January Newsletter


[PDF]January Newsletter - Rackcdn.com66a2b3cb7341a2b4862e-8cf94d8926dcddb8034f51f6a61756b2.r98.cf2.rackcdn.co...

0 downloads 295 Views 4MB Size

IN TOUCH…

The Newsletter of the Mt. Zion Family

January 2019, Volume XXI Issue 1

“Making, Maturing, Mobilizing Disciples for Christ”   

Rev. Dr. Angela Marlowe and Rev. Jonathan Marlowe: Co-Senior Pastors Rev. Tony Moreau: Associate Pastor

Church Office 704-892-8566

 Fax 704-892-3143 Youth House 704-892-7825

Sonshine Preschool 704-892-0654 



WORSHIP EACH SUNDAY AT 8:30, 9:45 AND 11:00 AM

www.mtzionumc.net

WINTER BALL INFORMATION

Page 2

ADULT TRAVEL MINISTRY

Page 3

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Page 7

In this issue

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/84673593

Reflections on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Jonathan’s Journals Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be celebrated on Jan. 21st this year. His birthday is always celebrated on the 3rd Monday of January, although his actual birthday was January 15, 1929. There will be a conference celebration of Martin Luther King’s birthday on Saturday, January 19 at University City United Methodist Church beginning at 10:00 AM (see elsewhere in this newsletter for more details). It has felt a little funny to me for the past several years, celebrating Martin Luther King’s birthday. He was after all only 39 years old when he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. This January, I am turning 50 years old. What have I done with my life, compared with what Martin Luther King did with his life? Well, let’s see. Martin Luther King led the Civil Rights Movement, won a Nobel Peace Prize, made the most famous speech in American history (“I have a Dream”), stood up for peace, justice, and brotherhood on the national stage, talked with Presidents, battled with governors, earned a Ph. D. and received numerous honorary degrees, and generally advanced the cause of social justice for all people everywhere – all out of a sense of his calling as a Baptist preacher and more importantly, a Christian disciple. Not bad, for one man to do in 39 years. What have I done with my 50 years? Well, not quite that much. But that’s ok. As Rowan Williams once observed, when he gets to heaven, God will not ask him why he was not Martin Luther King. God will ask him why he was not Rowan Williams. So it will be for me and for you. I figure when I show up at the pearly gates, God will not ask me why I was not Martin Luther King, or John Wesley, or Francis of Assisi, or anyone else. God will ask me, “why weren’t you Jonathan Marlowe?”

God will ask: why didn’t you do the things I called you to do? Why didn’t you do the things that I uniquely equipped you to do? I may not lead a Civil Rights movement, but I can help one person find a job. I may not win a Nobel Peace prize, but I can live peacefully with my neighbor. I may not give a speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, but I can speak one word of encouragement for my brother or my sister. I think we sometimes focus on the great movers and shakers of history so much that we forget that that is not the customary way that God works. God usually works through ordinary people like you and me. Certainly Martin Luther King did not set out to be a great American hero, and certainly he never imagined his birthday as a national holiday. He just set out to be faithful to God one day at a time, and he found himself as the leader of this great nation-wide movement for freedom and equality. So, when we want to be faithful to God, we must be faithful in the little things, not first of all in the big things. Be faithful to our spouses; be understanding to a friend; be gracious with an enemy; be merciful with those who need our help, be generous in giving. Let us be courageous in being what God has called us to be in our time and in our place. I doubt I will ever spend the night in a Birmingham jail, but I could visit someone in a Mecklenburg county jail. I will never organize a bus boycott; but I could make a new friend of one of the school bus drivers here in Cornelius. I won’t personally integrate schools, but I could be a tutor to some lonely child who needs a kind person with whom to form a relationship. I need the church to help me be faithful, so that when I get to heaven, God won’t have to ask me, “why weren’t you Jonathan Marlowe?” Peace, Jonathan

Sermon Series – Greater Gifts – January 13 – February 3 January 13 – This week focuses on the narrative of Jesus’ baptism. We hear the voice of God ring from heaven at Jesus’ bapTHEME: Living into the Dream: All of God's Children! tism: “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well WHEN: January 19, 2019 - Registration begins @ 9:00 am; pleased” (Lk. 3:22, NRSV). Celebration begins @ 10:00 am WHERE: University City UMC, 3825 West W.T. Harris Blvd., January 20 - The second week contains Paul’s description of spirCharlotte, NC 28269 itual gifts-how the Spirit works in and through them and how we KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Bill Curry are gifted for being a part of the body of Christ with one another. Motivational and Inspirational Speaker, Accomplished Author, January 27 – We will learn in a deeper way that we all, regardless Former Super Bowl Champion, Former NCAA Football Coach at Alabama, Ga. Tech, Kentucky, Former ESPN Commentator of our own gifts, need one another in order to be part of the whole body of Christ. Member of Peachtree UMC, Atlanta, GA February 3 – We learn more about purpose of all these gifts in For more information and to register, go to the website: www.wnccumc.org. Registration Deadline: January 15th which the whole point of acting together in love is discussed.

2019 Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27

HIS MINISTRY NEWS

We are hoping to provide a magical evening for our guests and can only do it with everyone’s help! We are actively seeking volunteers and accepting donations. Contact person: Gigi Williams 704-661-9364 or [email protected] Other His activities in January include: The Feast 11:00 January 20th – Youth Room Modified Worship Service for Families JEDI night 4:30 January 27th in the Family Life Center Agape Sunday School 9:45 Every Sunday - Modified Sunday School Class in FLC#2 A Place For Us 11:00 Every Sunday in FLC#2 for times when privacy is needed/desired.

MUSIC NEWS WITH MS. SHELLEY Happy New Year to Everyone! Melanie and I are so thankful to you all for supporting the music ministry during the Advent/Christmas season. The children's musical, Rockin’ Royal Christmas, was wonderful, and the Christmas cantatas presented by the Praise Team and Chancel Choir were also fabulous! We were blessed to have an orchestra join us, and they have already agreed to be with us again in December 2019. We all need to give the fellows in Heaven's Reign a "high five" for opening the December 16th traditional services with their upbeat Christmas music. They are a blessing to us all. The Hand Bells did a phenomenal job during our services on the 23rd, along with the children singing the INTROIT at 11:00 that day. I was thrilled to be part of our four Christmas Eve services. The Spontaneous Christmas Pageant presentations at 3 & 5 and the Traditional Services at 7 & 11 were very well attended and filled with Christmas joy! We are back to a "normal" schedule in the music department with Praise Team rehearsals (Wednesdays @ 7:00 PM) and Chancel Choir rehearsals (Thursdays @ 7:00 PM). Testify, the community youth choir, rehearsals will start back up on Sundays from 1:30-4:00, beginning January 6th. PLEASE NOTE: Testify will present their Christmas program on January 6th in the Family Life Center @ 6:00 PM as it was snowed out on December 9th. MARK YOUR CALENDARS, MOMS! Babygarten Classes (for our newborns - 2 year olds) will begin on January 30th at 10:00 AM in the Ed. Building, room 201. These classes will meet on Wednesdays and Saturdays through March 9th. Our Hand Bell choir is going to play for the residents at Autumn Care on January 12th at 2:00. We will share with them the two selections we played for Thanksgiving and the two selections we played at Christmas. Following bell time, we will share in singing some familiar oldies, hymns and patriotic songs with them. PLEASE NOTE: Rehearsals for hand bells will resume on Thursday, February 21st at 5:30. I pray that you all had as wonderful a Christmas season as I did and that the upcoming new year will be filled with love, peace and happiness. See you in church!

CHILDREN’S CORNER

The Children’s Musical was a Rockin’ Royal Success! A great job done by all the children and Ms. Shelley on December 2, 2018!

Thank you to all who participated in The Spontaneous Christmas Pageant during the Candlelight Services on December 24th during the 3:00 and 5:00 services and helped celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Created By God Sessions will be held in partnership with Davidson United Methodist Church (DUMC). A Christian based Human Sexuality Seminar for students in Grades 4 and 5. Class Option 1: January 25-26, 2019 and Class Option 2: February 22-23, 2019. All sessions will meet at Davidson United Methodist Church, 233 South Main Street, Davidson, NC. Registration for the upcoming sessions that will be held in January or February can be done at: www.davidsonumc.org/eventregistrations Cost: $60 and scholarships are available by request. M.O.M.S. (Moms Offering Mutual Support) Meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 15th in the Parlor at 7:00 PM. All moms are invited! Special Needs Sunday School Teacher Needed for the 2019 Year: We have an immediate opening for an Assistant in the Special Needs Sunday School class. Please contact Stacey Mercuri [email protected] if you are interested. Upcoming Dates: January 15th MOMS Meeting 7 PM (Parlor) January 25-26th Created By God Information Session (at Davidson UMC) February 6th Kids Club @ the Mount / Music with Ms. Shelley Starts Back MT. ZION ADULT TRAVEL MINISTRY Scientific Mysteries, Feb. 19, 2019 -Remember the old Cannon Mills in Kannapolis? Remember it was purchased for ‘scientific research’? We are headed there to discover exactly what kind of research is being conducted in the halls at the NRI (UNC’s Nutrition Research Institute). Some of the things we will see on the 1 ½ hour tour is a whole-room calorimeter (one of only a few in the US), a body composition lab, and one of their cutting-edge research laboratories. We will learn what ‘nutrigenomics’ means and how it could positively affect our lives. It is a race to discover what other mystery destination we will visit en-route. We will have lunch at the K&W Cafeteria in Concord. Cost of the trip is $11 CASH and payment is due day of trip. Make reservations by calling the church office by Feb. 10 @ 704-892-8566 and we are limited to 34 church members. Please contact Dora Dalmas at 704-737-4859 or [email protected] for more information.

More Opportunities

There is still availability for the Portugal and Spain Riverboat Cruise September 13-27, 2019

Adult Travel Ministry at the Alamo, San Antonio, Texas on Dec. 2018

YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS (FUEL) Happy New Year!!!

We have some exciting upcoming events. We will have FUEL this week at 4:30 PM. Following FUEL, the Testify Choir will be presenting a concert at 6 PM. THIS WEEK: White Elephant Gift Exchange Extravaganza This Sunday, January 6, at 4:30 PM. Bring a gift from your house or a gift you may want to re-gift, that you are sure someone will love. Please keep gifts under $10 if possible. Wrap it up and bring it to FUEL. **This week, we will be meeting in the Youth Room.** Parent Meeting We are having a Parent Meeting on January 6, 2019, at 4:30 PM - 5:15 PM with a focus on discussing fundraising and upcoming events. UPCOMING: WINTER JAM 2019 (January 20, 2019) Join us January 20, 2019, as we go to Winter Jam 2019. We will be leaving the church at 1:30 PM. Having lunch before the concert at Buffalo Wild Wings. And returning from the show around 11 PM. Cost: $20 (includes lunch and admission to Winter Jam). Register now at mtzfuel.net CAREER PATH WORKSHOP ( February 17, 2019) Join us for lunch, followed by a dynamic and interactive workshop for parents and students (6th - 12th grade) to discover more about who God created you to be and where you can go from where you are now! Christian based selfassessments, personality traits, career, and education discovery will be covered in this 4-hour workshop. Cost: $25 total (before 1/21/19, $40 after) per student. Register at mtzfuel.net TEKOA 2019 (March 8-10, 2019) This is our annual spring retreat where we spend the weekend in the mountains having fun, playing games, worshipping and learning about God, and enjoying the wonderful things camp offers (canoes, zip line, hiking, rocking chairs looking over the lake, 4-square, staying in cabins, and so much more!) You don't want to miss this awesome retreat. Early Bird, $39 Total DUE BY JANUARY 21st! After that, $80 will be due by Sunday, February 24. Register at mtzfuel.net HELP WANTED: We are in need of FOOD HELP VOLUNTEERS for FUEL Nights. Volunteering is not a weekly commitment. The requirements are helping with food prep, serving, and clean up each week. We will provide all of the food; you will need to attend FUEL and serve. You can sign-up for the days you are available. We would love for you to help. Sign up at mtzfuel.net God Bless Howard 330-245-4473

SONSHINE PRESCHOOL NEWS Sonshine Preschool Happy New Year to all of you from the children and staff of Sonshine Preschool! We can’t wait to see what God has planned for all of us in 2019! Are you or someone you know looking for a great preschool next fall? Registration for the 2019 – 2020 preschool year will begin January 23. Family Information Meetings for new families will be held January 29 & 30 and February 4 & 5, 10:00 AM in the church sanctuary. Let your friends, family and neighbors know! Please contact the preschool office for more information (704)892-0654. Giving praises to God and for the wonderful children and families of Sonshine Preschool who helped fill our red wagon with needed supplies for the Serenity Houses in Huntersville & Mooresville. Through their love and generosity, we will be helping people with terminal illnesses and their families. These little disciples are learning early to be the hands, feet and heart of God! Sonshine Preschool’s January mission will be collecting Chap Stick, deodorant and socks for the guests of Room in the Inn. With this cold weather, we hope to make someone in need a little more comfortable. During the month of January, our little ones will be learning about France in our International Room. If you have anything you would like to share with us, please contact the preschool office. We promise to keep your items safe. The children of Sonshine Preschool will be enjoying “Hero Night” while honoring their Dads or significant other on January 31. This is a special night to play games, enjoy food, create something secret and quality time together. We love our heroes! Sonshine Preschool Preciousness: After our snow days, a four year old announced loudly, “Finally, I am back in preschool!” We guess the snow must have been tough. January Favorite Bible Words: “God made the moon and the stars to shine in the night.” Jeremiah 31:35

Mt. Zion United Methodist Church Officers – 2019 Administrative Board Co-Pastors: Angela Mar lowe, J onathan Mar lowe Associate Pastor: Tony Mor eau Children’s Ministry Coordinator: Stacey Mer cur i Music Director: Shelley Little Director of Youth Ministries: Howar d Har r is Treasurer: Patti Loner Sonshine Preschool Director: Patti Gofor th Administrative Board Chair: J udy Caldwell (19) Administrative Board Vice-Chair: J eff Scott (19) Lay Leaders: Chr is Redmond, Patti Richar dson Lay Members Annual Conference: (3) Deana King (19), Alex Weaver (19), Randy Cameron (21) Alternate Lay Member Annual Conference: Laurie Knight (21) Recording Secretary: Michele Bowen Members At Large: Term Expires 2019: Beth Lentz, Sebra Maines, Jane Poston Term Expires 2020: Jimmy Grindstaff, Mary Shaw, Chuck Windell Term Expires 2021: Dale Readling, Jeff Knight, Peggy Aspland Nurture Team Chairs: Debbie J ackson, Suzie Inman Outreach Team Chair: Chr ista J ohnson Witness Team Chair: Alan Sipe, Trustees Committee Chair: David Maines (currently) Finance Committee Chair: J im Causey Staff Parish Committee Chair: Debbie Tillis Weekday Ministry Board Chair: Michele Eddy Cemetery Committee Chair: Rodney Mayhew Building Committee Chair: Mar k Keener Stewardship Chair: Mar y Tucker UMW Representative: Br enda Scott Historian: Delor es Edwar ds Church Growth Leadership Initiative: Pete Newton

Administrative Committees Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) Staff Parish Committee Chair: Debbie Tillis Vice Chair: Term Expires 2019: Silvia Earp, Richard Little, Debbie Tillis Term Expires 2020: Damien Carper, Dave Casavecchia, Tom Dutton Term Expires 2021: Susie Crump, Lysa Craig William Taylor Lay Member of Annual Conference: Alex Weaver Lay Leader: Chris Redmond Trustees Committee (officers elected by committee in January 2019) Trustees Committee Chair: David Maines (current) Vice Chairperson: Rick Carter (current) Secretary: Nancy Cameron (current) Members at Large: Term Expires 2019: Jon Lentz, David Maines Term Expires 2020: Nancy Cameron, Rick Carter, Brett Cobb Term Expires 2021: Larry Klaus, AJ Drury Jimmy Grindstaff Finance Committee Finance Committee Chair: Jim Causey Finance Committee Secretary: Co Pastors: Angela Marlowe, Jonathan Marlowe Admin Board Chair: Judy Caldwell Lay Leaders: Patti Richardson/Chris Redmond Lay Members of Annual Conference: Deana King, Alex Weaver, Randy Cameron Trustees Committee Representative: TBD Staff Parish Committee Rep.: Debbie Tillis Treasurer/Office Manager: Patti Loner Stewardship Chairperson: Mary Tucker Finance Committee At Large: Term Expires 2019: Doug Honeycutt, Mark Lambert Term Expires 2020: Cindy Carter, Laura Freeman, John Suggs Term Expires 2021: Jack Molle, Linda Lott Ex-Officio Cemetery: Rodney Mayhew Stewardship Committee Stewardship Chair: Mary Tucker

Parsonage Committee Parsonage Committee Chair: Director of Youth: Howard Harris Director’s Spouse: Naidra Harris Pastor Parish Representative: (to be named by SPRC) Trustees Representative: (to be named by Trustees) Committee on Nominations and Lay Leadership Chair: Angela Marlowe, Jonathan Marlowe Vice Chair: Linda Lott (elected by Committee) Lay Leaders: Chris Redmond, Patti Richardson Members at Large: Term Expires 2019: Linda Lott, Kay Archer, Amanda Windell Term Expires 2020: Nancy Causey, Susie Crump, Barb King Term Expires 2021: Terri Heskett Weekday Ministry Board Weekday Ministry Board Chair: Michele Eddy Children’s Ministry Coord.: Stacey Mercuri Preschool Director: Patti Goforth Trustees Committee Representative: TBD Staff Parish Committee Representative: TBD Members At Large: Term Expires 2019: Marsha Cashion, Wendall Fox, Jon Sarver Term Expires 2020: Mary Goodson, Deanna Grindstaff, Theresa Schwab Term Expires 2021: Debbie Johnson, Patti Keener, Emily Ray Worshjp Team: Pastors: Angela Marlowe, Jonathan Marlowe, Tony Moreau Musicians: Shelley Little, Woody Washam, Melanie Kalkan Chair: Diane Merrell Communion Stewards: Patsy Barker, Fran Conard Sacred Arts (9:45): Debbie Jackson Sacred Arts (Sanctuary): 1. Susan Caldwell 2. Bonnie Blum Head Usher: Larry Horton Wedding Guild: Jan Horton, Delores Edwards Nurture Team: Co-Chairs: Suzie Inman, Debbie Jackson Dora Dalmas, Nancy Johnson, Shelia Reading, Tom Sarver, Coleen Sigman, Dora Klaus

Outreach Team: Chair: Christa Johnson Rick Carter, Cindy Parnell, Shellie Cobb Witness Team: Chair: Alan Sipe Linda Bauer, Stephanie Butler York, Jessica Johnson, Karen Kerr, Molly Merrell, Jason Suggs, Brian Moore Standing Committees reporting to the Administrative Board Building Committee: Chair: Mark Keener Vice-Chair: Tim Cooksey Trustee Representative: Senior Campus Chairs: Barbara Broadway, Corinne Hendrix Main Campus Consultants (advising as needed): Margi Kyle, Mary Isaacs, Alan Sipe Pastors: Jonathan Marlowe (ex officio), Angela Marlowe (ex officio) Members at Large: Term Expires 2019: Barbara Broadway, Tim Cooksey, Corinne Hendrix, Mark Keener Term Expires 2020: Tom Dutton, Patti Richardson, Robert Sherrill, John Wiese Term Expires 2021: Ginger Andersen, Pat Caldwell, Louise Cashion Senior Campus Board: Co Chairs: Barbara Broadway (19), Corinne Hendrix (19) Consultant: Martha Archer, Katy Hollingsworth Liaison to Autumn Care – Sue Weaver At Large: Dora Dalmas (19), Gil Millsaps (19), Jan Sipe (20), Ritchie Crump (20), Denise Howard (20), Nancy Cameron (21), Carol Jackson (21), Jim York (21) Pastors: Jonathan Marlowe (ex officio), Angela Marlowe (ex officio)

Cemetery Committee: Cemetery Chair: Rodney Mayhew Staff Representative: Patti Loner Members: Clyde Caldwell, A. J. Drury, Martha Jenkins, Rodney Mayhew, Donnelly Sherrill, Robert Sherrill

UPCOMING EVENTS There will be a church leadership training event for the Metro District on Saturday, Feb. 2 from 8 AM to 12 PM at University City UMC in Charlotte. Educational workshops will be offered for church finances, youth ministry, safe sanctuary, SPRC, faithful risk-taking in ministry, and other topics for healthy and vibrant church ministry. For registration and more details, go to www.metrodistrictumc.org Wednesday Night Worship Wednesday Night Worship will resume on February 6 at 6:40 PM in the sanctuary. SAVE THE DATE for the Senior Luncheon to be held March 13, 2019 for any church member whose birth year is 1949 and earlier. Details to follow in February newsletter.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Thank you to everyone who served Mt. Zion in 2018 and rotated off a committee. The 2019 Church Officers are listed on pages 5 and 6. There are many additional opportunities to serve during the upcoming year. Just let us know if you would like to assist with any of the areas needed in the church. Please consider volunteering for one of the ministries listed below.

MISCELLANEOUS KITCHEN CLEAN UP I will be doing a major clean up of the family life center kitchen. If you have any items in the refrigerator or freezer and do not want them to be thrown away please mark and date them prior to January 18, 2019. If you have any questions please feel free to give me a call—Jan Horton 704-737-2786. 2019 ALTAR FLOWERS Would you like to honor someone dear, a special occasion or a group of people? Maybe you would like to remember a loved one in a very special way. Church Altar Flowers offer a way to express your love and gratitude. Flowers may be purchased for $100.00 for two arrangements or $50.00 for one. On your designated Sunday, you may take the flowers to someone of your choice after the 11:00 service. A special notation of your gift will be made in the bulletin. Please complete the form below and place it in the offering plate. The church office will bill you for the flowers requested. We want to continue placing live flowers in the Sanctuary for worship, but need your help. Thank you for using this as a way to honor or remember someone special.

.

MT. ZION’S CONGREGATIONAL CARE MINISTRY TEAM- Pastor Tony is asking all Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders (past and present) to contact him. In 2019, Mt. Zion is officially kicking off a new ministry, Congregational Care Ministry. We are putting together a team of Congregational Care Ministers (CCM's), laypersons who work alongside pastors to provide quality care for our church family. We are interested in including those who have trained in Stephen Ministry. Please contact Tony via email at [email protected], text or voice at 828-447-8992, or call the church office.

Communion Servers You are invited to assist our pastors in serving Holy Communion. E-mail or call Pastor Tony if you want to experience the joy of serving Holy Communion! Call the church office or email Tony at [email protected].

Bereavement Teams We are looking for compassionate members who would be willing to serve on a Bereavement Team during the coming year. Each team is comprised of 6-7(one leader) men and women who would be called on to provide a meal, to our families who suffer loss of a family member. Typically, each team would only be called twice per year. There are no meetings and the obligation is a small amount of time and donation of food. To learn more about this ministry opportunity or volunteering to serve; contact Theresa Schwab @ 704-661- 3310

USTREAM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED We need volunteers to record the service at 11 AM. We will train. If interested please email [email protected]

Acolytes Needed Immediately: Students that are in 3rd Grade and above that are interested in being an Acolyte for the 2019 year can sign up at: https:// www.signupgenius.com/go/60b094eafa622a2f58-mtzion. If you have questions or need training please contact Stacey Mercuri at [email protected]

Your Name_______________________________________ Phone #_________________________________________ Date Requested__________(no flowers during Lent 3/10-4/14) Number of arrangements (1 or 2) ______________________ Wording for bulletin: _____________________________________________________

WORSHIP LED BY MT. ZION AT AUTUMN CARE Every Sunday morning at 10:00, worship services are conducted by Mt. Zion members at Autumn Care-- the skilled care nursing facility on the Mt. Zion Senior Campus. Autumn Care is a skilled care facility for long term/short term care. Our services each Sunday are part of our mission to reach out to seniors in our church and community. This is a way to bring worship to those who are unable to get out to attend this church or their home church. January presenters: January 6 – Leslie Matz January 13- Reverend Spach, Davidson College Chaplain January 20 - Oak Grove Baptist Church January 27– David Hodson Music by Anna Akins Inclement Weather Information In the situation that a weather event alters the church calendar, any delays or cancellations will be communicated in the following ways: Television Channel – NBC 6 – WCNC Television Channel – ABC 9 – WSOC Constant Contact email Facebook Church Website When Sunday worship is cancelled, if possible the pastors will lead a service that can be viewed online.

MISSION OPPORTUNITIES AND RECAPS THE ROOM IN THE INN This is a ministry that Mt. Zion participates in during the winter months in partnership with the Urban Ministry Center. The simple goal is to keep homeless people from freezing on cold winter nights. Every first and third Tuesday night from December to March we will provide housing and food for 10 people who are homeless. We do this by opening the doors of our Youth House and our hearts to a population of homeless people that continues to grow here in our own community. Something as simple as sharing a meal and a conversation could be one of the most rewarding experiences for you and the Neighbors! Each week there are a number of things that need to come together to make this ministry successful-Needed: *Innkeepers *Scarves, socks and hats We are so thankful to everyone that has stepped up to the plate and volunteered their time, and energy to prepare meals, drivers and Inn Keepers. We are so blessed as a church and disciples for doing the work Christ asked of us!! Please contact: Barbara Broadway for meals, drivers for pick-up and return trip at 704-996-7000 or [email protected] Richard Little for innkeepers at 704-516-9761 or [email protected]. Mary Isaacs for rules of house while guests are with us: [email protected] or 704-996-8680 Sydney Broadway for help with setup and preparing for guests @ [email protected]

Repairers of the Breach Special Assistance Ministry This was another great year for our Repairers of the Breach Ministry. We helped 60 families (160 children). We hope and pray we in someway made this a better Christmas. I would like to thank all that helped by either volunteering time, sponsorship of families or donating food or funds to purchase needs. Special thanks to Jeanie and Brian Polly, Lynn and Harry Harriman, Rick Carter, Pam LaZur and her family, Mike Ryan and his family, Rick McBee (landlord of the building), Cooke Rentals, Ferguson Box Company, Chad Robertson and the many daily volunteers. God Bless, Tom Russell

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR ALL THE DONATIONS!

MAGICAL MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS RECAP We were able to give a Magical Christmas to 15 families in Jonesville, VA. Thank you all for all the generous donations and for our wonderful volunteers that traveled to Jonesville to make this happen!

CELEBRATIONS AND CONCERNS NOVEMBER BIRTH

Reagan Ryan Casavecchia was born on November 28, 2018. Reagan is the daughter of Matt and Jessica and the sister of John Casavecchia. She is the granddaughter of Dave and Gayle Casavecchia and Doug and Cindy Lewis.

THE SYMPATHY OF THE CONGREGATION is extended to Sandy McCall and family on the death of her sister, Martha Nell Harrington on December 10th, to Polie Parnell and family on the death of his mother, Wilhelmina Parnell on December 12th, to Joe Bost and family on the death of his son, Kirk Bost, on December 13th, to Dixie Cashion and family on the death of her husband, Mack Cashion on December 22nd, and to the family of Sheri Howard who passed away on December 24th.

SPECIAL GIFTS WERE GIVEN… NEW MEMBERS We welcome our new members IN MEMORY OF Carol Ann and Kenneth Cooke a gift was given to the Budget. IN that joined on December 2nd Doug, Amy, Austyn Marie, and Dylan Grace Cerasi 20115 Beard Street Cornelius, NC 28031

MEMORY OF Mose and Selma Cooke a gift was given to the Budget. IN MEMORY OF Merlin Kelly McConnell a gift was given to the Budget. IN MEMORY OF Lagette and Polly Goodrum a gift was given to the Budget and the Cemetery. IN MEMORY OF Woody and Mabel Washam, Sr. a gift was given to the Budget. IN HONOR OF the F.W. Kiker Sunday School Teachers: Myke Griffeth, Richard Little, Jim Causey, and Pat Jenkins a gift was given to the budget.

Thank you to the Mt. Zion Family for all their support during the passing of my mother. The meals, cards, prayers and love during this time wrapped the “Mt. Zion arms” around us. We also thank Pastor Tony Moreau and Shelley Little for making her service very special. Susie Crump FINANCIAL UPDATE

Staff Co-Senior Pastors: Rev. Dr. Angela Marlowe [email protected] Rev. Jonathan Marlowe [email protected] Associate Pastor: Rev. Tony Moreau [email protected] Director of Music Ministries: Shelley Little [email protected] Assistant Dir. of Music Ministries: Melanie Kalkan [email protected] Coordinator of Children’s Ministries: Stacey Mercuri [email protected] Director of Youth Ministries: Howard Harris [email protected] Financial Officer/Office Manager: Patti Loner [email protected] Communications: Kelly Fellows [email protected] Administrative Assistant: Mary Ellen Westmoreland [email protected] Part Time Assistant: Ginny Wilkins [email protected] Preschool Director: Patti Goforth [email protected] Assistant Preschool Director: Cathy Wiese [email protected]

DECEMBER ATTENDANCE

MT. ZION UMC UNAUDITED FINANCIAL INFORMATION 01/01/2018 – 11/30/2018 2018 General Fund Budget $1,262,630. Budget Gifts: $863,439. THANK YOU! Budget Expenses: $866,080. General Fund Cash on Hand: $37,856. Capital Funds Gifts Received: $5,569. Capital Funds Expenses: $0 Capital Funds Cash on Hand: $22,222. Funds Received for Helping Hands $2,841. Helping Hands Funds on Hand: $21,397. Please contact Patti Loner if you have questions

Autumn Care Attendance

Date

8:30 9:45

11:00

Total

12/2

96

117

195

408

12/16

216

164

353

733

12/2

37

12/23

112

80

255

447

12/16

25

283

12/23

28

12/30

27

12/30– One

CHRISTMAS EVE ATTENDANCE December 24 @ 3 PM

123

December 24 @ 5 PM

247

December 24 @ 7 PM

451

December 24 @ 11 PM 87

TOTAL

908

Non-Profit Org.

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

US Postage PAID Permit No. 2 Cornelius, NC

We’re On The Web! www.mtzionumc.net

19600 Zion Avenue Cornelius, North Carolina 28031

Tel: 704-892-8566 Youth House: 704-892-7825 Sonshine Preschool: 704-892-0654 Fax: 704-892-3143 E-mail: [email protected]

“MAKING, MATURING, MOBILIZING DISCIPLES FOR CHRIST”

MEN OF ALL AGES ARE WELCOME to attend a MEN’S COMMUNITY PRAYER BREAKFAST meeting on Wednesdays at 7 AM at Lake Town Tavern. (Note new location)

All women of the church and community are invited to join the WOMEN OF ZION small group! Our group meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Galway Hooker Restaurant in Cornelius. We meet at 7:00 pm for fellowship and a devotional program. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like more information and to get the monthly meeting reminders. We look forward to seeing you the first Tuesday of each month!

Please send any articles you would like to have included in the February newsletter to the church by January 25. They may be emailed to [email protected]

YOU ARE INVITED….SEWIN’ LOVE (FORMERLY DRESS A GIRL) MEETS THE SECOND AND FOURTH WEDNESDAYS OF EACH MONTH in the Youth Room at 6:30 PM. Everyone is Welcome! We will teach. No experience necessary! Bringing your own sewing machine is welcome but not necessary. You may contact Jennifer Hall at [email protected] or Robin Lambert at [email protected].

Thank you!!

NEW BEGINNINGS... We bowl, go to movies, take tours and just have friendship with others that have lost a spouse.

MOMS – Mothers Offering Mutual Support meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month in the church Parlor at 7:00 PM. All moms are welcome.

The ladies of the PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY invite you to join them on Wednesday mornings We have something going on all the time! at 10:30 to knit/crochet prayer TO RECEIVE OUR MONTHLY NEWSshawls and baby blankets. No matLETTER OR IF YOU WOULD LIKE ter what your skill level may be, INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: there is a place for you. If you are Barbara Broadway: interested in learning how to knit, email: [email protected] 704-996-7000 or Shirley Ranson: they can help with that, as well. email: [email protected] (Yarn is provided.) They meet in the 704-904-0973 church Parlor (located on the upper level of the Family Life Center) and hope to see you soon!