We had awesome worship this morning. It was great to be back at MZ for sure. The sermon series began today - The Character of a Godly Person and continues next week. You can hear today's sermon at Character or by going to the web page. You can listen to a portion of our 9:30 worship this morning at 9:30 Contemporary Worship Clip. This clip can also be found through a link on the web page www.mzumc.com.
Revival is next week, Sunday through Wednesday and I hope you find the time to attend and visit if you are not from MZ. Bill Itzel, a local Christian artist will bring special music Monday through Wednesday. Make plans now to attend each evening at 7 pm.
Blessings to you all!
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Child Care
MZ Folks and Friends,
Child Care is an essential part of our ministry to young families. If we expect to reach young families for Jesus we need to provide child care at worship services, congregational meetings if we want to hear their ideas, and even a few Bible Studies and Home Groups.
A number of young parents come to church alone these days and it is harder to handle children with only one parent. Some children are harder than others to handle too.
Have you taken a turn in the nursery or cribbery during worship lately? A church our size should be able to provide these needs through volunteers. With three worship services or two if we move offsite combining two of them, the other service(s) should be able to provide this for each other. Don’t use excuses like I’m too busy, too old, did my time, not my children, mine sat in church with me, and more. If we do not see this as a ministry and begin to step forward, either as volunteers or through (choke) a paid position, we will not reach or keep young families at MZ.
Volunteers should see their work as unto the Lord. Colossians 3:23-24 – 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
We need people who will work with the children in SonBurst, with the youth in Youth Group (the Circles), and with our adult programs. We need people who will work around the church keeping the grounds looking nice and more. Where is your place to help? When you take a task on, do it to the best of your ability and be serious and committed to that task. God will be blessed and pleased.
Can you help with Child Care? If so, please see Pastor Wade or Rachel or call the office or contact Rev. Ray or Pastor Tony. If you can help in any way, let us know. A church depends a great deal on Volunteerism and we need you to serve God at MZ!
Child Care is an essential part of our ministry to young families. If we expect to reach young families for Jesus we need to provide child care at worship services, congregational meetings if we want to hear their ideas, and even a few Bible Studies and Home Groups.
A number of young parents come to church alone these days and it is harder to handle children with only one parent. Some children are harder than others to handle too.
Have you taken a turn in the nursery or cribbery during worship lately? A church our size should be able to provide these needs through volunteers. With three worship services or two if we move offsite combining two of them, the other service(s) should be able to provide this for each other. Don’t use excuses like I’m too busy, too old, did my time, not my children, mine sat in church with me, and more. If we do not see this as a ministry and begin to step forward, either as volunteers or through (choke) a paid position, we will not reach or keep young families at MZ.
Volunteers should see their work as unto the Lord. Colossians 3:23-24 – 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
We need people who will work with the children in SonBurst, with the youth in Youth Group (the Circles), and with our adult programs. We need people who will work around the church keeping the grounds looking nice and more. Where is your place to help? When you take a task on, do it to the best of your ability and be serious and committed to that task. God will be blessed and pleased.
Can you help with Child Care? If so, please see Pastor Wade or Rachel or call the office or contact Rev. Ray or Pastor Tony. If you can help in any way, let us know. A church depends a great deal on Volunteerism and we need you to serve God at MZ!
Thursday, August 03, 2006
From the Pastor 8/4/06
Last night (Wednesday) we had a meeting to discuss our contemporary worship services. We spent some time talking about our worship and I wanted to share some with the whole congregation. We had a very good representation, around 40 people in all at the gathering.
We defined worship a number of ways. For most, worship was a time of coming into the presence of God. It involved music, praises, prayer and the Word of God.
We talked about the elements of contemporary worship and how they help/hinder person’s worship of God. Most greatly appreciated the Praise Band and saw them as an integral part of contemporary worship. Some wanted more, some wanted less music. Some wanted it louder. Some wanted a service not bound by time or order/bulletin. Some wanted to make sure the pastors had time to preach what God had laid on their hearts. Some wanted children more involved in the service and with their families; others wanted activities for the children during worship. And I could go on and on. It was a great meeting for people to open up and share.
After this time of sharing we presented a FAQ sheet with some thoughts about moving the two contemporary services offsite. There was again great discussion. It was stressed by several persons that our Sunday morning education time has suffered since we placed a service at the same time as our main education time. A two fold purpose was presented a number of times, reminding us that we not only need to draw persons to Christ through our worship services but we need to disciple them as well through our Sunday and weekly education opportunities. A reminder that parents ought to be the primary trainer of their children in religion brought a reminder that most parents do not do this for various reasons. A reminder was shared with those gathered that in order to train and equip children/youth/adults many volunteers are needed, not just the paid staff. We really want a dynamic children and youth program but do not at this time have the volunteer base we need.
A consensus was reached to further investigate moving the contemporary services offsite until other arrangements could be made. Below is a revised FAQ sheet, much like what was shared at the gathering with minor adjustments resulting from the gathering. Future discussion meetings will be held (next will be August 10th at 7 pm) and at some point we will have a congregational vote (on Sunday mornings so everyone attending can vote instead of only those who attend a meeting).
No timeline was set but in a discussion this morning with Pastor Tony we both agreed that some time this fall was the ideal time because of people looking for a church when the children go back in school and we’re moving toward Christmas. But, we’ll move in God’s time on this issue.
The denomination has also expressed interest in our developing an offsite contemporary service and has promised some financial assistance as outlined below. Your prayers and thoughts are vital and your help as well.
When you look at the two plans for our proposed Sunday mornings, plan A was trying to keep the largest service at the same time and plan B placed the main education time between the services. Both proposals tried to end our mornings around noon. We also tried not to affect the traditional service at all, leaving their time alone and providing adult education for those who attend that service.
Moving Contemporary Worship Offsite FAQ Sheet
1. Why would we consider this move?
Our vision is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Most experts report that a neutral meeting place attracts more people than a traditional setting. (Comment: If our goal is to reach more folks for Jesus the hardships of this move might need to be placed on the back burner.) In talking to those who lead/participate in worship the idea of a larger setting and one contemporary service has always been appealing. Joining the two contemporary services together with room to grow is not possible on location at this time. The denomination is supportive of this move. They would like to see a contemporary setting in South County. MZ and Cedar Grove have done a good job of developing contemporary worship at traditional settings. If the United Methodist Church wants to have a presence in South County in the contemporary worship arena, something new needs to be done.
2. What are some of the pros of this move?
- Contemporary setting that allows for outreach and growth
- More welcoming and inviting place, more visible place to the community which enables us to reach more people, people who would not come to MZ for historical/personal reasons
- Opportunity for both pastors to teach on Sunday mornings
- Two services instead of three – which is less work for volunteers and staff in worship
3. What are some of the cons of this move?
- Added expense for the rental of Southern Middle
- Travel to and from this offsite location
- Setup and takedown of the worship setting each week
- Equipment sharing with traditional service or purchase of travel equipment
- Some may not travel between locations
- Volunteers, volunteers, volunteers
4. What will our Sunday morning schedule look like?
- Plan A
8:00m Traditional Worship in Sanctuary
8:00am Education at MZ – Adult classes
9:30am Contemporary Worship offsite at Southern Middle
9:30am Education at MZ – Adult classes and children/youth classes as needed
11:15am Education at MZ – SonBurst and adult classes
- Plan B
8:00am Traditional Worship in Sanctuary
8:00am Education at MZ – Adult classes
9:15am Education at MZ – SonBurst and Adult classes
10:30am Contemporary Worship offsite at Southern Middle cafeteria
5. Volunteers needed?
Of course all of our ministries need volunteers – especially SonBurst, Youth, Cribbery/Nursery. The new setting would need volunteers too, like parking lot greeters, welcoming teams, ushers, setup/takedown teams, hospitality teams, ministry fair persons, information directors and more. Currently, volunteers for SonBurst are affected by the 9:30 worship & SonBurst happening at the same time.
6. Denominational Involvement?
A grant will be applied for that will have two components. 1- A portion of the grant would bring us $15,000 a year (renewal as needed and approved) for rent. 2- Another portion of the grant would bring us $12,000 a year (renewal as needed and approved) for a worship leader 10-12 hours a week to work with the pastor to design the contemporary service, work with the band and lead worship, taking us to the next level in worship.
7. Long range plans?
Multiple choices:
- Stay at Southern Middle – will hold 600, no mortgage, no repairs, no use of building during the week. $1,500,000 worship center at 5.75% for 30 years is $2,020.06 a week. Three hour rental & fees for SM will be under $600 a week.
- Return to MZ and build new worship center (old Sanctinasium plan?)
- Buy land else where and build new worship center
I hope this helps the whole church grasp what we discussed at the gathering August 2nd. Our next discussion time will be August 10th at 7 pm. I hope you can attend.
Your Friend and Pastor,
Rev. Ray
We defined worship a number of ways. For most, worship was a time of coming into the presence of God. It involved music, praises, prayer and the Word of God.
We talked about the elements of contemporary worship and how they help/hinder person’s worship of God. Most greatly appreciated the Praise Band and saw them as an integral part of contemporary worship. Some wanted more, some wanted less music. Some wanted it louder. Some wanted a service not bound by time or order/bulletin. Some wanted to make sure the pastors had time to preach what God had laid on their hearts. Some wanted children more involved in the service and with their families; others wanted activities for the children during worship. And I could go on and on. It was a great meeting for people to open up and share.
After this time of sharing we presented a FAQ sheet with some thoughts about moving the two contemporary services offsite. There was again great discussion. It was stressed by several persons that our Sunday morning education time has suffered since we placed a service at the same time as our main education time. A two fold purpose was presented a number of times, reminding us that we not only need to draw persons to Christ through our worship services but we need to disciple them as well through our Sunday and weekly education opportunities. A reminder that parents ought to be the primary trainer of their children in religion brought a reminder that most parents do not do this for various reasons. A reminder was shared with those gathered that in order to train and equip children/youth/adults many volunteers are needed, not just the paid staff. We really want a dynamic children and youth program but do not at this time have the volunteer base we need.
A consensus was reached to further investigate moving the contemporary services offsite until other arrangements could be made. Below is a revised FAQ sheet, much like what was shared at the gathering with minor adjustments resulting from the gathering. Future discussion meetings will be held (next will be August 10th at 7 pm) and at some point we will have a congregational vote (on Sunday mornings so everyone attending can vote instead of only those who attend a meeting).
No timeline was set but in a discussion this morning with Pastor Tony we both agreed that some time this fall was the ideal time because of people looking for a church when the children go back in school and we’re moving toward Christmas. But, we’ll move in God’s time on this issue.
The denomination has also expressed interest in our developing an offsite contemporary service and has promised some financial assistance as outlined below. Your prayers and thoughts are vital and your help as well.
When you look at the two plans for our proposed Sunday mornings, plan A was trying to keep the largest service at the same time and plan B placed the main education time between the services. Both proposals tried to end our mornings around noon. We also tried not to affect the traditional service at all, leaving their time alone and providing adult education for those who attend that service.
Moving Contemporary Worship Offsite FAQ Sheet
1. Why would we consider this move?
Our vision is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Most experts report that a neutral meeting place attracts more people than a traditional setting. (Comment: If our goal is to reach more folks for Jesus the hardships of this move might need to be placed on the back burner.) In talking to those who lead/participate in worship the idea of a larger setting and one contemporary service has always been appealing. Joining the two contemporary services together with room to grow is not possible on location at this time. The denomination is supportive of this move. They would like to see a contemporary setting in South County. MZ and Cedar Grove have done a good job of developing contemporary worship at traditional settings. If the United Methodist Church wants to have a presence in South County in the contemporary worship arena, something new needs to be done.
2. What are some of the pros of this move?
- Contemporary setting that allows for outreach and growth
- More welcoming and inviting place, more visible place to the community which enables us to reach more people, people who would not come to MZ for historical/personal reasons
- Opportunity for both pastors to teach on Sunday mornings
- Two services instead of three – which is less work for volunteers and staff in worship
3. What are some of the cons of this move?
- Added expense for the rental of Southern Middle
- Travel to and from this offsite location
- Setup and takedown of the worship setting each week
- Equipment sharing with traditional service or purchase of travel equipment
- Some may not travel between locations
- Volunteers, volunteers, volunteers
4. What will our Sunday morning schedule look like?
- Plan A
8:00m Traditional Worship in Sanctuary
8:00am Education at MZ – Adult classes
9:30am Contemporary Worship offsite at Southern Middle
9:30am Education at MZ – Adult classes and children/youth classes as needed
11:15am Education at MZ – SonBurst and adult classes
- Plan B
8:00am Traditional Worship in Sanctuary
8:00am Education at MZ – Adult classes
9:15am Education at MZ – SonBurst and Adult classes
10:30am Contemporary Worship offsite at Southern Middle cafeteria
5. Volunteers needed?
Of course all of our ministries need volunteers – especially SonBurst, Youth, Cribbery/Nursery. The new setting would need volunteers too, like parking lot greeters, welcoming teams, ushers, setup/takedown teams, hospitality teams, ministry fair persons, information directors and more. Currently, volunteers for SonBurst are affected by the 9:30 worship & SonBurst happening at the same time.
6. Denominational Involvement?
A grant will be applied for that will have two components. 1- A portion of the grant would bring us $15,000 a year (renewal as needed and approved) for rent. 2- Another portion of the grant would bring us $12,000 a year (renewal as needed and approved) for a worship leader 10-12 hours a week to work with the pastor to design the contemporary service, work with the band and lead worship, taking us to the next level in worship.
7. Long range plans?
Multiple choices:
- Stay at Southern Middle – will hold 600, no mortgage, no repairs, no use of building during the week. $1,500,000 worship center at 5.75% for 30 years is $2,020.06 a week. Three hour rental & fees for SM will be under $600 a week.
- Return to MZ and build new worship center (old Sanctinasium plan?)
- Buy land else where and build new worship center
I hope this helps the whole church grasp what we discussed at the gathering August 2nd. Our next discussion time will be August 10th at 7 pm. I hope you can attend.
Your Friend and Pastor,
Rev. Ray
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Awesome Worship and More
If you attended either of the contemporary worship services today I hope you could feel the energy. Our praise time was awesome, like a gentle rain on a dry land, refreshing and filling. A good number of folks came to pray with one another and I for one could feel the Spirit of God working on us. Several folks expressed how poerful the praise and worship time was today. Pastor Tony's word was fresh and touched out hearts and there was a good response to it as folks came back to the altar during the closing.
If you have been on vacation or away for some other reason, don't wait till fall to come back to MZ. A new sermon series begins this coming Sunday - The Character of a Godly Person. As we shared today, God wants a people who are on fire, and who have been refined by the fire to become more and more like Jesus. With the wars and rumors of wars around us, the end might be near, and God wants to use us to draw others to Him before that time.
Our summer revival starts in two weeks, August 13. The messages will be from our series on the character of a Godly person and in addition to the Praise Team Bill Itzel will join us and share some special music. Each night is at 7 pm and you won't want to miss a single night.
See you Sunday if not this week for a Bible Study or our church-wide activity to the Baysox game on Tuesday night. Blessings!
If you have been on vacation or away for some other reason, don't wait till fall to come back to MZ. A new sermon series begins this coming Sunday - The Character of a Godly Person. As we shared today, God wants a people who are on fire, and who have been refined by the fire to become more and more like Jesus. With the wars and rumors of wars around us, the end might be near, and God wants to use us to draw others to Him before that time.
Our summer revival starts in two weeks, August 13. The messages will be from our series on the character of a Godly person and in addition to the Praise Team Bill Itzel will join us and share some special music. Each night is at 7 pm and you won't want to miss a single night.
See you Sunday if not this week for a Bible Study or our church-wide activity to the Baysox game on Tuesday night. Blessings!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Future Sermons2
Starting August 6th at all three services Rev. Ray will begin a series of sermons on The Character of a Godly Person. During this series which will encompass the summer revival from August 13th to 16th. It will cover subjects like character, nothing hidden, holiness, a pure heart, a contrite heart, fear of God, faithfulness, obedience, seek & love God and serving God. This series will go from August 6th until September 10th.
This series will be followed by a series on Getting in Spiritual Shape. We spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on our physical shape and health but at times we ignore our spiritual shape. This series will deal with struggles grow character, growing through love, a life that reflects God, tests and trials, a student of the Word and Prayer. This series runs from September 17th through October 22nd.
Don't forget the Worship meeting on August 2nd to discuss our contemporary worship services. The location of our contemporary worship will also be discussed. See you there and each week as we grow in our knowledge and relationship with Jesus.
This series will be followed by a series on Getting in Spiritual Shape. We spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on our physical shape and health but at times we ignore our spiritual shape. This series will deal with struggles grow character, growing through love, a life that reflects God, tests and trials, a student of the Word and Prayer. This series runs from September 17th through October 22nd.
Don't forget the Worship meeting on August 2nd to discuss our contemporary worship services. The location of our contemporary worship will also be discussed. See you there and each week as we grow in our knowledge and relationship with Jesus.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Follow-up from Contemporary Worship Post
Traditional Protestant worship is usually sermon dominated or at the very least 50-50 in time allocation. Three hymns, a prayer, a responsive reading, a creed, the offering and a sermon.
Contemporary worship is more praise and worship oriented. Although the sermon is key, contemporary worship has to do with coming into the presence of God as a Body. It is about encouraging the listeners to grow in their faith and understanding. To prick their hearts and invite them to go deeper in their walk.
Our service of 75 minutes has always tried to be 25-30 minutes sermon and 45-50 minutes praise and worship. A real prayer time (not just a 30 sec prayer) and a time to approach the Lord at the altar and with one another. It has always had music as a central part of the service because music and words can be used to draw us into God's presence.
For those who want more sermon and less praise and worship, a Bible Study might be the answer or a preaching service could be started with little if any praise and worship and one of the pastor's preaching for the majority of the service.
We try to offer all sorts of worship services and MZ. Come August 2nd and discuss what our traditional and contemporary services consist of and if there is a need for more worship styles, we can offer what is needed in the future.
Contemporary worship is more praise and worship oriented. Although the sermon is key, contemporary worship has to do with coming into the presence of God as a Body. It is about encouraging the listeners to grow in their faith and understanding. To prick their hearts and invite them to go deeper in their walk.
Our service of 75 minutes has always tried to be 25-30 minutes sermon and 45-50 minutes praise and worship. A real prayer time (not just a 30 sec prayer) and a time to approach the Lord at the altar and with one another. It has always had music as a central part of the service because music and words can be used to draw us into God's presence.
For those who want more sermon and less praise and worship, a Bible Study might be the answer or a preaching service could be started with little if any praise and worship and one of the pastor's preaching for the majority of the service.
We try to offer all sorts of worship services and MZ. Come August 2nd and discuss what our traditional and contemporary services consist of and if there is a need for more worship styles, we can offer what is needed in the future.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Contemporary Worship
I hope you plan to attend the August 2nd Worship meeting to discuss what worship and specifically what contemporary worship is all about at Mt. Zion. What are your thoughts? Share some of them here so we can come ready to discuss them.
What is worship all about for you? What makes worship contemporary for you? How do these contemporary elements meet your definition of worship?
What is worship all about for you? What makes worship contemporary for you? How do these contemporary elements meet your definition of worship?
Monday, June 26, 2006
Future Sermons
The pastors spend time praying and seeking God when they develop the sermons they share. They take this responsibility as an anointing from God and spend much time in prayer related to this process. But, they are always open to what the Lord might be telling the congregation as well. You can see the planned sermon topics and Scriptures by going to the web page (www.mzumc.com) and tapping the worship button and then the future sermons button.
Rev. Ray has developed a couple of series coming up when he returns. The first will be a series on the character of a Godly person which will run from August 6 to September 10 including the revival August 13-16. Following that he will preach a series on getting in spiritual shape from September 17 to October 22.
Of course these are just plans and the pastors are open to the Holy Spirit's change of plans and other changes that may occur. For instance there may be a community wide worship service this fall with the United Methodist Churches of Lothian coming together which would move the sermon series back a week.
As you review the list, are there topics through your prayer life that you feel would be helpful to the body at MZ? We can't promise to respond to each request but we can be open to the ways that the Spirit works through us all.
Rev. Ray has developed a couple of series coming up when he returns. The first will be a series on the character of a Godly person which will run from August 6 to September 10 including the revival August 13-16. Following that he will preach a series on getting in spiritual shape from September 17 to October 22.
Of course these are just plans and the pastors are open to the Holy Spirit's change of plans and other changes that may occur. For instance there may be a community wide worship service this fall with the United Methodist Churches of Lothian coming together which would move the sermon series back a week.
As you review the list, are there topics through your prayer life that you feel would be helpful to the body at MZ? We can't promise to respond to each request but we can be open to the ways that the Spirit works through us all.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Worship
What is worship to you? What are you looking for in worship?
New Testament worship was characterized by a joy and thanksgiving because of God's gracious redemption in Christ. This early Christian worship focused on God's saving work in Jesus Christ. True worship was that which occurred under the inspiration of God's Spirit (John 4:23-24; Phil 3:3).
Prayer apparently had a leading place in Christian worship. The letters of Paul regularly open with references to prayer for fellow-Christians who are instructed to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess 5:17). Praise, either by individuals or in hymns sung in common, reflects the frequent use of psalms in the synagogue. Also, possible fragments of Christian hymns appear scattered through the New Testament (Acts 4:24-30; Eph 5:14; 1 Tim 3:16; Rev 4:8,11; 5:9-10,12-13).
Lessons from the Bible to be read and studied were another part of the worship procedure of the New Testament church. Emphasis was probably given to the messianic prophecies which had been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. His teachings also received a primary place.
Prophecy, inspired preaching by one filled with the Holy Spirit, helped build up the church, the body of Christ (Eph. 12:6 ). Contributions were also collected on the first day of each week (1 Cor 16:2). Other details about the worship procedures of the early Christians in the New Testament times are spotty. But these elements must have been regularly included in the weekly worship service. (from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c)1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
So what are the elements of worship that make your experience before God meaningful? This could be revealing as we share our thoughts and hearts.
New Testament worship was characterized by a joy and thanksgiving because of God's gracious redemption in Christ. This early Christian worship focused on God's saving work in Jesus Christ. True worship was that which occurred under the inspiration of God's Spirit (John 4:23-24; Phil 3:3).
Prayer apparently had a leading place in Christian worship. The letters of Paul regularly open with references to prayer for fellow-Christians who are instructed to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess 5:17). Praise, either by individuals or in hymns sung in common, reflects the frequent use of psalms in the synagogue. Also, possible fragments of Christian hymns appear scattered through the New Testament (Acts 4:24-30; Eph 5:14; 1 Tim 3:16; Rev 4:8,11; 5:9-10,12-13).
Lessons from the Bible to be read and studied were another part of the worship procedure of the New Testament church. Emphasis was probably given to the messianic prophecies which had been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. His teachings also received a primary place.
Prophecy, inspired preaching by one filled with the Holy Spirit, helped build up the church, the body of Christ (Eph. 12:6 ). Contributions were also collected on the first day of each week (1 Cor 16:2). Other details about the worship procedures of the early Christians in the New Testament times are spotty. But these elements must have been regularly included in the weekly worship service. (from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c)1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
So what are the elements of worship that make your experience before God meaningful? This could be revealing as we share our thoughts and hearts.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Being Faithful
I'd love to read what helps to keep you faithful to your Lord, your morals and your values.
