This is Pastor Kennedy. 

With COVID-19 dominating the headlines, may I break in with a special report? Churches all over the country are providing worship services, comforting families, counseling, feeding the hungry, and more. I am encouraged by Mt. Zion’s Helping Hands Ministry giving out over 200 turkey boxes that could feed at least 2,000 people. Each week we continue to give out generous food boxes to feed the hungry. Churches offering safe worship services for God’s people to meet with Him is feeding people’s souls, stabilizing entire communities, and inspiring people to stick with safe practices amid more lockdowns and unemployment. Christians, in everything we do in word, and in deed, let’s do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father (Col. 3:17). Tomorrow, I will see you outside at 8:00am, or online to continue our discussion on the Jesus Agenda. God Bless,

God’s Glory And Your Safety Is Our Priority

With extended social isolation and increasing deaths due to COVID-19, the winter months, more job losses, growing food lines, the flu season, and the third round of COVID, we must stay strong in the Lord.
Instead of stressing and living in fear, remember people are surviving COVID, and safe practices work. Wear your mask. Wash your hands frequently, and keep your hands out of your face. Build a strong immune system by drinking plenty of water, drink hot teas, eat healthy, exercise, and get proper rest.
Build a strong spiritual life with plenty of prayer, and heathy intakes of God's Word. Safely fellowship with godly people, and safely witness for Jesus.
This Sunday, at our 8:00 am outdoor worship service, we celebrate the ordination of 7 new deacons, and 3 new deaconesses.
On this Thursday we will also gather outside at 9:00am for a time of thanksgiving to God.
Remember, God's glory and your safety is our priority.

God Bless,

Who Do You Hang Out With?

Who Do You Hang Out With?

 

In Proverbs 13:20, God said: "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."

Keep this simple.  You minister to, or help a variety of people through meaningful conversations and assistance.  But you "hang out" with, you spend lots of time with, and you are influenced by people who have wisdom and who contribute to your success, and you contribute to their success.

Are you hanging out with people who do not share your values, who do not want to grow, and who do not share your desire for good success according to Joshua 1:8?  If you are, God said you will suffer harm.

"Hang out" with people who are forward moving and who are for God and for you.

 Who do you hang out with?  The wise or the foolish?

I look forward to worshiping with you this weekend.

 

God Bless,

Happy Veteran’s Day

Hello, this is Pastor Kennedy.

Today, as we pause to celebrate the  men and women who served in the US military, we at Mt. Zion Church of Ontario, thank you for your selfless 

sacrifices and service.  We especially salute our Vietnam Veterans.  You risked everything like any other soldier, but upon your arrival home, there was no heroes welcome for you.  You will always be our heroes.

Our recent election is a reminder of the basic rights our military help to preserve.  Americans get to participate in the selection of our President.

To all active duty and Retired military personnel, despite the numerous challenges you must navigate, we love you and have great respect for you.

Happy Veterans Day.

God Is Still In Control

As the presidential election winds down, remember God is still in control despite the outcome, recounts, lawsuits, and violent reactions.  Be encouraged and focus on living out God's Word.  In  Proverbs 6:20-22, I was reminded afresh that if we remember God's Word, God's Word will guide us as we do life during the day, it will watch over us while we sleep, and it will speak to us when we wake up. 

Today, make God's Word your reliable source for what you think, say, and do.  God's Word will protect you from compromising and blending into today's "everything goes," culture.  You will not be a chameleon, who "goes along just to get along."  With God's Word, you will experience the refreshment of God using His Word to continually transform you (Rom. 12:2). With God's Word, you will consistently make solid choices that line up with God's perfect will for your life.

 

God Bless,

 

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Overflow

This is Pastor Kennedy:

I am still overflowing with joy from celebrating our 98 years of ministry at Mt. Zion.  Thank you for your contributions to what God is doing at Mt. Zion. 

This weekend, I will start a series of sermons on freedom and faith to help us continue taking bold steps for Jesus.

This Sunday at 3:00 pm, we will install Etienne Lacey, as the Senior Pastor of Holy Missionary Baptist Church in Pomona, at Mt. Zion and outside.

On Monday Night at 7:00 pm, we will continue increasing our prayer power in the church. (Mtzionontario.com, and click on Monday Night prayer).

After Prayer Meeting, Dr. Gilbert Holmes will continue an objective explanation of the propositions for the upcoming election (mtzionontario.com, go to Monday night prayer and click on David Wood).  Your vote does count.

Continue to pray for people who need Jesus, troubled marriages, students trying to stay focused online, the sick, those who lost loved ones, our divided country, and for continued spiritual growth.  I look forward to worshipping with you this weekend.

God Bless

Exciting Times

 Hello Everyone:

As we celebrate 98 years of ministry this Sunday at 8:00 am outside, we are encouraged in our efforts to reach people for Jesus in safe yet meaningful ways.
For instance, on Oct. 31, we will host a drive by, and walk through Harvest Festival celebration (please bring your candy donations to the office during the week).
Our Evangelism team is busy distributing door hangers in the neighborhood.
Our Spanish speaking church plant started with 51 people on last Sunday night.
Our Mental Health Ministry is presenting tomorrow at 10:30am (go to mtzionontario.com for Zoom link).
Our Prayer ministry transitioned to Zoom for continued growth. Go to mtzionontario.com and click on Monday night prayer.
We will discuss the 25 ballot propositions this Monday after prayer meeting at 8:00 pm.
Go to Mtzionontario.com and click Monday night prayer, and select David Wood.

These are exciting times.
God Bless,
Pastor Kennedy

Prayer Warriors

 With over 100 prayer warriors praying each Monday Night, we need more prayer warriors to amp up our prayer power at Mt Zion. Pastor, what happened? Our annual Ministry Connection Conference got many of us excited about making more disciples for Christ. Hence, we need more prayer warriors joining us for concentrated prayer as we grow.

Guess what?  This Sunday we will start our second formal Church plant in partnership with the North American Mission Board. 
The church is Spanish speaking and will start the outdoor service at 6:00 pm.  
One last thing, next Sunday we will celebrate 98 years of ministry at our 8:00 am outdoor service. 
Let's keep this ministry in prayer. Join us this Monday at 7:00 pm by going to Mtzionontario.com and click on Monday Night Prayer.

God Bless,
Pastor Kennedy.

Outdoor Worship

 Today, I ask that you join me in thanking God for the Mt. Zion Outdoor Worship Team.  Over the last two months they have worked overtime to provide our members and guests a safe place to physically worship together.  We actually have a couple (both over 80 years old) who attend each week and feel very safe in our outdoor worship setting.

As a result of our team’s work, we have eliminated the Eventbrite signup process.  We will now safely seat you as you arrive.  I pray that as you trust God to provide a safe environment at the grocery store, restaurants, medical facilities, gas stations, at work, and other places, you will also trust God to provide a safe environment for you at church.  I am looking forward to you joining us outside each Sunday at 8:00 am, until we can safely worship inside.

Two more things.  On Saturday October 3, join us for Ministry Connection, which is a leadership training conference for all age groups (go to mtzionontario.com and scroll down to upcoming events).  On Sunday October 18, we will celebrate 98 years of service in Ontario and beyond. We will start our celebration outside at 8:00 am.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy

When The Days Are Long And The Nights Are Short

When the days are long and the nights are Short, II Tim. 4:1-6, is my "go to" passage. I need strength beyond myself (v.1). I am reminded to keep making loyal followers of Jesus (v. 2). I am reminded that suffering is a part of being a soldier (v. 3). I am reminded to focus on pleasing Jesus (v. 4). I am reminded to remain discipline and follow God's rulebook (v. 5). And I am reminded to work hard like a farmer (v. 6). I trust you will find encouragement is these verses.

Here are a couple highlights. Please join the Police Forum this Tuesday 9/22/20, from 5:00 -7:00 pm. In this second forum, our Law Enforcement Leaders will focus on answering questions from the public. Mt. Zion Ontario and the Ontario Police Department are hosting this forum.
Go to: Mtzionontario.com/policefourm to submit your questions and join the forum.

I trust you are prayerfully considering reconnecting safely at our outdoor worship service each Sunday at 8:00 am.

God Bless,
Pastor Kennedy

Worry Weighs A Person Down...

 “Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up” (Prov. 12:25).

In worship service, you can get an encouraging word through the songs, the reading of scripture, prayer, fellowship with others, and the preached word. 

As you approach this weekends corporate worship service (outside or online) remember to celebrate The Lords keeping power throughout the ages.  Moreover, remember, The Lord will continue to keep us through the fires, COVID-19, racism, unemployment, economic concerns, death, sickness, violence, educational challenges, the presidential election, and on and on.  This weekend, let all of us worship God from our hearts so strong in person outside and online, that God is well pleased from start to finish.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Kennedy

Have Faith in God

With our tender wounds from police shootings re-opened by two more black men shot in their backs, over 181,000 people dead from COVID-19, unemployment numbers increasing, dealing with the damage from Hurricane Laura, and plenty to discuss after the democratic and republican conventions, your personal challenges, and more, I encourage you afresh to have faith in God.
God is in control of the fate of America, and not the President. Please do not let political rhetoric, political strategies, tragedy, and uncertainty shake your faith. God is still in control. Have faith in God.
In fact, if you dare to put a little bit of the right kind of faith in God, you will have mountain moving experiences with God (Mark 11:22-24).
As we trust God to heal our hearts, and heal this country, I encourage you to worship with us on Sunday. If go to Mtzionontario.com and worship with us on-line, get out the bed if able, get yourself together, and have some concentrated worship (not multi-task worship). If you able, come to the church and experience afresh, congregational worship during our 8:00 am outside service.
We want you to sign-up for the outdoor service on our website, but if you forget or can't, you can still come. We will find a place for you to worship.
This Sunday and next Sunday, we will have outdoor baptisms during our 8:00 worship services. You are welcome to get baptized (call the office at 909-983-2411 x 104).
Christian's, God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love, and power, and sound-mindedness. Have faith in God!

God Bless,
Pastor Kennedy

Compassion in Ministry

Jesus modeled showing compassion in ministry. In Matt 15, while in the thick of three days of healing ministry Jesus had compassion on the multitude because they did not have anymore food. Jesus felt for them and refused to send them away hungry.
On last Sunday and on Friday, I observed, and felt how the heat took a toll on our teams and the audience.
Hence, the 10:45 outdoor worship services will be postponed until the temperature cools down.
You can still join our online worship service at 10:30.

Personal question, does God want you to have compassion on someone today?

Going Deeper With Jesus

In Luke 5:4-5, Jesus commanded Peter to launch out into the deep because He wanted to expand His disciple's ministry.  
Our starting ongoing outdoor worship services this Sunday is Jesus' way of commanding us to launch out into the deep so He can expand our ministry.
Please pray and trust Jesus to help us catch more people for Jesus.
As we prepare for Sunday please:
1. Pray for God's guidance and supernatural protection as we work to keep people safe.
2. If you plan to attend, go to Mtzionontario.com and click on the 8:00 or 10:45 service reservation button (read all material).
3. If all seats are taken, we will have an overflow area with pop ups. Just bring your comfortable chair.
4. Please watch online from home if you have a fever, or other symptoms. Be considerate of others.
5. Please, know that I love you all and would love to hug you, but I too must social distance.
6. If you drive up to drop off your offering, drive in front of sanctuary and Deacons will serve you.
7. At the end of service, we will not announce our worship in giving, but you can leave your tithes and offerings in baskets as you leave, or continue to give on-line.
Mt. Zion, we are obeying Jesus and launching out into the deep for a catch.

God Bless,

God's Endless Supply and Our Faith

God's Endless Supply and Our Faith

A prophet died, and the widow of the prophet cried out to Elisha, because the creditor was coming to take her two sons into slavery to pay off the family debt. Elisha asked what she had. She said a small jar of olive oil. Elisha, told her to go and borrow as many containers as she could and take her sons into the house and close the door. Then take the small jar of olive oil and fill all the containers you borrowed with oil. She quickly discovered how God has an endless supply of resources when we trust Him with our limited supply. She sold some of the oil and paid her debts, and lived off the rest.
Mt. Zion, as we plan to start our outdoor services this Sunday at 8:00 am and 10:45 am, we are trusting God for His endless supply of resources. This is a watershed moment as God guides us into "new normal" in ministry. Want to help with the outdoor services? Call Ministry Services at 909-983-2411 x 105.
Prayer warriors keep seeking God's face as we continue to bring light to the community and beyond through evangelism, discipleship, and faithful service.

God Bless,

Priorities During This Pandemic

 Priorities During This Pandemic

Loving God with our total person, loving our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:28-31), and seeking God's kingdom interest (Matt. 6:33) sets our priorities even during this pandemic.
God first priorities include:
1. Your love relationship with God.
2. Your God ordained marriage.
3. Your service to God in church related ministries, and in trusted relationships.
4. Your service to God in society (work, business, school, volunteerism, hobbies,etc.).  
As we seek God's kingdom interest, please pray as we began setting up our outdoor worship services which will include outdoor, and in-car seating arrangements.
Face masks and outdoor worship will be our new normal for months to come.

God Bless

Sent from my iPhone

Re-Closure

With California spiking up to over 325,000 positive COVID-19 cases, Governor Newsom has re-closed indoor worship services, along with gyms, movie theaters, museums, bowling alleys, etc. This is tough for all of us, but God is still on the throne. Be encouraged and stay connected through on-line worship, bible studies, and ministry meetings. Continue to call each other, text, face time, zoom, email, and even sending a note through the mail. We need each other more than ever before (Gal. 6:9-10).
Hey, help with this week's sermon? Let me know about the creative ways you are engaging non-Christians with the message about Jesus (leave a voice message at 909-415-4128).
Don't forget to pray for, and tune into the public forum with our law enforcement community tomorrow night (go to http://mtzionontario.com, scroll to the bottom for upcoming events).

God Bless,

Living with Life Change

 Living with Life Change

 

Living and coping with COVID-19, has changed how we function at home, at church, and in society.  The question of when can we change back to physically gathering at church is gnawing at us.  We with much prayer, planning and staff and leader’s working hard to keep everyone safe, did hold a service in the church to celebrate the life of Taylor George, with 100 people in the sanctuary and 237 on-line.   

With lessons learned from that service, and our monitoring the new spike in COVID-19 cases, please continue praying as we use God’s wisdom to keep His glory and your safety our priority. 

Currently, we are considering inviting more small groups to physically meet outside as the Deacons have done for two months collecting offerings on Sundays from 9:30 to 12 noon, and the Youth Ministry has done for three weeks for Bible study. 

As we seek God’s wisdom for Mt. Zion, please continue wearing your facemask in public, regularly wash your hands, and build a strong immune system (drink lots of water, hot teas, eat healthy, exercise, and get 7 to 8 hours of sleep nightly).  Continue to connect via phone calls, face-time, texting, etc.  Connect through zoom bible studies, the call in prayer meetings on Mondays, and on-line worship services (go to Mtzionontario.com for information).

Church, despite all the changes behind COVID-19, be encouraged “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8).  Therefore, let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful (Heb. 10:23).

 

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

In The Midst

 In the midst of COVID-19, efforts to confront and change Police violence, economic stress, mourning the loss of loved ones, dealing with the sick, and constant confusion, Father's Day is coming. Fathers are the men that God used to bring you into the world. The role of the church is to raise up godly fathers who make our society a better place. If your father was absent, or ungodly, I am very sorry for the pain Father's Day may brings to you. The good news is that all of us can pursue a trusting love relationship with our Heavenly Father, Who loves us, heals us, delivers us, and is faithful to us. Moreover, our Heavenly Father provides timeless standards for us to promote healthy fatherhood before Him, before the children God entrust to us, and other children who need positive examples of masculinity and Fatherhood. (I will address masculinity on Father's Day).

As you reflect on positive examples of fatherhood, please share a shout out to fathers at: AV@mtzionontaro.com.

God Bless

The Power of “Two or Three”

 The Power of "Two or Three"

Mt. Zion, thank you for boosting the priority of prayer during both peaceful and turbulent times. 
Since COVID-19, we are now averaging over 90 people in Monday night prayer, and we had 137 participants in our on-line night of prayer.
In Matthew 18:20, Jesus taught about the "power of two or three" in prayer. Jesus said when two or three of His disciples gather in prayer, He will be in our midst. In other words, Jesus facilitates our access to divine resources each time we come together for prayer. As we work together to slow the spread of COVID-19, treating victims, and to produce a vaccine, we need the "power of two or three." As we organize peaceful protests, make strategic changes, and pass new legislation to prevent abuse in American policing, we need the "power of two or three." Christian's, let's make prayer our priority as we navigate pursuing the Great Commission amid rapid change, and our "new normal."