Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church
1312 Willow Street - Norristown, Pennsylvania 19401-3328
Reverend Carlos D. Bounds, M.Div., Pastor
Church Office: 610-279-8313 - Church Website: www.mtzion-ntown.faith
Sunday, December 14, 2025 – Youth Sunday – THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT - JOY
Stewards of the Day – Sisters Antoinette Johnson and Ashlee Flagg
Trustees of the Day – Brothers Robert Dews and Vernon Glenn
ANNOUNCEMENTS OF SERVICES AND EVENTS FOR CHURCH, COMMUNITY AND DISTRICT
Announcements are an essential part of the church service. They play a crucial role in keeping the congregation up to date with the latest events with information making it possible for everyone to connect with our church in a meaningful way. Thank you for taking the time to review the announcements, Thanks to everyone for your support and prayers.
You are invited to join Mount Zion Church Reoccurring meetings/Activities/Events
Sunday Worship Services
8:00AM - (2nd and 4th Sundays) - Sister Peggy Ann Scott, Coordinator and Worship Leader
11:00AM - Sunday Worship Service
Sunday Adult Church School - 9:30AM - 10:30AM - Louden Hall
Sunday Children Church School - 10:30AM - 11:30AM - Multi Purpose Room
Monday Evangelist Prayer Conf - 7:15pm - 8:15pm - Dial-In: 716 427 1108 - Passcode: 137801 - Evangelist Alaia Bradshaw
Wednesday Mid-Day Bible Study - 12:00noon - 1:30PM
Wednesday Evening Bible Study - 7:00pm - 8:00pm - Zoom Meeting ID: 949 0581 6504 - Passcode: 475200 - Dial-In: 646-876-9923
Wednesday Monthly Love Feast (last Wednesday of each month)
7:00pm - Mt. Zion Sanctuary - Sister Paulette Jones, Coordinator and Worship Leader
Wednesday - Narcotics Anonymous - 7:30pm - Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Group meet weekly in Louden Hall - Bro Eric Payne
Thursday - Exercise Sessions - 6:00pm - 7:00pm - Louden Hall - Sister Phyllis Mason, Leader
Worship the Lord with online giving: CashApp - $mtzionntown or Zelle - 610-761-6346
Visit Mount Zion Website for more information - www.mtzion-ntown.faith
WELCOME TO MT. ZION A.M.E. CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE - On behalf of Reverend Carlos D. Bounds, the Ministerial Staff, Officers and Members, thank you for worshipping with the church family In-person, Zoom, Face Book or Dial-In - May God’s blessings be upon you this day and always!
ADVENT - The third Sunday of Advent is the joy of the shepherds seeing the newborn Christ. Let us remember that the good news of Jesus’ birth brings us great joy this Christmas season. Our joy is not dependent on what is going on in our lives, in our world, or the people that we are with. It does not depend on the gifts we give or the gifts we find under the tree. No earthly thing can ever give us complete joy. Our joy comes from you. That joy that flooded the hearts of the shepherds, the angels, the wise men, the hosts of heaven, and Mary and Joseph are the joy that still has the power to overwhelm our hearts with rejoicing. Advent 2025 begins Sunday, November 30th and ends Wednesday, December 31st which marks the period leading to Christmas Day.
Advent Reading - Candle Lighting - JOY - Song
“O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel” - Hymn #102
Each Sunday the Advent candle(s) will be lit by the Steward of the Day, symbolizing the themes of HOPE - PEACE - JOY - LOVE - CHRIST - as part of the Advent Season.
Advent Candle Dates
▪ Sunday, November 30, 2025 – Lighting of the first advent purple candle - HOPE Candle
▪ Sunday, December 07, 2025 – Lighting of the second advent purple candle - PEACE Candle
▪ Sunday, December 14, 2025 – Lighting of the third advent pink candle JOY Candle
▪ Sunday, December 21, 2025 – Lighting of the fourth advent purple candle LOVE Candle
▪ Wednesday eve, December 24, 2025 – Lighting of the fifth middle advent white candle CHRIST Candle
ALTAR FLOWERS – The Altar Flowers are dedicated to our beautiful daughter, JaLisa Gibson in celebration of her earning her Master of Social Work (MSW) on Thursday, December 11, 2025. We are incredibly proud of you JaLisa, and we pray that all you hope and pray for comes your way. We love you and God bless you. Love always, Mom, Dad, and Duke.
Appreciation is expressed to the Reunited Members and New Joiners for your attendance at the Orientation Training Session on Saturday, December 6th. Thank you for your service to God and Mt. Zion Church. All persons completing the Orientation Training will receive your membership certificate on Sunday, December 28, 2025 during the worship service. The certificate certifies that the individual has publicly confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and has been received into full membership of the A.M.E. Church.
Ø Sunday, December 14, 2025 - Advent Service at Ward Emmanuel A.M.E. Church, Host Church - 728 North 43rd Street - Phila, PA 19104 - Reverend Dr. Kemperal Hinsley, Host Pastor. Dinner served at 1:30pm. Worship Service at 4:00pm. Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr., guest preacher. Thanks for your attendance!
Ø Saturday, December 20, 2025 - 12:00pm - 3:00pm - South District Christmas Party at The African American Museum - 701- Arch Street - Philadelphia, PA 19106. Pastor Marlo Woods, guest preacher. Rev. Dr. Janet J. Sturdivant, Presiding Elder. It is important that you join the South District Christmas Party, if possible. This event is a time of fellowship designed to inspire your heart and refresh your spirit during this holiday season. We look forward to seeing you at this event! Parking is limited!
▪ Sunday, December 21, 2025 - 11:00am Worship Service – Pick-up flyer from Narthex Podium.
* Church School Christmas Pageant for children, teens, and adults. Remember to invite family members and friends. Christmas
theme: “America’s Got Jesus”. Infant Baptism ceremony during worship service.
* Bounds Family Christmas Dinner (Fellowship Hall). Family and friends will join the Annual Christmas Dinner Gathering in the
Fellowship Hall following the morning worship service for fellowship, fun, food, and adult / children’s games.
Duo Meditations: Sister Amy and Pastor Carlos Bounds. The first family is looking forward to this special gathering.
Thanks to everyone for supporting the first family!
• Wednesday, December 24, 2025 - 7:00pm Christmas Eve - “One-Hour In-Person Service”
* Advent Christ Candle Lighting.
• Wednesday, December 31, 2025 - 7:00pm - New Years Eve Service.
* Please invite family members and friends to join our worship service.
Ø Calendar Request(s) - Attention to those who are interested in scheduling church meetings and events. Review Mt. Zion’s online calendar to confirm if your desired date(s) and time(s) are available using link - https://www.mtzion-ntown.faith/church-calendar. You may complete and submit your request using the online calendar link. Brother Alton “AJ” Jones, calendar coordinator, will efficiently schedule your request following the scheduling calendar process. Requestor(s) will be contacted once event has been approved and processed. Please do not try to directly schedule an event on the church calendar page. Thanks for your cooperation - Brother Alton ”AJ” Jones - calendar@mtzc.org
You may also request calendar events dates and times using Mt. Zion’s “REQUEST FOR CHURCH CALENDAR EVENT FORM.” Calendar forms may be found on the Narthex Information Table. Complete form and submit to Brother Alton “AJ” Jones for processing. Questions, contact Brother Alton “AJ” Jones.
Ø Mt. Zion Van Service Weekly Schedule - If Van transportation is needed to and from the church for worship services, call Saturday night prior to Sunday you need transportation. Members in need of Van service are asked to be ready for pick-up by 10:30am. First Sunday driver is Brother Wendel Haulcy (610-952-6857). Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Sunday driver is Brother Allen Yates (610-999-5141). Van Ministry, Brother Sonny Grimes.
Ø It is important that announcements are submitted to Sister Lorraine Vance not later than 12:00noon on Wednesdays virginia.vance@yahoo.com. If the deadline is missed, information will be added to next week’s announcements depending on the event date and information. Please try to eliminate making verbal announcements during the worship services. Also, if you have had an address or phone number change, please submit information to above email address as well. Much appreciation.
Ø The Altar Flower Club will meet on a date to be determined during the January 2026 timeframe. In the meantime, you may contact Sister Wanda Thompson as a point of contact with request for floral dedications or questions at wanda.thompson017@gmail.com or 267-283-5386. Also, you may obtain and complete an ALTAR FLOWER DEDICATION FORM which can be found in the Narthex Lobby Information Table and submit form to Sister Thompson or any Flower Club member. Information to dedication wording for the announcements of dedications should be emailed to Sister Lorraine Vance virginia.vance@yahoo.com by 12Noon weekly on Wednesdays. (Present Flower Club Members as of 2024: Mae Anthoney, Olethia Bradshaw, Annie Harris, Chu Cha Harris, Kathy Harris, Lois David Jones, Ramona Mcgee, Darlene Spencer, Cynthia Stanford (LOA), Shelina Thomas, Jon Thompson, Wanda Thompson, Etta Wise, Allen Yates).
Upcoming Events - Save The Dates - Details of each event forthcoming (dates/times subject to change).
▪ Sunday, December 14, 2025 - Advent Service at Ward Emmanuel A.M.E. Church, Host Church - 728 North 43rd Street - Phila, PA 19104 - Reverend Dr. Kemperal Hinsley, Host Pastor. Dinner at 1:30pm. Worship Service at 4:00pm. Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr., guest preacher.
Saturday, December 20, 2025 - 12:00pm-3:00pm - South District Christmas Gathering at The African American Museum - 701 Arch
Street - Philadelphia, PA 19106. Everyone is encouraged to attend! Please be mindful of limited parking.
▪ Sunday, December 21, 2025 - Mt. Zion Church School Christmas Pageant for children, teens, and adults. Remember to invite family members and friends. Christmas Theme: “America’s Got Jesus.”
▪ January 9 - 11, 2026 - Women’s Missionary Society - Learning Experience - Doubletree Hotel, Cherry Hill, NJ.
▪ Saturday, January 17, 2026 - Pastoral Appreciation 20th Year Celebration for Reverend Tiffany Martin of Bethel A.M.E. Church.
▪ Wednesday, January 28 - Saturday, January 31, 2026 - A.M.E. Connectional Women’s Missionary Society - Baltimore, MD.
▪ Saturday, January 31, 2026 - Church School Convention at Morris Brown A.M.E. Church (1 day event).
▪ February 10-12, 2026 - First Episcopal Founder’s Day Celebration at Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church - 215 N 57th Philadelphia - FedAMEC.org. Event Summary: Group Name: AME Feb2026
Hotel Start Date: Monday, February 09, 2026. Hotel End Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Sheraton Philadelphia University City Hotel at $179.00 per night - Last Day to Book: Friday, January 09, 2026.
▪ Saturday, February 28, 2026 - Presiding Elder Ellis B. Louden, Dover District Delaware Conference - Retirement Celebration.
▪ May 13, 2026 - Reverend Dr. Presiding Elder Janet Sturdivant Birthday Celebration.
§ May 20-23, 2026 – 210 Session of the Phila Annual Conf - South District Host - Valley Forge Convention Center - King of Prussia.
Local YPD information - Events - dates - locations
All clergy, leaders, those who work with or in contact with the youth, in any capacity: The First Episcopal District will be using Protect My Ministry as the designated vendor for processing background checks. You can access the portal via the First Episcopal District Website under the “Resources” URL: https://ministryopportunities.org/FEDAofMEC
Once on the site:
Select your Conference. Select your District. Select your Church. Provide the required personal information.
Your submission will be sent directly to Protect My Ministry for processing. Note that a payment of $29.95 is required and must be made via credit card at the time of submission. Only background checks completed through Protect My Ministry will be accepted.
Service Rehearsal and YPD meeting scheduled for Dec 13, 2025 - 10am-1pm. Light lunch will be served.
WMS Christmas Fellowship and Scholarship Awards - December 13, 2025 - Northbrook Center Building Conference
YPD Christmas Extravaganza – December 27, 2025 at Bethany A.M.E. Church - Harrisburg
MLK Day of Service – January 19, 2026
PCBYPD Annual Day – May 20, 2026 - Valley Forge Convention Center - King of Prussia, PA
Ø First Episcopal District Lay Mid-Year Convention - February 20-21, 2026, hosted by the New England Conference Lay Organization. The convention will be held at the Crowne Plaza - 801 Greenwich Avenue - Warwick, Rhode Island. If interested in attending, contact Sister Joanne Turner, local Lay Org president to inform her of your interest in attending the Mid-Year Convention.
Ø Saturday, February 28, 2026 - 1:00pm - Retirement Celebration of 53 years in Ministry for Presiding Elder Ellis B. Louden, Dover District Delaware Conference. You are invited to join the Dover District Ministerium in celebration of Presiding Elder Louden’s retirement. Location: Delaware Agricultural Museum - 866 North Dupont Highway - Dover, DE 19901. Ticket cost is $75.00 pp. Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr. is the guest preacher. For additional info and ticket purchase, contact Dr. Wilma Mishoe (302-465-8889) or Ms. Trina Walker (302-580-7767) ASAP.
REQUEST FOR PRAYERS for Sick and Shut-In members and friends in private homes, hospitals, nursing facilities, churches, rehab centers, and homeless unsheltered families within the surrounding communities. Sick and Shut-In Members: Sisters Mary Mansfield, Edith Custis, Bernice Lindsey, Nadia Wilson, Cynthia Stanford, Naomi Satterwhite, Lisa Walker, Brothers Vernal Henry, Lennox Wilson, Billy Sherard and other sick and shut-in members not listed. We pray for the family, friends that are caring for those who are ill. Give them endurance, compassion, and wisdom as they provide support. May their love be a source of encouragement and light to those who are unwell. Bless them with your grace and peace. “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 30:17.
CONDOLENCES - May the hearts find solace in cherished memories and the love that remains from the loss of loved ones. Strengthen them in their sorrow and guide them through each day with hope and healing. “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” James 5:16.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER - December is truly the Season of Giving, but that includes caring for your health, whether you are breaking a sweat, enjoying comforting foods, or practicing mindful self-care. Here is to end the year with wellness in mind and stepping into the new year refreshed and empowered. Health Awarenesses: World AIDS Day, Persons with Disabilities, and National Grief Awareness.
”The Year To Receive”
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season, we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)
Wishing you a season full of sparkles, cheer, and endless joy.
Merry Christmas and a bright New Year! Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church.