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January 21, 2008

JD & I will not be here this coming Sunday as we will be in Florida where we are scheduled to be involved in the annual "Hallelujah Hoedown." I want to thank everyone who makes the worship experience at Mt. Zion so wonderful. The old saying "You get out of it what you put into it" is so true and I am especially proud of our Audio / Visual team.

Without our soundman – David Congleton, we couldn’t hear all the instruments and singers. David Chism works on the lights each week so what we see can be enhanced to its best potential. Without him, the house would be pretty dim and without color. These two guys work hard every week to ensure a better experience for all of us. Make sure to pass on a "Thank you" to them.

Also there are people who are always upstairs in the balcony which are ought of sight but always giving of themselves. Eddie Cooper duplicates DVD’s for us, Mark Baumgardner and Gary Dezaran film and switch back and forth between cameras to make a more pleasing angle while Corey Soldwisch and Bruce Manley place the power point / slide show up on the wall for all of the rest of us to see. This past week the slide show added so much depth to the song "Without a Name" which is my hope will someday be seen by many more and thus cause others to be aware of the need to put an end to this genocide of innocent children.

Each week you have probably seen Kim York taking pictures which we are able to enjoy when they are copied onto the bulletin. This week she brought the baby dedication pictures and that of the baptism to our house on Monday so Judy could prepare this coming Sunday’s bulletin before we leave on Tuesday.

How about Nathan Jackson singing "For Future Generations" wasn’t that just awesome? Nathan lives in Nashville Tennessee and is working on a musical CD which should be available in a month or so and which I am praying it becomes a huge success for him. He gives so much of himself to the spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and I truly believe God has prepared him for great things.

I saw the kids from Children’s Church carrying light switch plates they had colored themselves with something about Jesus being the light of the world inscribed...Awesome. Nancy Gray is so good to pour herself into the ministry and with all of the helpers she has each week it is evident there is a genuine love for God being displayed each week in another part of the building. Thank you Children’s Church workers for your continuing work.

I have been to many churches throughout my short 51 years and I am especially indebted to our Nursery Workers. Sherri Woodrum makes each week sooooooooo wonderful. I love babies...but...... when they are crying.....or when there needs to be a change, for one reason or another...it just makes it difficult to stay focused. As you can see, I get distracted and confused so easily but THANK YOU SO MUCH SHERRI WOODRUM AND HELPERS. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

This past week an aunt of Darlene Newsome’s passed away and her funeral was in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday. After the funeral, Darlene drove back to Winchester to be with the youth at a lock-in at Thoroughbred Gymnastics. I do not know how she does what she does. She is so devoted to our youth and her love for God is contagious. I guess all of that Catholic upbringing really soaked in.

Sunday school is a great time to grow in the knowledge of Christ and we have some wonderful teachers. Jim Lane is a newly ordained Deacon who has great leadership abilities as well as the gift of teaching and his class meets in the Library. Judy Blackwell does so much to help women with issues facing them and the time she spends with the Lord daily is evident. Her class meets in the 2nd office from the side entrance with the overhanging porch. JD Miller and I have a class in the third and fourth classrooms up the same hallway. All of these classes meet each Sunday at 9am, so make it an effort to come out.

Thank you Lord for all of these people who give so much of their time, talents and treasures for you and you alone.

This Sunday Wayne Smith will be our speaker and I know you will enjoy his message. For many years Wayne preached at the Southland Christian Church and one of the favorite sermons each year just before the Superbowl football game was titled "Playing Hurt." Wayne is planning on bringing a big man from the KY Football team with him as an example of one who truly played hurt. Come out and hear this wonderful man of God and you will not be disappointed.

We will also be handing out the 2007 contribution receipts this Sunday. I personally want to say "Thank You" to each one who has chosen to contribute to the work of Mt. Zion Christian Church which endeavors to be consistent with the teachings of Christ. As we look forward to the days ahead, I pray we will all find a way to become more involved in the work which Christ has called us and strive to be the worshipers God desires.

For the Cause of Christ,

Kenny