Mount Zion Baptist Church
Transcription
Mount Zion Baptist Church
ORGANIZATION MEETING DIRECTORY WORSHIP AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Sanctuary Prayer and Sunday School Devotions ........................................................................ Sunday, 9:15 a.m. Sunday School Classes ............................................................................................................... Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship ..................................................................................................................... Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Communion Service ............................................................................................................................ First Sunday Pastor's Bible Class ................................................................................................. Wednesday, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Weekly Prayer Meeting ...................................................................................................... Wednesday, 8:00 p.m. Noonday Prayer Meeting ...................................................................................................... Thursday, 12:00 p.m. Higher Ground Bible Institute .................................................................................................. Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. Board of Christian Education ....................................................................................... Second Monday, 7:30 p.m. Teachers' Meeting ........................................................................................................ Fourth Monday, 7:00 p.m. Mount Zion Baptist Church of Philadelphia Sunday, October 30, 2011 SPECIAL SUNDAYS Unity Day ............................................................................................................................ Third Sunday in March Youth Day .......................................................................................................................... Second Sunday in June Homecoming .............................................................................................................. Third Sunday in September Church Anniversary ........................................................................................................Fourth Sunday in October Pastor’s Anniversary ................................................................................................. Second Sunday in November ADMINISTRATIVE GROUPS Church Meeting ........................................................................................... Quarterly, Fourth Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. Board of Deacons ........................................................................................................Second Thursday, 7:00 p.m. Board of Trustees............................................................................................................ Third Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. Deaconess Board ............................................................................................................................. Third Monday Official Board .......................................................................................................................................... Quarterly Chairman's Board................................................................................................ Bi-Monthly, Mondays, 7:00 p.m. SINGING GROUPS Chancel Choir ........................................................................................................................... Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. Gospel Chorus .............................................................................................................................. Friday, 7:00 p.m. Brotherhood Chorus ................................................................................................................ Monday, 7:30 p.m. Carnation Choir ...................................................................................................................... Saturday, 10:00 a.m. Youth and Young Adult Choir .............................................................................................. Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. Fellowship Mass Choir ............................................................................................................. Monday, 6:00 p.m. MINISTRIES AND SERVICE GROUPS Christian Culture Guild ...................................................................................................Second Sunday, 4:00 p.m. Co-Workers .................................................................................................................... First Saturday, 12:30 p.m. Evangelism Ministry ............................................................................................... Bi-Weekly on Friday, 6:00 p.m. Hospitality Committee ............................................................................ Monday after Second Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Joint Usher Board ......................................................................................................... Fourth Monday, 7:00 p.m. Junior Ushers ........................................................................................................ Saturday before Fourth Sunday Ladies Auxiliary Ushers .......................................................................... Saturday before First Sunday, 11:00 a.m. Men Ushers ........................................................................................Thursday before Second Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Men's Fellowship ......................................................................................................................... Dates Appointed Missionary Business and Professional Women ............................................................ Second Monday, 7:00 p.m. New Members Friends ................................................................................................................. Dates Appointed Nurses Unit .................................................................................................................. Third Saturday, 12:00 p.m. Pastoral Biblical Counseling ................................................................................................ Third Friday, 6:00 p.m. Pastor's Aid ........................................................................................................... Third Tuesday, Time Appointed Prison Ministry .................................................................................................................................... Fifth Sunday Progressive ............................................................................................................... Second Saturday, 12:00 p.m. Senior's Guild ..................................................................................................................Monday after 1st Sunday Senior Missionary Society .............................................................................................. Third Saturday, 1:00 p.m. White Rose ................................................................................................................. Second Saturday, 1:00 p.m. Willing Workers .......................................................................................................... Second Saturday, 1:00 p.m. Women's Fellowship .................................................................................................. Fourth Saturday, 10:30 a.m. Young Adult Ushers ................................................................................................ Saturday before Third Sunday Youth Alive Ministry..................................................................................................................... Dates Appointed Youth Ministries...................................................................................... Monday after Second Sunday, 7:00 p.m. Y.W.I. ........................................................................................................................ Second Saturday, 12:00 p.m. 50th Street & Woodland Avenue 1411 South 50th Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19143-5105 Office: (215) 724-0619 Fax: (215) 724-2649 Website: www.mtzionbc.com Email: [email protected] The Reverend C.W. Gregory, Founder The Reverend Cedric Hughes Jones, Jr., Pastor http://twitter.com/PastorCHJ COMMUNITY SERVICE GROUPS Cub and Boy Scout Meeting ........................................................................................ Thursday, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Cub Pack Meeting .................................................................................................First Monday, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Committee Meeting Troop 189 .............................................................. Dates Appointed, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Girl Scout Meeting ................................................................................................... Friday, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. We are becoming Mount Zion ~ by grace, God’s loving people joyfully responding to the whole gospel for a whole community. Enter to Worship Depart to Serve Sunday, October 30, 2011 9:15 AM 9:30 AM 10:30 AM Sanctuary Prayer and Sunday School Devotion Sunday School Classes Morning Worship The Order of Service Praise & Worship Medley Call to Worship and Invocation Choral Response “Bless The Lord, Oh My Soul” Singers and Congregation Worship Leader Arranged ****Seating Intervals**** “The Church’s One Foundation” “The Church” “Glory Be To The Father” Hymn of Praise Responsive Reading Gloria Patri #377 See Bulletin #538 Welcoming of Visiting Guests Pastoral Remarks and Public Ministry Moment Announcer’s Ministry The Ushers Hospitality Ministry ****Seating Intervals**** Tithes & General Offering (Music: Mount Zion Mass Choir) Trustees & Ushers “What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.” Psalm 116.12,17,18 (KJV) Offertory Response Scripture Song of Preparation SERMON “All Things Come Of Thee, O Lord” #536 Philippians 4.6 Mount Zion Mass Choir (Rev. Hiawatha Coleman Preacher) Minister J. C. Howard Invitation to Christian Discipleship Benediction Postlude Dea. Elvis Malone ........................................................... 5333 Reinhard St............................................................ 19143 Sis. Josephine Mays........................................................ 7831 Deerun Rd., Laverock, PA ............................... 19038 Sis. Carrie M. Wilson ..................................................... 801 Locust St., #510 ..................................................... 19107 Sis. Elizabeth Suber ....................................................... 1210 S. St. Bernard St. .................................................. 19143 Sis. Thelma Pounds........................................................ 48 N. Main St., #207 Ambler, PA.............................. 19002 Bro. James Odom ............................................................ 1304 Hanson St. .............................................................. 19143 Sis. Juanita M. Green...................................................... 1127 S. 53rd St. ................................................................. 19143 Sis. Laurine Brown......................................................... 1714 E. 20th St. Chester, PA ........................................ 19013 Sis. Mary Merrill .............................................................. 1522 S. 52nd St. ................................................................ 19143 Sis. Lucille James ............................................................. 873 N. 47th St. ................................................................... 19139 Bro. Norman Brown ...................................................... 912 Whitby Ave., Yeadon, PA .................................... 19050 Sis. Nettie Bailey ............................................................. 5009 Willows Ave. ......................................................... 19143 Sis. Frederica Loague .................................................... 2100 S. 58th St. ................................................................. 19143 Bro. William Flournoy .................................................. 4940 Paschall Ave. ......................................................... 19143 Sis. Appolonia Jefferson ............................................... 1415 S. 51st St. ................................................................. 19143 Sis. Constance Wilson ................................................... 1225 S. 49th St. ................................................................. 19143 Sis. Evelyn Dotson .......................................................... 1235 N. 53rd St. ................................................................ 19131 NURSING HOME ****BAPTISM**** Announcements & Pastor’s Page Highlights Altar Prayer Benevolent Offering (Music: Mount Zion Mass Choir) THE SHUT - IN Sis. Hortense Massey ..................................................... Kearsley Long Term Care Center, ........................................................................................... 2100 N. 49th St., Phila., PA .......................................... 19131 Sis. Evelyn Vaz………………………………………..........Marwood Rest Home, 1020 Oak Lane Ave., ........................................................................................... Rm. #203-A, Phila., PA ................................................. 19142 Sis. Estelle Moore ........................................................... St. Ignatius Nursing Home, Rm. #316A ........................................................................................... 4401 Haverford Ave., Phila., PA ............................... 19104 Sis. Althea Lloyd ............................................................ ..Stapeley Nursing Home, Rm. #101A ........................................................................................... 6300 Green St., Phila., PA ............................................ 19144 Sis. Darsie Daison ........................................................... Care Pavilion of Walnut Park, Rm. #225 .......................... ................................................................................................215-476-6264 Sis. Louise Simmons ...................................................... Sterling Health Care & Rehabilitation Center ................. ........................................................................................... 318 S. Orange St., Rm. #120, Media, PA .............. 19063 Sis. Evelyn Morris ........................................................... Park Pleasant Nursing Home ............................. Rm. #101 Sis. Dianna L. Hardy ...................................................... Park Pleasant Nursing Home ............................. Rm. #124 Sis. Catherine Barrett ................................................... Bala Nursing & Retirement Center ............. Rm. #236-A Bro. David Dixon ............................................................. Manor Care, Yeadon Bldg. ...................................... Rm. #12 Sis. Alice I. Grice ..............................................................Care Pavilion of Walnut Park, ........................................................................................... 62nd & Walnut St. ................................................ Rm. #374A Sis. Geraldine Lewis ...................................................... Andorra Nursing Home, 9209 Ridge Pike, ...... Rm. #11 ……………………………………………………………..……...Whitemarsh, PA 19128 Sis. Lillian O. Rogers ..................................................... .Carolina House, 800 Fording Island Rd., #112 ........................................................................................... Bluffton, South Carolina .............................................. 29910 PLEASE VISIT THE SICK AND SHUT IN, SEND A CARD AND SAY A PRAYER “For I was ahungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in; Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” St. Matthew 25:35, 36, 40 (KJV) Responsive Reading: “The Church” New Testament: 1 Cor. 12.12-14, 20, 26-27; Eph. 4.4-6; 1 Cor. 3.10-11; Eph. 2.19-22 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. As it is, there are many parts, but one body. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. THE SICK Sis. Edna Bantom ....................................................... 4616 Kingsessing Ave. .............................................................. 19143 Bro. Walker Lindsay ................................................. 16 South 56th St. ........................................................................... 19139 Bro. Gregory Moses ................................................... 5634 Elmwood Ave. ................................................................... 19143 Sis. Fannie Askew ...................................................... 905 Wharton Ct. Newtown Sq., PA ...................................... 19073 Sis. Geraldine Dowling ............................................. 5613 Woodbine Ave. ................................................................. 19131 Sis. Hazel Ford ............................................................. 1462 S. Wanamaker St. ............................................................. 19143 Sis. Lucille Spencer .................................................... 1150 South Peach Street .......................................................... 19143 Sis. Loretta Killebrew ............................................... 410 Walnut St. , Yeadon, PA.................................................... 19050 ……………………………………………………………(At the home of Sister Dorothy Idris cell # 215-680-9904) HOSPITALIZED Bro. Christopher Ford……………………………….Meadow Springs Nursing Home………………………..….Room 230 Bro. Roscoe Williams………………………………..Centennial Village, Room 325 door……….............215-477-1170 Sis. Thelma Cromwell……………………………….Manor Care in Towson, MD Room 20B..................410-828-6500 Sis. Blanche Miller………………….…………………University of Pennsylvania Hospital, ICU…………....Room 2013 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (from the Total Praise Hymnal, 2011) MINISTER J. C. HOWARD GENERAL NOTICES Born August 9th 1986, in the small city and state of Wilmington Delaware, Minister J.C. Howard Thanksgiving Assistance: There will be a sign-up sheet in the church office for any member that needs some assistance for a good Thanksgiving dinner. Any questions, see a member of the Deacon Board. most certainly has defied the odds of being labeled a statistic and has excelled to various levels in life and ministry. Born to Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln Caldwell, J.C. was nurtured and tutored from a very 100th Church Anniversary: All persons interested in serving on the 100th Church Anniversary Committees, please turn your name and contact information into the church office this week. young age to always seek the Lord in all things and to walk righteously with integrity and candor. At the age of 9 years old J.C. accepted the Lord Jesus Christ in to his life. REMINDER: To have your announcement placed in the bulletin OR read in worship, please have it in the office by Tuesday at 4pm. Having been raised in church his entire life; Minister Howard served in many capacities and literally There is a Bus Driver Position available for the church. You must have CDL License to apply. Please leave your contact information in the church office. You must be available on Sundays. completed whatever his hands could find for him to do, including singing, dancing, administrating, deacon, trustee, and youth leader. But it was in the year of 2005 that J.C. Howard responded to the Keep up with Mount Zion online: website: www.mtzionbc.com, email: [email protected], twitter: http://twitter.com/PastorCHJ call of God to walk into to ministry and was consecrated as Minister of the Cathedral of Fresh Fire Inc, where he served under Emma L. Creamer, Senior Pastor. Minister Howard is a recent graduate 8th Annual Fellowship Prayer Breakfast, Saturday, November 19th at 9am. Tickets may be purchased for $10. Praise Readers of the Word Ministry, Sis. Carolyn A. G. Harris, Ministry Leader of the world-renown Morehouse College (c/o 2009), in Atlanta Georgia where he earned a double major Bachelor degree in Religion and History. It was at Morehouse that Minister Howard was afforded the opportunity to serve as a Martin Luther King Jr., International Chapel Assistant, and the Spiritual Affairs Chairman for the Student Government Association, and Vice President for the Atlanta Universities Center Council of Students, as well as having a hand in many other clubs, ministries, and organizations. Howard’s ministry is not limited to the walls of Morehouse or his church home, but God has enabled Minister Howard to share the Word of God and an encouraging word with people of many ages throughout the country, and most recently gave Howard the vision and tools to birth Liberation Ministries Inc. It is with this ministry that God has allowed Howard to host conferences, services, and youth rallies in an effort to save, and deliver the oppressed and disinherited. Howard served as Youth Pastor of Gospel Tabernacle Churches (2 locations), in Atlanta, GA during his college matriculation. He currently attends Princeton Theological Seminary for graduate studies and is an associate minister at Bethany Baptist Church in Lindenwold, NJ (Bishop David Evans). Minister Howard, most certainly is always growing in God and life, and will continue to obey the voice of God as he serves humanity. Public Ministry Moment: If you would like to speak or recommend a speaker for worship on the 2nd (health), 3rd (economics) or 4th (education) Sundays in 2011 or 2012. Please submit your name, daytime phone number, date and public ministry topic to the church office via note or email to [email protected] or call Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Church Information Form: If you have yet to do so, please fill out your form. All members who have completed the form, with birth date filled in, will receive a free booklet – 40 Days with Jesus. You may pick up your book in the church office during the week 9am-4pm. WORDS OF APPRECIATION No one person does this body of work alone; from the Anniversary Kickoff Celebration, during the Revivals, until the Church Anniversary-Proper we say thank you! Whether we asked you to say the welcome, pray, serve as the Worship Leader, read the Scripture, the Church's History, sing a song, baked a cake or pie, decorate, accepted the late night phone calls, gave words of encouragement or even planted the flowers, we say thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We love you and continued blessings! "Enter to Worship Depart to Serve." The Chairman's Board. People who have a heart for God have a heart for people. Brother James Smith and the Wednesday Feeding Ministry give special thanks and blessings to the Christian Culture Guild and their Ministry Leader, Sis. Lorraine M. Overton for their generous donation to the Wednesday Feeding Ministry. We know a helping hand can brighten another’s burden. God bless you all. Bro. James Smith, Ministry Leader SCHEDULED MEETINGS FOR THE WEEK Wed. Wed. Thu. Thu. Fri. November 2 Pastor’s Bible Class 7:00 PM November 2 Prayer Meeting 8:00 PM November 3 Noon Day Prayer 12 Noon November 3 Pastor’s Off-Site Bible Study 12 Noon (Tabernacle United Church, 37th between Walnut & Chestnut Sts.) November 4 Children’s Discipleship Classes 7:00 PM Schedule for Evangelism Ministry Friday, November 11, 2011 at 6:00 pm (class in Pastor’s Seminar Room, 2nd fl. Annex) Saturday, November 12, 2011 from 10:00 am (walking) THIS WEEK Flu Shots are coming to Mount Zion! TODAY and November 6th administered immediately following service in the lower edifice. Sponsored by the City of Philadelphia, Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Theta Chapter and Mount Zion’s Health Ministry. Questions, contact Sis. Phyllis Dowling. Tri-Church Collaboration 2011: TODAY, 4:30pm - “Shout for Joy!” White Rock Baptist Church Inspirational Choir in Concert, Special Guests – Mount Zion Mass Choir. Location: White Rock Baptist Church, 53rd & Chestnut St. Men on Mondays (M.O.M.) at Mount Zion: Monday, October 31st from 7am – 9am. Real men dealing with real issues in real conversation. See Bro. Samuel Moore or Pastor Jones Mission Outreach Recognition Honors Luncheon: Honoring Bro. Milton Turner, Saturday, November 19th at The Drexelbrook, 11am – 3pm. Cost: $35.00 per person. Registration deadline for banquet is October 31st. Fall Harvest Fellowship: Monday, October 31st 5pm-9pm. Donations needed. Asking each ministry to donate $10, and one or more items listed on the bulletin board to accommodate those attending. Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Coordinators: Bro. Riccardo Goodlet, Sis. Francine Scott, Sis. Toni Bradley Women’s Ministry: Please mark your calendar! There will be a Women’s Ministry Meeting on Saturday, November 5th at 10:30am. Thank you. Sis. Kathryn Williams, Ministry Leader Men’s Ministry: On Saturday, November 5th, there will be a Fellowship Breakfast at the Macedonia Baptist Church of Norristown. All men who want to attend, please report to Mount Zion at 7:00am. We will be leaving at 7:30am. Bro. Samuel Moore, Ministry Leader Men Can Cook Too – Don’t miss this golden event. Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 6pm. Tickets now available, $10 in advance. Cub Pack 189 celebrating 60 years at Mount Zion. Bro. Ronald Young, Ministry Leader Mount Zion Baptist Church “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.” Acts 2:17a SERMON NOTES DATE: SCRIPTURE: SERMON TITLE: PREACHER: October 30, 2011 Philippians 4.6 “A Society of Anxiety” Minister J. C. Howard Main Points from the Sermon _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ As a result of hearing this sermon, how am I compelled to BE? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ As a result of hearing this sermon, what am I compelled to DO? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ *CD’s of today’s worship service can be purchased for $5.00 after service downstairs at the Mount Zion Christian Bookstore* Discipleship Message To strengthen your discipleship, start and continue reading the daily scriptures below. You will grow even deeper by reading the daily bible readings associated with the Sunday School lesson shown on the adjacent page. Try God and Grow! Forgiveness (adapted from Devotionals in the Stand in the Gap Bible) "Then Peter came to Jesus and said, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to Peter, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.' " (Matthew 18.21, 22) God's forgiveness is free to us, but it is not cheap. We cannot meditate on the cross without being shocked by the price Jesus paid for our redemption. There was not only the physical pain, there was also the pain of rejection and abandonment. Add to that a crowd of spectators who couldn't have cared less that he was dying for them, and we finally begin to understand how deep his love is. He forgave all of that, and he forgives us of our sin! And because he does, so should we. That means we must pardon and cease blaming and resenting one another. Until we forgive, we are the prisoner of that situation or of the person who has offended us. We are caught in an emotional and psychological trap. Whether we want to or not, we meditate on the offender and the offense until our mind is obsessed. And though we might not be aware of it, others may be. Our actions and attitudes usually reveal our internal state of unforgiveness. We are often the last to realize the harm this is doing to us, especially as believers. Are you a prisoner of unforgiveness? Do you meditate on an offense over and over? Can you find it within yourself to let go of past offenses, even though you "deserve" to hang on to them? Jesus did - on the cross! What remains unforgiven in your life on this 97th Church Anniversary? To whom do you need to ask forgiveness? To whom do you need to grant forgiveness, whether asked for or not? What was unforgiven on last year's 96th Church Anniversary and remains unforgiven on this 97th? Be specific! For help, try praying as follows and add specifics that relate to your situation. "Almighty God, please forgive my lack of forgiveness, and guide me through the minefield of my feelings. I want to forgive and forget, but I just don't seem to do it. So whatever is hindering my forgiveness, I ask you to remove it by the power of Christ's blood ... and for his glory." Day Mon. Tues. Wed. Thur. Fri. Sat. Discipleship Theme God owns everything We are stewards Worshipping includes giving Giving as God desires Giving reveals our faithfulness Promises for faithful givers Scripture 1 Chronicles 29.10-18 Luke 16.1-13 Psalm 116-12-19 Genesis 28.18-22 Mark 12.41-44 Luke 6.38 Church Vision Becoming Mount Zion By Grace God’s loving people Joyfully Responding Whole Gospel Whole Community Prayer Readings Psalm 48 Eph. 2.8-10 1John 3.23 Luke 19.1-10 1John 3.16 1Thes. 5.23-24 At the July church meeting, members chose to invest in a church sign/marquee at the corner of 50th Street and Woodland Avenue. To accomplish this critical ministry of evangelism and outreach, we need to raise $35,000 to pay for the cost of the sign and its installation. Every member is asked to contribute $100 to the effort and we need at least 100 persons to contribute $200. That’s just $5-$10 per week from August through December. This contribution is above God's tithe and your offering. We can reach our goal by the end of the year. You may contribute all at once or in installments or both. Please use the special envelopes in the pews. As of October 23rd, with 122 people giving, we have raised $15,182. A digital sign like the one shown below will enable us to reach even more people. Moreover, we can educate the community on what is happening at the church (i.e. Legal Seminar) and we can witness to the hundreds of persons who pass by the intersection every hour of every day. Trust God and See! TRI-CHURCH COLLABORATION “SHOUT FOR JOY” WHITE ROCK BAPTIST CHURCH INSPIRATIONAL CHOIR SPECIAL GUEST MOUNT ZION MASS CHOIR Sunday, October 30, 2011 White Rock Baptist Church 4:30 PM YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY FALL HARVEST FELLOWSHIP The Gist of the Sunday School Lesson Living in Harmony with Others [Lesson for November 6] Lesson: Matthew 5.17-26 Read: Matthew 5.17-37 “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, „You shall not murder‟; and „whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.‟ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, „You fool,‟ you will be liable to the hell of fire.” Matthew 5:21-22 (NRSV) In this section of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5.17-48), Jesus offers his teachings side by side with the Law of Moses. Do the ethics of the Kingdom of Heaven go deeper than the Ten Commandments? We are tempted to say, “Yes.” However, Jesus had just declared, Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill (5.17). Jesus is not replacing an old statute with a new one; he is explaining what God intended when God first spoke to Moses. The Ten Commandments are apodictic laws—divine imperatives that reflect God’s absolute values. For example, Exodus 20.13 identifies murder as a capital offense in God’s eyes. (The King James translation renders the Hebrew word rasah as “kill” but is best translated “murder.”) In God’s covenant with Noah, God says those who shed blood will have their own blood shed (Genesis 9.6). The commandment does not discuss the motives for murder but are they not the same in Jesus’ day as they were in Moses’ time? Anger, fear, jealousy, impatience, mental imbalance? These are the emotional powers that can lead to murder. If we, as human beings, are to be held accountable for our actions, Jesus would hold us at least responsible for our words and the thinking and feeling behind them. If the cause for murder could be caught, perhaps that strong emotion would not result in violence. The Pharisees limited their application of the law to actions they could see. Jesus reminds his hearers that murder, carried out by the hand, starts with anger in the heart. Insults murder a person’s character and hurting words wound and crush the spirit. If we would live in harmony with one another, we must not only monitor our actions but we must check our word. R EVEREND S TEVEN B. L AWRENCE , C ONFERENC E C OMMITTEE C HAIR W EST P HILADELPHIA B APTIST C ONGRESS OF C HRISTIAN E DUC ATION Daily Bible Readings for Home Study and Worship November 6 ~ Living in Harmony with Others Monday, October 31, 2011 Mount Zion Baptist Church C. W. Gregory Dining Hall 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Mon, Oct. 31 .................................................. A Covenant of Forgiveness .................................................Hebrews 10:11-18 Tue, Nov. 1 .................................................... Rejoicing in God’s Forgiveness ................................................... Psalm 32:1-5 Wed, Nov. 2 ................................................... The Prayer of Faith ...................................................................... James 5:13-18 Thu, Nov. 3 .................................................... Forgive and Be Forgiven .............................................................. Luke 6:37-42 Fri, Nov. 4 ...................................................... How Often Should I Forgive? ............................................ Matthew 18:21-35 Sat, Nov. 5 ........................................... Forgiveness Begets Love .............................................................. Luke 7:40-47 Sun, Nov. 6 ............................................. First Be Reconciled .................................................... Matthew 5:17-26 Beloved Mount Zion, "this is God's commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another." (See I John 3.23) This scripture is printed on the church bus to reflect the dual discipleship commitment of faith and love. What we believe and how we behave comprise our witness. We best represent Jesus when what we say we believe is reflected in our actions - including how we communicate with one another. My prayer is that we continue to grow in the grace of acceptable speech. By that I mean speech that reflects who we are in Christ Jesus both listening and talking. How's your speech been this week - at home, at work, at church, with neighbors, with strangers? Leading up to and including last Sunday, we had a wonderful 97th Church Anniversary Celebration. The music by the guest choirs blessed us all in song. The three-night revival and Sunday worship blessed us in Word. The Sunday dinner blessed us in food and fellowship. I commend the entire Chairman's Board for such an outstanding celebration, as led by Sisters Linda McDonald - Chair, Loretta Killebrew - Co-chair, Wilhelmina Price - Secretary, Marlene Harris - Chaplain, Bernice Houston - Treasurer and Brothers Samuel Moore - Co-chair, Drew Johnson - Co-chair. Special thanks also to Brother Anthony White for leading the Music of our Mass Choir and Sister Gertrude Pertell for the culinary ministry. To everyone who participated in the worship celebration as a planner, leader, singer, usher, greeter, server, and member, I say well done, good and faithful servants! Let's make every celebration go higher and higher in the name of the Lord! The Lord God deserves our very best as we celebrate these years of ministry in Southwest Philadelphia. Our shared ministry in this 4th Era of People and Pastor at Mount Zion is a continuation of the work of Jesus Christ at Mount Zion that began in 1914. The foundational work of Pastor C. W. Gregory during his 40 year pastorate was followed by Pastor Hiawatha Coleman, who served for 31 years. He led the congregation when it built the current sanctuary, which had been initially proposed by Rev. Gregory. In 1988, Pastor Willie Robinson was called to carry on the ministry work in Southwest Philadelphia and served through the entry into the 21st century, building on the strong heritage that preceded him. Since November 1, 2009, yours truly has been the Lord's under-shepherd here. Today we continue to honor our heritage by having the 4th Hiawatha Coleman Preacher to share the gospel with us. To our guest preacher, Minister J. C. Howard, we say preach Jesus Christ as Lord! Each year through the 101st Anniversary, we will highlight one part of our church vision statement which reads, "We are becoming Mount Zion - by grace, God's loving people joyfully responding to the whole gospel for a whole community." In 2010, our church theme was "Becoming Mount Zion." Last year we preached an extended 12-part series on "Becoming Mount Zion" from April through September. This year, the church theme is "The Whole Gospel." The 2011 calendar year is appropriate for this theme since 400 years ago, in 1611, the popular King James Version of the Bible was first published. When we say, "The Whole Gospel", our focus is on the entire bible and the living Word of God. We began a sermon series in April, starting in Genesis, with the intent of preaching at least one message from all 66 books of the bible by the October 2014 "100th Church Anniversary and Beyond" celebration. Beginning in November we will play an audio reading of the bible in the sanctuary during selected times of the week from Monday through Friday. More details will be announced next week. In future years, the church themes will be "The Whole Community" in 2012, "God's Loving People" in 2013, "Joyfully Responding" in 2014 and "By Grace" in 2015. As we continue building the ministry work in this 4th Era, please stay vigilant and prayerful. You can be sure that the Adversary will seek to thwart our labors for the Master. Here are some signs that demonstrate such activity - improper speech, negativity, division, disorder, and tradition masquerading rebellion. But when led by the Spirit as I feel we are, I'm encouraged when I see such things occurring because it often means that we are moving in the direction that God wants. We will face opposition, even within our own midst, but God is faithful! Like Jesus when confronted in the wilderness, we must counter the Adversary with prayer, fasting and the word of God (See Matthew 4.1-11). As 2 Timothy reminds us, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. The temptation story and entire biblical witness shows that God will prevail because the Lord is Sovereign. When we keep our mutual priorities for kingdom building clear that is the Lord God first, His church second and our own desires third - then we will have the victory. Already, there are many signs among us that show the miraculous power of God. As the song goes, "it's mighty nice to be on the Lord's side." Beloved, be sure that's the side you're on. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3.20,21)