DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

December 2......................Bro. Anthony Diggs

December 3...........................Sis. Aunesty May

December 5.........................Sis. Arlene Garner

December 5............................Sis. Diane Jacobs

December 6....................Sis. Celestine Taylor

December 11........................Sis. Yanitza Nogue

December 13............................Bro. Aaron Cole

December 15......................Bro. Darel Eastling

December 19...................Sis. Sharna Grayson

December 19......................Sis. Sonya Johnson

December 22.....................Sis. Catherine Bass

December 22..............Sis. Cassandra Bennett

December 22...........................Sis. Lynda Long

December 23....................Sis. Ariana Johnson

December 25.............Sis. Christine Hartsfield

December 26..................Bro. Geordan Dillard

December 29..........................Sis. Valarie Little

December 30...................Bro. Michael Bryant

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARY December 25.....................Bro. George Garvin & Sis. Bamma Garvin

THE BABY BOY By Tammy Scheller

To have Christmas peace & joy

We can't forget the Baby Boy.

From Heaven to earth, the Son of God, He came to walk this earthly sod.

To live like us from day to day, And by His life

to show the way...

To grace, abundance, hope within,

He came to save us from our sin.

A home in Heaven, our souls to lift, We'll never get a greater gift.

So if we want real peace and joy,

Let's not forget the Baby Boy.

Submitted by Sis. Andrea P. Dixon

Sunday School Holiday

On Sunday, December 23, 2012, the Sunday School will again hold its Annual Holiday Game. The game, starting at 9:15 a.m., will offer parti-cipants a chance to have fun, win prizes, and hopefully learn and think more about the Bible and the Christmas season.

Whether you are a current member of the Sunday school, or if you’ve never attended, you are invited to come out and get in the Christmas spirit with our Annual Holiday Game.

POT-LUCK FELLOWSHIP DINNER

& CANDLELIGHT SERVICE CANCELLED

The Pastor's Aid Ministry has announced that it will not be sponsoring the annual Christmas Fellowship Dinner nor Candlelight Service this year. They're cancelled for

this year.

POWERFUL THANKSGIVING SERVICE

If only one word could be used to describe our annual

Thanksgiving Day Service with Solid Rock

Community Baptist Church, perhaps that word would

be "powerful." On Thursday, November 22, 2012, Mt.

Zion, Solid Rock, and this year, Abundant Life

Church, joined together to praise God and give thanks

on Thanksgiving morning.

The one-hour service was spirit-filled from start to

finish with praise and worship. All three pastors, Rev.

White, Bishop Curtis Shaird, Pastor of Solid Rock, and

Rev. Gwen Haynes, Pastor of Abundant Life, all

shared a word. Bishop Shaird gave the scriptural text

and the Solid Rock's Choir provided the music.

Our Website is Up and Running

If you have not visited our new website,

you should do so today. Check it out!

The website address is www.wearemtzion.com.

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING

End-of Year/Vision

Meeting

Saturday, December 8, 2012 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.--Breakfast Fellowship 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.--Business Meeting

The 4th and final quarterly business meeting

of 2012 will be held on the second Saturday

of the month, Saturday, December 8, 2012.

As we wrap-up and review 2012, the Pastor

will also layout his vision for 2013.

The meeting, which will start at 10:00 a.m.

and run through 12:30 p.m., will be preceded

by a breakfast fellowship hour from 9:00 a.m.

to 10:00 a.m.

Ministries are reminded that a year-end

written report is required at this meeting.

[Reminder: Please give a copy of your

Ministry report to Sis. Wanda Powell by

Sunday, December 2.] The report should

include:

Highlights and achievements of

your Ministry in 2012.

Total income & expenses for the

year.

2013 Slate of Officers

All Mt. Zion members should attend.

WATCH NIGHT SERVICE

Mt. Zion will usher in 2013 with a Watch Night Service on New Year's Eve. The service will begin at 10:30 p.m. on Monday, December 31, 2012, here at the Church.

Please join us for Watch Night Service. There's no better way to start the new year.

UNITY DAY

Unity Day was celebrated on Sunday, November 11, 2012 at our 10:45 a.m. service. Rev. Walter Thomas, Jr., of New Psalmist Baptist Church, Baltimore, Maryland, was the guest preacher. Rev. Thomas preached on the subject, "I'm Going Through," using Exodus 14:21-22 as his text.

Important Schedule Changes in

December

Wednesday, December 19, 2012:

Soup Kitchen.................................................Christmas Meal

1:15 p.m. Bible Study........................................NO Bible Study

7:00 p.m. Bible Study.................................... NO Bible Study

Wednesday, December 26, 2012:

Soup Kitchen................................................................CLOSED

1:15 p.m. Bible Study........................................NO Bible Study

7:00 p.m. Bible Study.................................... NO Bible Study

Wednesday, January 2, 2013:

Soup Kitchen................................................................CLOSED

1:15 p.m. Bible Study........................................NO Bible Study

FROM THE SOUP KITCHEN

Thanksgiving Thanks

The Soup Kitchen Staff would like to thank everyone who

helped make our 2012 Thanksgiving meal a success. Over

50 meals were served on Wednesday, November 14.

An Invitation for Christmas

The Mt. Zion Soup Kitchen will celebrate Christmas with a

special meal on Wednesday, December 19, 2012, from 11:00

a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All are welcomed to join us.

Sincerely, The Soup Kitchen Staff

UBC MISSIONS DAY

The United Baptist Convention of MA, RI & NH

celebrated its annual “Rev. Dr. Paul Allen

Fullilove Missions Day” service on Monday,

November 12, 2012. This mid-year session was

held at St. James Baptist Church in Woonsocket

Rhode Island where Rev. Sammy Vaughan is

Pastor.

Those attending from Mt. Zion were Sis.

Wuanitta Caldwell, Sis. Delores Culp, Sis.

Andrea Dixon, Sis. Arlene Garner, Min. Dan

Jones, Sis. Deborah Jones, Dea. Steve Powell and Sis. Wanda Powell. Sis. Caldwell and Sis.

Culp served as ushers for the day.

NEW MEMBERS

Joining Mt. Zion in November were:

BRO. EARL R. BAKER Date Joined: November 4, 2012

Method: Candidate for Baptism

BRO. SHELDEN D. CALDWELL Date Joined: November 25, 2012

Method: Christian Experience

SIS. VALENCIA F. MCLEAN Date Joined: November 25, 2012

Method: Candidate for Baptism

BRO. ROBERT C. MORRIS Date Joined: November 4, 2012

Method: Candidate for Baptism

SIS. BILLIE JO WARRICK Date Joined: November 25, 2012

Method: Restoration

SIS. JULE A. WARRICK Date Joined: November 18, 2012

Method: Candidate for Baptism

SIS. SHAMEEKEA C. WYNN Date Joined: November 25, 2012

Method: Candidate for Baptism

Welcome All!

To All Baptism Candidates

A meeting of all candidates for baptism will be held

here at the Church on Wednesday, December 12, 2012

at 6:00 p.m. with Pastor White. If you are a baptism

candidate, you must attend this meeting.

Baptism This Month

Baptism Service will take place on the third Sunday of

this month, Sunday, December 16, 2012, at 10:20 a.m.

Please be present to welcome our new converts and

witness this wonderful service.

Baptized Last Month

Two (2) members were baptized on Sunday, November

25, 2012. They were: Bro. Earl Baker and Sis. Jule

Warrick.

Congratulations to Both

November's New Members Class Attending the November 2012 New Members Class were: Sis. Machelle Carter, Sis. Suzetta Crane, Sis. Patricia Grundy, Bro. Brenton Jenkins, Sis. Nancy Kirkmeyer, Sis. Jean Williams, and Bro. Kwame Wilson.

PART-TIME

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

POSITION AVAILABLE

Mt. Zion is accepting resumes for the position of a part-time Administrative Assistant. The deadline for submitting a resume is Sunday, December 9, 2012.

The person selected for this position should have office skills and should exemplify:

Integrity and Trust

Interpersonal Skills

Functional/Technical Skills

Perseverance and Dependability

Ethics and Values Below are some of the key tasks and responsibilities associated with the position.

Check telephone & e-mail messages

Sort mail

Type, send and file correspondences

Prepare bulletins

Type and duplicate hand-outs

Maintain the Church Website

Maintain the church membership roster.

Maintain inventory of office supplies. For a complete detailed list of job responsibilities, see Sis. Wanda Powell.

Get Connected

Last month, when you arrived at morning service, did you notice the friendly faces greeting you at the door? These men and women are members of the Get Connected Ministry.

The Get Connected Ministry has three major functions: 1) As greeters (which is what you are now witnessing each Sunday morning) they greet congregants at the doors with a smile and warm hello in order to help enhance the friendly and welcoming spirit in the church; 2) They will be following-up with visitors and new members via letters, postcards and/or phone calls in order to stay in touch; and 3) They will plan several social/fun activities throughout the year to allow members to get to know each other better.

The motto of this Ministry is "Get Connected; Be Connected; Stay Connected."

MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH

YOUNG SCHOLARS PROGRAM FOR THE 2012-13 SCHOOL YEAR

Earlier this year, Pastor Atu White announced

a plan to start a program to encourage and

incentivize our youth to strive for excellence in

the classroom. He said that Mt. Zion youth who

receive 'A's' on their first term and year-end

report cards (twice per school year) will

receive $5 for each grade 'A' received. He

also said specific details of the program would

be announced at a later date.

The details of the Young Scholars Program

have been worked out and here are the

qualifications and rules to participate...

EACH YOUTH MUST ...

Be a member or regular attendee of Mt.

Zion Baptist Church..

Be an ACTIVE participant in at least one

(1) Church Ministry (i.e., Youth Choir,

Junior Usher Ministry, Sunday School,

Audio Ministry, etc.).

Be in Grades 1 through 12.

Provide a copy of an official 1st-term

report card (November/December

2012), and/or a year-end, 4th-term

report card (May/June 2013).

Awards will be limited to $25 per student per

term, or $50 per school year.

To participate in the program, please Sis

Wanda Powell for a registration form.

A CHRISTMAS THOUGHT

Christmas, my child, is love in action...When you love someone, you give to them, as God gives to us. The greatest gift He ever gave was the Person of His Son, sent to us in human form so that we might know what God the Father is really like! Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas.

Dale Evans Rogers

AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. YOLANDA LENZY

Our First Lady, Dr. Yolanda M. Lenzy, M.D./M.P.H. will be holding

a seminar in Springfield.

The Mt. Zion Messenger (TMTZM) asked her about it.

TMTZM: Tell us a little bit about your upcoming seminar.

Dr. Lenzy: I will be conducting a seminar for licensed cosmetologists regarding the causes and

signs of hair loss. It will be held on Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. at Beaute Within Salon

& Day Spa, 546 Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA.

TMTZM: What is the purpose of the seminar?

Dr. Lenzy: It is important to educate hair stylists on how to recognize various forms of hair loss in

their clients. Cosmetologists are on the front line of being able to detect hair loss in its earliest

stages, even before clients notice it themselves.

TMTZM: Who will be attending?

Dr. Lenzy: Over 50 local licensed cosmetologists have

been invited.

TMTZM: Have you ever conducted this type of seminar before?

Dr. Lenzy: Yes. While I lived in Boston, I held three (3)

such seminars. This will be the first time in the Springfield

area.

TMTZM: Do the stylists get credit for this seminar?

Dr. Lenzy: Not currently, but it is my goal to create an accreditation for hair stylists in Tricology,

which is the study of the hair and scalp conditions.

TMTZM: What else would you like to share?

Dr. Lenzy: Although this seminar is for hair stylists, it is important that everyone takes

responsibility for their own hair and scalp conditions. If you notice any changes at all in your scalp

or hair, have it evaluated as soon as possible. Treatment is most effective when started early.

* * * * *

About Dr. Lenzy...

Dr. Yolanda M. Lenzy, M.D./M.P.H. is a practicing dermatologist at RiverBend Medical Group, 305

Bicentennial Highway, Springfield, MA 01108.

Dr. Lenzy practices a full range of medical dermatology. In addition to Hair Loss/Hair Care Consultations,

she also specializes in treating skin conditions of Skin of Color, Advanced Acne Treatment, Treatment of

Brown Spots, and many other conditions of the skin.

Anyone interested in seeing Dr. Lenzy as a patient can call RiverBend Medical Group at 413-733-4101.

Also, for more information about the RiverBend Medical Group, you can go to their website at

www.RiverBendMedical.com.

Dr. Lenzy conducting a seminar in Boston.

Our Pastor has been encouraging all members to get involved in Church ministries. If you have NOT yet joined a ministry, consider the following...

SOMEONE ELSE By Dr. Greg Yearwood

Our church was saddened to learn this week of the death of one of our most valued members--Someone Else.

Someone's passing creates a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with us for many years and for every one of those years, Someone did far more than a normal person's share of the work. Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone's list, "Let Someone Else do it." Whenever leadership was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results: "Someone Else can work with that group."

It was common knowledge that Someone Else was among the most liberal givers in our church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed Someone Else would make up the difference.

Someone Else was a wonderful person, sometimes appearing superhuman. Were the truth known, everybody expected too much of Someone Else. Now Someone Else is gone! We wonder what we are going to do.

Someone Else left a wonderful example to follow, but who is going to follow it? Who is going to do the things that Someone Else did?

* * * * * * * *

In 2013, when you are asked to help or see an unfulfilled need in the Church, remember...we can't depend on Someone Else anymore.

Submitted by Sis. Andrea P. Dixon

TO ALL CHOIR MEMBERS:

Your choir's

rehearsal

schedule and

your Sunday to

sing for the

month of

December, can

be found on the

Newsletter calendar.

Be sure to check the schedule.

A Christmas Prayer By Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)

Loving Father, help us remember the

birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the wisdom of the wise men.

Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and

good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us o be merry with clean hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children and the Christmas evening bring us to our

beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake.

Amen

THE BEAUTIFUL POINSETTIAS

THAT ADORN THE SANCTUARY

THIS 2012 CHRISTMAS SEASON ARE DEDICATED…

In loving memory of Jonathan & Evergreen Bass With Love, Daughter Lois Bass-Peterson

In honor of our mother, Mrs. Lugussie Dean Love Earlean Caldwell and Betty Mayweathers

In memory of our parents, John and Jeannette Charles Love, Larry Charles & the Charles Kids

In memory of my daughter, Jacqueline McNeil, my mother, Kinnie Williams and my father, Roger Williams

Love, Elaine Clough

In memory of Roger Williams and Kinnie Williams Love, Daughter, Connie Davis & Grandson, Andre Gaines

In memory of my parents, Lawrence & Edna Pertillar and all of my deceased family members;

In honor of Pastor & First Lady, Rev. Dr. Atu White and Dr. Yolanda Lenzy-White;

In honor of my husband, Al; my children Landry & Shayla; and my grandchildren T'Ana, Shai'Ann, Allanah, Kamara & Kevin

Love, Andrea P. Dixon

In memory of Anne Lee Larkins Love, Darel Eastling

In memory of my husband , Mr. Joel Echols Love, Beverly Echols

In memory of my Mother, Clara Garner. Things haven't been the same since you've been gone. We love and miss you so.

Love, Tina & Eric Garner

In memory of our Grandmother, Ella Louise Garner. We miss you. Love, Tina & Eric Garner

In memory of Mary E. Bullock and Willie C. Bullock Love, Gracie B. Graham

In memory of Alton C. Graham, II Love, Gracie B. Graham

POINSETTIA DEDICATIONS [CONTINUED]

In memory of James McLaughlin Love, Letha Harrison

In memory of my mother, Margaret Anderson Love, Christine Hartsfield

In memory of my mother-in-law, Edith Jefferson Love, Christine Hartsfield

In memory of all my loved ones Love, Carsandra Hill-James

In loving memory of Edward Hogan Love, Brenda Hogan

In loving memory of Clara Garner Love, Square One,

King Street, Springfield, MA

In loving memory of my mother, Lillie Mae Daniels and members of the Daniels and Jackson families that have passed on

Love, Shirley Jackson

In memory of all our Past Loved Ones Love, Dan and Deborah Jones

In memory of my parents, Jonathan & Evergreen Bass Love, Valarie Little

In memory of my aunt, LuGene Dawson Love, Carrie L. McBride

In memory of my mother and father, Idelia Hill and June Hill; my brothers, Ermon Hill, Roy Hill, June Hill, Jr., Louis Hill, Lonnie Hill & Lester Hill; my sister, Ruby Dickson & other members of the Moore Family

Love, Mary Moore

In memory of my father, Samuel McKnight; my mother, Mary McKnight; my aunts, Edith McKnight & Lillian Martin;

my mother-in-law, Carren Hannah; my father-in-law, Robbie Hannah Love, Jesse McKnight

POINSETTIA DEDICATIONS [CONTINUED]

In honor of our wonderful parents, Steve & Wanda Powell Love, Ericc & Kelli Powell

In memory of our parents, William & Iola Johnson and Frank & Ethel Powell Love, Steve and Wanda Powell

In memory of Rex Ellis, Steve Currie, Barbara Lewis; LaBaron Lewis, William C. Johnson, Jr., Nelson Johnson, Fernando Fredd, II,

Rev. James B. Williams & Elizabeth Bryant Love, The Powells---Steve, Wanda, Kelli and Ericc

In memory of Arthur J. Sanders, Mildred L. Jones, Annie L. Larkins, Beulah L. Hill, Betty Sanders, Mae Bell Green, Lillie Mae Green, T. J. Bolden,

Albert Bolden, J.C. Bolden, Henry Bolden, Jessie Green, Embra Sanders, Edward Hill, Ben Henry, Tommy Smith, Robert Brown,

Donald Bolden, DaNasha Sanders and Nellie Henry Love, Alice Sanders

In loving memory of my parents, Reymundo and Beatrice Cayode and my brother, Reymundo Cayode, Jr.

Love, Carolyn Scarnici

In honor and thanksgiving for Pastor Atu White and First Lady Yolanda Lenzy, and to You, my Mt. Zion Sisters and Brothers in Christ

With Love, From Carolyn Scarnici

In memory of my mother, Caroline Scroggins and my sister, Cathy Sparks Love, Richard Scroggins

In loving memory of my father, Arthur Stone, Sr., my mother, Evelyn Stone, and my brother, Arthur Stone, Jr.

Love, Deborah Stone

In honor of my parents, Bud & Gloria Williams Love Keisa, Amare & Deyare

In memory of Jonathan & Evergreen Bass Love, Bud, Gloria, Keisa, Kamari and Ashley Williams

In memory of Clayton & Mozzell Williams From Bud, Gloria, Keisa, Kamari and Ashley Williams

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE JESUS CAME Author Unknown

‘Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house, Not a creature was praying, not one in the house. Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care, In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed, Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head. And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap, Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter, I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash; Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear, But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here. With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray, I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head; It was Jesus returning just like He had said. And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth, I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which he held in His hand, Was written the name of every saved man. He spoke not a word as He searched for my name, When he said, “It’s not here,” my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love, He gathered to take to His Father above. With those who were ready He rose without a sound, While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late; I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate. I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight, Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;, The coming of Jesus is drawing near. There’s only one life and when comes the last call, We’ll find that the Bible was true after all.

Submitted by Deaconess Deborah Jones Mt. Zion Baptist Church 368 Bay Street Springfield, MA 01109