Weekly News From Mt. Zion
Let's Talks About It
Tonight on Zoom!
Mt. Zion's pastors invite you to join them on this evening, July 15, at 6:00 pm for a discussion about racism and faith.
Listen and share thoughts via the Zoom meeting app.
Pastor Hamby will host one conversation for Children, Youth and their parents. Pastors Stewart and Hopper will host a separate discussion for everyone else.
Watch this newsletter and Mt. Zion's website ( mtzionumc.org ) for meeting links, which will be posted closer to the date. Zoom is free and easy to use. Don't let the technology scare you.
Meeting Link for discussion with
Rev. Montana Hamby:

Meeting Link for discussion with
Rev. Harden Hopper
& Rev. Debra Stewart:
Go to mtzionumc.org for dial-in information.
Please note*** to avoid interfering with the online discussion with the pastors, The July 15 WOW Prayer Gathering will change to a 7:30 pm start time.
Drop Off This Saturday 9 am-3 pm
Ready, Set, and Step Back for July 19
Above: Here's a link to last Sunday's Live Stream Worship Service
The Church Council met online this past Monday to assess the pandemic situation and our way ahead. To help ease our week-to-week uncertainty amid the current Covid-19 trends, the council decided not to consider a return to campus for the congregation and group gatherings until after Labor Day. The Council plans to reassess the situation at the meeting on September 14.

Worship will continue online, and there will be opportunities to contribute in ministry with events that do not require gathering, such as drop-off events like the book drive, backpack collection, and appointment events, like the August 3 blood drive. However, when we are on campus, we are expected to observe 6ft distancing, wearing masks, and sanitizing.

You patience and commitment to putting safety first is appreciated. Know that the Council members are grateful for your prayers in helping us all discern God's guidance. May we give thanks for their faithful service and leadership in the ministry we share.
Rev. Harden Hopper

This Sunday, join Rev. Harden Hopper for worship and his message, Weedy Wheat. This week's service will be pre-recorded and we will send you links.
Why Subscribe to a Channel?
This may look like a shameless free ad for YouTube but it is not. It is an explanation for why you should subscribe to Mt. Zion UMC Marietta, our channel on Youtube. If you subscribe, you can log in and go to your subscriptions and easily find our videos, all neatly assembled in one place. If you want to subscribe now, click below.
Also, subscribers can set up alerts and notifications, like emailing you with a link when we go live. It's your choice though.
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Click on the button above for more complete instructions and pictures showing the process for subscribing. All live stream video are immediately available after the 8:30 service concludes. Please send any questions you may have to: communications@mtzionumc.org .
All Are Invited to View
Jacobson-Murray Wedding
Paul and Kathy Jacobson invite you to share in their family’s joy and request your online participation in the wedding of their daughter Laura Jacobson to Nathan Murray, at 2:00 pm on Saturday July 25 . 
Onsite participation is restricted to family only, due to COVID-19 precautions. However, they invite friends and church family to participate in this joyous occasion by watching the live-stream of the ceremony. 
"Sign" a virtual guest book by sending a photo of your family watching the wedding, along with a message for the new bride and groom. Please email pictures and notes to Kathy at  pkjacobson@outlook.com   .    
A drive-by receiving line between 4:00 and 5:00 pm in the Mt. Zion UMC covered drive-through, will be available f or those who want to extend their personal congratulations. Friends will need to stay in their cars while at Mt. Zion. The live-stream link will be included in next week’s newsletter.
Laura Jacobson and Nathan Murray will exchange wedding vows on
Saturday, July 25 at 2:00 pm. Join in online!
Preschool Starts Aug 19
3 yr. old Spots Available
Mt. Zion's Preschool will reopen on August 19 (delayed from Aug. 12 due to Cobb Co. delay). Currently they have openings in their 3 yr. old classes. If you are interested, call or email them for a tour. The phone number is 770-971-1478 and their email is:
Show Us You're Out There
We Miss Your Smiling Faces
We would like to see our Mt. Zion family's faces! So we came up with an idea...please email me  2 pictures  of you and/or your entire family. FIRST PICTURE of you watching the service. And the SECOND PICTURE of you all waving and smiling. We are going to put them together and use them in a future service (think prelude greeting or passing of the peace digital style!!)
Please forward this email to any of your small groups so we can get a lot of response. On Sunday mornings, many may feel isolated from the congregation and need to feel connected again, hopefully this will help. 
Thank you (and don't worry if you worship in your jammies most of us are!!) And the pictures will show us we are not alone!   Please email your pictures to  Jeni.mccord@mtzionumc.org
by July 20th for this round.  Don't forget you can go back and watch a service anytime during the week if you are not available on Sunday mornings; the link is up all week!!
2020 Directory Photos
Make Your Appointment!
Back in March Mt. Zion's Communication Cluster began planning for a 2020 Church Directory. Now the August and October photo appointment dates are approaching. The plan is to continue with the schedule and see how it goes. Lifetouch, our contracted provider, has assured us they are taking appropriate safety measures to prevent COVID-19 spread.
Photo shoot dates are as follows:
Thursday - Saturday 8/13 - 15 and We. - Sat. 10/28-31. Weekday hours are 2 to 9 pm and Saturday hours are 10 am to 5 pm.
You can use the link below to schedule your photo appointment or you may call and schedule at 800-521-4611. Photo appointment location within Mt. Zion will be published before your appointment.
Youth Summer 2020
Phase Two
I t is hard to believe that "summer" is already halfway over! As we enter into the month of July, we want you to know that our Youth Ministry staff is entering into Phase Two of our summer programming schedule. Here is what you need to know for the month of July!

Wednesday Night Zooms
(July 15, 22)
We will return to our weekly Zoom gatherings on Wednesday Nights from 6:00 - 7:30 for three weeks in July. Every Wednesday has been a different devotional and game, with fun prizes (like a pizza!) July 15 will be a special evening where we are inviting all of our youth and children ministry families to join Pastor Montana in a conversation on Race and the Church.

Bring Your Own Picnic (July 29)
We have all been anxiously awaiting the day that we might be able to gathering in person with one another, social distanced of course! Hopefully that day is coming at the end of July! Our goal is to gather together on the grounds of the church, and enjoy a socially distanced picnic and fun with one another. More details will emerge as we get closer, and remember: This is completely tentative on the spread of the virus as we approach the date!

No Sunday School
Our youth group typically takes a break on Sundays during the summer, so we encourage all of our families to enjoy Sunday mornings with one another wherever you are. Danielle and I appreciate the encouragement and flexibility as we begin our transition back into leading worship on Sunday mornings on live stream and potentially in person by the end of July.
Contact Rev. Montana Hamby or Danielle Yoder with questions.
Upper Room Daily Devotional
Available Via Phone Call
Starting today, your free copy of the Upper Room for May/June has run out. However, during this time of pandemic the call-in meditation is available at no charge. There are two numbers available.
  • If you do not pay for long distance (most cell phone plans include long distance) you can call 1.615.212.2013
  • If you do pay for long distance calls, please call 1.877.600.7218
MUST Backpack Collection, One Day Only, Sat. July 18
Mt. Zion's Outreach Cluster will participate in the annual MUST Month Backpack Collection, with some important differences, due to COVID-19 restrictions and limitations. Collection of backpacks will be on one specific day, Saturday, July 18, starting at 9:00 am until 3:00 pm. The manned collection point will be the church van awning. Please observe virus precautions when dropping off your donations.
Also they are requesting fully packed backpacks with items from the elementary school list or the list for 6th grade and up. Lists are attached here and at mtzionumc.org.
Questions should be directed to Doug Bush by emailing douglask55@att.net or calling him at 678-538-7730
Make A Date
to Save A Life!
Mt. Zion will host a Red Cross Blood Drive on Monday, August 3 from 1-6 pm. You can save lives with your donations.
You may reserve your appointment by signing up directly at the Red Cross website: Registration Page .
Can't donate? Did you know that more than 80% of Red Cross workers are volunteers? Here's a link to tell you more about volunteering: volunteer
"I Will Heal Their Land"
Please note*** to avoid interfering with the online discussion with the pastors, The July 15 WOW Prayer Gathering will change to a 7:30 pm start time.
Prayer Team's July Focus:
Healing our Land with Prayer
WOW Prayer - Online Wednesday Evenings from 6:30 - 7:00 pm. 
The Prayer Ministry invites all Mt Zion members, family and friends to join us for a time of corporate intercessory prayer. For July our prayer will focus on the healing of our nation using 2 Chronicles 7:14 as our inspiration. We will lift up our nation, our church and civic leaders and individual prayer concerns. 
Members of our Prayer Ministry will lead our prayer time. If you wish to share prayer concerns privately you may use the chat feature in Zoom during our prayer time. You may request a time of private prayer with a Prayer Minister.
Please use the link at mtzionumc.org to join us at 6:30 Wednesday evenings in July (exception 7:30 pm on July 15).
Anytime you wish to bring a prayer concern to the Prayer Ministry please call the church office or email:
If you have any questions about WOW Prayer or the Prayer Ministry please contact the church office or Eva Sherwood or David Brigham. They both receive emails through the 
Grace and Peace,
David Brigham
Prayer Minister

Tonight at 6:30 pm is the final WOW Prayer Session for June.
All Are Welcome.
2 Chronicles 7:14 
New International Version (NIV)
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Grief in the Time of Covid-19
Grief is hard enough without adding the difficulties of a pandemic, fear, anxiety and isolation. If you are grieving the loss of a loved one please consider joining us this summer for the two remaining special sessions from GriefShare.
July 13th: Dealing with Loneliness
July 20th: Establishing a New Normal After Grief
Each session consist of a 15 minute video to be viewed online and then joining via Webex for meeting where we will discuss the video content and address the grief we are struggling with. All sessions are on Monday mornings from 10AM to 11:30AM.  If you are interested in joining us please email Karen Chambers at  k.chamb@comcast.net   to register and receive info on how to view videos and links to join sessions.
North Georgia UMC News
No newsletter this week from the district but here's a link to the North Georgia Conference news.

Your Giving is Appreciated
Remember, you can mail your gifts and offerings to the church office or you can give online.
Mail to:
Mt. Zion UMC
1770 Johnson Ferry Rd.
Marietta, GA 30062

or Click below to give online: