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."

God Is Still Speaking To America

God is still speaking to America.  Consider Prov. 25:4: “Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith” (NLT).  American’s want to heal from COVID-19, but the evil that fuels the ongoing killing of unarmed black men, and other injustices are impurities that hinder our healing.  The ongoing violence toward black communities is an old demonic post-slavery strategy to make black people feel inferior, and expendable, to spread fear, and stop progress.  Sadly, many churches overtly, and some unknowingly perpetuate these racist values. Just as Holy Spirit-filled Christians spoke out, and fought against slavery, we too, with Holy Spirit power, must condemn and fight these anti-Christian values, and practice “one body, many members,” Christianity (I Cor. 12).
This weekend, I will discuss how improving our prayer lives will help us.  I will also discuss how good cops must pray and ask God to show them how to expose rogue cops, and stop the violence in American policing (go to Mtzionontario.com, scroll down, and click watch).

God Bless,
Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Continued Prayer / Monday Night

As we in the U.S. rapidly approach 100,000 reported deaths from COVID-19, please pray for grieving families.  Pray for people to respond to God speaking through COVID.  Pray for churches to effectively evangelize and disciple online, and in safe church re-openings.  Pray for church leaders to recognize clear signs from God in moving forward, just as the Children of Israel recognized the cloud over the tabernacle, as a sign to be still, or move forward (Num. 9:15-23). I believe the Lord will use the Monday Night Prayer meeting to reveal the sign for when Mt. Zion reopens, so that on that day, our celebration will not be eclipsed by safety concerns.  Will you join me in prayer meeting this Monday at 7:00 pm and let’s remain alert in prayer (go to mtzionontario.com, and click on Monday night prayer).

8th Week Update

Hello Everyone.

This is the 8th week since we started on-line services.  I know as each week
passes, our desire to see each other increases, but remember God's glory and
your safety is our priority.  Please be patient and pray for wisdom
regarding our re-opening date, and safe, "new normal" practices.  Until then let's stay connected through our online services, and rejoice over what God
is doing.  Monday night we had 87 people in prayer meeting.  All we need is
for you to join a prayer group at Mtzionontario.com for us to exceed 100
prayer warriors in prayer. A man from Cameroon, Africa joined Mt. Zion, and
a Lyft driver I met in Texas a couple years ago is also joining.

Mt. Zion was approved for the Payroll Protection Plan, and on this Saturday at 10:00 am, we will host a free zoom mental health workshop
(https://zoom.us/j/91550270509, Password: 430791).  Yes COVID-19 is strong, but our hope is in God's presence, power, and provision.  Join me in praying for God-sized intervention, during these troubling times (Eph. 3:20-21).

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr