Keep up to date on all that's happening at Mt. Zion UMC
Your Weekly News & Updates
Is it Raining PJ Packs?
The rain has been intense but, no, it's not raining PJ packs, it just looks like it. However, the Great Year of Service for 2020 has sure started out with a dramatic bang. This year we collected a record 303 PJ packs, plus assorted extras, which is up over 100 from the collection last year. Certainly, Children's Hospital of Atlanta will be well-stocked for a while. Thank you, Mt. Zion for your continued faithfulness to our outreach efforts.
Pragmatic Prayer Study Starts
After WOW Dinner, March 4
You learn to walk by walking. You learn to talk by talking. You learn to pray by praying.
This new study, Pragmatic Prayer , from Mt. Zion's Prayer Ministry deals with prayer, sensibly and realistically, based on practical rather than theoretical considerations.
Written by our own Jorja Davis and presented by David Brigham, the study promises to be unique and rewarding.
Join them for the four Wednesdays in March (March 4, 11, 18 and 25) to practice praying in practical ways.
Class will begin at 6:15 pm in room 303. Contact David Brigham for more information or with questions.
Lent- A Time of Preparation,
Starts February 26, with worship
Lent is the period of 40 days leading up to Easter (note: Sundays don't count). It is a time of preparation and focus, reminiscent of Jesus' time in the wilderness before he started his public ministry (See Mark 1, Matthew 4, or Luke 4). We believe that Jesus went to the wilderness to set aside the distractions of normal, "worldly" life and focus on God and God's will for him. So we attempt to do the same during Lent--though often on a slightly less stringent scale.
Lent is a time to align our hearts with God's heart as we approach Easter.
Mt. Zion will observe the beginning of Lent with its traditional service, including the imposition of ashes. Gather in the Sanctuary after WOW dinner, on February 26, at 6:15 pm for a time of prayer and meditation, followed by worship at 6:30 pm.
Yesterday at worship, Pastor Harden threw out a challenge to the congregation. He committed to limiting his TV News viewing to one hour a day. What do you say? Can you manage that?
Here are four suggestions from the UMC for ways to observe Lent.

Promises to Keep for
Family Promise Week
Mt. Zion's first Family Promise week is coming soon, March 1 - 8. The ever-faithful congregations has stepped up to the plate and filled the long list of volunteers needed for the week. Yes!!! But can you help with one of the most important tasks by turning in Family Promise mail? Write your cards and notes to the families so they feel the Mt. Zion spirit. Currently, we are expecting three moms and six children. Wouldn't it be great if the mailbox was full when they arrived?
Joy Jones will place the mailbox under the TV in the lower welcome area. Call or email her if you have questions.
770-597-1114
Stay Informed and Pray for UMC Delegates
Getting ready for General Conference 2020
The UMC General Conference will meet May 5-15, 2020 in Minneapolis. In previous articles, I have offered ways to stay properly informed and aptly engage the facts as they come to us. The office of UMC Discipleship recently released guidance to assist church leaders in helping their congregations get ready for General Conference. Below, I have shared this information and felt affirmed, as we have already been doing many of these things. You may also follow the embedded links for resources and more information.   
 
Pray – Be in prayer, as individuals and as a church community, for General Conference, delegates, and for discernment. Use the Upper Room prayer guide:  Be Still and Know: 40 Days of Prayer for General Conference .
 
Get information  from   trusted news services .  Sign up for the  Daily Digest from the UM News Service . The United Methodist News Service is the authorized organization that reports news regarding The UMC. Their staff understands the complex procedures of The UMC, and able to provide the most accurate news. The United Methodist News Service has a   chart of proposed plans about the structure of The United Methodist Church .
 
Learn the process  of General Conference. General Conference is the only group that can speak on behalf of The United Methodist Church worldwide. It is composed of delegates from around the world and involves many nuanced procedures. Learn more about General Conference from  this article from David Teel , Director of Lay Leadership.
 
Participate  in town halls and conversations with your Bishop and General Conference Delegates. Our Bishop has town halls planned throughout North Georgia.  Specifically for the Atlanta-Marietta and Atlanta-Roswell Districts, she is scheduled at Hillside UMC in Woodstock, March 1 at 3 p.m.
 
Build trust and relationships  with one another. Now is not the time to be making decisions about the future of a local congregation’s denominational connection. No one can predict the outcome(s) of General Conference. Take this time to foster and deepen relationships with our brothers and sisters at Mt. Zion. Constructive conversations in small groups, Sunday School classes, etc., can center around questions such as, “Why are you a United Methodist?” or “When have you been most proud to be a United Methodist?” A helpful focus is learning from one another, instead of debating.

Maintain a focus on discipleship and faithful stewardship.  Let us not lose focus that, regardless of what happens [or doesn’t] at General Conference, the ministry of making disciples and following God’s call in ministry for our church continues (Resource:  Developing an Intentional Discipleship System: A Guide for Congregations ). Ministry and needs within the community will be ongoing long past General Conference. It is always good to remember that our giving is directed to God and ministry needs locally and globally. Our connectional responsibilities across the globe depend on our ongoing gifts; and, our surrounding community continues to need us, perhaps now more than ever. (Resource:  Engaging Your Community: A Guide to Seeing All the People .)
 
I believe these are tangible actions we may engage together. Through it all, please do not neglect prayer, and remain open to the activity and revelation of God’s Spirit.
 
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Harden
Keenagers Get Heart-Healthy Tips
at February 13th Meeting
The February Keenagers get-together is a heart-healthy talk with Richard Dumont, aka The Nutrition Guy. Details below!

Heart Health Talk by Richard Dumont
Wear Red!
Thursday, February 13th at 11:00 - 12:00. Lunch at noon. 
Richard will talk about smart healthy heart eating. 
Meet in the Upper Room. 
No cost. 
Please RSVP by 2/10 to:
or Call to 770-977-2175.  
It's Time to Think About Summer
Basketball League and Camps
Hoops2Heaven Summer 2020 Information:
 
The Mt. Zion UMC Youth Sports Ministry is Christ-centered and has been dedicated to helping boys and girls enjoy fun sports, improve their skills, and grow in a safe environment since 1987. The Youth Sports Ministry staff is highly experienced in managing youth sports and ministering to children and youth. Christ-centered devotions are shared for each activity. 
 
Hoops2Heaven Premier League – This league is the premier middle school age summer league in the area and designed for players who love hoops! Players are grouped primarily by skill level, and we honor carpool requests if possible. The effective date for age participation is June 1, 2020. Ages 11-14 are eligible. Our league is coed. Games occur twice per week for seven weeks on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm or 7:45 pm. The fee is $100 per child (max $250 family). First 66 are assured a spot.
 
Basketball Dreams Camp - The very popular Basketball Dreams camps sponsored by Hoops2Heaven are as follow: June 8-11 M-Th (9:30 am to 12:30 pm) and July 22-24 M-Th (9:30 am to 1:30 pm) for ages 6-12. The camp is co-ed. The fee is $100 per child.
     


 
Mail check and form to: Mt. Zion UMC, Hoops2Heaven, 1770 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, GA 30062.
Church wide Lenten Study:
Sinning Like a Christian
A New Look at the
Seven Deadly Sins
by William H. Willimon
This class starts Sunday, March 1 in the Chapel at 10:00 am with Laura Wheeler as facilitator.
Dates are:
March 1
March 8
March 15
March 22
April 5
(no class March 29 - Fifth Sunday One Service)
An unflinching look at the meaning and substance of sin.
The seven deadly sins are a well-known topic, but, surprisingly, not much has been written about them in recent years from a serious theological viewpoint. Will Willimon's engaging book, which takes an unflinching look at the meaning and substance of sin, will be of great interest to Christians. Study questions by the author are included. The "felt need" is an increasing dissatisfaction with shallow,
feel-good Christianity—which does not attempt to grapple with our propensity, visible around us and in our own lives, to do evil. This edition includes a new introduction by the author.

A recent study by the Pulpit and Pew Research Center found that Will Willimon is one of the most widely read authors among mainline Protestant pastors, and an international survey conducted by Baylor University named him one of the Twelve Most Effective Preachers in the English-speaking world. With over a million copies of more than sixty books sold, his popularity is undeniable.
Books are $12 and will be available at WOW, on Sunday mornings and in the church office. If your Sunday School class needs multiple copies, we can deliver to your classroom. communications@mtzionumc.org for information or call 770-971-1465  
William H. Willimon
 Asking The Hard Questions:
Conversations on Mental Health
for Parents and Teens
February 16 - Depression
February 23 - Tech and Social Media & Dinner with Discussion
5:00 - 7:00 pm
$20/adult
$30 max/family
teens are free

Each Sunday night, we will gather for a brief meal together at 5 pm, before youth and parents break off to have guided conversations. Our adult group will be led by Rev. Geist, and our youth discussion will be led by our youth staff. On our final Sunday evening, February 23, we will have break out groups from 5 to 6 pm before joining together at 6 pm for dinner and a guided framework for conversations between you and your students.

We strongly encourage everyone and their students to attend. We believe that fullness in our faith and understanding the life that God has for us begins with have open and honest conversations about the things that each of us struggle with. We ask that you please be in prayer for this ministry opportunity as we plan and facilitate that it will bear fruit within your families.
Women's Retreat 2020-Register Now!
Registration is now open for Women's Retreat 2020. All ladies of the church are invited to this day apart on Saturday, March 7, 9 to 2 pm with guest speaker, Rev. Laurie Moeller. The $35 registration fee includes lunch. Reserve your spot now, space is limited.
The retreat follows the Special UMW Recognition Awards at WOW Dinner on Wednesday, March 4. Sunday March 8 is UMW Sunday, when Rev. Natalee Dukes Hamby will deliver the morning sermons.
Click on the link below to print a registration form or pick up one from the church office. Make checks out to Mt. Zion UMW
Great Year of Service February Focus: SafePath
SafePath is a non-profit organization in Cobb County that offers a comprehensive approach to the intervention, investigation, prosecution and treatment of alleged child abuse. SafePath is also the focus of Mt. Zion's February Great Year of Service Project.
Collection bins will remain in the now familiar location, in the elevator lobby area on the ground floor. Check out the critically needed items by clicking this link.
Boy Scout Troop 795
Opens Pine Straw Sales
Scouts BSA Troop 795, for which Mt. Zion UMC is the chartering organization, is holding its annual Pine Straw Sale. 
Orders may be placed now through February 24, with delivery on Saturday, February 29 (Leap Day). 
Spreading service is optional and will occur on March 7 or 14. 
Sales benefit Troop 795, and orders may be placed by returning the order form to the church office,  online , or through one of the member Scouts: Everett Garrett, Chris Porch, Isaac Wheelis, and Carter Whitley.

We Thank our Coffee Hour Hosts
Hosts for

February 16
Discovery Class

February 23
Odyssey Class
FYI - No WOW Dinner on February 19 - Winter Break
UMW News
Early Birds Circle will meet the second Tuesday on February 11 at 9:30 am in the Youth Center. The program will be a speaker from “Helping Mamas”. They will be collecting diapers, pacifiers, wet wipes, and other baby toiletries. They will be going to lunch at Jim “N Nick’s Bar-B-Q following our meeting.

Keepsake Quilters  will meet February 18 and 25. They will be sewing for charity. Please bring your sewing machine and sewing essentials.They will meet at 9:30 at Tiny Stitches, 2518 East Piedmont Road Marietta, GA 30062. For information please call Elaine Otterbourg at 404-655-0198 or Lynn Hemby at 770-642-9647. 

Tiny Stitches Circle- meets the third Thursday of each month (February 20) from 9:30 AM - noon in Upper Room. Join them to sew, serge, knit or crochet baby items that are donated to the Tiny Stitches Organization. Tiny Stitches provides patterns, fabric, ribbing and yarn for all of their projects. We just provide the labor and love. You may also pick up supplies and work on your projects at home. For more information, contact Genie Neely at  770-992-1933  or email: genie.neely@mindspring.com .
  Weekly Calendar
   
 Monday February 10

9:45 am The Well / The Upper Room
10:00 am GriefShare / St. Peter & St. Paul Episcopal
5:30 pm Basketball / Gym
7:00 pm Church Council / Upper Room
7:00 pm Girl Scout Chattahoochee Service Unit / Mezzanine
8:00 pm Alcoholics Anonymous / Room 304
 
Tuesday February 11
 
7:00 am Men's Bible Study / Office
9:30 am Early Bird Circle / Youth Center
5:00 pm Train 'em Up Basketball / Gym
5:30 pm Basketball / Gym
6:30 pm AA Zone Meeting / Room 305
6:30 pm Girl Scout Redbud Service Unit Service Unit / Mezzanine
7:00 pm Stephen Supervision / Upper Room
7:30 pm Families Anonymous / Youth Center
8:00 pm Alcoholics Anonymous / Room 304
 
Wednesday February 12
 
10:00 am Blankets of Blessings / Youth Center
5:00 am WOW Dinner / Gym
6:00 pm Salt & Light / Kid Center
6:00 pm Youth Connect / Chapel and Youth Center
6:15 pm Dad's Group / Sports Office
6:15 pm GEMS (Good Enough Moms) / Mezzanine
6:15 pm Pastor's Class / Upper Room
6:15 pm Trustees / Room 301
7:15 pm Chancel Choir / Music Room
8:00 pm Alcoholics Anonymous / Room 304
8:00 pm Al Anon / Room 305
 
Thursday February 13
 
10:00 am Morning GEMS / Mezzanine
11:00 am Adventures in Christian Health & Wellness with Keenagers / Upper Room
12:00 pm Keenagers Lunch / Gym
5:30 pm Basketball / Gym
6:30 pm Alcoholics Anonymous SOS Women's Group / Room 304
6:30 pm Girl Scout Training /Mezzanine
 
  Friday February 14
 
Office Closed
6:30 am Men's Morning Bible Study / Youth Center
10:00 am Women's Bible Study / Upper Room
 
Saturday February 15
 
8:00 am Basketball / Gym
8:00 pm Alcoholics Anonymous / Room 304
 
Sunday February 16

8:30 am Traditional Worship / Sanctuary
9:00 am The Summit / Chapel
9:30 am Coffee Hour / Lower Welcome Area
9:45 am Sunday School for All Ages / Various
10:00 am Confirmation Class / Youth Center
11:00 am Traditional Worship / Sanctuary
4:00 pm Finance Committee / Upper Room
4:00 pm Youth Creative Worship / Music Room
5:00 pm Asking the Hard Questions / Youth Room
5:00 pm Youth / Youth Room
5:30 pm Disciple Fast Track-OT /
7:00 pm AA Book Study Mezzanine
7:00 pm Handbells / Music Room
8:00 pm Alcoholics Anonymous / Room 304

Please go to mtzionumc.org and click on the Facility Calendar button for upcoming events
   
Sunday Worship Schedule
8:30  am Sunday Worship Service / Sanctuary
9:00  am Worship - The Summit / Chapel
9:30  am Coffee Hour / Welcome Area
9:45  am Sunday School for All Ages
11:00 am Sunday Worship Service / Sanctuary
One Worship Service at 10:00 am on 5th Sundays 
Contribute to Mt. Zion with the AmazonSmile Program 
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon that lets you enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices, and convenient shopping features as on Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile ( smile.amazon.com ), the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to Mt. Zion UMC, as it is a registered eligible charity. For more details go to: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/ch/about

Sign up today and choose: MT Zion United Methodist Church in Marietta! 
Attention Kroger
Shoppers!!!
Renew your Card!
If you shop at Kroger, you can earn money for Mt. Zion UMC, just by swiping your Kroger Rewards Card at checkout. But first, you need to sign up and pick Mt. Zion as your designated charity. Even if you already did this, you will need to do it again for the 2019-2020 program year. Sometime after August 1, 2019 go to :
Sign in if you are a returning customer or create an account if you are new. Choose Mt. Zion’s code (#41318) when prompted. It’s that easy. A portion of your grocery dollars will be forwarded directly to Mt. Zion, starting September 1, 2019. Thanks for your attention to this opportunity.
Stay in the Know- Exciting things are happening on the social media
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Mt. Zion UMC | 770-971-1465 | roberta.grimme@mtzionumc.org | www.mtzionumc.org