From Our Pastor: Determined to Progress

From Our Pastor 1 Church Notes 2 Lenten Study 2 Black History Month 3 Faith and Finance 4 Homebuyers Workshop 4 Palm Sunday Concert 5 Sisters in the Spirit 6 Teachers Needed 6 Coffee Hour Hosts 7 Calendar 8

February 1 Deuteronomy 18:15-20 Psalm 111 Mark 1:21-28* 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

February 8 Isaiah 40:21-31 Psalm 147:1-11, 20c Mark 1:29-39* 1 Corinthians 9:16-23

February 15 2 Kings 2:1-12 Psalm 50:1-6 Mark 9:2-9* 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

February 22 Genesis 9:8-17 Psalm 25:1-10* Mark 1:9-15 1 Peter 3:18-22 * Denotes focus Scripture

Mt. Zion Congregational Church UCC Rev. Paul Hobson Sadler, Sr., Pastor

February 2015

Spirit Led Soul WinningWorshipfulBiblically IntelligentFaithfully GenerousServant MindedJustice Seeking 10723 Magnolia Drive in University CircleClevelandOhio44106Phone: 216.791.5760mtzioncleveland@gmail.com

www.mtzioncleveland.com www.facebook.com/mtzioncleveland www.twitter.com/mtzioncleveland www.youtube.com/mtzioncleveland

It is difficult to believe that we are already into the second month of the New Year. In 2015, we are recommitting ourselves as a church to be fully surrendered to God's will, purpose and plan for us individually and as community of faith. This requires work and sacrifice. How fitting that we begin the season of Lent during the month of February...a month in which we remember the contributions and sacrifices that African Americans have made to the building of this nation and the world. Traditionally, during the 40 days of the season of Lent, we participate in the Daniel Fast as an act of penitence and sacrifice. This year, I am suggesting that we expand this opportunity to include the Daniel Plan as developed by Pastor Rick Warren in his book, The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life. By taking advantage of one of these two extraordinary opportunities for Spiritual growth and development, members of our church family will become more and more of a reflection of the image and likeness of Jesus. This too will enable us to be more fully surrendered to His Divine design for our lives. Remember, change does not occur through inaction. Change is the direct result of determined, focused action. Jesus taught us that we should know the truth and that the truth would make us free. Knowing who you are and whose you are is the first step to true liberty. All of us desire to be free from the things that impede our progress and hinder our growth and advancement in God and in our personal development. Knowing, understanding, and affirming who made us...God...and what God made us...a reflection of his glory...is a liberating experience. The celebration of African American History month enables African Americans across the United States to learn more about our history and heritage. This knowledge empowers us to achieve self-affirmation and self-love. It gives us the power to enable our children to become the fullness of God's creation. Won't you join me in these two amazing opportunities for deeper understanding and growth as we celebrate African American History Month and begin the sacred season of Lent. In deepening surrender,

Rev. Paul

Church Notes

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Observing Black History Month

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Christian Busines s League

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Guiding Principles In the context of our Faith, we will: Make all business decisions with careful regard

to Christian principles and values; Seek out and support African American owned

businesses; Create opportunities for innovative and

creative thinking, meaningful dialogue and fellowship that bonds us together;

Invest personally in the education and mentoring of current and future entrepreneurs;

Encourage the building of networks and partnerships to drive new business development;

Commit to supporting the financial stability of the African American Church.

Save the Date:

Financial Empowerment Workshop May 1 & 2, 2015

Mt. Zion Congregational Church UCC

Palm Sunday Concert

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Sisters in the Spirit

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For more information, please see Deacon Shelly Hurt.

Coffee Hour Hosts

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DATE 11:00 AM DATE 11:00 AM

01/04/2015 Covenant Couples 07/05/15 Cultural Arts Ministry

01/11/2015 Diversity and Intercultural Ministry 07/12/15 Memorial Administrative

01/18/2015 Christian Stewardship 07/19/15 Covenant Couples

01/25/2015 New Member Reception (Deacon Board) 07/26/15 New Member Reception

(Deacon Board)

02/01/2015 Christian Education 08/02/15 Scholarship Committee

02/08/2015 Endowment Board 08/09/15 Christian Stewardship

02/15/2015 SoulFULL Sunday (Youth Ministry) 08/16/15 Men's Fellowship

02/22/2015 New Member Reception (Deacon Board) 08/23/15 New Member Reception

(Deacon Board)

03/01/2015 Men in the Word 08/30/15 Youth Ministry

03/08/2015 Nominating Committee 09/06/15 151st Church Anniversary

03/15/2015 Women's Fellowship 09/13/15 Men In the Word

03/22/2015 New Member Reception (Deacon Board) 09/20/15 New Member Reception

(Deacon Board)

03/29/2015 Usher Board 09/27/15 Usher Board

04/05/2015 Sisters in the Spirit 10/04/15 Diversity and Intercultural Ministry

04/12/2015 Scholarship Committee 10/11/15 Pastoral Relations

04/19/2015 Trustee Board 10/18/15 Parakaleo

04/26/2015 New Member Reception (Deacon Board) 10/25/15 New Member Reception

(Deacon Board)

05/03/2015 Diversity and Intercultural Ministry 11/01/15 Whosoever Ministry

05/10/2015 Mission and Outreach 11/08/15 Endowment Board

05/17/2015 Trustee Board 11/15/15 Trustee Board

05/24/2015 New Member Reception (Deacon Board) 11/22/15 Homecoming Sunday

(Junior League)

05/31/2015 Usher Board 11/29/15 Cultural Arts Ministry

06/07/2015 Constitution Committee 12/06/15 Sisters in the Spirit

06/14/2015 Family Day (Hospitality Mministry) 12/13/15 Women's Fellowship

06/21/2015 Whosoever Ministry 12/20/15 New Member Reception (Deacon Board)

06/28/2015 New Member Reception (Deacon Board) 12/27/15 Usher Board

February 2015

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 COMMUNION SUNDAY 1:30p Exploring Our Roots Coffee Hour: Christian Education

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3 7:30a Care Shepherds 1p Staff Meeting 6p FA in Recovery 7p Choir Rehearsal 7p Financial Leadership Team

4 10a Bible Study 6p REAL Legacy Writing Subcommittee 7p Bible Study

5 6:30p Parakaleo 7p Leadership Team

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7 8:30a Leadership Retreat

Charles Scott Cherissa Lindsay

Bryant Berry Geoffrey Booth

Doris Brooks Kevin Weaver

Harriet Smith Myron Gardner

8 Capital Campaign Sunday Coffee Hour: Endowment Board

9 12:30p Leisure Plus

10 7:30a Care Shepherds 1p Staff Meeting 6p FA in Recovery 7p Choir Rehearsal

11 10a Bible Study 7p Bible Study

12 6:45p Amani Akili

13 14 11:30a Mission and Outreach

Covenant Couples Weekend

Tyrese Eddings Brenda York William Reese Maisha Terrell

Matthew Green

Stacy Brisker Sonya Durr Harriet Richardson

Jimmy Thornton

15 Gold Barrel and Scholarship Sunday 1p Junior League Coffee Hour: SoulFull Sunday

16 Spire articles due.

17 7:30a Care Shepherds 1p Staff Meeting 6p Christian Ed. 6p FA in Recovery 7p Choir Rehearsal

18 Ash Wednesday 12p Worship Service 7p Worship Service

19 1p CBL Steering 6p Restorative Justice Bible Study 7p Trustee Board

20 7p Sisters in the Spirit

21 8a Men in the Word 9a New Member Orientation 10a Usher Board 12p Women’s Fellowship

Fuller Woods Daniece Harris

Mary McDavid Banks

Marquetta Spencer

Kiam McCutchen

Leola Toles Linda Mack Christopher Cyrus

Stacey Warner

22 Black History Month Presentation New Member Sunday

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24 7:30a Care Shepherds 1p Staff Meeting 6p FA in Recovery 7p Choir Rehearsal

25 10a Bible Study 6p REAL Working Group 7p Bible Study

26 6p Restorative Justice Bible Study 6:30p Amani Akili 7p Church Council

27 28 11a Men’s Fellowship 12p Community Meal

Dwayne Frisco Eric Cook Ronisha Pointer

Jamiyl Motaabbed Geneva Green Racquel Robinson

Michael Shinn Nolan Pittman

Bible Study Conference Call: 712.775.7100 Access Code: 899967#

(Join the call at 7:30 pm.)