NOVEMBER 2015 edition
Dr. Daniel Simmons
Senior Pastor
MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH
901 S. Westover Blvd.
Albany, GA 31721
www.mtzionofalbany.org
Minister Judith H. Thompson
Editor
&
Sister Eunice Parks
Writer
Stay tuned and stay connected!
Inside the Informer:
“Pastor’s Niche” ......... Pages 2, 3
“Thanksgiving History”............Pages 4,5,6,9
“Why I Am Thankful”........................Page 7
“ Travis Pratt Feature”........Page 8
“Health And Wellness”.............Pages 10
“WhatAreYou Thankful For?”..Pages 11, 12
“Senior Events”..............Pages 13, 14
“Rutha Harris In The News”.Pages 15, 16
“Funnies”.............................Page 17, 18
“Inspirational Messages”..Page 19, 20
“Quotes”....................................Page 21
“Recipes”..........................Pages 22, 23
“Word Search” ..........................Page 24
“Calendar Of Events”..........Page 25
See Historical
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Bible pages
Rutha
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PAGE4-5
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Zion Informer
PAGE 2
NOVEMBER 2015
Pastor’s Niche
“Fruitful Harvest”
(Many Members, One Body)
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every
branch of mine that doesn’t produce
fruit, and He prunes the branches
that do bear fruit so they will produce
even more. You have already been
pruned and purified by the message I
have given you. Remain in me, and I
will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from
the vine, and you cannot be fruitful
unless you remain in me.”
John 15:1-4 (NLT)
I like to meditate on this passage
of scripture and the precise clarity it
shares about the significance of being
connected to Jesus Christ and what
that means in the lives of believers.
I am overjoyed with gratitude
toward God for all that He does to
make ways for His children to draw
near to Him at all times. To know that
God is with me in every aspect of my
daily living is such a gift to me, because I walk firmly in the belief that
‘I can do everything through Christ,
Who gives me strength’ (Philippians
4:13/NLT). A life that excludes Jesus
Christ is no life at all. Rather, it is a
long road of quagmire that leads to
being stuck in difficulties and dilemmas that bear no hope, no light, no
life, and no fruit.
Aren’t you glad to have Jesus in
your life? Aren’t you glad to know
that He wants you close and connected to Him 24/7? And to think
that only good can come out of this
kind of relationship! Believers in
Christ are blessed both individually
and collectively as a church body in
our connectedness to the True Vine.
No matter what walk in life we come
from, we are similar to the helpless
embryo in a mother’s womb. The
embryo depends on the nutrition consumed by the mother and channeled
through the umbilical cord to provide
the nourishment it needs to thrive
Zion Informer
Founded by Mrs. Helen P. Johnson, 1959
901Westover Road, Albany, Georgia 31721
Publisher: Judith H. Thompson
editor.zioninformer@gmail.com
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Mt. Zion is a vibrant church that is reaching the world for Christ
through evangelism, discipleship, fellowship and mission.
1905 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DR.
- 901 S. WESTOVER ROAD
See Pastor’s Niche...... Page 3
Dr. Daniel Simmons
Senior Pastor
Zion Informer
NOVEMBER 2015
Pastor’s Niche contd.
and grow to a stage where it is mature
enough to be born and continue its
physical growth outside of the womb.
Babes and seasoned saints in Christ
depend on Jesus to nurture our spiritual development through the Word of
God and our intimacy with Him.
The difference in our growth and
development is that we never grow to
a stage when we can – or would want
to – separate from the vine of Christ
that sustains us, grows us, and prunes
us so we can produce more and more
good fruit unto the Father!
The fruitful harvests we present
to God are the manifestations of
our obedience to the order and will
of God according to His Word, our
connectedness to Him, and our faith
in Him. Through Christ, believers
always have much to share in the
service of Kingdom building! When
we are deliberately and consciously
attached to the True Vine, we are
privileged to opportunities of sharing
the light of Christ with others wherever our branches spread – be it in
the village or on Capitol Hill. And we
have the assuredness of being seasonally pruned by our Father to prevent
any stagnation in our continuous
PAGE 3
development, as well as to equip us
for increased production!
And what exactly is it that we produce for the harvest? More believers! There is plenty of room for new
believers to connect themselves to
Jesus Christ and experience the joy
of His love and care for the people of
God! Realize that every day presents
opportunities to produce a fruitful
harvest for the Kingdom of God!
Think on these things as you share
with your family, friends, and guests
during this Thanksgiving season.
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November 1 – Luke 10:1-3
November 8 – John 4:34-38
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Tuesday ......................7:30 P.M.
November 15 – Matthew 13:11- 23
November 22 – Matthew 13:37-43
November 29 – James 5:7-8
Zion Informer
PAGE 3
PAGE
4
NOVEMBER 2015
Turkey And All The Trimmings...
The classic Thanksgiving menu
of turkey, cranberries, pumpkin pie,
and root vegetables is based on New
England fall harvests.
In the 19th century, as the holiday
spread across the country, local cooks
modified the menu both by choice
(“this is what we like to eat”) and
by necessity (“this is what we have
to eat”). Today, many Americans
delight in giving regional produce,
recipes and seasonings a place on the
Thanksgiving table. In New Mexico,
chiles and other southwestern flavors
are used in stuffing, while on the
Chesapeake Bay, the local favorite,
crab, often shows up as a holiday appetizer or as an ingredient in dressing.
In Minnesota, the turkey might be
stuffed with wild rice, and in Washington State, locally grown hazelnuts
are featured in stuffing and desserts.
In Indiana, persimmon puddings are a
favorite Thanksgiving dessert, and in
Key West, key lime pie joins pumpkin pie on the holiday table.
Some specialties have even become
ubiquitous regional additions to local
Thanksgiving menus; in Baltimore,
for instance, it is common to find
sauerkraut alongside the Thanksgiving turkey.
Most of these regional variations
have remained largely a local phenomenon, a means of connecting with
local harvests and specialty foods.
However this is not true of influential
southern Thanksgiving trends that
had a tremendous impact on the 20thcentury Thanksgiving menu.
Hearty Thanksgiving Postcard with
Native and English WomanCorn,
sweet potatoes, and pork form the
backbone of traditional southern
home cooking, and these staple foods
provided the main ingredients in
southern Thanksgiving additions like
ham, sweet potato casseroles, pies
and puddings, and corn bread dressing.
Other popular southern contributions include ambrosia (a layered fruit
salad traditionally made with citrus
fruits and coconut; some more recent
recipes use mini-marshmallows and
canned fruits), biscuits, a host of vegetable casseroles, and even macaroni
and cheese. Unlike the traditional
New England menu, with its mince,
apple and pumpkin pie dessert course,
southerners added a range and selection of desserts unknown in northern
dining rooms, including regional
cakes, pies, puddings, and numerous
cobblers.
Many of these Thanksgiving menu
additions spread across the country
with relocating southerners. Southern cookbooks (of which there are
hundreds) and magazines also helped
popularize many of these dishes
in places far beyond their southern
roots. Some, like sweet potato casserole, pecan pie, and corn bread
dressing, have become as expected on
the Thanksgiving table as turkey and
cranberry sauce.
Zion Informer
NOVEMBER 2015
“Thanksgiving History”
(Many Members, One Body)
If there is one day each year when
food and family take center stage, it is
Thanksgiving.
It is a holiday about “going home”
with all the emotional content those
two words imply. The Sunday following Thanksgiving is always the
busiest travel day of the year in the
United States. Each day of the long
Thanksgiving weekend, more than
10 million people take to the skies.
Another 40 million Americans drive
100 miles or more to have Thanksgiving dinner. And the nation’s railways
teem with travelers going home for
the holiday.
Despite modern-age turmoil—and
perhaps, even more so, because
of it—gathering together in grateful appreciation for a Thanksgiving
celebration with friends and family is
a deeply meaningful and comforting
annual ritual to most Americans.
The need to connect with loved
ones and to express our gratitude is at
the heart of all this feasting, prayerful
thanks, recreation, and nostalgia for a
simpler time. And somewhere in the
bustling activity of every November’s
Thanksgiving is the abiding National
memory of a moment in Plymouth,
nearly 400 years ago, when two
distinct cultures, on the brink of profound and irrevocable change, shared
an autumn feast. Thanksgiving is a
particularly American holiday.
The word evokes images of football, family reunions, roasted turkey
with stuffing, pumpkin pie and, of
course, the Pilgrims and Wampanoag,
the acknowledged founders of the
feast. But was it always so? Read on
to find out...
This article explores the development
of our modern holiday. For informa-
tion on food at the First Thanksgiving, go to Partakers of our Plenty.
For additional children's resources
on Thanksgiving, you might want to
view Scholastic's Virtual Field Trip
to Plimoth Plantation, explore our
Online Learning Center, or visit our
Homework Help page. If you'd like
to join us for Thanksgiving dinner,
please visit our Thanksgiving Dining
and Special Eventspage.
Giving thanks for the reator’s gifts
had always been a part of Wampanoag daily life.
From ancient times, Native People
of North America have held ceremonies to give thanks for successful
harvests, for the hope of a good growing season in the early spring, and for
other good fortune such as the birth
of a child. Giving thanks was, and
still is, the primary reason for ceremonies or celebrations.
As with Native traditions in America, celebrations - complete with merrymaking and feasting - in England
and throughout Europe after a successful crop are as ancient as the harvest-time itself. In 1621, when their
labors were rewarded with a bountiful
harvest after a year of sickness and
scarcity, the Pilgrims gave thanks to
God and celebrated His bounty in the
Harvest Home tradition with feasting and sport (recreation). To these
people of strong Christian faith, this
Thanksgiving History
contd. PG. 6
PAGE 5
Zion Informer
PAGE 6
Thanksgiving History Contd.from
PG. 6
was not merely a revel; it was also a
joyous outpouring of gratitude.
The arrival of the Pilgrims and Puritans brought new Thanksgiving traditions to the American scene. Today’s
national Thanksgiving celebration is
a blend of two traditions: the New
England custom of rejoicing after a
successful harvest, based on ancient
English harvest festivals; and the
Puritan Thanksgiving, a solemn religious observance combining prayer
and feasting.
Florida, Texas, Maine and Virginia
each declare itself the site of the First
Thanksgiving and historical documents support the various claims.
Spanish explorers and other English
Colonists celebrated religious services of thanksgiving years before
Mayflower arrived. However, few
people knew about these events until
the 20th century. They were isolated
celebrations, forgotten long before
the establishment of the American
holiday, and they played no role
in the evolution of Thanksgiving.
But as James W. Baker states in his
book,Thanksgiving: The Biography
of an American Holiday, "despite
disagreements over the details" the
3-day event in Plymouth in the fall of
1621 was "the historical birth of the
American Thanksgiving holiday."
The Thanksgiving Story...
Most of us associate the holiday
with happy Pilgrims and Indians sitting down to a big feast. And that did
happen - once.
The story began in 1614 when a
band of English explorers sailed
home to England with a ship full of
Patuxet Indians bound for slavery.
They left behind smallpox which
virtually wiped out those who had
escaped. By the time the Pilgrims
arrived in Massachusetts Bay they
found only one living Patuxet Indian,
a man named Squanto who had survived slavery in England and knew
their language. He taught them to
grow corn and to fish, and negotiated
a peace treaty between the Pilgrims
and the Wampanoag Nation. At the
end of their first year, the Pilgrims
held a great feast honoring Squanto
and the Wampanoags.
But as word spread in England
about the paradise to be found in the
new world, religious zealots called
Puritans began arriving by the boat
load. Finding no fences around the
NOVEMBER 2015
land, they considered it to be in the
public domain. Joined by other British settlers, they seized land, capturing strong young Natives for slaves
and killing the rest. But the Pequot
Nation had not agreed to the peace
treaty Squanto had negotiated and
they fought back. The Pequot War
was one of the bloodiest Indian wars
ever fought.
In 1637 near present day Groton,
Connecticut, over 700 men, women
and children of the Pequot Tribe had
gathered for their annual Green Corn
Festival which is our Thanksgiving
celebration. In the predawn hours the
sleeping Indians were surrounded by
English and Dutch mercenaries who
ordered them to come outside.
Those who came out were shot or
clubbed to death while the terrified
women and children who huddled inside the longhouse were burned alive.
The next day the governor of the
Massachusetts Bay Colony declared
"A Day Of Thanksgiving" because
700 unarmed men, women and children had been murdered.
Cheered by their "victory", the
brave colonists and their Indian allies
attacked village after village. Women
and children over 14 were sold into
slavery while the rest were murdered. Boats loaded with a many as
500 slaves regularly left the ports of
New England. Bounties were paid for
Indian scalps to encourage as many
deaths as possible.
Following an especially successful
raid against the Pequot in what is now
Stamford, Connecticut, the churches
announced a second day of "thanksgiving" to celebrate victory over the
heathen savages. During the feasting,
the hacked off heads of Natives were
kicked through the streets like soccer
balls. Even the friendly Wampanoag
did not escape the madness. Their
chief was beheaded, and his head
impaled on a pole in Plymouth, Massachusetts -- where it remained on
display for 24 years.
The killings became more and more
frenzied, with days of thanksgiving
feasts being held after each successful massacre. George Washington
finally suggested that only one day
of Thanksgiving per year be set aside
instead of celebrating each and every
massacre. Later Abraham Lincoln decreed Thanksgiving Day to be a legal
national holiday during the Civil War
-- on the same day he ordered troops
to march against the starving Sioux in
Minnesota.
This story doesn't have quite the
same fuzzy feelings associated with
it as the one where the Indians and
Pilgrims are all sitting down together
at the big feast. But we need to learn
our true history so it won't ever be
repeated. Next Thanksgiving, when
you gather with your loved ones to
Thank God for all your blessings,
think about those people who only
wanted to live their lives and raise
their families. They, also took time
out to say "thank you" to Creator for
all their blessings.
Our Thanks to Hill & Holler Column by Susan Bates susanbates@
webtv.net
Zion
Informer
NOVEMBER 2015
PAGE 7
“Why I Am Thankful”
Submitted by Sis. Eunice Parks
Contributing Writer
It seems just like yesterday, it was
Jan. 1, 2015. We were excited about
the upcoming New Year.
Some brought in the New Year
by going to New Year’s Eve parties
and attended community fireworks
to blast in the New Year. Most of us
Christians attended a New Year’s
Watch Night Service. For whatever
reason, there were also those individuals who followed the tradition
of eating black-eyed peas and hog
jowls on New Year’s Day. Believe it
or not, tis the season for celebrations
AGAIN! How time flies. When I
reflect over this whole year, I find
myself being thankful for the same
things as previous years.
I’m thankful that I have accepted
Christ as my personal Savior, and
that I have a personal relationship
with Him. I’m thankful that Jesus
isn’t a respecter of persons, and He
loves me equally as the next person.
I’m so thankful for the Word of God,
and I don’t have to impress or prove
to anyone my beliefs in Christ. I
just continue to live for Him, love
His people, and stay obedient to His
Word.
I’ve had some rough times in my
life from a child. I, like others, was
one of those bullied children, but if
I had to do it all over again, I’d still
want to be me. I thank God for who
he chose me to be. I’m glad through
Christ I CAN and I am an overcomer.
I thank God for my husband, my
child, my blood family, and the few
close friends and close acquaintances
God has placed in my life. When I
look back, I’m even thankful for my
enemies. Having trouble in my life
didn’t taste good then, but I’m thankful for the struggles I’ve had; they
made me better.
Thanksgiving and Christmas are
right upon us again. After “Black
Friday,” I’m one of those stay at
home kind of people. I don’t have
anything to buy. Everybody I had
planned on giving something to, has
already received it during the year.
Best wishes to all for the holiday season, and to God be the Glory!
Submitted by Sis. Reba Griffin
Contributing Writer
husband and my family.
5. I'm thankful for my neighbors.
6. I'm thankful that I'm connected
with my friends and with the body of
Christ!
Through it all God is still with me
and He loves me so much; this I
know!
1. I'm most thankful for the knowledge of God's saving grace.
2. I'm most thankful for accepting
Jesus Christ as my Savior with that
being saved and living a saved life.
3. I'm most thankful for God giving
me my son and allowing me to experience motherhood.
4. I'm thankful to the Lord for my
Happy Thanksgiving!
Zion Informer
PAGE 8
NOVEMBER 2015
Near Hometown Native…an International Opera
Singer!!
Submitted by Sis. Eunice Parks
Zion Informer Contributer
On October 1, I was too
honored to spend the evening
listening to Tifton, Georgia’s
Native Son, Travis Pratt,
perform at Albany State University at the Billy C. Black
Auditorium. Sometimes, we
complain saying, “There is
nothing to do here in Albany,
Ga.”
After retiring in 2013, I’m
learning there are plenty
venues and events to attend
in the Good Life City. The
evening with Travis Pratt was
one of those times and a well
spent event. The affair was
FREE to the public and one
you would never forget.
My heart bubbled over
with pride just knowing
this young man was from
the nearby City of Tifton,
a graduate of Albany State
University, and is now an
international opera singer.
I was driven to attend the
event, because of my love for
opera.
Photography wasn’t allowed during the performance, and the lights were
turned out with no lighting
except on the stage and during intermission. But, I was
able to take pictures of Travis
and his wife, Ashley
after this function. From this
privilege, I was able to get a
close-up, best picture of all
of this young man. Being conscious of his time and his need to
interact with others, I was able to
briefly speak with him and asked
him a few questions, while situating him for the picture.
My lens could not capture the
humility of this young man nor
his respectfulness. He was wellgrounded, and totally aware of his
surroundings. I observed Travis
mentoring an ASU group that
sang in the lobby of the auditorium. He moved about the people
while the group sang. When I got
the opportunity to take the picture, he said, “I want to make sure
I’m there when they finished.”
My lens could not capture his
willingness to serve and desire to
give back. I believe I did get the
best picture. The Gospels teaches
us that greatness comes thru being a servant, Matthew 23:11 and
Mark 10:35-45.
Travis Pratt sings a breath-taking tenor and that evening’s performance was Songs of Innocence
and Experience. In both Parts 1
and II of the 10-Song affair, Travis was accompanied by Sakura
Myers, Pianist; Joel Johnson on
guitar; Michael Decuir on flute;
and Tinsley Page played bongos.
Travis incorporated humor and
audience participation in his routines that evening and everyone
appeared to have enjoyed every
minute of it.
Travis Pratt was introduced to
the world on season eight of the
NBC Show, “America’s Got Talent.” The notoriety of that ap-
Travis and Ashley Pratt
pearance opened many doors for Travis to include partnerships with MAC cosmetics, the American Cancer Society,
TV networks and various artist and producers.
We can look forward with great anticipation to see the
Name Travis Pratt in the next phase of his career. It will
be splendid. Let us always keep him in our thoughts and
prayers.
Zion Informer
NOVEMBER 2015
The First Thanksgiving...
Submitted by Pamela Character Bryant
Zion Informer Contributer
Very little is known about the
1621 event in Plymouth that is the
model for our Thanksgiving. The only
references to the event are reprinted
below:
“And God be praised we had a good
increase… Our harvest being gotten
in, our governor sent four men on
fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we
had gathered the fruit of our labors.
They four in one day killed as much
fowl as, with a little help beside,
served the company almost a week.
At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many
of the Indians coming amongst us,
and among the rest their greatest king
Massasoit, with some ninety men,
whom for three days we entertained
and feasted, and they went out and
killed five deer, which they brought
to the plantation and bestowed on our
governor, and upon the captain and
others. And although it be not always
so plentiful as it was at this time
with us, yet by the goodness of
God, we are so far from want that
we often wish you partakers of our
plenty.”
Edward Winslow, Mourt’s Relation:
D.B. Heath, ed. Applewood Books.
Cambridge, 1986. p 82
Recreation of the "First Thanksgiving" in the 17th-Century English Village at Plimoth Plantation
“They began now to gather in
the small harvest they had, and
to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well
recovered in health and strength and
had all things in good plenty. For
as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised
in fishing, about cod and bass and
other fish of which they took good
store, of which every family had
their portion.
All the summer there was no
want; and now began to come in
store of fowl, as winter approached,
of which is place did abound when
they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees).
And besides waterfowl there was
great store of wild turkeys, of which
they took many, besides venison,
etc. Besides, they had about a peck a
meal a week to a person, or now since
harvest, Indian corn to that proportion.
Which made many afterwards write
so largely of their plenty here to their
friends in England, which were not
feigned but true reports.
William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation: S.E. Morison, ed. Knopf. N.Y.,
1952. p 90
Zion Informer
PAGE 9
Zion Informer
Health and Wellness Awareness
PAGE 10
November Is American Diabetes Month
Submitted by Minister Audrey Kimbrough
American Diabetes Month is a time
to raise awareness of diabetes prevention and control.
In the United States, more than 25
million people are living with diabetes and 79 million more are at risk of
developing type 2 diabetes.
Over time, if it’s not controlled,
type 2 diabetes can cause serious
health problems like heart disease,
stroke, and blindness. You may be at
risk for type 2 diabetes if you:
• Are overweight
• Exercise less than 3 times a week
• Are over 45 years old
• Have high blood pressure or high
cholesterol
• Are African American, Latino,
American Indian, Alaska Native,
Asian America or Pacific Islander
• Have a parent, brother, or sister
with diabetes
You can do a lot to lower your chances of getting type 2 diabetes by:
• Eating healthy
• Watching your weight
• Being active
• Controlling your blood pressure
and cholesterol
Resources: U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services
NOVEMBER 2015
Zion Informer
NOVEMBER 2015
PAGE 11
What Are You Thankful For?
“So many people are thankful for
their cars, houses, and clothes;
but, as for me I’m thankful for my
relationship with God. It provides so
much joy, peace, and happiness to
know I serve a God who never slumbers nor sleeps.” –Dontravious Simmons
“I’m thankful for my parents, all my
family and friends, my Pastor Simmons and God’s love!”
– Joy Duncan
We’re So Glad You Asked....
“ This Thanksgiving, like each and
every day, I am thankful for God’s
Grace and Mercy. Mere words cannot express all of the many blessings in my life, but I am also so very
thankful for the life, health and
strength of my family.”
– Bianca Knowles
“I am thankful for life and God’s
grace! Morning by morning new
mercies I see!”
– Xavier Harvey-Jones
“I’m thankful for the covering and
blessings that God bestowed upon
me.”
– Alonzo Maddox
“I am thankful for a spirit of love,
joy and peace in my home this season. I am thankful for wonderful
memories to share with friends and
family from near and far.”
– LaKisha Johnson
Zion Informer
PAGE 12
NOVEMBER 2015
What Are You Thankful For?
“I am thankful for having both
my parents in my life, having a healthy family and I’m
thankful I have an opportunity
to become who God wants me
to become. I am thankful for
my mom and dad supporting
me and helping me with life’s
issues.”
-Andre H.Thompson
We’re So Glad You Asked....
“I enjoy knowing that
family will be coming in
from different states and
cities sharing in love and
good food and sports.”
-Steve Wright
“I am thankful for good
health and strength, family
that God has given me, grace
and mercy to be here and I am
also thankful that he is keeping it together.”
-Geneva Johnson
Zion Informer
NOVEMBER 2015
PAGE 13
Senior Adult
Computer Classes
Seniors
On The Move
OO OO
“N O V E M B E R
classes are available
for our Seniors”
Alzheimer’s Association Walk
Submitted by Minister Audrey Kimbrough
The Senior Adult Care Ministry
wants to wish all of our members a
beloved birthday:
Mildred Blalock Carlton Bradley
Annie Brown
Caroline Campbell
Leon Cleveland
Vincent Collier Jr.
Martha Craft
Lula George
Marvin Gibson
Gertrude Glover
Loretta Green
Dorothy Hall
Rutha Harris
Ruby Hayes
Agnew James
Robert Marshall
Mary Reynolds
Jacquelyn Robinson
Roy Sherman
Joe Snead
David Spencer Jr.
Catherine Thomas
Azzie Webb
Lucille Wilson
Emma Wright
11/20
11/10
11/03
11/04
11/14
11/15
11/25
11/02
11/30
11/09
11/29
11/04
11/27
11/09
11/17
11/25
11/08
11/09
11/19
11/16
11/23
11/12
11/27
11/02
11/26
Happy Birthday!! To All
Seniors Born in SEPT.
If we missed your birthday, please
make sure that we have your
information. Call (229) 432 -6837
It is never too late to learn
something new. Senior Adult
Computer Classes are still going on
at the M.L. King location through
the tutorial ministry. Information
and sign-up sheets are located in the
Administrative office. Please contact
Sister Elaine Williams or Brother
E. Charles at 229-434-0550 for
additional information or to sign up.
Senior Adult Care/Leisure Plus
Monthly Lunch and Learn
Fellowship-
We invite all of Mt. Zion members
who are the age of 60 and above to
come join us for our monthly fellowship that is filed with lots informative
information and fun. Who says you
cannot have fun and learn at the same
time. There is a new speaker each
month. The fellowship will b held
Tues., Nov. 11, 2015, at Mt. Zion’s
Multi-Purpose Room from 11 a.m.
to 1 p.m. So come join us for our
monthly fellowship and meet someone new that you never met before,
and do not forget to invite a friend.
Zion Informer
PAGE 14
Are You a Caregiver?
Freedom Singer Performance
Are you a caregiver? Do you
care for a parent, spouse, relative,
or friend assisting them with daily
living such as feeding, bathing,
transport, and housework?
If so, SOWEGA COA’s Powerful Tools for Caregivers classes are
for you. The classes are designed
to help caregivers of adults. This
educational resource shows effective strategies on taking care of
yourself, reducing personal stress,
changing negative self-talk, and
communicating needs and feelings
to others.
The classes are offered one day
a week for 6 weeks. The registration fee is $10 and the registration
deadline is one day prior to the
class.
If you have a group that would
like to schedule a different date,
time, and location, please call to
register.
Caregivers please do not forget
about yourself while caring for
others. Please call Cynthia Wade
at (229) 432-1124 for more information.
Weekly Aerobics:
Senior Adult Aerobic classes
are held at Mt. Zion, 1905
Martin Luther King Blvd.,
every Tuesday and Thursday
from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00a.m.
(Except the
second Tuesday
of the month). You can even
bring a friend!
NOVEMBER 2015
Formed originally in 1962, the
Freedom Singers perform on the
second Saturday of each month,
sharing the songs that reflected
the Movement's political aims
the freedom songs and 'come and
meet' hymns or spirituals, such as
'This Little Light of Mine', that
continue to distinguish the black
choral tradition today.
So join them on Sat., Nov. 14,
2015 at 1 p.m. at the Albany Civil
Rights Institute, 326 Whitney Avenue. For more information Contact: I.L. Turner at 229.432.1698
or by e-mail: iturner@acrmm.org.
Senior News
Senior Adult
Computer Classes
Senior Resource Centers
Please do not forget to
visit our Senior Resource
Centers located in the Church
Lobbies, which is filled with
valuable information about
the services that are available
to our seniors as well as
family members.
It is never too late to learn
something new. Senior Adult
Computer Classes are still
going on at the M.L. King
location through the tutorial
ministry.
Information and sign-up
sheets are located in the
Administrative office. Please
contact Sister Elaine Williams or Brother E. Charles
at 229-434-0550 for additional information or to sign
up.
Lunch & Learn Seminar for Caregivers. Guests will enjoy lunch and
education from local speakers: Mayor
Dorothy Hubbard, Annie Flowers,
Jesse Massey, and entertainment by
Sir Mackie DA Clown. November is
National Caregiver Month and the
Regional Caregiver of the Year Award
will be announced
Zion Informer
NOVEMBER 2015
PAGE 15
Rutha Mae Harris, Freedom Singers, in Moving
Portrait Of Georgia Tourism
Submitted by Minister Judith Hampton Thompson
ATLANTA, GA – Albany’s Civil
Rights songbird and icon Rutha Mae
Harris is among others included in
videos premiered Wed., Oct. 28 to
capture a moving portrait of Georgia
Tourism.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Tourism division premiered its new promotional
videos “We Are Georgia” Wednesday.
The videos were debuted during a
private preview event for tourism
industry partners, crew, and media at
the Center for Civil and Human Rights
in Atlanta. “We Are Georgia” features
Georgia’s nine tourism marketing
regions and provides viewers with a
captivating visual of the many unique
and varying offerings across the state.
To see the Albany connection which
features Rutha and some of the Freedom Singers who perform at the Albany Civil Rights Institute (ACRI) in
the series of videos, visit http://budurl.
com/WeAreGeorgia. Click on Video 9,
We Are Georgia: Plantation Trace.
From Georgia’s shallow marshes on
the coast to the rolling hills of North
Georgia, potential visitors can now see
the state’s diverse landscape to help
inspire new vacation ideas. The series
of nine regional videos will be utilized
in the state’s 11 Visitor Information
Centers (VIC) and at the new Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
Airport Visitor Information Center
that is slated to open after the first of
the year.
“One of the main reasons Georgia is
such a compelling place to visit is the
people who have chosen to invest their
lives in sharing their love of our state
with visitors,” said Kevin Langston,
Deputy Commissioner of Tourism at
the Georgia Department of Economic
Development. “These new, first-of-
their-kind videos tell Georgia's story
in a very unique way. They illustrate
the diverse landscapes and unique
travel experiences that Georgia
boasts, along with the passionate
people who call her home. We could
not be more pleased to share them
with our visitors.”
Following an RFP process in
February 2014, Craig Miller Productions, Inc. was selected to complete the project. Each video is two
minutes long and is paired with
original music composed by Georgia
composer Brandon Bush (Sugarland, Train, John Mayer); mixed
by Georgia GRAMMY® Awardwinning producer, mixer and engineer Matt Still (Elton John, Outkast,
Lady Gaga); and directed by awardwinning writer/director Takashi
Doscher from Atlanta. Footage was
captured in 58 locations across the
state over 65 days. The crew traveled
over 6,800 miles during the course
of a year. More than 70 hours of high
definition video imagery was collected.
“With this series of videos we set
out to capture a moving portrait of
Georgia Tourism. A portrait that
engages viewers through the power
of connection, and communicates
there is a story to be told,” said
Craig Miller, Executive Producer at
Craig Miller Productions, Inc. “Our
goal was to create a cinematic story
through the authentic involvement
of the very Georgians who make this
state such a great place to visit.”
This amazing video footage will
also be used to create two brand new
Georgia Tourism television commercials spots that will begin airing
in target markets in spring 2017.
In addition, these videos will live
on ExploreGeorgia.org, the states’
primary consumer marketing tool, as
well as on Explore Georgia’s YouTube™ channel. To find out more
about “We Are Georgia” and to view
the videos, visit http://budurl.com/
WeAreGeorgia.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is
the state’s sales and marketing arm,
the lead agency for attracting new
business investment, encouraging the
expansion of existing industry and
small businesses, align workforce
education and training with in-demand jobs, locating new markets for
Georgia products, attracting tourists
to Georgia, and promoting the state as
a destination for arts and location for
film, music and digital entertainment
projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic
development. www.georgia.org
See More..... Page 16
Zion Informer
PAGE 16
NOVEMBER 2015
Rutha, Freedom Singers
Contd.
Zion Informer
NOVEMBER 2015
Gobbledygook...
Funnies
Last Thanksgiving, I had my chance to do the
traditional thing of shooting my own turkey.
Man, you should have seen the people scatter in
the meat department.
When everyone at the table takes turns saying
what they are thankful for, say, “I’m thankful I
didn’t get caught,” and refuse to say anything
more.
PAGE 17
Out Of The Mouth Of Babes...
“If I sold my house and my car, had a big
garage sale, and gave all my money to the
church, would that get me into heaven?”
I asked the children in my Sunday school
class.
“NO!” the children all answered.
“If I cleaned the church every day, mowed
the yard, and kept everything neat and tidy,
would that get me into heaven?”
Again the answer was, “NO!” “Well, then, if
I was kind to animals and gave candy to all
the children and loved my wife, would that
get me into heaven?” I asked them again.
Once more they all answered, “NO!”
“Well,” I continued, thinking they were a
good bit more theologically sophisticated
than I had given them credit for, “then how
can I get into heaven?”
A five-year-old boy shouted out, “You gotta
be dead!”
Zion Informer
PAGE 18
Funnies- contd.
All In The Family...
At an Easter mass, at which some young ladies were
to take their final vows to become nuns, the presiding
bishop noticed two rabbis enter the church just before
the mass began.
They were seated at the back of the sanctuary and insisted on sitting on the right side of the center aisle. The
bishop wondered why they had come but didn’t have
time to inquire before the mass began. When it came
time for some announcements, his curiosity got the best
of him. He announced that he was delighted to see two
rabbis in their midst at the mass but was curious as to
why they were present at this occasion where the young
ladies were to become the “Brides of Christ.”
The eldest of the rabbis slowly rose to his feet and explained, “Family of the Groom.”
Grin and Bear it...
“This summer, I went to the beach and buried metal objects that say “Get a life” on them.”
~Demetri Martin
NOVEMBER 2015
Case dismissed...
An atheist became incensed over Christmas holiday preparations. He filed a lawsuit about the constant celebrations
given to Christians and Jews while atheists had no holiday
to celebrate.
The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the
long, passionate presentation by the atheist’s lawyer, the
judge banged his gavel and declared, “Case dismissed!”
The lawyer immediately stood and objected to the ruling.
“Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The
Christians have Christmas, Easter, and many other observances. Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur, and Hanukkah.
Yet, my client and all other atheists have no such holiday!”
The judge leaned forward in his chair and simply said,
“Obviously, your client is too confused to know about,
much less celebrate, his own atheist holiday!”
The lawyer pompously said, “Your honor, we are unaware
of any such holiday for atheists. Just when might that holiday be?”
The judge replied, “Well, it comes every year on exactly
the same date. Psalm 14:1 states, ‘The fool says in his
heart, there is no God.’ Thus, if your client says there is no
God then, according to the Bible, he is a fool. April Fool’s
Day is his holiday. Now, get out of my courtroom!”
Zion Informer
APRIL 2013
NOVEMBER
2015
“I have chosen you out of
the world.”
J o h n 1 5 : 1 9
Submitted by Minister Judith H. Thompson
Here is distinguishing grace and
discriminating regard; for some are
made the special objects of divine
affection. Do not be afraid to dwell
upon this high doctrine of election.
When your mind is most heavy and
depressed, you will find it to be a
bottle of richest cordial. Those who
doubt the doctrines of grace, or who
cast them into the shade, miss the
richest clusters of Eshcol; they lose
the wines on the lees well refined, the
fat things full of marrow. There is no
balm in Gilead comparable to it. If the
honey in Jonathan's wood when but
touched enlightened the eyes, this is
honey which will enlighten your heart
to love and learn the mysteries of the
kingdom of God. Eat, and fear not a
surfeit; live upon this choice dainty,
and fear not that it will be too delicate
a diet. Meat from the King's table will
hurt none of his courtiers. Desire to
have your mind enlarged, that you
may comprehend more and more the
eternal, everlasting, discriminating
love of God. When you have mounted as
high as election, tarry on its sister mount, the
covenant of grace. Covenant engagements
are the munitions of stupendous rock behind
which we lie entrenched; covenant engagements with the surety, Christ Jesus, are the
quiet resting-places of trembling spirits.
"His oath, his covenant, his blood,
Support me in the raging flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
This still is all my strength and stay."
If Jesus undertook to bring me to glory, and
if the Father promised that he would give me
to the Son to be a part of the infinite reward
of the travail of his soul; then, my soul, till
God himself shall be unfaithful, till Jesus
shall cease to be the truth, thou art safe.
When David danced before the ark, he told
Michal that election made him do so. Come,
my soul, exult before the God of grace and
leap for joy of heart.
Resources: Biblegateway@e.biblegateway.
com
15
PAGE 19
Zion Informer
PAGE 16
PAGE 20
APRIL 2013
NOVEMBER 2015
"His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are
bushy, and black as a raven."
Song of Solomon 5:11
Comparisons all fail to set forth the Lord Jesus, but
the spouse uses the best within her reach. By the head
of Jesus we may understand his deity, "for the head of
Christ is God" and then the ingot of purest gold is the
best conceivable metaphor, but all too poor to describe
one so precious, so pure, so dear, so glorious.
Jesus is not a grain of gold, but a vast globe of it, a
priceless mass of treasure such as earth and heaven
cannot excel. The creatures are mere iron and clay,
they all shall perish like wood, hay, and stubble, but
the ever living Head of the creation of God shall shine
on forever and ever. In him is no mixture, nor smallest
taint of alloy.
He is forever infinitely holy and altogether divine.
The bushy locks depict his manly vigour. There is
nothing effeminate in our Beloved. He is the manliest
of men. Bold as a lion, laborious as an ox, swift as an
eagle. Every conceivable and inconceivable beauty is
to be found in him, though once he was despised and
rejected of men.
"His head the finest gold;
With secret sweet perfume,
His curled locks hang all as black
As any raven's plume."
The glory of his head is not shorn away, he is eternally
crowned with peerless majesty. The black hair indicates
youthful freshness, for Jesus has the dew of his youth
upon him.
Others grow languid with age, but he is forever a Priest
as was Melchizedek; others come and go, but he abides
as God upon his throne, world without end. We will behold him tonight and adore him.
Angels are gazing upon him--his redeemed must not
turn away their eyes from him. Where else is there such a
Beloved? O for an hour's fellowship with him!
Away, ye intruding cares! Jesus draws me, and I run
after him.
Resources: Biblegateway@e.biblegateway.com
Zion Informer
NOVEMBER 2015
Famous Thanksgiving Quotes...
PAGE 21
Submitted by Minister Judith H. Thompson
How wonderful it would be if we could
help our children and grandchildren
to learn thanksgiving at an early age.
Thanksgiving opens the doors. It changes a child's personality. A child is resentful, negative, or thankful. Thankful
children want to give, they radiate happiness, they draw people.
-J. Templeton
The funny thing about Thanksgiving ,or any big
meal, is that you spend 12 hours shopping for it
then go home and cook,chop,braise and blanch.
Then it’s gone in 20 minutes and everybody
lies around sortof in a sugar coma and then it
takes 4 hours to clean it up.
-Ted Allen
My life has changed
because somebody fed
my family on Thanksgiv
ing when I was eleven
years old. It wasn’t the
food that changed me, it
was the fact that a
stranger cared. That’s
what changed my life.
That made me the per
son I am today and have
been for the last 37 years.
All that came out of
that, that simple act of
getting a result.
-Tony Robbins
Zion Informer
PAGE 22
NOVEMBER 2015
FlipMy Food Recipes
Roasted Turkey Breast in Garlic Marinade
INSTRUCTIONS
Roasted Turkey Breast
Ingredients
·
1 turkey breast
·
Garlic marinade (recipe below)
·
1 tablespoon grape seed oil
·
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
·
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Chef Jeff Henderson
INGREDIENTS
1 turkey breast
Garlic marinade
1 tablespoon grape seed oil
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon parsley
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
Garlic Marinade
Ingredients
·
3 tablespoons olive oil
·
1 tablespoon minced
garlic
·
1 tablespoon parsley
·
1 teaspoon pepper
·
1 teaspoon salt
Method
-
Whisk all ingredients
together until combined
-
Cover turkey breast with marinade, Cajun seasoning
and salt and pepper to taste
-
Heat grape seed oil in a skillet over high heat
-
Place turkey breast in skillet, and brown on both
sides
-
Cook breast in 350-degree oven for 20 minutes per
pound or until thermometer inserted in center reads
160 degrees
NOVEMBER
APRIL 20132015
Zion Informer
OCTOBER 2015 OCTOBER 2015
FlipMy Food Recipes
No Bake Mac & Cheese
INSTRUCTIONS:
METHOD
-
Sauté garlic and shallot with olive oil/butter
blend in a deep saucepan.
-
Add half & half when shallots have softened.
-
When mixture is warm, add cheeses.
-
Stir to incorporate cheese before adding
pasta and parsley.
-
Mix pasta until coated in cheese sauce.
-
Mix in crab meat.
-
Garnish with additional shredded cheese and
parsley.
Chef Jeff Henderson
INGREDIENTS
4 tablespoons olive oil/butter blend
1 tablespoon rough chopped garlic
1 shallot, chopped
2 cups half & half
2 cups. low-fat shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup smoked Gouda
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 pound whole wheat penne pasta, cooked
1 cup lump crab meat
PAGE19
23PAGE 20
PAGE
Zion Informer
Thanksgiving Word Search Puzzle. . .
APRIL 2013PAGE
24
PAGE 19
PAGE 20
NOVEMBER
2015
Zion Informer
NOVEMBER 2015
PAGE 25
C2015hurch
Notices
ews of -Activities
NOVEMBER
Calendar
-Thank
You
November 2015 Calendar of Activities
Join Us for Prayer!
Women’s Prayer Group – Tuesdays / 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. (Westover Site)
Early Morning Prayer Group – Wednesdays / 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. (MLK Site)
Men’s Prayer Group – Thursdays / 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. (MLK Site)
Church ToSchool
Classroom
Our Mt. Zion Family,
Assignments
It is with great love and appreciation that we
November 1
Music Ministry
Reclaimation
Your
*Daylight Savings Time Ends
Retired Educators Day
Holy Communion
8:00 a.m. & 10:15 a.m. - Sunday Morning Worship Services (Sanctuary)
thank you for the love
and
comfort
shown
NEW
MEMBER
ORIENTATION
9:00
a.m.
Sunday
School/NMO
you love to sing, have a wonderful
MINISTRY
November
2 loss of our
MZ
Mission
Group
Haiti
during the
father,
Daniel
Giles.departs to Ifmelodious
voice and want an opAll new members
November 3
*Election
Day must meet with
portunity to sing in the choirs at Mt.
Every prayer, visit, card,
flower,
plant
and
Simmons
and then
start
November 4
6:00Pastor
p.m.
– Devotion
&the
Bible Study (Sanctuary)
Zion Baptist Church, please call the
Newa.m.
Member
Orientation
Classes.
meal prepared
was11:00
greatly
appreciated.
November
5
-12:15
p.m.
Soup Kitchen
@ MLK
church, 229-432-6837
or Site
Dr. T. MarThe
classes
are
offered every Sunday
November
7
8:30
a.m.
–
Daughters
of
Zion
2015-2016
Kick-Off!
(MLK Site)
A special “thank you” to
each
ministry.
shall
Jones,
229-886-6982,
Minister
morning from
9 a.m.
to 9:45 a.m.
Fountain
City
Classic!
Albany State
University
v
Fort
Alonzo Maddox 229-869-1042 or Valley State University
members Day
who cannot
GodGeneral
Bless,For those
November 8
Mission
Minister Judith Hampton Thompson
it on&
Sunday
morning,
the–New
8:00make
a.m.
10:15
a.m.
Sunday
Morning Worship Services (Sanctuary)
229-881-7279.
Member Orientation Ministry offers a
***Anniversary Guest Speaker: We
Rev.
Carolynne
Grant Williams - Atlanta, GA
would
love to have you!
“Super Saturday” every third Satur9:00 a.m. Sunday School/NMO
day, where you can
*Cherub Choir
complete all 4 classes.
*Youth Praise Dancers
Session
November 9-12
GMBC
145th Annual
NEW MEMBER
ORIENTATION
November 10
9:00FAST
a.m.
–
Chair
Aerobics
(MLK Site)
TRACT CLASS
5:30“SUPER
p.m. SATURDAY”
– Leadership Meeting (Multi-purpose Room)
6:00DATE:
p.m.
– Floor
Third
SaturdayAerobics
of each month(MLK Site)
November 11
*Veteran’s
TIME: 10:00Day
a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
6:00 p.m. – Devotion & Bible Study (Sanctuary)
November 12
11:00 a.m. -12:15 p.m. Soup Kitchen @ MLK Site
November 13
Ministry Budget Deadline for 2016!
November 14
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. – Youth Ministry Fall Conference (MLK Site)
The Giles Family.
2:00 p.m. – Wedding in MZ Sanctuary
November 15
8:00 a.m. & 10:15 a.m. – Sunday Morning Worship Services (Sanctuary)
9:00 a.m. Sunday School/NMO
November 17
9:00 a.m. – Chair Aerobics (MLK Site)
(Bring your own towel, water, floor mat and dumbbells)
6:00 p.m. – Floor Aerobics (MLK Site)
November 18
6:00 p.m. – Devotion & Bible Study (Sanctuary)
November 19
11:00 a.m. -12:15 p.m. Soup Kitchen @ MLK Site
November 21
10:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. – NMO Super Saturday Classes (Westover Site)
November 22
Sunday Worship Services- 8:00 a.m. & 10:15 a.m. (Sanctuary)
9:00 a.m. Sunday School/NMO
BAPTISM / *Baby Dedication
November 24
9:00 a.m. – Chair Aerobics (MLK Site)
6:00 p.m. – Floor Aerobics (MLK Site)
November 25
*MZ Administration Office CLOSES at 12 NOON
6:00 p.m. – Devotion & Bible Study (Sanctuary)
November 26
Thanksgiving Holiday
November 27
Church Administration Office CLOSED
November 29
8:00 a.m. & 10:15 a.m. – Sunday Morning Worship Services
(Sanctuary)
For more
information, call Isom Williams at
9:00 a.m. Sunday School/NMO
229.435.9451
*Baby Dedication
*NMO Certificate Presentations
Go Here
Aerobics 2013
’s
E. James Grant Family
Life Center
(MLK site)
B.Y.O.T.W.FM.D.
.
Classes Tues. and Thur.
6 p.m.