecuador. Cary Church of God is having their first interest meeting on February 6th at 6:30pm.

Giving statements for last year are available for pick up at the Welcome Center.

Church Family Meeting, Make WAR, Baptisms (Pastoral Emphasis for 1/22)

2012-01-22T22:32:00.000-05:00

Project: Serve Thy Neighbor is happening now. Check out the Radical Love website for different ideas on how to serve your neighbor. I'm asking all families to participate and sign-up on the website.

One of our objectives this year is to help equip parents so we are hosting the "Upgrading Your Parental Software" seminar on Saturday, January 28th, from 10am to 2pm. Please register online.

The next Church Family Meeting is January 30th, at 7:00pm. All members are asked to be present. This is an important meeting to attend as we want to share some ideas we're working on for realigning our ministries to our Discipleship Model.

Next Sunday, we're starting a new series called "Make WAR". As Christians we can't not be passive about sin but must fight it. Don't miss the first sermon because it will be foundational for the rest of the series. Invite friends, family, believers, & unbelievers to this series.

One of the great privileges of being a pastor is dedicating children and baptizing people. So today was a great day as I dedicated a young girl and baptized five people. All glory and praise to God for His grace towards us!

MLK & the Gospel, Upgrading Your Parental Software (Pastoral Emphasis for 1/15)

2012-01-15T22:47:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is the MLK holiday to celebrate his birthday. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream was not just about black advancement but racial harmony and equality. We can find this in the Gospel.

Ephesians 2:11-16 (ESV): Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

The dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile has been removed by Christ. As Christ reconciled sinners back to God through His death on the Cross, He has also reconciled people to one another. In Christ, we are all equal. There is no prejudice in Christ. So in honor of Martin Luther King's dream and more importantly the Gospel, let us continually strive towards racial harmony especially in the church.

Today, Mt. Zion ministered at Cary Health & Rehab Center. Our Children's Choir, the JA Lewis Choir, sang and Elder Bullock gave a short message on faith and relying on God's Word. I had the opportunity to talk with one of the residence whose name is Scott. He was in a a wheelchair due to an aneurysm. But he recognized that the aneurysm was a gift from God because it stopped him from his destructive ways. I also found out that we shared one thing in common...that we both lived in Michigan for a while. I prayed with Scott and was very encouraged by our conversation.

This quarter, we are doing Project: Serve Thy Neighbor. We want to do at least one act of service for a neighbor. Go to the website to sign-up and get different service ideas.

All parents (especially of teens & pre-teens), we are hosting the "Upgrading Your Parental Software" seminar on Saturday, January 28th, from 10am to 2pm. This event will be a presentation on the modern application of biblical parenting skills, as well as an in-depth look at the contemporary issues and obstacles that we face in parenting a child today. Please sign up online.

Update Your Info, Serve Thy Neighbor, Book Recommendations (Pastoral Emphasis for 1/8)

2012-01-08T16:08:00.001-05:00

The start of a new year is a good time for our members to update the church if your info (address, phone number, email address) has changed. You may use the "Connections" card in the bulletin, contact the church secretary at 919-469-5323 (ext. 3), or send an email to mzsectry@mtzioncary.org.

We had a great start to our Wednesday Bible Study on Christ in the OT as the Angel of the Lord. Christ was active in human history long before His incarnation in Bethlehem. His appearance as the Angel of the Lord will increase our understanding of Christ's role in the OT and how the Bible really is all about Christ.

Our Radical Experiment has concluded. I hope many were able to read the entire Bible last year. If not, make it a priority to read through the whole Bible this year.

Our theme for 2012 is Missional: Sent by God on the Mission of God. One of the key Scriptures is John 20:21: Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."

In keeping with our theme, I recommend everyone read "Radical Together" by David Platt

Last quarter we started the initiative Radical Love with the Project: Know Thy Neighbor. This quarter, we are doing Project: Serve Thy Neighbor. We want to do at least one act of service for a neighbor. We'll have our website updated soon with different practical ideas on how you can serve your neighbors.

In preparation for God providing opportunities to share the Gospel with our neighbors, I recommend everyone to read "The Gospel & Personal Evangelism" by Mark Dever.

Thanks to all who sacrificed to give more. We are moving in the right direction. We are asking that you please continue to give more at least 5% more. If you are able to give more, please do so.

2012 Theme: MISSIONAL: Sent by God on the Mission of God

2012-01-02T12:17:00.000-05:00

Our theme for 2012 is "Missional: Sent by God on the Mission of God".

About 40 times in the Gospel of John, Jesus declares that the Father sent Him. The incarnation is the sending of the second Person of the Trinity into human history as a missionary. Likewise, Jesus tells us that He is sending us as missionaries into different cultures by the power of the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we are called and sent into the world to spread the Gospel in our communities and around the world. We must not shrink back and stay in our holy huddle. Christ did not stay in His holy huddle (with the Father and Holy Spirit) but He came into our world to redeem us. That means we must go out into the world where the lost are and tell them about a King who calls all men and women to repent and believe the Gospel. Jesus dressed, spoke, and ate according to Jewish culture, participated in their holidays, and observed their customs without sinning. So Christians are to also live as missionaries in whatever culture God has sent them. Every Christian is a missionary whether we minister across the street or across the globe.

The Church Exists by Mission

Harvey Turner

"The Church exists by mission as a fire exists by burning." - Emil Brunner

From time to time, I talk to pastors and church leaders, especially those in the camp of reformed theology, that say things like, “We're a church that's all about discipleship,” or “We're just a church that's trying to go deep.” What I have found over the years is that, much of the time, this is an excuse for them not doing any type of evangelism. I have also found it misleading. I would contend you are not deep as a church or good at discipleship as a church, unless people are getting saved and baptized as a church.

“Is the church even a church, biblically speaking, if people are not meeting Jesus?”

You can geek out on a 72 week series on Ephesians 1:3-14, but how do you teach the New Testament with such passion and go deep without coming to the conclusion you’re supposed to reach lost people. Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).

The New Testament on Mission

Think about every verse in the New Testament in the context of gospel-centered mission. The gospels, themselves, present the mission of God as Jesus accomplishes his part of the mission:

Matthew presents him as the King on mission
Mark presents him as the Servant on mission
Luke presents him as the Perfect Man on mission
John presents him as God on mission

Be On Mission Like Jesus

At the end of the Gospel of John; Jesus said, “as the father has sent me [on mission], so I send you [on mission]" (John 20:21). And of course there are the Great Commission passages in Matthew 28 and Luke 24 which are the catapults for the rest of the New Testament—a handbook for mission.

It would be difficult to read or teach the book of Acts without being overwhelmed by the evangelistic emphasis
The book of Romans is the message of the mission
1st and 2nd Corinthians deal with conflict and church discipline on mission
The book of Galatians defends the gospel mission from religion
The book of Ephesians emphasizes the church on mission
The pastoral epistles describes the leaders of the mission
And the book of Revelation describes to us the completion and goal of the mission

If Jesus sent his people into the world to be disciples who make disciples by baptizing, teaching, and then sending them to go teach others, and we are not doing that, isn’t that disobedience? Is the church even a church, biblically speaking, if people are not meeting Jesus? My contention is the church is not the church unless it’s on Christ's evangelistic mission.

Jesus Ripped Up Santa's List | The Resurgence

2011-12-21T17:49:00.002-05:00

They say Santa is checking his list to see who is naughty or nice. The sad fact is that we're all on the naughty list. But I'm so glad that Jesus has ripped up that list by His death on the Cross and resurrection from the dead!

"You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross." Colossians 2:13-15 (NLT)

Jesus Ripped Up Santa's List

Jen Smidt »

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God - Ephesians 2:8

As a family, we are in the midst of celebrating the Christmas season which includes viewing all the holiday classics (Heat Miser is my favorite character) and reading all the old standbys and new favorites. My daughter has checked out 116 Christmas titles from the library with every variation on the nativity story you can imagine. Narrators to the events of that holy night have included the voice of a snowman, a mouse, and even a seahorse.
The shelves overflow with Santa stories ranging from the troubles he encounters when he goes digital with the naughty or nice list to the ways he determines who is naughty or nice. The Santa books far outweigh the nativity books because Santa is a guy we can get our heads around…we like the list. We like the neat and tidy categories that the list offers and the obvious ramifications of our behavior.

“We have been given a Savior who drenches us in his righteousness and does not add up our deeds – good or bad – into a tally for a quantifiable list.”

We have even successfully marketed a $30 “helper” (watch the video) to make sure we manipulate our children into good behavior so they can make the list—if only for those precious 24 days when the elf is watching. They are described as:

Excellent listeners and even better observers, these scout elves are the eyes and ears of Santa Claus. Although they cannot be touched, or else they may lose their magic, the elf will always listen and relay messages back to Santa. Taking in all the day-to-day activities around the house, no good deed goes unnoticed; these scout elves take their job seriously.

Why we are willing to trust the pointy-eared gnome and not the baby in the manger?

Naughty or Nice?

Certainly we have a hard time determining if someone is naughty or nice. It’s not as simple as, “All Christians go on the nice list and all those other guys, the heathens? Clearly, they deserve a spot on the dreaded naughty list.”

The Bible makes it simple though: we all make the naughty list. None is righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:10). That’s bad news.

The Gift of Good News

The good news is that, despite our list making tendencies and legalistic leanings, the list was crushed by the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes. He is the only one who made the list. Because he made the list, we are given the gift of him. His righteousness, his perfection, and his “niceness” are bestowed upon us with list-shattering grace.

Don’t Diminish the Babe into a Toy

We are offered something much greater than a shelf-bound elf that will hopefully report our good deeds to the red-suited guy up north so we can receive blessings. We are offered the grace of God who appeared in a lowly manger as a helpless baby. Sometimes it seems easier to hang our hopes on the elf.

Grace Doesn’t Make Sense

We have been given a Savior who drenches us in his righteousness and does not add up our deeds – good or bad – into a tally for a quantifiable list. It never makes sense in the economy of good=blessing, bad=coal. By grace, our badness becomes righteousness. Our “goodness” often needs to be repented of because it dismissed the necessity of Christ.
Everything about this gift of Jesus given at Christmas is radical—turning bad into good, babes into kings, legalistic lists into glorious grace. Merry Christmas!

Haiti Mission Trip, Holiday Schedule, Jr. Deacons (Pastoral Emphasis for 12/18)

2011-12-18T18:07:00.000-05:00

Radical Experiment 2011 Update

Today's Scripture Reading: Hebrews 1-6 (We have read 96% of the Bible so far. Almost done!)
Today's Country: Vietnam (52% Buddhist)
Spend time in another context: Give some of your time to help make the gospel known outside of your normal context (different community, city, nation). We have a team going to Haiti in a few weeks on January 1. We prayed for our Haiti Mission Trip Team. Please continue to pray for their safety and that their trip will be fruitful.

Haiti Mission Trip Team:

Deacon Rufus Credle
Deacon George Brown
Sis. Nicole Sawyer
Sis. Stephanie Baker

There's still time to join Project: Know Thy Neighbor. The Christmas holiday is a great time to get to know at least 1 neighbor (one that you don't know at all or know very well). Go to radical.mtzioncary.org/neighbors for ideas on how to get to know your neighbors.

Christ First Christian Fellowship Center is having their 4th Annual Christmas Concert today at 6pm at the Herbert Young Community Center.

Our Holiday Schedule: No Prayer/Testimony Meetings & Bible Studies for the next two weeks. Join us for a 90 minute service on Christmas Sunday at 8am. Our New Year's Eve service at 10pm with Communion after Midnight. We will not have service on New Year's Day.

The Deacons presented $25 certificates to our Junior Deacons. We are very proud of these young men for serving as Junior Deacons.

Part of Radical Experiment is to give sacrificially for a specific purpose. We are asking all members to sacrifice to give more at least 5% more until the end of the year to help with our budget deficient. If you are able to give more, please do so. You can give online here.

Jesus is the answer to cancer

2011-12-16T10:08:00.000-05:00

We live in a sin-cursed, fallen world. Because of sin, our bodies are fragile and decaying. Disease afflicts many of us and our loved ones. Cancer is once again hitting our church family at Mt. Zion. Deaconess Cythnia who had already fought this disease earlier is now facing a new fight, one that we will fight along with her.

But I'm so encouraged by her email below that she gave me permission to share. It is full of the Gospel hope of Jesus Christ. I hope that it encourages you to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus no matter what circumstances life brings your way. Jesus is our only hope!

“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!” Philippians 3: 10-11 NLT

Dear family and friends, it is with mixed emotions that I share news of the “war” to which I am engaged in again. Cancer! Yes, it has returned to attack my brain. So I stand, dressed in the whole armor of God, through faith in Christ Jesus, ready to fight. We will all experience suffering, but pray that we suffer with him, not because of disobedience and ungodly living.

But JESUS is my answer to cancer, for I know that this “battle” is his and the victory is already won! I pray that in my weakness, his strength will be revealed, and fill me with power and confident hope to tell of his immeasurable grace and his tender mercies that abound forever. Because Christ suffered for me and called me into his glorious light, I am determined to keep his commands unto the very end. So, whether I live, I live for Christ, and if I die, it’s better because I have eternal life.

Preparing for the Promise
Lord, we thank You that You are God alone. We know that You are Sovereign and nothing takes You by surprise. Teach us to get prepared, stay prepared, and be prepared to receive the joy of Your promises. Whether they be now or later, we count them as though they already were, because of the blessed assurance we have in You. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!

Know Thy Neighbor, Concluding Election series (Pastoral Emphasis for 12/11)

2011-12-11T15:05:00.001-05:00

Radical Experiment 2011 Update

Today's Scripture Reading: Phil. 1-4
Today's Country: USA
Spend time in another context. Thanks to all who went out yesterday caroling in the neighborhood by the church and the area nursing homes.

The Christmas holiday is a great time for Project: Know Thy Neighbor. Get to know at least 1 neighbor (one that you don't know at all or know very well). Get more details at radical.mtzioncary.org/neighbors.

We conclude our study of the doctrine of "Election" on Wednesday. Also, bring any remaining questions you may still have.

Join us for service on Christmas Sunday at 8am for 90 minutes. Our New Year's Eve service starts at 10pm. We'll have Communion after Midnight and there will be no service on New Year's Day.

We are asking all members to sacrifice to give more at least 5% more until the end of the year to help with our budget deficient. If you are able to give more, please do so. You can give online as well.

Christmas Celebration, Holiday Schedule (Pastoral Emphasis for 12/4)

2011-12-04T21:47:00.001-05:00

Radical Experiment 2011 Update

Today's Scripture Reading: 2 Cor. 1-4
Today's Country: UK (of Great Britain & Northern Ireland)

It's not too late to join the initiative Project: Know Thy Neighbor. 15 families have signed up so far. We want to more to be involved. Holidays are a great time to reach out neighbors. Go to radical.mtzioncary.org/neighbors and sign-up and get ideas on how to get to know your neighbors.

We continue this Wednesday with our study of the doctrine of "Election". Join us and bring a friend.

Right after today's service, we had a meeting in the MPR for those interested in volunteering with the College and Youth Ministries! Thanks to all the volunteers and parents who attended. We look forward to having a great year of making young disciples in 2012.

We are canceling the Town Hall on Saturday. Feel free to submit any questions you might have. Instead, we need your participation that afternoon. We are going caroling int the neighborhood next to the church at 4pm. Right after (around 4:30pm), we will have a Meet & Greet Holiday social. All members and guest are welcome to come. At 5pm, we will have our Christmas program. At 6pm, we go caroling at the area nursing homes.

Heads up on our holiday schedule. We will have service on Christmas Sunday at 8am for 90 minutes. Our New Year's Eve service will start at 10pm. We will have Communion right after Midnight and there will be no service on New Year's Day.

We are asking all members to sacrifice to give more at least 5% more until the end of the year to help with our budget deficient. If you are able to give more, please do so. Thanks to those who have increased their giving, it is greatly appreciated.

Advent, Know Thy Neighbor, Doctrine of Election series (Pastoral Emphasis for 11/27)

2011-11-27T13:54:00.001-05:00

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent means "coming". This is the season where we get ready to celebrate the first coming of Christ, His virgin birth. We also look forward to the second advent when Christ returns for His bride, the church.

Radical Experiment 2011 Update

Today's Scripture Reading: Romans 11-13
Today's Country: Turkmenistan (Asia) (96% Muslim)

Join the initiative Project: Know Thy Neighbor. 15 families have signed up so far. We want to have more families at Mt. Zion to be involved. The holidays are a great time to reach out to neighbors to get to know them.

Join us this Wednesday as we start a new series on the Doctrine of Election (or Predestination) where we tackle the questions, "Does God choose some to be saved but not all?" "Does God show favoritism?" "Is God unfair?"

The College and Youth Ministries are looking for volunteers! There will be an interest meeting briefly after service on next Sunday in the multipurpose room.

We are asking all members to sacrifice to give at least 5% more until the end of the year to help with our budget deficient. If you are able to give more, please do so.

Doctrine of Election series, Volunteers Needed, Initial Sermon (Pastoral Emphasis for 11/20)

2011-11-23T14:03:00.001-05:00

We praise God for the young man (age 18) that came forward last Sunday to place his trust in Christ. He will be getting baptized on Sunday.

Radical Experiment 2011 Update

Today's Scripture Reading: Acts 18-20
Today's Country: Timor Leste (Asia)

We have 14 families have signed up for Project: Know They Neighbor. We want to see more of you involved. The holidays are an excellent time to get to know at least 1 neighbor (one that you don't know at all or know very well). Go to radical.mtzioncary.org/neighbors to sign-up and get ideas on how to get to know your neighbors.

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no Bible Study this Wednesday. On 11/30, we start a new series where we tackle the questions, "Does God choose some to be saved but not all?" "Does God show favoritism?" We'll be studying the doctrine of "Election".

The College and Youth Ministries are looking for volunteers! There will be an interest meeting briefly after service on Sunday, December 4th, in the multipurpose room.

Sunday was a full day. We ministered at Chatham Commons at 2pm. Then at 4pm, Sis. Samantha Hanebeck delivered her Initial Sermon. Her message was "What and Where is Your Treasure?" from Luke 12:22-34. We are so thrilled to see God's grace at work in Minister Hanebeck's life.

Part of Radical Experiment is to give sacrificially for a specific purpose. We are asking all members to sacrifice to give more at least 5% more until the end of the year to help with our budget deficient. If you are able to give more, please do so. You may give online. Your generous giving is greatly appreciated.

Initial Sermon, International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (Pastoral Emphasis for 11/13)

2011-11-13T18:59:00.001-05:00

Radical Experiment 2011 Update

Today's Scripture Reading: Acts 1-3
Today's Country: Switzerland
Spend time in another context: Give some of your time to help make the gospel known outside of your normal context (different community, city, nation).

Thank everyone who went with us to C.A. Dillon. Your presence was greatly appreciated. We ended up only have about 30 minutes for the service but the Gospel was proclaimed and we did get a chance to pray with many of the boys.

Sis. Samantha Hanebeck will deliver her Initial Sermon on next Sunday at 4:00pm. Everyone is invited to join us for this special occasion.

In recognition of Veterans Day on last Friday, we want to thank all who have served our country.

Today is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Please watch this video and then pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering for the faith.

We are asking all members to sacrifice to give at least 5% more until the end of the year to help with our budget deficient. If you are able to give more, please do so. As always, we appreciate your generous giving.

Doctrine of Propitiation, Sacrificial Giving (Pastoral Emphasis for 11/6)

2011-11-06T20:05:00.000-05:00

Radical Experiment 2011 Update

Today's Scripture Reading: John 5-6
Today's Country: St Barthelemy, St Helena, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia

We recognize the artists from the Dominican Republic who painted the mural at the entrance of our children's wing. They did a wonderful job for us and they did it for free.

Pray for us as go to spread the Gospel to the young men at the C.A. Dillon Youth Development Center on this Wednesday. You have to be 18 or older. If you are interested in going, sign up online or fill out connection card.

An important doctrine for us to understand is the doctrine of propitiation. Propitiation is Christ's payment for our sins and the removal of God's wrath. It works to provide our justification (being declared not guilty). Here's the video that we played during the announcement.

Happy Birthday & Anniversary to all celebrating in November.

Part of the Radical Experiment is to give sacrificially for a specific purpose. Our hearts follow our money. One way is to give in a way that is church focused. The church is God's primary agent to make disciples of all nations. Those that attended our last Family Meeting know that we are way behind on our budget for the year. So we are asking all members to sacrifice to give at least 5% or more in their weekly giving until the end of the year. If you are able to give more, please do so. This will be very helpful to us to make sure that we can pay our bills and keep doing our level of ministry work.

Church Family Meeting, My Thoughts on Halloween (Pastoral Emphasis for 10/30)

2011-10-30T18:39:00.000-04:00

Radical Experiment 2011 Update

Today's Scripture Reading: Luke 14-16
Today's Country: South Africa

We have the opportunity to spread the Gospel to the young men at the C.A. Dillon Youth Development Center on Wednesday, 11/9. The Male Choir is going and we want to take as many men as we can. Ladies are welcome to come as well. You have to be 18 or older. If you are interested in going, we will have short meeting after church to discuss.

The Church Family Meeting is tomorrow at 7pm. All members are asked to be present.

Since tomorrow is Halloween, I'd like to share a few thoughts on it. Because there are so many different opinions on this topic, we must think biblically. First, we must guard our hearts so that we are not judgmental. We should not judge harshly other Christians who may differ from us. Colossians 2:16 says, "Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath." As believers, we have been freed from legalistic rules around eating certain foods or celebrating certain festivals. The reality is that the way most people celebrate Halloween, it is just a secular holiday about dressing up and getting candy with no indication of its pagan origin. Excluding any involvement in demonic activity, the celebration of Halloween can be a matter of personal conscience before God. Personally, my family does not celebrate Halloween due to its often glorification of monsters, witchcraft, etc. My wife and I prefer to focus our children on more wholesome imagery. They are free to play dress-up and get candy at any other time of the year. But if you do celebrate Halloween, consider using it as mission field and opportunity to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Services during the Week, C.A. Dillon Youth Development Center, Biblical Masculinity (Pastoral Emphasis for 10/23)

2011-10-23T19:30:00.000-04:00

Radical Experiment 2011 Update

Today's Scripture Reading: Luke 1
Today's Country: Kosovo, Serbia
Spend time in another context: Give some of your time to help make the gospel known outside of your normal context (different community, city, nation).
Sacrifice your money for a specific purpose: Our hearts follow our money. One way is to give in a way that is church focused. The church is God’s primary agent to make disciples of all nations.

Don't forget to join us during the week for Prayer & Testimony service on Tuesday at 7pm, Bible Study on Wednesday at 7pm (current series: "The Gospel Defined"), Bible Study on Thursday at 9am.

We have the opportunity to spread the Gospel to the young men at the C.A. Dillon Youth Development Center on Wednesday, 11/9. The Male Choir is going and we want to take as many men as we can. Ladies are welcome to come as well. You have to be 18 or older. If you are interested in going, please sign up online or use the connection card. We will have short meeting after church next Sunday to discuss.

Speaking of men, we have a great, short video during the announcements discussing biblical masculinity.

Radical Experiment Update, Know Thy Neighbor (Pastoral Emphasis for 10/16)

2011-10-16T21:50:00.000-04:00

Radical Experiment 2011 Update

Today's Scripture Reading: Mark 4-5
Today's Country: Russia
Spend time in another context: Give some of your time to help make the gospel known outside of your normal context (different community, city, nation). Today, Mt. Zion will minister at Cary Health & Rehab Center on at 2:00pm.
Sacrifice your money for a specific purpose: Our hearts follow our money. One way is to give in a way that is church focused. The church is God’s primary agent to make disciples of all nations.

Join the initiative Project: Know Thy Neighbor. 13 families have signed up so far.We want to take the Gospel to our neighborhoods but it begins with us reaching out and getting to know our neighbors. Check out the website for practical ideas on how to reach out to neighbors.

Sacrifice Money for Specific Purpose, Invitation Cards, Counterfeit Gospels (Pastoral Emphasis for 10/9)

2011-10-09T14:48:00.000-04:00

Radical Experiment 2011 Update

Today’s Scripture Reading: Matthew 18-19
Today’s Country: Reunion (Africa)
Spend time in another context: Give some of your time to help make the gospel known outside of your normal context (different community, city, nation).
Sacrifice your money for a specific purpose: Our hearts follow our money. One way is to give in a way that is church focused. The church is God's primary agent to make disciples of all nations.

We have invitation cards available at the Welcome Center that you can use to invite people to Mt. Zion. To make sure we have enough to go around, we ask that you initially only take up to 5. Make sure that you use them.

We had a great kick-off to our new Wednesday series, "The Gospel Defined". We continue this Wednesday to look at the problem with these counterfeit gospels: moralistic gospel, therapeutic gospel, and prosperity gospel. Join us and bring a friend.

How to Be Made Right with God, New series "The Gospel Defined" (Pastoral Emphasis for 10/2)

2011-10-02T19:56:00.000-04:00

Radical Experiment 2011 Update

Today's Scripture Reading: Matthew 1-4
Today's Country: Peru (Latin America)
Commit your life to a multiplying community: commit your life to a local church that needs you and whom you need.
Spend time in another context: Give some of your time to help make the gospel known outside of your normal context (different community, city, nation).

Thanks to all who attended our Fall Renewal Services. Pastor Wright preached "God is a Keeper", Pastor Wilson preached "Watch Your Friends", and Pastor Charles Rainey preached "It's Not Over". I hope that the Word of God has refreshed and renewed your spiritual walk with Christ.

Today at 4pm, I spoke at Scott's Grove Church on Highway 55. I preached "How to Be Made Right with God" from Romans 3:21-31. The major points from the text are:

People are made right with God apart from the Law.
People are made right with God through faith in Christ.
Being made right with God is for all people.
People are made right with God by grace.
People are made right with God at great cost.
People are made right with God in perfect justice.
People are made right with God to establish the Law.

To be justified means to be declared "not guilty". It is what puts us in right standing with God. We are not justified by works of the Law but by faith alone in Christ alone!

Don't forget to sign-up to be a part of our initiative Project: Know Thy Neighbor.

If we're going to share the Gospel with our neighbors then we better understand what the Gospel is. Is the Gospel "God loves you and has a plan for your life"? Join us this Wednesday at 7pm for the start of our new series, "The Gospel Defined".

Fall Renewal Services, Speaking Engagement, Town Hall canceled (Pastoral Emphasis for 9/25)

2011-09-29T21:53:00.001-04:00

Radical Experiment 2011 Update

Today's Scripture Reading: Micah 1-7
Today's Country: Pakistan (Asia) (96% Muslim)
Commit your life to a multiplying community: commit your life to a local church that needs you and whom you need.
Spend time in another context: Give some of your time to help make the gospel known outside of your normal context (different community, city, nation). Ladies: We will be serving dinner to the ladies at the Helen Wright Center on Thursday, September 29th.

Fall Renewal Services concludes on this Wednesday at 7:00pm. Pastor Wright preached "God is a Keeper" and Pastor Wilson preached "Watch your Friends". Pastor Charles Rainey of Cary First Christian Church will be our speaker.

On next Sunday, I will be speaking at Scott's Grove Church on Highway 55 at 4:00pm. Everyone is invited to attend.

We are canceling the next Town Hall in October. But feel free to submit any questions or feedback you may have.

Youth Fall Renewal Service, Know Thy Neighbor, Ushers 55th Anniversary (Pastoral Emphasis for 9/18)

2011-09-18T15:07:00.001-04:00

Radical Experiment 2011 Update

Today's Scripture Reading: Daniel 10-12
Today's Country: Niger (Africa) (97% Muslim)
Commit your life to a multiplying community: commit your life to a local church that needs you and whom you need.
Spend time in another context: Give some of your time to help make the gospel known outside of your normal context (different community, city, nation). Mt. Zion will minister at Phoenix Assisted Care today at 2:00pm.

Fall Renewal Services continue on this Wednesday at 7:00pm. We want all of our youth there (parents bring them out). Pastor Patricio Wilson of Christ Family Church will be our speaker.

We have started a new initiative under the theme Radical Love called Project: Know Thy Neighbor. As Christians, we are to love and serve Christ and our neighbors. You cannot love and serve your neighbor if you do not know that neighbor. Join me and others in getting to know at least 1 neighbor between September and December. Sign-up at radical.mtzioncary.org/neighbors.

Mt. Zion is 146 years old having been founded in 1865. So we have some mature ministries at the church such as the ushers ministry that is celebrating their 55th anniversary. We congratulate and thank our ushers and greeters for their many years of serving in the house of the Lord.

Answers in Genesis Conference, Fall Renewal Services, Project Know Thy Neighbor (Pastoral Emphasis for 9/11)

2011-09-11T15:36:00.000-04:00

Radical Experiment 2011 Update

Today's Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 37-39
Today's Country: Namibia (Africa)
Commit your life to a multiplying community: Commit your life to a local church that needs you and whom you need.
Spend time in another context: Give some of your time to help make the gospel known outside of your normal context (different community, city, nation).

Today and tomorrow, First Baptist Church in Cary is hosting an Answers in Genesis Conference. Similar to the Truth Project, this conference should give you knowledge to refute the dangerous theory of evolution. So I would recommend this evening sessions at 5:30 (Millions of Years: Where Did that Idea Come From?) and 7pm (Noah’s Flood: Washing Away Millions of Years) and the Monday evening sessions at 6 (Origin of Species: Was Darwin Right?) and 7:15pm (Ape-men: The Grand Illusion). Check out this entry on my blog or the flyer on the church bulletin board for more information.

Fall Renewal Services start this Wednesday, September 14th at 7pm and continue on the 21st & 28th. Pastor Maurice Wright of New Destiny Christian Fellowship will kick it off.

As we study Scripture it should convict us and move us into action. Titus taught us that what we believe should affect how we behave. So far Nehemiah has shown us that our compassion for our city should move us into action.

Today, we kick-off a new initiative under the theme Radical Love called Project: Know Thy Neighbor.

Our Scriptural basis is Mark 12:29-31 (ESV): Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

As Christians, we are to love and serve Christ and our neighbors. You cannot love and serve your neighbor if you do not know that neighbor.

Here's the challenge:

Get to know at least 1 neighbor (one that you don't know at all or know very well) between September and December.
The goal at this time is to establish a relationship but not necessarily share the Gospel (but if the opportunity presents itself to share the Gospel, by all means do it).

Please join me in making this commitment. Go to radical.mtzioncary.org/neighbors and sign-up or fill out the connection card with your name and email address or phone number. Visit the website often for ideas on how to get to know your neighbors.

Thanks to the Thursday Morning Bible Study group for their generosity and monetary presentation to our ongoing sacrificial giving campaign.

Answers in Genesis Conference - Sept. 11 & 12

2011-09-05T19:02:00.000-04:00

First Baptist Church in Cary is hosting an Answers in Genesis Conference on September 11-12. I love what the Answers in Genesis group is doing in the area of apologetics (defending the Christian faith) so I believe this conference will be worth attending.

So I would recommend the Sunday evening sessions at 5:30 and 7pm and the Monday evening sessions at 6 and 7:15pm.

Commit to Community, Health Awareness, Spoken Word (Pastoral Emphasis for 9/4)

2011-09-04T19:32:00.001-04:00

Radical Experiment 2011 Update

Today's Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 18-20
Today's Country: Montenegro (Europe)
Commit your life to a multiplying community: David Platt writes in Radical: "The global purpose of Christ was never intended to be accomplished by individuals...to be done with church hopping & shopping and commit your life to a people who need you and whom you need."

Our Fall Renewal Services will be held on Wednesdays, September 14th, 21st, & 28th at 7:00pm. We look forward to this time of being renewed and revived.

This month, we are having health awareness. Starting next Sunday, we'll feature some health-related videos. Our bodies matter because it is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We should care for our bodies so that we may serve and glorify our Creator for as long as possible.

Next Sunday, we are kicking off a new initiative called Project: Know Thy Neighbor. This is just a teaser so join us next Sunday for the details!

We had an excellent spoken word poet during the announcement. If you missed it or just want to see it again, you can check it out here!